livejamie
join:2007-11-15
| [ Classes] Highest Burst Casting DPS?
I'm a little bit confused as to what class to play. I was playing a warlock up to level 7 and was told that Warlocks are more of a DOT Steady DPS class, by somebody, who recommended I play an Elementalist Shaman.
But I've read here in the forums that there are a couple of contenders for this, Moonkins, Mages, Hunters.
Somebody on my server even recommended a Shadow Priest.
Any insight into these classes would be appreciated - I'm new and don't really know anything about this game.
I just want to be able to level fast and be somewhat viable/good in PVP lateron. (I don't mind learning a class and playing to its potential.) |
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Tirael
join:2009-03-18
Savannah, GA
| A spriest is more of a dot oriented/channel casted class similiar to a warlock. Imo, from what I have seen in raids, Arcane/FFB/Fire Ball spec'd mages are one of the highest single target caster dps. Arcane is especially potent. I have seen some arcane mages go as high as 9k dps sustained, with burst of 12-13k. If you are looking at pvp , I would stick with the lock. At 80, a lock with good pvp gear can wtfpwn almost any class (save good dks, rogues and hunters). Roll fears + dots = win.
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“Reality doesn't bite, rather our perception of reality bites.” - Anthony J. D'Angelo |
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Krisnatharok
0311 Scout
Premium
join:2009-02-11
Sterling, VA
| reply to livejamie
Also understand that different classes have 3 different "talent trees" that determine your playstyle.
For instance... Druid:
Balance spec: caster dps
Feral spec: tank OR rogue agility/melee dps
Restoration: Healer
Warlock:
Affliction: Damage over Time disease-based (no burst)
Demonology: Pet-buffing and pet-buffs-you dps (decent burst)
Destruction: Heavy nuke-based dps (aka "fire lock" akin to a fire mage)
Mage: (from what i can tell, my mage is only 19 but this is what I've read on EJ and wowwiki)
Arcane: mana-management and conservation dps
Fire: Crit-heavy nuke dps
Frost: Enemy CC (crowd control)
So depending on what class you play, you could pick up to two talent trees (with a bit of gold) and switch between the two.
IMO the most fun would be to level a druid or priest so you could dps as a balance druid or shadow priest, but switch to healing if needed to get into groups. Healers are ALWAYS in great demand. 
Start up two characters, and alternate between them as they gain rested XP for being logged out in an inn or capitol city. By the time they both hit 40-60, you'll have a decent idea of the class capabilities and rotation/priority style.
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"One can lead a child to knowledge, but one cannot make him think."
Source: Lt. Col. Jean V. Dubois (Ret.), Starship Troopers |
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quatra
Premium
join:2003-06-22
Matthews, NC
 ·magicjack.com
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to livejamie
From a pvp/arena perspective boomkin, destro locks, arcane mages and elemental shaman all have insane burst dps. It's so good that "wizard cleave" 3v3 has become nearly as dominant as priest mage rogue. Wizard cleave generally means a 3v3 with a shaman and 2 of the above class/specs. The burst is unhealable you have to CC/interrupt/line of sight to survive.
I just noticed you were talking about your level 7 warlock - I really can't give much insight into dps before level 80. Different classes/specs have sweet spots at different levels. There is no class that isn't viable at PvP play what you like (but some classes do need to use a cookie-cutter pvp spec to be viable). |
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Tare
Premium
join:2009-10-27
Windham, ME
| reply to livejamie
This is a pretty good question imo. I'd like to see a contrast in the DPS Burst potential in actual numbers by roughly equally geared classes.... not quite sure how to go about that tho...
Also- how long is the length of time that determines burst? |
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weaseled386
join:2008-04-13
Port Orange, FL
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
·Bright House
| reply to livejamie
I leveled my Warlock Affliction, and it was very, very easy. I'd recommend everyone level that way... I tried Demon, but I could make sandwiches during the slow, slow kills...
Half way thru raiding Naxx I swapped to Destro, and it'll be hard to go back. The only time I play Affliction now is if I'm running instances and just cannot manage to fend off aggro. (Having a GS of 2850+ and running with a newly 80 tank...) Here is how my opening spells go:
Immolate: 1.1 sec cast, and hits for 2k - 5.5k, unlocks a spell and buffs my filler spell.
Chaos Bolt: 1.4 sec cast, and hits for 5.5-19k, but on a 12 sec (unglyphed) cooldown.
Conflag: Instant cast, and hits for 5.5k-19k, but on a 10 sec cooldown.
Incinerate: 1.5 sec cast, and hits for 5.5k-12.5k... this is ~50% of my damage.
While hitting L80 mobs it typically only takes Immolate + one of the other spells. In PvP (which I do little of) the top three usually has the Hordie waiting at the Spirit Healer. In raiding I typically need to start off with Corruption & Curse of Doom/Agony to allow the tank to build a little aggro. |
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Tirael
join:2009-03-18
Savannah, GA
| reply to Tare
5-10 seconds. That is when most people burst, which is usually right at the beginning of a fight, when all their trinkets/class CDs are off cooldown and can be popped.
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“Reality doesn't bite, rather our perception of reality bites.” - Anthony J. D'Angelo |
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Adalicia
join:2009-10-13
| reply to livejamie
Pure caster burst is going fall to mages (specifically Arcane or deep Fire), warlocks (destruction only), shamans (elemental only) and maybe Boomkins (I've seen some pretty impressive nuke crits). Everything else either takes some build up time to really dish out the damage (Affliction Warlocks, Shadow Priests),or is going to deal fairly steady damage off the get go but not really have a huge spike bar a few choice abilities (Hunters that aren't Marksmen).
If you're playing to see big numbers roll either a Deep Fire Mage or a Destruction Warlock. |
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GemSnake
Premium
join:2000-10-19
3rd layer
clubs: 
| reply to livejamie
I don't really know if ele shamans really have what is called 'burst'. We have only one insta-cast spell (with a cooldown) that does NOT guarantee a crit and a spell that does guarantee a crit, bit it has cast time. A guaranteed crit every 8 seconds is hardly 'burst'. But then again I may be not understanding what exactly 'burst' means.
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"In a fight between you and the world, bet on the world." - Franz Kafka |
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Tehuno
join:2005-01-18
Bartlesville, OK
| elemental cant "global" people by themselves, but i can output upwards of 35k damage in less than 5 sec in pve gear. flame shock for ~3k, lava burst for 13k(on a 0 resil target), instant lightning bolt for 10k(possible overload for another 5k), frost shock for 5k. thats best case scenario with everything critting.
i love watching people not release after i kill them, so they can check their combat log to figure out what the hell.
yeah, that just happened. :P |
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GemSnake
Premium
join:2000-10-19
3rd layer
clubs: | Lightning overload can proc off lava burst? Where does instant lightning bolt come from?
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"In a fight between you and the world, bet on the world." - Franz Kafka |
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d_advocate
join:2005-10-13
Hermosa Beach, CA | reply to livejamie
Warlock burst is very high. So high, its getting nerfed next patch. |
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Ghastlyone
join:2009-01-07
North Las Vegas, NV
| said by d_advocate  :Warlock burst is very high. So high, its getting nerfed next patch. I'll remember that next time a Mut Rogue or Ret Pally kill me in 2sec flat. |
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livejamie
join:2007-11-15
| reply to livejamie
See? Lol, this is kind of what I'm talking about. Answers all over the place.
Somebody said that Warlock's DPS is so high they're getting nerfed.
Somebody said that Mages are the highest in the game.
Somebody said that Ele Shamans burst so high that people have to check their combat logs.
I'll probably end up trying a bunch I guess. |
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Tehuno
join:2005-01-18
Bartlesville, OK
| reply to GemSnake
said by GemSnake :Lightning overload can proc off lava burst? Where does instant lightning bolt come from? i always use elemental mastery/lightning bolt when im trying to burst someone. the possible overload proc can come off the instant bolt. |
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GemSnake
Premium
join:2000-10-19
3rd layer
clubs: | I see. I usually do FS - elemental mastery - LvB - LB when I look for burst. This way I give more crit to LB and I get LvB back faster.
--
"In a fight between you and the world, bet on the world." - Franz Kafka |
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Archivis
Your Daddy
Premium
join:2001-11-26
Earth | Blood DK is pretty much all burst all the time. |
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pwrtoppl
C-C-C-Combo Breaker
join:2008-11-21
Broomfield, CO
clubs:
| reply to livejamie
honestly, i dont think youve defined what you mean by burst:
instant casts?
burst over a 5 second period of time?
burst after buildup?
burst during bloodlust? (shhh)
you should define what is "burst" before we can get into a real debate over which caster can burst
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blog from boredom |
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Derlos
join:2009-10-28
Rigaud, QC
| reply to livejamie
I agree with Kris.
If your highest level is 7, pick a couple classes you think you might like and level them concurrently. It is really hard to judge any class so early in the game.
If your new, I would suggest making one of them either a hunter or a lock. The pet will definetely help you with leveling. |
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P Ness
You'Ve Forgotten 9-11 Already
Premium
join:2001-08-29
Mineola, NY
clubs: | please do not roll a boomkin if you want to pvp
you will be sorry |
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