Updated 24 October 2026 · rated for level 60 from the beta (capped at 30) and the Forever Open tournament · we will update it after launch
A tier list of all 27 specs: who is strongest in battlegrounds, world PvP and duels, which healer to take and where a beginner should start. Tap a spec to see its strengths, weaknesses and links to our PvP guide and a ready build.
How strong a spec is across every kind of PvP.
Group fights for the flag and bases: healing, control, AoE and team value matter. An arrow shows how far a spec moves against its overall tier.
The open world on PvP rulesets: alone or in a small group, you pick your fights and often meet more than one enemy.
One on one at full health, rated for level 60. The Forever Open tournament was played at 30 - its numbers are below.
S
A
B
C
D
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S
A
B
C
D
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S
A
B
C
D
S
A
B
C
D
Tap a spec - its reasons, strengths, weaknesses and links to the guide and build open below.
Demonology · Warlock
Casters · Difficulty: Easy
SOverall
ABattlegrounds
AWorld PvP
SDuels
Soul Link, the demon and Fear make the warlock nearly unkillable one on one: warlocks took the top two places at the Forever Open.
Frost with Ice Barrier, Ice Block, Fingers of Frost and Ice Lance is the best control and kiting in the game. On the 30-capped beta mages were at the bottom: the key talents come later.
In Forever Retribution is much stronger than in Classic: Repentance already on the 21st point, plus new talents and Vengeance - burst with paladin toughness.
Moonkin can do everything in form except healing, and Hurricane has no cooldown - there is burst in battlegrounds, but base damage is lower than other casters.
This is our own rating, not a poll. It is built on our PvP guides for all 9 classes: what each spec can do in Forever and who it is strong or weak against. Then come the Forever Open results and a check against other tier lists. Where the sources disagree, our guides decide.
Damage and burst - how much a spec takes off in an opener and in a long fight.
Control - stuns, Fear, Polymorph, roots and how often they are ready.
Mobility - whether you can catch, escape and pick your fights.
Team value - healing, auras, the flag, defending bases.
Tier
What it means
S
Wins most fights and decides group fights
A
Strong, wins with a partner or a good opener
B
Solid, the matchup decides
C
Has a job, but loses more often
D
Better avoided for PvP right now
Forever Open: what the tournament showed
A duel tournament on the beta on October 17-18, every player on the Horde at level 30. The warlock Warlockguy won, second place was a warlock too, third and fourth were shamans. Class win rates in the finals:
Class
Wins
Losses
Duels
Win rate
Warlock
26
7
33
78.8%
Shaman
19
11
30
63.3%
Paladin
16
13
29
55.2%
Druid
12
14
26
46.2%
Priest
9
12
21
42.9%
Hunter
7
11
18
38.9%
Rogue
5
11
16
31.3%
Warrior
4
11
15
26.7%
Mage
4
12
16
25.0%
That is level 30: mages, warriors and Shadow priests still lack their key talents. More about the tournament in the Forever Open news.
FAQ
What is the best PvP class in WoW Forever?
In our rating it is the Demonology warlock: Soul Link, the demon and Fear make it nearly unkillable one on one, and warlocks took the top two places at the Forever Open tournament. Among healers, the Discipline priest is the strongest.
Which class is best for world PvP?
The ones that pick their own fights: the Subtlety rogue, the Feral cat druid and the Beast Mastery hunter. The hunter is also the easiest: the pet holds the enemy while you shoot.
Which class should a beginner pick for PvP?
A Beast Mastery hunter or a Demonology or Destruction warlock: both are simple and forgiving. The Subtlety rogue, Frost mage and Feral druid are strong but need experience.
What is the best healer for battlegrounds?
The Restoration druid, who is also the best Warsong Gulch flag carrier; the Discipline priest for small groups; the Holy priest and Restoration shaman for big battlegrounds; the Holy paladin is the most durable.
Why are mages and warriors low in the tournament but high in the tier list?
The Forever Open was played at the beta level cap of 30: the mage lacks the key Frost talents, the warrior lacks Mortal Strike and the Shadow priest lacks Shadowform. The tier list rates level 60, where these specs come together.
Will the tier list change after launch?
Yes: the beta was capped at 30, and balance is tuned every week. After the November 4 launch and the first weeks at level 60 we will update the ratings and mark what changed.
Warrior
Paladin
Hunter
Rogue
Priest
Shaman
Mage
Warlock
Druid