lindenkron
OG
Cataclysm/Patch 4.0 Viabilities
This is a subjective point of view, and needs to be taken with the criticism that comes with it. All the information below is from my own personal experience, playing the PTR with almost every class of twink.
Note: Arena is added in case we're lucky enough to get it back.
Opinion on classes as of 27th of September 2010.
Bad - Decent - Good - Incredible
Warrior: Avg: Bad+
Arms: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Lack of ToT, CC and Burst.
Fury: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Have potential CC at the expense of DMG. Burst is half decent, but not enough to carry anything.
Protection: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Lack of ToT. No CC, but quite an alright burst if loaded with rage and manage to get near target. Needs healer carrying though
Warlock: Avg: Decent+
Affliction: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc can do it all, but loses it viability due to priests no longer having a defensive dispel to dispel Unstable Affliction. Only + in the specc is +25% shadow dmg to the 2 instant dots.
Demonology: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc can do it all, but it's not really valid picking it over affliction or destruction. The Felguard have been greatly nerfed lately, losing abilities and such. Also this talent tree lost Soul Link a while ago.
Destruction: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc is currently the over-all best way out for a warlock. It gives extra fire dmg to immolate and conflagrate. Rain of fire as well. It supplies the warlock with burst, (300~ non crit conflagrate in decent gear) which is a strength.
Rogue: Avg: Incredible
Assassination: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
The constant damage is quite nice. With 120 energy you can get 2x Mutilate off, with poisons hitting +50% chance. After that, u can with an improved evis crit some quite high numbers and drop enemies. There's still a ToT issue though, due to loss of shadowstep.
Combat: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc deals a lot of constant damage. It is the most reliable specc if you wish to kill someone with constant damage. Such as PvE(possible FC?). There's still a ToT issue though, due to loss of shadowstep, so you'll need something with a slow to keep your close.
Subtlety: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This spec is explicit. A fully geared rogue will be able to take out basically anyone in less than a few seconds, with Ambushes critting (90% crit chance) 1-1.2k.
Hunter: Avg: Incredible
Beast Mastery: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Spec doesn't mean a hole lot to a hunter. They have what they need to rip it up against anything but a rogue really. Arcane shots will take out anyone in a matter of seconds, and beast master stun adds a really strong ability to doing so.
Marksmanship: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
As previous, hunters are generally very strong. But in duels, having a 3.5 second cast will rarely get used in these fast pasted matches. Tops, it's a good murder ability in Warsong.
Survival: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
For a 19 hunter, Explosive shot is not worth any of the talent points its taking up. You're better off in other trees, if it's damage you want.
Mage: Avg: Good
Arcane: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc is good for doing damage on the move. It's lacking a bit of CC abilities but the improved counter spell makes it an ideal specc for 'small crowds'.
Fire: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc was quite strange. I'd not take it over frost or arcane at any time and point, but I guess having fun with Pyroblast isn't too shabby.
Frost: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
An excellent specc for both arena CCing, damaging. Warsong CCing people in place, taking care of every melee class and bursting people down. For duelling it, it basically ensures victory against various classes, mostly melees.
Druid: Avg: Good+
Balance: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is definitely a warsong spec. It's ideal for bursting down EFCs and getting assited by CC classes. Unfortunately, a boomkin dies a bit fast, hence why said above.
Feral: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Feral is looking rather good. The damage is consistent, the CC(slow) is proccing rather well. Only issue is survival. How-ever, it has come to my attention that if nuked going into bear and being rage fed will provide you with the opportunity to 2-3 hit almost anyone. 600 Mangle Crits in bear form.
Restoration: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is an obvious solution for you, if you wish to do arena and have strong heals. The new regrowth is fast like a Flash of Light, and swiftmend provides a good 'holy shit' ability for when you get in trouble. Unfortunately, there's still mana issues compared to other classes. Hence the score.
Priest: Avg: Good
Disciplin: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is a sublime specc for being an offensive healer. Penance doesn't heal that much as a defensive spell, but rips almost anyone as an offensive spell; doing 150~ each tick.
Holy: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is a rather good specc if you're not against too many people. The ability gained in the holy tree supplies any possible team with a bit of extra CC
Shadow: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc does not currently supply enough damage to either out-damage, or survive + dmg anyone down in a duel. I've yet to do 2x with a shadowpriest, but some combos might work. Steady DPS.
Paladin: Avg: Good
Holy: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
With the newest introductions, holy paladins are the new thing. Instant Holy shock & Word of Glory basically keeps the paladin on constant move, without ever ooming him. If shit should hit the fan, there's a 10 seconds Hand of Protection, and Judgement of the wise + lifeblood provides less than 1 second fast heals. The 6 second stun also makes it a very viable partner for a strong DPS such as rogue.
Protection: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
As predicted, prot paladins since they lost daze on Avenger shield have issues with ToT. However, if not nuked by multiply people it can be hard to kill a prot paladin healing with Word of Glory. Strong in duels against physical enemies.
Retribution: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
The burst of this specc is nice with templars verdict, however ToT is such a major issue that unless against something like a warlock, paladins will have issues killing anything with a slow / cc effect. I don't see them making a come-back unless they get some more survival/anti CC abilities.
Shaman: Avg: Decent+
Elemental: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Elemental shamans do hell of a lot of damage with Lightning Bolt. If allowed to cast. If not, they're basically sitting meat at a higher extend than Balance druids.
Enhancement: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Damage when getting ToT isn't the best, but it's quite good. Interruptions and purge makes it a strong class but any class with a slow will make it hard for the shaman. Untested in a lot of scenarios so take this with a pinch of salt.
Restoration: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Resto Shamans have a huge chance of dying in a duel if they get kicked/silenced just once. However, if they don't, their heals are strong and sustainable. They do a fair amount of damage with flame totem and flame shock, and will wear down most non-interrupting classes.
Videos of PTR:
http://www.twinkinfo.com/forums/vid...-cataclysm-ptr-videos-all-one.html#post192596
That was all I had for this time. Hope anyone finds this useful, sure took some time to make!
Best regards,
This is a subjective point of view, and needs to be taken with the criticism that comes with it. All the information below is from my own personal experience, playing the PTR with almost every class of twink.
Note: Arena is added in case we're lucky enough to get it back.
Opinion on classes as of 27th of September 2010.
Bad - Decent - Good - Incredible
Warrior: Avg: Bad+
Arms: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Lack of ToT, CC and Burst.
Fury: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Have potential CC at the expense of DMG. Burst is half decent, but not enough to carry anything.
Protection: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Lack of ToT. No CC, but quite an alright burst if loaded with rage and manage to get near target. Needs healer carrying though
Warlock: Avg: Decent+
Affliction: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc can do it all, but loses it viability due to priests no longer having a defensive dispel to dispel Unstable Affliction. Only + in the specc is +25% shadow dmg to the 2 instant dots.
Demonology: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc can do it all, but it's not really valid picking it over affliction or destruction. The Felguard have been greatly nerfed lately, losing abilities and such. Also this talent tree lost Soul Link a while ago.
Destruction: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc is currently the over-all best way out for a warlock. It gives extra fire dmg to immolate and conflagrate. Rain of fire as well. It supplies the warlock with burst, (300~ non crit conflagrate in decent gear) which is a strength.
Rogue: Avg: Incredible
Assassination: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
The constant damage is quite nice. With 120 energy you can get 2x Mutilate off, with poisons hitting +50% chance. After that, u can with an improved evis crit some quite high numbers and drop enemies. There's still a ToT issue though, due to loss of shadowstep.
Combat: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc deals a lot of constant damage. It is the most reliable specc if you wish to kill someone with constant damage. Such as PvE(possible FC?). There's still a ToT issue though, due to loss of shadowstep, so you'll need something with a slow to keep your close.
Subtlety: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This spec is explicit. A fully geared rogue will be able to take out basically anyone in less than a few seconds, with Ambushes critting (90% crit chance) 1-1.2k.
Hunter: Avg: Incredible
Beast Mastery: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Spec doesn't mean a hole lot to a hunter. They have what they need to rip it up against anything but a rogue really. Arcane shots will take out anyone in a matter of seconds, and beast master stun adds a really strong ability to doing so.
Marksmanship: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
As previous, hunters are generally very strong. But in duels, having a 3.5 second cast will rarely get used in these fast pasted matches. Tops, it's a good murder ability in Warsong.
Survival: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
For a 19 hunter, Explosive shot is not worth any of the talent points its taking up. You're better off in other trees, if it's damage you want.
Mage: Avg: Good
Arcane: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc is good for doing damage on the move. It's lacking a bit of CC abilities but the improved counter spell makes it an ideal specc for 'small crowds'.
Fire: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc was quite strange. I'd not take it over frost or arcane at any time and point, but I guess having fun with Pyroblast isn't too shabby.
Frost: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
An excellent specc for both arena CCing, damaging. Warsong CCing people in place, taking care of every melee class and bursting people down. For duelling it, it basically ensures victory against various classes, mostly melees.
Druid: Avg: Good+
Balance: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is definitely a warsong spec. It's ideal for bursting down EFCs and getting assited by CC classes. Unfortunately, a boomkin dies a bit fast, hence why said above.
Feral: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Feral is looking rather good. The damage is consistent, the CC(slow) is proccing rather well. Only issue is survival. How-ever, it has come to my attention that if nuked going into bear and being rage fed will provide you with the opportunity to 2-3 hit almost anyone. 600 Mangle Crits in bear form.
Restoration: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is an obvious solution for you, if you wish to do arena and have strong heals. The new regrowth is fast like a Flash of Light, and swiftmend provides a good 'holy shit' ability for when you get in trouble. Unfortunately, there's still mana issues compared to other classes. Hence the score.
Priest: Avg: Good
Disciplin: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is a sublime specc for being an offensive healer. Penance doesn't heal that much as a defensive spell, but rips almost anyone as an offensive spell; doing 150~ each tick.
Holy: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This is a rather good specc if you're not against too many people. The ability gained in the holy tree supplies any possible team with a bit of extra CC
Shadow: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
This specc does not currently supply enough damage to either out-damage, or survive + dmg anyone down in a duel. I've yet to do 2x with a shadowpriest, but some combos might work. Steady DPS.
Paladin: Avg: Good
Holy: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
With the newest introductions, holy paladins are the new thing. Instant Holy shock & Word of Glory basically keeps the paladin on constant move, without ever ooming him. If shit should hit the fan, there's a 10 seconds Hand of Protection, and Judgement of the wise + lifeblood provides less than 1 second fast heals. The 6 second stun also makes it a very viable partner for a strong DPS such as rogue.
Protection: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
As predicted, prot paladins since they lost daze on Avenger shield have issues with ToT. However, if not nuked by multiply people it can be hard to kill a prot paladin healing with Word of Glory. Strong in duels against physical enemies.
Retribution: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
The burst of this specc is nice with templars verdict, however ToT is such a major issue that unless against something like a warlock, paladins will have issues killing anything with a slow / cc effect. I don't see them making a come-back unless they get some more survival/anti CC abilities.
Shaman: Avg: Decent+
Elemental: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Elemental shamans do hell of a lot of damage with Lightning Bolt. If allowed to cast. If not, they're basically sitting meat at a higher extend than Balance druids.
Enhancement: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Damage when getting ToT isn't the best, but it's quite good. Interruptions and purge makes it a strong class but any class with a slow will make it hard for the shaman. Untested in a lot of scenarios so take this with a pinch of salt.
Restoration: WSG - DUEL - ARENA
Resto Shamans have a huge chance of dying in a duel if they get kicked/silenced just once. However, if they don't, their heals are strong and sustainable. They do a fair amount of damage with flame totem and flame shock, and will wear down most non-interrupting classes.
Videos of PTR:
http://www.twinkinfo.com/forums/vid...-cataclysm-ptr-videos-all-one.html#post192596
That was all I had for this time. Hope anyone finds this useful, sure took some time to make!
Best regards,