With Phase 4 for WoW Season of Disocvey Phase 4 launching soon, it's time to pick the right class to dominate Molten Core and the new Blackrock Eruption event. Here we've sorted out the WoW SoD Phase 4 DPS Tier List to rank the DPS specs from the best to worst based on extensive data from PTR parses, patch notes, and gameplay testing.
WoW Season of Discovery Phase 4 DPS Tier List - Best DPS Class & Spec Ranking for Raid & PvP
The World of Warcraft Season of Discovery Phase 4 brings exciting changes and balances to the DPS classes. To determine the best DPS classes for Phase 4, we analyzed the performance of each spec in the PTR, considering both raw damage output and utility.
1. Rogue DPS (S Tier)
Rogues are at the pinnacle of DPS in Phase 4. The top five parses in the PTR were all Rogues, with single-target DPS simming nearly 4,000. They also excel in AoE with Fan of Knives. Despite lacking significant utility, their ability to tank and incredible damage output make them the most fun and powerful class in this phase.
Raid:
Performance: Rogues dominate the DPS charts in raids, with top parses showing nearly 4,000 DPS in single-target scenarios. Their AoE damage with Fan of Knives is also exceptional.
Utility: While their utility is limited, their ability to tank in emergency situations and the sheer damage output make them indispensable.
PvP:
Strengths: Rogues excel in PvP with their burst damage, crowd control (CC), and stealth mechanics. They can quickly take down key targets and escape when necessary.
Weaknesses: They rely heavily on cooldowns and can be vulnerable if their initial burst does not secure a kill.
2. Fire Mage (S Tier)
Over half of the top 20 parses were Fire Mages, thanks to the new rotation involving Bale Firebolt and off-global cooldown Fire Blasts. They might not scale as well as Rogues or Warriors later on, but early Phase 4 will see Fire Mages dominating the meters. Their massive AoE damage and essential utility (Arcane Intellect, food, and transportation) make them indispensable.
Raid:
Performance: Fire Mages are incredibly strong in early Phase 4, with a new rotation that includes Bale Firebolt and off-global cooldown Fire Blasts. Their AoE damage is massive.
Utility: They provide essential buffs like Arcane Intellect, food, and portals, making them crucial for raid support.
PvP:
Strengths: Fire Mages bring high burst damage and excellent CC with Polymorph and Dragon's Breath. Their mobility with Blink and defensive abilities make them formidable.
Weaknesses: They can be squishy if caught without their defensive cooldowns.
3. Hunter DPS (S Tier)
Marksmanship Hunters feel amazing with their new traps scaling and reduced cooldowns. Exceptional Hunters can easily push top rankings on every fight. While Melee Hunters lag behind, the utility of Hunter traps and their AoE damage make them a must-have. Their Heart of the Lion buff provides essential raid-wide benefits.
Raid:
Performance: Marksmanship Hunters perform exceptionally well with their new trap mechanics and reduced cooldowns. They are consistent top performers in both single-target and AoE scenarios.
Utility: Hunter traps and their Heart of the Lion buff (10% stats) offer significant raid-wide benefits.
PvP:
Strengths: Hunters excel with strong burst damage, kiting abilities, and CC with traps. Their pet utility also adds to their versatility.
Weaknesses: They can be somewhat reliant on maintaining distance from their targets.
4. Warlock DPS (A Tier)
Warlocks are slated to be the second-highest caster DPS with around 2,800 DPS. Destruction Warlocks are particularly strong with the new Decimation Rune. Affliction Warlocks also perform well, especially with hybrid builds. Their utility, including Mark of Chaos and Demonic Pact, makes them valuable in any raid.
Raid:
Performance: Warlocks are the second-highest caster DPS, with Destruction and Affliction builds performing well. Their new Decimation Rune and hybrid builds add versatility.
Utility: Warlocks bring powerful raid-wide buffs like Mark of Chaos and Demonic Pact, along with essential curses.
PvP:
Strengths: Warlocks have strong sustained damage, CC with Fear, and defensive abilities with Healthstones and Demonic Circle.
Weaknesses: They can be susceptible to interrupts and require setup time to maximize their damage.
5. Enhancement Shaman (A Tier)
Enhancement Shamans haven’t changed much from Phase 3 but remain strong with viable two-handed options. They might not be top-tier, but their utility and ability to creep into top rankings on various fights keep them relevant.
Raid:
Performance: Enhancement Shamans remain competitive, especially with viable two-handed weapon options. They might not be top-tier, but they are consistent performers.
Utility: Shamans bring essential totems and buffs like Windfury Totem and Bloodlust/Heroism.
PvP:
Strengths: Enhancement Shamans have strong burst damage, good self-healing, and utility with totems. Their ability to dual-wield or use two-handed weapons provides flexibility.
Weaknesses: They can be vulnerable to CC and may struggle against highly mobile opponents.
6. Warrior DPS (A Tier)
Warriors performed poorly on the PTR, averaging around 1,800 DPS. However, they have potential with high-end gear and new weapons. Their off-tank capabilities, Sunder, and rallying abilities provide significant raid utility.
Raid:
Performance: Warriors underperformed on the PTR but have potential with high-end gear and new weapons. Their off-tank capabilities and raid-wide buffs are valuable.
Utility: Warriors provide Sunder Armor, Rallying Cry, and potential world buffs with a new skill book.
PvP:
Strengths: Warriors excel with high burst damage, strong sustain, and utility with stuns and interrupts. Their defensive stance and mobility with Charge and Intercept are key advantages.
Weaknesses: They are gear-dependent and can struggle without proper support.
7. Feral Druid (A Tier)
Feral Druids are expected to be middle-of-the-pack DPS. They bring essential utility like Wild Strikes, Innate, and Battle Res, which could be crucial if Molten Core proves challenging.
Raid:
Performance: Feral Druids are middle-of-the-pack DPS but bring crucial utility like Wild Strikes, Innate, and Battle Res.
Utility: Their ability to switch roles (e.g., off-tank, healer) adds flexibility to the raid composition.
PvP:
Strengths: Feral Druids have high mobility, strong burst damage, and good survivability with self-healing. Their ability to shapeshift out of roots and snares is a significant advantage.
Weaknesses: They can be mana-intensive and may struggle against classes with high CC.
8. Elemental Shaman (A Tier)
Elemental Shamans have struggled on the PTR due to nerfs and unexciting changes. Despite being middle-of-the-pack in DPS, their utility through totems and shamanistic rage keeps them relevant.
Raid:
Performance: Elemental Shamans have struggled due to nerfs and unexciting changes but remain middle-of-the-pack in DPS.
Utility: Shamans provide raid-wide mana regen, totems, and Bloodlust/Heroism.
PvP:
Strengths: Elemental Shamans have strong burst damage, good utility with totems, and strong CC with Frost Shock and Earthbind Totem.
Weaknesses: They can be vulnerable to interrupts and lack mobility compared to other casters.
9. Balance Druid (A Tier)
Balance Druids are currently hard to evaluate but seem to be near Shadow Priests in performance. Their utility is significant, especially in difficult raid scenarios.
Raid:
Performance: Balance Druids are currently hard to evaluate but seem to be near Shadow Priests in performance. Their utility is significant, especially in difficult raid scenarios.
Utility: They bring raid-wide buffs and battle resurrections, which are crucial in challenging content.
PvP:
Strengths: Balance Druids have good burst damage, strong CC with Cyclone and Entangling Roots, and excellent mobility.
Weaknesses: They can be mana-intensive and may struggle against melee classes.
10. Priest DPS (B Tier)
Shadow Priests have an easy rotation but suffer from low damage output. They scale poorly, making them less effective as gear improves. However, their Vampiric Touch provides TBC-level mana regen, making them highly desirable for their utility.
Raid:
Performance: Shadow Priests have an easy rotation but suffer from low damage output and poor scaling. They remain valuable for their Vampiric Touch mana regen.
Utility: Their mana regen ability makes them highly desirable, especially in mana-intensive encounters.
PvP:
Strengths: Shadow Priests have strong sustained damage, good self-healing, and utility with dispels and CC.
Weaknesses: They can be squishy and rely heavily on their mana pool.
11. Paladin DPS (B Tier)
Retribution Paladins have high potential but are inconsistent. They bring immense utility but suffer from reduced raid-wide mana regen. Their performance is still uncertain heading into Phase 4.
Raid:
Performance: Retribution Paladins have high potential but are inconsistent. They bring immense utility but suffer from reduced raid-wide mana regen.
Utility: Paladins provide essential buffs and auras, which can significantly support the raid.
PvP:
Strengths: Retribution Paladins have strong burst damage, good survivability with self-healing, and utility with Blessings and auras.
Weaknesses: They can be vulnerable to kiting and CC.
12. Frost Mage (C Tier)
Frost Mages lag behind other specs despite their strong AoE capabilities. They are not as competitive in single-target DPS compared to Fire Mages.
Raid:
Performance: Frost Mages lag behind other specs despite their strong AoE capabilities. They are not as competitive in single-target DPS.
Utility: They still provide essential buffs and crowd control, making them useful in certain raid scenarios.
PvP:
Strengths: Frost Mages excel with strong CC, high burst damage, and excellent kiting abilities.
Weaknesses: They can be mana-intensive and rely on maintaining distance from their targets.
13. Arcane Mage (C Tier)
Arcane Mages are currently the least competitive in terms of DPS output. They lack the burst and sustained damage capabilities of Fire and Frost Mages.
Raid:
Performance: Arcane Mages are currently the least competitive in terms of DPS output. They lack the burst and sustained damage capabilities of Fire and Frost Mages.
Utility: They still bring essential buffs and utility, but their damage output is lacking.
PvP:
Phase 4 in WoW Season of Discovery offers a diverse landscape for DPS classes, with Rogues and Fire Mages leading the pack. While some classes like Shadow Priests and Retribution Paladins struggle with consistency, their utility ensures they remain valuable. Make sure to stay updated with any last-minute changes before the phase launches.
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