Tier list

Duo PvE Leveling

Two players leveling together from 1 to 60, mobs only: all 45 class pairs rated on kill speed, roles, downtime, elites, loot overlap and what each brings.

As of 23 October 2026 · build 1.60.1.70450 · Forecast

What each tier means

How we ranked them

Two players leveling together from 1 to 60 by questing in the open world: how fast the pair kills, whether one can tank while the other heals for elites and group quests, how much they rest, and how much gear they fight over.

The subjects are the 45 class pairs: every two of the nine classes, a class with itself included. A pair's key is its two classes in name order (`hunter+warrior`), so Warrior + Hunter is the same entry. Each write-up names the best spec for each class in the pair and the best races on each faction.

No fights with other players are rated: on a PvP server, see Duo PvP Leveling.

Levels 1–30 are rated from beta play; 31–60 are projected from the client's kit. The beta's cap is 30.

Half of this is a forecast. The beta stops at level 30, so levels 1 to 30 are rated from beta play and the client's spells, and levels 31 to 60 from the client's kit and what Blizzard has announced.

Every score is a whole number from 1 to 5 against written anchors, and the tier comes from the weighted score alone: no pair is placed by hand. Two scorers rated every pair without seeing each other's work; where they differed by a point, the lower score was kept, and where they differed by more, the facts decided, never an average.

No pair reaches S: the tiers come from the scores alone, and the highest, Paladin + Rogue at 4.10, is short of the 4.25 that S needs.

Role cover is scored once, in Roles covered. Downtime and Elites and survival score the tools each class brings, so a pair with a healer does not win three criteria for the same reason. Conjured food and water save gold, not time: a Mage pair without a healer still rests.

In a group, quest items drop to each player in turn, so a duo is not slowed as much on item quests as it was in Classic; kill-count quests credit both.

This list rates mobs only. For the same pairs leveling on a PvP server, where other players can attack them, see the Duo PvP Leveling list.

Choose a class above the chart to see only its pairs: the chart then names each partner. Choose roles to keep only the pairs that have them.

The rubric: each criterion scored 1 to 5
Criterion	Weight	What it measures
Kill speed together	25	Two players kill same-level mobs fast enough that sharing the experience feels like no loss: two strong damage kits, or one that tanks while the other burns: 5. A fair pace with one half carrying the damage: 3. Slow kills that make the pair level slower than either alone: 1.
Roles covered	20	One player can tank while the other heals, so elites and group quests need no help: 5. A tank or a healer, or a hybrid that can be either but not both at once: 3. Two damage dealers: 1.
Downtime	20	How often the pair stops to drink or eat, from its kits: mana and health sustain, healing between pulls, and the buffs and conjures each gives the other. Both keep going pull after pull: 5. One half rests now and then: 3. Both rest after most pulls: 1.
Elites and survival	15	What happens when a pull goes wrong: crowd control, slows and escapes, emergency heals, a pet to take hits, and a resurrection. A bad pull or a level-appropriate elite is routine: 5. Survivable with care: 3. A wipe, or a corpse run for both: 1.
Loot overlap	10	Little gear the two both want: 5. Some shared gear: 3. The same class, every drop contested: 1.
What each brings the other	10	Each covers the other's gaps (interrupts, slows, dispels, buffs) with little left uncovered: 5. Some gaps covered, some open: 3. Gaps the pair cannot cover: 1.

What each tier means

An entry’s tier comes from its weighted score. A tier set by hand instead says why in its write-up. Within a tier, the best score comes first.

S 4.25 or more: The best choice for this purpose. Strong on the criteria that count most, with no real weakness.
A 3.75 or more: Very strong. A little behind S, or one clear weakness.
B 3.25 or more: Good. Does the job well without special effort.
C 2.75 or more: Workable. About average on the rubric; nothing stands out either way.
D 2.25 or more: Weak. It works, but you will feel the gap; pick it for other reasons.
F below 2.25: Poor for this purpose. Avoid it unless something else decides for you.

What the ratings assume

Each player plays the spec the write-up names, the one that suits the pair best while leveling. Dual spec at 40 lets either swap for dungeons.
Gear: quest rewards and greens as they come, shared by need. No dungeon runs for gear and no help from a higher-level character.
Legacy perks: none. Both are first characters.
The game rules of the stated build. A patch that changes them makes a new version.

Confidence: Forecast

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.

Why each pair is where it is

Choose a pair on the chart to see why it sits where it does.

Paladin + Rogue A tier

A very fast melee pair where the Paladin buffs and heals while the Rogue supplies Kick, Sap and slows.

Best specs: Retribution Paladin with Combat Rogue

Scores for Paladin + Rogue
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	5
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 4.10, which is A tier.

Two fast melee damage dealers kill quickly, and the Paladin's heals and Blessings fill the Rogue's missing sustain while the Rogue covers the Paladin's missing interrupt and slow. Cover is one role only and downtime is fair, but survival and synergy are top.

Alliance: Human Paladin + Human or Gnome Rogue. Human Ruthless (+2% crit, any weapon) suits both damage dealers. Gnome Rogue gets an energy discount and more max energy. Horde: Undead Paladin + Undead or Troll Rogue. Undead pair shares Will of the Forsaken and Cannibalize; Troll Berserking is the damage pick.

Strengths

Kick at 12, Sap at 10, Crippling Poison at 20
Holy Light, Lay on Hands at 10, Blessing of Kings at 20
Redemption at 12 and Hammer of Justice at 8

Weaknesses

Cover is only one role at a time
Rogue has no sustain of its own
Some weapon and gear overlap

What would move it: A tank swap at 40 would lift cover; a Paladin mana squeeze would lower downtime.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Paladin guide · Read the Rogue guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Mage A tier

A fast, low-friction pair where a bear holds packs for Frost AoE while the Mage feeds both players.

Best specs: Feral Bear Druid with Frost Mage

Scores for Druid + Mage
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 4.00, which is A tier.

The bear gathers the pack and the Frost Mage burns it down, giving good pace, though no healer makes a lost pack dangerous. Water (level 4) and food (6) from the Mage plus Mark of the Wild keep downtime short, and Counterspell, Frost Nova and Remove Curse cover most gaps. Cover is one role only, a tank with no healer, and loot hardly overlaps.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Gnome Mage. Night Elf dodge for the bear; Gnome Escape Artist and extra mana for the Mage. Double Skyborne only pays off near ley lines. Horde: Tauren Druid + Troll or Orc Mage. Tauren durability for the bear, Troll or Orc burst for the Mage.

Strengths

Conjure Water at 4 and Conjure Food at 6 for both players
Counterspell at 24, Frost Nova at 10, Remove Curse at 24
Revive at 12 gives a resurrection path

Weaknesses

No healer; the Druid has to leave bear form to heal
Bear holding AoE packs depends on threat that is untested
Mage is fragile if the bear loses a pack

What would move it: Proof that bears hold large packs would lift pace and survival; failure would cost both.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Bear tanking after the 8 and 15 Oct threat changes is untested by players, so the bear role here is a projection.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Mage guide · Back to the chart

Paladin + Shaman A tier

A fast melee pair with Windfury, Kings and either half able to swap into healing at 40.

Best specs: Retribution Paladin with Enhancement Shaman

Scores for Paladin + Shaman
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	3
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 4.00, which is A tier.

Two melee hybrids kill fast, with totems and Blessings keeping downtime low. Cover is good but not clean, since neither class can tank and heal at once without a swap, and the Shaman's tank role is only an emergency kit. Earth Shock, Frost Shock and cures cover most gaps, with mail overlapping at 40.

Alliance: Human or Dwarf Paladin + Dwarf Shaman. Alliance Shamans can only be Dwarves. Dwarf Stoneform is a 10% physical damage-reduction tank cooldown; Human Ruthless gives +2% crit with any weapon. Horde: Undead Paladin + Tauren or Troll Shaman. Horde Paladins can only be Undead. Tauren War Stomp is an area stun that covers the Paladin's missing interrupt on pulls; Troll Berserking is the stronger throughput choice.

Strengths

Windfury Totem at 32, Healing Stream at 20, Mana Spring at 26
Earth Shock at 4 and Frost Shock at 20
Redemption at 12 and Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

Mail gear contested at 40
Neither class tanks as a specialty
No crowd control beyond Hammer of Justice

What would move it: Tested Enhancement tanking or cheap dual-spec swaps would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Paladin guide · Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Shaman + Warlock A tier

A well-rounded pair where a Voidwalker holds, Enhancement kills and totems reach both players.

Best specs: Enhancement Shaman with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Shaman + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 4.00, which is A tier.

The Voidwalker holds while Enhancement kills and the Warlock drains, and totems and Healthstones keep downtime low. Cover is good, with a Restoration swap available, and Earth Shock, Fear and two resurrection paths cover most gaps. Mail and cloth do not clash.

Alliance: Dwarf Shaman + Gnome Warlock. Dwarf is forced; Gnome mana racials and Escape Artist for the Warlock. Horde: Orc Shaman + Orc Warlock. Two Blood Fury windows plus Shatter Curse; Troll on either for Berserking.

Strengths

Earth Shock at 4 and Fear at 8
Healthstone at 10 and Mana Spring at 26
Soulstone at 18 and Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

Voidwalker is weak against elites
Healing needs a Restoration swap
No interrupt on the Warlock side

What would move it: Tested Enhancement tanking or a cheap swap would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Shaman guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Paladin A tier

A fast pair with a pet tank, Retribution damage and a Paladin who heals and resurrects.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Retribution Paladin

Scores for Hunter + Paladin
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.95, which is A tier.

The pet holds, Retribution kills fast, and the Paladin heals both the Hunter and the pet, so pace and survival are high. Cover is good rather than full, since the Paladin must swap to heal, and the Hunter still rests now and then. Hunter mail and Paladin plate overlap little before 40.

Alliance: Dwarf Paladin + Night Elf or Dwarf Hunter. Dwarf Big Game Hunter adds 5% damage to Beasts. Night Elf Elune's Light is a +10% crit burst. Horde: Undead Paladin + Troll or Tauren Hunter. Troll Berserking for damage; Tauren +2% crit damage and War Stomp, which also stands in for the missing interrupt.

Strengths

Holy Light from level 1 lands on the Hunter and the pet
Redemption at 12, Lay on Hands at 10, Hammer of Justice at 8
Blessing of Kings at 20 plus Freezing Trap at 20

Weaknesses

Neither class has an interrupt
Paladin has no slow; Hunter supplies it
Hunter has little sustain of its own

What would move it: A confirmed interrupt for either class would lift synergy; plate-versus-mail overlap at 40 would lower loot.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Paladin guide · Back to the chart

Mage + Paladin A tier

A balanced pair where a Protection Paladin tanks packs for Frost AoE, with Holy Light healing between pulls.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Protection Paladin

Scores for Mage + Paladin
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.90, which is A tier.

The Protection Paladin tanks while the Frost Mage burns, with Holy Light healing and water from the Mage keeping downtime low. Cover is one role only, so pace is fair, but survival and synergy are high: Counterspell, Hammer of Justice, Redemption and cures cover most gaps. Loot rarely overlaps.

Alliance: Dwarf Paladin + Gnome or Skyborne Mage. Gnome Escape Artist frees the Mage from roots and Expansive Mind adds mana. Skyborne Mage (Alliance only) gets haste and faster regen. Horde: Undead Paladin + Troll or Orc Mage. Troll Berserking or Orc Blood Fury raise Mage burst; Undead Will of the Forsaken helps in fear-heavy fights.

Strengths

Seal of Fury at 10 and Righteous Fury at 16 for threat
Counterspell at 24, Hammer of Justice at 8, Polymorph at 8
Redemption at 12 and Purify at 8

Weaknesses

Fair pace, since Protection adds little damage
Healing and tanking compete for Paladin mana

What would move it: Measured Protection threat holding AoE packs would lift pace; mana strain would lower downtime.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Mage guide · Read the Paladin guide · Back to the chart

Mage + Shaman A tier

A fast caster-and-melee pair where totems, Earth Shock and Counterspell cover most gaps.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Enhancement Shaman

Scores for Mage + Shaman
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.90, which is A tier.

Enhancement and Frost kill quickly while totems and Mage water keep downtime low. Cover is one emergency role, since no Shaman tanks at launch, and the Shaman can only heal after a Restoration swap at 40. Earth Shock, Counterspell and several cures give top synergy.

Alliance: Dwarf Shaman + Gnome Mage. Dwarf is forced. Gnome Escape Artist and extra mana suit a Mage. Horde: Orc Shaman + Orc Mage. Two Blood Fury windows for burst; Troll on either is equally good.

Strengths

Earth Shock at 4 and Counterspell at 24
Mana Spring at 26, Windfury Totem at 32, Conjure Water at 4
Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

No tank spec; Enhancement tanking is a stopgap
Healer swap needed for elites
Nothing beyond Frost Nova and Frost Shock for control

What would move it: Tested Enhancement tanking would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Mage guide · Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Paladin + Priest A tier

A dependable pair where Retribution kills and a Discipline Priest shields and heals, with different gear.

Best specs: Retribution Paladin with Discipline Priest

Scores for Paladin + Priest
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.90, which is A tier.

Retribution deals the damage and Discipline heals, so cover is good, with a Prot swap available, and survival is very high through shields, Lay on Hands and two resurrections. Downtime stays low with Kings, Fortitude and Seals. Pace is fair and neither class interrupts or slows.

Alliance: Dwarf Paladin + Human or Gnome Priest. Dwarf Stoneform as the Retribution Paladin's defensive cooldown; Human Spirit or Gnome mana for the healer. Horde: Undead Paladin + Troll Priest. Troll Berserking gives the healer an emergency speed boost.

Strengths

Power Word: Shield and Resurrection at 10
Redemption at 12, Hammer of Justice at 8, Shackle Undead at 20
Dispel Magic at 18 and Purify at 8

Weaknesses

No interrupt and no slow
Healer mana limits pull rate
Pace is only fair

What would move it: A confirmed interrupt or slow would lift synergy.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Paladin guide · Read the Priest guide · Back to the chart

Paladin + Warlock A tier

A sturdy pair where a Protection Paladin holds and self-heals while the Warlock burns, with Voidwalker as backup.

Best specs: Protection Paladin with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Paladin + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.90, which is A tier.

The Protection Paladin and Voidwalker hold while the Warlock burns, with Holy Light, Healthstone and Life Tap keeping downtime low. Cover is one real role with healing on the tank, pace is fair, and survival is very high through Fear, Hammer of Justice and two resurrections. Plate and cloth never clash.

Alliance: Dwarf Paladin + Gnome or Human Warlock. Gnome Expansive Mind and Eureka stretch Warlock mana; Human Spirit helps Life Tap recovery. Dwarf Stoneform for the tank. Horde: Undead Paladin + Orc or Undead Warlock. Orc Blood Fury adds spell power and Shatter Curse. Two Undead share Cannibalize for downtime and fear immunity.

Strengths

Healthstone at 10 and Life Tap at 6
Righteous Fury at 16 and Seal of Fury at 10
Fear at 8, Soulstone at 18, Redemption at 12

Weaknesses

No interrupt and no slow
Healing and tanking compete for Paladin mana
Pace is only fair

What would move it: Measured Protection threat would lift pace; mana strain would lower downtime.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Paladin guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Priest A tier

The sturdiest tank-and-healer duo, with a bear and a Discipline Priest, but damage is slow.

Best specs: Feral Bear Druid with Discipline Priest

Scores for Druid + Priest
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	5
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.85, which is A tier.

A bear tank and a Discipline healer cover both roles, and shields, heals and two resurrections make survival very high. Downtime is low, since Fortitude and Mark of the Wild are baseline and the Priest tops the bear up, but only one half deals real damage, so pace is slow. Gear rarely overlaps.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Gnome or Human Priest. Gnome Expansive Mind raises max mana and Eureka discounts spells. Human +5% Spirit helps in-combat mana. Horde: Tauren Druid + Troll or Undead Priest. Troll Berserking speeds heals in emergencies; Undead Will of the Forsaken breaks fear. Tauren War Stomp helps the interrupt gap.

Strengths

Power Word: Shield and Resurrection at 10
Shackle Undead at 20, Dispel Magic at 18, Cure Disease at 14
Cure Poison at 14 and Remove Curse at 24 cover most debuffs

Weaknesses

Slow kills; the Priest wands and the bear is a tank first
No interrupt and no slow
Healer mana limits the pull rate

What would move it: Measured kill speed past level 30 would lift pace; a bear that cannot hold would drop cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Bear tanking after the 8 and 15 Oct threat changes is untested by players, so the bear role here is a projection.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Priest guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Paladin A tier

A steady hybrid pair with a Retribution Paladin killing and a Restoration Druid healing, short on interrupts.

Best specs: Restoration Druid with Retribution Paladin

Scores for Druid + Paladin
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.80, which is A tier.

Retribution kills at a fair pace while the Druid heals between pulls, and either half can swap into tank or healer duty after dual spec at 40, so cover is good but not both roles at once. Two resurrections (Redemption 12, Revive 12) and Hammer of Justice make survival very high, but no interrupt or slow exists between them.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Dwarf Paladin. Elune's Light is a +10% crit burst for the healer, and Dwarf Stoneform is a defensive cooldown for the Retribution Paladin. Horde: Tauren Druid + Undead Paladin. Tauren health and War Stomp fill the interrupt gap. Undead Cannibalize and Will of the Forsaken add sustain and fear insurance.

Strengths

Redemption at 12 and Revive at 12
Hammer of Justice at 8 and Entangling Roots at 8
Blessing of Kings at 20 plus Mark of the Wild both baseline

Weaknesses

Neither class has an interrupt or a slow
Pace is fair with only one damage dealer
Strength gear is partly contested

What would move it: A confirmed slow or interrupt source (a talent or item) would lift synergy; slow Retribution kills would lower pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Paladin guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Priest A tier

A safe pair where a pet tanks and a Discipline Priest shields and heals both the Hunter and the pet.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Discipline Priest

Scores for Hunter + Priest
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.80, which is A tier.

The pet holds and the Priest heals and shields both, so survival is very high, and loot hardly overlaps. Pace is fair since the Priest adds little damage, and the Hunter's lack of sustain leaves downtime only fair. Dispel Magic, Shackle Undead and Concussive Shot help, but nobody interrupts.

Alliance: Dwarf Priest + Night Elf Hunter. Dwarf Stoneform for the Priest; Night Elf crit burst for the Hunter. Horde: Undead Priest + Troll Hunter. Undead fear immunity; Troll Berserking.

Strengths

Power Word: Shield and heals work on Hunter pets
Resurrection at 10, Dispel Magic at 18, Shackle Undead at 20
Freezing Trap at 20 and Concussive Shot at 8

Weaknesses

Priest adds little damage
No interrupt
Healer mana limits the pull rate

What would move it: Faster Priest leveling damage in the beta would lift pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Priest guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Shaman A tier

A strong pair where the pet holds, Enhancement kills and totems and Earth Shock fill most gaps.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Enhancement Shaman

Scores for Hunter + Shaman
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	3
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.80, which is A tier.

The pet tanks while Enhancement kills, with totems reaching both and Earth Shock as an interrupt, so synergy is top and pace is good. Cover is good rather than full, since the Shaman heals only by swapping to Restoration, and the Hunter leaves downtime at a fair level. Mail overlaps at 40.

Alliance: Dwarf Shaman + Dwarf or Night Elf Hunter. Dwarf is forced for the Shaman; Night Elf crit burst or Dwarf Beast damage for the Hunter. Horde: Tauren Shaman + Troll Hunter. Tauren health and War Stomp; Troll Berserking on the Hunter.

Strengths

Earth Shock at 4 and Frost Shock at 20
Strength of Earth 10, Healing Stream 20, Mana Spring 26, Windfury Totem 32
Cleansing totems and Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

Mail gear contested at 40
Shaman heals only after a spec swap
No crowd control from the Shaman

What would move it: Dual spec at 40 making a healing swap cheap would lift cover; mail overlap would lower loot.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Hunter A tier

A quick pair where the Beast Mastery pet tanks, the Cat kills and the Druid heals between fights.

Best specs: Feral Cat Druid with Beast Mastery Hunter

Scores for Druid + Hunter
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.75, which is A tier.

The Hunter's pet holds the mobs while the Cat Druid kills, giving good pace and the highest survival score. Cover is solid but not clean, since the Druid must swap forms to heal, and the Hunter has no sustain, so one half still rests now and then. Both want Agility, so loot overlap is high.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Night Elf or Dwarf Hunter. Night Elf crit burst on both, or Dwarf Hunter for +5% Beast damage. Horde: Tauren Druid + Tauren or Troll Hunter. Double Tauren gives two War Stomps and extra health; Troll Hunter for Berserking.

Strengths

Pet tank backed by Mend Pet at 12 and Druid heals that land on the pet
Freezing Trap at 20, roots at 8 and Rebirth at 20
Aspect of the Cheetah at 20 and Travel Form at 30 for travel

Weaknesses

Hunter has no interrupt and no real sustain
Agility gear contested between Cat and Hunter
Druid cannot heal and deal damage at once

What would move it: Confirmation that pets hold packs at 30+ would lift it; a hard pet-tanking nerf would sink it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Hunter guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Warlock B tier

A sturdy caster pair where a Voidwalker tanks, Affliction drains and the Druid heals Life Tap costs.

Best specs: Restoration Druid with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Druid + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	3
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.70, which is B tier.

The Voidwalker holds while the Warlock drains and the Druid heals, which keeps downtime low and survival very high through Fear, roots, Soulstone (18) and Revive. Cover is good but depends on a demon rather than a true tank, and pace is fair with one real damage source. Cloth and leather barely overlap, though caster stats do.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Gnome Warlock. Elune's Light crit for the Druid; Gnome mana racials for the Warlock. A Skyborne Druid is the downtime alternative. Horde: Tauren Druid + Orc or Troll Warlock. Tauren health and War Stomp for the Druid; Orc Blood Fury or Troll Berserking for Warlock burst.

Strengths

Voidwalker at 10 takes heals and shields; Healthstone at 10
Life Tap at 6 offset by Druid healing
Soulstone at 18 and Revive at 12 give two res paths

Weaknesses

No interrupt and no slow
Voidwalker is weak against elites
Intellect and Spirit gear partly contested

What would move it: A reliable Voidwalker-versus-elite answer would lift cover; slow drain-based kills would lower pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Priest + Rogue B tier

A forgiving pair where the Priest heals and shields the Rogue, who covers interrupts and slows.

Best specs: Discipline Priest with Combat Rogue

Scores for Priest + Rogue
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.70, which is B tier.

The Priest heals, shields and resurrects the Rogue while the Rogue contributes Kick, Sap and slows, giving top synergy and very high survival. Pace is fair with the Rogue carrying damage, cover is one healing role, and downtime is only fair. Cloth and leather never overlap.

Alliance: Human Priest + Human or Gnome Rogue. Human Spirit for the Priest; Ruthless crit or Gnome energy for the Rogue. Horde: Undead Priest + Undead Rogue. Double Will of the Forsaken; Troll Berserking is the alternative.

Strengths

Kick at 12, Sap at 10, Crippling Poison at 20
Resurrection at 10 and Dispel Magic at 18
Different armor types, no loot fights

Weaknesses

No tank
Priest adds little damage
Healer mana limits the pull rate

What would move it: A tank or pet partner substitute would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Priest guide · Read the Rogue guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Rogue B tier

A bursty pair where a bear holds and a Combat Rogue kills, with good interrupts and a Druid to patch wounds.

Best specs: Feral Bear Druid with Combat Rogue

Scores for Druid + Rogue
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	3
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.65, which is B tier.

The bear holds while the Combat Rogue bursts, giving good pace, and the Druid heals the Rogue for very high survival. Cover is a tank only, and the Druid must leave form to heal, so one half rests now and then. Kick, Sap and Crippling Poison fill the control gaps; both wear leather.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Human or Gnome Rogue. Human Ruthless crit or Gnome energy racials for the Rogue; Night Elf Shadowmeld lets the bear drop threat. Horde: Tauren Druid + Undead or Troll Rogue. Tauren health for the bear; Undead Will of the Forsaken or Troll Berserking for the Rogue.

Strengths

Kick at 12, Sap at 10 and Crippling Poison at 20
Druid heals and cures Poison (14) and Curses (24)
Revive at 12 as a resurrection path

Weaknesses

Leather drops contested
No dedicated healer; heals come with form changes
Rogue has no sustain of its own

What would move it: A healer swap at 40 changing the leveling feel would lift it; unreliable bear threat would lower it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Bear tanking after the 8 and 15 Oct threat changes is untested by players, so the bear role here is a projection.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Rogue guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Shaman B tier

A well-rounded hybrid pair with an Enhancement Shaman killing, a Restoration Druid healing and rich dispels.

Best specs: Restoration Druid with Enhancement Shaman

Scores for Druid + Shaman
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	3
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.65, which is B tier.

Enhancement kills at a fair pace with an emergency kit, Restoration heals, and totems reach both players, so downtime is low and cover is good though not full. Earth Shock interrupts, Frost Shock slows and several cures close most gaps, while Ancestral Spirit and Revive back survival.

Alliance: Night Elf or Skyborne Druid + Dwarf Shaman. Dwarf is forced for Shaman. A Skyborne Druid adds Read Ley Line for downtime. Horde: Tauren Druid + Troll Shaman, or two Horde Skyborne. Two Horde Skyborne both get Skysight run speed and haste. Tauren and Troll give more combat value.

Strengths

Earth Shock at 4 and Frost Shock at 20
Cure Poison at 14 and 16, Remove Curse at 24
Healing Stream at 20, Mana Spring at 26 and Windfury Totem at 32

Weaknesses

No crowd control beyond roots
The Druid cannot heal and fight at once
Leather versus mail only separates after 40

What would move it: Tested Enhancement tanking would lift cover; no workable emergency tank kit would lower it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Priest + Shaman B tier

A well-covered pair where Enhancement kills and Discipline heals, with totems and dispels filling gaps.

Best specs: Discipline Priest with Enhancement Shaman

Scores for Priest + Shaman
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.65, which is B tier.

Enhancement kills with an emergency kit while Discipline heals, and totems plus Mana Spring (26) keep downtime low. Cover is one healing role, as no Shaman tanks at launch. Earth Shock, Purge, cures and two resurrections give top synergy.

Alliance: Dwarf Shaman + Human or Gnome Priest. Dwarf is forced. Human or Gnome for healer mana. Horde: Skyborne or Troll Shaman + Undead Priest. Skyborne run speed and haste, or Troll Berserking; Undead Will of the Forsaken and Cannibalize trims downtime.

Strengths

Earth Shock at 4 and Purge at 12
Healing Stream at 20 and Windfury Totem at 32
Resurrection at 10 and Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

No tank spec; Enhancement tanking is a stopgap
No crowd control
Pace is only fair

What would move it: Tested Enhancement tanking would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Priest guide · Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Mage + Priest B tier

A safe cloth pair where the Priest shields and heals the Mage, but damage is slow and gear overlaps.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Discipline Priest

Scores for Mage + Priest
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.60, which is B tier.

The Priest shields, heals and resurrects the squishy Mage, who supplies water and Frost AoE, so survival and synergy are high and downtime stays low. Cover is one role only with a shield-based healer, pace is slow, and cloth drops are contested.

Alliance: Dwarf Priest + Gnome Mage. Dwarf Stoneform gives the pair a defensive cooldown and poison removal. Gnome Escape Artist for the Mage. Horde: Undead Priest + Troll Mage. Will of the Forsaken, Cannibalize and Berserking.

Strengths

Power Word: Shield and Resurrection at 10
Counterspell at 24, Dispel Magic at 18, Frost Nova at 10
Conjure Water at 4 and Fortitude for both

Weaknesses

Slow kills
Cloth gear contested
No tank; the Mage takes hits

What would move it: Faster Priest leveling or a tank substitute would lift pace and cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Mage guide · Read the Priest guide · Back to the chart

Priest + Warlock B tier

A sturdy cloth pair where a Voidwalker tanks, the Priest heals and Life Tap health is never a worry.

Best specs: Discipline Priest with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Priest + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	5
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.60, which is B tier.

The Voidwalker takes hits and shields while the Priest heals and covers Life Tap costs, so downtime is low and survival very high. Cover is good but depends on a demon tank, pace is fair, and both players want cloth gear.

Alliance: Dwarf Priest + Gnome Warlock. Dwarf Stoneform covers poison and gives the cloth pair a defensive cooldown; Gnome mana racials for the Warlock. Horde: Undead Priest + Undead Warlock. Double Will of the Forsaken and Cannibalize; Troll on either adds Berserking.

Strengths

Voidwalker at 10 accepts shields and heals
Fear at 8, Shackle Undead at 20, Soulstone at 18
Healthstone at 10 and Resurrection at 10

Weaknesses

Cloth gear contested
Voidwalker is weak against elites
Little overlap in interrupts or slows

What would move it: A reliable Voidwalker answer to elites would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Priest guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Priest + Warrior B tier

A dependable pair where a Discipline Priest heals and the Warrior supplies damage, interrupts and slows.

Best specs: Discipline Priest with Arms Warrior

Scores for Priest + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.50, which is B tier.

Discipline heals and Arms deals damage, with Protection as the swap after 40, so cover is good but kills are slow and the Warrior rests now and then. Pummel (38) and Hamstring (8) cover the Priest's gaps, while Dispel Magic and Fortitude help the Warrior. Plate and cloth never overlap.

Alliance: Dwarf Warrior + Dwarf or Gnome Priest. Dwarf Stoneform on the Warrior is the strongest Alliance defensive racial (10% less physical damage, clears poison); on the Priest it covers poison, which the pair otherwise can't remove. Horde: Troll Warrior + Undead Priest. Troll in-combat regeneration and Rapid Regeneration plus Undead Cannibalize give the least downtime Horde can offer.

Strengths

Pummel at 38 and Hamstring at 8
Dispel Magic at 18 and Fortitude for the Warrior
No loot overlap

Weaknesses

Slow kills
Warrior has no sustain of its own
No crowd control beyond Shackle and Fear

What would move it: A faster damage spec for either half would lift pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Priest guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Rogue + Shaman B tier

A dependable pair where a Restoration Shaman heals the Rogue, who carries the damage and the interrupts.

Best specs: Combat Rogue with Restoration Shaman

Scores for Rogue + Shaman
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.45, which is B tier.

The Rogue carries damage while Restoration heals, with Kick and Earth Shock covering interrupts. Cover is a healer only, pace is fair, and downtime is only fair since the Shaman's mana gates the pull rate. Leather and mail rarely overlap before 40.

Alliance: Dwarf Shaman + Human Rogue. Dwarf is forced; Human Ruthless crit for the Rogue. Horde: Orc Shaman + Orc or Troll Rogue. Orc Savage crit and Blood Fury on both, or Troll Berserking.

Strengths

Kick at 12 and Earth Shock at 4
Healing Stream at 20 and Mana Spring at 26
Ancestral Spirit at 12 and cleansing totems

Weaknesses

No tank
Pace is only fair
Shaman has no crowd control

What would move it: An Enhancement swap at 40 could lift pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Rogue guide · Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Warlock + Warrior B tier

A slow but safe pair where a Protection Warrior tanks and the Warlock burns, with Healthstones for sustain.

Best specs: Affliction Warlock with Protection Warrior

Scores for Warlock + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.45, which is B tier.

The Protection Warrior tanks while the Warlock burns, but with no healer the Warrior eats after most pulls, while Life Tap and drains keep the Warlock going. Cover is one role, pace is fair, and survival is solid with Healthstone, Soulstone and Fear. Shield Bash and Hamstring plug the interrupt and slow gaps.

Alliance: Dwarf Warrior + Gnome Warlock. Dwarf Stoneform on the tank; Gnome mana racials. Horde: Troll Warrior + Undead Warlock. Troll in-combat regen plus Cannibalize cut the downtime.

Strengths

Healthstone at 10 and Soulstone at 18
Shield Bash at 12, Hamstring at 8, Fear at 8
Cloth versus plate, no loot conflict

Weaknesses

No healer
Warrior has no sustain of its own
Slower than damage-only pairs

What would move it: Healer support for the Warrior would lift downtime.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Warlock guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Rogue + Warlock B tier

A bursty pair where a Voidwalker holds and the Rogue kills, with no healer and strong survival tools.

Best specs: Combat Rogue with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Rogue + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.40, which is B tier.

The Voidwalker holds while the Rogue bursts and the Warlock drains, giving good pace and high survival through Sap, Fear, Healthstone and Soulstone. With no healer the Rogue eats after most pulls, though Life Tap and drains keep the Warlock going, so cover is low and downtime fair. Leather and cloth never clash.

Alliance: Gnome Warlock + Gnome Rogue. Gnome resource racials on both. Horde: Undead Warlock + Undead Rogue. Double Will of the Forsaken and Cannibalize.

Strengths

Sap at 10, Fear at 8, Kick at 12
Healthstone at 10 and Soulstone at 18
Life Tap at 6 and drains for the Warlock

Weaknesses

No healer
Warlock has no interrupt
Voidwalker is weak against elites

What would move it: A reliable way to heal the Rogue would lift downtime and cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Rogue guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Mage B tier

A fast, ranged pair with a pet tank and Frost AoE, held back by having no healer or resurrection.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Frost Mage

Scores for Hunter + Mage
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.35, which is B tier.

The pet holds mobs while the Frost Mage burns, so pace is good and loot rarely overlaps. Conjured water saves the cost of drinking, not its time, and nobody heals, so the Mage still drinks after most pulls. Frost Nova, Polymorph and Counterspell help a pair that otherwise has no healer or resurrection.

Alliance: Gnome Mage + Night Elf Hunter. Gnome Escape Artist and mana; Night Elf crit burst. Double Skyborne works too, but its regen only helps near ley lines. Horde: Troll Mage + Troll Hunter. Double Berserking.

Strengths

Frost Nova at 10, Polymorph at 8, Counterspell at 24
Conjure Water at 4 and Conjure Food at 6 for the pet pair
Concussive Shot at 8 and Freezing Trap at 20

Weaknesses

No healer and no resurrection
Both players are ranged, with no melee peel
Mage drinks after most pulls

What would move it: A reliable pet survivability fix or a healing option would lift cover; heavy pet deaths would lower survival.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Mage guide · Back to the chart

Two Paladins B tier

A steady hybrid pair with a Holy healer and a Retribution damage dealer, but identical gaps and contested loot.

Best specs: Holy Paladin with Retribution Paladin

Scores for Two Paladins
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	2

Weighted score 3.35, which is B tier.

Retribution kills at a fair pace while Holy heals, and either Paladin can swap into the tank role at 40, so cover is good though not both roles at once. Seals and Judgement keep downtime low and two bubbles and resurrections make survival very high. Both lack an interrupt and a slow, and plate drops are contested.

Alliance: Human Paladin + Dwarf Paladin. Split races so the Holy Paladin gets Stoneform and the Retribution Paladin gets Ruthless crit. Horde: Undead Paladin + Undead Paladin. Undead is the only Horde option.

Strengths

Holy Light from level 1, Flash of Light at 20, Lay on Hands at 10
Redemption at 12 and Hammer of Justice at 8
Seal of Wisdom at 38 and Blessing of Kings at 20

Weaknesses

No interrupt and no slow
Identical kits leave identical gaps
Some gear overlap

What would move it: A confirmed interrupt or slow would lift synergy; plate overlap at 40 would lower loot.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Paladin guide · Back to the chart

Druid + Warrior B tier

A slow but safe pair where an Arms Warrior kills with a Restoration Druid behind, and either half can swap to tank at 40.

Best specs: Restoration Druid with Arms Warrior

Scores for Druid + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.30, which is B tier.

Arms hits with a healer behind it and the Druid heals a Warrior with no sustain, so downtime is only fair and pace is slow. Cover is good because Protection (level 10 kit) or bear form can be swapped in. Pummel (38) and Hamstring (8) plug the interrupt and slow gaps.

Alliance: Dwarf Warrior + Night Elf Druid. Dwarf Stoneform removes poison, disease and bleeds from the Warrior, patching the pair's missing disease removal. Horde: Orc Warrior + Tauren Druid. Orc Blood Fury for damage and threat; Tauren health and War Stomp on the Druid.

Strengths

Hamstring at 8 and Pummel at 38
Mark of the Wild plus Revive at 12
Protection or bear swap for elites after dual spec at 40

Weaknesses

Arms is the slow half of the pair
Warrior has no sustain of its own
No crowd control beyond roots

What would move it: A faster Arms leveling spec or confirmed rage fixes would lift pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Bear tanking after the 8 and 15 Oct threat changes is untested by players, so the bear role here is a projection.

Read the Druid guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Warlock B tier

A strong ranged pair with two pets as tanks and Healthstones for sustain, but no healer.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Hunter + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	2

Weighted score 3.30, which is B tier.

Two ranged damage dealers with a pet and a Voidwalker to hold mobs give good pace, and Healthstones, Life Tap and Soulstone keep survival very high. Without a healer cover stays low, and the pair has few ways to help each other. Mail and cloth never overlap.

Alliance: Gnome Warlock + Night Elf Hunter. Gnome mana racials; Night Elf crit burst. Horde: Orc Warlock + Orc Hunter. Two Blood Fury windows; Troll on either for Berserking.

Strengths

Voidwalker at 10 and Healthstone at 10
Fear at 8, Freezing Trap at 20, Soulstone at 18
Mail versus cloth means no gear conflict

Weaknesses

No healer and no interrupt
No buffs pass between the two
Life Tap costs health with no healer

What would move it: A healer-style cooldown for either class would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Paladin + Warrior B tier

A healer-plus-damage pair where an Arms Warrior supplies interrupts and slows, though kills are slow.

Best specs: Holy Paladin with Arms Warrior

Scores for Paladin + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	3
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.30, which is B tier.

Holy heals while Arms fights, with a Protection swap available at 40, so cover is good but not full. Pace is slow with one damage source, and the Warrior rests now and then. Pummel (38), Hamstring (8), Cleanse (42) and Kings fill many gaps.

Alliance: Night Elf Warrior + Human Paladin. Most race freedom on Alliance; Night Elf dodge on the Warrior, Human Ruthless crit and Spirit on the Paladin. Horde: Tauren Warrior + Undead Paladin. Tauren health and War Stomp on the Warrior; Undead is forced for the Paladin.

Strengths

Pummel at 38 and Hamstring at 8
Blessing of Kings at 20 and Cleanse at 42
Redemption at 12 and Lay on Hands at 10

Weaknesses

Slow kills
Plate and Strength gear partly contested
Warrior has no sustain of its own

What would move it: Faster Arms leveling or a clean Protection swap would lift pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Paladin guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Shaman + Warrior B tier

A healer-plus-damage pair where Windfury Totem boosts an Arms Warrior, though kills are slow.

Best specs: Restoration Shaman with Arms Warrior

Scores for Shaman + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	4
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	5

Weighted score 3.25, which is B tier.

Restoration heals and Arms deals damage, with Windfury Totem (32) and Earth Shock helping. Cover is good, since a Protection swap is available at 40, but kills are slow, downtime is only fair, and survival is held back by the lack of crowd control.

Alliance: Night Elf Warrior + Dwarf Shaman. Night Elf gives the Warrior +1% dodge and a +10% crit cooldown. Skyborne's Read Ley Line only lasts long near a ley line, so it's a weak downtime fix. Horde: Tauren Warrior + Orc or Troll Shaman. Tauren +5% health and +2% crit damage and healing on the Warrior, plus War Stomp. Orc on both gives two Blood Fury windows and +1% crit from Savage.

Strengths

Windfury Totem at 32 and Earth Shock at 4
Pummel at 38 and Hamstring at 8
Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

Slow kills
No crowd control
Survival only fair

What would move it: A faster damage spec or Enhancement tanking would lift pace.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Shaman guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Two Shamans C tier

A balanced pair where Restoration heals and Enhancement kills, but same-type totems do not stack.

Best specs: Enhancement Shaman with Restoration Shaman

Scores for Two Shamans
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	4
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.20, which is C tier.

Restoration heals and Enhancement kills at a fair pace, with the second Shaman adding only different totems. Downtime is low, cover is one healer, and survival is only fair with no crowd control. Gear is fully contested, and Earth Shock and Frost Shock give some control.

Alliance: Dwarf Shaman + Dwarf Shaman. Dwarf is the only Alliance Shaman race. Horde: Tauren Shaman + Troll Shaman. War Stomp on one, Berserking on the other.

Strengths

Earth Shock at 4 and Frost Shock at 20
Healing Stream at 20 and Mana Spring at 26
Ancestral Spirit at 12

Weaknesses

Identical totems do not stack
No crowd control
Mail and Agility gear contested

What would move it: Tested Enhancement tanking would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Enhancement Shaman emergency tanking is an untested lead, especially against elites.

Read the Shaman guide · Back to the chart

Two Druids C tier

A slow but sturdy pair with a bear tank and a Restoration healer that no elite can stop.

Best specs: Feral Bear Druid with Restoration Druid

Scores for Two Druids
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	5
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	2

Weighted score 3.10, which is C tier.

One Druid tanks as a bear while the other heals, so cover is full and survival is high: two Revive casters (level 12) and Rebirth (20) mean no corpse runs. Kills are slow with one damage source, loot is fully contested, and the identical kits leave synergy thin.

Alliance: Night Elf Druid + Skyborne Druid. Night Elf dodge on the bear, Skyborne regen and haste on the other. Horde: Tauren Druid + Skyborne Druid. Tauren health on the bear, Horde Skyborne run speed and haste on the other.

Strengths

Bear Form and Growl at 10, Bash at 14 for stuns
Revive at 12 and Rebirth at 20 give two resurrection paths
Entangling Roots at 8 and Hibernate at 18 for control

Weaknesses

Only one damage source, so kills drag
No interrupt and no slow beyond roots
Identical kits leave the same gaps; all leather drops contested

What would move it: Measured bear threat and kill speed in the beta would move it up; bears failing to hold packs would drop it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.
Bear tanking after the 8 and 15 Oct threat changes is untested by players, so the bear role here is a projection.

Read the Druid guide · Back to the chart

Mage + Warlock C tier

A fast caster pair where a Voidwalker holds while both burn, with no healer.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Affliction Warlock

Scores for Mage + Warlock
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.10, which is C tier.

The Voidwalker holds while the Frost Mage and Affliction Warlock burn, so pace is good and survival is very high through Healthstone, Fear, Polymorph and Soulstone. Life Tap, drains and Healthstones help the Warlock, but conjured water does not stop the Mage drinking and nobody heals. Cloth drops are contested.

Alliance: Gnome Mage + Gnome Warlock. Double Expansive Mind and Escape Artist. Horde: Troll Mage + Undead Warlock. Berserking burst; Will of the Forsaken and Cannibalize.

Strengths

Healthstone at 10, Soulstone at 18, Fear at 8
Frost Nova at 10 and Polymorph at 8
Water at 4 and food at 6 for both

Weaknesses

No healer
Voidwalker weak against elites
Cloth and Intellect gear contested

What would move it: A trusted Voidwalker answer to elites would lift cover.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Mage guide · Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Mage + Warrior C tier

A safe-ish pair where a Protection Warrior holds packs for Frost AoE, but with no healer and slow kills.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Protection Warrior

Scores for Mage + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	2
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.10, which is C tier.

The Protection Warrior holds while the Mage burns, but with no heals the tanking Warrior eats after most pulls and the Mage drinks; conjured food makes it free, not quick. Cover is one role, survival is only fair, and loot never overlaps. Shield Bash (12), Counterspell and slows cover interrupts.

Alliance: Night Elf Warrior + Gnome Mage. Night Elf dodge for the tank and Gnome mana for the Mage. Double Skyborne regen only helps near ley lines. Horde: Troll Warrior + Undead Mage. Troll in-combat regen and Undead Cannibalize reduce downtime.

Strengths

Shield Bash at 12 and Counterspell at 24
Frost Nova at 10, Hamstring at 8, Polymorph at 8
Conjure Food at 6 removes food cost

Weaknesses

No healer or resurrection
Slow kills
Both players rest after pulls

What would move it: A healer source for the Warrior would lift downtime and survival.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Mage guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Rogue C tier

The fastest ranged-and-melee burst pair, with no healer, no resurrection and Agility gear fights.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Combat Rogue

Scores for Hunter + Rogue
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	5
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	2
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	2
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 3.00, which is C tier.

A pet tank, Combat Rogue burst and Hunter ranged damage make kills very quick, but there is no healer, so both players rest after most pulls and survival depends on Sap, traps and Kick. Cover is weak, and both want Agility gear.

Alliance: Night Elf Hunter + Human Rogue. Night Elf crit burst; Human Ruthless crit. Horde: Troll Hunter + Orc Rogue. Troll Berserking; Orc Savage crit and Blood Fury.

Strengths

Kick at 12, Sap at 10, Freezing Trap at 20
Concussive Shot at 8 and Crippling Poison at 20 for slows
Very fast kills from two strong damage kits

Weaknesses

No healer, no resurrection, no sustain
Agility gear contested
Both players rest after most pulls

What would move it: A way to heal in the field, or evidence that pets survive elites, would lift it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Rogue guide · Back to the chart

Hunter + Warrior C tier

A pair where a pet holds while Arms hits, with good interrupts but no healer, so downtime is high.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Arms Warrior

Scores for Hunter + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	2
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 3.00, which is C tier.

The pet holds and Arms deals damage, a fair pace with one tank substitute, and the Warrior can cover a tank role after the swap to Protection at 40. With no healer, both rest after most pulls, and survival is only fair. Pummel (38), Hamstring (8) and Battle Shout add synergy.

Alliance: Night Elf Warrior + Dwarf Hunter. Night Elf crit burst for the Warrior; Dwarf Beast damage. Horde: Tauren Warrior + Troll Hunter. Tauren health and War Stomp for the Warrior; Troll regen and Berserking.

Strengths

Pummel at 38 and Hamstring at 8
Concussive Shot at 8 and Freezing Trap at 20
Different weapon types limit loot overlap

Weaknesses

No healer, no resurrection, no sustain
Arms is slow
Both players rest after most pulls

What would move it: A healing source or faster Arms leveling would lift it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Mage + Rogue C tier

A bursty pair with a lot of control and two interrupts, but no tank, healer or resurrection.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Combat Rogue

Scores for Mage + Rogue
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	1
Downtime	20	2
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	5
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 2.95, which is C tier.

High burst from both players and control through Sap, Polymorph and Frost Nova give good pace. With no heals and no drain, the Rogue eats and the Mage drinks after most pulls; conjured food makes it free, not quick. Cover is the lowest possible, and both players are fragile.

Alliance: Gnome Mage + Human Rogue. Gnome Escape Artist; Human Ruthless crit. Horde: Troll Mage + Undead Rogue. Berserking; Will of the Forsaken.

Strengths

Kick at 12 and Counterspell at 24
Sap at 10, Polymorph at 8, Frost Nova at 10
Different armor types, little loot overlap

Weaknesses

No tank, healer or resurrection
Both players are fragile
Both rest after pulls

What would move it: A way to survive elites without a tank would lift cover and survival.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Mage guide · Read the Rogue guide · Back to the chart

Rogue + Warrior C tier

A melee pair where a Protection Warrior holds and the Rogue bursts, with both interrupts and no healer.

Best specs: Combat Rogue with Protection Warrior

Scores for Rogue + Warrior
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	3
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	1
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	4
What each brings the other	10	4

Weighted score 2.80, which is C tier.

The Protection Warrior holds while the Rogue bursts, with Shield Bash, Kick and Hamstring giving good synergy. With no healer or drain, both players eat after most pulls and downtime is the lowest possible. Cover is one role, pace is fair, and survival is only fair.

Alliance: Human Warrior + Human Rogue. Ruthless (+2% crit) on both, with any weapon. Horde: Orc Warrior + Orc Rogue. Savage (+1% crit) and Blood Fury on both.

Strengths

Kick at 12 and Shield Bash at 12
Hamstring at 8 and Crippling Poison at 20
Different armor types

Weaknesses

No healer, resurrection or sustain
Both players eat after most pulls
Melee only

What would move it: A healer source or food-based sustain plan would lift downtime.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Rogue guide · Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart

Two Warlocks C tier

A fast caster pair with two demons and Healthstones, but no healer and total gear overlap.

Best specs: Affliction Warlock with Demonology Warlock

Scores for Two Warlocks
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	1
What each brings the other	10	1

Weighted score 2.80, which is C tier.

Two Warlocks with Voidwalkers and drains kill quickly, with Healthstones, Fear, Banish and Soulstones giving good survival. Without a healer, cover is low, and the identical gaps leave synergy as low as it goes. Cloth drops are fully contested.

Alliance: Gnome Warlock + Human Warlock. Gnome mana and Human Spirit. Horde: Orc Warlock + Undead Warlock. Blood Fury and Will of the Forsaken.

Strengths

Voidwalker at 10 and Healthstone at 10
Fear at 8, Banish at 28, Soulstone at 18
Life Tap at 6 and drains

Weaknesses

No healer
No interrupt or slow
All cloth drops are contested

What would move it: Demonology utility tuning could lift synergy.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Warlock guide · Back to the chart

Two Mages D tier

The fastest AoE duo, but with no tank, no healer and a total gear overlap.

Best specs: Frost Mage with Frost Mage

Scores for Two Mages
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	1
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	1
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 2.65, which is D tier.

Two Frost Mages burn packs fast, but the pair has no tank or healer, so cover is the lowest possible. Frost Nova and kiting keep damage taken low, yet both drink after most AoE pulls; conjuring only saves gold. Blink and Polymorph help, but nothing resurrects.

Alliance: Gnome Mage + Skyborne Mage. Escape Artist on one, regen and haste on the other. Horde: Troll Mage + Orc Mage. Berserking and Blood Fury.

Strengths

Conjure Water at 4 and Food at 6 for both
Frost Nova at 10, Polymorph at 8, Blink
Very fast AoE kills

Weaknesses

No tank, no healer, no resurrection
Complete gear overlap
Same gaps on both sides

What would move it: A reliable tank substitute would lift cover; nothing is expected to fix the full gear overlap.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Mage guide · Back to the chart

Two Priests D tier

A slow, safe pair where Discipline heals and Shadow kills, but gear and gaps are shared.

Best specs: Discipline Priest with Shadow Priest

Scores for Two Priests
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	3
Elites and survival	15	4
Loot overlap	10	1
What each brings the other	10	2

Weighted score 2.60, which is D tier.

Discipline heals and shields while Shadow deals the damage, but Shadowform blocks healing, so only Discipline heals and neither can tank. Cover is limited to a healer, pace is slow, and downtime is only fair since healer mana gates each pull. Shackle, shields and resurrection keep survival high, while every drop is contested.

Alliance: Dwarf Priest + Gnome Priest. Dwarf Stoneform and Gnome mana racials complement each other. Horde: Undead Priest + Troll Priest. Horde's only two Priest races, and a good mix.

Strengths

Power Word: Shield and Resurrection at 10
Shackle Undead at 20 and Dispel Magic at 18
Vampiric Embrace heals the party for 20% of Shadow damage

Weaknesses

Slow kills
No tank or slow; the only interrupt is Shadow's Silence talent
Every cloth drop is contested

What would move it: Faster Shadow leveling would lift it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Priest guide · Back to the chart

Two Hunters D tier

A fast ranged pair with two pets as tanks, but no healer, no resurrection and every drop contested.

Best specs: Beast Mastery Hunter with Beast Mastery Hunter

Scores for Two Hunters
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	4
Roles covered	20	2
Downtime	20	2
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	1
What each brings the other	10	1

Weighted score 2.45, which is D tier.

Two Beast Mastery Hunters kill quickly with pets holding the mobs, so pace is good. There is no healer, so cover and downtime are weak, with both resting between pulls, and survival rests on pets, Mend Pet (12) and traps. Loot and synergy are the lowest possible: identical gear, identical gaps.

Alliance: Night Elf Hunter + Dwarf Hunter. Crit burst on one, Beast damage on the other. Horde: Troll Hunter + Tauren Hunter. Berserking and War Stomp.

Strengths

Two pets to hold mobs, healed by Mend Pet at 12
Concussive Shot at 8, Wing Clip at 12, Freezing Trap at 20
Fast ranged damage from both players

Weaknesses

No healer, no interrupt, no resurrection
Every bow and mail drop is contested
Identical kits leave identical gaps

What would move it: A mid-game way to share kills without pets dying, or a tuning change to pet survivability, would move it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Hunter guide · Back to the chart

Two Rogues D tier

The fastest melee burst pair, but with no healer, no tank, no resurrection and fully contested gear.

Best specs: Combat Rogue with Combat Rogue

Scores for Two Rogues
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	5
Roles covered	20	1
Downtime	20	1
Elites and survival	15	3
Loot overlap	10	1
What each brings the other	10	2

Weighted score 2.40, which is D tier.

Two Combat Rogues kill very quickly and stack Sap, Kick and Vanish, but there is no heal or drain, so both rest after most pulls and cover is the lowest possible. Leather drops are fully contested and the shared gaps never close.

Alliance: Human Rogue + Gnome Rogue. Ruthless crit on one, energy racials on the other. Horde: Orc Rogue + Undead Rogue. Blood Fury and Will of the Forsaken.

Strengths

Kick at 12, Sap at 10, Crippling Poison at 20
Stealth to skip fights
Very fast kills

Weaknesses

No healer, tank or resurrection
All leather drops are contested
Both players rest after most pulls

What would move it: Nothing in the kit is expected to fix this; a consumable-based sustain plan would help marginally.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Rogue guide · Back to the chart

Two Warriors F tier

The slowest pair, with one Warrior tanking and one damaging, no healer and fully contested plate.

Best specs: Protection Warrior with Fury Warrior

Scores for Two Warriors
Criterion	Weight	Score
Kill speed together	25	2
Roles covered	20	3
Downtime	20	1
Elites and survival	15	2
Loot overlap	10	1
What each brings the other	10	3

Weighted score 2.00, which is F tier.

Protection is the lowest-damage Warrior spec, so kills drag even with Fury on damage. Cover is one role, nobody heals, and both rest after most pulls, so downtime is the lowest possible. Survival is low too, and plate is fully contested.

Alliance: Night Elf Warrior + Human Warrior. Dodge on the tank, Ruthless crit on the damage dealer. Horde: Tauren Warrior + Orc Warrior. Tauren health on the tank, Orc Blood Fury and Savage crit on the damage dealer.

Strengths

Shield Bash at 12 and Taunt at 10 for control
Pummel at 38 and Hamstring at 8
Intimidating Shout at 22

Weaknesses

No healer, resurrection or sustain
Slow kills
All plate drops are contested

What would move it: A healing partner or sustain solution would lift it.

Rated on assumptions:

Levels 31 to 60 are projected from the client's kit; the beta stops at 30.

Read the Warrior guide · Back to the chart