Fans of World of Warcraft interested in trying out the game might find the Dragonflight expansion as a great introductory story, especially since the iconic Dragonflights now make a return as Azeroth’s protectors. However, fans looking at the new Invoker Class fitting into the MMO’s 12 other Classes can feel overwhelmed, especially considering they have three (3) to four (4) different Specializations to choose from. This is especially the case from the perspective of a newcomer, whose build choice often delegates them to a particular role or gameplay style.
Thankfully, beginners of World of Warcraft can rely on some must-use builds that can help them get used to the MMO’s basics and even get insights on some of the game’s more intricate mechanics. However, in the context of playing World of Warcraft today, what are some of the best beginner builds in Dragonflight that fit the beginner experience?
10 Beast Mastery Hunter
Usually the butt of jokes in World of Warcraft as being “the easy way out,” the Beast Mastery Hunter does earn admiration for its unique element of having a constant animal companion as a partner in battle. This means a Beast Mastery Hunter always engages in combat as a unit of two (2), with players often bolstering their creature’s capabilities, and their creatures using powerful abilities as the “tank” of the duo. The only caveats of this build are how the AI of the animal companions can get tricky to cooperate with, as well as burst damage taking a toll with this spec’s more straightforward kit.
Either way, the Beast Mastery Hunter is an extremely accessible Hunter spec with decent single-target DPS and AOE capabilities on top of excellent mobility. Players who get around to mastering the intricacies between the management of pet abilities, buffing and cooldowns can enjoy consistent damage performance. Given how the pet takes the limelight in combat, players are often relegated to the sidelines by maintaining the companion’s Frenzy buff (via Bestial Wrath), dealing damage over time to enemies (Barbed Shot), as well as quick attacks (Cobra Shot, Kill Command).
9 Protection Paladin
Newcomers to MMOs who appreciate being able to take damage with a bit of healing on the side may appreciate the Paladin for both its kit and its flavor. However, in World of Warcraft, the Protection Paladin is a spec that properly represents this visual preference. Aided by divine forces, the Protection Paladin’s only setbacks are its downtime and area-dependent damage mitigation, as well as its limited mobility. Other than these, the Protection Paladin remains a lore-accurate representation of a knight capable of besting the toughest of threats.
At its core, the Protection Paladin has naturally-strong damage mitigation (Shield of the Righteous, Consecration) against most attacks, with their Auras (Devotion, Retribution) and Blessings giving ample protection and threat generation. They’re no slouch in combat, with abilities such as Judgment, Hammer of Wrath, Avenger’s Shield, and Hammer of the Righteous that allow them to engage different kinds of enemies. In deadly situations, emergency heals (Lay on Hands, Word of Glory) and protections (Divine Shield) can save the day.
8 Holy Paladin
Players new to MMOs like World of Warcraft might prefer being able to protect their allies from the frontlines and will still be able to dish out efficient healing, which may make the Holy Paladin a decent starting ground for would-be healer-tank hybrids. Serving as the more utility-focused iteration of the Paladin, the only setbacks this spec offers are its inability to heal targets from a distance effectively and its rather utility-heavy kit, forcing players to pay more attention to skills they proc for allies instead of focusing on defending them.
When used efficiently, however, the Holy Paladin does boast a more support-intensive kit versus the Protection Paladin. It has passive healing (Beacon of Light) and straightforward healing (Holy Light, Flash of Light) that work well with its close-ranged AOE heals (Light of Dawn). Not to mention, it has defensive spells (Divine Shield, Divine Protection) on top of temporary immunity to damage (Blessing of Protection) and speed hindrances (Blessing of Freedom). More importantly, it boasts some decent damage output for a healing spec, courtesy of Crusader Strike and Judgment.
7 Havoc Demon Hunter
Seeing Illidan Stormrage of Warcraft rock his blindfold and his Warglaives of Azzinoth has by far remained one of the most epic moments in gaming of all time, and the Legion expansion giving World of Warcraft players access to the Demon Hunter Class has got to be one of the best things ever to grace the MMO. Among the specs in the class, it’s the Havoc Demon Hunter that is perhaps the more versatile in terms of balancing speed and damage, making it the more beginner-friendly build for newcomers to try. Its only setbacks would be cooldown-tied AOEs that affect damage, as well as damage uptime that can be detrimental for players who want to make quick work of enemies.
However, when the Havoc Demon Hunter works, it does so with deadly efficiency. Its core gameplay look is easy to understand, giving players flexible mobility and enemy-switching options that make repositioning a breeze. These are on top of solid survivability and burst cooldowns that provide them with a way out of almost everything. At its core, the main gameplay loop of the Havoc Demon Hunter centers around the Fury resource (gained via abilities like Immolation Aura, Felblade, and Demon’s Bite) that is expended through powerful skills such as Chaos Strike, Blade Dance, and Eye Beam - a short rotation fit for versatile hunters of the damned.
6 Restoration Shaman
In the lore of World of Warcraft, Shamans such as Warchief Thrall are one of the few beings with the training that allow them to tap into the elemental realm, giving them access to nature’s inner power to aid them in situations. With the Restoration Shaman, the Shaman can use the world’s natural powers to aid allies in combat - something they do to significant effect. Their only vulnerabilities as a beginner class are their lack of teleportation and damaging capabilities, as well as their lack of healing when the team is evenly spread.
However, the Restoration Shaman does shine by having Chain Heal, allowing it to heal in an area of effect without limitations constantly. Its healing is often assisted by other decent support features, such as movement-based healing (Spiritwalker’s Grace, Gust of Wind) and more potent healing implements (Spirit Link Totem, Ancestral Protection Totem). Its survivability is not to trifle with buffs (Astral Shift, Earth Elemental) and even utility tools such as self-resurrection (Reincarnation), removing enemy buffs (Purge), and removing certain debuffs from the team (Tremor Totem).
5 Preservation Evoker
The healer is one of the most critical roles in World of Warcraft gameplay, and is an ever-present role in other MMOs. While the Priest and Druid usually take charge of healing allies in previous WoW expansions, the Evoker from the Dragonflight expansion proves to be a support unit built precisely for beginners. While its burst healing and single-target healing could do some work, the Preservation Evoker works exceptionally well when it comes to stacked healing (Dream Breath, Emerald Blossom) and defensive abilities (Obsidian Scales, Obsidian Bulwark).
Some of the Preservation Evoker build’s support skills also work in different setups, such as while moving (Verdant Embrace, Dream Flight, Rescue), damage reversal (Rewind), and attack avoidance through flying (Zephyr). If needed, the Preservation Evoker can also dish out damage such as Fire Breath, Scarlet Adaptation, and Lifeforce Mender. Overall, the Preservation Evoker is a decent pick for players who want to heal teammates while sticking close to the thick of combat.
4 Brewmaster Monk
Alongside the stoic panda-like Pandaren came the Monks in the Mists of Pandaria expansion, effectively giving World of Warcraft gameplay access to a mobile yet versatile martial artist. Among its specs, the Brewmaster Monk is perhaps the one most suited for players who want to experience a simpler version of the game’s tanking mechanics. At its core, the Brewmaster Monk boasts Stagger and Shuffle that allow them to share direct damage as damage-over-time, significantly giving them room to bolster their defenses and strike back. However, the spec does suffer a setback of having the lowest base Health among tanks in the game and has a lot of skills to take note of for maximum efficiency.
The Brewmaster Monk’s rather high-maintenance nature is due to the fact that it has quite a lot of utility in its arsenal. Its mobility skills don’t just extend to repositioning the Monk and their allies (Roll, Tiger’s Lust, Transcendence), but also move their enemies (Clash, Hasty Provocation, Ring of Peace). These repositioning tricks are on top of efficient crowd control such as Paralysis and Leg Sweep, as well as defensive buffs such as Generous Pour and Close to Heart.
3 Demonology Warlock
Players tempted at the sight of a summoning class in an MMO can’t be blamed, especially in the context of Warcraft lore where Warlocks are known to summon some of the most vicious beings from beyond Azeroth. In World of Warcraft, the Demonology Warlock fulfills this specialization, boasting exceptional mobility and significant single-target damage on top of a high AOE burst - all courtesy of their minions. If there are any setbacks with this spec, it’s how dependence on pets means relying on potentially-flaky AI, as well as its slower damage output.
Beyond these, the Demonology Warlock is a great beginner class for those who want to get used to WoW’s resource-juggling mechanics. Much of the summons of the Warlock has fast cooldowns, while very few need precise preparations. However, much of these activities rely on the Warlock effectively generating Soul Shard resources through Demonbolt and Shadow Bolt, and using these to summon vicious monsters (Call Dreadstalkers) and even call forth a devastating meteor (Hand of Gul’dan).
2 Fury Warrior
With the Warrior perhaps considered the quintessential “starting” class in any MMO, the Fury Warrior is one of the more straightforward Warrior builds in World of Warcraft gameplay. It enjoys a decent balance of mobility options for repositioning (Charge, Intervene, Heroic Leap), coupled with defensive abilities that boost health (Rallying Cry), protections (Defensive Stance), and a significant attack buff (Battle Shout). Moreover, its quick yet simple playstyle emphasizes consistency with damage build-up, making it one of the easier-to-learn specs for newcomers.
The Fury Warrior build’s Rage mechanic means it’s best tied with Rampage and then boosting its capabilities with Enrage, paving the way for more damage and faster rotations. Likewise, bonuses and cooldowns from the likes of Odyn’s Fury, Ravager, and Unbridled Ferocity can further boost the player’s output. Perhaps the only things players need to be wary of are how the wrong downtime can drastically lessen damage output, and its single-target DPS leaving much to be desired for more intense builds.
1 Feral Druid
Players new to an MMO like World of Warcraft would want to get access to a class that can give them the most access to the game’s features - something that Druids like Malfurion Stormrage has demonstrated. Such is the specialization of the Feral Druid build, as not only does it have off-healing and defense as well as group utilities, but it also has different damage options depending on the player’s preference. Its only setbacks are its lack of usefulness in Raids and the heavy demand on resource micromanagement - although the latter is a worthwhile skill to master given the game’s more intense subclasses.
At first glance, the Feral Druid build seems overwhelming as there’s a need to maintain various buffs and debuffs while managing two (2) separate resources. However, it becomes easier to pick up upon mastery, with players having multiple play options depending on what resources they can access. For instance, Incarnation: Avatar of Ashamane and Tiger’s Fury gives access to a cat form that grants Energy on top of Combo Points. And while Energy-based Rip and Rake are decent damage dealers for single targets, players can spend CP on more powerful abilities such as Primal Wrath and Ferocious Bite. Either way, Thrash constantly debuffs enemy combat performance, while Brutal Slash and Shred can recover CP.
World of Warcraft: Dragonflight was released on November 28, 2022.