Classes in World of Warcraft

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The MMORPG World of Warcraft has nine classes that a character can choose to play. These are: warriors, druids, mages, warlocks, priests, hunters, rogues, paladins and shamans. Each class has unique abilities and no abilities are shared by classes (although there are some abilities which are largely the same and which multiple classes have, every class has a different name for it).^[1] This means that every class has a unique role that they usually play whilst grouping with other characters - for instance, rogues and mages are 'damage' classes, whereas priests usually heal. Some classes, like the paladins, are hybrids and can perform more than one role (though usually not at the same time).

Contents 1 Druid 1.1 Druid Lore 1.2 Gameplay 2 Hunter 2.1 Hunter Lore 2.2 Gameplay 3 Mage 3.1 Mage Lore 3.2 Gameplay 4 Paladin 4.1 Paladin Lore 4.2 Gameplay 5 Priest 6 Rogue 7 Shaman 7.1 Shaman Lore 7.2 Gameplay 8 Warlock 8.1 Warlock Lore 8.2 Gameplay 9 Warrior 10 References 11 See also 12 External links

[edit] Druid

Races: Night Elf, Tauren

Weapons: Maces, Two Handed Maces, Staves, Daggers, Fist Weapons, Idols

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather

Talent Trees: Feral, Balance, Restoration

[edit] Druid Lore

According to the game lore, druids are the keepers of the world, the protectors of balance, and the followers of the demi-god Cenarius. They have been granted power over nature, including powerful healing and shapeshifting abilities. It is said that the first mortal to be instructed in Druidism by Cenarius was the Night Elf Malfurion Stormrage, although the Tauren believe that they were the first.^[2][3]

Locked in slumber in their barrow dens for centuries, the Druids awoke to meet the threat of the Burning Legion during its recent invasion. After Archimonde's defeat, the Druids chose to remain in the waking world and help to rebuild their shattered lands. The Legion's attack left a terrible scar on the natural order, and the Druids seek to heal it. The Night Elf Druids were recently joined in the Cenarion Circle by the Tauren, who once again embraced their Druidic heritage.^[4]

[edit] Gameplay

Druids are the primary shapeshifters of World of Warcraft, possessing a variety of animal forms with different types of abilities that are restricted to that specific shape. Druids when in travel form, like characters on mounts, are not able to use any abilities or spells.

• In their normal form, druids can cast damage spells and healing spells, as well as various offensive and defensive support spells.
• In bear form, the druid acts as a tank. It increases armor, health, and attack power. In this form, a druid benefits from a high amount of stamina, strength, and agility.
• In cat form, the druid acts as a melee damage dealer. Druids can prowl in this form, which uses the same mechanics as the Rogue's stealth. In this form druids again gain a high amount of strength and agility.
• As a moonkin (an owlbear-like creature), the druid acts as a damage-dealing spell caster. In this form, the druid has more armor, attack power, chance on hit to regenerate mana and an aura that increases the spell critical strike chance of nearby party members. To gain this form the Druid must have at least thirty-one points in the 'balance' talent tree.
• The travel form and the aquatic form allow the druid to travel faster by land and sea. In the Burning Crusade expansion, a flight form is trainable at level 68 to allow the druid to fly in Outland. Also, it has been officially stated on WoW forums that druids will be receiving an Epic Flight Form, to be achieved through a series of quests and with the ability to fly at 280% speed.^[5]
• The Tree of Life form increases the healing received for all party members, but slows the Druid. In this form, the Druid can only cast Healing-over-time spells, and these spells are granted a significant mana reduction. To gain this form the Druid must have at least 41 points in the Restoration talent tree.^[6]

[edit] Hunter

Races: Night Elf, Dwarf, Blood Elves, Draenei, Troll, Tauren, Orc

Weapons: Daggers, Swords, Two Handed Swords, Axes, Two Handed Axes, Staves, Polearms, Ranged

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, (at level 40) Mail

Talent Trees: Beast mastery, Marksmanship, Survival

[edit] Hunter Lore

Hunters exist to maintain the balance with the creatures of the wild. They venture into the wilderness to find an animal companion to protect and aid them on their journeys. These expert marksmen are unmatched in their skill with firearms and archery. Many races in the game venerate this skill. For the Taurens, the Great Hunt is central to their culture and skilled hunters are honored above all others. The Orcs have always shared a natural relationship with the rugged land and the creatures of the wild. The Trolls share a similar relationship with the wilds as the Taurens do. The Night Elves have forever shared a unique bond with nature and its creatures. The Dwarves of Khaz Modan have never been strangers of nature, living in the rugged, ice capped mountains of the Iron Kings.

Famous hunters include all High Elven Rangers like Alleria Windrunner and her two sisters Vereesa and Sylvanas and also the Night Elves, such as Shandris Feathermoon.^[7]

[edit] Gameplay

Hunters primarily use ranged weapons such as guns and bows to cause damage. Their ability to 'tame beasts' allows them to use their pets in battle. The abilities their pet has depends on its sub-type.^[8]

The hunter has several 'tracking' abilities. These abilities allow the hunter to see on the minimap all creatures of the type being tracked as a gold circle with a red center. Some types available to track include beasts, humanoids, elementals, demons and undead.^[9]

The hunter also has special enhancements called 'aspects'. These allow the player to passively improve their skills or talents by taking on bestial traits from animals. For example, Aspect of the Cheetah increases movement speed and Aspect of the Monkey increases dodge chance. There are also aspects that benefit the entire party, such as Aspect of the Pack, which increases movement speed for everyone in the party. Hunters can also lay 'traps'. Some of their effects including freezing enemies and slowing them down. One of the few downside to these 'aspects,' is that only one aspect can be activated at a time. For example, if you already have Aspect of the Monkey casted on yourself, and you cast Aspect of the Cheetah, Aspect of the Monkey will fade and Aspect of the Cheetah will replace it.^[9]

Hunters can also "mark" a target, which increases the ranged attack power (and melee attack power, if upgraded with a talent) of those who attack it and places a red arrow above its head.^[10]

[edit] Mage

Races: Human, Gnome, Draenei, Troll, Undead, Blood elf

Weapons: Daggers, Staves, Swords, Wands

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth[11]

Talent Trees: Arcane, Fire, Frost

[edit] Mage Lore

Masters of Arcane magic, the mages of the Kirin Tor were scattered across the continents following the destruction of Dalaran by the Burning Leigon. Mages in the World of Warcraft descend from influential, powerful denizens of Azeroth, that used their tremendous power to influence politics. Jaina Proudmoore, one of the central figures in the Warcraft storyline, is the most powerful mage still alive, with her power possibly surpassed by the spirit of Medivh. Mages are a magic-using class who use a host of magic-based power to attack their enemies. Although they can deal large amounts of damage in a short period of time, akin to rogues, survival is difficult due to their low amount of hit points. However, the mage class's combat tactics, survivability, control, and damage vary drastically depending on how their talents are invested.

Mages also have the unique ability to teleport themselves and their party to any of their faction's major cities and, in the Burning Crusade expansion, all mages can teleport and make a portal to the neutral Shattrath City in Outland. They can conjure items such as food and water which can be traded with other players, making them useful in 'endgame' raiding. They can also create mana gems with which they can use to replenish mana whilst in combat.^[12]

[edit] Gameplay

The arcane tree gives "utility" talents, such as passive increases and bonuses to mana, silences added to spells, and increased armor. At higher levels, the arcane tree offers powerful spells designed to maximize the mage's damage potential, which gives the mage class the highest burst damage in the game (with appropriate gear). To balance this raw power, the spells have “cooldowns” during which the mage cannot use them. The fire tree focuses on fire spells, which increases the raw damage and enhances the utility of their spells, offering very powerful area-of-effect spells. Combat usually focuses on unloading a host of high-damage critical strikes in a short amount of time, usually giving the opponent no chance to react. The frost tree offers more control in the form of slowing and freezing opponents, and offers better survivability due to ice shields and elemental minions. Nonetheless, the frost tree can deal out a fair amount of damage when a fight is “controlled” by the mage. It does not rely on cooldowns like the arcane tree, or “initial” control of the fight, as in fire. Rather, frost has a slightly lower burst damage potential.

Mages are the most effective class at area of effect spells, which allow them to attack multiple targets at once.

Mages also have the ability to transform an unfriendly target into a harmless sheep. Pig and turtle transformations are attainable by acquiring special spellbooks. The target remains in this animal form and is not in control of his or her actions unless they take any damage, the spell wears off or is dispelled.

Another useful ability that they have is their ability to cast a buff called 'Arcane Intellect' on any friendly target. This buff gives intellect to the target which raises the amount of mana they have and the critical hit chance of their spells. This buff is therefore useful to any class that uses mana.

[edit] Paladin

Races: Human, Dwarf, Draenei, Blood elf

Weapons: Swords, Two Handed Swords, Axes, Two Handed Axes, Maces, Two Handed Maces, Polearms, Shields, Librams

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Mail, (at level 40) Plate

Talent Trees: Holy, Protection, Retribution

[edit] Paladin Lore

Paladins are the virtuous defenders of the weak and tireless enemies of the undead. The original Paladin order, "The Silver Hand" was formed in the Second War and lasted until the time of the Plague. As Paladins were immune to the Plague (and indeed all diseases), many members of the order survived the initial push of the Scourge. Unfortunately, the corrupted Arthas killed many paladins upon his return leaving only a scattered few. Following the invasion of the Scourge, many of the order's paladins joined a zealous group of followers of the Light known as the Scarlet Crusade. After leaving the Crusade, some paladins decided to join the Argent Dawn.

Others fled south, to the Kingdom of Stormwind. The Paladin Order, still referring to themselves as the Order of the Silver Hand, now thrives under their new leadership at the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City. Over time, the followers of the Holy Light spread their philosophy to the Dwarves of Ironforge who soon adopted the tenets of the order as well. After the crash-landing of The Exodar, the Draenei, already with a natural affinity for magic, heard of the brave tales of the Alliance who fought off the advance of the Burning Legion, particularly the efforts of fighting the deadly Scourge, and adopted the responsibility of the paladin mission.

[edit] Gameplay

The paladin is a hybrid melee fighter. Paladins use an assortment of spells, auras, blessings and seals to aid themselves and others. Paladins also have powerful offensive spells against undead and demons, as well as several defensive abilities including a shield that makes the paladin immune to damage for a given amount of time.^[13]

While paladins have offensive abilities against Undead characters, these abilities do not affect the "undead" Horde race (rather they are "The Forsaken" and are thus considered humanoid in the context of gameplay mechanics).^[14]

The paladin is able to heal others, magically augment themselves, their allies, and sustain large amounts of damage from enemies. The Paladin combat system is based around using 'Seals', 30-second spells which affect the Paladin when it performs a melee attack. The Seal may also be ended prematurely by the Judgement spell to cause a negative effect to a single enemy. The effect lasts 20 seconds, but its duration is refreshed when the Paladin hits the target with a melee attack. Like the warlock, paladins have a quest in order to obtain a free mount at level 40 known as a Warhorse, then a faster mount at level 60 called a Charger. However paladins have only limited ranged abilities; they cannot use guns or bows, though through talent points and training may learn Hammer of Wrath, Holy Shock and Avenger's Shield, which are magical ranged attacks with restrictions. Additionally, paladins who take the profession engineering can make ranged weapons such as grenades.^[15]

Paladins play an assortment of roles in raids and groups, but their primary role is as a healer. Paladins are the most mana-efficient healing class in the game, and thus are responsible for either healing the "main tank"(primary warrior) or healing multiple groups at once. Paladins are also responsible for "cleansing", or the removal of harmfull magical effects, from the members of the raid/group. The tanking and melee damage dealing aspects of the paladin are rarely used in a raid/group, but as groups progress into the new Burning Crusade encounters, more and more paladins are fulfilling these roles.

Note: Until The Burning Crusade was released, Paladins were only available for play on the Alliance side.

[edit] Priest

Races: Human, Dwarf, Draenei, Night Elf, Undead, Troll, Blood elf

Weapons: Maces, Staves, Daggers, Wands

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth

Talent Trees: Discipline, Holy, Shadow

The priest class is known for its many healing abilities. This includes instant-cast spells that heal over time, slow-casting spells that offer higher overall healing per time spent casting, and area of effect spells that will affect an entire party.

In addition to their role as healers, priests have offensive spells. Most of their offensive spells cause shadow damage although some cause holy damage. Some of their racial spells instead cause arcane damage. Priests that focus on the 'shadow' talent tree can cause large amounts of shadow damage and are particularly effective in PvP.^[16] Shadow priests may also change into a Shadowform, which increases shadow damage dealt as well as decreases physical damage taken by the priest, but limits casting to Shadow and Discipline schools (and thus, the priest cannot cast any healing spells).

Priests have several spells which affect the mind or otherwise control their opponents. They can shackle undead, preventing a single undead enemy from taking any action for a period of time or until damaged. Priests can cause several enemies around them to run away in fear. They can even control the actions of a single humanoid opponent for a period of time, or look through the eyes of either an ally or an opponent, primarily useful to scout. In addition, priests can temporarily make themselves appear less threatening to NPC opponents, which makes them less prone to attack for a short period.

All priests have the ability to buff allies by increasing their stamina, and their resistance to shadow damage. Discipline specialized priests can also increase the spirit of allies.

Priests, unlike other classes, get two special spells based on their race. For example, Night Elf priests have "Starshards" and "Elune's Grace" and Dwarves have "Fear Ward" and "Desperate Prayer" and Draenei also have "Fear Ward" and "Symbol of Hope". Although this is a popular concept,^[17] many complain that the specific priest abilities of certain races are unbalanced when compared to other races.^[18][19]

[edit] Rogue

Races: Human, Dwarf, Gnome, Night Elf, Undead, Orc, Troll, Blood Elf

Weapons: Swords, Maces, Daggers, Fist Weapons, Ranged

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather

Talent Trees: Assassination, Combat, Subtlety

Rogues are the "assassins" of World of Warcraft. They rely on 'energy' for their abilities instead of rage or mana. Rogues (and druids, who also use energy in cat form) can only hold 100 energy without talents or items, but energy regenerates very quickly. Most abilities either give or spend "combo points." Abilities that "spend" combo points ("finishing moves") become stronger as more points are spent. When the rogue performs a combo move on a target, that target gains a combo point, up to a maximum of 5 on one target. If the rogue begins to add combo points on another target, the first target's points are lost. Rogues can also go into a stealth mode, which makes them effectively invisible to enemy players and enemy NPCs unless detected. Stealth becomes more or less effective depending on the Rogue's level and the level of the potential detector. Stealth can only be used out of combat, with the exception of the ability "Vanish," which forces the Rogue into stealth in exchange for a relatively inexpensive reagent.^[20] Several attacks ("opening moves" or "openers") require the Rogue to be in stealth.^[21]

Rogues can create and apply poisons to their weapons. Depending on the applied poison, it allows the rogue to deal additional damage (either instantly or over time), slow their enemy's movement, increase the enemy's spell casting time, reduce the effects of healing on the enemy , or make the enemy NPC less likely to attack the rogue.

Rogues also have the ability to unlock locked doors, chests, and boxes using "thieves tools" and the "lockpicking" skill.

Their primary attributes are Agility and Stamina. Agility increases dodge, critical strike percentage, armor, and attack power, and stamina increases health. Strength is not a desirable attribute for a rogue, because of the increase in critical strike chance from a single point in agility, is much more effective then strength. A rogue who wishes to maximize his attack power would want attack power gear over strength gear.

[edit] Shaman

Races: Draenei, Tauren, Troll, Orc

Weapons: Maces, Axes, Fist Weapons, Shields, Staves, Daggers, (with 11 points in Enhancement) Two Handed Maces and Two Handed Axes, (with 31 points in Enhancement) dual wield

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Mail (at level 40)

Talent Trees: Elemental(Spells), Enhancement(Melee), Restoration(Healing)

[edit] Shaman Lore

According to game lore, all shamans get their power from the 'Elemental Spirits' and as such shamanic philosophy is the same no matter which race is practicing it. They have a partnership with the five spirits, which are: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and the Wilds.^[22]

[edit] Gameplay

The Shaman is a hybrid class, and as such, the Shaman is one of the most versatile classes in the game.^[23]

They are designed to enhance all parts of a party while not being particularly focused on any one aspect of the game. Along with basic damage and healing spells, they have totem spells which can affect the area around the totem, i.e. healing everyone around it slightly every few seconds, exploding after a given time limit or attracting hostile NPCs to attack the totem instead of the shaman. They also possess a variety of "Shock" spells, instant cast damage spells with a secondary effect which all share the same 6 second cooldown. Finally, they can augment their weapons with the elements, giving them an extra effect, including the infamous "Windfury," which gives weapons a 20% chance to have an extra attack doing as much damage as two strikes from the weapon with a greatly increased attack power.

Shaman are the only class other than the druid that can shapeshift; at level 20 they can train a 'ghost wolf' form that increases movement speed by 40%.

Note: Until The Burning Crusade was released, Shaman were only available for play on the Horde side.

[edit] Warlock

Races: Human, Gnome, Undead, Orc, Blood Elf

Weapons: Daggers, Swords, Staves, Wands

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth

Talent Trees: Affliction, Demonology, Destruction

[edit] Warlock Lore

Warlock - From the Old English wærloga; "oath-breaker" or "deceiver".

The eredar of the Burning Legion are credited as the original warlocks and wielders of dark magics, corrupted from the powerful and magically attuned eredar of Argus. Although many that consort with demons fall to darkness, the warlocks of a Horde and Alliance advocate bending demonic forces to its will without succumbing to complete corruption. For this reason, the warlocks now live on the fringe of civilization in most societies, tolerated but not trusted.

[edit] Gameplay

Warlocks are spellcasters who have delved deep into demonic magic. Their strengths lie in the resourcefulness of their summoned minions and their ability to inflict pain and destruction with spells.

One unique ability of warlocks is their power to summon demons to their aid. A warlock can summon four types of demons binding them indefinitely until death or dismissal. These four types of demons are the Imp, Voidwalker, Succubus, and Felhunter. A warlock who puts 41 or more points into demonology may also learn to summon a Felguard as a loyal servant. All warlocks can also call an Infernal to rain down as a meteor or perform the sacrificial Ritual of Doom to spawn a Doomguard; however, these two demons are able to break free of their master's control, making them hazardous allies. A warlock player may command only one demon at a time.

Warlocks also can summon demonic steeds to speed up their travel, which are acquired considerably easier than mounts. They also possess the ability to create the Eye of Kilrogg. Appearing as a dislodged eyeball, the Eye of Kilrogg grants its vision to the warlock who summoned it and can be used to scout. Warlocks also have the ability to track and enslave demons in the wild.^[24] In addition to enslaving demons, Warlocks also have the spell called Banish which allows them to remove a demon or elemental creature from the temporal world for a short period of time.

Warlocks are able to drain the souls of their enemies to create Soul Shards, which are required reagents for many of their abilities. The summoning of Voidwalker, Succubus, Felhunter and Felguard all require a Soul Shard. Using a Soul Shard, a warlock and two other players can perform the Ritual of Summoning to summon other players to their location. Soul Shards are also used in casting two of warlock's more powerful Destruction spells, Shadowburn and Soul Fire.^[24]

Warlocks can create several conjured items called "Stones" from Soul Shards. One such stone, the Soulstone, when used on a target player grants the target player a one-time ability to resurrect after death. The Healthstone when consumed instantly heals the user for a set amount of hit points. The Firestone and Spellstone are items worn in the offhand-slot, which grant bonuses to the warlock's spell power.^[25]

Warlocks also possess curses with a variety of effects, which include slowing movement, slowing casting time, decreasing the target's ability to cause damage, and inflicting damage over time. However, it is only possible to have one curse per Warlock on a target at a time.

[edit] Warrior

Races: Human, Dwarf, Gnome, Night Elf, Tauren, Undead, Orc, Troll, Draenei

Weapons: Swords, Two Handed Swords, Axes, Two Handed Axes, Maces, Two Handed Maces, Polearms, Shields, Daggers, Staves, Ranged

Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Mail, Plate (at level 40)

Talent Trees: Fury, Arms, Protection

Warriors excel in melee combat and play the role of damage dealer or tank. Rather than relying on mana to power their abilities, warriors use rage which, like a rogue's energy, is limited to 100 points. Rage builds up as the warrior deals or receives damage. Rage decays rapidly when out of combat, although warriors have some abilities that enable them to stay in combat and generate rage.

Warriors have three different 'stances' that they can switch between depending on their situation.

• 'Battle' stance is the normal, default stance. It reduces threat generation slightly and has no negative effects.

• 'Defensive' stance increases threat generation and decreases damage taken and dealt.^[26] This stance is generally used for tanking.

• 'Berserker' stance increases critical strike chance, damage taken, and reduces threat generation slightly.^[27]

Most warrior attacks and abilities require them to be in a specific stance. Switching stances reduces rage to 0. At level 20, warriors can learn the passive ability, 'Stance Mastery', which allows a maximum amount of 10 rage to stay with them when they change stances. The Protection talent, Tactical Mastery, allows the warrior to retain an additional 15 rage when changing stances, which means that the total possible amount of rage retained is 25.

Warriors, like all other classes, have three talent trees. The 'fury' talent tree increases rage generation and is good for dual wielding. 'Arms' improves burst damage and usage of two-handed weapons. The protection talent tree is the only one of the three that isn't intended for improved damage; instead it increases defensive skills and threat generation.

Playable Races and Classes in World of Warcraft

	Races (* indicates only available in the Burning Crusade expansion pack)
Classes	Human	Night Elf	Gnome	Dwarf	Draenei*	Troll	Tauren	Orc	Undead	Blood Elf*
Druid	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Hunter	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Mage	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Paladin	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes
Priest	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Rogue	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shaman	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Warlock	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Warrior	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Character class

[edit] External links

• Classes, World of Warcraft (US)
• Classes, World of Warcraft (EU)

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