WoW TWW Raid Tier List (DPS, Healer, Tank) | The War Within Raid Rankings for Season 1

World of Warcraft's latest expansion, The War Within, has introduced new dynamics and challenges in the raiding scene. With the completion of the beta testing phase, we have a clearer picture of how various classes and specs are performing in the raid environment. This WoW TWW Raid Tier List provides an in-depth analysis and ranking for DPS, Healers, and Tanks based on the latest tuning and raid data for Season 1.

WoW The War Within Raid Tier List (DPS, Healer, Tank Ranking)

The War Within brings a fresh set of raids that test the adaptability and skill of players with its complex boss mechanics and varied fight styles. From single-target slugfests to chaotic multi-target encounters, understanding the meta and how different classes stack up against these challenges is crucial.  Our War Within Raid DPS/Healer/Tank Rankings aim to help players and guilds strategize their raid compositions effectively.

WoW TWW Raid DPS Tier List

The TWW DPS ranking is categorized based on performance metrics like single-target DPS, AOE capability, and utility in various raid scenarios. Here’s our ranking from the highest to lowest-performing DPS specs:

1. Arcane Mage (S-Tier)

Exceptional in both burst and sustained damage scenarios.

2. Unholy Death Knight (S-Tier)

Strong burst with cooldown alignment, versatile across various fights.

3. Affliction Warlock (S Tier)

Consistent high performance in single-target situations with powerful DOTs.

4. Elemental Shaman (A Tier)

Great adaptability between single-target and AOE, slightly less flexible in sudden spec swaps.

5. Frost Death Knight (A Tier)

Robust in both AOE and single-target due to recent buffs.

6. Havoc Demon Hunter (A Tier)

Reliable damage output and mobility make them a solid choice in most encounters.

7. Frost Mage (B Tier)

Strong AOE capabilities but overshadowed in single-target scenarios.

8. Feral Druid (B Tier)

Capable in burst scenarios but lacks consistency.

9. Fury Warrior (B Tier)

Excellent in AOE but not as competitive in single-target damage.

10. Shadow Priest (B Tier)

Good utility and steady damage, though not top-tier.

11. Enhancement Shaman (B Tier)

Decent in mixed damage scenarios but doesn’t excel in any.

12. Demonology Warlock (B Tier)

Strong in specific AOE conditions; otherwise, mid-tier.

13. Marksmanship Hunter (B Tier)

High AOE damage but struggles with single-target sustainability.

14. Windwalker Monk (B Tier)

Balanced performance but lacks the peaks of higher-tier specs.

15. Assassination Rogue (C Tier)

Struggles with consistency across different raid bosses.

16. Survival Hunter (C Tier)

Underperforms in more complex raid scenarios.

17. Arms Warrior (C Tier)

Decent in AOE but falls behind in other aspects.

18. Retribution Paladin (C Tier)

Lacks the damage output of other specs in high-end raids.

19. Balance Druid (C Tier)

Not competitive enough in the current raid meta.

20. Subtlety Rogue (C Tier)

Low participation and poor performance metrics.

21. Destruction Warlock (C Tier)

Underwhelming in both burst and sustained phases.

22. Beast Mastery Hunter (C Tier)

Struggles to compete with other DPS roles in raid settings.

23. Devastation Evoker (C Tier)

Newer spec with underwhelming raid performance so far.

24. Outlaw Rogue (C Tier)

Inconsistent damage profile that doesn’t match raid requirements.

25. Fire Mage

Currently lagging behind due to uncompetitive damage outputs in the latest tuning.

WoW TWW Raid Healer Tier List

In raid environments, the healer's role extends beyond mere healing to include utility and raid-saving capabilities. Here’s how the healing specs ranking for raids in Season 1:

1. Holy Paladin (S Tier)

Holy Paladins are at the forefront due to their impressive spot healing capabilities and damage reduction tools. In TWW, their ability to equalize health pools effectively makes them invaluable, especially in raids where burst damage is prevalent. With various builds to adapt to different raid needs, Holy Paladins offer a flexibility that is unmatched, making them essential for any serious raiding team.

2. Discipline Priest (S Tier)

Discipline Priests excel at managing large-scale raid damage through their preventive healing and potent barrier abilities. What sets them apart is their proficiency in dealing with negative heal absorbs, a common mechanic in TWW raids. Their ability to ramp up and deliver concentrated healing over short periods allows teams to survive intense damage phases, solidifying their position in the S-tier.

3. Restoration Shaman (S Tier)

Known for their strong AOE healing and powerful cooldowns like Spirit Link Totem, Restoration Shamans are crucial in TWW raids. Their recent improvements in burst healing capabilities and the introduction of new talents that enhance their traditional strengths make them a top choice. They are particularly effective in encounters requiring tight group stacking and heavy, bursty damage mitigation.

4. Preservation Evoker (A Tier)

Emerging as a strong contender, Preservation Evokers bring unique healing mechanics that can be incredibly potent in raid scenarios. Their ability to transfer healing to marked allies allows for efficient distribution of healing, making them excellent at managing widespread raid damage. Their performance might vary based on the encounter, but they offer a robust set of tools that can be decisive in many raid situations.

5. Mistweaver Monk (A Tier)

Mistweaver Monks provide substantial throughput and have a versatile kit suited for various raid encounters. Although not as dominant in utility as the S-tier specs, their healing output is consistently high, and they offer mobility that can be crucial in dodging raid mechanics. Their role as healers is solidified in A-tier due to their balanced performance across different raid challenges.

6. Holy Priest (B Tier)

Holy Priests have historically been strong healers, and in TWW, they continue to perform well with powerful raid-wide healing spells. However, they have faced some reductions in utility, which slightly lowers their overall impact compared to higher-tier healers. Still, their ability to produce significant healing output keeps them relevant and effective in many raid settings.

7. Restoration Druid (B Tier)

While Restoration Druids offer consistent healing and the benefit of powerful over-time effects, their performance in TWW has been overshadowed by other specs that bring more dynamic raid utility. They remain a viable choice, particularly in encounters that favor sustained healing over burst protection, but they don’t quite reach the utility and versatility of the higher tiers.

WoW TWW Raid Tank Tier List

The TWW Tank rankings are evaluated on their ability to manage threat, survive through tough encounters, and provide utility:

1. Blood Death Knight (S Tier)

Blood Death Knights stand out as the premier choice for tanking in The War Within raids. Their superior self-sustain and damage output make them exceptionally reliable. Blood DKs are particularly valued for their "grip" ability, crucial for managing adds and positioning in several boss fights. Their ability to handle damage independently without heavy reliance on healers gives raid groups flexibility in strategy and composition.

2. Protection Paladin (S Tier)

Protection Paladins are highly valued for their robust defensive toolkit and unique abilities, such as spell warding, which provides them with a niche that no other tank can fill. Their competitive single-target damage and the utility of their raid buffs make them a strong choice. While they might not bring a raid buff as often due to the presence of Holy Paladins, their individual performance in raids is outstanding, making them a top-tier selection.

3. Guardian Druid (A Tier)

Guardian Druids provide excellent durability and consistent performance. Their ability to weave increased damage output through cat weaving, combined with their utility in bringing Mark of the Wild, solidifies their position in the A-tier. While their DPS counterparts might not be as strong, the utility and robustness of Guardian Druids make them a valuable addition to any raid team.

4. Vengeance Demon Hunter (B Tier)

Vengeance Demon Hunters offer unique abilities like Darkness and various sigils, which can be situationally beneficial. While their utility is not always relevant in raid scenarios, their overall damage and mitigation make them a viable option for teams that might benefit from their specific toolkit.

5. Brewmaster Monk (B Tier)

Brewmaster Monks provide steady mitigation through their stagger mechanic, which can effectively handle high burst damage from bosses. However, their lack of unique raid-wide utility compared to other tanks places them in the B-tier. They are still a solid choice but are often overshadowed by tanks that offer more to the raid group.

6. Protection Warrior (B Tier)

 Protection Warriors are known for their high survivability and dependable mitigation. However, their contribution to raid utility is limited, primarily providing a warrior buff that DPS warriors often cover. This makes them less essential in a raid where utility can play a pivotal role in overcoming complex mechanics.