Welcome back! In today’s discussion, we’re delving into the Season of Discovery, focusing on Phase 2. I’m excited to share with you a tier list I’ve created for the classes based on their performance so far and what we can expect moving forward into Phase 2.

Introduction to Season of Discovery

This analysis considers both current class performance and the known runes for Phase 2 to create a speculative ranking.

Mastering the Arena: Insights and Anticipation for Phase 2 of Season of Discovery

With a background in playing various classes extensively in Phase 1, reaching level 25 with each, and having multiple characters for some classes, my insights draw from a broad range of experiences. We’ve been actively participating in raids across all classes, which has given me a comprehensive understanding of each class’s capabilities and nuances.

As we look towards Phase 2, the anticipation builds on how the new runes will reshape the battlefield and potentially alter class dynamics. This phase promises exciting developments, and I’m eager to explore how these changes will influence the overall class hierarchy.

Class Performance Insights

So, you can see my Warlock, for instance. I’m not going to log into them, but like my Warlock is fully equipped. I’m only missing the Epic staff. My Feral DD is actually full abyss; we have every single item from the raid on the Feral DD. My Mage as well, every single item except for the staff. My Warrior has pretty much every single weapon, including the Epic sword. My Hunter has every single weapon from the raid, including the bow. Literally everything.

My Rogue has everything except for the sword. My Priest has everything, excluding the hat. I’m still using a Santa hat, but we do have the Epic staff on this guy. And my Paladin, once again, has everything except for the tier head but also has the Epic sword. I also have one more epic staff on my other Mage on my other account.

So, we’ve been doing the raid on 9 to 10 characters every single reset. We’ve been doing a lot of raids and having a lot of fun doing it. I’m using the experience that I’ve had playing these classes and letting you know how fun they’ve been, their performance, and how I think they’ll be doing in Phase 2 as well.

Gold Making in Phase 2

With that being said, let’s dive into the tier list. For those interested in enhancing their financial strategy for Phase 2, there’s a comprehensive gold-making guide available. This guide, tailored for the classic WoW environment and updated for the Season of Discovery, spans 134 pages and covers a wide array of strategies.

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Class Analysis: Druids

Starting with Druids, I place them in the S tier because all three of their specs are excellent. Restoration and DPS Druids are enjoyable to play, offering significant DPS without heavy mana dependency. While Wild Growth requires some mana, the ability to spam Wrath for DPS and trigger free or instant healing procs adds to their versatility.

Feral Druids also enjoy a rewarding playstyle, with significant updates such as Mangle and Savage Roar, enhancing their damage output. Although they may not top DPS charts, they rank high and offer simple, effective gameplay.

Boomkins, too, have received updates that considerably boost their DPS, positioning them well in the current meta. With the upcoming Phase 2, Feral Druids will benefit from the Automatic Crowd Pomer, and Resto Druids and Boomkins are expected to thrive with the new runes available.

Mage Prospects in Phase 2

Mages are also looking promising for Phase 2. Their performance in Phase 1 was enjoyable, and while they may not lead DPS charts, their standing is commendable. A notable update for Mages is their newfound healing capabilities, a significant shift that could impact their utility and versatility in gameplay.

Mage Healing Evolution

Initially skeptical about Mage healing, I’ve become a convert to the Healer Mage role, finding it surprisingly enjoyable. It’s akin to playing a Smite Priest but as a Mage, where healing is achieved through dealing damage. This new gameplay dynamic, particularly the innovative chromatic healing, makes for a rewarding experience.

You’re able to deliver substantial heals while also contributing to DPS, creating a satisfying balance. Furthermore, Fire Mages are currently excelling in DPS, and it seems every Mage spec will see improvements in Phase 2.

The introduction of two new runes, Chrono-Static Preservation and Missile Barrage, will address Mana sustainability issues for healing Mages, reducing the Mana cost of spells significantly and facilitating more efficient healing and damage output. As a result, Mages are well-positioned for Phase 2, meriting their inclusion in the top tier.

Exploring Hunter Updates

Hunters have been on a tumultuous journey, with their effectiveness oscillating due to numerous adjustments. Despite these challenges, they are poised for a resurgence in Phase 2. The focus on melee capabilities, as evidenced by the changes to Raptor Strike and Mongoose Bite, suggests a shift towards more dynamic combat styles.

The removal of cooldowns and the introduction of instant abilities enhance Hunters’ versatility and damage potential. Furthermore, the Trap Launcher’s integration adds a strategic layer to their gameplay.

The introduction of potent new talents and abilities in Phase 2, particularly for Beast Mastery Hunters, indicates a significant boost in their performance. With talents that amplify pet damage, Hunters may not only climb the DPS charts but could potentially lead them in the early stages of Phase 2. The dependency on pet damage reduces the need for high-end gear, making Hunters a formidable force and a highly enjoyable class to play, securing their position just below the top tier due to their unique DPS dynamics.

Hunter’s Unique Position in the Game

Hunters remain the only pure DPS class in the game, with their ability to technically tank using their pets, setting them apart from other classes. Mages have evolved to heal, Warriors and Warlocks can tank, and even Rogues have been seen tanking. This unique aspect of Hunters is cherished, and many hope it remains unchanged. They secure a spot in the A tier due to their distinct role and gameplay mechanics.

Warlock Rune Preview for Phase 2

The Rune preview for Warlocks in Phase 2 has been somewhat underwhelming, at least from my perspective. Invocation might offer some intrigue for Warlock tanks or Affliction Warlocks, but for those focused on DPS, Destruction is the key. The second rune offers some Mana regeneration, which is beneficial, yet the absence of enhancements to core abilities like Chaos Bolt and Incinerate is noticeable. Despite significant improvements in Phase 1, the expectation for Phase 2 was higher. Consequently, Warlocks find themselves in the B tier, albeit at the lower end compared to other classes in the same tier.

Priest Prospects in Phase 2

Priests are looking exceptionally promising for Phase 2, especially due to the new runes. Pain Suppression is a significant addition for Healer Priests, offering a powerful cooldown for damage reduction and increased resistance to dispel mechanics, valuable in both PvE and PvP settings.

Shadow Priests receive a boost with Mind Spike, providing substantial Shadow Frost damage and enhancing the critical strike chance of subsequent Mind Blasts. This makes Priests a formidable force in Phase 2, positioning them above Warlocks in the A tier.

While Warlocks may have potential from a tanking perspective, their current standing from a DPS viewpoint places them lower in the tier list. Priests, on the other hand, enjoy a more favorable ranking due to their enhanced utility and damage capabilities.

Shadow Priest Performance

I believe Shadow Priests are set to excel in PvP, despite potentially not leading in PvE. The addition of Mind Blast or Mind Spike significantly enhances their capability, ensuring they receive a notable boost. Coupled with the new talents introduced in Phase 2, Shadow Priests are expected to perform exceptionally well in PvP environments.

Shaman Enhancements in Phase 2

Shamans are gaining access to Maelstrom Weapon in Phase 2, which, upon dealing melee damage, offers a chance to reduce the cast time of subsequent spells by 20%, stacking up to five times for an instant cast. Additionally, Spirit of the Alpha presents an intriguing mechanic by increasing threat, which could prove invaluable in certain scenarios, especially with multiple tanks. With these additions, Shamans are poised for significant improvement in Phase 2, meriting their placement in the high A tier, with potential to ascend to S tier as the phase progresses.

Paladin Rune Abilities

Paladins receive notable enhancements through new rune abilities. Sheath of Light increases spell power by an amount equal to 30% of attack power following melee damage, and critical healing spells grant additional healing over time. Additionally, melee hits regenerate mana but at the cost of reduced healing effectiveness from certain spells.

These changes offer substantial benefits, particularly for Holy Paladins, but also have utility for Retribution and Protection Paladins struggling with mana management. Despite these improvements, Paladins are positioned lower than A tier due to limited observations of their performance in Phase 1.

Retribution Paladins and Warrior Dynamics

I observed a surge of Retribution Paladins during the first few weeks, attracted by the allure of abilities like Divine Storm. However, they quickly realized their performance still fell short compared to Warriors, leading many to revert to their Warrior mains.

Initially, Paladins seemed to outperform due to their ability to excel without optimal gear, unlike Warriors who depend heavily on gear for DPS. As the gear gap closed, Warriors surged ahead, diminishing the presence of Retribution Paladins.

While Paladins are competent in various roles, they often aren’t the top choice for DPS or healing, though they remain solid tanks. However, the necessity for Paladin tanks can wane without specific mechanics that require their unique abilities, like the bubble in BFD.

Paladin Prospects in Phase 2

Despite the challenges faced by Paladins in DPS and healing roles, they are indispensable for their blessings, especially with the introduction of enhanced blessings in Phase 2, potentially lasting up to 30 minutes. This quality of life improvement could make playing a Paladin more appealing, though it may not significantly alter their tier placement. Paladins will likely remain in the B tier, valued more for their utility than their raw performance in any single role.

Warrior and Rogue Considerations for Phase 2

Warriors are poised to excel in Phase 2, even without new runes specifically enhancing their abilities. The existing runes will ensure they remain competitive in DPS rankings. However, the mechanical and elemental nature of mobs in the upcoming raid, Normarygan, implies that bleed and poison effects, crucial to Warriors and Rogues, will be less effective. This factor could influence their placement on the tier list, requiring a reassessment of their expected performance in the new phase.

Warrior Performance in Normarygan

Warriors could dominate the DPS meters in Normarygan, a raid known for its mechanical mobs traditionally immune to bleeds. However, Season of Discovery might introduce mechanics allowing bleeds to affect these mobs, potentially through a class quest or attunement, maintaining Warriors’ top DPS status. Conversely, if bleeds remain ineffective, the impact on Warriors’ DPS, heavily reliant on Deep Wounds, could reposition them within the tier list, potentially at the bottom of S tier or the top of A tier, depending on the final raid mechanics.

Rogue DPS Potential

Rogues, similar to Warriors, face uncertainty in Normarygan due to their reliance on bleed and poison effects for significant DPS contributions. Should these effects remain viable against the raid’s mobs, Rogues could rival Warriors at the top of the DPS charts. The addition of new talents and abilities further amplifies their potential. However, if bleed and poison effects are nullified, Rogues may see a similar shift in their tier ranking, possibly falling to the lower end of S tier or leading the A tier, reflecting the substantial impact of raid mechanics on their performance.

Speculative Tier List for Phase 2

The tier list for Phase 2 remains speculative, heavily influenced by potential changes in raid mechanics, particularly concerning bleed and poison effects in Normarygan. The list aims to reflect not only the anticipated performance of classes based on available information but also personal enjoyment and overall experience from Phase 1. It’s important to note that all classes offer unique and enjoyable gameplay, with Paladins being the only exception placed in the B tier, reflecting their more niche role and utility in the current meta. This tier list invites further discussion and comparison with others’ perspectives to explore the diverse viewpoints within the community.

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Season of Discovery Phase 2 Class Tier List