A level-60 character doing damage in a raid, in Forever's raids at the cap: The Barrow Deeps (10 players) and Hyjal Summit (20 players), both opening 9 Dec 2026 and not in the client yet, and Onyxia's Lair if it ships. Long boss fights, several healers and tanks, raid-wide buffs and debuffs, and a raid leader choosing a composition. Until the raids are in the client the fights are extrapolated from what Blizzard has said.
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.
The raids are extrapolated. The Barrow Deeps (10 players) and Hyjal Summit (20) open on 9 December and are not in the client, and Onyxia's Lair (40) is planned. Blizzard has not published a boss list, tuning, fight lengths, lockouts or a debuff limit, so the fights are judged from what it has said and from how raids of this kind are built.
Since 15 October, 
Leader of the Pack, Moonkin Aura, 
Trueshot Aura, 
Battle Shout and the Shaman buff totems reach the whole raid, not just the caster's party. There is no Bloodlust, and the only combat resurrections are a Druid's 
Rebirth and a Warlock's Soulstone.
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 dungeon 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 dungeon 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 |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | Among the highest sustained damage on a long raid boss in pre-raid gear, with the kit to keep it up: 5. Middle of the pack: a solid contributor, not one a raid builds around for damage: 3. Well behind the rest; taken for something other than its damage: 1. |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | A raid-wide buff or a debuff that raises many players' damage, which a raid leader plans a slot for: 5. A party-only buff, or a debuff that helps a few: 3. Nothing beyond its own damage: 1. |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | Holds full output to the end of a long fight on its own regeneration or tools: 5. Needs potions or a mana tool, or its output sags late: 3. Runs dry well before a long fight ends: 1. |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | Real AoE for adds and cleave phases: 5.  Cleaves two or three, or AoE that is weak or costly: 3. Single-target only in practice: 1. |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | Threat-reduction tools and low damage taken: rarely pulls aggro or dies to raid damage: 5. Must watch threat, or takes cleave and splash; one drop or defensive: 3. Pulls easily with no drop, or fragile where it has to stand: 1. |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | Full damage without any particular buff, debuff slot, position, pet or gear piece: 5. Loses noticeable damage without one thing (a debuff slot, its pet alive, standing behind): 3. Needs several things others provide, or a rare gear piece, to function: 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 raid 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 raid of the instance's size, with the buffs a normal raid gives (both factions' buffs exist in Forever), each player assigned the way that spec is normally used.
- 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.
Battle Shout and 
Sunder Armor for the whole raid, the best area damage on the list and strong single-target melee.
Scores for Fury Warrior| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 4.00, which is A tier.
Fury scores 4 on single target, the heaviest criterion. 
Bloodthirst and 
Death Wish carry the damage, and Enrage feeds its rage over a long fight, which scores 4, though dual wield burns rage fast. 
Whirlwind and Cleave give it the best area damage on the list.
Its raid score is 5. Battle Shout has been raid-wide since 15 Oct, and Sunder Armor helps every physical attacker and 
Demoralizing Shout protects the tanks. With no Bloodlust in Forever, a spec that adds to the raid every second matters more.
It is not S because its threat score is 2, Death Wish adds 5% to damage taken, and dual wield needs hit rating and two good weapons. Single target is 4, not 5, with nothing measured at 60.
Weaknesses
- High threat, with a damage-taken cost on Death Wish
- Dual wield needs hit rating
- Needs two good weapons
What would move it: Measured level-60 raid damage that puts it clearly above or below the casters, or a change to how Battle Shout or Sunder stack.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Fury Warrior guide · Back to the chart
Damage over time that ticks all fight, plus 
Curse of the Elements, Soulstone and summoning for the raid.
Scores for 
Affliction Warlock| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.90, which is A tier.
Affliction scores 4 on single target. Its DoTs, 
Pandemic and 
Soul Siphon give sustained damage, and 
Life Tap, 
Soul Harvest and its drains give a resource score of 4 over a long fight.
Its raid score is 5. Curse of the Elements raises Magic damage taken for every caster, and caster vulnerability debuffs such as 
Shadow Weaving and 
Ignite help only their owner, so it is the one caster damage debuff a group has. It also brings Soulstone, one of the only two combat resurrections, and the summon, which only Warlocks have.
It stays in A because it has no area damage, its AoE score being 2, and its DoT threat can pull mobs off a weak tank. Single target is 4, not 5, with nothing measured at 60.
Weaknesses
- No area damage talents
- DoT threat on a weak tank
- Soul Shards and the curse slot to manage
What would move it: Measured damage on raid-length fights, or a debuff slot limit that crowds out its DoTs.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
- Forever's debuff slot limit is not stated; the score assumes it does not crowd out a Warlock's DoTs.
Read the Affliction Warlock guide · Back to the chart
A Fire Mage with 
Arcane Brilliance for everyone, but no damage debuff the raid can share.
Scores for Fire Mage| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.75, which is A tier.
Fire scores 4 on single target, and 4 on threat, since 
Burning Soul cuts Fire threat by 30% and 
Ice Block is there as a drop. Ignite depends on crits and is separate for each Mage.
Its raid score is 4. Arcane Brilliance is raid-wide and a Mage conjures food and water. But 
Improved Scorch, 
Winter's Chill and Ignite are personal, so it adds no damage debuff for others. Its resource score is 3: 
Master of Elements refunds mana and gems and 
Evocation help, but it is still a caster on a long fight.
It is not S because it needs crit gear to get the most from Ignite, its raid score loses a point to the missing debuff, and it has no combat resurrection.
Weaknesses
- Ignite and
Scorch are personal - Depends on crit gear
- Mana still limits a long fight
What would move it: Measured Ignite value on long fights, or a rule that makes Scorch or Ignite shared.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Fire Mage guide · Back to the chart
Burst damage from 
Ruin and 
Conflagrate, with the Warlock's curse, Soulstone and summon for the raid.
Scores for 
Destruction Warlock| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.75, which is A tier.
Destruction scores 4 on single target. Ruin, Conflagrate and 
Incinerate make it the burst Warlock. Its resource score is 3, as it has few drain tools and relies on Life Tap.
Its raid score is 5. Curse of the Elements helps every caster, Soulstone is one of two combat resurrections, and only Warlocks can summon. Caster vulnerability debuffs are personal, so Curse of the Elements is the part of its kit that reaches others.
It is a tier below S because its threat score is 2, it has few drain tools beyond Life Tap, and nothing is measured at 60. Area damage is a modest 3 from Rain of Fire, Hellfire and Havoc.
What would move it: Measured damage against Affliction on boss fights, or a threat rule that changes how often it pulls.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Destruction Warlock guide · Back to the chart
A melee Rogue with the best energy sustain on the list, 
Adrenaline Rush for burst and 
Expose Armor for the raid.
Scores for Combat Rogue| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.65, which is B tier.
Combat scores 4 on single target, with Adrenaline Rush and 
Cold Blood as its burst tools, and 5 on resource, as energy regenerates for the whole fight. Those are the heaviest and the third-heaviest criteria.
Its raid score is only 3. Expose Armor equals a full Sunder Armor, and whether the two stack is unconfirmed, so it may add little where a Warrior already applies Sunder. It brings no buff, no summon and no combat resurrection.
It is not A because the raid score is 3, area damage is a single extra target from 
Blade Flurry, and its setup score is 3: a slow main hand, hit and expertise, and poison upkeep.
What would move it: Measured damage that puts it level with Fury, or evidence that Expose Armor adds to Sunder.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Combat Rogue guide · Back to the chart
A pet-free ranged Hunter with Trueshot Aura for the raid's ranged attackers, ranked on thin damage data.
Scores for 
Marksmanship Hunter| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.55, which is B tier.
Marksmanship scores 4 on single target, from 
Lone Wolf at +20% and the lack of a pet to lose, but there is no raid data to confirm it. Its resource score is 3 from 
Efficiency and 
Rapid Recuperation.
Its raid score is 3. Trueshot Aura is raid-wide since 15 Oct, but it gives ranged attack power only, so it mainly helps other Hunters. 
Hunter's Mark helps ranged attackers.
It is not A because the raid score and resource score are both middling, and the 4 for single target rests on tooltip values, not on a measured fight. Its threat tools, 
Feign Death and 
Disengage, are good, with a 4.
Weaknesses
- Trueshot helps ranged attack power only
- No mana tools for others
- Damage is unmeasured at 60
- Ammo to carry
What would move it: Level-60 numbers for Lone Wolf, or a raid with many ranged attackers that values Trueshot more.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Marksmanship Hunter guide · Back to the chart
A Warlock whose demon soaks damage and powers its spells, with the same curse, Soulstone and summon.
Scores for 
Demonology Warlock| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.55, which is B tier.
Demonology scores 3 on single target. The only evidence above the middle is a fan simulation, which is anecdote. Its resource score is 4 from Life Tap and Voidwalker sacrifice.
Its raid score is 5, the same as the other Warlocks: Curse of the Elements for every caster, Soulstone, the summon and Blood Pact. Its threat score is 4, helped by the Voidwalker and 
Soul Link.
It is not A because its single target score is 3, area damage is 2, and its setup score is 3: its damage depends on the demon staying alive, which costs time to resummon on a raid fight.
Weaknesses
- Damage depends on the demon staying alive
- No area damage talent
- Resummoning costs time
What would move it: A measured result showing Demonology matches Affliction, or Soul Link failing again.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Demonology Warlock guide · Back to the chart
A safe, low-threat Mage with Arcane Brilliance for the raid, held back because raid bosses ignore its freezes.
Scores for Frost Mage| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.50, which is B tier.
Frost scores 3 on single target, with 
Frostbolt and 
Ice Lance in the middle. Its threat score is 5, from 
Frost Channeling's 30% cut to Frost threat, Ice Barrier and Ice Block. Resource is 3 from Frost Channeling and Barrier.
Its raid score is 4. Arcane Brilliance is raid-wide and Mages conjure food and water, but Winter's Chill is personal, so it adds no damage debuff to the raid.
It is not a tier higher because its main damage score is only 3. 
Shatter and Ice Lance need a freeze, and raid bosses as a rule ignore freezes, so its setup score is 3. Area damage is 4 from 
Cone of Cold and Blizzard.
What would move it: Evidence that raid bosses can be frozen, which would raise its single target score.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
- Whether raid bosses are immune to freezes is not stated; Blizzard says it is not ready to talk about raid immunities.
Read the Frost Mage guide · Back to the chart
Daggers and poisons give the highest intended melee damage, but with no area damage and the heaviest upkeep.
Scores for 
Assassination Rogue| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.45, which is B tier.
Assassination scores 4 on single target, from Blizzard's stated intent that Rogues have the highest single-target melee damage, though how poisons scale is doubtful. Its energy resource scores 5.
Its raid score is 3. Expose Armor equals a full Sunder, and a forum worry says raids will not need a Rogue for it. It has no buff, no summon and no combat resurrection.
It is not A because the raid score is 3, area damage is 1 with none at all, and the setup score is 2: daggers in both hands, a position behind the target, and poison and 
Venom upkeep.
Weaknesses
- No area damage
- Must be behind the target
- Poison and Venom upkeep
- No raid buff
What would move it: Measured poison scaling at 60, or a raid fight where daggers' damage clearly beats Combat.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Assassination Rogue guide · Back to the chart
A Warrior that brings Battle Shout and armour debuffs to the raid, with damage held back by the hybrid cost.
Scores for Arms Warrior| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.45, which is B tier.
Arms scores 3 on single target, as a hybrid with 
Mortal Strike and no big offensive cooldown beyond 
Recklessness. Its resource score is 4: rage needs no mana tool, but its output is gated by rage.
Its raid score is 5. Battle Shout is raid-wide, and Sunder Armor helps every physical attacker and Demoralizing Shout protects the tanks. Area damage is 3, since 
Sweeping Strikes and Cleave each reach two targets and Whirlwind reads awkward with a two-hander.
It is not A because its single target score is 3 against Fury's 4, its threat score is 2, and a slow two-hander with an unknown hit cap makes its setup a 3.
Weaknesses
- Hybrid damage cost
- No big cooldown beyond Recklessness
- High threat with no drop
- Hit cap unknown
What would move it: Measured Arms damage on boss fights against Fury, or a hit cap that favours the two-hander.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Arms Warrior guide · Back to the chart
A low-threat caster that brings Fortitude and Spirit, but little damage and nothing for the raid's mana.
Scores for Shadow Priest| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.35, which is B tier.
Shadow scores 3 on single target, with a hybrid cost and sustained DoTs and 
Mind Flay. Its resource score is 4: 
Shadowform halves Shadow spell costs, and 
Spirit Tap and 
Meditation help its regeneration.
Its raid score is 3. Fortitude and Spirit are baseline and raid-wide, and 
Vampiric Embrace heals the party. But Shadow Weaving is personal, it adds no debuff, and Shadow Priests restore no party mana. Its threat score is 5, with 30% less threat, 
Fade and a shield.
It is not a tier higher because its damage is middling, area damage is 2 from 
Devouring Contagion, which spreads to two, and it needs another healer, so its setup is 4 rather than 5.
Weaknesses
- Hybrid damage cost
- No mana for others
- Shadow Weaving helps only the Priest
- Needs another healer in the group
What would move it: Measured Shadow damage at 60, or a change that makes Shadow Weaving shared.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Shadow Priest guide · Back to the chart
A melee Shaman whose four totems reach the raid, with damage held back by hybrid cost and heavy setup.
Scores for Enhancement Shaman| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.20, which is C tier.
Enhancement scores 3 on single target, with Rage of the Farseer and Stormstrike, a hybrid cost and slow Maelstrom. Its resource score is 3, with no Mana Tide.
Its raid score is 5. Grace of Air, Strength of Earth, Windfury and Flametongue have been raid-wide since 15 Oct, and the totem set is the main reason to bring a Shaman. There is no Bloodlust, so Rage of the Farseer is a personal haste cooldown only.
It is C because its damage is middling, area damage is 2, and the setup score is 2: a two-hander, a Windfury imbue, a position behind the target and a set of totems.
Weaknesses
- No Bloodlust
- Heavy setup
- No dedicated area damage
- Totems from a second Shaman do not stack
What would move it: Measured Enhancement damage at 60, or a raid that has few Shamans and needs the totems.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Enhancement Shaman guide · Back to the chart
A cat Druid that brings Leader of the Pack, 
Faerie Fire and Rebirth to the raid, with middling damage.
Scores for Feral Cat Druid| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.15, which is C tier.
Feral scores 3 on single target, with a hybrid cost, bleeds and 
Shred, and damage that scales with the weapon. Its resource score is 4, from energy, with mana needed only for shifts.
Its raid score is 5. Leader of the Pack is raid-wide since 15 Oct for melee and ranged crit, Faerie Fire helps every physical attacker, and Rebirth is one of two combat resurrections.
It is not B because its damage is middling, it has no area damage, and its threat score is 2, with bursty finishers. Setup is 2, as Shred works only from behind and the Cat needs a melee weapon upgrade path.
Weaknesses
- No area damage
- Hybrid damage cost
- Bursty finishers raise threat
- Positioning and weapon dependence
What would move it: Measured Feral damage at 60, or a fight where Rebirth decides the outcome.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Feral Cat Druid guide · Back to the chart
The mana-hungry Mage: Arcane Brilliance for the raid, but its damage burns its own resource.
Scores for Arcane Mage| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.15, which is C tier.
Arcane scores 3 on single target, the lower of two readings. Its resource score is 2: Arcane blast stacks and Arcane Power burn mana, and Evocation has an 8 minute cooldown.
Its raid score is 4. Arcane Brilliance is raid-wide and food and water are conjured, but it adds no damage debuff for others.
It is not B because resource is the weakest part and the third heaviest criterion, area damage is a costly 3, and it needs Intellect gear. Its setup score is 4, with no pet or debuff slot.
Weaknesses
- Burns mana quickly
- Evocation takes 8 minutes
- No threat cut in the build
- Needs Intellect gear
What would move it: Evidence that Arcane's mana cost is manageable on a multi-minute fight, or a potion and regeneration change.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Arcane Mage guide · Back to the chart
A Hunter with a pet and Trueshot Aura, ranked on unverified level-60 numbers.
Scores for 
Beast Mastery Hunter| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.10, which is C tier.
Beast Mastery scores 3 on single target, as level-60 values are unverified and the evidence is even. Its resource score is 3: it is mana-limited, though the pet keeps attacking while the Hunter moves.
Its raid score is 3. Trueshot Aura is raid-wide but gives ranged attack power only, Hunter's Mark helps ranged attackers, and the pet adds an ability.
It is not B because nothing separates it from the middle on any heavy criterion. Its setup score is 3, since the pet must be alive, and pet pathing is a pull risk.
Weaknesses
- Damage unverified at 60
- Pet must stay alive
- Pet generates aggro
- Mana-limited
What would move it: Measured BM damage at 60, or pet behaviour that proves reliable in a raid.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Beast Mastery Hunter guide · Back to the chart
A Paladin that adds 
Judgements and resistance auras for the raid, but lower damage.
Scores for Retribution Paladin| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.10, which is C tier.
Retribution scores 3 on single target, with a hybrid cost, three nerfs, and seal twisting that is untested at 60. Its resource score is 3.
Its raid score is 4. Judgements of Wisdom, Light and Crusader help every attacker, resistance auras are raid-wide, and Blessing and Judgement of Wisdom return mana to others. But no combat resurrection.
It is not B because its damage is middling. Its threat score is 2, area damage is a capped 3 from 
Consecration at four targets, and the slow two-hander and a parry bug lower setup to 3.
Weaknesses
- Three nerfs to damage
- Seal twisting untested at 60
- Slow two-hander
- Parry bug
What would move it: Measured Retribution damage at 60, or twisting proving to work as it did in Classic.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Retribution Paladin guide · Back to the chart
A caster Shaman whose four totems reach the raid, with damage that is untested after the 15 Oct rework.
Scores for Elemental Shaman| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.05, which is C tier.
Elemental scores 2 on single target, low because the 15 Oct rework is untested. Its resource score is 3: Mindfulness gives 50%, but there is no Mana Tide in the build.
Its raid score is 5. Grace of Air, Strength of Earth, Windfury and Flametongue are raid-wide since 15 Oct, and its kit has Tremor and cleansing totems.
It is C because single target is the heaviest criterion and it scores 2 there. 
Chain Lightning and 
Fire Nova give area damage of 3 at a mana cost, and the totem set and keeping 
Flame Shock up for 
Lava Burst make setup 3.
Weaknesses
- Rework untested
- Totem set to place
- No Mana Tide in the build
What would move it: Measured Elemental damage after the rework, which would move single target up or down.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Elemental Shaman guide · Back to the chart
A caster Druid with Moonkin Aura, Innervate and Rebirth for the raid, held back by mana and low damage.
Scores for Balance Druid| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.80, which is C tier.
Balance scores 2 on single target and 2 on resource. It is mana-bound, 
Hurricane is costly, and Innervate is its stated mana tool. Those are two of the three heaviest criteria.
Its raid score is 5. Moonkin Aura is raid-wide since 15 Oct for spell crit, Faerie Fire helps every physical attacker, and Rebirth is one of two combat resurrections. It needs only 
Moonkin Form and DoTs, so setup is 4.
It is C because the damage and mana scores are the weakest of the casters, area damage is only Hurricane, and its threat score is 2.
Weaknesses
- Mana-bound
- Hurricane costs too much
- Innervate is the only stated mana tool
- Stands still to cast
What would move it: Measured Balance damage and mana use on a multi-minute fight.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Balance Druid guide · Back to the chart
A Rogue that is the weakest in group PvE, with low threat but no area damage.
Scores for 
Subtlety Rogue| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.80, which is C tier.
Subtlety scores 2 on single target, the weakest of the Rogues in group PvE. Its resource score is 4, as energy regenerates as it does for the other Rogues.
Its raid score is 3. Expose Armor equals Sunder, and it brings no buff. Its threat score is 5, with Feint, 
Vanish and Elusiveness.
It is C because single target is the heaviest criterion and it is the lowest Rogue there. It has no area damage, and setup is 3 with positional openers and a provisional capstone.
Weaknesses
- Weakest Rogue for damage
- No area damage
- Positional openers
- Capstone is provisional
What would move it: Measured Subtlety damage at 60, or a capstone that changes its output.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Subtlety Rogue guide · Back to the chart
A melee Hunter with weak damage and only a small debuff for the raid, so the lowest tier.
Scores for Survival Hunter| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Single-target damage | 35 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| What it brings the raid | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Resource over a long fight | 15 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Add and cleave damage | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Threat and staying alive | 10 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Independence from setup | 10 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.45, which is D tier.
Survival scores 2 on single target. It is a melee Hunter and is affected by the parry bug. Its resource score is 3 from melee weaving and 
Resourcefulness.
Its raid score is 3. Hunter's Mark and 
Expose Prey are a debuff that helps only a few attackers. Area damage is 2, from traps only.
It is D because single target is the heaviest criterion and it scores 2. Melee range brings threat spikes, and setup is 2.
Weaknesses
- Weak single target damage
- Parry bug
- Melee range threat spikes
- Area damage from traps only
What would move it: Measured Survival damage at 60 or a fix to the parry bug.
Rated on assumptions:
- The raids (Barrow Deeps 10, Hyjal Summit 20, Onyxia 40) open on 9 Dec 2026 and are not in the client, so fight demands are extrapolated from Classic-era raiding. Nobody has played past the beta cap of 30.
Read the Survival Hunter guide · Back to the chart
Immolate
Evasion
Multi-Shot
Arcane Explosion
Lightning Overload