WoW Strategy Newsletter 20070626

Let’s talk about strategy for a moment since, after all, the name of my site is wow-strategy.com (and it’s an important issue at that).

The most important strategic decision you’ll make in World of Warcraft is choosing which class to play.

It’s a big decision, and I get asked a lot about my opinion of different classes. And it’s not a noob question. Many level 70s are discovering their class is not what they thought it would be.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all classes were equally useful in instances, raids, battlegrounds, arenas and leveling?

Sadly, they are not, so you have to decide what you want your character to excel at, i.e. the aspect of WoW that you enjoy most.

You could look at the class selection issue from any of the above viewpoints. For now, though, let’s just look at which classes dominate the arenas.

When you are level 70 you can either do PvE or PvP. Arenas are the end-game for PvP oriented players, and if you want to rise to the top then a good team is virtually a must. Here’s an article I wrote that will help you select a class if arena PvP will be your focus.

All classes are not created equal

When it comes to arena PvP, some classes, and combinations of classes, are just plain better than others.

Which ones?

Good question.

Is there an objective answer?

Yes, as it turns out.

I found an interesting post on the US official WoW forums, from a guy who had pulled data (via the armory) from the top 20 arena teams in every battlegroup and bracket (2vs2, 3vs3 and 5vs5), to get a lot of interesting stats about the top teams.

He has been doing this for months now, and the distribution of classes hasn’t changed very much at all. The strongest classes have seen a rise in popularity, while the weaker ones have declined.

Here are som interesting facts from the latest reading at the end of season 1:

2vs2 teams

As anyone who has played more than a few arena games knows, two of the most powerful combinations are indeed warlock + priest, and paladin + warrior. The hunter, which I’ve played teamed with a rogue, holds the bottom spot due (mostly) to line of sight issues in the arenas.

Let’s look at…

3vs3 teams

Not too much of a difference to comment on. Paladins, warriors, warlocks and priests still rule. Now for…

5vs5 teams

Warriors and paladins are still at the top, but warlocks have slipped down. It seems like a warrior and paladin are essential in 5 man teams. However, hunters, rogues and druids still have a hard time.

Other interesting facts:

• 55% of the top 5vs5 teams were horde
• 54% of the top 3vs3 teams were horde
• 61% of the top 5vs5 teams were horde
• Virtually all Paladins are healing (holy) specced
• Most classes (except Paladins) benefit from a Paladin in the team in 2vs2
• Almost every spec for every class had some representation among the top teams, except:
  • Enhancement Shamans in 2vs2
  • Retribution Paladins in 2vs2
  • Protection Paladins in 3vs3
• However, some specs totally dominate for certains classes, like arms for warriors.

So what does all this mean?

Well, when it comes to selecting your class you should choose the one you enjoy most. And if you enjoy PvP and want to do arenas (where the best PvP rewards and titles come from) it only makes sense to choose the strongest class. However, and this is really important, make sure you choose a class that you really like, not just one that’s "overpowered". For two reasons:

1. The class might get nerfed in the future so you better enjoy it anyway.
2. The goal is to have fun, not just to win.

For example, if you’re deciding between a druid and a paladin (and you’re fine with being healing specced), then go for the paladin because it’s going to be much more rewarding. But don’t go for a warlock only because it’s at the top of 2vs2, if you don’t enjoy it.

Also keep in mind that even the best classes take skills to play properly. And even the worst classes can make it very far (with the right team).

Another suggestion is to play horde if you’re into PvP, as horde seems to naturally attract the better PvPers. You’ll have an easier time finding a team, and you’ll get more honor in battlegrounds.

My final tip is to have more than one level 70, if you enjoy both PvE and PvP and want to get the most out of both. Or just roll a paladin, warrior or priest if that’s the case ;-)

So think this through a little, since you’ll be spending around 220 hours getting to level 70, even if you use the best leveling guides.

I’ve personally discovered the hard way that some classes are gimped in the arena, while playing my hunter 2vs2 with a rogue. We still achieved a decent rating of 1850, and we had a blast doing so. It took very elaborate CC (crowd control) strategies and varied tactics to win, but it was possible, to an extent.

The recent change to the PvP trinket (which now dispells all debuffs that cause a loss of control of your character) was a huge nerf to our team that relied heavily on CC since we don’t have a healer. That’s why I’m now leveling up my mage for arenas.

I don’t see these numbers changing anytime soon, either. Warriors, paladins, warlocks and priests will rule the arena for the foreseeable future. So just live with it and make the best of it.

I hope this helps you select a class, and if you want to know more about what actually works in the arenas, check out this thread:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=109912673&sid=1&pageNo=1

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