A level-60 character doing damage in a dungeon group, in five-player dungeons in general, played with a level-60 character's full kit: the talents, abilities, ranks and gear it has at the cap. The list is not tied to one dungeon. The dungeons run at the cap are the sample of what dungeons ask: Blackrock Depths (48), Lower and Upper Blackrock Spire (53), Dire 
Maul (54), Stratholme (55), Scholomance (57) by the client's levels, and any level-60 dungeon Blizzard adds, such as the announced Blackmore Hold. They are mostly trash packs pulled one after another, short boss fights, one tank, one healer and three damage dealers, one of each buff at most.
The subjects are the 20 specs whose tree is built to do damage: all three of 
Hunter, 
Mage, 
Rogue and 
Warlock; Balance and 
Feral Cat 
Druid; 
Retribution 
Paladin; Shadow 
Priest; 
Elemental and 
Enhancement 
Shaman; Arms and Fury 
Warrior. Tanks and healers are rated on their own lists.
This is a forecast. The beta stops at level 30, so nobody has played any spec at 60 in a group. The ratings come from the client's level-60 spell ranks and talent trees, the class guides' projected builds, and what Blizzard has announced.
Dungeons are rated in general, on a level-60 character's full kit, not one dungeon: the sample is Blackrock Depths, both Blackrock Spires, Dire Maul, Stratholme and Scholomance, whose undead, demons, elementals, beasts and humanoids decide which crowd control works, and whose curses, poisons, diseases and magic decide which dispels matter.
Every score is a whole number from 1 to 5 against written anchors, and the tier comes from the weighted score alone: no spec is placed by hand. Two scorers rated every spec without seeing each other's work; where they differed, the score the facts supported better was kept, never an average, and a final pass checked that specs with the same tools got the same scores.
No spec reaches S. The highest score is Fury Warrior at 4.00, short of the 4.25 S needs: nothing yet measures play at 60, so no spec could be called clearly the best on the heaviest criteria. A spec that proves stronger at 60 than its kit suggests would move up in a later version.
This list and its raid twin replace the Group PvE DPS list of 19 October. Dungeons and raids ask different things of a damage dealer, so one blended score hid the answer most readers wanted; the raid list ranks the same specs against its own rubric.
The formula is open to change: a different weight or threshold makes a new version of the list, with every spec that moves saying why.
The rubric: each criterion scored 1 to 5| Criterion | Weight | What it measures |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | Kills dungeon trash packs fast with real AoE or cleave, at the tank's pace, without breaking crowd control: 5.  Cleaves two or three, or has AoE that is weak, costly or dangerous next to crowd control: 3. Single-target only in practice: 1. |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | Among the highest damage on a dungeon boss and on a priority kill target, from the pull: 5. Middle of the pack: 3. Well behind the rest: 1. |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | Reliable crowd control on the creature types level-60 dungeons are full of, plus an interrupt; a pull can be planned around it: 5. One crowd control that works on some of the dungeons' creatures, or an interrupt only: 3. Nothing that controls or interrupts: 1. |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | Low threat or a drop, and the tools to survive a loose add or a bad pull without the healer: 5. Must watch threat on AoE pulls; one defensive: 3. Pulls packs off the tank and dies when it does: 1. |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | Ready for the next pull at once: little mana use or fast regeneration, and no long setup: 5. Drinks or rebuilds every few pulls: 3. Drinks after nearly every pull: 1. |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | A party buff or debuff that raises the group's damage or safety, plus run utility (a summon, an out-of-combat helper, lockpicking, a rescue): 5. One party buff or one useful run tool: 3. Nothing beyond its own damage: 1. |
|---|
An entry’s tier comes from its weighted score:
4.25 or more is S, 3.75 or more is A, 3.25 or more is B, 2.75 or more is C, 2.25 or more is D, and anything lower is F.
A tier set by hand instead says why in its write-up. Within a tier, the best score comes first.
- Talents: the spec's recommended level-60 group build from our class guide, or the nearest the guide has; a dungeon variant where the guide gives one.
- Gear: pre-raid: dungeon blues, crafted and reputation items. No raid gear, no world buffs.
- Consumables: the ordinary ones a group player brings: potions, elixirs, food, oils and stones.
- Group: a balanced party: one tank, one healer, three damage dealers, the buffs one of each class gives.
- The game rules of the stated build. A patch that changes them makes a new version.
Rated from the client data and our research, before anyone has played it at this level on this build. Where the data stops, the write-up says what it assumed.
Choose a spec on the chart to see why it sits where it does.
The best pack damage on the list: 
Whirlwind and Cleave with two weapons, no mana, and an interrupt.
Scores for Fury Warrior| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 4.00, which is A tier.
Fury scores 5 for pack damage, the heaviest criterion. Whirlwind with both weapons and Cleave make it the strongest cleaver here, and it has 
Bloodthirst and 
Death Wish for single targets. Rage means it never drinks between pulls.
Its crowd control is an interrupt only, 
Pummel, plus a fear that scatters mobs. That scores 3. Dungeons expect crowd control for oversized pulls, and Fury cannot supply it. It also has to watch threat, with no way to drop it. Its defences are plate and 
Last Stand, and 
Shield Wall by swapping to a shield.
It is not S because it has no crowd control to plan a pull around and no way to drop threat. The score is 4.00 against the 4.25 needed.
Weaknesses
- Interrupt only, no real crowd control
Fear scatters mobs- Must watch threat without a drop
What would move it: Evidence that crowd control matters less than assumed, or measured pack damage that lifts it clear of the casters, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Fury Warrior guide · Back to the chart
A caster with 
Polymorph, 
Counterspell and 
Frost Nova, a 30% cut to Frost threat, and the run tools a dungeon wants.
Scores for Frost Mage| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.95, which is A tier.
Frost scores 4 for pack damage with 
Cone of Cold, Blizzard and Frost Nova, though the slows were nerfed. Single-target damage is middling at 3, since 
Ice Lance needs freezes. It scores 5 for survival: 
Frost Channeling cuts threat by 30 percent, and it has 
Ice Barrier and 
Ice Block.
Polymorph holds one target at a time and suits the Shadowforge dwarves and Spire ogres. It fails on the undead, demons and elementals that fill Stratholme, Scholomance, Dire Maul and Blackrock Depths. That holds crowd control at 4. Counterspell covers enemy casters. It brings 
Arcane Brilliance, food, water, portals and 
Remove Lesser Curse, which also removes Banes. Scholomance and Dire Maul East ask for curse removal.
It is not S because its single-target damage is only middling, it drinks more than the melee, and its crowd control misses the undead.
Weaknesses
- Polymorph fails on undead, demons and elementals
- Middling single-target damage
- Slows were nerfed
- Mana-bound between pulls
What would move it: Evidence that Polymorph targets are rare at 60, or that Frost's damage falls behind other casters, would move it.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Frost Mage guide · Back to the chart
Damage over time, 
Banish, Fear and Seduction for control, and 
Curse of the Elements and a Soulstone for the party.
Scores for 
Affliction Warlock| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.80, which is A tier.
Control is the strength: Banish, Fear, 
Howl of Terror, Seduction, Death Coil and Spell Lock score 5. Banish handles the demons and elementals of Dire Maul and Blackrock Depths, which Polymorph and Shackle cannot. Single-target damage is 4 from DoTs, with a ramp-up.
It brings a Soulstone battle resurrection, a summon, Healthstones and Curse of the Elements. 
Life Tap and drains keep it casting without drinking, but the health cost falls on the healer, so downtime is 4, not 5.
It is not S because it has almost no pack damage: no area talents, only generic 
Rain of Fire and 
Hellfire, scoring 2. Its DoT threat can also pull mobs off the tank.
Strengths
- Banish, Fear, Seduction and Spell Lock
- Strong DoT single-target damage
- Soulstone, summon and Healthstones
- Life Tap instead of drinking
Weaknesses
- No area-damage talents
- DoT threat can pull packs
- Ramp-up on short fights
- Life Tap costs the healer
What would move it: Measured pack kills showing the generic area spells are enough, or a debuff limit that crowds out its DoTs, would move it.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
- Whether DoT threat pulls mobs in practice is untested.
Read the Affliction Warlock guide · Back to the chart
A pet caster with the full Warlock control set and Soulstone, but no area damage of its own.
Scores for 
Demonology Warlock| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.80, which is A tier.
Demonology shares Affliction's control: Seduction, Spell Lock, Banish, Fear and Howl of Terror, scoring 5. Banish answers the demons and elementals that Polymorph and Shackle cannot touch. Single-target damage is 4 through 
Demonic Knowledge and the pet.
It brings a Soulstone, a summon, Blood Pact and Curse of the Elements. Life Tap and Voidwalker sacrifice mean it does not drink. Survival is 4: the evidence is even between 4 and 5, so the lower stands.
It is not S because it has no Demonology area talent, so pack damage is 2. The single-target figure also rests on a fan simulation, which is extrapolated.
Strengths
- Full Warlock control set
- Pet adds single-target damage
- Soulstone, summon, Blood Pact
- No drinking
What would move it: Measured pack damage with Hellfire and Rain of Fire, or a result on how well the pet performs at 60, would move it.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
- The single-target rating leans on a fan simulation, not play.
Read the Demonology Warlock guide · Back to the chart
The hardest-hitting mage on bursts, with real area spells, but it burns mana fast.
Scores for Arcane Mage| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.75, which is A tier.
Arcane scores 4 for pack damage with 
Arcane Explosion and Blizzard, and 4 for single targets from 
Arcane Blast stacks and Arcane Power. Its control is the mage set: Polymorph, Counterspell and Frost Nova. Polymorph fails on the undead, demons and elementals of the later dungeons.
It brings Arcane Brilliance, food, water, portals and curse removal. The weakness is mana. Blast stacks and Arcane Power burn it quickly, so downtime scores 2, and the build has no Arcane threat cut, so survival is 3.
It is not a tier higher because it drinks after most pulls, and its threat can pull packs off the tank.
Weaknesses
- Burns mana fast
- No threat cut in the build
- Polymorph fails on undead and demons
- Drinks between pulls
What would move it: Mana regeneration at 60 that lets it chain-pull, or a threat result that shows pulls are safe, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Arcane Mage guide · Back to the chart
A crit-based fire caster with 
Flamestrike and 
Blast Wave, low threat, and the mage run tools.
Scores for Fire Mage| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.75, which is A tier.
Fire scores 3 for pack damage: Flamestrike costs 990 mana and Blast Wave has a 45 second cooldown. Single-target damage is 4 from crit-based Fire damage. 
Burning Soul cuts Fire threat by 30 percent, and Ice Block and Barrier help it survive a bad pull.
Control is the mage set at 4. Polymorph fails on the undead, demons and elementals that fill much of Stratholme, Scholomance, Dire Maul and Depths. Fire elementals in Depths are also immune to Fire. It brings Arcane Brilliance, food, water, portals and curse removal.
It is not a tier higher because its area spells are costly and its pack damage is only middling.
What would move it: Evidence that Flamestrike is affordable on every pull would move it up; evidence that Fire immunity is common would move it down.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Fire Mage guide · Back to the chart
A steady melee damage dealer with 
Blade Flurry, a full set of stuns and an interrupt, and no mana.
Scores for Combat Rogue| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.60, which is B tier.
Combat scores 4 for single targets, with 
Adrenaline Rush, and 5 for downtime, since energy needs no drinking. Pack damage is 2: Blade Flurry cleaves one extra target. Control is 
Blind, 
Gouge, 
Kidney Shot and 
Kick.
In Forever 
Sap still needs 
Stealth but no longer breaks it, and it is humanoid-only. Dungeons here are full of undead, demons and elementals, so it works on Shadowforge dwarves, Spire orcs and the Scarlet side of Stratholme, and little else. Kick covers casters. It brings 
Expose Armor, which equals a full 
Sunder Armor.
It is not A because it cannot clear packs, and its crowd control is narrow.
Weaknesses
- Blade Flurry hits only one extra target
- Sap is humanoid-only
- Cannot lead pack kills
What would move it: Evidence that Blade Flurry holds up on larger packs, or that Sap targets are common, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Combat Rogue guide · Back to the chart
A fire-and-shadow caster with strong single-target spells, Banish and Fear, and costly area damage.
Scores for Destruction Warlock| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.60, which is B tier.
Destruction scores 4 for single targets with 
Conflagrate, 
Shadowburn, 
Incinerate and 
Ruin. Pack damage is 3: Rain of Fire works, but Hellfire hits the caster and costs a lot. Control is 4: Banish and Fear, but Seduction and Spell Lock need different pets, and the evidence is even, so the lower stands.
It brings a Soulstone, a summon, Healthstones and Curse of the Elements. Life Tap replaces drinking, but there are few drains to recover the health, so downtime is 3. 
Molten Skin helps survival; whether 
Suppression is in the build is unclear.
It is not a tier higher because its area damage is costly and its control depends on which pet it has out.
Weaknesses
- Hellfire hits the caster
- Seduction and Spell Lock need different pets
- Few drains to recover health
- Suppression may not be in the build
What would move it: Evidence on Hellfire's cost in play, or a pet choice that lets it keep both control spells, would move it.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Destruction Warlock guide · Back to the chart
A ranged damage dealer with a pet, 
Freezing Trap and 
Multi-Shot, but no interrupt and a mana limit.
Scores for 
Beast Mastery Hunter| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.55, which is B tier.
Beast Mastery scores 4 for single targets, with pet damage and 
Bestial Wrath, and 3 for pack damage from Multi-Shot, 
Volley and the pet's 
Swipe, which cost ammo and mana. Freezing Trap works in combat, and 
Scatter Shot and 
Intimidation help.
It has no interrupt. Survival is 4 with 
Feign Death and 
Disengage, but pet pathing can pull extra packs. It brings 
Trueshot Aura, 
Hunter's Mark and a pet signature, but no resurrection.
It is not a tier higher because it has no interrupt, its pack damage is middling and it is mana-limited.
Weaknesses
- No interrupt
- Pet pathing can pull packs
- Mana, ammo and pet food to manage
- No battle resurrection
What would move it: Evidence that the pet holds off pulls reliably, or that Volley carries pack damage, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Beast Mastery Hunter guide · Back to the chart
A ranged damage dealer with traps, Scatter Shot and 
Lone Wolf, but no pet to help and no interrupt.
Scores for Marksmanship Hunter| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.55, which is B tier.
Marksmanship scores 4 for single targets with Lone Wolf (20 percent more) and 
Sniper Shot, and 3 for pack damage from Multi-Shot and Volley through Barrage. Control is traps and Scatter Shot, with no pet stun and no interrupt.
Survival is 4 from Feign Death and Disengage, though without a pet it has nothing to hold aggro. Downtime is 3, with 
Efficiency and 
Rapid Recuperation helping a mana-limited class. It brings Trueshot Aura, Hunter's Mark and Scatter Shot.
It is not a tier higher because it cannot interrupt, its area damage is middling and mana limits long runs.
Weaknesses
- No interrupt
- No pet to hold aggro
- Mana-limited
- No battle resurrection
What would move it: Measured damage with Lone Wolf, or evidence that traps are enough control, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Marksmanship Hunter guide · Back to the chart
A two-handed warrior with 
Sweeping Strikes and Cleave, no mana, and an interrupt but no crowd control.
Scores for Arms Warrior| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.55, which is B tier.
Arms scores 4 for pack damage with Sweeping Strikes and Cleave, though Whirlwind is awkward with a two-hander. Single-target damage is 3: 
Mortal Strike and 
Execute are good, but the spec pays a hybrid tax. Rage means it does not drink.
Control is 3: Pummel, plus a fear that scatters mobs. It must watch threat, with plate, Last Stand, and Shield Wall by swapping to a shield. It brings 
Battle Shout raid-wide, Sunder Armor, 
Demoralizing Shout and 
Thunder Clap.
It is not a tier higher because its single-target damage is middling and, like Fury, it has no crowd control.
Weaknesses
- Hybrid tax on single-target damage
- Whirlwind awkward with a two-hander
- Interrupt only
- Must watch threat
What would move it: Measured damage that puts Arms level with Fury would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Arms Warrior guide · Back to the chart
A caster that brings Fortitude, Spirit and a 30% cut to Shadow threat, but little area damage.
Scores for Shadow Priest| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.45, which is B tier.
Shadow scores 5 for survival: 30 percent less threat, 
Fade and a self shield. Single-target damage is 3 under the hybrid tax. Pack damage is 2, as 
Devouring Contagion spreads to two targets only. Control is 4: Shackle works on undead only, 
Psychic Scream, Mind Control and 
Silence add to it.
Shackle suits Scholomance and the undead side of Stratholme. It does not help in Dire Maul East, which is demons and elementals. It brings 
Power Word: Fortitude, 
Divine Spirit, Vampiric Embrace, 
Dispel Magic and Cure Disease. 
Shadowform halves Shadow spell costs.
It is not a tier higher because pack damage and single-target damage are both modest. It is brought for its utility first.
Weaknesses
- Devouring Contagion spreads to two only
- Hybrid tax on damage
- Shackle is undead-only
- Cannot remove curses
What would move it: Measured damage that shows Shadow ahead of the casters, or an area spell that scales, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Shadow Priest guide · Back to the chart
A melee hybrid with 
Hammer of Justice and 
Repentance, strong party blessings, and damage held back by nerfs.
Scores for Retribution Paladin| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.35, which is B tier.
Retribution scores 3 for pack damage, with 
Consecration capped at four targets and costing 565 mana, and 3 for single targets after three nerfs. Control is 3: Hammer of Justice and Repentance, with no interrupt.
Repentance incapacitates humanoids such as Shadowforge dwarves and Spire orcs. It brings blessings, 
Judgements that help all attackers, auras, 
Cleanse, 
Blessing of Protection and 
Blessing of Freedom. Survival is 4 with plate, 
Divine Shield and 
Lay on Hands.
It is not a tier higher because its damage is average in every way and it cannot interrupt.
Weaknesses
- Hybrid tax and three nerfs
- Consecration costs 565 mana
- No interrupt
- Cleanse does not remove curses
What would move it: Measured damage at 60, or a change to Consecration, would move it.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Retribution Paladin guide · Back to the chart
A dagger damage dealer with strong single-target hits and the rogue controls, but no area damage.
Scores for 
Assassination Rogue| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.35, which is B tier.
Assassination scores 4 for single targets with 
Mutilate, daggers and 
Venom, and 5 for downtime on energy. Pack damage is 1: it is single-target in practice. Control is 4 with Blind, Gouge, Kidney Shot and Kick.
Sap needs Stealth and is humanoid-only, and dungeons are full of undead, demons and elementals, so it fits only the dwarves, orcs and Scarlet humans. It brings Expose Armor, which equals a full Sunder Armor. Survival is 4 from Feint, 
Vanish and 
Evasion, in leather.
It is not a tier higher because pack damage is the heaviest criterion and it scores the lowest possible mark.
Weaknesses
- No area damage
- Sap is humanoid-only
- Leather armour
- Pack kills depend on others
What would move it: Evidence that pull speed is set by boss damage rather than packs, or a pack tool, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Assassination Rogue guide · Back to the chart
A stealth and control specialist with the best defensive tools, but weak damage and no area attack.
Scores for Subtlety Rogue| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.30, which is B tier.
Subtlety scores 5 for control and survival: the best stealth, Premeditation, Sap, 
Cheap Shot and Kick, with Feint, Vanish and Elusiveness. Downtime is 5 on energy. But pack damage is 1 and single-target damage is 2.
The class guide calls it the weakest in group PvE. Sap is humanoid-only, so its control is real only against the dwarves, orcs and Scarlet humans. It brings Expose Armor, which equals a full Sunder Armor.
It is not a tier higher because pack damage and single-target damage are both at the bottom, and those carry 45 of the 100 weights.
Weaknesses
- No area damage
- The guide calls it weakest in group PvE
- Sap is humanoid-only
What would move it: A build with raised damage, or evidence that control outweighs damage in dungeons, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Subtlety Rogue guide · Back to the chart
A caster with 
Chain Lightning and strong totems, but no hard crowd control.
Scores for Elemental Shaman| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.20, which is C tier.
Elemental scores 3 across pack damage, single targets, control and survival. Chain Lightning hits three targets, with 
Fire Nova and Magma Totem, but they cost mana. 
Elemental Mastery was removed. Control is an interrupt and slows, with no hard crowd control.
Lightning Overload adds no threat and 
Stoneclaw Totem taunts, but there is no threat drop. 
Mindfulness lifts its regeneration while casting. It brings Windfury, Strength of Earth, Grace of Air, Flametongue, 
Tremor Totem, Cure Poison and Cure Disease.
It is not a tier higher because it is middle of the list for damage and has no way to control a pack.
Weaknesses
- No hard crowd control
- Hybrid tax
- Area spells cost mana
- No threat drop
What would move it: Measured damage above the other casters, or a crowd-control tool, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Elemental Shaman guide · Back to the chart
A melee hybrid with a slow two-hander and the shaman totems, but no area attack of its own.
Scores for Enhancement Shaman| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.95, which is C tier.
Enhancement scores 2 for pack damage: it has no dedicated AoE, and Fire Nova, Magma Totem and Chain Lightning cost mana. Single-target damage is 3 under the hybrid tax with Stormstrike. Control is an interrupt and slows only.
Shamanistic Focus cuts shock and 
Lightning Shield costs, and 
Maelstrom Weapon cuts the cost of Lightning Bolt. Survival is 3, the evidence even between 3 and 4. It brings the same totem set, Tremor Totem, Cure Poison and Cure Disease.
It is not a tier higher because it cannot clear packs and has no crowd control.
Weaknesses
- No dedicated AoE
- Hybrid tax
- No hard crowd control
- Slow two-hander
What would move it: Measured pack damage with its totems, or a crowd-control tool, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Enhancement Shaman guide · Back to the chart
A caster with 
Hurricane, roots and Hibernate, and the best druid utility, but mana-bound.
Scores for Balance Druid| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.90, which is C tier.
Balance scores 3 for pack damage: Hurricane is real AoE but costly. Single-target damage is 2, the evidence even between 2 and 3. Control is 3: 
Entangling Roots, Hibernate works on beasts and dragonkin only, and it has no interrupt.
Dragonkin in the Spires and whelps in Scholomance give Hibernate targets, but the undead, demons and elementals elsewhere give it none. It brings 
Mark of the Wild, 
Rebirth, Innervate and curse removal, which Scholomance needs. Downtime is 2: it is mana-bound, with Innervate once per six minutes.
It is not a tier higher because its damage is low and it has no interrupt.
Weaknesses
- Low single-target damage
- No interrupt
- Hibernate is beasts and dragonkin only
- Mana-bound
What would move it: Measured damage that lifts Balance to the other casters, or a cheaper area spell, would move it.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Balance Druid guide · Back to the chart
A trap-based hunter with little area damage and a threat problem in melee range.
Scores for Survival Hunter| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.75, which is C tier.
Survival scores 4 for control with traps, Deterrence and 
Counterattack, but has no interrupt. Pack damage is 2, with traps and little else, and single-target damage is 2, the evidence even between 2 and 3. Both are extrapolated.
Melee range spikes its threat, though Feign Death helps. Downtime is 3: 
Resourcefulness and melee weaving. It brings Hunter's Mark, 
Expose Prey and traps.
It is not a tier higher because it is weak on both damage criteria, which carry 45 of the 100 weights.
Weaknesses
- Weak pack and single-target damage
- No interrupt
- Melee range spikes threat
What would move it: Measured damage, or evidence that its traps decide pulls, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
- Its pack and single-target ratings are extrapolated from the kit.
Read the Survival Hunter guide · Back to the chart
A bleed-based melee damage dealer with no area attack and little control, but 
Leader of the Pack and Rebirth.
Scores for Feral Cat Druid| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Pack damage | 25 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Crowd control and interrupts | 20 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Downtime between pulls | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the party | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.60, which is D tier.
Feral Cat scores 1 for pack damage: it has no Swipe by design, and bleeds act on a single target. Single-target damage is 3 with 
Shred, 
Rip and 
Rake, under a hybrid tax and a parry-from-behind bug. Control is 2: 
Pounce is an opener, and Hibernate and roots need a shift out of form.
Dungeon creatures are not all bleedable: elementals do not bleed. Survival is 3, as it must watch threat with only Barkskin. It brings Leader of the Pack, Rebirth, Innervate and curse removal, and energy means little drinking.
It is not a tier higher because pack damage and control are both at the bottom. Utility is its case.
Weaknesses
- No Swipe, no area damage
- Bleeds fail on elementals
- Hibernate and roots need a shift
- Parry-from-behind bug
What would move it: A fix for the parry bug, or area damage in the build, would move it up.
Rated on assumptions:
- The level-60 build is a projection; nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Feral Cat Druid guide · Back to the chart
Sanctified Judgement