In WOW Classic: Season of Discovery, every class can play a DPS role in group content, but not all classes are destined to be at the top of the damage rankings.
Every class has some DPS Runes in Phase 1, and almost every spec is more powerful than in vanilla. But DPS classes in SOD are definitely the major force in the endgame.
While every Healing and Tank spec in WOW Classic SOD has an endgame role, even the best specs will struggle to compete with the damage output of the best DPS classes.
While this guide to the best SoD DPS classes does take the leveling process into account, each class’s ranking is ultimately determined by its endgame DPS in BFD and other group content. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Shaman
Shaman is a class that occupies a somewhat strange position in Season of Discovery. Its new strengths in tanking due to new Runes contrast sharply with the class’ lackluster healing and DPS output.
Although Enhancement and Elemental Shamans have some new spells available. But according to DPS logs from the past few weeks, even with a certain amount of WoW SoD Classic Gold invested, it was difficult for them to achieve satisfactory DPS in the endgame.
Therefore, until Phase 2, Shaman should avoid teaming up as a DPS in the endgame and instead consider trying a healing or primary tanking role.
Priest
Shadow Priests are one of the coolest classes in WOW Classic. But in Phase 1 of Season of Discovery, this class does not have powerful capabilities.
Partly because Shadow Priests seem to drain mana faster than any other caster DPS. Shadow Priests, on the other hand, don’t have Shadowform until level 40.
Shadowform is an enormous leap in power for Shadow Priests, and the ultimate talent for Shadow Tree itself. But before Phase 2, spells like Homunculi, Mind Sear, and Deadly Plague weren’t enough to keep the spec at the top of DPS rankings.
Druid
Druid, like Shaman, is in a bit of an odd position in terms of best DPS in SOD.
Feral Druids are powerful, while Balance Druids don’t feel as powerful as they should be. This reflects Druids’ experience in Vanilla WOW. But there’s an important caveat: Feral Druids are actually always better than team-content-focused Balance Druids thanks to Wild Strikes.
Wild Strikes is a new Druid Rune that gives the class Windfury ability, arguably the most powerful group buff for melee DPS in Season of Discovery.
Alliance could never use Windfury, a quintessential Shaman ability. Druid can only use this rune in shapeshifted form. Just stick with Feral Druids to get the best Druid DPS in SOD until the later stages at least change the strength of Balance.
Paladin
Paladin has the highest meters in two of the three group specs: Healing and Tank. The support capabilities of Paladin Healers are second only to Priest, and we can say Paladin Tanks to be the best choice for Phase 1 Tanks. However, Paladin’s main DPS spec, Retribution, is a little disappointing.
Retribution Paladins has a lot of new and fun tools to play with, like Instant Exorcism and Seal of Martyrdom. But compared to other melee DPS in SOD, they’re middling.
Retribution Paladins didn’t perform poorly in Season of Discovery, but their DPS output couldn’t compare to Rogue or Warrior.
Mage
Mage arguably offers the best utility for groups, with the ability to create portals and summon food and water for free.
It’s also great for solo and SoD WoW Gold farming, thanks to its powerful AOE spells, Frost Tree’s Slow and Freeze effects, and many new powerful Runes. And they can now also be used as healers.
Where Mage falls slightly behind is in endgame content like BFD. If played well, mages can achieve the highest DPS, especially if the tank pulls out a lot of junk monsters at the same time.
But in single-target boss fights, Mage can easily run out of mana during resource-intensive rotations.
Like Paladin, Mage’s DPS isn’t bad. But its relative niche advantage can become a trap for single-target content.
Warlock
Warlock is arguably the best caster DPS in SOD. But like Druid, players have no choice if they want to truly deliver meaningful damage in the endgame.
This is because Affliction Tree was one of the worst DPS specs in Phase 1, but Destruction play style was arguably one of the best.
Destruction gains some incredibly powerful abilities through its Phase 1 Runes, such as Lake of Fire and Incinerate.
Affliction gets Rune of Haunting, which is great for solo open world missions, but otherwise its items are pretty bland.
If you want to be the best spellcaster class in SOD, choose Destruction. While it’s important, be sure to check out its equally powerful new Tanking Runes.
Warrior
Warriors, like Rogues, can be difficult to level up as their abilities tend to be tied to the strength of their equipped weapons. Therefore, it is crucial to buy WoW SoD Gold to get the right gear.
As Warrior’s gear gets better, and as they gain more runes, their DPS output gets better. Stick with this class until level 25, upgrade your gear, and suddenly you’ll be a regular at the top of DPS charts.
For DPS Warrior in SOD, the choice between Fury and Arms specs is close. It mostly comes down to personal preference. In the later stages, Warrior’s Talent Trees and skill selection will become even more impactful.
Rogues
Rogues and Warrior are pretty much tied for the best melee DPS in SoD. But Warrior lags behind Rogues for one big reason: Rogues have Kick and, to a lesser extent, stun effects like Gouge and Between The Eyes.
Warrior can get Pummel in Phase 2, but otherwise they can’t stun or interrupt opponents in Phase 1.
Rogues also rely on equipment, but not as much as a Warrior. Their ability to interrupt and control enemies is useful for group content, and their unique new tanking ability is something every player should try before the season ends. Although the class suffers in PVP and requires a lot of complex interactions to be effective, Rogues are also definitely the best melee DPS for BFD.
Hunter
While Rogues are probably the best melee DPS in Season of Discovery, and Warlocks are probably the best spellcasters, the best ranged DPS overall is Hunter.
But what’s interesting is that Hunter itself hasn’t changed much from vanilla WOW. What does change is the power of their pets.
Hunter Runes gives the class the ability to turn what used to be relatively annoying combat companions into an army of lone beasts.
Hunter Pets are powerful enough for solo players and can push Hunter to the top of DPS leaderboards if managed correctly in dungeons.
Hunters are particularly good in Phase 1 PVP, so players can take advantage of their position in the meta and gain some glory.
That’s it for my ranking list of the best DPS classes in WOW Classic Season of Discovery. What do you think of this ranking? Which DPS class do you think is the best? Looking forward to seeing you in the game!
