WOTLK Classic Phase 3 DPS Tier List, Best DPS Classes Ranked - News (2023)

Wotlk Classic Phase 3 Dps Tier List

The third phase of Wrath of the Lich King introduced the Trial of the Crusader raid and the return of Onyxia as a level 80 raid boss. The raid heavily favored single-target and cleave damage, while AoE-focused specs struggled. Armor penetration became a passive stat on gear, benefiting physical damage dealers, and equipment overall became stronger, favoring specs with good scaling.

S - Tier

The S-Tier consists of the most dominant classes in the current meta, possessing exceptional damage output and utility. These specializations are highly sought after and frequently recruited in larger quantities due to their exceptional performance.

Frost Death Knight:

Frost DKs are considered extremely powerful and are at the top spot in the S-tier due to their strong single-target damage.

Unholy Death Knight

Unholy DKs also benefit from the powerful set bonuses of the DK Tier 9 set, placing them in the S-tier.

Fire Mage

Fire Mages have reached the S-tier, unleashing impressive critical strikes and dominating in single-target damage.

Marksmanship Hunter

Marksmanship Hunters have moved up from the A-tier to the S-tier due to armor penetration gear and exceptional scaling.

A - Tier

The A-Tier consists of powerful DPS specializations that provide significant damage and utility in raids, although they may not have the highest damage output. They are frequently present in raid groups, often with multiple individuals playing each specialization.

Arcane Mage

Strong single-target damage in Phase 3 fights, but lacks cleave damage and suffers when moving. Often switches to Fire Mage due to better set bonuses and higher crit chance.

Combat Rogue

Excellent single-target and AoE damage, but lacks reliable cleave damage. Still a powerful spec with 2-3 Rogues commonly seen in raids.

Fury Warrior

Rises to the A-tier with good single-target damage and exceptional cleave damage. Recommended to switch from Arms Warrior for better performance in Phase 3.

Feral Druid

Drops from S-tier to middle of A-tier due to below-average set bonuses. Great single-target damage but lacks efficient cleave damage. Still a strong and viable spec.

Assassination Rogue

Good single-target damage but weak against armored targets. Lacks reliable cleave damage, making them less effective in Phase 3.

Survival Hunter

Awkward position with average single-target damage but decent cleave and AoE damage. Tier 10 set bonuses are ineffective. Many Survival Hunters switch to Marksmanship in Phase 3.

Retribution Paladin

Overcomes challenges to reach the bottom of the A-tier. Scaling is average, but benefits from strong cleave damage. Set bonuses are unimpressive, but utility justifies their raid spot.

B - Tier

The B-Tier consists of damage specializations that are average in terms of damage output but are still viable. While they may not surpass the A-tier specs on damage meters, their inclusion in raids is justified due to the valuable raid buffs they offer, compensating for their lower damage potential.

Shadow Priest

In Phase 3, Shadow Priests have mediocre single-target damage but excel in fights with multiple targets. They offer strong utility and remain competitive in DPS.

Balance Druid

Boomkins stay in the upper ranks of the B-tier. Their single-target damage is lacking, but they shine in cleave-heavy fights, hiding their weakness with AoE spells. They provide valuable utility to the raid.

Affliction Warlock

Affliction Warlocks temporarily reside in the B-tier due to subpar set bonuses. Although their damage is decent, they lack standout performance in any specific area and face increased loot competition.

Demonology Warlock

Similar to Affliction, Demonology Warlocks are in the B-tier. The set bonuses boost single-target damage, which is not their strong suit. Their cleave damage falls behind, making them valuable mainly for the Demonic Pact buff.

Enhancement Shaman

Enhancement Shamans have mixed emotions in this phase. They perform well in single-target damage due to armor penetration, but their cleave damage is lacking. Their totem buffs secure their raid spot, but the gap between them and top performers remains.

Elemental Shaman

Elemental Shamans enter the B-tier in a cleave-heavy phase. They benefit from Chain Lightning but struggle with single-target damage. While not topping meters, their improved performance and utility make them valuable to raid groups.

C-Tier

C-Tier specializations are weaker DPS options but still viable and enjoyable to play, though they may struggle to find raid groups and won't top DPS meters.

Destruction Warlock

Destruction Warlock falls from the B-tier, lacking damage improvements from the Tier 10 set, making them less effective in cleave-heavy phases. Most Warlocks will switch to Affliction during this phase.

Arms Warriors

Arms Warriors excel in cleave-heavy phases but suffer from low single-target damage due to unimpressive bonuses from the Tier 10 set. Fury Warriors, on the other hand, perform well.

Beast Mastery

Beast Mastery Hunters have a strong 4-set bonus in the Tier 10 set but still struggle to make a significant impact on the damage meters. Marksmanship Hunters shine in Phase 3, making Beast Mastery less favorable.

D-Tier

D-Tier refers to specs or specializations in a game that are considered non-viable. While they can be enjoyable to play, these specs struggle to be invited to raids and may even be kicked from groups due to their poor damage output. Here is a summary of each mentioned spec:

Blood Death Knight

Despite the power of the Death Knight Tier 9 set, even that is not enough to make the damage output competitive compared to weaker damage-dealing specs. The only reason to bring an extra Blood DK is for the ability "Hysteria," but they would still be better off as tanks.

Subtlety Rogue

While the PvP-ish encounter in the Trial of the Crusader raid might suggest a use for the PvP-focused Rogue specialization, the damage it provides is still insufficient. Bringing a Subtlety Rogue won't help in this pseudo-PvP boss fight.

Frost Mage

Similar to Subtlety Rogue, having a Frost Mage is not advantageous in the mentioned pseudo-PvP boss fight. Instead, it is recommended to go for the Fire specialization to deal damage and defeat monsters.

Wrath of the Litch King

Wrath of the Lich King, abbreviated as WotLK, serves as an expansion pack for the immensely popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, it was unveiled on November 13, 2008, marking the second expansion pack for the game.This expansion transports players to the frosty continent of Northrend, immersing them in a compelling narrative revolving around the resurgence of the Lich King, Arthas Menethil.

Their primary objective is to triumph over the Lich King and his legions of undead minions. Additionally, they have the opportunity to venture into uncharted territories, uncovering diverse zones and embarking on perilous dungeon expeditions. One noteworthy addition in this expansion is the inclusion of the Death Knight class.Accessible to players with at least one character at level 55, the Death Knight embodies a hybrid playstyle, skillfully blending melee combat and spellcasting.

Exhibiting a distinctive array of abilities, talents, and specialized equipment, the Death Knight presents a unique gameplay experience. Another prominent highlight of WotLK lies in the introduction of the Achievement system. This innovative feature enables players to earn a multitude of rewards by accomplishing various tasks, such as exploring unexplored regions, vanquishing formidable adversaries, and engaging in thrilling PvP clashes.

TRENDING

Wrath of the Litch King Gameplay

The gameplay of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack in World of Warcraft received widespread acclaim from both players and critics alike. It successfully built upon the fundamental gameplay mechanics established in the base game and previous expansions, while introducing captivating new features that enhanced the immersive and captivating nature of the game.

One of the most remarkable additions to the expansion was the introduction of the Death Knight class. This class revolutionized gameplay by seamlessly blending melee and spellcasting abilities, offering a distinctive and formidable playstyle. With its own array of unique talents, spells, and runes, the Death Knight proved to be a formidable force in both player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) scenarios.

Furthermore, the WotLK expansion unveiled an assortment of new zones and dungeons, each characterized by its own visually stunning design and rich lore. Northrend, the expansive and perilous continent, teemed with treacherous creatures and concealed treasures, providing players with an enthralling exploration experience.

An additional groundbreaking gameplay feature introduced in WotLK was the Achievement system. This system rewarded players for accomplishing diverse tasks and objectives throughout the game. From mundane undertakings like collecting pets and mounts to more arduous challenges such as completing a raid instance without any casualties, these achievements added an extra layer of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Wrath of the Litch KingTrailer

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1. What does the S-Tier represent?

The S-Tier consists of the most dominant classes in the current meta, with exceptional damage output and utility.

2. Which specialization is considered S-Tier for Death Knights?

Frost Death Knights are considered extremely powerful and are at the top spot in the S-Tier.

3. What does the A-Tier consist of?

The A-Tier consists of powerful DPS specializations that provide significant damage and utility in raids.

4. Which specialization is in the B-Tier for Warlocks?

Affliction Warlocks and Demonology Warlocks are both in the B-Tier for their average damage output.

5. What does the D-Tier refer to?

The D-Tier refers to specs or specializations that are considered non-viable, with poor damage output and difficulty finding raid groups.