WoW Season of Discovery DPS tier list

World of Warcraft: Season of Discovery is now out in the wild and it’s brought with it a raft of changes that have turned the world of Azeroth on its head.

As well as allowing players to explore previously unfinished zones and earn new gear, the new Rune Engraving system alters the class system entirely. Mages can now operate as Healers, while Shaman, Warlock and Rogue players will be able to Tank with the proper Runes.

Of course, every class was already able to operate in the DPS role, but extensive alterations are still in-play in Season of Discovery. These have all served to change the existing landscape for damage dealers in Classic WoW, and it’s arguably a much more competitive field.

Here’s our DPS ranking for every class in Season of Discovery.

All DPS classes for Season of Discovery ranked

In a typical tier list for Classic WoW or any other branch of Blizzard’s flagship MMO, it would be pertinent to rank each spec rather than the overall class. That said, in Season of Discovery, Runes can be helpful in multiple specs, and so this ranking will take the overall strength of the damage output of each class to come to a final conclusion.

Season of Discovery DPS tier list explained

Mage (S-Tier)

Mages need no introduction for Classic WoW players, and they have been able to retain their spot at the top of the damage tree alongside Hunters. There are a couple of grossly overpowered Rune options in Arcane Blast and Arcane Surge, with the latter able to address potential issues with mana usage thanks to its temporary 300% increase in regeneration.

Arcane talents are playing a significant part in successful Mage builds in the first phase, and further utility from Runes like Enlightenment and Burnout see the class hit the very top of the meters. Mages are undoubtedly more potent than in regular Classic WoW, and that’s a frightening prospect for any potential opponent.

Hunter (S-Tier)

The favored choice of many a solo player and adventurer on WoW’s Hardcore servers, there is much to like about the Hunter in Season of Discovery. The oft-mocked melee Hunter also finally has a chance to compete alongside more traditional approaches to the class, thanks to Runes like Carve and Flanking Strike.

Those looking to play in a more traditional ranged style alongside a pet also have an easier time, with Runes like Cobra Strikes and Kill Command turning your furry (or scaly) companion into a wrecking ball. There is enough raw damage to compete with the top spellcaster, and Hunter remains a spectacular ranged class regardless.

Paladin (A-Tier)

The much-maligned Retribution Paladin often comes in for a hard time when put up against the other two specs for the class, but there are some notable improvements for the first phase of the new game. Divine Storm, which many will recognize from later expansions, enters the fray and plays a big part in the AoE rotation for Paladins.

The class also has a ton of augmentation value for group activities via runes like Horn of Lordaeron and Inspiration Exemplar. Crusader Strike will greatly help single-target DPS checks, and Paladins have been in a great spot for DPS in this first phase.

Druid (A-Tier)

Caster Druids have long been seen as a ridiculous choice in Classic WoW and, despite some significant Runic additions, they are still lagging behind their Feral cousins. Huge power spike Runes like Fury of Stormrage and later staples like Sunfire and Starsurge are enough to turn Balance into a spec that players of later editions of the game may recognize more easily.

Feral has gone from strength to strength and is easily one of the best specs in the phase, with Runes like Wild Strikes buffing the entire party’s Attack Power. With so much still to come in the later phases of the game, there’s a lot still to come for Druid. For those who don’t know which role they want to play, Druid is a pretty solid choice.

Warlock (B-Tier)

Though the Metamorphosis Rune has now been found, Warlocks are not currently as potent as some expected them to be in Season of Discovery. There is more longevity in the class’ damage output overall, though Runes like Everlasting Affliction does not do enough to increase Damage over Time significantly (DoT.)

Metamorphosis is undoubtedly a Rune aimed at Tanking, but its sweeping effects are beneficial across the board, particularly for solo players. There are a bunch of straight damage-dealing abilities like Chaos Bolt and Incinerate, both of which should help Warlocks stay competitive, even if they are not at the top of the tree.

Rogue (B-Tier)

They might be one of the most frustrating classes to play against in a PvP setting, but Rogues are mid-table when it comes to DPS overall. They are now able to Tank thanks to Runes like Just A Flesh Wound, which add significant survivability, but there have not been as many direct melee damage additions as many may have wanted.

Most of the Runes on offer are geared towards the aforementioned Tank spec, ranged damage abilities or preservation of combo points. While these are all nice things to have, there is not enough progress to keep the Rogue in touch with the real big hitters in Season of Discovery.

Warrior (B-Tier)

Warriors might be the most intact of all the classes on offer in Season of Discovery. Though many Runes offer additional utility and damage of all types, the core of the class remains the same. This means that seasoned players have found using a Warrior in Season of Discovery one of the most accessible classes to transition with.

The flip side of that coin is that the improvements for the class are not as marked as some of the other choices out there. Runes like Consumed by Rage, Endless Rage and Flagellation have pushed the class to a new level, but it’s difficult to see how this is enough to overturn the raw damage advantage that classes like Mage and Hunter benefit from.

Shaman (C-Tier)

With all the controversy over the move away from the beloved 2H Enhancement Shaman, the whole class feels like it’s struggling for a solid identity in Season of Discovery. The Tank build does not look like it’s keeping up with traditional Tanks in the first phase and, despite some significant boosts, it isn’t easy to see how Shaman should rank higher on this list.

There are two Rune mana regeneration abilities on offer via Shamanistic Rage and Water Shield, while Overload is a strong pick for raw damage output. Dual Wield specialization is on offer for those who want a different playstyle within the Shaman framework, but there’s not enough here to place it alongside the best DPS classes in the game until it enters later phases.

Priest (C-Tier)

It always feels odd to put Priest so low on a list like this, but it really is tough to find a reason to choose them if the focus is on DPS and not Healer. While Shadow Priest has become a bit of a monster in the retail version of the game, a lot of that potential is yet to be realized in Classic WoW. Additionally, the Runes do not sufficiently address the significant issues with mana usage.

There are some reasons to be hopeful. Penance or Mind Sear are solid raw damage choices in the Glove slot, and Shared Pain, Homunculi and Twisted Faith should all serve to increase overall output. With many more phases to come, there is every chance that Priest could ascend beyond its current status, but there is nothing to suggest that it will be able to – yet.

That’s the list! Make sure to check back in regularly, as this list is continuously updated following any relevant gameplay changes. With the second phase likely to change a lot, it will be worth keeping up with the latest verdict on which classes will likely outscore their competitors.