The Archetypes of WoW

Throughout the world of Azeroth you will not only experience many races but their classes. From the valiant warriors to devious rogues or mystic druids there are many forms to try and experience. Below I will provide some details on each class, an introduction to armor, weapons, playable by, and information (description and talents).

Druid
Race: Night Elvesand Taurens
Armor: Leather
Weapons:
Melee: Daggers, Maces (1h; 2h), Fist Weapons and Staves
Ranged: None
Description: Much can be said about the class of druids, almost a jack of all trades. Shape-shifters, healers, DPS, tanks, great buffers, and ranged casters, the Druid can almost do it all. Keepers of nature, they cherish the land and its powers. This belief of nature preservation is where the druids draw their strength from, whether its buffs to allies or deal some damage. They can almost seemingly fill any spot needed. Multiple shape-shifting forms are available to druids: Cat form (DPS), Bear form (Tank), Aquatic form (water travel), and Travel form (increased land speed). Druids are also able to deal out some great buffs and some very nice healing abilities; not quite the priest but they work great in pinches. Through various talents point placements druids can be drastically increase any one their multiple skills. Since they are almost self contained archetypes players can do a lot in WoW on their own and no need for group play.
Talents:
Balanced: Ranged capabilities, stronger attack damage, crit improvement and mana effectiveness can be heightened when druids add talent points in Balanced area.
Feral Combat: As the name implies, Feral Combat will allow you to boost the aspects of your cat and bear forms. Melee damage and DPS can be increased to allow the druid to resemble rogues and warriors.
Restoration: For druids that like to heal, Restoration will help advance heal skills, improve efficiency, and develop further various buffs.
Breakdown: They wear many hats and they love to do it, druids can be seen in all shapes and roles. Dps? They can do it. Tank? They can do that also. How about healing? They have the ability to replenish health. Buffs, damage, casting, and heals the druids have it all. Druids are a complex lot to learn but as you progress you will learn how to be ready for any situation. Forms become your benefit solo but in groups casting spells will generally by your mode. Though there are exceptions, sometimes you will be asked to use that different hat and knowing the ins and outs will make a huge difference. In your shape shifted forms mana is no worry but when in humanoid form practice conservation, it will be your lifesaver. In PvE they are one of the best classes to solo. They can keep themselves in any brawl with healing. Groups love druids for their vast skills to cover almost any spot needed. In the realm of PvP these crafty characters can be tough to take down, with quite a wide array of attacks to take to their enemies.

Hunter
Race: Dwarves, Night Elves, Orcs, Taurens, and Trolls
Armor: Leather; Mail (available at 40)
Weapons:
Melee: Daggers, Swords (1h; 2h); Axe (1h; 2h), Staves, Polearms, Fist Weapons
Ranged: All except Wands
Description: Deadly accuracy from afar and a pet to boot, hunters of Azeroth are feared for their renowned ability to deal heavy damage with their ranged weapons and ferocious pets. But they are no slouches when they have to melee, many of their hand to hand combat tactics will do some decent damage and frustrate with slow effects. With an aid of a pet hunters can be quite the asset to have in battles, whether PvP or PvE. There is a wide range of pets available to hunters; cats, birds, spiders, scorpids, and boars. Different pets allow for different damage types; as well as many other cool features (stuns/ stealth/ etc.). Hunters are not only capable of damage but are also masters of traps (freeze/ fire/ slow effects), aspects of pet abilities (speed increase self and group/ agility/ damage boost), enemy detection skills and the effective Feign Death. Never count a hunter out of a fight, they are dangerous on many fronts and can be great advantage to any group.
Talents:
Marksmanship: Damage boost and extra ranged attacks can be achieved in the Marksmanship area. This branch will allow for the greatest amount of damage possible for this class.
Beast Mastery: Pet increasing attributes and relationship between you/pet can be improved through Beast Mastery. This is a great branch to focus on for hunters in their early leveling.
Survival: The name says it all. Survival talents will allow you to increase your overall survival rate in battles; escalating skills like melee attacks and various traps.
Breakdown: Like most ranged classes, you can be a menace to whatever you target. Whether you are PvE or PvP, a hunter can wreak havoc. Learning to disengage your target that gets in melee range is the key for a hunter to survive. You can do damage in melee but its no where near the potential and amount you can unleash from afar. Honing your skills of Wing Clips and Disengage, plus understanding how to use your pet to your advantage can make you a fearsome adversary. Next to your weapon, your pet is next best asset. Take time to learn about the available pets to a hunter. There are many pets that have different skills; cats (stealth/sprint); boars (charge/stun), and birds (stun/hold). Learning what pet best fits your play style will definitely give you an advantage in your experiences. In the PvE hunters are great for DPS, crowd control, and taking out targets asap. In later levels hunters can gain attributes that can provide attack power buff to group members. In addition having that pet is pretty much like 6th member of the group (unless raid groups are restricted to 5-man). In the PvP, they can be a monster. Hurling projectiles from a distance can definitely frustrate your target. Add in your various traps and melee escape tools can give you an advantage over most.

Mage
Race: Humans, Gnomes, Trollsand Undead
Armor: Cloth
Weapons:
Melee: Staves, Swords (1h), Daggers, and Off-hand Items
Ranged: Wands only
Description: Much like hunters, the mage is a dangerous class from ranged places. With the elements of fire and ice at their command they yield tremendous potential. Arcane magic studies allow the mage to learn how wield these powerful elements. Fire gives you tremendous damage through blast and DoT’s. Ice spells allow for slowing/hold effects and then there is the pure arcane magic itself; instant cast attacks. Fragile in melee range but through practice they can prevent any opponent from reaching them. Not only are they damage doers, they have a wide array of abilities that benefit themselves and groups: polymorph (transform an opponent into animals for short time), blink (short distance teleport), water/food creation and buffs. Mages also have the benefit to be able to teleport to their respective side’s major cities; which is great when stuck in middle of nowhere. This class is one that takes time to learn but once a player understands them can be a deadly foe or a great ally.
Talents:
Arcane: The Arcane talent area will help approve the overall efficiency of the mage: stronger mana efficiency, damage, and functionality.
Frost: This talent tree will help improve your frost spells and abilities to hold the opponent in place while you wail on them from afar. This branch can be very effective in PvP and help frustrate opposition greatly.
Fire: Much like Frost improves frost spells; the Fire talents will help make your fire spells stronger and deadlier. AoE’s and massive damage can be achieved from this branch.
Breakdown: Masters of elements; the mage is a lethal caster. Dealing loads of damage that comes at a steep price, mana. The consumption of mana in the heat of a battle can nearly leave a mage helpless. The attacks and damage that can be produced (whether single or AoE) can drain a mage of mana in matter of moments. This high consumption is something you want to avoid as best as possible. Keys to help playing a mage: aggro management, be aware of surroundings, and know your enemies. Keep those few tips in mind and you will have little problems in battle. There are numerous videos that are floating the internet showcasing just how powerful mages can be. Taking on multiple elite enemies at once and not even suffering 50% health loss. In PvE you can lay waste to one target or a multitude of foes. Mages also play a key role in crowd control through the use of polymorph and frost spells. As for PvP you can send your opponents to levels of frustration unforeseen with their huge fireball attacks that deal unreal damage. Frost spells can literally chill your steps and keep you from taking out your target. Mages can be quite the annoyance, and if you can master these skills (polymorph, blink, etc) you can dominate your foes.

Paladin
Race: Humans, Dwarves(Alliance class only)
Armor: Mail; Plate (available at 40)
Weapons:
Melee: Swords (1h; 2h), Maces (1h; 2h), Axe (1h; 2h), Polearms, and Shields
Ranged: None
Description: Many will say that paladins are one of the weaker classes in WoW but its all in how you look at it. This class has a high armor count, healing abilities (resurrection included), and through various plotting of talents, decent damage. With the command of the Holy at their side, paladins can be great healers, as well as provide some of the greatest buffs in Azeroth. Many allies of the paladin greatly appreciate the gifts of their buffs, seals, and auras (healing, damage boost, armor increase, mana regeneration, etc, etc.). Like priest, paladins also have many attacks that are specifically aimed at the undead. With their strong armor (mail/plate) they can also be back up tanks or if needed can be the back up healer. Just those two drastically different capabilities make the paladin a difficult adversary and fantastic partner.
Talents:
Holy: Holy as the name applies will help benefit your holier powers. Healing effects and some buffs will receive improvements from this branch.
Protection: Not true tanks like warriors, the Protection branch will help make the paladin stronger in the area of tanking. With attributes like shield spec, weapon spec, and improve some special buffs.
Retribution: If you want a DPS paladin Retribution will allow you to enhance that wish. Weapon specs and damage enrichment can be found in this talent.
Breakdown: Paladins can be a tough cookie to crack with their healing, strong armor, protection bubbles, auras, and buffs. Limited in attacks (pretty much general “attack”, AoE aura, talent placement AoE, and stuns) can make leveling slow but the ability to stay in battle for quite a time can make the paladin a force. As a paladin your buffs and seals will help make fights easier though. Talent points will also decide if on the type paladin you will be; healing or fighting. No matter what you choose you will be able to do both but one or the other will be stronger. In PvE paladins are able to solo but it will be a slower process than most other classes (due to lack of multiple attack types). In group play they can be great healers; as well provide beneficial buffs all around. They can also be lifesavers with the ability to resurrect and provide protection bubbles to allies. As for PvP, not much can be said, they do have attacking ability but no where the power other melee classes possess. But what you lack in attack you make up greatly in defense which will frustrate your opponent greatly.

Priest
Race: Humans, Dwarves,Night Elves, Undead, and Trolls
Armor: Cloth
Weapons:
Melee: Staves, Daggers, Mace (1h), and Off-hand Items
Ranged: Wands only
Description: If you need healing there is only one class that dominates that ability among all others. Every class despite their abilities and talents love a great healer, therefore priest is always a wanted commodity (especially in higher levels). But the class of priest isn’t just bound to healing alone. Through different talent builds priest can be an offensive force to deal with. Whether it is holy or shadow the priest can be just as dangerous in a fight as any other class; caster or melee alike. A force to be reckoned with not only can they heal themselves (and others) in battle but put up a fight in addition. Like most of the other classes most of your levels can be done through a solo effort but it can be a slow progress until talent points can be placed to make you more effective. This caster class is dependant on mana. Mana observation and conservation is the key to staying effective in any fight, solo or group.
Talents:
Discipline: Of all talent trees Discipline is the balanced part. This branch will help strengthen your buff abilities and also your defensive capabilities.
Holy: Holy amplifies your aspects of healing tremendously and your holy damage spells (which are greatly effective against undead foes). This build will help most beneficially group play.
Shadow: For players who like priest but enjoy soloing then Shadow is the area to key in on increasing your all around offensive damage.
Breakdown: Like stated above the priest can be a force to be reckoned with in the hands of the right person. Self contained with heals and damage to back it they are a great class to master. If you love to solo then you can to do that throughout your levels. If you like groups then priest are always wanted no matter the chore. Specific placement of points can tweak out your build and make them a foe that many will not dare take on. In PvE a priest can perform their quest fairly easy without much help. But when it comes to grouping it won’t take long to get picked up. In the PvP environment; especially later in levels; the priest can be very tough opposition. With the ability to heal themselves in matter of seconds it can be a task to finish them off.

Rogue
Race: Humans, Gnomes, Dwarves, Night Elves, Orcs, Trolls, and Undead
Armor: Leather
Weapons:
Melee: Daggers, Swords (1h), Maces (1h), and Fist Weapons
Ranged: All except Wands
Description: One of the deadliest classes in the world of Azeroth, the rogue is a shady character that strike from the shadows with devastating assaults. Surprise attacks and bursting damage are trademarks of the rogue. Lurking while hidden, the rogue will unleash some of the most dangerous attacks in the game. No one is immune to their aggression but stealth isn’t something always needed for them to work. Even if the rogue is seeable they are just as treacherous with their melees that can incapacitate the foe and allow them to work without the nuisance of taking harm themselves. Also at the disposal of rogues are an array of devious abilities; poisons, pick pocketing, blinds, vanishing, sprints, and the debilitating sap. Depending on talent point placement, the rogue can greatly maximize their damage production, critical hit chances, and their passive rogue skills (dodge, stealth, etc). Like the warriors with their rage, rogues work off a two items: combo points and energy. Energy is the mana of rogues, starting out full of energy each attack will slowly take away from it. With idle time your energy will replenish to allow for more hits. Combo points (CP) build up when specific attacks connect with target, when you reach the desired CP amount then let loose with a finishing move for incredible damage. Masters of DPS, the rogue can’t be matched.
Talents:
Assassination: This branch will help you improve crit chances from your attacks, increase abilities of poisons, and help in redeeming additional combo points from attacks.
Combat Mastery: Damage, damage, damage is the combat tree. Rogues are known for burst damage but Combat talents will allow you to strength and maintain continuous damage plus improve the crit chances overall.
Subtlety: Subtlety is all about working from the stealth. If you like the sneaky side then this area will help boost your skills of critical stealth strikes, improve stealth skills, and general rogue abilities.
Breakdown: Rogues have one of the best advantages no other class in WoW has at their beckoning call, stealth. Using this awesome power will allow you to gain an upper hand on any target you encounter. Whether you perform a sap (single target crowd control) or let loose an overwhelming opening attack this skill can allow you to take out unsuspecting targets out of any fight. Add in the abilities to poison your weapons that will do anything from slow target, slow casting speed, impede healing ability, or DoT rogues can be powerful. DPS’ing down a target at phenomenal rates will allow you to deal with multiple marks or re-stealth into the shadows to do it all over. Depending on talent placement the rogue can weapon specialize, increase crit chances and overall damage production. In PvE rogues are highly solo-able, giving the fact they can stealth pass targets allows them to reach many areas other classes would have to fight through to reach. Add in their fast damage ability and vanish from sight gives them unique advantage over enemies. In PvP, able to deal massive damage at fast rate allows the rogue to be a great single target destroyer.

Shaman
Race: Orcs, Trolls, and Taurens(Horde class only)
Armor: Leather; Mail (available at 40)
Weapons:
Melee: Mace (1h; 2h w/ Talents), Staves, Fist Weapons, Shields, and Axes (1h;
2h w/ Talents)
Ranged: None
Description: The shaman, an archetype like no other in the lands of Azeroth. Able to control mystic aura that surrounds them and wield powers no other class can touch. At their aid they can use utilize totems that heal, buff, and damage. They can heal (besides the use of totems) and manipulate elemental spells to cast misery upon their targets. Like a tank they have the ability to use heavy armor (mail at 40) and use shields. Somewhat similar to a druid, the shaman can be a vital ally in any group. Almost able to fill any spot needed: healing, damage, and buffing; this class can be one of the most dangerous classes to fight against in the hands of a user that learns the secrets of the shaman. A great utility player, a shaman is a class that definitely stands out for the Horde.
Talents:
Elemental Combat: This build helps benefit a Shamans capability to enhance their ranged damage DPS.
Enhancement: Melee damage is increased when talents are placed in this branch. Also improved survivability which will help the Shaman last longer into the battle.
Restoration: Totems are one of the shaman’s most helpful items. In the restoration talents you can improve the capabilities and also help increase your healing powers.
Breakdown: Shaman is one of those classes that can be a big benefit to a group. With their strong totems and ability to deal some significant melee damage they are quite an exceptional class. You are utility with supporting powers and damage; this being the role shamans must be weary of mana usage so that they don’t take themselves out of the battle. Mana conservation is a constant theme with any class that must use it. In the PvE role they can solo very effectively, through the use of various totems and their melee damage any task is a chore easily completed. Grouping benefits of shamans are just as valuable because of their strong support. In the PvP world shamans are a foe that isn’t easily taken down. Especially in higher levels with their mail armor and multitude of totems can leave any aggressors in a state pain or frustration. Just when you think they are down they strike back.

Warlock
Race: Humans, Gnomes, Orcs, and Undead
Armor: Cloth
Weapons:
Melee: Staves, Swords (1h), Daggers, and Off-hand Items
Ranged: Wands only
Description: The demon wielders, warlocks can harness and control powers that others shy away from. Through the control of demons and casting attacks, they can unleash chaos that rivals many other classes. Not only can they cause instant damage but provide devastating debuffs and DoT’s on their adversaries. Some of the deadliest debuffs in WoW come from warlocks; life drains, reductions of resistance, armor reduction, and so on. The demons that they wield have parallel roles like many other classes in the game. Imps are ranged casters that resemble mages. Succubus is a melee demon that works like a rogue and the voidwalkers are the tanks with taunts and holds to allow you to attack your target without worry of aggro. One of the greatest abilities of a warlock that has nothing to do with fighting is their ability to summon party members no matter why they are the world. With the aid of assistances the warlock can lock on and create a direct portal to their location for teammates.
Talents:
Affliction: This branch will help improve the warlock’s long term effects like: DoT’s, debuffs, and instant cast abilities.
Demonology: Demonology will allow you to improve the overall talents of your pets (imps, voidwalkers, and succubus). Also advance the effects of mana and health stones; as well as boost the pet to master relationship.
Destruction: This line increases the output of your casting spells and later in build improve chance and power of crit spells.
Breakdown: As a hunter has his pet to allow him to avoid aggro while attacking; very similar does a warlock have pets. With three demons to choose from any situation you face options are available. Need a tank call the voidwalker. Maybe you want to have some DPS on the target hail your succubus or leave it to the crazy imp to fight at a distance. Utilize your many debuffs and DoT’s, foes will be begging for mercy. Many of the varying skills the warlock possesses can take out targets almost as fast as many other classes. Though they only wear cloth they are just as deadly and someone to be reckoned with. Mana conservation; like all mana classes; is the key to surviving. Beware of your consumption otherwise you will leave yourself weak and potentially at the mercy of your opposition. In the PvE role warlocks have no issues in solo work. With their choice of demons no task is unmanageable. If you love to PvP then warlocks like other classes can be that nuisance that is hard to rid yourself of. With their many debuffs and DoT’s even a target that escapes your range will still be feeling your effects. Throw in the demons to the foray and you can be a lethal combatant to anyone.

Warrior
Race: Humans, Dwarves, Gnomes, Night Elves, Orcs, Trolls, Taurens, and Undead
Armor: Mail; Plate (available at 40)
Weapons:
Melee: Daggers, Swords (1h; 2h), Axe (1h; 2h), Maces (1h; 2h), Shield, Staves,
Fist Weapons and Polearms
Ranged: All but Wands
Description: A pure melee monster in WoW, the warriors that roam the lands of Azeroth are powerful and dangerous. This class is your main tank, not only can it output damage it can take it as well. With a high armor count (plate and shields) the warrior can stand in the face of almost any enemy and take the brunt of their strongest attacks with nary a scratch upon them. This class is highly solo able through most levels but in higher levels will need assistance from other classes to complete quest and other deeds. Warriors have a distinction only 1 other class (rogues) can say; they are none mana users. Rage is the key to warrior’s abilities to dish out damage, the more abuse they take the more they build rage. In addition warriors have varying stances: Battle (Normal), Defensive, and Berserker (Heavy Damage). Each stance allows the warrior to perform different attacks and take unusual amounts of large damage (more than other stances).
Talents:
Arms: Builds that help with use of 2-handed weapons because of the improvement of major damage and instant attacks. Very nice in higher levels.
Fury: This talent helps raise overall damage (not only against one but multiple) and is very nice to use if you like Berserker stance.
Protection: Improves on abilities mostly for Defensive Stance. Also encourages
the uses of 1-handed weapons and shields.
Breakdown: If you love melee and want to be able to just do damage, damage, damage then this is your class. As you progress through levels and spec out talent points you can create a warrior that will unleash some overwhelming damage. Add in better equipment and a warrior can be menace upon their enemies. In PvE they are vital to dungeons and harder than normal quest. Many quest can be done solo but will be a slow process due to having to fight through to achieve goal (not like a rogue to stealth to target). In PvP the warrior can be menace upon those who try to defeat him. Properly spec’d the warrior can do mass damage to more than one target and give your foes the PvP headaches. One of the major issues to being a warrior is downtime. If you’re short on food or constant fight after fight it can be tough to rejuvenate health. Also the “stance dance” can get to be a chore if you need to change weapons (shields and 1-handers for defense, etc). But there are ways to get around that for players that understand use of add-ons. Power, defense, and true masters of weapons are the traits of a warrior.

Conclusion

All in all don’t limit yourself to a specific class style; melee, ranged, or support. You never know till you try it out. You really can’t get a true feel of how great a class can be till you have a few levels under your belt. My 1st ever character was a warrior and after 6 levels I deleted him. Restarted with a rogue and loved it. About mid way through my rogue I made an alt, warrior. And playing them a little further than level 6 I really enjoyed the strength and abilities they wielded. Some classes are far better in PvP than some. But it’s not impossible for any class to go out and dominate the battlefield. Best suggestion I can tell you is go out and try the classes, experiment with their skills and have fun.