WoW Retail - Best DPS in TWW Season 1
The battle for supremacy in Mythic+ intensifies, and only the strongest will prevail. But how do you know who the true damage titans are? Don't worry, we've done the research to bring you the definitive guide to the best DPS in this new patch. Forget speculation and theories, here you'll only find empirical evidence and concrete data.
Our tier list is based on an exhaustive analysis of the current performance of classes in Mythic+, from the perspective of the most experienced and recognized players in the community. We've gathered information from the best representatives of each specialization, those who know their classes inside out and know how to squeeze the most out of them.
Augmentation Evoker
This "support" DPS specialization has ignited heated debates within the WoW community, and for good reason. Its damage contribution, as evidenced by meticulous log analysis, is nothing short of stellar. But the true magic lies in its unparalleled Mythic+ utility, a factor that firmly cements its place in the meta.
While Augmentation's prowess may not shine as brightly in lower-level Mythic+ runs, its true potential explodes as keys climb. Buffing tanks and healers with potent abilities like Ebon Might and Blistering Scales transforms challenging encounters into manageable feats. The sheer value of this support, especially at higher levels, cannot be overstated, significantly easing healer checks and bolstering tank survivability.
What truly sets Augmentation apart is its unmatched utility. No other DPS specialization offers such a comprehensive toolkit. Crowd control is expertly handled with Upheaval, Tail Swipe, and Wing Buffet. However, it's the survivability enhancements that truly define its power. Zephyr mitigates devastating AoE spells, Twin Guardian provides crucial cooldown coverage, and Shifting Sands passively boosts versatility.
Furthermore, Augmentation unlocks incredible compositional flexibility with Fury of the Aspects, allowing for diverse group setups. In essence, while the "support" label may raise eyebrows, the Augmentation Evoker's impact on Mythic+ runs is undeniable. Its unique blend of damage and utility makes it a force to be reckoned with, and a likely fixture in high-level content.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Augmentation shines with its unparalleled supportive arsenal. Rescue saves lives, while Expunge and Cauterizing Flame cleanse a plethora of harmful effects. Its buff-centric playstyle is truly unique, offering flexible damage output by empowering allies. Survivability is a hallmark, boasting multiple defensives like Obsidian Scales and Zephyr, plus a cheat death in Defy Fate. Mobility is excellent, and unique group utility like Spatial Paradox and Bestow Weyrnstone further solidifies its value.
However, Augmentation isn't without its challenges. The 25-yard range demands adjustment, and its damage output relies heavily on others. Solo play suffers, and high-end raid optimization requires external tools. Tracking personal performance proves extremely difficult, as its impact is largely indirect.
Frost Death Knight
The Frost Death Knight, an icy titan of DPS, presents itself as a versatile and powerful specialization. Whether wielding two weapons or a formidable two-handed weapon, this master of cold combines physical and magical damage to devastate their enemies.
Their arsenal is a spectacle of frozen destruction. With the main ability Obliterate, powered by Killing Machine, critical strikes are guaranteed. The frigid breath of Breath of Sindragosa and Frostwyrm's Fury freezes enemies, while Remorseless Winter envelops them in relentless blizzards. The specialization excels in cleave damage, wreaking havoc on groups of up to three targets without sacrificing single-target damage.
As a hero class, new Frost Death Knights begin their journey at level 8, ready to dive into battle. All races, except Dracthyr, can embrace the power of Frost. This specialization attracts players who enjoy resource management, reacting to procs, and setting up burst windows. The constant interaction with Frost mechanics keeps players engaged and rewarded with explosive damage.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Frost excels in delivering consistent single-target damage, punctuated by potent 45-second burst windows. Its cleave damage is exceptional, allowing it to shred groups of tightly packed enemies. Death Grip offers unparalleled add control, while Death's Advance provides invaluable knockback prevention. Anti-Magic Shell grants immunity to numerous magical debuffs, and Anti-Magic Zone serves as a crucial raid cooldown. Furthermore, Frost boasts remarkable tankiness, making it a resilient presence in any encounter.
However, Frost's prowess is tempered by certain drawbacks. Its spread cleave is limited, hindering its effectiveness against dispersed enemies. Mobility is a significant concern, and forced downtime during cooldowns can severely impact its damage output. It lacks a powerful raid buff, and its Mythic+ utility is relatively limited. Despite these shortcomings, the Frost Death Knight remains a potent DPS specialization, particularly in situations where its strengths can shine.
Enhancement Shaman
This specialization has surged to prominence, boasting perhaps the most versatile damage profile in the game. Their unique ability to seamlessly funnel AoE devastation into focused single-target priority damage makes them an invaluable asset in any raid or Mythic+ setting.
Historically, Enhancement Shaman faced durability concerns, but those days are long gone. The shift in damage patterns, from instant annihilation to sustained bursts, has significantly bolstered their survivability. Their potent self-healing acts as a reliable sustain, keeping them in the fight. Furthermore, the addition of Seasoned Winds has fortified their defensive toolkit, providing crucial mitigation.
While some specializations may boast higher capped AoE damage for pure farming scenarios, the Enhancement Shaman's damage delivery is so remarkably efficient that this becomes a negligible factor. Their ability to adapt to diverse encounter mechanics far outweighs any minor AoE limitations.
Moreover, their utility has seen a substantial boost. Poison Cleansing Totem and curse removal are exceptionally valuable in Season 1 dungeons, elevating the Shaman's overall contribution. This increased utility, combined with their adaptable damage profile and enhanced survivability, solidifies the Enhancement Shaman's position as a top-tier DPS specialization. They are a valuable asset to any group.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Enhancement boasts diverse damage profiles, fueled by short cooldowns, especially with the Stormbringer Hero Tree. Ascendance unlocks explosive burst potential, while their single-target prowess shines in raids. They excel in 2-6 target cleave and AoE, with funnel tools for priority targets, making them Mythic+ adaptable. Their utility toolkit is varied, and mobility is strong. Off-healing and Skyfury further boost group support.
However, some builds are capped at 6-target AoE, requiring precise tab-targeting. Uptime is crucial, making high-movement encounters punishing. The playstyle has a steep learning curve, demanding numerous keybinds. Defensive planning is vital for surviving burst damage, and all builds grapple with significant RNG. Despite these challenges, Enhancement's flexibility and potent output make it a compelling choice.
Assassination Rogue
Currently, they boast the highest potential for overall DPS, thanks to the potent Deathstalker's Mark and the Deathstalker Hero Tree. The flat AoE damage from Sin is simply staggering, allowing them to shred through packs of enemies with terrifying efficiency.
While some Assassination Rogues emphasize the importance of restealths, the true strength lies in their raw damage output. The key distinction between Assassination and other top-tier DPS specializations is a slightly lower single-target damage profile. However, their priority damage is surprisingly strong, providing a crucial advantage in encounters with key targets.
Beyond their damage, Assassination excels in utility. They possess the most comprehensive utility toolkit of any Rogue specialization. Bait and Switch stands out as an exceptionally powerful hero talent, providing unparalleled flexibility and control. Indiscriminate Carnage, coupled with the application of Iron Wire Garrote to multiple targets, further enhances their AoE capabilities
Strengths and Weaknesses
Assassination boasts high damage in both single-target and Mythic+ scenarios. Its potent burst windows, on a 2-minute cooldown, deliver devastating blows. Zoldyck Recipe enhances execute damage, while exceptional survivability, thanks to Feint, Cloak of Shadows, and others, keeps them alive. Their Mythic+ utility is superb, with Shroud of Concealment, Sap, and Blind offering crucial group support.
However, the spec isn't without its drawbacks. The lengthy opener sequence, lasting 10-15 seconds, can be a disadvantage. Build variety is minimal, limiting customization. Its AoE burst damage relies heavily on Caustic Spatter, which, while powerful, can be unreliable. Despite these limitations, Assassination's strengths make it a formidable DPS choice.
Arcane Mage
In fact, they execute their full single-target rotation even during AoE encounters, a unique trait that sets them apart. Furthermore, Resonance amplifies their single-target damage during AoE situations, solidifying their position as the undisputed king of priority damage.
In Mythic+, where single-target damage profiles are often scarce, Arcane's prowess becomes even more valuable. Their ability to obliterate key targets while contributing to AoE damage makes them an indispensable asset.
However, the Arcane Mage is not without its limitations. They are largely target-capped, and their performance in large, uncapped AoE pulls hinges on the fickle nature of Arcane Orb procs. Despite these drawbacks, their current state is undeniably strong.
Mages, in general, are known for their durability, but Arcane's reliance on active button presses demands precise execution. This high skill ceiling may deter some, but for those who master it, the rewards are immense.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Arcane excels in single-target and Mythic+/AoE DPS, delivering potent burst damage. High mobility and strong defensives enhance survivability. Notably, they gain bonus single-target damage from additional targets, creating a unique funneling effect. They can also dish out significant damage while on the move, offering tactical flexibility.
However, their DPS is heavily reliant on cooldowns, making downtime punishing. Furthermore, they struggle with AoE damage when targets are spread out, limiting their effectiveness in certain encounters. This specialization thrives in scenarios requiring concentrated damage, but its weaknesses become apparent when faced with dispersed enemies. Despite these limitations, Arcane's strengths make it a formidable force in the right hands.