by Hald Twinpack

October 5, 2024

SoD Phase 5 tier list: Rankings for all classes

18 min read 20 comments 14 likes

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The final phase of the Season of Discovery is finally here. So, it’s time for us to take a deeper look at the changes, and let’s try to come up with a WoW Classic SoD Phase 5 tier list!

Phase 5 brings many new changes, runes, tier sets, and other content. We at WowVendor decided to update our SoD Phase 5 tier list based on all the available information. We hope this list will help you to figure out the situation with classes in the upcoming Phase 5.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that this WoW SoD Phase 5 tier list is purely speculative. It is based on the early performance of classes in the new Blackwing Lair raid. Therefore, the positions will change as we go further into the Phase. Also, do not worry if your favorite class is not at the top. This is just one of the many different opinions on the matter. What is most important is to have fun and enjoy the selected class.

SoD Phase 5 tier list criteria

For our WoW Season of Discovery Phase 5 tier list, we have split all classes into tiers from S to B:

• S-Tier. The select few which can be considered the best of the best. Better than anything in the A-Tier, you can never go wrong with picking a class from this tier.
• A-Tier. Good all-round classes. Strong, dependable, and useful. Their only drawback is that they are not as good as S-Tier classes.
• B-Tier. Decent classes need some love from developers to shine, as they have some problems or drawbacks. Good choice for those who know how to play them. Require extra effort to compete with A-Tier. 

SoD Phase 5 tier list

S-Tier Classes

Warrior

Always known for their incredible scaling, Warriors continue to rise to heights. While being on the weaker side in early Phases, with all the new gear, runes, and talents, such as Flurry and Impale, available, the time for Warriors to be on the top of Season of Discovery Phase 5 tier list is finally here. Thanks to runes such as Endless Rage, Single-Minded Fury, Blood Surge, etc. Warriors have so needed Rage to consistently dish out damage in single-target and AoE scenarios. The class feels great as DPS or Tank and will feel better with the new gear you get. This is probably the only downside this class has. You need gear to be powerful.

Currently, DPS Warrior is the top DPS SoD Phase 5 Blackwing Lair, but performing at that level requires a lot of skill and class knowledge. Tier 2 set bonuses provide even more damage on core Warrior abilities, mainly Overpower, Heroic Strike, Slam, Mortal Strike, Bloodthirst, and Shield Slam, making you hit harder and more often.

Warrior Tank works as a main tank, as their pure stats provide high survivability and single-target damage. The Tier 2 set further empowers Warrior in that role with all its buffs to Parry. With all bonuses, each Parry, both yours or enemies, grants you extra Rage. Revenge increases the attack speed of your next 3 autos, and each Parry Retaliates for 200% of weapon damage every 30 seconds.

DPS Rogue

Another strong melee option following Warriors. They scale well, provide very high single-target damage, and overall feel good to have against raid bosses. The runes such as Mutilate, Saber Slash, Cutthroat, Slaughter from the Shadows, etc., increased potential even more. And do not forget all the utility Rogues have, such as Kick, Gouge, Occult Poison, Sebacious Poison, Vanish, etc. 

In Phase 5 you can choose different builds that fit your playstyle. Some of them, like Mutilate Carnage, are more complex and provide higher potential DPS. While others, like Mutilate Cut the Chase, are easier to maintain steadily. No matter what you choose, however, the DPS Rogue provides very high single-target damage.

The Tier 2 set does not provide any groundbreaking effects. Instead, it gives simple buffs to improve your Energy management, damage, and threat control.  

Healer and Tank Paladin 

Both roles are perfect for Paladin. As a Tank, due to all the runes and possibilities, they are currently top tank SoD Phase 5. Paladins were always known for having a variety of tools for every situation. SoD highlighted that. We are talking about various Seals and Judgements like the Seal of Wisdom, runes like Hand of Reckoning, Guarded by Light, Aegis, Improved Sanctuary, etc.  With AoE and single-target threat generation, damage reduction, self-sustaining, etc. this class can do wonders. The Tier 2 set bonuses increase your capabilities for the main tanking. This includes increased Block chance and extra Reckoning procs on successful blocks. 

Another great option is playing Holy Paladin. Due to a combination of talents and runes, such as Sacred Shield, Beacon of Light, and Hallowed Ground, as well as unique auras like Concentration and Devotion Aura, Holy Paladin proves to be one of the strongest choices when it comes to single-target healing. With access to almost infinite amounts of Mana Paladins shine in long encounters, making them the perfect choice for raids. New healer Ring runes in Phase 5 help Paladins at their job as they increase Mana regeneration and the power of healing spells. The Tier 2 set is trying to force the damage and healing hybrid playstyle, increasing Consecration damage and turning some of your damage into healing for your Beacon of Light. However, the hybrid build is not very popular for Holy Paladin, so applying your Tier 1 bonuses with their pure healing and utility buffs to the new gear set is a better call. 

Discipline Priest

The top healer SoD Phase 5, the Discipline Priest has it all. Utility, strong single-target, and AoE heal, damage mitigation. The latter especially makes them desirable in your group. Preventing the damage is better than raw healing. To play them at the maximum you are required to know the timeline of the fight. But even playing this spec reactivity is fine. Discipline Priest has powerful tools for every situation. These tools include Circle of Healing, Prayer of Mending, Renew, Power Word: Shield, Pain Suppression, Power Infusion, and many others.  

The Tier 2 set gives some extra healing over time effects to some of your abilities and improves your Mana regeneration. Considering new Ring runes, your choice of Tier set bonus is up to you. It’s either gamble with crit chances on Tier 1 or trade that for sustained heals with Tier 2. 

Restoration Shaman

Quite the opposite of Holy Paladin, as this class spec excels in powerful AoE healing. With their unique utility, they also provide many buffs to the group. These include Spirit of the Alpha, Shamanistic Rage, Earth Shield, Tremor Totem, Mana Tide Totem, Windfury Totem, etc. The runes like Mana Tide Totem and Water Shield alleviate Mana’s problems Shaman has in Classic. This makes them a perfect pair for a healer like a Discipline priest, who can back them up. 

Just as the holy Paladin set, the Tier 2 set for Shaman provides interaction of class healing with its damage capabilities. However, in the case of the Shaman, it is not as complicated, as it only involves using Chain Lightning. With the bonus, Chain Lightning will also heal the target of your most recent Earth Shield for 100% damage done. You can still use that set even if you don’t plan to utilize that spell, as other bonuses of that set improve your healing and Mana management.  

Mage

The classic denizen of the highest tier of Season of Discovery class tier list. Their damage is high, they have great control and useful party utility, such as portals, conjuring food and water, Polymorph, etc. All these features make Mages always a welcome addition to any group. The Tier 2 set significantly increases your damage of Pyroblast and Fireball spells, while reducing the threat generated by all Fire damage. This makes Fire Mage a powerful option and the currently second-best in terms of damage. 

The healing spec is also great. Since most of its healing comes from damage, Mage is one of the best off-healers. In the right hands, they sustain the group, while dishing out relatively high damage. The only problem is that they should be paired with a powerful reactive main healer, like Discipline Priest. The Tier 2 sets grant better Mana sustain, thanks to its bonuses and increased Temporal Beacon uptime. Together with new Ring runes for Healers, the Mage’s healing is now easier to handle. 

Feral DPS Druid

Their main power is high single-target damage and some Druid utility they bring. This alone can secure you a spot in the group, especially for the Raids. As of Phase 5, the two most valuable specs Druid can go is either this one or Restoration. Both have contenders for their spot in the group, but Feral is a good pick. Its “opponent” in WoW SoD DPS rankings is DPS Rogue, as both classes currently show nearly the same levels of maximum damage. The new party buff in the form of Wild Strikes makes Feral Cat a desirable party member. This is especially true for Alliance groups, as they lack access to Windfury Totem. 

The Tier 2 set for Feral Cat provides a steady increase in damage without any procs or chances. If you have Bleeds on the target, you will deal increased damage with your Mangle, Shred, and Ferocious Bite. The set also upgrades your Tiger’s Fury to increase your crit chance by 15%.

A-Tier classes

Hunter

Hunters have it good going into Phase 5. With their runes such as Cobra Slayer, Chimera Shot, T.N.T, and Flanking Strike. etc. and different forms of damage, you can adapt to any situation. Nothing really to say about them as all Hunters are viable and do great numbers-wise. So you can’t go wrong playing one. 

The Tier 2 set for ranged Hunter provides a gimmick of alternating shots for extra damage, as well as using traps to apply damage-boosting debuff to the enemy. This allows ranged Hunter to have a better burst in both single-target and AoE scenarios. The 6-piece bonus increases the power of Serpent Sting, in turn increasing sustained damage. The set increases damage significantly as long as you use your abilities properly. 

As for melee Hunters, their Tier 2 set provides a similar gimmick. Now Raptor Strike empowers any other melee ability used right after. While your DoT effects have a chance to reset a Strike with the longest cooldown. This creates a dynamic proc-based gameplay loop that requires you to keep attention to your button so you can reach high damage numbers. 

Shadow Priest

Shadow Priest has a stable performance with some highs and lows depending on the encounter. As statistics show, Shadow Priest works better in Blackwing Lair, than in Zul’Gurub.

They bring powerful utility, such as Vampiric Touch, Homunculi, Eye of the Void, etc., together with high sustained damage. Spec shines in prolonged encounters, especially if there are several targets for multidot. It is also easy to play one due to the Pain and Suffering rune. With it, your main spam ability, Mind Spike, constantly refreshes your DoTs. This allows Shadow Priest to easily deal consistent damage through the fight.

The Tier 2 sets provide a chance to get Spirit Tap during the boss encounters. And 6-piece upgrades Spirit Tap effects, giving you a 25% Shadow damage increase for effect duration. This buff feels great, but proc nature limits its usefulness. 

The problem with Shadow Priest comes with other classes becoming better with time. As different classes get their gear and get more accustomed to the fight, their damage will outpace Shadow Priest. 

Restoration Druid

Similar to Healer mage, this spec’s strength lies in sustained healing. They are achieved due to many HoT or Heal-over-Time effects, such as Wild Growth. Another important aspect is that Resto Druid has a high damage profile compared to other healers.  Using 6-piece Tier 2 set bonuses allows the creation of a powerful DPS and Healer hybrid. With it, Druid can use empowered Wild Growth in Moonkin Form. This is where weakness also lies. Without that set bonus, Druids can only use the damage-prohibiting Tree of LIfe to stay on par with other healers. That creates a choice to sacrifice either stronger healing or having access to all the damage tools. The Fury of Stormrage allows using free Wrath in Tree of Life form, but it is not quite the same as having all the other spells. 

Holy Priest

There is nothing really to say about the Holy Priest. It’s your classic healer with strong raw healing output in both single-target and AoE scenarios. Due to its reactive nature, it is one of the easiest healers to play.

The biggest downside is the existence of the Discipline Priest. It’s just better in every aspect except difficulty. There is no reason to pick Holy unless you’re just starting to play healer. 

DPS Shaman

Both Enhancement and Elemental Shamans are great choices for DPS,  especially since they bring such utility as Spirit of the Alpha, Shamanistic Rage, Windfury Totem, etc. Shamans bring a lot to the table, and having one in your Raid group is a must. Elemental provides strong bursts due to personal buffs and runes, such as Overload, Lava Burst, Power Surge, etc. while Enhancement scales well from different stats. Shaman overall is a great pick, so you can never go wrong choosing one.

The Elemental Tier 2 set empowers your Clearcasting and Elemental Focus. With the set, your crits will 100% grant you the buff. The buff itself won’t just make the next cast free, but also more powerful. This alleviates some mana problems, as well as gives some extra, although a random, burst.

The Enhancement Tier 2 provides more damage. The 2-piece bonus increases chances to trigger Static Shock, while 4 pieces grant a flat 50% damage increase on Stormstrike. The 6-piece bonus allows your Lightning Bolt to crit, while also granting your Lightning Shield charge each to you using Lightning Bolt or Chain Lightning.

Warlock 

A good choice of a caster as it works surprisingly well. Warlocks bring nice utility such as Healthstones, Soulstones, Demonic Pact, and various Curses together with high AoE damage. The downside is that numbers are not as high as those of melee classes, but that is your ranged tax. One of the best options for off-tanks for Horde, since they lack access to Paladin.

The DPS Tier 2 set tries to improve the primary aspects of Warlock’s damage, such as DoTs and Felguard pet. The full set, however, increases the damage of your Shadow Bolt depending on the amount of your DoTs on target. This effect benefits a DoT-centered Affliction build in the long run.

The tank Warlock Tier 2 set focuses primarily on your survivability and resource management. The full set effect provides extra healing, shielding, and damage, which scale extremely well when tanking big groups of enemies. 

Balance Druid

Boomkins, being Druids, have early scaling that does them quite a favor right now. Especially due to the ramping-up nature of Balance damage. Currently, encounters take time, so Boomkins have enough room to get their numbers rolling. But as more players become stronger and more accustomed to the fight, the less time Balance Druids will have to reach those high numbers.  

They also have other advantages such as being able to dish out damage even with 0 Mana thanks to Fury of Stormrage. There is also access to Druid utility, such as Improved Barkskin, Mark of the Wild, Rebirth, etc. But if you want to play Balance Druid, be prepared that you will fall off with time. 

As for the Tier 2 set bonuses, they pretty much complement the ramping-up damage profile of the spec. The 2-piece bonus increases the radius of Hurricane and Starfall. 4 and 6-piece bonuses are conditional effects for the Wrath spell. With them, Wrath has a 10% chance to spawn 3 Treants to help you in a fight and a 50% chance to grant stackable (up to 3 times) a 10% damage increase to the next Starfire.  

B-Tier classes

Retribution Paladin

The main problem of Retri Paladin is how good it is in other roles. Retribution still has decent damage. But it is not as high as that of the other melees. You must push yourself to the limits and utilize techniques such as Seal Twisting to perform well. This requires a lot from a player, but why bother if other classes can reach the same heights easier. 

What speaks in its favor is the tons of Paladin group utility, such as Blessings, Seals, auras, etc. But this utility loses its value if there is more than one Paladin in the group. And more often than not there will be other Paladins playing tanks and healers in your group.

The Tier 2 set brings the quality of life change. With at least 2 items from the set, your Judgements no longer remove your Seals. Getting other parts of the allows you to use Judgements more often and increases your Holy damage. This set makes the class more dynamic and fun to play.

In no way Retribution is a bad choice of a spec to play. But you can expect to have a hard time finding groups in the current meta in SoD Phase 5.

Tank Shaman

Thanks to runes such as Shield Mastery, Way of Earth, and Spirit of the Alpha, Shamans can tank now and they do that surprisingly well. Due to Mana’s sustain, they can effectively hold big packs of enemies with no effort. The utility Shaman brings is also on point and always welcome in the group. They can be a good off-tank.

The problem is that other specs for Shaman are just better. If we also look from the raid perspective, Tank Shamans kinda fall off in long encounters. Still, every Horde group is missing out if they are not bringing at least one Shaman. So if healers and DPS spots are all taken, then it’s time for tank Shaman to shine.

The Tier 2 set focused on improving Shaman on the main tank position. All the hefty bonuses it provides are centered around the Block chance. Thus with full bonuses, your Flame Shock increases your Block chance. Every successful Block increases your Spell Damage by 10% up to 3 times, while also having 50% to trigger Maelstrom Weapon. With it, a Shaman can be an alternative to a Warrior on your group’s main tank slot. But we all know how good the Warriors scale from stats alone. 

Feral Tank Druid

They completely lose to Warriors when it comes to tanking, but some may use them due to their hybrid nature. Being able to go between cat and bear form depending on circumstances and encounter has its own merits. They are also a good choice early on due to nice early scaling, but ultimately Warriors overshadow Bears in the long run. Still, can be a valuable pick if there are no Druids in the group and you need utility, such as Rebirth, Wild Strikes, or Mark of the Wild from that class. 

The Tier 2 set focused on increasing specs AoE capability. With the full set, Lacerate will increase the damage of your other attacks, while Swipe will spread Lacerate to all the enemies hit. This significantly increases Feral Bear damage output, making them a decent off-tank choice. 

Rogue Tank

A very weird option, but not without its own merits. The whole power of Tank Rogue lies in the very powerful cooldowns and higher single-target damage profile than most tanks. They are perfect in specific scenarios where they need to tank a target for some time, but fall off tremendously in prolonged fights. And even though their defensive abilities are very strong, they have long cooldowns, so you can’t have a stable uptime of defensive buffs through the fight. You can make them work if you want that, but is there actually a point in doing that? All other tanks do this job much better.

The Tier 2 set bonuses try to alleviate survivability problems by allowing Tank Rogue to quickly get Rolling with the Punches stacks without the need to dodge attacks. Further effects make these stacks increase your Armor from the gear up to 100%. The 6 piece effect however is controversial as it empowers the Main Gauche ability. It is not a very popular choice, many prefer Saber Slash. But with full bonuses, you can get free cooldown resets of this attack on enemy dodges or parries. This in turn increases your survivability as a main tank.

Overall, Rogue Tank is a viable option but requires a lot of work to make it good. 

Conclusion

And this is it for our WoW SoD tier list Phase 5. We remind you that this is just one of many Season of Discovery WoW tier lists. This can easily change due to many factors, such as some balance changes, encounter design, etc. Still, we hope it helped you learn what situation classes are in Season of Discovery. Don’t forget, whatever class you pick, it’s more important to have fun playing one than just blindly follow the meta. We wish you luck in your Phase 5 adventures!

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