Best melee damage dealer for 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
RecommendationRanked by our PvP tier for each class's best melee damage spec, then by our PvP 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 melee damage spec: Priest, Mage, Warlock.
Our picks: PvE Combat · PvP Subtlety · Leveling Combat
Alliance race: HumanHorde race: Undead
PvP: Stealth picks every fight, stunlock, Vanish.
The open-world duelist: Master of Deception, Improved Ambush, Premeditation, Preparation, Hemorrhage (requires Serrated Blades), Cutthroat, Thousand Cuts (requires Preparation).
Recommendation- Sim: 667 DPS Sourced: Sim · 11 Oct run
- 9.8% of beta characters play a Rogue Sourced: Beta census · 11 Oct
Our picks: PvE Fury · PvP Arms · Leveling Arms
Alliance race: DwarfHorde race: Orc
PvP: Few ways out of a bad fight; kited by casters.
Mortal Strike (−50% healing) is still the battleground debuff; Bloodthrill got doubled on 24 Sep; Weaponmaster removes the weapon-respec problem.
Recommendation- Sim: 741 DPS Sourced: Sim · 11 Oct run
- 12.2% of beta characters play a Warrior Sourced: Beta census · 11 Oct
Shaman Enhancement
Our tier AOur picks: PvE Restoration · PvP Enhancement · Leveling Enhancement
Alliance race: DwarfHorde race: Orc
PvP: Windfury burst, Frost Shock, Earth Shock kick, instant heals.
Windfury burst, Stormstrike, Flurry (requires Mental Dexterity 3/3), Maelstrom Weapon instant heals, Rage of the Farseer (requires Mental Quickness 2/2) as a personal Bloodlust — attack speed only since 24 Sep.
Recommendation- Sim: 713 DPS Sourced: Sim · 11 Oct run
- 11% of beta characters play a Shaman Sourced: Beta census · 11 Oct
- Druid Feral Combat Our tier AOur PvP pick is Restoration. One tree, two roles: the 44/0/7 hybrid below tanks (Natural Reaction, Thick Hide, Heart of the Wild) and cats (Primal Bite, Rend and Tear, Shifting Power, Berserk).
- Paladin Retribution Our tier AOpen-world PvP tools: Seal of Command burst, Repentance CC, Hammer of Justice, bubble.
- Hunter Survival Our tier BOur PvP pick is Beast Mastery. Forever's new identity: Lacerating Strikes capstone (requires Expose Prey), Strider Kick, Predator's Edge.