DPS tier list for WoW Forever beta ranks all 10 DPS specs by raid + dungeon + PvP performance.
For broader content, see our Class Tier Lists, Best Race-Class, and Talent Builds articles.
Quick summary: S tier: Skyborne Fire Mage + Sub Rogue + Unholy DK. A tier: most other specs. Mage + Rogue + DK are top 3.
DPS tier list (raid)
S tier (must-pick)
| Spec |
Why |
| Skyborne Fire Mage |
Wind Blessed + Combustion |
| Subtlety Rogue |
Burst + Stealth |
| Unholy DK |
Anti-magic zone + DoT |
A tier (strong)
| Spec |
Why |
| Frost Mage |
Safe kills |
| Affliction Warlock |
DoT pressure |
| Arms Warrior |
Burst + Slam |
| Beast Mastery Hunter |
Pet tank + ranged |
| Enhancement Shaman |
Dual wield + Maelstrom |
B tier (situational)
| Spec |
Why |
| Elemental Shaman |
Burst |
| Feral Druid |
Melee DPS |
| Balance Druid |
Moonkin form |
| Retribution Paladin |
Hybrid |
| Survival Hunter |
Melee DPS |
Best DPS for raid
| Rank |
Spec |
Why |
| 1 |
Skyborne Fire Mage |
Combustion burst |
| 2 |
Subtlety Rogue |
Burst + Stealth |
| 3 |
Unholy DK |
Anti-magic zone |
| 4 |
Frost Mage |
Safe kills |
Best DPS for dungeon
| Rank |
Spec |
Why |
| 1 |
Frost Mage |
AoE |
| 2 |
Subtlety Rogue |
Burst |
| 3 |
Unholy DK |
Anti-magic zone |
Best DPS for PvP
| Rank |
Spec |
Why |
| 1 |
Subtlety Rogue |
Burst + Stealth |
| 2 |
Skyborne Frost Mage |
Slow + AoE |
| 3 |
Beast Mastery Hunter |
Pet tank |
Stat priority (Skyborne Fire Mage)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Spell Power |
1 |
| Hit |
2 (cap 17%) |
| Crit |
3 (cap 30%) |
| Intellect |
4 |
| Haste |
5 |
Stat priority (Sub Rogue)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Agility |
1 |
| Hit |
2 (cap 9%) |
| Crit |
3 |
| AP |
4 |
| Haste |
5 |
Stat priority (Unholy DK)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Strength |
1 |
| Hit |
2 (cap 9%) |
| Crit |
3 |
| AP |
4 |
| Haste |
5 |
DPS gear (level 20-30)
Pre-bis gear (caster)
| Slot |
Item |
Source |
| Head |
Excavator’s Hard Hat |
Brogdul |
| Shoulders |
Earthen Mantle |
Excavation Site |
| Chest |
Cenarion Vestments |
Quest |
| Legs |
Cenarion Pants |
Quest |
Pre-bis gear (melee)
| Slot |
Item |
Source |
| Head |
Excavator’s Hard Hat |
Brogdul |
| Shoulders |
Earthen Mantle |
Excavation Site |
| Chest |
Cenarion Vestments |
Quest |
| Weapon |
Brogdul’s Mining Pick |
Brogdul |
DPS rotations
Fire Mage rotation
- Scorch (debuff)
- Fireball (main)
- Fire Blast (proc)
- Pyroblast (proc/burst)
- Combustion (CD)
Sub Rogue rotation
- Shadowstep (gap)
- Ambush (open)
- Hemorrhage (CP gen)
- Eviscerate (finisher)
- Cold Blood (CD)
Unholy DK rotation
- Icy Touch (runic + DoT)
- Plague Strike (runic + DoT)
- Death Strike (runic + heal)
- Scourge Strike (runic)
- Army of the Dead (CD)
Common DPS mistakes
| Mistake |
Cost |
| Wrong race |
Lost DPS |
| No consumables |
Slow recovery |
| Wrong rotation |
-10% DPS |
| No pre-pot |
Lost burst |
DPS addons
| Addon |
Purpose |
| Details! |
Damage meter |
| WeakAuras |
Cooldown tracking |
| BigWigs/DBM |
Boss warnings |
| Recount (avoid) |
High CPU |
FAQ
What’s the best DPS class?
Skyborne Fire Mage (post-buff).
Best melee DPS?
Sub Rogue (burst + Stealth).
Best ranged DPS?
Skyborne Fire Mage (Combustion).
Final verdict
S tier: Skyborne Fire Mage + Sub Rogue + Unholy DK. A tier: most other specs.
Whatever you choose, DPS race-class matters.
For more content, see our Class Tier Lists, Best Race-Class, Talent Builds, and Best Addons articles.