With WoW Season of Discovery entering Phase 5, many classes are seeing significant changes, particularly with new set bonuses. These changes have shaken up the DPS meta, so today we're sorting out the WoW SoD Phase 5 DPS tier list for both PvE Raid and PvP. We'll rank all the DPS specs, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and where they stand in the upcoming season patch.
WoW Season of Discovery Phase 5 DPS Tier List - Best DPS Class & Spec Ranking for Raid & PvP
When evaluating the best DPS specs for Phase 5, the most important factors are:
Class set bonuses: Tier 1 and Tier 2 set bonuses are game-changing.
Scaling with better gear: Classes that scale well with increased stats in later phases will perform much better.
Utility: Some specs bring utility that boosts their overall raid value despite lower damage output.
Let’s jump into the rankings!
S-Tier DPS
These are the top-performing DPS specs in Phase 6, dominating both Raids and PvP.
1. Rogue DPS
Rogues continue to dominate the DPS charts, particularly the Assassination spec, which remains largely unchanged but powerful due to its scaling with gear. Even with a "lame" T2 set bonus, the top parses show Rogues excelling, making them a top choice for both raids and PvP.
Raid:
Performance: Rogue DPS remains stellar in raids, particularly in single-target scenarios, with simulations showing potential outputs nearing 4,000 DPS.
Utility: Limited in broader utility, but their high damage and emergency tanking capability make them invaluable.
PvP:
Strengths: Excellent burst damage, crowd control abilities, and stealth mechanics allow Rogues to effectively target and eliminate key opponents.
Weaknesses: Reliance on cooldowns can leave them vulnerable if they fail to secure a kill immediately.
2. Feral Druid (DPS)
Feral Druids are another powerhouse, providing free hits to raids through their Tier 1 set bonus while dishing out insane damage. Their utility with abilities like Mangle and Leader of the Pack makes them invaluable. They scale well with gear, and their performance continues to shine.
Raid:
Performance: Consistently high damage outputs in both single-target and AoE situations.
Utility: Brings valuable raid buffs like Leader of the Pack, enhancing overall raid performance.
PvP:
Strengths: High mobility and survivability.
Weaknesses: Less effective when kited due to reliance on close combat.
3. Fire Mage
Fire Mages continue to be one of the hardest scaling DPS classes in the game. Their new Tier 2 set bonuses enhance their damage output significantly, with improvements to Fireball and Pyroblast, making them a formidable force in any raid setup.
Raid:
Performance: Fire Mages’ set bonuses are phenomenal. Fireball now applies a DoT for 40% of the total damage, and Pyroblast does 20% more damage. With the scaling of crit and spell power, Fire Mages' damage will continue to skyrocket.
Utility: Minimal utility, but their raw damage output compensates.
PvP:
Strengths: High burst damage and strong AoE make Fire Mages extremely dangerous.
Weaknesses: They lack mobility and defensive capabilities in PvP.
A-Tier DPS
These specs are strong, but they might lack the insane scaling or utility to be considered S-tier.
4. Warrior DPS (Dual-Wield Fury)
Warriors are notorious for scaling incredibly well with gear, and Phase 5 is no exception. Although their Tier 1 set was nerfed, their new set bonus resets Bloodthirst, allowing for even more burst damage. Fury Warriors are likely to contend for top DPS spots.
Raid:
Performance: Strong consistent damage, with high performance in both cleave and single-target scenarios.
Utility: Brings powerful raid buffs and debuffs that bolster melee groups.
PvP:
5. Enhancement Shaman
Enhancement Shamans remain a viable option for those who enjoy melee DPS. While their Tier 2 set bonuses are lackluster, they still provide strong utility through Totems. However, their damage output is limited by threat generation, making them a riskier choice in high-end raids.
Raid:
PvP:
6. Paladin DPS
Retribution Paladins remain surprisingly strong, with high rankings in DPS charts and valuable utility that keeps them relevant.
Raid:
PvP:
7. Warlock DPS
Affliction Warlocks see improvements that allow them to maintain high damage without sacrificing utility, making them more effective across various encounters.
Raid:
PvP:
8. Balance Druid
Balance Druids, commonly referred to as Boomkins, are expected to see an improvement in Phase 5 largely due to better gear availability that helps address their mana issues. They have struggled with reaching optimal hit caps but can now potentially mix and match gear to optimize their output. Historically seen as a mediocre caster spec, Boomkins are transitioning to a more respectable position in the A-tier due to their potential to better manage gear for increased effectiveness.
Raid:
Performance: With improved gear and hit rating, Boomkins will perform better in Phase 5, but they still face significant hurdles.
Utility: They bring decent raid buffs, but their overall damage is still lacking.
PvP:
Strengths: Versatile with strong utility and off-healing.
Weaknesses: Low mobility and susceptible to interrupts.
B-Tier DPS
These specs are decent but either lack scaling or have other limitations holding them back.
9. Elemental Shaman
With key buffs to their Elemental Overload and proc mechanics, Elemental Shamans are expected to see an improvement in their DPS output, although they remain more middle-of-the-road compared to other classes. While not the top DPS choice, their utility keeps them relevant and desirable in raid compositions.
Raid:
Performance: Elemental Overload changes give them more procs, but they still don’t scale as well as other specs.
Utility: Totems remain valuable, and their utility is highly sought after.
PvP:
Strengths: Burst potential with strong off-healing.
Weaknesses: Squishy and prone to being focused down by melee.
10. Priest DPS
Shadow Priests did not receive any major buffs in Phase5 and are still relegated to being a support DPS class. Their damage is subpar, and their healing (via Vampiric Embrace) was nerfed. They remain useful for their mana regeneration and utility, but don’t expect them to top the charts.
Raid:
Performance: Shadow Priests still provide mana regen, but their damage is subpar.
Utility: Dispel and utility spells are useful, but they’re no longer crucial.
PvP:
Strengths: Strong utility and self-healing.
Weaknesses: Low damage output, especially after the Vampiric Embrace nerf.
11. Hunter DPS
Hunters, particularly the Marksmanship spec, face challenges due to nerfs and do not scale as well as other classes into Phase 5. They remain a middle-of-the-road choice, viable but not optimal for top-tier raiding.
Raid:
Performance: Marksmanship and Survival are neck-and-neck, but neither are scaling particularly well.
Utility: Hunters still bring useful utility, but their overall damage is mediocre.
PvP:
Strengths: Strong burst and kiting potential.
Weaknesses: Lack of scaling and mediocre damage in PvE.
Phase 6 of Season of Discovery has brought about some interesting changes to the DPS meta. While Assassination Rogues, Feral Druids, and Fire Mages main at the top, other specs like Retribution Paladins are surprising everyone with their newfound power. Meanwhile, some classes like Shadow Priests and Frost Mages continue to struggle.
Stay tuned for future updates as Blizzard may make adjustments before the official release of Phase 6. If you’re looking to maximize your raid performance or dominate PvP, this tier list should give you a solid foundation.
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