Today, we’re going to be talking about the best DPS and Phase 3 of Wrath of the Lich King Classic. We’re not only going to be factoring in the best DPS but also which glasses actually bring the most of the raid. After all, ToC is the ultimate challenge running raid and you’re going to want to get through the raid with as few wipes as possible.
C Tier
First, let’s get into the C Tier.
As always, in the C Tier, we’ve got our Subtlety Rogue and our Frost Mage. Although you could theoretically pump with either of these specs, it’s just better options for PVE.
Also, in the C Tier, we’ve got the Beast Mastery Hunter. The data shows less than 3000 Beast Mastery Hunter parses in the last week. There’s two better 100 specs. So, unless you’re just playing to have fun, I don’t really see a point at bringing a Beastmaster.
And rounding out the C Tier, we’ve also got the Arms Warrior because Arms Warriors have a reputation of bottoming out the meters. It doesn’t really make sense for the best players to play them. The best warriors have re-rolled into either Fury or Protection Warrior and they’ve driven the averages down even more.
B Tier
Moving into the B Tier, we’ve got Destruction Warlock. Destruction Warlock has a lot working against it in Phase 3. The average fights are pretty long, about four and a half minutes each, and you don’t really offer much to the rain in terms of unique buffs or debuffs.
Ultimately, ToC is a challenge running and speed running rates. You’re not going to see a lot of real respects that don’t add a lot to the raid. That being said, Destruction Warlocks actually do scale really well, especially with Haste, so you might see a couple.
Next up, we have Elemental Shamans. Elemental Shamans are pretty great in ToC. Obviously, they can duel back to Resto, so they can heal for any fight they need to. Plus the new Fire Elemental change is really nice. Elemental Shamans are going to be incredibly desirable as well for 10 Mans.
And even though I don’t personally respect Elemental Shaman damage as much as everybody else. WoWsims in full fist are basically within 10 of the top specs.
At number 16, we’ve got Feral Druids. I know Feral Druids drew a scale really well in ToC and ICC and I do know they’re going to get a lot of benefit from the Armor Penetration.
But Feral Druids have a really low skill floor and a really high skill ceiling. Coupling that with the fact that many of the top tier, Feral Druids have moved to other specs like Affliction Warlock leads me to rank Feral Druids pretty low.
At number 15, we have Boomkins. I personally play a Boomkin in some fights and I really do enjoy the gameplay. From my experience, they do dominate in fights like Deer and they do WoWSims really well.
But a lot of the strengths of Boomkin aren’t going to be really taken advantage of into ToC. For example, there’s no trash in ToC, so you’re not going to be able to Starfall any big packs, even on fights like a new Barack. I just don’t see Boomkin really topping the Meters.
A Tier
Now, let’s get into the A tier.
At number 14, we have Shadow Priest. I’ve also been playing a Shadow Priest that I really do enjoy the gameplay. Not only is Shadow Priests an incredibly valuable asset to your raid, but you could also dual spec the disc or holy anytime you need.
Since ToC is going to be all about minimizing wipes and maximizing safety, I really think Shadow priests will shine. But there’s no denying that Shadow Priest is on the lower end of the DPS scale.
At number 13, we have Arcane Mages. Arcane Mages are going to be way less popular in ToC. That being said, I really do think they’re still viable. My friend squilling in the GDKP sometimes plays Arcane and he still absolutely pumps. But there’s definitely going to be a better and more popular Mage spec coming up later in the article.
At number 12, we have Marksmanship Hunters and the best Ulduar gear. Marksmanship Hunters do really the same well right now. Plus, they’re going to scale extremely well in ToC.
At number 11, we have Enhancement Shaman and enhanced elements are definitely going to be pumping at ToC and they’re way better with the Fire Elemental change. Plus, it’s extremely easy to get into a Raiders and Enhancement Shaman, especially in those 10 Mans.
Related: WotLK Classic Phase 3 Prep Guide: How I'm Dominating Trial Of The Crusader?
At number 10, we have Fury Warriors. I’m currently leveling my Fury worry and I’m really excited to play in a Phase 3. Even in Ulduar right now, if you’re fully pissed out on a Warrior, you’re more than viable. With the new armor penetration gear coming in Phase 3, things are only going to get better for you. That being said, the set bonuses in Phase 3 aren’t really that mind-blowing for a Warrior. You may have to wait until ICC to unlock your true potential.
At number 9, we have Retribution Paladin. I never thought I’d see the day, but Retribution Paladins are really outstanding and raised right now. They bring so much utility to the raid with their sacks and their buffs. Plus, they’re doing actually really high DPS now, at least compared to before. The only thing I can see slowing down rates in Phase 3 is that their tier 9.5 set bonus isn’t that great.
At number 8, we have Survival Hunters and were ready to come into this list and not raid Survival Hunters at highlight. By looking back at my previous raids, I’ve noticed that Survival Hunters are always near the top of the DPS Meters. They just absolutely pump and things are just gonna only look better in ToC.
S Tier
Next up, we have the S Tier.
At number 7, we have the Demonology Warlock. Demonology Warlocks are going to be like death and taxes. They’re always near the top of the DPS Meters and they’re always consistent. That analogy didn’t really make any sense, but Demonology Warlocks were going to be pumping. Although they’re almost always going to be near the top five of the DPS Meters, their scaling isn’t that amazing.
But one class that does have amazing scaling is Frost Death Knights (which ranks number 6). Frost death Knights are going to love their gear in ToC. I know things are different now, but back in the original ToC, Frost Death Knights were always near the top of the Meters. That being said, you’re not going to reach your maxed out armor penetrating form until ICC.
At number 5, we have Combat Rogues. My previous tier list always mentioned Combat Rogues out of dpsing Assassination Rogues. Combat Rogue scales amazingly with gear and I would have thought they would have overtaken Assassination Rogue by now. But for whatever reason, the Assassination Rogue is just slightly ahead of them right now and it looks like that’ll continue in ToC.
Speaking of the devil looks like at number 4, we’ve got Assassination Rogues. One of my theories for why Assassination Rogues are out of DPS and Combat Rogues, there’s a lot of the best Combat Rogue gravitated towards Assassination. I can tell you from personal experience and I played with the second best Assassination Rogue on NA and he absolutely dominates in every fight.
Moving into number 3, we have Unholy Death Knights. I was all well and ready to raid on Holy Death Knights a lot lower on the list. But when I talked to some experts like Rugs and some of the private server people and they just kept bringing up that Tier 9.5 stat bonus. The Tier 9.5 set bonus is considered being so good that you might even use it over the Tier 10.5 set.
Moving on to number 2, we have Affliction Warlocks. I know Affliction warlocks are just absolutely dominating the Meters right now and you’re going to be pretty miffed that I move them down or they just don’t quite scale as amazingly as everybody else.
At number 1, we’ve got Fire Mage. Mark my words. Come back here a few months from now, Fire Mage is going to be topping the meters in most fights in ToC. Their gear is just scaling them so incredibly well. They’re built for these medium length fights. They’re just going to dominate. And what if Blizard just knew the whole time that if they fixed the Mage bugs, Mages would just become way too powerful?
I think now you should have selected some of the best DPS in your mind. The arrival of WotLK Classic Phase 3 is getting closer and closer. If you want to quickly upgrade these DPS, then farming enough WOTLK Classic Gold in advance will be a good choice.
