As Classic WoW celebrates its 20th Anniversary, players are diving into the new Season of Discovery (SoD) and anniversary realms. With an array of class updates and playstyle tweaks, understanding class viability in PvE is critical for players seeking to excel in raids and dungeons. Here's a detailed PvE-focused tier list, breaking down each class and specialization to guide your decisions.
Tier List Overview
Tier Classes/Specializations
S Tier Warrior (DPS), Priest (Healing), Rogue (DPS)
A Tier Mage (DPS), Warlock (DPS), Shaman (Healing), Druid (Healing), Paladin (Healing)
B Tier Hunter (Utility), Shadow Priest (DPS), Druid (Feral DPS/Tank), Balance Druid (Boomkin)
C Tier Enhancement Shaman, Elemental Shaman, Protection Paladin
S Tier: The Dominant Classes
Warrior (DPS)
Warriors dominate in later phases, particularly in AQ40 and Naxxramas, with unmatched scaling and sustained DPS. Their ability to maintain momentum without mana constraints makes them invaluable in speedrunning guilds.
Best Specs: Fury and Arms (situational for PvP).
Priest (Healing)
Priests are essential for raid groups, the undisputed leader in healing throughput and versatility. They also bring powerful buffs like Power Word: Fortitude.
Tips:
Alliance Priests: Opt for Dwarf for Fear Ward, crucial in many encounters.
Horde Priests: Go Troll for the powerful Berserking racial.
Rogue (DPS)
Rogues excel in early content like Molten Core (MC) and Blackwing Lair (BWL). Their consistent DPS and utility with Sap and other crowd control make them indispensable.
Late Game: While Warriors eventually outshine them, skilled Rogues remain competitive.
A Tier: Strong and Reliable Performers
Mage (DPS)
Mages bring unrivaled AoE damage, utility with crowd control, and raid-wide buffs like Arcane Intellect.
Limitations: Mana dependency in speedrun scenarios limits their efficiency.
Recommendation: Most guilds bring a few Mages for utility and consistent ranged damage.
Warlock (DPS)
While Mages often outshine them in damage, Warlocks bring essential debuffs like Curse of Recklessness and Curse of Elements, amplifying raid DPS.
Role in Raids:
Specialized utility in fights like Twin Emperors.
Reliable sustain with Life Tap and Healthstones.
Shaman (Healing)
Shamans provide powerful AoE healing with Chain Heal and unique raid buffs via totems.
Faction Limitation: Exclusive to the Horde, their utility shines in caster-heavy groups.
Paladin (Healing)
Paladins are the backbone of Alliance raids, offering unparalleled tank healing and buffs like Blessing of Kings and Blessing of Wisdom.
Role in Raids: You'll want at least three Paladins per raid for maximum buff coverage.
Druid (Healing)
Druids offer reliable heals over time (HoTs) and Decurse support.
If Blizzard allows stacking HoTs, their viability could improve further.
Utility: Bring one Druid for Innervate and raid-wide utility.
B Tier: Solid Choices with Limitations
Hunter (Utility)
Role in Raids: Hunters excel as pullers and utility providers but struggle with competitive DPS output.
Use Case:
Considered indispensable in raid setups for their unique toolkit.
Typically, only one or two Hunters are required per guild.
Shadow Priest (DPS)
Severe mana issues hinder sustained DPS.
Primary role is to apply the Shadow Weaving debuff to amplify Warlock damage.
Recommendation: Only one Shadow Priest is typically needed per raid.
Druid (Feral DPS/Tank, Balance)
Feral Druids:
Offer utility via Leader of the Pack but lack competitive damage compared to Rogues and Warriors.
Balance Druids (Boomkin):
High mana costs limit sustained DPS.
Primarily brought for 3% crit aura for caster groups.
C Tier: Niche and PvP-Oriented
Enhancement Shaman
Known for Nightfall procs rather than DPS output.
Often played by PvP enthusiasts raiding to gear up.
Elemental Shaman
Weaknesses: Low DPS output and mana inefficiency.
Best suited for PvP or situational utility.
Protection Paladin
Lacks a taunt, making it impractical for serious tanking roles.
Rarely seen outside of niche situations.
Choosing the Best Class for You
S Tier: If you're aiming for maximum performance and raid desirability, go with Warrior, Priest, or Rogue.
A Tier: For a balance of utility and strong performance, consider Mage, Warlock, Healing Paladin, or Healing Shaman.
B Tier: Hunter and Feral Druid are strong options if you enjoy unique roles or utility-based playstyles.
C Tier: These classes are best for PvP-focused players or those willing to accept niche roles in PvE.
PvE Tips for Success
Communicate with Your Guild: Ensure your class choice aligns with guild needs.
Plan Around Buffs and Utility: Some specs, like Resto Druid and Shadow Priest, shine when providing support rather than raw DPS.
Optimize Gear and Rotations: Maximize your impact by understanding your spec's strengths and weaknesses.
Whether you're diving into anniversary realms or exploring the fresh possibilities of SoD, this tier list serves as your guide to making the most of Classic WoW's PvE experience. Good luck and happy adventuring!
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