The World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic closed beta is live now, what is going to be the top class and spec in the expansion? We’ll look into a WoW Cata Classic DPS tier list and the reasons that determine the best DPS classes and specs in Cataclysm 2024. 

WoW Cataclysm Classic DPS Tier List & Rankings: Best DPS Classes & Specs 2024

This Cataclysm DPS tier list/ranking is purposed to recommend the top DPS classes and specs that will be performing well for PVE throughout the whole Cataclysm Classic, you can pick up the strongest spec of each class. 

• S Tier: Unholy Death Knight, Survival Hunter, Fire Mage, Demonology Warlock, Arms Warrior

- In terms of the damage output, Unholy is probably the best Death Knight spec. Not only does the utility advantage Frost ha, but it also gets the benefit of an anti-magic zone. The only issue with Unholy is that it is harder to master than Frost, as relying more on cooldown management and has a more complex rotation.

- Survival Hunter is firmly an S-tier DPS spec in WoW Cataclysm Classic and likely to be the most played Hunters for PvE, it provides high damage in both single target and AOE, and is not punishing in terms of high movement fights, Survival is consistent and versatile, which is very helpful in your group.   

- With unmatched scaling, ridiculous single target and AOE damage, incredible mobile ability during high movement fights, and great survivability, Fire Mage is an absolute S-tier DPS. It is also one of the easiest specs to find groups and guilds. 

- Demonology is highly recommended if you want to play Warlock, it offers unmatched AOE and great single target, and it is also easier to play than Affliction.

- Arms Warrior is undoubtedly one of the strongest DPS choices that is outstanding at single target, burst AOE, and utility, they provide good buffs and debuffs, and they're also very mobile with Heroic Leap, Intervene, and Charge.

• A Tier: Frost Death Knight, Balance Druid, Retribution Paladin, Shadow Priest, Elemental Shaman, Affliction Warlock, Assassination Rogue

- Frost Death Knight is a solid A-tier DPS spec in World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic, it starts extremely powerful with the gear and will be a beast throughout the expansion, you’ll have good utility, incredible burst DPS, and AOE damage, in addition, it is pretty easy to play, it will be a safe pick when you entering the Cataclysm. 

- Balance Druid offers good cleave damage and burst damage, there are lots of other reasons make them rank in the A tier, such as the Jack of All Trades, Mark of the Wild, and Solar Beam, giving you more utility, increased versatility, and powerful AOE interrupt. 

- Retribution, the only Paladin DPS spec, is going to be toward A tier, it provides impressive utility, great single target but average AOE, and even though it is a bit slow in the early raids, it will become a great DPS option.

- Shadow Priest excels in pretty much everything, it starts a little slow but grows up quickly, it can be put in the A tier because of a strong single target, cleave, mass AOE capabilities, great buffs as well as a ton of utility. 

- Unlike Shadow, Elemental Shaman is stronger at the earlier stage but gets weaker in later phases, but it is one of the best burst damage options, their damage will be influential, it still shines in utility and you’ll have a strong CC. 

- Affliction Warlock is going to be quite strong in WoW Cata Classic and is one of the top DPS specs, with consistent damage output and great utility. 

- Assassination is the best option as a Rogue, due to its top-notch AOE, great buffs, and decent single-target damage. The only issue that Assassination has is the infrequent two-target boss fights where Combat is stronger due to not being as reliant on Fan of Knives.

• B Tier: Enhancement Shaman, Feral Druid

- Enhancement Shaman is not the strongest at a specific stage, nothing unique buffs, but comes with consistent DPS, decent single target and AOE, excellent interrupts, good utility, and also fun to play. 

- Nothing great on Feral Druid makes it stay at the B tier, this spec has solid cleave damage but lacks of great burst damage, and the single target is mediocre. 

• C Tier: Combat Rogue, Beast Master Hunter, Arcane Mage, Destruction Warlock

- Combat Rogue is middle of the pack compared to other Rogue specs including Assassination and Subtlety, it is quite strong at the beginning but ends a bit poorly as the phases go, Combat is more realistically a D-tier DPS spec, but it is pretty easy to play and get some strengths on a few bosses. Overall, it would fall behind Assassination. 

- BM Hunters does have plain single target damage, the only good utility they have is Ferocious Inspiration, and most of the BM pet buffs can be pretty easily obtained with one of the more popular classes. 

- With Arcane Mages, they have Arcane Tactics and Focus Magic, you might be a meta at the early stage but that will not last long.

- Destruction Warlock is among the top in terms of the single target but has probably the weakest AOE out of all Warlocks in Cataclysm Classic. 

• D Tier: Subtlety Rogue

- Their AOE and multi-target damage are poor, and there is no extra utility to the raid as well. Besides, Subtlety is harder than the other two specs to pull off correctly.

• F Tier: Marksman Hunter, Frost Mage, Fury Warrior 

- Marksman is going to be the bottom position on this Cata DPS tier list, with almost no utility,  they do have Trueshot Aura, but this can easily be replaced by Blood DKs, Paladins, and Shamans.

- Frost Mage does have fantastic burst damage but pretty much nothing else of value, it is not recommended to play in PVE. 

- There are some issues with Fury Warrior, they are not good enough in various damage compared to other Warriors. They do scale well in Cataclysm Classic, but with no redeemable utility spells to make it worth bringing to a raid.