DistillNote

Beta, level cap 30 · data read 11 Oct

Best ranged damage dealer for PvE and PvP

Answer two questions. We rank the classes with our own scores and tiers and show why. Race picks follow the faction switch at the top.

What will you do most?

Which role?

Our picks for you

Recommendation

Ranked by the average of our PvE and PvP tiers for each class's best ranged damage spec, then by our overall score. PvE desirability (0–5): spec performance, role scarcity, raid utility, and supply — fewer players of a class means more groups want you. PvP (0–5): community PvP tiers plus CC, escapes and self-healing. Equal weight. These are our own scores from those inputs, not a published ranking.

No ranged damage spec: Warrior, Paladin, Rogue.

  1. Mage Frost

    Our tier A / S

    Our picks: PvE Arcane · PvP Frost · Leveling Frost

    Alliance race: GnomeHorde race: Undead

    Frostbite roots, Shatter, Ice Block (row 4), Cold Snap → Ice Barrier (requires Cold Snap), Fingers of Frost (requires Ice Lance).

    Recommendation

  2. Priest Shadow

    Our tier A / A

    Our picks are Holy (PvE) and Discipline (PvP); as a ranged damage dealer for PvE and PvP: Shadow.

    Our picks: PvE Holy · PvP Discipline · Leveling Shadow

    Alliance race: HumanHorde race: Undead

    Levels with Spirit Tap, Mind Flay, Vampiric Embrace self-healing, Shadowform at 40 (requires Vampiric Embrace). The 1 Oct fixes (Shadow Weaving always applies, Devouring Plague can crit) addressed most of the early beta bug reports; 697 on the 11 Oct sim run (11th of 20 damage results). Full leveling route plus a level-60 PvE reference tree.

    Recommendation

  3. Warlock Demonology

    Our tier A / A

    Our picks: PvE Demonology · PvP Affliction · Leveling Demonology

    Alliance race: GnomeHorde race: Orc

    PvE: Least-played class; summons, Healthstones, curses; Demonology 830 DPS on the 11 Oct sim.

    20% ahead of Destruction on the 11 Oct sim (830). Demonic Pact capstone (requires Soul Link ← Demonic Sacrifice) lets you keep a Demonic Sacrifice buff with a pet out; Master Demonologist, Demonic Brand, Decimation. Also the safest leveler of the three.

    Recommendation
  1. Hunter Beast Mastery Our tier A / AStill the fastest leveler, and a strong duelist with its pet.
  2. Shaman Elemental Our tier B / AOur picks are Restoration (PvE) and Enhancement (PvP). Lava Burst capstone (requires Lightning Overload 3/3), Call of Thunder requires Elemental Alacrity 3/3, Elemental Fury requires Call of Thunder.
  3. Druid Balance Our tier B / BOur picks are Feral Combat (PvE) and Restoration (PvP). Eclipse, Moonfury, Moonkin Form, Vengeance (requires Improved Moonfire 2/2), Nature's Splendor (requires Nature's Majesty).