WoW Classic Classes

All classes in World of Warcraft Classic – the nine originals in Classic Era, Hardcore and Burning Crusade Anniversary, plus the Death Knight and Monk in Mists of Pandaria Classic.

Updated 1 November 2026Checked for patch Zul'Aman (TBC Anniversary) · 5.5.4 (MoP Classic)6 sources
Wa Warrior Tank, melee damage Pa Paladin Healer, tank, melee damage Hu Hunter Ranged damage Ro Rogue Melee damage Pr Priest Healer, ranged damage Sh Shaman Healer, melee damage, ranged damage Ma Mage Ranged damage Wl Warlock Ranged damage Dr Druid Healer, tank, melee damage, ranged damage DK Death Knight Tank, melee damage · MoP Classic only Mo Monk Tank, healer, melee damage · MoP Classic only
Image: World of Warcraft / YouTube

The classes you can play in WoW Classic depend on the version. Classic Era, Hardcore, Season of Discovery and Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary have the nine original classes, and Mists of Pandaria Classic adds the Death Knight and Monk for eleven in total.

Which classes in which version

Classic Era, Hardcore, Season of DiscoveryThe nine original classes. Paladins are Alliance-only and Shamans Horde-only.
Burning Crusade AnniversaryThe same nine – but Blood Elves bring Paladins to the Horde and Draenei bring Shamans to the Alliance.
Mists of Pandaria ClassicEleven classes: the nine plus the Death Knight and the Monk.

All classes at a glance

ClassRolesRolesResourceArmorTalent trees / specsPlayable in
WarriorTank (Role), Melee (Role)Tank, melee damageRagePlateArms, Fury, ProtectionAll versions
PaladinHealer (Role), Tank (Role), Melee (Role)Healer, tank, melee damageMana (Holy Power in MoP Classic)PlateHoly, Protection, RetributionAll versions
HunterRanged (Role), Pet (Role)Ranged damageMana (Focus in MoP Classic)MailBeast Mastery, Marksmanship, SurvivalAll versions
RogueMelee (Role)Melee damageEnergy and combo pointsLeatherAssassination, Combat, SubtletyAll versions
PriestHealer (Role), Caster (Role)Healer, ranged damageManaClothDiscipline, Holy, ShadowAll versions
ShamanHealer (Role), Melee (Role), Caster (Role)Healer, melee damage, ranged damageManaMailElemental, Enhancement, RestorationAll versions
MageCaster (Role)Ranged damageManaClothArcane, Fire, FrostAll versions
WarlockCaster (Role), Pet (Role)Ranged damageManaClothAffliction, Demonology, DestructionAll versions
DruidHealer (Role), Tank (Role), Melee (Role), Caster (Role)Healer, tank, melee damage, ranged damageMana, Rage or Energy (by form)LeatherBalance, Feral, Restoration (Guardian added in MoP Classic)All versions
Death KnightTank (Role), Melee (Role)Tank, melee damageRunes and Runic PowerPlateBlood, Frost, UnholyMists of Pandaria Classic
MonkTank (Role), Healer (Role), Melee (Role)Tank, healer, melee damageEnergy and Chi (Mana for Mistweaver)LeatherBrewmaster, Mistweaver, WindwalkerMists of Pandaria Classic

How to choose

Easy to levelHunters and Warlocks have pets that take hits for you – both are popular first characters.
Always wantedHealers and tanks find dungeon groups much faster than damage dealers.
Playing Hardcore?Pick a class with escapes or self-healing – Hunters, Paladins and Warlocks are common choices.

Pick a class below for a short, beginner-friendly overview. Looking for the classes in the new level-60 game? See WoW: Forever classes.

Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.