Best DPS Classes in SoD Phase 8: Top Picks
Time: 2025-04-06 by mmojugg Game: WOW Classic Season Of Discovery Guide
Season of Discovery Phase 8 has arrived, bringing with it the mysterious Scarlet Enclave raid, packed with eight epic bosses, shiny new tier sets, and legendary weapons that'll make your heart race. Whether you're looking to top the damage meter or simply secure a spot in the raid, this tier list breaks down the best DPS classes for Phase 8. We've sifted through the seismic shift in power to bring you the scoop on who's thriving and who's barely surviving. If you enjoy this dive into Azeroth's latest meta, be sure to bookmark our site for more WoW insights - and maybe check out our WoW Classic Gold Shop for a little extra edge! Let's get started.
Tier C: Struggling to Shine
Starting at the bottom, Retribution Paladins are stuck in C tier. Big nerfs hit hard, especially to their Judgment damage from the Tier 2 set bonus, leaving them lackluster until endgame BiS gear—like the coveted Ashbringer—comes into play. The new tier set builds Holy Power with Exorcism and Crusader Strike, unleashing scaled-up Divine Storm damage. It's a cool concept, but the payoff feels too far away for most players. For AoE, they're decent for four targets or less, but single-target DPS has taken a nosedive. Blizzard might want to tweak this before too many Alliance pallies jump ship!
B Tier: Solid and Steady
Next up, the B Tier—classes that won't top charts but won't let you down either.
Enhancement Shamans turn Lightning Shield into an AoE beast with their new tier set, while Maelstrom Weapon stacks charges for instant chain lightning blasts. It's consistent midline damage that shines brightest on AoE packs.
Balance Druids lean towards DoTs with Sunfire and Moonfire buffs from their tier set. Starfall is their only real AoE trick, which feels underwhelming, but their single-target rotation is simple and strong early on - think AQ40 vibes - before tapering off later. Still, any raid leader would welcome a Boomkin.
Warriors get a quirky tier set that boosts flat damage, reduces Whirlwind cooldowns, and stacks Slam Power. They're built for multi-target chaos, with Cleave hitting an extra enemy and spammable Whirlwinds tearing through short fights. Fury is currently outpacing Ashbringer's two-handers - imagine that!
Elemental Shamans juice up Lava Burst with free Flame Shock ticks and make Chain Lightning hit harder on fewer targets. Their AoE and Cleave game is top notch - think Reborn Council domination - but single target lag with "meh" Lightning Bolts, even with Chain Lightning thrown in.
A Tier: Rising Stars
The A Tier is where things heat up.
Feral Druids grab the Staff of Blade, which rewards cat form uptime with energy for easier rotation. Their tier set pumps out raw damage, though AoE takes a hit with a nerfed rake. Single-Target shines early with Pre-BiS and the new weapon, offering Lazy Cat builds that rival Power Shifting without the sweat.
Shadow Priests beef up Mind Flay and Mind Sear, with the latter now shrugging off AoE interrupts (still not amazing, though). Single-target is their forte - top-five DPS during progression with clutch heals, and a shot at the top with full BiS. Raids will be begging for more of these dark casters.
Rogues wield the slick King's Fall and Queen's combo, boosting Backstab and Ambush by 50%. The Backstab spec dominates single-target early on, but the AoE Cleave is the weakest link. Still, they're a solid choice for metre climbers.
S Tier: The DPS Kings
Now, the S Tier—the cream of Phase 8's crop.
Melee Hunters wield Corrupted Ashbringer (good luck prying it from my hands!) and a bland but effective tier set with flat bonuses like 10% Raptor's Fury stacks. AoE is mid-tier, but Mongoose Bite and pet damage (if you don't starve it) push single-target to insane heights.
Mages make Living Bomb a garbage-clearing dream with their tier set, detonating on target death for less frustration and big damage. Single-target offers Spellfrost and Fire options, with Fire's Pyroblast-Balefire Bolt combo ready to dominate metres. Safe bet: Mages will shine.
Warlocks get flat boosts to Incinerate and Shadow Bolt, plus 15% haste on crits and a 25% burn effect. Shadow Bolt Volley rules AoE (unless you've got a wild Fury craft), but single-target Fire Destruction steals the show with rapid Incinerates and burn bonuses—over 12% extra damage overall. They're great for blasting pugs and raids alike.
Ranged Hunters take the crown as Phase 8's top dog. Their tier set adds 20% shot damage to Serpent Sting targets, 20% attack power from crits, and multiple shots to hit more enemies. AoE and Cleave soar, while single targets rely on Multi-Shot and Killshot for consistent top two or three finishes. Hunters are unstoppable.
Thanks for Reading
There you have it—the ultimate DPS rundown for Season of Discovery Phase 8. Whether you're a Ret Paladin licking your wounds or a Ranged Hunter basking in glory, this tier list has you covered for Scarlet Enclave. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more WoW adventures and tips on how to rule Azeroth!
Table of Content
WoW SoD Gold
WoW SoD Items
WoW SoD Boosting