ULTIMATE Classic To TBC Class Guide | How Does Your Class Change? | World of Warcraft

Summary

This video provides an in-depth analysis of class performance in *The Burning Crusade* expansion of *World of Warcraft*. It covers the strengths and weaknesses of Shamans, Warriors, and Paladins, emphasizing their roles in raids, dungeons, and PvP. Shamans are versatile with strong healing but weak DPS, while Warriors evolve into solid tanks and DPS with a focus on AoE threat. Paladins shine as tank and healer hybrids, with unique mechanics like seal twisting for burst damage. Overall, the video highlights class changes from Vanilla to TBC, offering insight for players preparing for the expansion.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shamans in TBC provide utility and healing, but Elemental DPS declines throughout the expansion.
• 😀 Enhancement Shamans are better overall for DPS but are not top-tier in damage meters.
• 😀 Shamans excel in 5v5 Arena with Bloodlust, though they struggle in PvP due to low survivability and reliance on RNG.
• 😀 Warriors, once thought average, perform well in TBC, especially when properly geared, and are useful in speedruns and raids.
• 😀 The demand for Warriors may decrease as other classes (like Hunter or Warlock) are easier to stack in raid compositions.
• 😀 Protection Warriors are a solid main tanking option but face competition from Feral Druids in TBC.
• 😀 Arms Warriors remain strong in PvP, offering a powerful Mortal Strike debuff, although they can be kited more easily than in later expansions.
• 😀 Paladins, now available to both factions, are highly desirable in raids, with each spec covering different roles (Holy, Protection, Retribution).
• 😀 Protection Paladins are the undisputed kings of AoE tanking in TBC, and their presence is essential for trash pulls and AoE encounters.
• 😀 Retribution Paladins can achieve significant burst damage with seal twisting, but they require coordination with Shamans for optimal performance in PvP.
• 😀 Holy Paladins offer single-target healing but struggle with versatility compared to other healers, often being an easy target for high-pressure classes in PvP.

Q & A

What is the role of Shamans in *The Burning Crusade* raid composition?

Shamans play a significant utility role in *The Burning Crusade* raids. Restoration Shamans are valuable for healing with totems and Mana Tide, which benefits Arcane Mages and other healers. Elemental Shamans provide useful spellcasting support for caster groups, while Enhancement Shamans, though not top-tier DPS, offer solid performance and utility. Shamans also have totem twisting as part of their DPS rotation, requiring frequent totem swaps for optimal performance.

How does the DPS of Elemental Shamans change throughout the expansion?

Elemental Shamans start strong in terms of DPS but gradually fall off in *The Burning Crusade*. While they are always useful for caster groups due to their utility, their DPS becomes less competitive as the expansion progresses.

What is totem twisting, and why is it important for Enhancement Shamans?

Totem twisting involves swapping totems frequently to apply different buffs during combat. For Enhancement Shamans, this means alternating between Wind Fury to apply its buff and Grace of the Totem to gain additional agility. This rotation is critical for maximizing DPS, but it can be a tedious task for players, requiring constant totem management.

Why are Shamans considered less effective in PvP?

Shamans have low survivability in PvP due to their reliance on RNG-based mechanics, like Wind Fury and Overload, making their damage output unpredictable. They also lack an instant-cast ability for self-preservation, relying mostly on Earth Shield for protection. These factors make them vulnerable to being shut down in high-pressure situations.

What makes Warriors a strong class in *The Burning Crusade*?

Warriors were initially thought to be average in *The Burning Crusade*, but they quickly became stronger as players optimized their gear and strategies. In later tiers, especially in speedruns, Warriors became a solid choice for raid compositions due to their raw strength and ability to perform well in both tanking and DPS roles. Arms Warriors also remain a strong PvP choice due to Mortal Strike's healing debuff.

What role do Protection Warriors play in *The Burning Crusade*?

Protection Warriors are still valuable for tanking, particularly for AoE encounters. While they are not as strong as they were in Vanilla, they remain competitive with Feral Druids for tanking duties. They are especially crucial for raids that require strong AoE threat management.

What is the significance of Mortal Strike for Arms Warriors in PvP?

Mortal Strike, the signature ability of Arms Warriors, applies a 50% healing reduction debuff on enemies, making it incredibly effective in PvP. This debuff helps Warriors wear down opponents quickly, especially in skirmishes where healing can be crucial. However, Arms Warriors can be easily kited, limiting their effectiveness against highly mobile opponents.

How does Paladin class performance differ in *The Burning Crusade* compared to Vanilla?

Paladins are much more desirable in *The Burning Crusade* than in Vanilla. The introduction of Blood Elves for the Horde gives Paladins greater versatility. Paladins are now more integral to raid compositions, with one Paladin often filling each of the core roles: Retribution for DPS, Protection for AoE tanking, and Holy for single-target healing.

What is Seal Twisting, and how does it benefit Retribution Paladins in *The Burning Crusade*?

Seal Twisting is a mechanic where Retribution Paladins alternate between different seals during combat to maximize their damage output. This tactic allows them to apply multiple debuffs and proc additional effects, such as Wind Fury, leading to massive burst damage. The ability to Seal Twist adds a unique and engaging playstyle for Paladins in TBC.

What challenges do Holy Paladins face in PvP?

Holy Paladins face challenges in PvP due to their limited defensive abilities and reliance on casting for healing. Their primary healing tool, Holy Light, is slower than some other healers' abilities, and without a strong instant-cast emergency ability, they are vulnerable to high-pressure classes like Mages and Rogues, who can easily interrupt their casts.