WoW Classic Era has nine classes: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock and Druid. Paladin is Alliance-only and Shaman is Horde-only, so each faction gets eight. There are no Death Knights, Monks or other later classes. The level cap is 60. Hunter is the easiest to level solo, and Warrior is the strongest raid class but the hardest to level.
Quick facts: every Classic Era class at a glance
| Class | Faction | Raid role | Solo leveling |
| Warrior | Both | Main tank, top melee DPS | Slow, needs gear and heals |
| Paladin | Alliance only | Healer, raid buffs | Steady but slow to kill |
| Hunter | Both | Ranged DPS | Easiest in the game |
| Rogue | Both | Melee DPS | Good, with stealth and escapes |
| Priest | Both | Main healer | Moderate, Shadow is strong |
| Shaman | Horde only | Healer, group totems | Solid with Enhancement |
| Mage | Both | Ranged DPS | Fast, and the best at AoE farming |
| Warlock | Both | Ranged DPS, utility | Very easy with demon pets |
| Druid | Both | Healer, some tanking | Flexible, travel form helps |
- Talents: each class has three talent trees. You get your first point at level 10 and 51 points by level 60.
- Class quests: several key abilities come from quests, not trainers. Examples are the Hunter pet, the Warlock Voidwalker and the Druid forms.
- Hybrids: Paladins, Shamans and Druids can play several roles, but raid groups mostly want them as healers.
Which Classic Era class is best for a first character?
Hunter is the friendliest choice. Your pet tanks for you, you kill from range and you rarely need help. Warlock comes a close second. Mage is the pick if you care about gold, because area-of-effect farming pays for your mount and consumables.
Which class is strongest in Classic Era raids?
Warriors run Classic raids. They tank every boss, and in good gear Fury Warriors top the meters. Rogues, Mages and Warlocks are the other main damage dealers. Priests, Paladins, Shamans and Druids heal. The catch is cost. A Warrior depends on gear more than any other class and is the slowest to level alone.
Why can only one faction play Paladin or Shaman?
That is how the original 2004 game worked, and Classic Era keeps it. Paladins are tied to Alliance races and Shamans to Horde races. Your faction choice sets which of the two you can play, and that also shapes raid buffs and how groups are built on each side.
How long does it take to reach level 60?
Expect several days of total played time for a first character. The exact time depends on your class, your route and how much you group. Pet classes and Mages level fastest. Warriors and pure healers level slowest unless they group for dungeons.
If you would rather skip the slow early levels or get a fresh 60 raid-ready, PewPewShop offers WoW Classic Character Leveling from EUR 18 and Classic Dungeon Boost from EUR 11. Both are done by vetted human players, with no bots.