A very early look at the Dragonflight 10.2 DPS Rankings based on 10.1.7 DPS tier list data and early patch info.
With patch 10.1.7 here and patch 10.2 on the way, let’s take a look at some early 10.2 DPS rankings predictions as everyone is searching it. We’ll start this off with a basis of information from our 10.1.7 list, we’ll put a note on each spec with a (Up 2) etc. for what we think will happen based on patch notes.
Obviously, the 10.2 PTR is constantly in a state of flux, and by the time we update it, Blizzard might roll back a patch or add something new. At the end of the article, we’ll take a look at some of the classes with the largest changes in more detail, and add some added insight from those within that classes community.
Dragonflight 10.2 DPS Rankings
Based on data from our 10.1.7 tier list and PTR patch information. These updates happen multiple times a week. This will act as our 10.2 DPS Tier List for now as well, so it will be updated until 10.2 is released.
Updated 13/9 (9/13)
Dragonflight 10.2 Tier List S Tier:
- Destruction Warlock (No movement. Looks strong still)
- Augmentation Evoker (no update yet)
- Arcane Mage (no update yet)
- Devastation Evoker (no movement)
Dragonflight 10.2 Tier List A Tier:
- Arcane Mage (no update yet)
- Havoc Demon Hunter (Changes coming later in the PTR)
- Beast Mastery Hunter (few minor changes. will likely remain as good. No movement)
- Marksmanship Hunter (minor changes. No movement)
- Frost Mage (no update yet)
- Elemental Shaman (Minor changes)
- Enhancement Shaman (Primordial Wave go brr. No change)
- Balance Druid (no movement)
- Retribution Paladin (no changes)
- Fire Mage (no update yet)
- Unholy Death Knight (down 1)
- Demonology Warlock (down 1. Entire rotation change)
Dragonflight 10.2 Tier List B Tier:
- Fury Warrior (no update yet)
- Windwalker Monk (No changes)
- Arm Warrior (no update yet)
- Affliction Warlock (too few changes)
- Feral Druid (Up 1, can’t get worse?)
Dragonflight 10.2 Tier List C Tier
- Frost Death Knight ( No changes so far)
- Survival Hunter (some minor early damage increases. No movement)
Too Early to say, Tier
- Shadow Priest (Power Infusion change. Moved here for now)
- Outlaw Rogue (see below)
- Assassination Rogue (see below)
- Subtlety Rogue (see below)
Dragonflight 10.2 DPS Rankings – a closer look
Unholy DK
Blizzard specifically wants to take a look at the burst damage of the unholy DK in 10.2, as they look to shift the DPS to a more overall pattern. Right now, Unholy DK works on a 3-minute DPS window, Blizzard wants to move that to a 45-second window going forward. It will probably work out for Unholy, but, will likely see them drop off top spot.
Havoc Demon Hunter
Havoc Demon Hunter is getting a talent overall in 10.2, but as of the last update, no news on this has been shared.
Balance Druid
Balance is getting a few things moved around, and some numbers will be tweaked. Right now, it looks like, overall they’ll be in the same place. Again, like with Unholy DK, Balance will lose its reliance on one spell doing massive damage, and move to share DPS across the rotation.
Evoker
No mention of Augmentation Evoker in the patch notes; we do know that Devastation will be getting some changes. For now, though, it looks like Devastation will remain a top performer.
Shadow Priest
Power Infusion Priest is getting a 5% nerf and we’re not sure Blizzard got the memo on this one. Joking aside, Shadow Priest is in a weird spot with the changes to Power Infusion, and right now, it’s impossible to judge the spec before Blizzard decides what to do with such a key ability.
Rogue
All 3 Rogue spec trees and the Rogue talent tree are getting changed. It’s probably the largest rework we’ve since in Dragonflight and as a result, we’ve taken it off the 10.2 DPS Rankings for now. For Assassination, Blizzard wants to help AOE damage. Outlaw is a fun spec, but lacks tools, or, lacks the ability to utilize them. Blizzard is moving more Outlaw spells to the baseline to fix that. Subtlety, they want more diversity of gameplay, though overall, they like the spec in Dragonflight.
Demo Warlock
Blizzard is shifting the focus away from Nether Portal and Tyrant DPS windows. In future, the idea is for each CD to work independently, and not require the other. In theory, allowing the Demo lock to excel in more fights.
Mage and Warrior
Neither are mentioned in the first round of updates, though Mage, in particular we expect to see changes at some point.