Category:Class

A class is the primary adventuring style of a player character which determines the type of weapons and armor it can use, as well as what abilities, powers, skills, and spells it will gain throughout its adventures. Be aware, choosing a class is constrained by the choice of race.

As a character progresses they can specialize their skills by assigning class talent points in one of three trees available for each class. Collecting Class Sets is also a major way of progressing a character when they have reached the level cap. Most dungeon and raid sets are made up of armor items designed specifically for the class however faction rewards sets also include trinkets and neck pieces.

=Quick summary of each class=

Death Knight

Death Knights engage their foes up-close, supplementing swings of their weapons with dark magic that renders enemies vulnerable or damages them with unholy power. They drag foes into one-on-one conflicts, compelling them to focus their attacks away from weaker companions. To prevent their enemies from fleeing their grasp, death knights must remain mindful of the power they call forth from runes, and pace their attacks appropriately. Demon Hunter Forgoing heavy armor, Demon Hunters capitalize on speed, closing the distance quickly to strike enemies with one-handed weapons. However, Illidari must also use their agility defensively to ensure that battles end favorably. Druid

Druids are versatile hybrids with various shapeshift forms in which they can tank like a warrior (Bear Form), stealth and fight in melee like a rogue (Cat Form), and cast spells like a mage (Moonkin). In their normal form, they are powerful healers. Unlike other hybrids, druids do not perform several roles at once but instead shift between roles.

Hunter

Hunters are the only class that can effectively use ranged weapons such as bows and guns as a primary source of DPS. Very adept at kiting, they have plenty of tools to allow them to avoid melee combat, where they are fairly weak. Hunters may tame many varieties of beasts to serve as combat pets, which along with an array of scouting, tracking, and survival abilities make them excellent solo characters. Monk Whatever their combat role, monks rely mainly on their hands and feet to do the talking, and on strong connection with their inner chi to power their abilities. Abilities such as Expel Harm and Chi Wave both heal their allies while at the same time damaging their enemies.

Mage

Mages are high DPS ranged magic damage dealers, with powerful direct and area effect damage spells, but weak armor and health. They also feature a wide variety of utility spells, including crowd control, transportation, and conjuration of food and water. Mages are reliant on mana for all their abilities.

Paladin

A hybrid class focused on defensive melee skills and healing abilities, paladins also have strong group support and versatile buff abilities. Though they generally have the lowest DPS potential of all the classes, they make up for this with sheer toughness. Generally considered the strongest support class in the game, the paladin can fill the role of tank or healer and can even sacrifice himself to provide wipe recovery when needed.

Priest

Though priests are the quintessential healer and naturally the most effective and versatile class in that role, they may also specialize to become very powerful offensive casters. Priests also have a variety of utility, buff, and crowd control spells, such as Dispel Magic, Power Word: Fortitude, and Mind Control.

Rogue

Rogues excel at dealing melee damage and incapacitating their foes, particularly low health and armor targets such as casters. Stealth gives them a tactical advantage and allows them to start a fight on their own terms. Other important abilities of the class include lockpicking and the creation and handling of poisons. Rogues do not use mana for their combat abilities: instead they use energy and generate combo points which are used to execute finishing moves.

Shaman

Shamans are jacks of all trades but masters of none. They can switch seamlessly from offensive caster to healer to tank to melee DPS as needed, but perform none of these tasks as effectively as other, dedicated classes are able to. Shamans make excellent support characters, with the ability to step in and fill any role that may be lacking at the moment. They are able to drop stationary totems on the ground which provide a variety of effects, and are unique in that they can provide complete wipe recovery by self-ressurecting and then resurrecting the rest of the party.

Warlock

Warlocks enslave demons and call upon dark magic and curses to dominate and destroy their foes. Like hunters, warlocks employ combat pets, but these are summoned demons rather than tamed beasts. They are primary ranged magic damage dealers with a focus on damage over time in addition to nukes and AoE, but lack the extreme burst damage capabilities of a mage. Demon pets and fear spells give them a variety of tactical options, and they have a wide variety of interesting utility spells and abilities, including summoning party members and creating healthstones and soulstones.

Warrior

Warriors are close-combat fighters and usually fill the role of primary tank, as they able to withstand and inflict fierce physical punishment and have the most versatile means of attracting and disabling mobs, keeping aggro off other characters. They can also contribute strong melee DPS when needed. Warrior abilities use rage, which is generated by dealing and taking damage. Warriors are highly gear dependent, as their ability to deal and take damage is controlled directly by the quality of their weapons and armor.