first timers usually kill him since he impedes your progress throught the zone.
I think most first timers just evade him, the guy is pretty hard, he makes progressing hard but you can get past him running and taking cover.
in fact all those hunters are a royal pain in the ass the first time around, they move super fast and are overpowered. I bothered fighting against them only with a +9 or +10 weapon, which happens waaay after you encounter any of them.
that trio of assholes in Yahar'gul? what the fuck was that,lol