We have another great feature premiere here at Icy Veins. Our Mythic+ guide and tier list writer, Petko, is back with an in-depth “choose your main” ranking for DPS specs for Season 3 of Mythic+!
The System and Calculations
Before we get to the actual rankings, there’s the matter of how the specs were chosen. This list is a little more complex than the tier list. It takes a lot more than just raw damage-dealing power into consideration. There’s also a giant spreadsheet valuing and comparing every DPS spec on each and every one of the 6 factors.
So, what are these factors?
Here’s a description of the attributes:
- Each of the numerical values represents how each specialization is ranked against the rest of the specs. ST AoE and Priority-Target DPS damage are ranked between 1-10 since they are the driving factor and often the primary ones people are interested in.
- “Utility” is a vital part of every spec; some have more than others, hence the differences between 1 – the lowest rank and 5 – the highest. As an example, Shadow Priest utility includes
Power Infusion, 
Power Word: Fortitude, 
Vampiric Embrace, 
Mind Soothe, 
Mass Dispel, dispelling 
Diseases, etc. - “Survivability” is ranked between 1-5, which also includes personal defensives, immunities, and self-sustaining abilities (self-heals, Leech, etc).
- “Playstyle/Fun” is designed to showcase how “fun” each spec is while playing its rotation, its cool visual effects, animations, etc. This is highly subjective to evaluate, and keep in mind that this list is subjective first and foremost. However, I did create the evaluations with the feedback of hundreds of viewers on Twitch in mind.
Each spec gets graded on these 6 attributes, from single-target to AoE, utility, defense, priority damage, and the more subjective “playstyle”. The totals are added up, and there you have the list! You can also sort the rankings by the “simple” damage score, which skips everything that isn’t hurting the enemies, adding up only the first three columns!
If you prefer a video walkthrough, here’s Petko explaining it all:
The Best Class in Season 3? The MAGE!
Here’s how the top 10 specs stack up based on their total score. Arcane Mage (2) is still riding high after a solid Season 2, but it’s outpaced by not Unholy, BUT Frost Death Knight (1), this time around.
Havoc Demon Hunter is currently in third place, ahead of Frost and Fire Mage, which occupy fourth and fifth place. Next, we’ve got Windwalker Monk in sixth place, fairing pretty well, followed by Marksmanship Hunter, Shadow Priest, and Demonology Warlock. Closing the top 10 is Outlaw!
- Frost Death Knight
- Arcane Mage
- Havoc Demon Hunter
- Frost Mage
- Fire Mage
- Windwalker Monk
- Marksmanship Hunter
- Shadow Priest
- Demonology Warlock
- Outlaw Rogue
Mages are eating very well so far, but the PTR testing and tuning isn’t done yet, so we’ll see what happens.
For the rest of the chart, updated weekly, and a much more detailed explanation of the rankings, head on over to the guide.
So, which spec will you be choosing come Season 3? Sticking with your current main or going with the damage flow?
