World of Warcraft: Midnight has just launched, and players are scrambling to optimize their builds for the brand-new content. Some players are interested in just experiencing what the latest expansion has to offer. Meanwhile, other players are more interested in finding the best class for clearing Mythic+ content.
Criteria and Ranking
This tier list ranking will be based on the class's ability to provide DPS; survivability will not be factored into the ranking. Another factor that will affect rankings would be utility. If the class provides a significant buff, it will affect its placement on the tier list.
📌Important Note: Specializations in B+ Tier and below have similar performance to those within their tier.
S Tier: Meta
Demonology Warlock
Why: The Demonology Warlock provides extremely powerful single-target damage as well as AoE damage. The recent nerfs to this specialization did not really do much to hamper its damage output. Rather, players must be more mindful of casting Implosion due to its added cooldown.
Unholy Deathknight
Why: Unholy DK is one of the most powerful specializations when it comes to dealing with single-target damage. The recent changes to this specialization added a new skill to its core rotation, Putrefy. Overall, amazing single-target damage that can delete enemies while having good AoE damage.
Augmentation Evoker
Why: Augmentation Evoker received massive buffs that enable players to grant significantly more damage boosts to their allies. However, this buff comes at the cost of receiving a nerf to its defences because of the changes made to Twin Guardian and Renewing Blaze. While doing great damage on its own, this specialization really shines in providing avenues for teammates to deal massive amounts of damage to enemies.
A Tier: Potential Meta
Specializations in this tier provide good damage numbers, whether single target or AoE. These specs fall short in some way, which is why they are not S-tier or lack the offensive capacity to be higher in the current meta.
Arcane Mage
Why: The Arcane Mage remains a steady high-tier specialization thanks to the class's ability to produce absurdly powerful AoE damage and priority damage. The recent changes to the class make skills like Arcane Salvo viable for players to experiment with. The class falls hard due to how vulnerable mages are in general.
Fire Mage
Why: Fire Mages are in a similar boat to Arcane Mages. The specialization excels in producing staggering single-target damage and priority damage. This comes at the cost of having middling AoE damage.
Devourer Demon Hunter
Why: The Devourer DH has one significant advantage over Havoc DH: its semi-ranged capabilities. The specialization is able to deal consistent damage and is easily able to be matched with other DPS classes. The main drawback of using a Devourer DH is mainly up to the person using it; the DPS window is generally unforgiving, and a lack of coordination can mean significantly reduced damage output.
Shadow Priest
Why: Shadow Priest players seem to have a new playstyle every expansion. This specialization was once again reworked to provide users with a better QoL experience. The class does not stand out in any one damage type; instead, it performs average and is relatively consistent throughout.
B+ Tier: Competitive in certain situations
Most specializations in this category perform adequately in 2 forms of damage but fail to deliver in another form. These specs perform better with proper team comp, and individual performance may vary greatly. The choices here are not inherently bad choices, just often outclassed.
- Frost Mage
- Subtlety Rogue
- Outlaw Rogue
- Elemental Shaman
- Affliction Warlock
B Tier: Decent/Niche
Specs in this tier provide moderate benefits to one damage type but lack heavily in another. However, these classes are still viable for 3rd DPS picks or for some niche uses.
- Destruction Warlock
- Fury Warrior
- Moonkin Druid
- Enhancement Shaman
- Marksmanship Hunter
- Frost Deathknight
C Tier: Lacks Meaningful Damage
Specs in this tier are the ones players pick when they just want to have fun or enjoy using the class. As a general rule of thumb, the specs are heavily outclassed even at the best of times. These perform similarly across the board and are far from being usable for meta teams.
- Assassination Rogue
- Feral Druid
- Survival Hunter
- Beast Mastery Hunter
- Devastation Evoker
- Havoc Demon Hunter
- Retribution Paladin
- Windwalker Monk
Skip these classes
- Arms Warrior
