World of Warcraft offers a diverse range of classes, each embodying distinct power fantasies that appeal to a variety of players. For instance, Warlocks are synonymous with demon-summoning and chaos magic; however, depending on the game’s version, they can also adopt tanking roles, such as in the Season of Discovery. Today, our focus will primarily be on the Retail edition of the game.
Choosing a class in World of Warcraft can be a daunting task—an experience I still encounter even after two decades of playing. With continuous updates and new content rolling out, now is an excellent time to dive in. But which class should you pick?
Exploring the Classes of World of Warcraft
Players can opt for any of the following classes:
- Warrior
- Hunter
- Mage
- Rogue
- Priest
- Warlock
- Paladin
- Druid
- Shaman
- Monk
- Demon Hunter
- Death Knight
- Evoker
The choice of class ultimately lies with you, as roles are consistent across both the Alliance and Horde factions. While some classes exhibit greater versatility than others, each one has its strengths, making them all viable choices.
1) Warrior
Warriors are traditionally viewed as tanks, yet they encompass much more in World of Warcraft. Reflecting on the Classic era, Warriors typically filled tank roles due to their exceptional cooldowns and AoE abilities that effectively drew aggro. They utilize Rage as their resource and offer three specialization options: Protection (Tank), Fury (Dual-wielding), and Arms (Two-Handed warrior). If wielding massive melee weapons in aggressive combat excites you, the Warrior is your perfect match.
2) Hunter
In World of Warcraft, Hunters and Warlocks are the two primary pet classes. Hunters aim to tame a variety of creatures from the wild, both exotic and commonplace. They excel in hybrid gameplay, blending ranged and melee combat. Their two main specs, Beast Mastery and Marksmanship, cater to ranged players, while Survival focuses on close-quarters combat.
Modern Hunters now need to invest in the Unbreakable Bond skill from the Marksman tree to re-summon their pets. Their expertise lies in clever traps, devastating ranged attacks, and commanding formidable animal companions in their adventures.
3) Mage
Mages hold a special place in the hearts of many players, including my own; my first level 60 character was a Mage. Known for their mastery over arcane magic, Mages wield various crowd control spells like polymorph and frost nova to manage threats.
Players can specialize in Fire (devastating crits), Frost (slowing and shattering foes), or Arcane (overwhelming magical power). For those wanting swift teleportation, constant access to food/drink, and the ability to unleash massive damage from a distance, the Mage class stands out as an optimal choice.
4) Rogue
Initially, the Rogue class thrived in PVP scenarios; however, they have evolved to offer useful combat abilities. Characterized by stealth and subterfuge, Rogues excel in sabotaging opponents from the shadows. They now feature three specialization trees: Assassination (poison and dagger attacks), Outlaw (agility-based skills), and Subtlety (striking from stealth).
While Rogues often seem to fly under the radar, if you enjoy ambush-style gameplay, this class could be your ideal fit.
5) Priest
Among all healing classes, Priests are perhaps the most iconic. They offer two primary healing specs, each embodying different philosophies. Nevertheless, they can deal ranged magical damage in all forms, although one spec leans more heavily into damage dealing.
Holy Priests shine with their significant AoE healing capabilities, while Discipline focuses on shielding allies and damage prevention. Shadow Priests embrace the power of the Void to unleash destructive forces on their enemies.
6) Warlock
Warlocks, often seen as the opposite of Mages, excel in sending magical chaos toward their foes. They forgo teleportation for summoning demons to aid them in battle. Unlike Mages, Warlock specializations offer a broader array of gameplay styles.
Players have access to various demons while leveling, with Demonology allowing for even larger swarms, while Affliction focuses on dealing damage over time through curses and DoTs.
7) Paladin
The Paladin class is one of the most flexible in the game, able to fill roles as a tank, healer, or melee DPS. Historically, Paladins faced skepticism about their viability in raid settings, but they have since proven their worth.
If you appreciate plate armor and aim for versatility while dealing considerable holy damage, consider selecting a Paladin. You can specialize in AoE Tanking (Protection), effective healing (Holy), or harnessing a two-handed weapon to unleash devastating holy damage (Retribution).
8) Druid
Druids appeal to players who seek a versatile playstyle while embracing nature. Wearing leather armor, they have the unique ability to shapeshift into different forms, fulfilling various roles as needed:
- Bear (Tank)
- Cat (DPS)
- Moonkin (Magical DPS)
- Tree (Healing)
With four different specs—Balance (Magic DPS), Feral (Melee DPS), Guardian (Tank), and Restoration (Healing)—Druids are comparable to Paladins in versatility, often exceeding in capability.
9) Shaman
Embodying a connection with nature and the elemental forces, Shamans harness abilities that allow them to manipulate wind, earth, fire, and water. As healers, they stand out with powerful restoration capabilities, particularly with their chain healing spells.
While I wish I played my Shaman more frequently, I admire the Enhancement melee specialization and the devastating potential of elemental spells. If you enjoy healing and damage dealing, plus the ability to resurrect yourself, consider the Shaman class.
10) Monk
Introduced in the Mists of Pandaria expansion, Monks embody versatility while drawing on martial arts themes. They possess the capability to tank, heal, and deal damage, utilizing the power of the Four August Celestials for salvation or destruction.
Monks employ mystical brews as protective measures and rely on agile movements in battle. For a more traditional martial-arts experience, the Windwalker specialization unleashes powerful melee attacks. Personally, I find Monks enjoyable, despite not playing one frequently. They have improved significantly in recent expansions.
11) Demon Hunter
Demon Hunters made their entrance in the Legion expansion, providing a unique experience restricted to Elves. They only feature two specs, showcasing their efficiency without the option of a third. Armed with the dramatic Warglaive, they offer thrilling gameplay.
Havoc Demon Hunters focus on melee DPS, combining rapid strikes with destructive Fel Magic, while Vengeance spec embraces their inner demons for protection and retaliation against threats.
12) Death Knight
Being the first Hero Class introduced in World of Warcraft, Death Knights took the scene in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. After freeing themselves from the Lich King’s control, they opted to fight for either the Horde or Alliance, battling the minions of death themselves.
Death Knights stand out as formidable tanks, with Blood spec emphasizing exceptional sustainability. Alternatively, Frost and Unholy serve up unique DPS experiences, with Frost dealing heavy melee damage and Unholy summoning undead allies to wreak havoc.
13) Evoker
Introduced in the Dragonflight expansion, Evokers are exclusive to the Dracthyr race. Initially, they offered two roles—healer and DPS—before the introduction of the Augmentation spec for damage enhancement.
Augmentation Evokers harness the power of dragons to support allies, while Preservation focuses on damage prevention through healing. Devastation allows players to unleash their powerful capabilities against enemies. Regardless of the specialization chosen, Evokers remain spellcasters at heart, with Intelligence as their primary stat.
With numerous classes to choose from, each offering its own unique experience and playstyle, the question remains: which class will you embark on your World of Warcraft adventure with?