WoW Dragonflight level list - best classes for PvE and PvP (2023)

OnsWoW Dragonflight level listfocuses on the best overall class performance in both PvPInPvE, whether going solo or as part of a group. Each class in WoW has been subject to rebalancing over the life of the MMO, though some classes have felt the effects more than others. Whether you're new to the game or a returning player, our list of levels highlights which classes dominate the WoW Dragonflight meta.

It's worth noting before we get started that this WoW Dragonflight level list assumes your character is performing as they should with respect to their class and specs. TheWoW Dragonflight Talentssystem revision now offers more class customization than theMMORPGhas seen in recent years, but it also means your mileage may vary depending on the talents you've chosen. If you're running a sub-optimal build for your class, you'll probably have a very different view of where your class falls on our list of levels.

WoW Dragonflight level list

Our ranking of WoW Dragonflight levels is summarized in the table below, but keep scrolling for the full rundown of the best WoW classes and their ideal specs.

S-level

Tribulation Warlock

Affliction Warlocks deal exceptional damage to a single target, which is great for raid bosses and isolated PvP battles. Rather than call upon their demonic hordes or destructive spells, Affliction Warlocks prefer to suck the life out of their enemies with skills like Agony and Corruption. Like the Hunter, the Warlock's demonic pets are great for solo play by providing additional role support for every situation, from the tank-oriented Voidwalker to the mob-controlling Sayaad. As with any class that relies on DoT casts, Affliction Warlocks take time to level up, but as long as you can reach and maintain their high damage ceiling, you can expect to drain your enemies' health pools with ease. Affliction Warlocks are at the top of their game in WoW Dragonflight, and the de facto choice for casting damage over time.

Windwalker Monk

The Monk is a melee DPS powerhouse that delivers a volley of punches and kicks to multiple targets in rapid succession. Windwalker Monks possess a range of AoE abilities that can dispatch mobs with relative ease, but they've long had a reputation for falling short during one-on-one combat. Fortunately, the class changes implemented in WoW Dragonflight make them viable in these situations as well, closing the gap between Windwalker Monks and other high-performing classes in PvE and PvP. Their mobility can't be overstated, with abilities like Roll and Flying Serpent Kick allowing for rapid repositioning. They also provide incremental utility to groups, including passive healing, a movement speed boost, and avoidance bonuses from incoming AoE damage.

The extended rotation of the Windwalker Monk revolves around the careful balance of Energy and Chi. Core abilities like Tiger Palm generate Chi, which can then be spent on more powerful spells. This rotation is fairly easy, but careful management of cooldowns is essential to fully maximize the Windwalker Monk's damage potential. If you sit on capped Chi waiting for your cooldowns to be over, you may place lower than expected on damage counters and other similarWoW-add-ons.

A level

Balance druid

Balance Druids - also known as Boomkins - have been a mainstay in the WoW meta since launch and show no signs of slowing down. As indicated by their nickname, Balance Druids have a showy kit that is guaranteed to appeal to players who get satisfaction from juggling cooldowns in a quick rotation. Boomkins excel at dealing damage to large groups over time, making them effective in both PvE and PvP. The time it takes for the Boomkin's damage to take can leave them vulnerable to being overwhelmed, but they have some healing abilities that can help them get through. They are also capable of dealing devastating burst damage with a combination of Ravenous Frenzy and Convoke the Spirits, which is a godsend during raids. You can also turn into a giant chicken.

Improving shaman

The Shaman class has often taken a beating from WoW's ever-changing meta, experiencing towering highs and crippling lows over the years. Thankfully, the talent system overhaul has catapulted Shamans back into the running as one of the best classes to play in WoW Dragonflight. The ability to switch talent gear at will is a boon for shamans, as they have an extremely versatile set of skills that allow them to adapt to most situations. Improvement Shamans have also received a welcome boost to Maelstrom Weapon, the core buff in their rotation that provides a damage boost to both ranged and melee attacks. Totems provide additional support that benefits both solo and group play, including off-healing, crowd control, and movement speed improvements. Finally, Feral Spirits is an ideal emergency button for crowd control, healing, or aggro diversion.

Frost Death Knight

The Death Knight has fallen out of favor in theRPG gamein recent years, but with the welcome flexibility of the talent system overhaul, they've become a viable option again. The Frost Death Knight is a robust melee DPS that excels at dealing cleavage damage to enemies with a single target. Additionally, there are plenty of optional passive talents that bolster the Frost DK's health and stamina pools; they may not be tanks, but they are more than capable of taking damage in a pinch.

In terms of remarkable spells, Death Grip isofgo-to cast to drag squishier targets closer to you in both PvP and PvE, especially long-range casters who prefer to stay in the backlines and cause trouble. The only major downside to the Frost DK is their incredibly low mobility, though this can be somewhat remedied by their Death's Advance movement buff. Finally, Death Knight is a hero class, which means they start at level 55, getting you closer to WoW Dragonflight endgame content than most other classes.

Fire Wizard

Fire Mage has always been a popular choice in WoW, and with good reason. They're capable of channeling massive amounts of burst damage with a relatively minimal ramp - and let's face it, literally raining fire on your enemies never gets old. Fire Mages remain a great option in WoW Dragonflight, with abilities to stack talents that boost Pyroblast, a devastating part of the Fire Mage's rotation. The main change to the Fire Mage's kit concerns Mastery: Ignite, which now spreads via Fire Blast instead of Phoenix Flames, effectively giving this DoT spread a cooldown reduction of 13 seconds. Ultimately, if you're a fan of big numbers flashing all over the screen, Fire Mage is the one for you.

B level

Beast Mastery Hunter

The Hunter is by far the most accessible class available in WoW, and a perfect choice for beginners in themultiplayer games. Their rotations are simple and adaptable to all situations, and collecting a colorful stable of tamed beasts never loses its appeal. Plus, your chosen pet can also serve as your very own portable tank, drawing aggro away from you and absorbing the attacks of heavy-hitting mobs, making the Hunter a great choice for solo play.

Beast Mastery Hunters are the most mobile DPS class. Unlike spellcasters, who are often forced to remain in place throughout their cast time, Beast Mastery Hunters are capable of dealing damage along the way. Their extraordinary mobility allows them to respond quickly to threats, and they have a barrage of mob control to draw from to keep mobs in dungeons and raids under control. A Beast Mastery Hunter is a solid option for PvE and leveling up in the upcoming expansion, so check out our guide on howtame a Slyvern in WoW Dragonflightif you are looking for a pet native to the Dragon Isles.

Outlaw villain

The Rogue is another versatile class that has seen the benefit of the talent system overhaul. Outlaw Rogues in particular are capable of phenomenally slicing through their enemies - more than any other class in the game. Blade Flurry is the staple of the Outlaw Rogue's playbook, ensuring that all attacks on one target hit up to four nearby targets. This passive AoE is the only AoE to draw from, but it sure is reliable, especially when paired with the Dancing Steel talent. You can also expect a suite of mobilityInutility to deplete while playing solo and as part of a group, including shroud, dodge, and immunity effects. There's even a gradual self-heal in the form of Crimson Vial for more instant survivability. Consequently, Outlaw Rogues are capable of taking on enemies in a variety of formats in both PvE and PvP, from gladiator battles in arenas to complex raid boss encounters.

It's worth bearing in mind that the Rogue class has a particularly fast rotation that can be overwhelming for new players, and if you're struggling to keep up with your cooldowns, your performance may drop a bit. If you're a WoW veteran looking for a class that will keep your hotkeys burning, you're sure to find your match with the Outlaw Rogue.

Retaliation Paladin

Retribution Paladins don't have the best reputation in WoW. They're a bit like Shadow Priests, in that they defy the expectation that all Paladins are good for. Retribution Paladins are a DPS-oriented spec that leaves the Shadowlands expansion in a very good place, and it looks like this will continue through WoW Dragonflight. Most of the damage dealt by the Retribution Paladin comes from AoE bursts, and the core abilities in their rotation generate the Sacred Power needed to unleash true divine justice, with the power of the Light... and a huge hammer.

Like Death Knights, Paladins suffer from low mobility to compensate for how robust they are, but they have tons of useful stuff to make up for it. Aside from their life-saving Divine Shield and 3% passive damage reduction, they can also bestow a number of blessings on weaker members of their party, providing immunity and damage reduction. Retribution Paladins are also capable of healing in a pinch, which is great for surviving during solo play or saving your party from being wiped in a dungeon or raid.

C-level

Weapon warrior

Warriors are the vanilla flavor of damage dealers: they may seem simple at first glance, but a true connoisseur will see the complexity lurking beneath. Rather than mana or energy, a warrior's primary resource is his rage, which he generates during battle. This naturally leaves them at a disadvantage when it comes to attacking mobs, as their number one priority is always resource generation. While they havesomedefensive capabilities, Warriors lack the safety net provided by more versatile classes, with no self-healing effects in their kit. That said, Warriors are generally an accessible class and their simple rotations deal a relatively high amount of damage per second. You can expect to rip through enemies less than 35% health comfortably with Execute, aided by the bleed effects caused by Deep Wounds and Rend. As long as you don't spread yourself too thin, your Arms Warrior will live to fight another day.

Holy Priest

Holy Priest isofdefinitive healer in WoW, offering unrivaled single-target healing that is literally a lifesaver in both PvE and PvP. They also have a few robust AoE spells in their pack, such as Holy Word: Salvation and Divine Hymn, which can keep your party members going while you triage accordingly. Holy Priests can deal enough damage to hold their ground when in trouble, but most of their defensive abilities take the form of debuffs. Lucky, sheDoinghave an emergency button in the shape of Leap of Faith. This instant spell pulls a member of your party member in front of it - either to save them from damage, or to summon their aid against close-range attackers.

The best course of action while leveling up a Priest is to specify Shadow and then re-specify once you've reached max level. This gives you enough damage-dealing skill to do solo quests, as well as a nice change from the healing-focused rotations you'll be using as a holy priest.

Havoc Demon Slayer

Demon Hunters have seen notable class changes in WoW Dragonflight, especially considering this is their first time accessing an extensive talent tree. However, this extra choice comes at a cost, and often you have to choose between talents that cause DPS loss somewhere in the tree. Fortunately, the value of the Havoc Demon Hunter's Critical Hit Chance is staggering, especially when paired with talents like Know Your Enemy and Critical Chaos. While their class-specific Double Jump and Glide make them exceptionally mobile and fun to play alone, they lack cheap utilities, though a cast-heavy group will certainly feel the benefit of Chaos Brand's 5% magical damage buff.

Havoc Evoker

It's not too surprising that the newest class for Blizzard's MMO has yet to be found, as the vast majority of the classes in WoW Dragonflight are long established. The Evoker class is characterized by a series of areas of effect, with signature spells such as Eternity Surge and Deep Breath taking center stage. The power of flight makes them incredibly agile, allowing you to traverse the battlefield in record time to rescue your allies, either by healing or moving them. Devastation Evokers can also take a beating thanks to talents like Renewing Blaze and Obsidian Scales, which reduce and absorb damage in an instant. Evokers haven't quite found their groove yet, but their kit holds a lot of promise - which is why they're still listed as one of the best WoW classes to play in Dragonflight.

The Evoker class is completely unique to the Dracthyr race, so it's worth recognizing the draconic racial abilities that can power up your Evoker kit. Tail Swipe and Wind Buffet are particularly noteworthy, causing knockdown and disrupting enemy attacks. Dractyr also provides excellent utility to party members, passively healing allies and boosting health restoration.

That's all we have for the WoW Dragonflight level list. Our list of levels excludes sub-par class specialization, so we've neglected to expand it to D level and beyond - you can't really go wrong withelkof these choices. While we're sure Blizzard will continue to make class changes and tweak talent trees over time, we don't see these listing placements shifting too much in the future. If you dive into Dragonflight, make sure you rate yourselfWoW console commandsfor some handy shortcuts.