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World of Warcraft Classes: How to Choose the Right One for You

World of Warcraft is a global phenomenon, entertaining players with its endless customisation and gripping, highly social gameplan. One of the first steps is choosing your class of character. This will determine how you experience the whole game, so it’s important to choose wisely. Read our straightforward guide to know how to choose the right World of Warcraft class for you.

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What are the World of Warcraft classes and why are they important?

World of Warcraft classes define your character’s role in game. Each character has a distinct set of abilities, strengths, and weakness, so it’s important to understand each one before you chose a class. This is because the character’s class impacts how they perform within the game. From excelling in combat, to the allies you make along the way, your class will dictate how you experience the game.

There are three main types of combat roles within the classes:

  • Tank: Due to their strong defensive abilities, tanks are responsible for withstanding enemy attacks and shielding their allies.
  • Healer: Focus on healing the allies and keeping them alive during battles.
  • Damage: Tasked with inflicting damage on enemies to help win in combat.

Each class will either specialise in one combat role or have a combination of the three. It’s important to understand which class takes on which role as it will dictate the weapons and skills you have in your arsenal when it comes to battle.

The 13 types of World of Warcraft classes:

  1. Warrior: Fit for battle, warriors protect themselves with heavy armour, shields, and two-handed weapons to warn of any enemy. As a tank, a warrior’s rage is a powerful tool, but it must be wielded carefully to master the art of combat.
  2. Paladin: Best of both worlds, Paladins can withstand heavy attacks as well as heal any allies to ensure they are fit to fight. From swords to axes, they can wild a range of weapons to strike at any enemy.
  3. Hunter: Equipped for both distant and close combat, hunters can draw on several weapons to defeat their enemies and near and far ranges. They can also tame wild beasts and keep them as pets, which helps to enhance solo play as pets can allow you to level up the game quicker.
  4. Rogue: Leveraging surprise attacks, rogues utilise their stealth as well as poisonous weapons to carry out carefully planned sneak attacks against their enemies. They also carry out successive attacks that allow them to build combo points to win in combat.
  5. Priest: Despite being physically weaker than other classes, priests utilise their powerful magic to fend of attacks, shield themselves and heal their allies. They also have mind control powers that can be used to manipulate other characters in the game.
  6. Mage: Armed with powerful offensive spells, Mages can use their magic to teleport, control enemy fighters and defend themselves. However, they have less weapons than other classes so are weaker in close combat.
  7. Warlock: Have the power to command demons and utilise their dark powers. The excel at long game, causing damage over time and draining the life from their enemies.
  8. Druid: Versatile shapeshifters who canfulfil every combat role – perfect for players who want to experience everything the game has to offer. They must shapeshift to utilise these roles, for example, by turning into a bear when on the front-line during battle.
  9. Shaman: Deploy special totems with unique powers to fight their enemies. As well as drawing on spiritual power, Shamans utilise a range of weapons to see success in both close and long-range battles.
  10. Monk: True zen masters who draw on their inner chi and energy to both heal their allies and ward of enemies. Their powers make them versatile, specialising in all three combat roles, to defeat their opponents.
  11. Death Knight: Forge runes into their weapons to enhance their power which makes them experts at one-on-one combat.
  12. Demon Hunter: A more recent introduction to the game, Demon Hunters are a versatile class that can tank or damage and metamorphosise into hellish creatures to win in combat.
  13. Evoker: Have empowered magic abilitiesthat allows them to charge up their attacks an unleash their full force on their enemies. They also draw on the power of dragons to scorch their foes and soar over battlefields.

How to choose the right class for you

  • Preferred combat role
    You need to decide what type of role you would like during combat. For example, if you would like a more active role then a character from a damage class could be right for you, but if you would like a healing role then chose the healer class. If you can’t decide or would like a range of roles then chose a versatile character such as a Druid or Demon Hunter where you can draw on multiple roles during battle.
  • Solo vs. team play
    Some roles are better suited to solo play such as a Hunter or Warlock – perfect for someone who would like to progress in their own time. However, if you prefer playing with friends then a role that shines in a group setting such as a Priest or Paladins could be right for you.
  • Specialist skills and abilities
    Each role has their own unique set of skills and abilities that you should compare to see what you find more thrilling. Whether you want to draw on magic, or excel in close combat, you can find the right role to suit your style of play.
  • Complexity
    Some classes such as Warriors, Hunters and Paladins are deemed good for beginners as they are less complex. Once you become more comfortable with the game you can then level up to more complex classes such as Rogue or Monk.
  • Lore and aesthetics
    The detailed aesthetics of World of Warcraft has contributed to its wide popularity. If you are a player who enjoys the expansive lore and theming of a game, then a class which allows you to truly immerse yourself in the world such as a Rogue or Druid could enhance your gameplay.
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Now you know how to choose a class, it’s time to get started. Learn your role and enjoy the expansive gameplay that has made World of Warcraft beloved by millions across the globe. When playing online, it's important to use a payment method as safe and secure as cash like PaysafeCard to make in-game purchases. Available in many countries, PaysafeCard is a great way to make online purchases without sharing personal details, no matter where you are playing.

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