World of Warcraft Classic is available to play right now for anyone who subscribes to Blizzard Entertainment’s MMORPG. If you saw this as an opportunity to see what all the fuss is about, you will need to create a character to use through your journey in Azeroth. This WoW Classic classes guide will go through each class and the recommended race for each class.
World of Warcraft Classic Classes Guide | Playable classes in WoW Classic
In World of Warcraft Classic, there are a total of nine classes, two of which are faction exclusive. Despite some classes being better suited for healing or tanking, each class has some form of DPS. However, each one has a fairly unique playing style that you may want to be aware of if you’re thinking about entering World of Warcraft Classic. Below, you will find short descriptions of each class as well as the races that can be used for that class.
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Druid
The Druid class calls on nature to help destroy the opposing force. They take on several of the five different forms depending on which of the three specializations you choose. Balance Druids will have the ability to take the form of the Moonkin to bring the hurt with ranged attacks, as well as provide the party with a 3% spell critical strike chance. Feral Druids, which can be either fill DPS or Tank roles, are more melee-focused allowing the Druid to take the form of a bear or cat. Restoration Druids is the dedicated healing specialization that will allow you to heal yourself and your allies.
Druids are probably the most diverse class in World of Warcraft Classic as they are able to take the healer, DPS, or tank role. However, they aren’t the most proficient class you could choose for each role, with other classes, like Warlocks, Priests, and Warriors being better options for DPS, healing, and tanking respectively.
Races
- Night Elves (Alliance)
- Tauren (Horde)
Specializations
- Balance (DPS)
- Feral (DPS, Tank)
- Restoration (Healer)
Hunter
The Hunter class in World of Warcraft Classic is a fantastic DPS option that allows you to make just about any Beast in your pet. The Beast Mastery specialization has you doubling down on your skill to tame beasts and use them as a tool in combat. Marksmanship Hunters are adept with bows and rifles, using ranged attacks during combat situations. Survival Hunters take a different approach, using traps and explosives to destroy their enemies.
Races
- Dwarf (Alliance)
- Night Elf (Alliance)
- Orc (Horde)
- Tauren (Horde)
- Troll (Horde)
Specializations
- Beast Mastery (DPS)
- Marksmanship (DPS)
- Survival (DPS)
Mage
Mages have generally been a favorable DPS class in World of Warcraft. That is no different with WoW Classic‘s release. Primarily using ranged attacks, this magic-wielding class can use the power of the Arcane, fire, or ice to deal damage. Mages may be squishy (lower health), but they can deal a ridiculous amount of damage with the right gear.
Races
- Humans (Alliance)
- Gnomes (Alliance)
- Undead (Horde)
- Trolls (Horde)
Specializations
- Arcane (DPS)
- Fire (DPS)
- Frost (DPS)
Paladin
The Paladin is one of the two classes that are faction-specific. Only available to Alliance players, this class is another with a lot of versatility as they are also able to take on the Healer, Tank, or DPS role. Protection Paladins can shield themselves and their allies from incoming damage. Holy Paladins can also protect their allies, as well as provide ranged healing. Retribution Paladins primarily focus on using melee attacks and Holy magic to provide damage.
Races
- Dwarf (Alliance)
- Human (Alliance)
Specializations
- Holy (Healer)
- Protection (Tank)
- Retribution (DPS)
Priest
The Priest class is typically seen as a healing class, but can also provide damage depending on the specialization you choose. Discipline Priests shield their group while in combat and provide healing when needed. Holy Priests is another healing specialization that allows you to reverse damage, as well as heal after you have died. Shadow Priests specialize in DPS by using shadow magic to attack and destroy their enemies.
Races
- Humans (Alliance)
- Dwarves (Alliance)
- Night Elves (Alliance)
- Undead (Horde)
- Trolls (Horde)
Specializations
- Discipline (Healer)
- Holy (Healer)
- Shadow (DPS)
Rogue
Rogues are primarily a DPS class that excels at getting the jump on their opponents. You will also want to craft poisons for your weapons as they will aid you tremendously in combat. They are also one of the few classes that use Energy instead of Mana, making this class feel the most action-heavy of the classes. If dealing melee damage is what you are looking to do in World of Warcraft Classic, then this is the class you will want to pick.
Races
- Gnomes (Alliance)
- Humans (Alliance)
- Dwarves (Alliance)
- Night Elves (Alliance)
- Orcs (Horde)
- Undead (Horde)
- Trolls (Horde)
Specializations
- Assassination (DPS)
- Combat (DPS)
- Subtlety (DPS)
Shaman
The second of the two faction-exclusive classes, Shamans are only available to those who play for the Horde. Like Druids, Shamans use nature to garner their power. How they differentiate is the Shamans’ use of totems to give themselves a variety of buffs to help them in combat. Restoration Shamans use spiritual power to heal their allies. Enhancement Shamans can enhance their weapons with a variety of elemental buffs. Elemental Shamans use the power of the elements to use ranged attacks to damage enemies.
Races
- Orcs (Horde)
- Tauren (Horde)
- Trolls (Horde)
Specializations
- Restoration (Healer)
- Enhancement (DPS)
- Elemental (DPS)
Warlock
Warlocks are is one of, if not the most powerful DPS class in the game. If you want to level quickly, this is the class you will want to choose. Affliction Warlocks excel at magical attacks that do damage-over-time. Demonology Warlocks can summon demonic creatures to aid them in battle. Destruction Warlocks use fire to rain down powerful blasts at their enemies. Warlocks are also an imperative part of any group as they are able to summon party members with the Ritual of Summoning.
Races
- Gnomes (Alliance)
- Humans (Alliance)
- Orcs (Horde)
- Undead (Horde)
Specializations
- Affliction (DPS)
- Demonology (DPS)
- Destruction (DPS)
Warrior
The Warrior class in World of Warcraft Classic is the only one that is available for every race in the game. While they can provide melee DPS for the party, they make excellent Tanks. More often than not, your main Tank is a Warrior. Fury Warriors have the ability to go into a berserker state to deal massive damage. Arms Warriors are skilled with two-handed weapons, that allow them to deal devastating blows to their enemies. Protection Warriors are proficient in garnering aggro and keeping their allies safe.
Races
- Dwarves (Alliance)
- Gnomes (Alliance)
- Humans (Alliance)
- Night Elves (Alliance)
- Orcs (Horde)
- Tauren (Horde)
- Trolls (Horde)
- Undead (Horde)
Specializations
- Fury (DPS)
- Arms (DPS)
- Protection (Tank)
World of Warcraft Classic Classes Guide | Recommended races for each class
In our WoW Classic Beginner’s Guide, you will see that each race is part of one of two factions: Horde and Alliance. The Horde has typically been seen as the “villainous” faction while the Alliance is considered the “heroic” faction. If you’ve played World of Warcraft at all, you know that those descriptions aren’t necessarily indicative of both factions as each one has had their moments of triumph and villainy.
Regardless of the World of Warcraft lore, you will have to choose a race alongside the class. Each race has its own racial abilities that may synergize well with certain classes. Below, you will find a list of all the races available in World of Warcraft Classic and the best classes suitable for each class.
Alliance
- Dwarves: Hunter
- Gnomes: Mage, Warlock
- Humans: Warrior, Priest, Paladin
- Night Elves: Druid, Rogue
Horde
- Orc: Warrior
- Tauren: Shaman, Druid
- Troll: Hunter, Mage, Warlock, Priest
- Undead: Rogue
World of Warcraft Classic Classes Guide | Which class should you choose
Like any game, the class you should choose in World of Warcraft Classic is the one you think you will enjoy the most. What you choose will determine what role you will play in end game content, so it may be a good idea to start there.
If you want to play a DPS class, the Warlock, Mage, Hunter, and Rogue classes are where you should start. If you want something that will feel more like an action game, the Rogue is the best option. Warlocks, Mages, and Hunters all use ranged attacks, albeit in very different ways. Warlocks are probably the more favorable out of the bunch as they do insane amounts of damage and can summon party members to any location as long as they have the materials for the Ritual of Summoning.
If you’re looking to be a more supplementary player and provide healing, Priests, Paladins, and Shamans are great healing classes. Priests are probably the best healers in World of Warcraft Classic, but Paladins and Shamans definitely have strong options as well.
For the Tank role, the Warrior class is the best option. They just have the best toolset to gain aggro from bosses and mobs of enemies. You could roll with a Protection Paladin or Feral Druid, but their abilities don’t really stack up when compared to a Protection Warrior. Leveling might be a drag, but once you hit level 60, you should have no problem finding parties looking for a tank.
