The War Within's Season 2 has kicked off with Patch 11.1, bringing sweeping changes that have shaken up the PvP meta. With damage tuning adjustments and talent revamps across the board, certain DPS specializations are emerging as clear front-runners while others struggle to keep up.
Below we present the ultimate DPS Tier List for Season 2, diving into each specialization’s strengths and weaknesses, the impact of the latest patch 11.1 changes on their performance, and how they fare in Solo Shuffle, 3v3 Arena, and Rated Battlegrounds. We hope this Tier List will not just inform you about what's currently the strongest, but will also assist you in finding the spec that fits your "style" the most!
Before diving into the tier list itself, let's first make clear what all these A, B and Cs actually represent:
Melee DPS in Season 2 revolves heavily around burst potential, crowd control, mobility, and self-sustain. Specs with effective control and consistent burst windows are currently leading the pack.
Subletly Rogues are still terrorizing ladders — especially after recent adjustments further improved their consistency. Just like previous expansions, their strength remains in pinpoint-accurate CC chains. Abilities like Shadow Dance make setting up clean kills feel effortless, letting Sub Rogues single-handedly control the tempo of games — something that’s especially noticeable in Solo Shuffle, where uncoordinated teams easily fall prey to a well-timed burst.
Survivability has always been Sub’s hallmark, and tools like Vanish and Cloak keep them slippery and nearly impossible to pin down. Remember the frustration of chasing a Rogue back in earlier seasons? Yeah, that’s still here, but arguably even stronger.
In team-based arenas, Sub Rogues are absolute kings of setup comps (remember good old RMP?), and in RBGs, their stealth play and constant disruption feel as impactful as ever, effortlessly snagging bases and disrupting backlines.
Assasination Rogue has always been the go-to when you prefer a more direct "rot" approach, and that hasn’t changed. With their infamous poisons and bleeds — especially empowered now by Deathmark — they consistently drown healers under pressure, forcing constant defensive cooldowns. If you’ve ever faced an Assa Rogue in Solo Shuffle, you know exactly how quickly they can snowball the game out of control.
While not as slippery as Subtlety, Assassination still has decent defensive cooldowns like Evasion and Crimson Vial, but their survival often comes from the raw offensive pressure they generate. Opponents rarely have time to counterattack effectively because they’re too busy keeping themselves alive.
Feral Druids remain incredibly strong and versatile predators in Season 2. With unmatched mobility and constant bleed pressure mixed with huge burst windows (think unexpected massive Ferocious Bite crits), Feral remains one of the hardest specs to handle. Their unpredictable burst is reminiscent of older expansions, but tuning feels even more refined this time around.
Their toolkit is among the best in PvP right now, allowing instant healing, quick disengages, and great utility. If you’ve recently played Solo Shuffle, you’ve definitely encountered a Feral who demolished your DPS while casually healing teammates mid-fight and dodging burst setups.Ferals thrive everywhere: structured 3v3, shuffle lobbies, and even RBGs, where stealthily flipping objectives or disrupting enemy teams makes them exceptionally valuable.
Fury Warrior embodies relentless aggression, clearly evident this season. Their sustained damage remains absurdly high, reminiscent of previous expansions when Fury felt practically unkillable. With consistent self-heals from Bloodthirst and strong defensive cooldowns, it’s a nightmare trying to remove them from the Arena — especially frustrating in Solo Shuffle, where a Fury Warrior can practically carry matches by sheer durability and damage.
In coordinated 3v3, Fury Warriors perfectly fit into comps emphasizing continuous pressure. They also shine in RBGs, carving through enemy ranks with their massive AoE and occasionally holding objectives due to their high self-sustain and mobility.
Windwalker Monks have consistently hovered near top tiers, famous for incredible burst windows and mobility. Season 2 keeps them strong, though slightly behind S-tier specs. Massive Strike of the Windlord crits can instantly swing games, something especially noticeable in Solo Shuffle, where burst timings alone decide rounds. Their legendary mobility lets them effortlessly chase or evade threats, though they're vulnerable outside cooldowns. Veteran Monks will recognize the familiar pattern — burst hard, then kite until cooldowns return.
Windwalkers thrive in burst-oriented comps (classic setups like WW/DK), excel at disrupting healers, and comfortably handle chaotic Solo Shuffle environments. Their versatility remains impressive, but consistent pressure from specs like Fury or Assassination gives them tougher matchups.
Havoc Demon Hunters have offered aggressive players a perfect spec since their very inception — easy to learn, yet brutally effective. Havoc retains relentless pressure and high sustained cleave damage, recalling their Legion PvP dominance.
Their mobility remains phenomenal, combined with solid defensive cooldowns and sustain via passive Leech and cooldowns like Blur. Solo Shuffle showcases their durability and consistent pressure, constantly staying in your healer’s face while casually dodging burst setups. While lacking precise control, Havoc excels at unavoidable pressure. They're ideal in aggressive melee cleaves and Solo Shuffle matches, where self-sustain and simplicity shine brightest.
Survival Hunter has always occupied a unique spot, blending ranged CC with melee burst. Season 2 reinforces this hybrid identity. Their iconic burst combos revolving around Mongoose Bite and traps feel notably improved, providing a satisfying "hunter feel" even in melee.
They really excel at CC with their famous traps and slows, making them ideal for precise crowd control setups. In Solo Shuffles, Survival can secure kills via isolation and CC, though he's now somewhat dependent on teammates for the raw damage output. They're particularly strong in structured 3v3 comps or RBGs, where utility and ranged tools significantly impact outcomes.
Unholy Death Knight has historically bounced around tier lists, but in Season 2, the spec is still solid if slightly overshadowed by other melee options. Known for their disruptive AoE pressure and necrotic healing absorption, Unholy’s strength remains consistent cleave damage and resource disruption, especially with key spells like Scourge Strike and Dark Transformation.
Their main weakness, however, is their limited mobility, making them easy targets in metas dominated by highly mobile classes. Defensive cooldowns like Icebound Fortitude help, but skilled opponents often force DKs into defensive positions, reducing their uptime.
Still, Unholy shines in teams that emphasize sustained, heavy cleave pressure and thrive in Solo Shuffle when enemies fail to shut down their damage quickly. If you enjoyed the "disease-spreading menace" feel in past expansions, you'll find plenty to like this season — just be ready to struggle occasionally against slippery comps.
Retribution Paladins are iconic for their explosive burst potential, especially familiar to those who've played through their highs and lows over past expansions. Season 2 sees them maintaining formidable burst damage through staples like Templar's Verdict and Avenging Wrath, easily punishing unprepared teams in Solo Shuffle or arenas.
The primary issue, as always, remains their lack of reliable mobility. Experienced opponents kite Ret Paladins effectively, causing frustration similar to past PvP seasons. Defensive tools like Divine Shield remain excellent for surviving burst windows but can quickly turn into liabilities when baited out prematurely. Despite this, Ret remains powerful in burst-oriented melee cleaves or comps offering strong control setups. In Solo Shuffle, they shine brightest during cooldown windows, and if you’ve ever loved their "pop wings and delete someone" playstyle, Ret still delivers, albeit more situationally than before.
Enhancement Shaman remains one of PvP’s most unique specs, blending melee combat with ranged spell pressure, reminiscent of classic WoW hybrid gameplay. Season 2 continues this trend, offering strong burst windows around abilities like Lightning Bolt and the iconic Lava Lash.
Defensively, Shamans often struggle due to limited defensive cooldown options compared to classes higher on the tier list. Veteran players know the frustration of being forced into Nature's Guardian procs early, leaving them vulnerable later in fights. Their mobility also remains limited, creating tough matchups against hyper-mobile melee opponents.
Nevertheless, Enhancement excels in burst-oriented comps or teams with reliable defensive support, such as melee cleaves or hybrid caster-melee teams. Solo Shuffle can be challenging due to inconsistent team support, but skilled Enhancements can still carry matches through smart defensive play and burst timing.
Arms Warriors have traditionally been Arena staples thanks to their consistent pressure and game-changing utility. However, in Season 2, they’re slightly eclipsed by the pure damage pressure of Fury. Although Arms still brings some powerful burst windows and excellent healing reduction, crucial in burst-oriented setups.
Their primary challenge this season is durability. Without the self-sustain of Fury, Arms Warriors depend heavily on external healing or defensive cooldowns like Die by the Sword. Experienced enemy players familiar with Arms from past expansions will recognize this vulnerability immediately, especially in chaotic Solo Shuffle environments where healer attention is very inconsistent.
Outlaw Rogues occupy an interesting niche, blending Subtlety’s control with more sustained damage pressure. Known for their dynamic toolkit, particularly the randomness of Roll the Bones, they offer consistent disruption rather than straightforward burst.
However, in Season 2, Outlaw's inconsistency limits their potential. Although abilities like Dispatch provide respectable sustained pressure, they often fall short of Assassination’s damage or Subtlety’s precision control. Defensively, they remain strong with standard Rogue defensives like Evasion, but the unpredictable nature of their buffs can leave them disadvantaged during critical engagements.
Frost Death Knight have seen better days, and in Season 2 they're struggling even harder compared to previous expansions. Traditionally known for their explosive burst potential, they lag behind other melee specs in sustained pressure and defensive capability.
The core issue this season revolves around their poor performance outside of cooldown windows. Once a Frost DK’s burst phase ends, their sustained damage feels extremely lackluster, especially compared to more consistent threats like Fury Warriors or Assassination Rogues. Coupled with notoriously poor mobility (even by Death Knight standards) they struggle immensely against teams with effective kiting or consistent CC chains. Even Anti-Magic Shell and Icebound Fortitude often feel insufficient to save Frost DKs from getting tunneled and forced into defensive positions too early in a fight.
Despite these challenges, Frost DKs occasionally thrive in niche situations — particularly in cleave setups or comps that heavily support their limited uptime windows. Dedicated DK players might still squeeze value from their burst if teammates help secure positioning, but currently, Frost remains one of the weakest melee options available. Players who fondly remember Frost's burst-heavy heyday might feel frustrated by their current state, hoping for future adjustments to restore some of the spec’s former PvP glory.
Ranged DPS specs have always provided the backbone for control-heavy comps, precise burst windows, and chaotic teamfights. Season 2 of The War Within is no exception — ranged classes continue to define matches through their ability to dictate positioning, burst down vulnerable targets, and disrupt enemies from a distance.
Fire Mage continues its legacy as the king of ranged burst, bringing nostalgia from older expansions when a well-timed Combustion would instantly swing the momentum of a match. Season 2 has done little to weaken this iconic strength — Fire remains incredibly potent, effortlessly securing kills during burst windows. The Mage’s classic toolkit, including Counterspell, Ice Block, and excellent mobility through Blink, makes them tough to lock down, especially in chaotic Solo Shuffle lobbies.
Destruction Warlocks embody ranged pressure like few others, dominating arenas through massive bursts of damage. Their signature ability, Chaos Bolt, continues to define matches, forcing opponents into defensive cooldowns or outright eliminating them from games. Coupled with strong control spells like Fear and defensive tools like Unending Resolve, Destro locks remain incredibly hard to shut down or pressure out.
In Solo Shuffle, opponents who ignore a Destro Warlock quickly regret their decision, as Chaos Bolts rain down uninterrupted. Structured 3v3 comps also highlight their strengths, particularly in caster-heavy setups that thrive on precise burst windows and coordinated CC. For veterans who remember the "turret" playstyle of earlier expansions, Destro still feels comfortably powerful and oppressive this season.
Balance Druids, often called "Boomkins", have consistently occupied a top tier spot, known for powerful sustained and burst damage alongside unmatched team utility. Season 2 continues that trend — Balance remains highly effective, capable of constant pressure through spread damage and sudden burst via Solar Beam and Starfall.
Defensively, their toolkit is as strong as ever, featuring instant-cast heals, crowd control, and mobility from Moonkin Form and shapeshifting. Their hybrid nature makes them ideal for Solo Shuffle, where flexibility often dictates victory.
Shadow Priests are still thriving as the kings of sustained rot damage. They don’t delete people instantly like Fire Mages, but good luck ignoring their pressure from spells like Devouring Plague and Vampiric Touch. While melee cleaves can be a headache, experienced Priests can usually outplay them, juggling cooldowns like Dispersion and self-peeling with Psychic Scream.
If you've enjoyed Shadow in previous expansions, Season 2 brings back that classic feeling of slowly draining the life out of opponents, rewarding patience and awareness. And they’re especially nasty in setup comps where their CC and multi-dotting synergize perfectly.
Elemental Shaman offers explosive, match-defining burst damage combined with unmatched disruptive capabilities. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as lining up a lethal Lava Burst, forcing enemy cooldowns in an instant. Yet their toolkit isn't limited to raw damage — smart usage of Thunderstorm or well-placed Hexes can entirely disrupt enemy momentum. However, survival remains a struggle, particularly against persistent melee cleaves. That's why Ele Shaman gameplay continues to be high-risk, high-reward, perfect for players who enjoy tactically managing their burst and position!
Arcane Mages remain the quintessential "finesse" casters, rewarding flawless resource management and precise timing rather than brute force. Bursting opponents down with perfectly timed Arcane Surge windows never stops feeling rewarding. While they lack Fire's forgiving defensive toolkit, Arcane’s unmatched mobility through frequent Blinks makes chasing them a frustrating ordeal for melee. Veterans who prefer an intellectual approach to PvP, relying on tactical cooldown usage and positioning over raw power, will always find Arcane Mage deeply satisfying and also very strong in Season 2.
Demonology Warlock brings his own personal army to PvP, constantly keeping enemies busy dealing with waves of pets. Unlike Destro's massive Chaos Bolts, Demo thrives on slowly overwhelming healers by spreading damage across multiple targets, especially during huge moments like Summon Demonic Tyrant.
The spec is deceptively tanky thanks to strong defensive tools like Unending Resolve, but getting locked down by melee trains or facing precise interrupts can severely punish mismanaged setups. Still, if you’re someone who enjoys watching enemy healers panic as their teammates drown under relentless minion assaults, Demonology remains incredibly satisfying.
Marksmanship Hunters are the epitome of high-risk, high-reward gameplay — position correctly, and you’ll dismantle opponents with massive Aimed Shots, but misposition and you’ll become the melee’s favorite chew toy. Unlike BM, which focuses on steady pet pressure, MM relies on strategic bursts built around carefully-timed CC, especially precise Freezing Traps. Their fragility is legendary, and MM hunters can quickly tilt if forced onto defense early. Yet, for seasoned players who thrive on managing burst windows and landing clutch interrupts, Marksman offers plenty of room to outplay opponents.
Affliction Warlocks have found the new season quite challenging, especially given recent changes that reduced the effectiveness of sustained DoT pressure in PvP. With the meta leaning heavily toward quick, decisive bursts, Affliction struggles to secure kills despite spreading potent DoTs like Unstable Affliction and Corruption.
On the upside, the spec received some helpful talent tweaks, improving defensive uptime through better Dark Pact sustainability. However, Affliction's survivability remains precarious in a meta dominated by melee-heavy comps and bursty casters. Veteran players who miss Affliction's Legion-era dominance will find the current version playable but far from its prime.
Beast Mastery Hunter enters Season 2 with minimal changes, leaving him stuck in his comfortable but predictable playstyle. The latest minor tuning reduced pet burst slightly, inadvertently reinforcing their dependency on steady damage from Barbed Shot rather than big, flashy kill moments. With limited defensives, particularly after nerfs to passive healing effects, BM Hunters remain vulnerable to aggressive melee teams. Though the spec still excels in lower-rated or less organized lobbies, more competitive players will likely find its lack of burst and defensive utility frustrating this season.
Devastation Evokers received moderate adjustments, improving the damage consistency of their iconic abilities like Deep Breath. Despite these buffs, Evokers remain limited by predictable cooldown rotations and lackluster survivability — particularly after the recent adjustments reduced their passive defensive healing. While the buffs did boost their damage, the ongoing melee dominance in Season 2 arenas continues to hinder their viability significantly. Players attracted to the spec’s flashy style and unique mechanics might enjoy the challenge, but climbing the ladder remains quite difficult.
Augmentation Evokers find themselves in B-tier mainly due to their niche role in the current meta. While they excel at providing strong buffs to boost their team’s damage, their own DPS is relatively underwhelming. This leaves them reliant on team coordination to shine. In recent patches, their support role has remained intact, but without significant burst or kill pressure, they struggle to make an impact in Solo Shuffle or high-end arenas. They can still be a valuable asset in the right comps, but until their personal damage output is improved or their utility becomes more universally impactful, they remain a solid but niche choice in B tier.
Frost Mage is undeniably in a rough spot this season, especially following the significant nerfs to core abilities like Frozen Orb and Blizzard, both of which previously defined their identity as exceptional control casters. These changes have made it increasingly difficult for Frost Mages to reliably kite melees, a strength they had historically relied upon in PvP. Their damage also took a hit, particularly noticeable in their reduced burst potential during Icy Veins windows.
Defensively, Frost Mage still boasts iconic abilities like Ice Block and well-timed Frost Novas, but these spells feel far less impactful given the increased mobility of melee in Season 2. Without sufficient burst to pressure opponents or meaningful sustained damage to maintain pressure, Frost is left in an awkward position where it neither controls nor threatens the enemy effectively.
For players who've enjoyed Frost’s calculated, control-heavy playstyle in previous expansions (particularly during Wrath or Legion) the current version feels notably weaker and less rewarding. Frost enthusiasts hoping to push high ratings this season will likely face an uphill battle, needing impeccable positioning, flawless cooldown management, and considerable team support just to remain viable in a challenging meta.
