Here is a comprehensive class rankings guide for World of Warcraft: The War Within Patch 11.2. As the war for Azeroth looms, the class landscape is taking its final shape based on the latest tuning data. This updated guide provides a detailed breakdown of each specialization’s theoretical performance across all major end-game activities. Several key factors determine the rankings in this list, and the criteria for each role’s performance are outlined below. As of the confirmed August 5th, 2025 release date, the meta has shifted considerably since Season 2, and this guide reflects those changes.
Foundational Season 3 Changes
- Hero Talent Tier Sets: Two- and four-piece set bonuses are now directly linked to a player’s chosen Hero Talent tree (e.g., Mountain Thane, Colossus), making build choices more impactful than ever.
- Mythic+ Affixes: At Keystone Level +10 and higher, both Tyrannical (stronger bosses) and Fortified (stronger trash) will be active simultaneously, requiring balanced group compositions.
- Class-Wide Utility: In a significant change, Death Grip for all Death Knight specializations now has a 15-second cooldown outside of PvP, greatly increasing its utility in dungeons.
You may also be interested in:
| Class Tier List | Ghost of K’aresh Overview & release date | BiS Gear Guide | Tier sets overview |
| K’aresh Zone overview | Ecological Succession guide | Ethereal Crests guide | Untethered Coin Farm Guide |
| Mythic+ guide | Season 3 PvP guide | Manaforge Omega guide | Delves guide |
| Mount guide | Reshii wraps artifact cloak guide |
Best Tank Specs in WoW 11.2 (Mythic+ & Raid)
The tank meta is split between what is best for the endless scalability of Mythic+ and what is needed for the scripted encounters of raiding. It is important to note that while survivability is key, the performance of a tank is also determined by the utility and control they provide to the group.
- Mythic+ Kings (Vengeance DH, Brewmaster Monk, & Protection Warrior): These specializations are at the top because they master the core tenets of Mythic+: control, damage, and self-sufficiency. Vengeance uses its Sigils for AoE silence, fear, and grips, while having incredible mobility and magic damage mitigation. Brewmaster’s rework has been a phenomenal success, making its Stagger mechanic smooth and predictable while giving it potent self-healing and damage. Protection Warrior has emerged as a powerhouse with substantial improvements to its self-sustain and damage output.
- Raid Titans (Blood DK & Protection Paladin): Raiding demands specific tools. Blood Death Knight is an S-Tier progression tank because of its incredible anti-magic defensives (Anti-Magic Zone, Anti-Magic Shell) and unmatched self-healing, allowing healers to focus on the raid. Protection Paladin is the ultimate “support tank,” using blessings like Blessing of Sacrifice on their co-tank and Divine Shield to cheese entire mechanics, simplifying encounters.
| Specialization | Mythic+ Tier | Raid Tier | PvP Tier | Core Strengths & Weaknesses |
| Vengeance DH | S | B | A | Fun, versatile, and has a tool for every situation. |
| Brewmaster Monk | S | A | A | A significant rework has vastly improved its durability, self-sustain, and damage. |
| Protection Paladin | A | S | S | Offers god-tier utility for carrying groups. Can feel squishy at times but is an S-Tier raid “support tank.” |
| Protection Warrior | S+ | B | S | Excels in battlegrounds with top-tier physical mitigation and damage, but limited raid utility and underused in Mythic+. |
| Guardian Druid | B | C | C | Received damage buffs and possesses strong party utility through Mark of the Wild. |
| Blood Death Knight | B | S | B | Tanky and self-sustaining in raids; less effective in Mythic+ and niche in PvP due to mobility and burst vulnerability. |
Top Healer Rankings for Patch 11.2 – Raid, PvP & Mythic+
In the world of high-end content, a healer’s role is multifaceted. This season’s healing meta is a fascinating balance between proactive damage mitigation, raw reactive throughput, and game-changing utility. A lack of crucial utility can undermine even the highest HPS, a key criteria in this season’s rankings.
- Proactive vs. Reactive: Discipline Priest is the master of proactive healing. Its goal is to apply Atonement and shields before damage happens, nullifying it instantly. On the other side, Holy Paladin is a premier reactive healer, responding to damage spikes with massive, chunky heals. Restoration Druid expertly blends both, blanketing the group in proactive Heal-over-Time effects (HoTs) while having powerful cooldowns to react to burst.
- Utility vs. HPS Trade-off: No spec exemplifies this better than Restoration Shaman. While its raw HPS might be slightly lower than a Resto Druid’s, it brings game-changing utility: ranged interrupts (Wind Shear), AoE stuns (Capacitor Totem), and powerful group-wide healing cooldowns.
- Playstyle & Intensity: Resto Druid’s “Catweaving” and Mistweaver’s “Fistweaving” are high-APM (Actions Per Minute), demanding styles that require actively dealing damage to heal. In contrast, Holy Priest offers a “chill, relaxing” and more traditional healing style that is less punishing but also lacks the tools to make game-winning plays.
| Specialization | Mythic+ Tier | Raid Tier | PvP Tier | Core Strengths & Weaknesses |
| Restoration Druid | A+ | A | S | While king of raw HPS, the spec feels weaker in Week 1 due to the loss of its previous tier set. It has high potential to recover later in the season. |
| Discipline Priest | S+ | S | B | Premier healer for mitigating damage with absurdly large shields and spot-heals. Master of proactive healing. |
| Restoration Shaman | Alternative Best | C | C | Brings incredible party-wide utility, but its cast-heavy healing style leaves it vulnerable to interrupts in the fast-paced meta. |
| Holy Paladin | B | B | S | Received massive buffs. Healing can feel RNG-dependent, but its utility is exceptionally strong. Premier reactive healer. |
| Preservation Evoker | A | B | A | Offers strong healing and damage, but its complexity can make it challenging. Its active PvP talent Nullifying Shroud can grant immunity to the next full CC effect. |
| Mistweaver Monk | A | S | C | Hit with major nerfs, including a rework that is a ‘huge nerf to castweaver’ and a 50% nerf to Chi Harmony, resulting in a significant healing reduction. Its high-APM style now struggles to compete. |
| Holy Priest | C | A | A/C | A very relaxed healer with a simple rotation. While it lacks the high-impact tools of other specs in M+, predictions suggest it will be a clear leader in raid healing. |
War Within DPS Tier List: Best Damage Specs in WoW 11.2
The following DPS rankings are heavily influenced by caster-friendly dungeon design and the power of specific group-wide buffs. A specialization’s value can change dramatically between different content types.
Note on Raid Rankings: The raid tier list below is predictive, based on historical performance and class design. As the meta for the new Manaforge Omega raid has not yet been solidified, these rankings may change as players progress.
Ranged DPS: The Reigning Kings
Ranged DPS are set to dominate this season, and these casters represent the best dps specs for many scenarios.
- Balance Druid is the prime example of a tier set defining a spec. Its ability to generate and spend Astral Power for devastating, high-priority Starsurges gives it unmatched burst on critical targets.
- Shadow Priest brings strong damage and the single most valuable utility in the game: Power Infusion. In a caster meta, being able to buff an Arcane Mage or Balance Druid is a game-changer.
- Arcane Mage remains a powerhouse. Despite minor nerfs, its ability to unload immense burst damage during Arcane Surge is exactly what’s needed to burn down dangerous priority targets in M+.
Melee DPS: The Fight for a Spot
While casters may headline, several melee dps specs have carved out powerful niches.
- Note on Rogues: Community feedback suggests all Rogue specs are significantly underperforming in PvE, with many players expressing frustration over their poor Hero Talents and a lack of meaningful changes. Their PvE viability, especially in raid, is a subject of debate.
- Enhancement Shaman is the full package: massive AoE, strong single-target, and a toolkit overflowing with utility. It will likely continue its strong performance.
- Havoc Demon Hunter is the key that unlocks the caster meta. Its Chaos Brand debuff (5% increased magic damage taken) is invaluable.
- Frost Death Knight has seen significant tuning and now brings top-tier damage to Mythic+, making it a premier melee choice.
Why Spec Ranks Change: M+ vs. Raid
A spec’s environment dictates its value. This contextual variance is why this guide separates the Mythic+ DPS tier list from the raid tier list.
- Affliction Warlock (B M+ / B Raid): In Mythic+, Affliction can cover massive trash packs with DoTs for huge overall damage. In a raid, the focus shifts to single-target or priority add damage, where its ramp-up time and weaker direct damage cause it to fall behind.
- Retribution Paladin (A M+ / B Raid): The recent buffs feel like a liberation from its previous struggles. In Mythic+, its blend of AoE damage, off-healing, and durability makes it an asset. In a pure single-target raid encounter, its damage doesn’t currently compete with the S-tier specialists.
| Specialization | Mythic+ Tier | Raid Tier | PvP Tier |
| Balance Druid | S | A | A |
| Shadow Priest | A+ | S | C |
| Arcane Mage | S | S | A |
| Beast Mastery Hunter | S | A | A |
| Enhancement Shaman | A | A | B |
| Havoc Demon Hunter | A+ | A | S |
| Affliction Warlock | B | B | B |
| Survival Hunter | A+ | B | B |
| Frost Death Knight | S | A | A |
| Retribution Paladin | A | B | S |
| Demonology Warlock | A+ | A | A |
| Elemental Shaman | A | A | A |
| Marksmanship Hunter | A+ | A | A |
| Subtlety Rogue | C | C | S |
| Fire Mage | A+ | S | A/C |
| Assassination Rogue | B | C | A/B |
| Arms Warrior | B | A | S |
| Windwalker Monk | B | A | S |
| Frost Mage | B | B | S/C |
| Feral Druid | B | B | S/C |
| Outlaw Rogue | C | C | B |
| Augmentation Evoker | B | C | B |
| Fury Warrior | C | B | A/B |
PvP Tier List for Patch 11.2 (Arena, Solo Shuffle, and Meta Predictions)
As PvP enters Season 3 of The War Within, class viability in Solo Shuffle and Rated Arena is once again shaken up by reworks, gear resets, and PvP-specific tuning. This tier list reflects the initial meta and player power in Phase 1 of Patch 11.2, before four-piece set bonuses are widely accessible.
General PvP Adjustments
- Tank Specialization Rebalancing: A significant focus of this patch is improving the experience for tanks in objective-based battlegrounds.
- Objective Debuffs: The Focused Assault and Brutal Assault debuffs now increase damage taken by 8% per stack (down from 10%) and decrease healing received by 8% per stack (up from 5%). The movement speed penalty has also been reduced to a 30% maximum.
- Tier Set Effectiveness: All Season 3 class tier set bonuses (from the Manaforge Omega raid) will be 67% effective in PvP combat.
These rankings are for Arena (2v2/3v3) and Solo Shuffle—not rated battlegrounds or War Mode. Tank specs are excluded except where relevant. This is a Week 1 projection and the meta is highly volatile.
PvP Tier List (Week 1 Projection – Arena/Solo Shuffle)
| Tier | Specs |
| S Tier | Frost Mage, Demonology Warlock, Havoc DH, Subtlety Rogue, Arms Warrior, Marksmanship Hunter, Holy Paladin |
| A Tier | Arcane Mage (Volatile), Elemental Shaman, Fire Mage, Balance Druid, Assassination Rogue, Feral Druid, Discipline Priest, Restoration Druid, Preservation Evoker |
| B Tier | Affliction Warlock, Survival Hunter, Beast Mastery Hunter, Fury Warrior, Unholy DK, Restoration Shaman, Holy Priest |
| C Tier | Devastation Evoker, Outlaw Rogue, Enhancement Shaman, Shadow Priest, Mistweaver Monk |
| D Tier | Augmentation Evoker |
| Tanks (Excluded) | Prot Warrior, Prot Paladin, Vengeance DH, Guardian Druid, Blood DK |
Meta Themes and PvP Forecast
- Frost Mage is the most well-rounded mage spec in PvP—durable, instant damage, and control. Explicit buffs to its Mastery and Icicles make it a clear S-tier pick despite minor haste losses from its removed set bonus.
- Arcane Mage (Volatile A-Tier) is the most controversial spec of Week 1. Big buffs to Arcane Blast create terrifying one-shot potential, but the loss of its powerful Season 2 set bonus has many top players arguing it lacks the consistency to be a true S-Tier contender. It’s a high-risk, high-reward glass cannon.
- Fire Mage is on the decline. Significant set bonus nerfs and Ignite tuning mean its damage ramps up too slowly for the fast-paced early meta, leaving it with squishier windows.
- Demo moves to S-tier with faster pet setups and a more forgiving playstyle, making it a dominant force.
- Affliction loses its ability to effectively spread multiple Unstable Afflictions and its crucial dispel protection, severely hurting its early season performance and dropping it to B-Tier.
- Destruction is surprisingly strong in the current shuffle meta with buffs to its direct Chaos Bolt damage, but remains in A-tier due to its inherent squishiness.
- MM Hunter remains an S-tier monster. With no new PvP modifier on its Aimed Shot buffs, its explosive, screen-deleting burst continues to define matchups.
- Beast Mastery has strong baseline damage, but its decline is more severe than it looks. A hidden bug causes its 3% damage nerf to “double-dip” with the Pack Leader talent, resulting in an actual 6% damage nerf, a significant hit.
- Survival could rise mid-season with gear scaling and set bonuses, but currently sits in B-Tier, lacking the immediate punch to compete.
- Frost DK’s rework and burst playstyle make it the better DK pick in Phase 1, though opinions are divided on its true strength. While its damage potential is high, many feel it still lacks the tools to consistently beat top-tier specs.
- Unholy DK struggles defensively and lacks the burst pressure needed for the current meta. It remains a niche pick that performs better in caster-heavy metas.
- Holy Paladin remains the top-tier healer despite mana regen nerfs, thanks to its unmatched toolkit of powerful cooldowns and anti-CC abilities.
- Preservation Evoker sees a possible resurgence. A new passive CC immunity tied to its empowered heals gives it much-needed survivability.
- Discipline Priest benefits from rework buffs and provides a strong counter to other healers, placing it solidly in A-Tier.
- Resto Druid is hit hardest by the loss of its powerful Season 2 set bonus. It may feel weaker in Week 1 but has high potential to recover.
- Mistweaver Monk (C-Tier) is arguably the biggest loser of the patch. It was hit with major nerfs, including a rework that is a “huge nerf to castweaver” and a 50% nerf to Chi Harmony, resulting in a flat 10% healing reduction across the board. It is not a stable A-tier and is struggling significantly.
- Holy Priest is mechanically tight but lacks the raw sustain and offensive punch of the top-tier healers.
- Resto Shaman continues to lag due to its cast-heavy healing style, which leaves it vulnerable to interrupts in a fast-paced meta.
- Subtlety continues to be one of the best melee picks. PTR changes have solidified its toolkit of control, burst, and defensive flexibility.
- Assassination improves with buffs to core abilities but is still defensively fragile, keeping it a step behind Subtlety.
- Outlaw continues to underperform dramatically. It lacks the necessary PvP modifiers or meaningful kill pressure to be viable.
- Havoc DH: Meta-defining, S-tier due to Chaos Brand, strong CDs, and unmatched mobility.
- Arms Warrior: Huge buffs to its entire toolkit (+15% damage to most abilities) and great flexibility push it firmly into S-tier territory.
- Feral Druid: Still a very strong pick, but its higher skill ceiling and vulnerability to being focused keep it in A-tier.
- Windwalker Monk: Very effective and high damage, but can be frustrating to play against ranged-heavy teams.
- Elemental Shaman: While receiving major PvE buffs, many do not apply in PvP combat, keeping it a strong but not dominant A-tier pick.
- Enhancement Shaman: Awaiting its new set bonus to scale—C-tier early, but may rise later in the season.
- Fury Warrior: A solid B-tier pick with its own damage buffs, but it’s completely overshadowed by the dominant Arms spec.
- Retribution Paladin: Still decent, but lost a significant amount of its edge without the powerful set bonus from the previous season.
Honorable Mention: The Cheese Tier
Augmentation Evoker is falling out of favor in PvP. With no scaling, weak CC, and vulnerable windows, it’s simply outclassed in structured PvP formats. Expect a continued decline unless Blizzard rebalances it hard.
Tank Specs in PvP – Still Niche, Still Controversial
Despite targeted buffs to make tanks more viable in battlegrounds and Blitz:
- All tank specs are nonviable in rated arena and solo shuffle.
- Guardian Druid and Prot Warrior may see play in rated BGs.
PvP Tier Watch: Who’s Most Likely to Move?
| Spec | Risk / Potential |
| Arcane Mage | Volatile. Could be nerfed if one-shots persist, or drop if its inconsistency proves too great. |
| Mistweaver Monk | At Risk. Its significant nerfs may require future buffs if its performance remains this low. |
| Pres Evoker | Could rise further depending on how impactful its new passive CC immunity becomes. |
| Resto Druid | Could recover mid-season as players adapt and acquire the new four-piece set bonus. |
| Enhancement Shaman | A mid-season dark horse that could surge in power once scaling and set bonuses kick in. |
Meta-Defining Synergies & Compositions
The Premier M+ Caster Comp:
- Tank: Vengeance Demon Hunter
- Healer: Discipline Priest
- DPS: Balance Druid, Shadow Priest, Havoc Demon Hunter
- Why it Works: This group is a fortress of synergy. Vengeance groups mobs, Havoc applies Chaos Brand, the Priest provides Power Infusion to the Balance Druid, and all three casters unleash devastating AoE, all while the Disc Priest’s shields prevent incoming damage.
The Ultimate Raid Progression Core:
- Tanks: Blood Death Knight + Protection Paladin
- Healers: Discipline Priests, Restoration Shaman
- DPS: A mix of S-Tier raid performers like Arcane/Fire Mages, Shadow Priests, and Demonology Warlocks.
- Why it Works: The tanks provide unparalleled survivability and utility. Disc Priests mitigate predictable raid damage, while a Resto Shaman offers a crucial interrupt and group healing cooldowns. The DPS are all top-tier single-target specialists to meet boss enrage timers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best DPS classes in WoW 11.2?
The best DPS class in Patch 11.2 depends on the content you’re playing:
- Mythic+: The top-performing DPS specs are Balance Druid, Arcane Mage, Beast Mastery Hunter, and Frost Death Knight.
- Raiding: While raid rankings are still predictive, top-tier single-target specialists like Arcane/Fire Mages, Shadow Priests, and Demonology Warlocks are expected to excel.
- PvP: The S-Tier DPS specs are Frost Mage, Demonology Warlock, Havoc Demon Hunter, Subtlety Rogue, Arms Warrior, and Marksmanship Hunter.
Which healer is strongest in WoW Patch 11.2 for Mythic+?
The strongest healer for Mythic+ in Patch 11.2 is Discipline Priest, which is considered the premier healer for mitigating damage. Restoration Druid and Restoration Shaman are also powerful choices.
What tank spec should I play in The War Within Season 3?
Your choice of tank spec should depend on your preferred content:
- For Mythic+, Vengeance Demon Hunter, Brewmaster Monk, and Protection Warrior are the top choices due to their excellent control, damage, and self-sufficiency.
- For Raiding, Blood Death Knight and Protection Paladin are highly valued for their unparalleled survivability and unique defensive utility in progression encounters.
What is the best solo shuffle class in WoW 11.2 PvP?
There isn’t a single best class for Solo Shuffle, as several specializations are dominant. The top S-Tier choices include Frost Mage, Demonology Warlock, Havoc Demon Hunter, Subtlety Rogue, Arms Warrior, Marksmanship Hunter, and Holy Paladin.
Are Death Knights good in Patch 11.2 PvE or PvP?
Yes, Death Knight performance varies significantly by specialization:
- Frost Death Knight is excellent in PvE, considered a premier S-Tier melee for Mythic+. It is also a solid A-Tier pick in PvP.
- Blood Death Knight is a top-tier raid tank because of its powerful anti-magic defensives, but it struggles in high Mythic+ keys.
- Unholy Death Knight struggles in PvP due to a lack of burst pressure and defensive capabilities.
Which classes received buffs or nerfs in WoW 11.2?
Several classes received significant changes in Patch 11.2:
- Major Buffs: Arms Warrior received huge damage buffs across its toolkit.
- Major Nerfs: Mistweaver Monk was hit with major nerfs, including a flat 10% healing reduction in PvP. Beast Mastery Hunter also received a “hidden” 6% damage nerf due to a bug.
- Other Changes: Fire Mage and Restoration Druid feel weaker due to the loss of their previous powerful tier sets. Specs like Arcane Mage and Frost DK received reworks with mixed community reception.
Is Balance Druid still meta in Season 3 of The War Within?
Yes, Balance Druid is a meta spec in Season 3. It is ranked S-Tier for Mythic+ because its new tier set allows it to deal unmatched burst damage.
What specs are S-tier for Mythic+ dungeons in 11.2?
The S-Tier specializations for Mythic+ dungeons in Patch 11.2 are:
- Tanks: Vengeance Demon Hunter, Brewmaster Monk, and Protection Warrior.
- Healer: Discipline Priest.
- DPS: Balance Druid, Arcane Mage, Beast Mastery Hunter, and Frost Death Knight.
Which WoW 11.2 tier sets are strongest in PvP?
While it’s unclear which new tier sets are strongest, there is a crucial rule for all of them in PvP: All Season 3 class tier set bonuses are only 67% effective in PvP combat. The impact of losing powerful previous tier sets is a more significant factor for some classes, like Restoration Druid and Fire Mage.
What’s the best melee DPS spec in WoW 11.2?
The best melee DPS spec depends on the activity:
- In Mythic+, Frost Death Knight is the top-ranked melee DPS.
- In PvP, Havoc Demon Hunter, Subtlety Rogue, and Arms Warrior are all considered the best melee choices at S-Tier.
Which ranged DPS classes perform best in Manaforge Omega raid?
Raid rankings are still predictive, but the best-performing ranged DPS in Manaforge Omega are expected to be Arcane Mages, Fire Mages, and Shadow Priests, who are all top-tier single-target specialists.
What classes are best for beginners in Patch 11.2?
While there isn’t a definitive beginner spec, Havoc Demon Hunter is noted for having a forgiving playstyle in PvP, making it a strong choice for newer players in that content.
Is Havoc Demon Hunter good in Mythic+ and PvP in 11.2?
Yes, Havoc Demon Hunter is a top-tier spec in both formats. It is an A+ Tier spec in Mythic+ as a key part of caster compositions and a “meta-defining” S-Tier spec in PvP.
What are the worst specs to avoid in WoW 11.2?
The following specializations are currently underperforming:
- In PvP, Augmentation Evoker is ranked in D-Tier and considered “outclassed.” Mistweaver Monk and Enhancement Shaman are also struggling significantly in C-Tier.
- In PvE, all three Rogue specializations (Subtlety, Assassination, Outlaw) have very negative community feedback and are ranked at the bottom for raids. Blood Death Knight also struggles in Mythic+.
How do tier sets work in Season 3 of The War Within?
In Season 3, two- and four-piece tier set bonuses are directly linked to a player’s chosen Hero Talent tree (like Mountain Thane or Colossus), not their base specialization. This change makes build choices more impactful and creates more distinct playstyles.
Which classes scale best with gear in Patch 11.2?
Survival Hunter and Enhancement Shaman are expected to scale very well with gear. They are considered potential “mid-season dark horses” that will become much stronger as players acquire better items and set bonuses.
What are the strongest raid compositions for Season 3?
A proposed “Ultimate Raid Progression Core” composition includes:
- Tanks: Blood Death Knight and Protection Paladin.
- Healers: Discipline Priests and a Restoration Shaman.
- DPS: A mix of S-Tier single-target performers like Arcane/Fire Mages, Shadow Priests, and Demonology Warlocks.
What’s the best healer for solo queue PvP in WoW 11.2?
Holy Paladin is the best healer for solo queue PvP. It is S-Tier because of its powerful cooldowns and anti-CC tools, which keep it at the top despite some mana nerfs.
Do tanks matter in WoW PvP Season 3?
In competitive Arena and Solo Shuffle, tanks are considered nonviable. However, Guardian Druid and Protection Warrior may see play in Rated Battlegrounds, where their specific utility is more useful.
Where can I find a full WoW 11.2 tier list for all roles?
This guide provides full tier lists for all roles. It contains summary tables and detailed analysis for Tanks, Healers, and DPS across three endgame pillars: Mythic+, Raiding, and PvP.
