Greetings from Librarian Husky! It is quite the fitting time to have this kind of analysis because we went through the meta tier list of the power level of the specs based on what we saw from the beta. We looked at the tanks, the healers, the ranged, and the DPS. In a time when there will be not much to do besides, for example, leveling multiple characters—2, 3, 4, or even 5—players may see how quickly they can level up their characters in this expansion. Even players who started the expansion with the idea of playing a single class and spec might start thinking about branching out and playing a few more.

Evaluating Class Versus Spec Performance

Since we only ever stayed within the specs themselves and never quite looked at it from the big picture—the picture of the class as a whole—consider this: Sure, your general idea might have been to play, let’s say, a Destruction Warlock. But what if Destruction Warlock is underperforming, while Demo Warlock is overpowered? Would you be willing to switch to Demo? In that case, the value of your Warlock would be very high. However, if you dislike Demo and only want to play Destruction, and if Destruction is performing poorly, you might consider switching to a different class. That’s the point we’re exploring today: evaluating the classes as a whole rather than just single specs.

Focus on Multi-Classing and Multi-Roll Advantages

Obviously, there are bonus points for all multi-class, multi-role type of players who might gain advantages in playing a certain class with multiple powerful specs rather than just one. Since we are rebels, we’re not starting alphabetically; we’re going the other way around with Warrior.

Warrior Class Overview

Warrior is quite solid and warrants one tier above the middle of the pack. Right now, Arms Warrior and Fury Warrior have been performing quite well in single-target scenarios, with Fury in particular being quite decent in Mythic Plus. One issue both specs face is that they are currently focused on Slayer, and other options in their hero talents are not as powerful. However, in terms of power right now, they are doing quite well. Protection Warrior was one of the more played tanks in the beta.

Evaluating Warrior’s Class Flexibility

So you find yourself with two pretty decent DPS specs and a popular tank, which is already a good advantage. You have two different roles available to you, and within the same role, you have two specs to choose from. This allows you to swap between whichever spec is performing better in a given activity, making it a healthy situation for Warrior as a class.

Challenges Faced by Warlock

In contrast, Warlock has a slightly less favorable situation. From a balanced standpoint, all three Warlock specs are performing in the middle of the pack for single-target results. In Mythic Plus, Affliction performed better than the other two specs and was more popular, but none of them are outstanding. All Warlock specs fall under the same role, which can be both a positive and a negative.

Role Versatility and Its Impact

The ability to switch between specs is beneficial. For instance, if Destruction Warlock is underperforming, you can switch to Demo or Affliction. This flexibility is advantageous compared to classes like Shadow Priest, Red Paladin, Windwalker Monk, or Demon Hunter, which do not have this option if their single role is weak. However, the downside is that if all three Warlock specs are performing poorly, you may be left with limited options since they are all range DPS.

Class Specialization and Flexibility

I’m just going to play tank, I’m just going to play healer, or I’m just going to switch to something else within my same class. This is not an option for Rogues, Mages, or Warlocks. Either your DPS spec performs well, or you’re stuck. The advantage of being able to choose between multiple specs is significant. However, as a pure DPS class, Warlocks must be evaluated strictly on their current performance. Currently, Warlocks are not exceptional, though they are unlikely to fall to very low levels due to their unique abilities like Hellstones, gateways, and significant tankiness.

Shaman Class Performance

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Shaman is currently the best of these three classes. Enhancement Shaman is performing very well; although their other hero talents are less effective, their single-target performance is strong, and they are respectable in Mythic Plus. With recent improvements to their capped AOE damage thanks to Tempest, Enhancement Shaman‘s performance is notable.

Elemental Shaman’s Success

Elemental Shaman has been even more impressive. Despite recent nerfs, their single-target damage remains among the top three or four results, and they are even stronger in Mythic Plus. Unlike Enhancement Shaman, Elemental Shamans can effectively switch between their hero talents for different activities.

Resto Shaman Versatility

Restoration Shaman is also performing well. They can choose between Totemic and Far Seer talents depending on their focus, such as Riptide for Far Seer or Chain Heal for Totemic, which enhances their flexibility and effectiveness.

Shaman’s Versatility and Performance

Even with slight nerfs, Shamans are currently performing very well across three different specs and roles: melee DPS, range DPS, and healer. This strong performance is why Shaman currently receives the highest marks as a class among those we have evaluated.

Rogue Class Performance

Next, Rogues rank slightly above Warlocks for similar reasons. As a pure DPS class with three distinct specs,

Rogues are performing better than Warlocks, particularly in single-target scenarios. Outlaw is notably superior in single-target situations, while Assassination is also performing well and shows improved results in Mythic Plus.

Rogue Spec Variety

Rogues have a good variety across their specs. For instance, Subtlety plays with Trickster, Outlaw with Fatebound, and Assassination with Deathstalker. This variety offers options for different situations, such as Outlaw for single-target and Assassination for Mythic Plus, leading to a healthy spread of power among Rogues.

Priest Class Performance

Priests are among the lower-performing classes at the moment. Shadow Priest mostly utilizes Archon, Discipline Priest focuses on Void Weaver, and Holy Priest has options between Oracle for Mythic Plus and Archon for raids. Despite these choices, Priest performance is not exceptional. Holy Priest is notably underperforming, Discipline Priest struggles in Mythic Plus, and Shadow Priest, while better in AOE damage, has average to mediocre single-target damage.

Priest Class Performance and Limitations

When evaluating classes, we are not making a tier list based solely on the specs. While Shadow Priest was rated quite highly, Holy Priest and Discipline Priest were not, due to their weaker performance. Consequently, the class as a whole is rated lower. However, Paladin is performing even worse than Priest.

Paladin Performance Breakdown

Starting with the positive, Holy Paladin is performing well. It was one of the more played specs in Mythic Plus during the beta and had strong raid results. However, Retribution and Protection Paladin are not doing as well. Protection Paladin was the least played tank in Mythic Plus, and Retribution was also underperforming as a DPS spec, ending up in the middle of the pack in raid testing. Having only one strong spec, which is a healer, and weaker tank and DPS options, makes Paladin less promising overall.

Comparison with Shadow Priest

Shadow Priest fares better overall due to having a strong DPS spec, which is more valuable. Despite their weaker specs, they are all within the same role, unlike Paladin, which covers both melee DPS and tank roles that are currently underperforming.

Monk Class Overview

Monks are generally in a solid average position. Brewmaster Monk was not among the most popular tanks, but Monks have various options for hero talents. Brewmaster and Windwalker can switch talents relatively easily, unlike Mistweaver, which is more rigidly locked to Conduit of the Celestials. However, Mistweaver benefits from being able to play two distinct specs: fist weaving in Mythic Plus and traditional healing in raids. Overall, Monks offer good variety and options, though the tuning for Windwalker and Brewmaster is just okay.

Monk Class Evaluation

Monks are currently in an okay position. They might even rank slightly higher due to having three distinct roles: tank, healer, and melee DPS. This diversity offers more value compared to Warlocks, who have three specs all focusing on the same role, DPS. Therefore, Monks deserve to be rated a bit higher than Warlocks.

Mage Class Performance

As usual, Mages rank in the S tier. Arcane Mage, the highest-tuned spec in the beta for single-target Sims, is also one of the most played specs in Mythic Plus. Frost Mage performs well, ranking almost in the top five, while Fire Mage, the weakest among Mages, is only slightly better than Warlock specs. Overall, Mage is performing exceptionally well as a class.

Hunter Class Overview

Hunters are currently underperforming, with both Beast Mastery and Marksmanship being less enthusiastic, especially in ranged combat. Interestingly, Survival Hunter, which is the only melee spec for Hunters, performed the best among them in the beta. Despite this, all Hunter specs are slightly above average in single-target performance.

Warlock Class Tuning and Comparison

Warlocks should never be rated below B, as they are always useful. However, given the current tuning of most other DPS classes, Warlocks are not performing well in comparison. As a pure DPS class, this is particularly significant. Currently, Hunters are outperforming Warlocks and have the added benefit of offering both ranged and melee specs within the same class.

Evoker Class Performance

Evokers are positioned in the S tier. Despite issues with Augmentation Evoker, Preservation Evoker is performing very well and is a potential meta candidate for Mythic Plus. Both specs are strong and likely to be popular choices. However, the state of Devastation Evoker, combined with some players’ dislike for Augmentation’s</ strong> playstyle, prevents Evokers from fully reaching the S tier.

Druid Class Evaluation

Druids face challenges if you are focused on DPS. While Guardian Druid is currently looking okay, the overall value of Druids diminishes significantly for DPS enthusiasts. This is due to their current performance and the specific roles they offer.

Druid Class Performance

Druids have shown strong performance in Mythic Plus, with Guardian Druid being a popular tank spec and Restoration Druid excelling in Mythic Plus while also being average in raids. However, the other two specs, Feral and Balance, are underperforming, particularly Balance, which is currently not doing well. Thus, while Druids have two good specs, the issues with their DPS specs limit their overall ranking.

Demon Hunter Class Evaluation

Demon Hunters, though not having a third spec like Evokers, are performing exceptionally well with their two available specs. Havoc Demon Hunter has the second-highest single-target simulation results and offers flexibility between different builds. Vengeance Demon Hunter was a popular tank in the beta, making both specs strong in their respective roles. This versatility and high performance earn Demon Hunters bonus points.

Death Knight Class Overview

Death Knights currently have three strong specs: Blood, Frost, and Unholy. Blood is still a popular tank in high Mythic Plus keys despite numerous nerfs. Frost remains the most popular melee spec in Mythic Plus, while Unholy, though less popular, has respectable single-target damage and performs well in raids. This variety allows players to excel in both Mythic Plus and raids, making Death Knights a well-rounded class overall.

Class Evaluation Criteria

The assessment of classes considers a mix of spec tuning, variety, and role flexibility. Classes are evaluated based on whether they offer powerful specs across different roles, such as melee DPS, ranged DPS, and tanking, or if they are strong only in a single role. This holistic view helps players choose a class based on overall effectiveness rather than just focusing on specific specs.

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