Best DPS Tier List for WoW SoD Phase 8

Alright folks, Phase 8 of WoW Season of Discovery (SoD) is here, and with it comes the final shakeup of classes, runes, gear, and of course—DPS rankings. Whether you're pushing endgame raids, tearing up battlegrounds, or just flexing on the meters in 5-mans, knowing the best DPS classes right now is crucial. And let me tell you, things have shifted a lot since Phase 7.

In this veteran-crafted tier list, I’m breaking down the top-performing DPS classes in WoW SoD Phase 8 based on raw damage output, utility, survivability, and how they scale with gear and runes. This isn't just some dry spreadsheet rundown—this is from someone who’s been grinding since vanilla and knows what it means to top the charts. Let’s get into it.

What Makes a DPS Class “Best” in SoD Phase 8?

Before diving into the tier list, let’s lay down the criteria. We're not just ranking based on damage meters alone—though that definitely counts. We’re also factoring in:

• Burst vs. sustained DPS

• AoE potential and cleave

• Rune synergy in Phase 8

• Raid and dungeon utility

• Scalability with new gear

• Survivability and uptime

And of course, we’re heavily considering the current raid metas and how these specs perform across different types of content.

WoW SoD Phase 8 DPS Tier List – Quick Overview

• S Tier: Meta-defining, top of the charts

• A Tier: Excellent, viable for all content

• B Tier: Decent, but has some shortcomings

• C Tier: Struggles in high-end content

Let’s break them down.

S Tier – The Kings of Phase 8 DPS

Warlock (Affliction/Demonology Hybrid)

Warlocks are absolutely wrecking it in Phase 8. With strong runes like Shadow and Flame and Improved Drain Soul, Affliction Warlocks are hitting harder than ever before. Add in Demonology’s passive scaling and you get some of the nastiest DoT damage and AoE control in the game.

Why S Tier?

• Incredible scaling with new spellpower gear

• Dominant in both PvE and PvP

• Utility: Healthstones, soulstones, banishes

Pro Tip: Stack haste and spellpower, and keep your DoTs rolling with zero downtime. You’ll watch your DPS soar.

Mage (Fire)

Fire Mages finally claim their throne in SoD Phase 8. With the updated Combustion Rune, Living Bomb, and better access to spell hit gear, Fire Mages are bringing the heat (literally). Their burst in AoE and cleave fights is absurd.

Why S Tier?

• Best cleave DPS in raids

• Combustion + Living Bomb = insane burst

• Easy to play, hard to master

PvP Note: Still strong in battlegrounds, but Frost edges them out defensively.

A Tier – Still Crushing It, Just Not Meta-Defining

Hunter (Marksmanship/Survival Hybrid)

Hunters are in a great spot in SoD Phase 8, thanks to synergy between Trueshot Aura, Explosive Shot, and solid ranged pressure. They bring consistent damage and excellent mobility, which shines in both raids and dungeons.

Why A Tier?

• High sustained DPS

• Top-tier mobility and uptime

• Pet builds still viable with proper micromanagement

Downside: Slightly falls behind in heavy AoE compared to Fire Mages or Locks.

Rogue (Combat/Assassination Mix)

Rogues remain a solid pick with buffs to their Poisoned Blade and Relentless Strikes runes. Their single-target output is excellent, and with the right setup, they can burst down bosses or enemy players quickly.

Why A Tier?

• Excellent melee scaling

• Great PvP utility (stuns, interrupts)

• Performs well in single-target raid fights

Note: Still struggles with AoE compared to casters.

Shadow Priest

Shadow Priests have always been a fan favorite, but Phase 8 buffs finally push them into the spotlight. With new runes that boost Devouring Plague and Vampiric Touch, their DoT pressure and raid utility are unmatched.

Why A Tier?

• Huge raid utility with mana regen and off-heals

• Great scaling with new gear

• PvP monster with insane pressure

But: Still not quite at S Tier burst levels.

B Tier – Viable, but Needs Support or Gear to Shine

Feral Druid (Cat)

Feral Cats are a mixed bag. With good gear and proper energy pooling, they can pump hard. But their rotation is still a bit clunky, and their AoE leaves something to be desired.

Why B Tier?

• Solid single-target

• Decent utility in group content

• Can off-tank when needed

Weakness: Difficult to master, low cleave compared to others.

Elemental Shaman

Elemental Shamans are in a weird spot. They bring great burst potential and totems galore, but they’re still a bit too reliant on procs and crits. That said, they’re fun as hell to play.

Why B Tier?

• Decent burst in short fights

• Totem support helps groups

• Versatile in PvE and PvP

But: Mana issues and inconsistent damage hold them back.

Arms Warrior

With Phase 8 runes like Blood Frenzy and Improved Slam, Arms Warriors can do serious damage, especially with execute phases. But they need good support (heals, buffs) to reach their ceiling.

Why B Tier?

• Can dominate in execute phases

• Strong cleave with Sweeping Strikes

• Naturally tanky

Drawback: Not the best in longer sustained fights or magic-heavy encounters.

C Tier – Playable, But Struggles in Meta

Balance Druid

Boomkins are still not quite where we want them to be. They’re fun and quirky, but even with some rune reworks, they lag behind in raw damage output.

Why C Tier?

• Utility with Innervate and off-heals

• Fun rotation with Starfall and Wrath spam

But: Mediocre DPS and mana issues make them a tough sell in serious content.

Retribution Paladin

Yes, they’ve got buffs. Yes, they’ve got cool runes like Divine Storm. But no, they’re still not competitive DPS. Great support, but as a main DPS? You’ll be struggling to keep up.

Why C Tier?

• Strong utility (buffs, off-heals)

• Burst potential in PvP

Downside: Very poor cleave and sustained damage

What’s the Best DPS Class for You in SoD Phase 8?

Here’s the thing—just because something’s in S Tier doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. DPS rankings are helpful, sure, but playstyle, comfort, and class knowledge play massive roles. A top-tier Fire Mage who doesn’t know their rotation will still get out-DPS’d by a B-tier Rogue who’s honed their class inside and out.

If you’re serious about pushing content and want every edge possible, farming up solid gear and consumables is essential. And if you're looking to speed that up, grabbing some WoW SoD Gold from a trusted source like PVPBank can save you hours of grind time without compromising your raid readiness.

Final Thoughts – SoD Phase 8 DPS Meta Recap

Phase 8 has brought in the biggest DPS shakeup in the Season of Discovery so far. Casters are dominating, with Warlocks and Fire Mages topping the meters, while hybrids and melee DPS find themselves slightly outpaced unless highly optimized. That said, every class is viable in the right hands.

If you're aiming to climb the DPS charts, focus on:

• Mastering your rune combos

• Learning your best stat priorities

• Practicing optimal rotations

• Staying flexible with gear and consumables

Remember, meta shifts will always happen—but skill, preparation, and consistency always win out in the end. Good luck out there, and may your parses be high and your loot rolls lucky.