TBC Anniversary DPS Tier List: Phase 2 Rankings
Phase 2 of TBC Anniversary is live, bringing Serpentshrine Cavern, Tempest Keep: The Eye, and Arena Season 2. With Tier 5 set bonuses and new weapons from SSC and TK, the DPS meta has shifted from Phase 1's Karazhan-focused rankings. This tier list covers where every DPS spec stands for Phase 2 raiding.
Rankings are based on performance in 25-player SSC and Tempest Keep encounters, factoring in damage output, scaling with Tier 5 gear, and raid utility.
Phase 2 DPS Tier List Summary
| Tier | Specialization | Phase 2 Strength |
|---|---|---|
| S+ | Arcane Mage | Tier 5 2pc = 20% Arcane Blast damage. Undisputed #1 |
| S | Fury Warrior | Scales hard with SSC/TK weapons, dominant melee |
| S | Fire Mage | Rises with crit gear from Phase 2, Combustion burst |
| S | Destruction Warlock | Shadow Bolt machine, Curse of Elements utility |
| S | Beast Mastery Hunter | Top physical DPS, pet scales with player stats |
| A | Demonology Warlock | Demonic Sacrifice + Felguard, strong cleave |
| A | Arms Warrior | Mortal Strike + Sweeping Strikes cleave on adds |
| A | Elemental Shaman | Chain Lightning cleave, Totem of Wrath buff |
| A | Survival Hunter | Expose Weakness raid buff, steady damage |
| A | Retribution Paladin | Crusader Strike sustained, strong raid utility |
| B | Combat Rogue | Blade Flurry cleave, solid single-target |
| B | Enhancement Shaman | Windfury procs, strong melee group buffer |
| B | Affliction Warlock | Multi-dot on add fights, Malediction buff |
| B | Shadow Priest | Vampiric Touch mana battery, essential for caster groups |
| C | Balance Druid | Moonkin Aura for caster group, lower personal DPS |
| C | Feral Druid (DPS) | Complex rotation, but Leader of the Pack buff is vital |
| C | Marksmanship Hunter | Trueshot Aura utility, but BM is better in every way |
| C | Frost Mage | PvP spec, outclassed by Arcane and Fire in PvE |
| D | Assassination Rogue | Inferior to Combat in Phase 2 gear |
| D | Subtlety Rogue | PvP only, no PvE role |
What Changed from Phase 1 to Phase 2
Key meta shifts entering SSC and Tempest Keep:
- Arcane Mage went from strong to broken. Tier 5 2-piece bonus adds 20% damage to Arcane Blast. No other spec got a comparable boost.
- Fury Warrior jumped from A-tier to S-tier. Phase 2 weapons (Dragonmaw, Devastation) push warrior scaling over the top.
- Fire Mage entered S-tier. Phase 2 crit gear hits breakpoints that make Combustion burst devastating.
- Demonology Warlock dropped from S to A. Still strong, but Destruction with Phase 2 gear pulls ahead.
- Elemental Shaman dropped from S to A. Gear scaling slightly favors pure DPS specs in Phase 2.
S+ Tier: Arcane Mage
Arcane Mage is the single best DPS spec in TBC Anniversary Phase 2. The Tier 5 2-piece set bonus increases Arcane Blast damage by 20%, and Arcane Mages were already top-tier in Phase 1. In SSC and TK, Arcane Mage consistently tops damage meters on nearly every encounter.
The spec's only weakness is mana consumption. Proper use of Arcane Power, Evocation, and mana gems is essential. In a good raid group with a Shadow Priest in your party, mana is manageable.
S-Tier Breakdown
Fury Warrior
Fury Warrior is the top melee DPS in Phase 2. The spec scales aggressively with weapon upgrades from SSC and TK. Whirlwind and Bloodthirst with Phase 2 weapons produce massive sustained damage. Warriors also bring Battle Shout, Commanding Shout, and debuffs like Sunder Armor that benefit the entire raid.
Fire Mage
Fire Mage comes alive in Phase 2 as crit rating on Tier 5 and SSC/TK accessories pushes Fireball and Combustion damage to new heights. On fights with sustained uptime, Fire Mage competes with Arcane. Some players run Fire as their primary spec for SSC/TK progression.
Destruction Warlock
Destruction Warlock remains a raid staple. Consistent Shadow Bolt damage, strong AOE with Seed of Corruption on trash, and essential raid utility (Curse of Elements, Healthstones, Soulstone) make Destruction a must-have. Multiple Warlocks per raid is standard.
Beast Mastery Hunter
BM Hunter continues as the top physical ranged DPS. The pet does a significant portion of total damage and scales with the hunter's stats. Kill Command and Bestial Wrath windows create strong burst. BM also brings Ferocious Inspiration to the group.
Support DPS: Shadow Priest and Feral Druid
Two specs deserve special mention as "support DPS" that every raid needs:
- Shadow Priest: Vampiric Touch restores mana to your entire party. Without a Shadow Priest, your caster group runs dry. Every raid brings at least one. Personal DPS is B-tier, but raid contribution is S-tier.
- Feral Druid (DPS): Leader of the Pack gives 5% crit to the melee group. A good Feral also brings competitive personal DPS with the cat rotation (one of the hardest in TBC). Feral buffs Warriors, Rogues, and Enhancement Shamans significantly.
Phase 2 Gearing Priorities
- Tier 5 set pieces from SSC (Hydross, Leotheras, Karathress, Morogrim) and TK (Void Reaver, A'lar). Target your 2-piece or 4-piece bonus first.
- SSC/TK weapons. Weapon upgrades are the single biggest DPS increase for physical classes.
- Phase 2 trinkets. Tsunami Talisman, Dragonspine Trophy (still BiS from Gruul), and Hex Shrunken Head (from ZA when it arrives).
- Gems and enchants. Phase 2 gems from SSC/TK are more powerful than Phase 1 options.
Need SSC or Tempest Keep clears for Tier 5? Check our TBC Raid Services.
FAQ
- What is the best DPS class in TBC Phase 2?
- Arcane Mage. Tier 5 2-piece makes it the undisputed #1 DPS spec.
- Is Fury Warrior good in Phase 2?
- Fury Warrior jumped to S-tier in Phase 2 thanks to weapon scaling from SSC and TK drops.
- Should I play Shadow Priest for DPS?
- Shadow Priest personal DPS is B-tier, but every raid needs one for Vampiric Touch mana regeneration. You will always have a raid spot.
- What changed the most from Phase 1?
- Biggest movers: Fury Warrior (A to S), Fire Mage (A to S), Demonology Warlock (S to A). Arcane Mage went from S to S+ with Tier 5.
- Are Rogues viable in Phase 2?
- Combat Rogue is B-tier and viable for all content. Assassination and Subtlety are not recommended for PvE raiding.