Start Instance Training Before Level 20
Hunters is the most popular class-type on World of Warcraft because of its great ability to play in a "solo" format. Because of this, you'll need to be a Hunter who stands out in order to regularly find parties to enter Dungeon/Instances with.
In order to stand out, you first need to practice. It is recommended that you take part in Dungeon/Instance Pick-up Groups (PuGs) regularly as soon as you've reached level 15 or so, as practice is the main way you'll improve your party-based skills.
By the time you reach level 40, Instance party members expect you have a decent grasp on your class's role within a team, and thus will be less forgiving of errors or lack of preparation.
By the time you reach level 55, quality guilds who have members going into Instances on a regular basis will actively blacklist you from their parties, raids or the guild itself if you're not already beginning to show a solid understanding of your class's role.
Group Strategy Differs From Solo Strategy
Playing your toon in an Instance group requires a different strategy than you've become used to while playing solo, no matter what class you've chosen. Different classes have different strengths and weaknesses within a grouped situation, and as your levels increase and you move closer to instances like Blackrock Depths (Level 52+) and into the rest of the "End Game training" dungeons such as Blackrock Spire, Dire Maul, Stratholme and Scholomance, you knowing your class role becomes more of a necessity if you hope to team up with others who know what they're doing.
If you're okay with teaming up with Mages and Warlocks who want to be the party's Main Tank (MT), Warriors who charge in to every fight and "aggro" far more NPC opponents than is truly necessary, and Priests who aren't interested in healing, then don't worry about this or any other Instance Class guide that's posted here - but don't be surprised to find that (especially at level 50+) it's hard to ever actually get THROUGH an Instance in its entirety as a direct result.
Preparing Your Hunter Toon For An Instance Run
Before heading into an Instance, it is the individual responsibility of each party member to ensure their toon is in tip-top condition and well-stocked with various consumables. As a Hunter, this includes:
Repairing your equipment
Restocking your arrow/bullet supply
Bringing a stack or two of HP and Mana potions for emergencies
Restocking your water and food supplies for healing
Restocking fish, meat or fruit for your pet
If you get involved with Instance parties before level 20, it can reasonably be expected that by Level 40, partymates will be able to rely on you for taking enough responsibility to be properly stocked before entering an Instance. Players over level 40 who join dungeon parties without adequate preparation can expect to be alienated in the future by players who ARE prepared. Other players aren't going to be interested in sharing their consumables (especially for your pet!), and a Hunter who runs out of arrows mid-Instance, for example, takes a severe nose-dive in terms of being a useful contributor to the party.
Common Hunter Instance Duties
As a hunter (with pet) in an instance party, your duties tend to be as follows:
Main Puller (MP)
Strong consistent DPS on one of the MT's current targets
Using pet as off-tank (OT) when MT is facing multiple opponents
Helping defend "squishy" party members (mages, priests, warlocks) by pulling aggro off of them.
Hunters With Pets - Beware Their Behavior!
As a hunter with pet in an instance party, it's EXTREMELY important that you learn how to tightly control your pet. Here are three things that will get your party-mates mad at you and your pet:
Having your pet on any mode other than Passive
Sloppy targetting in terms of sending your pet to attack
Forgetting to release your pet before taking a shortcut that involves jumping down
Beware Nearby Mobs While Getting In "Range"
As a hunter seperate from your pet, another major way you'll cause problems within your Instance party is when trying to get in "Ranging" range. Always keep aware of where NPC mobs are located, and do your best NOT to back or strafe into their aggro zone while attempting to range your team's current opponent. If nothing else, try to get within Ranging range from the back of the party, where opponents have already been cleared out and there's no chance you'll bring extra NPCs into the fray.
Stay Tuned For Part II!
This article is Part I of a short series of posts on the topic of effectively learning how to play a Hunter toon in an Instance or Raid party. Part II will delve more deeply into the bullet-points mentioned in this post, so if you're not sure what something here means, be sure to check back soon for Part II.