Hey all!
I have seen a number of posts over the last few weeks from new
players that are confused on classes and specs. I have written a guide
that might help you in picking a new class.
I have not written one of these before, so if you don't understand something please ask.
Also, to the seasoned players, if I have missed something or have not
done your class/spec justice, please let me know. I am all for
bettering this post to make it as accurate as possible:
Firstly, there are 4 types of character roles:
- Tank – A Tank generally leads the raids or
dungeons. Classically do low damage, but have very high armour and
survivability. The tank must hold the bosses attention and be hit by the
bosses attacks, using his skills to take reduced damage, so that the
damage dealers of the group can damage the boss in turn. If the tank
dies, the group dies very quickly afterwards.
- Healer – Generally do not do any damage when in
group, and can lead the dungeon as often as Tanks. They use spells and
abilities to keep their groups alive against enemies. The tanks have
abilities to reduce incoming damage, but ultimately the healer keeps
them alive and makes sure the rest of the group is alive to do damage.
Similarly to a good tank, a good healer makes a dungeon or raid much
easier.
- Range Damage Dealer – Deals damage to the
enemies via ranged spells, guns, thrown traps etc. Generally have to be
more conscious of boss mechanics that specifically target range, and
need to be able to relocate to a safer place to stand while casting at a
moment’s notice. What makes one range better than the other is when a
player is skilled enough to know how to move while maintaining their
damage output, rather than stopping completely while moving.
- Melee Damage Dealer – Deals damage at a closer
range. Generally have to focus on staying behind targets when in a group
to prevent being parried, while also needing to remain as mobile as
possible to dodge boss AOE damage.
Important to note on the above – All classes have
different specs (IE Mage can be Fire based, Arcane based or Frost based)
Some of these alternate specs allow different roles to the player. (EG A
Paladin can be a tank, a healer or a Melee DPS Dealer) When picking
your class, it is worth considering if you ever want to try one of these
roles. Also note ALL classes have a DPS option for when you play alone.
Tanks and Healers are
generally in higher demand than damage dealing classes.
DPS is the abbreviation for a damage dealer (Damage Per Second)
AOE is the abbreviation for Area of Effect, and refers to
damage that affects all targets in a specific area, like a broad swing
of a sword that hits many targets
ONE – Do you want to be:
- Melee DPS that maybe wants to try Tanking one day? Go to 1
- Melee DPS that maybe wants to try Healing one day? Go to 2
- Melee DPS that maybe wants to try both Healing and Tanking one day? Go to 3
- Melee DPS and never want to Tank or Heal? Go to 4
- Damage dealer who can go Range or Melee? Go to 5
- Range DPS that maybe wants to try Healing one day? Go to 6
- Range DPS that maybe wants to try Tanking one day? Go to 7
- Range DPS that maybe wants to try both Healing and Tanking one day? Go to 8
- Range DPS and never want to Tank or Heal? Go to 9
1 – Melee with Tank option – Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Druid, Monk, Paladin, Warrior
2 – Melee with Healing option – Druid, Monk, Paladin, Shaman
3 – Melee with Both – Druid, Monk, Paladin
4 – Melee Damage dealer only – Rogue
5 – Melee and Range Damage options - Hunter, Shaman, Druid
6 – Range with Healing option – Druid, Priest, Shaman
7 – Range with Tanking option – Druid
8 – Range with Both - Druid
9 – Range only – Mage, Warlock
TWO - Once you have chosen one of the above, read
the below class descriptions to see which ones you like the sound of. If
your option only has one class in it (eg: Range with Tanking options –
Druid), skip to Section THREE.
- Death Knight – Effectively undead, these are the
warriors of death and disease. Summon ghouls, grip targets from a
distance and pull them towards you, and infect your targets with
plagues. Alternatively can embrace the cold chill of death, freezing his
enemy and slashing them down with the classic scythe of Death. 1 Tank
spec, 2 Melee DPS specs.
- Demon Hunter – Agile and brutal, the demon hunter
literally slashes parts of their victims souls off to heal themselves.
Able to double jump, and morph into demon form occasionally. Has wings
that allow them to glide. 1 Tank spec, 1 Melee spec.
- Druid – The most versatile of all classes, the druid is a
warrior of nature itself, able to transform its body and playstyle
according to what is demanded in each situation; from a mighty bear, to a
stealthy cat, to a lifegiving tree, to an overgrown chicken that can
literally throw moons at its enemies. 1 Tank spec, 1 Heal spec, 1 Melee
spec, 1 Range spec.
- Hunter – The legend of traps, bows and beasts. The
hunter can tame wild beasts found throughout the world to fight for him
and with him. Or they can chose to be more of a sniper, with devastating
long range attacks. Lastly in this coming expansion, the hunter can now
also be melee damage, with a polearm, fighting alongside his pets,
hurling traps and caltrops and harpoons at his enemies. 2 Range spec, 1
Melee spec.
- Mage – A master at the classic sorcerous elements. The
Mage can become the embodiment of Fire, scorching their enemies and
setting them ablaze for bonus burning damage. Or they can embrace the
Frost, slowing their enemies movement and commanding a pet made of pure
water and ice. Lastly they can draw upon the Arcane, exploding their
enemies and bursting impressive build ups of fluctuating power. 3 Range
specs
- Monk – Masters of martial arts and the body itself, the
monks can use their knowledge of oneself and potent brews to inflict
devastating damage, or heal their allies wounds, or harden their skin to
take sustained damage. 1 Melee spec, 1 Heal spec, 1 Tank spec.
- Paladin – Righteous, pure and incorruptible, these
warriors of the Light use their powerful blessings, holy powers and
selfless nature to empower and inspire all those around him. Capable of
Melee damage by judging their targets evils, healing through holy
presence, or tanking with impressive defensive capabilities. 1 Tank
spec, 1 Healing spec, 1 Melee spec.
- Priest – Servant of the Gods, either light or dark, the
priest embraces his religious abilities completely, even at his own
expense. Powerful heals of pure holy energy, shielding his allies from
harm by damaging his enemies, or embracing the darkness, and flaying the
minds and souls of those before him. 2 Heal specs, 1 Damage spec.
- Rogue – Masters of the melee combat, the rogue can be
the fencing pirate, the brutal assassin, or the master of misdirection
and stealth. These agile melee legends can utilise grappling hooks,
pistols, poisons and bleeds to bring their enemies down. 3x Melee spec.
- Shaman – The shaman are one with the world, capable of
unleashing attacks empowered and encompassing nature itself. Lava, rock,
rains and lightning itself bend to his will, while also capable of
communing and transforming into spirits themselves to speed their travel
and empower their attacks. 1 Range spec, 1 Melee spec, 1 Healing spec
- Warlock – The spell-weavers of death, corruption and
demons themselves. Warlocks not only embrace the darkest of magics, but
master and enslave others to it as well. Scorch and burn their enemies
in fire and chaos, or cast a plethora of damage over time spells to let
their enemies life literally drain from them, or summon and command a
horde of demons to fight for you. The warlock is a cherished member of a
raid team as well, able to summon other players to them from anywhere,
as well as provide other with free health potions. 3 Range Specs.
- Warrior – The classic bloodthirsty, furious warriors.
There is a reason they are in every Role Playing game. These masters of
blades, shields and maces are fuelled by their rage, becoming more
dangerous and powerful the longer combat transpires around them. Charge
at enemies, or become a spinning vortex of blood and blade, or aim
brutally powerful cleaves to mow down foes. 1 Tank spec, 2 Melee specs.
THREE – Spec break down – This section is a brief
summary of each of the specs you can play based on the above classes. As
stated in section one, keep in mind you can swap between these spec
options on your class in game at almost any time (IE – Shaman can swap
from Melee damage to a Range damage or Healer at any time)
Death Knight
- Blood – TANK – Surround yourself with the blood and bones of fallen victims to increase survivability.
- Frost – MELEE - Wield 2 Icy blades and become the cold harbinger of death itself, with scythes and icy winds.
- Unholy - MELEE – Summon the undead to do your bidding, infecting your enemies with plagues and diseases which in turn empower your minions.
Demon Hunter
- Havoc – MELEE – Agile masters of melee combat. Transform into Demon Form and wield glaives that tear enemies souls asunder.
- Vengeance - TANK – Harvesters of souls, they empower
themselves with sigils, demon form, and by devouring the severed pieces
of their enemies spirit.
Druid
- Balance – RANGE – At one with the lunar forces, these spiritual range casters burn their targets with the fires of the Sun and moon.
- Feral – MELEE - Cat form of the druid. They rely on
raking their enemies with swipes and slashes of their claws, bleeding
their targets before mauling them.
- Guardian - TANK – The mighty Bear, capable of surviving massive incoming damage, while mauling anything that comes within range of its claws.
- Restoration - HEALS – The life-giving tree. The healing
form of the druid utilises the world itself, classically using more
healing over time spells than brute force healing. This way they can
sustain multiple allies with ease.
Hunter
- Beast Master - RANGE – The mighty BM Hunter has powerful
pets he commands in battles, and can summon a stampede while he stands
clear and fires at his enemies from a distance.
- Marksman - RANGE - Master of the bow, the Marksman
usually chooses to forsake their pet companions, preferring more
powerful range attacks that pincushion their enemies for terrific
damage.
- Survival – MELEE – The new melee class. This time the
hunter puts down his rifle, and fights alongside his pet companions,
utilising caltrops, traps and harpoons.
Mage
- Arcane – RANGE – Casters who manage their mana and
alternates between delivering a high bursts of explosive damage at
higher cost, or low damage but efficient spells for sustainable and
formidable damage.
- Fire – RANGE - Casts balls of fire at their targets, or
make fire explode at their enemies feet. Also causes their targets to
catch aflame, burning them for additional damage.
- Frost – RANGE - Attacks that slow and chill their enemies, and also utilise a pet of water to compliment these icy barrages.
Monk
- Brewmaster - TANK - The drunken boxers. These monks are
hardened kung-fu masters capable of staggering high damage to effect
them gradually rather than in bursts, making them very difficult to
kill.
- Mistweaver - HEALS – The mist weavers utilise their
knowledge of life and mind to heal their allies. Coupled with the monks
natural agility, the healing monks are welcome on any raids.
Aesthetically brilliant, commanding healing mists around yourself and
allies.
- Windwalker - MELEE – The kung fu masters, the windwalker
uses their formidable martial arts skills to swiftly beat down their
enemies with a torrent of kicks and punches
Paladin
- Holy – HEALS - Empowered by the light, yet utilising his
plate armour, the holy paladin is the holy healer that grows more
powerful the closer he is to combat, making him effectively a melee
range healer in the thick of the fight.
- Protection - TANK - Few tanks can defend against such
raw damage as easily as the paladin. With his plate armour and broad
shield, he burns the ground below him with his holy powers, damaging all
enemies foolish enough to challenge him.
- Retribution – MELEE – Putting aside the mighty shield,
the Ret Pally elects a massive two handed weapons, judging the targets
and hammering and slashing them down with the zeal and passion of
warrior of the Light.
Priest
- Discipline – HEALS – The Disc Priest is the versatile
healer, shielding his allies from damage, and healing them by actually
attacking the surrounding enemies… heals friends by harming enemies.
- Holy - HEALS – The holy priest is the brute force
healer, capable of massive and sustained heals of raw health in an array
of different situations.
- Shadow - RANGE – A priest of the darkness, a Shadow
Priest wears away at the target with damage over time effects, slowly
losing his own mind until he gives into the insanity, gaining
unimaginable power.
Rogue
- Assassination - MELEE – Brutal damage and combat
multipliers, the assassination rogue in unparalleled in surprising his
targets, bleeding his enemy and utilises poisons with deadly efficiency.
- Outlaw – MELEE – The pirate class. This swashbuckling
adventurer wields a rapier and pistol, and is a pirate in all sense of
the word, while also inheriting the rogues natural stealth and agility.
- Subtlety - MELEE – The subtlety rogue is a master of
stealth, speed and agility, dealing more damage to unsuspecting foes,
and capable of stunning and savage burst damage
Shaman
- Elemental - RANGE – Embrace the mastery of the world itself, throwing rock, lava and lightning at enemies, while being empowered by totems.
- Enhancement - MELEE – Bend the powers of the world
around your dual wielded weapons, causing lightning to crash down around
you and swing with weapons imbued with the ferocity of a storm.
- Restoration - HEALS – Calling upon the worlds rains and
waters, the Restoration is capable of powerful healing totems,
waterfalls of life, and heals that chain from one ally to the next.
Warlock
- Affliction - RANGE – Underestimate the affliction
warlock at your own risk. They will throw spell after spell at you, not
dealing much damage initially, but suddenly, your life is ticking away
faster and faster and faster. The affliction warlock is capable of
putting these damage over time spells on many many targets, making him a
legend amongst damage dealers.
- Demonology - RANGE – Why do damage yourself, when you
can summon a fleet of demons to damage your enemies for you? The more
demons you summon, the more damage you deal.
- Destruction - RANGE - Unlike affliction and demonology,
the destruction warlock causes his damage upfront. Chaos and fire are
his forte, burning his enemies with cold brutality, becoming stronger
the longer he fights.
Warrior
- Arms - MELEE – Cold and calculating, the arms warrior
picks his moments to do the most damage possible. Capable of devastating
slashes and mighty cleaves, the arms warrior brings purpose to the
brutality of the warrior
- Fury – MELEE – Opposite to the massive calculating
swings of the arms warrior, the fury warrior instead rages and slashes
as hard and fast as he can, sacrificing his own safety in a headlong
furious rush to bring his enemies down to pacify his insatiable
bloodlust. Can wield a two handed weapon in each hand easily with his
massive strength.
- Protection – TANK - The mighty warrior tank. Where other
tanks can heal themselves, or stagger the damage, the protection
warrior just laughs and chooses to ignore the damage. All that he needs
are his rage, his sword and his shield, while somehow encompassing both
the bloodlust of Fury, and precision of Arms in a combination of a truly
formidable tank.
Hope this helps.
Any questions please ask
SOURCE