Azeroth Survivors Tier List

S

Paladin

Holy Shock chains

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Healing on your Holy Shock hits

Holy Shock is both an attack and a recovery source. Divine Favor extends its bolts into groups, and the route adds critical-triggered and periodic Holy Wrath without needing kills. We rate that combination highly for solo runs because the healing continues to matter against an enemy that survives the first hits.

Core at 31 points

Divine Favor makes Holy Shock the opening spell at point 11. Daybreak adds a Holy Wrath on a Holy Shock critical, limited to once every 3 seconds; Light's Grace supplies a separate Holy Wrath every 14 seconds at point 31.

Before it comes together

The Holy Shock opening is available from 11 points, but the critical-triggered burst arrives at 21 and the periodic burst at 31. These are three distinct stages.

The trade-off

Random-target bolts do not let you pick every target. Holy Wrath's surrounding area and Consecration's placed area still need enemies inside them. Hit healing is not immunity.

What 51 points adds

The remaining Retribution points add cooldown recovery, damage reduction and critical chance. They do not select a competing starting-spell milestone.

S

Mage

Frostbolt and control

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Slows, impact splash and room to move

Splitting Ice gives Frostbolt impact-area damage, while the bolt and Water Elemental can keep attacking a surviving target. Slows, Frostbite and recurring Frost Nova support the ranged positioning that keeps the engine operating. We put Frost alongside Paladin because its control complements its damage rather than waiting for a death to begin spreading.

Core at 31 points

At 31 points, Summon Water Elemental supplies the Frostbolt opening, a permanent Water Elemental and a free Frost Nova every 8 seconds. Splitting Ice is already selected at point 21.

Before it comes together

Frostbite is selected at point 11 and the splash at 21. Before point 31, Frostbolt must be offered; neither the changed opening nor the elemental is assumed.

The trade-off

Frostbite is a chance to freeze, and Frost Nova roots bosses for a shorter duration. Blizzard stays where it is placed. Improved Ice Barrier strengthens an offered barrier; it does not grant the card. The 31-point route has no Arcane regeneration yet.

What 51 points adds

Arcane adds maximum health, regeneration and a chance-based nearby Arcane Explosion. The 31-point assessment does not count those later recovery benefits.

Prefer Fire criticals and kill explosions? Compare the Fire route separately; it does not inherit this Frost control package. Ignite into Pyroblast.

A

Hunter

Pets into Multi-Shot

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Companions feeding ranged coverage

The wolf and raptor can keep biting a durable target, while nearby bite damage and Frenzy broaden their value in packs. Movement speed and damage reduction help ranged positioning. This is a strong general-purpose damage route, but avoiding incoming pressure matters more than it does in Paladin's attack-and-heal setup.

Core at 31 points

The wolf arrives at point 11. At point 21, pet bites have a 75% chance to fire a free Multi-Shot. Point 31 adds a raptor and makes bites hit two additional enemies near the target.

Before it comes together

The first 10 points do not include a pet. The wolf, Frenzy and second companion arrive separately; this allocation never changes the opener through Kill Shot.

The trade-off

Companion presence does not guarantee every bite reaches a target or fires Multi-Shot. This plan has no Aimed Shot killing-blow reset, and owner bonuses should not all be assumed to apply to pets.

What 51 points adds

Marksmanship adds Auto Shot piercing at point 42 and extra Multi-Shot targets later. The 31-point pet engine does not include those benefits yet.

Prefer direct shots and an Aimed Shot opening? The Marksmanship route changes the priorities and delays its wolf until point 42. Arrow coverage.

A

Shaman

Chain Lightning circuit

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Recurring lightning through a group

Elemental Fury improves both the number and quality of Chain Lightning's jumps, while Elemental Mastery gives the route a reliable recurring cast. That same first hit still matters on a lone target, but the group-clearing advantage cannot all be carried into a no-add boss fight. Recovery depends on other choices actually offered during the run.

Core at 31 points

Elemental Fury is selected at point 21. At point 31, Elemental Mastery makes Chain Lightning the opening spell and adds a second Chain Lightning every 3 seconds.

Before it comes together

Lightning Overload begins at point 11, but it only repeats an eligible lightning attack. The guaranteed Chain Lightning opening and periodic cast both wait until 31.

The trade-off

A chain needs another enemy within jump reach. More targets do not prove higher single-target damage. Lightning Shield is retaliation when hit, not an absorb shield to deliberately tank with.

What 51 points adds

Enhancement adds reduction and Windfury at point 42. Windfury names Lightning Bolt and the shocks, not Chain Lightning; this split does not reach Maelstrom Weapon.

A

Druid

Moonfire and treants

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Ranged damage with recurring Starfire

Starfall supplies repeatable direct damage alongside Moonfire's damage over time and the treant companions. This gives Balance value against both pursuers and a target that remains alive. The main limitation at this budget is surviving sudden pressure: Rejuvenation is an offered option, not an automatic low-health recovery talent already in the allocation.

Core at 31 points

Starfall casts a free Starfire every 4 seconds from point 21. Force of Nature adds two treants and the Moonfire opening at point 31. Omen of Clarity is a separate chance-based Starfire trigger.

Before it comes together

Omen is available from point 11 and the periodic Starfire from 21. Before 31, use the ordinary Wrath opening and the Balance spells actually offered; treants are not present yet.

The trade-off

Moonfire's damage arrives over time, so it is not an immediate area rescue. A Rejuvenation card can provide recovery, but the 31-point Balance route does not yet have Swiftmend's automatic low-health Regrowth.

What 51 points adds

Restoration adds regeneration, then Swiftmend at point 42 and stronger offered healing spells. It stops short of Tranquility and Tree of Life.

A

Priest

Pain and apparitions

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Pain spreading between dying enemies

Shadow has more than a death-spread trick: Shadow Weaving adds damage to Shadow hits and Pain ticks can call a free Mind Blast on a surviving target. Damage-based healing also works without a killing blow. Shadowform makes the pack matchup more complete, but it is precisely that death-dependent part that weakens when the encounter leaves one durable enemy.

Core at 31 points

Shadowy Apparitions gives the Shadow Word: Pain opening at point 21. At 31, Shadowform makes an afflicted death burst around that enemy and pass Pain to the nearest enemy.

Before it comes together

The ordinary opener is still Smite before point 21. Free Mind Blast chances begin at 21, while the death-spread engine requires point 31.

The trade-off

Spirit Tap needs kills for its healing, and Shadowform needs deaths to spread. Damage-based healing can still contribute, but an isolated durable enemy removes those kill-triggered benefits. Power Word: Shield must be offered.

What 51 points adds

Discipline adds damage reduction and a stronger shield. Divine Aegis and Rapture remain unselected, so this is not an automatic shield-break damage and replacement loop.

A

Warlock

Corruption chain

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DoT spread with healing from ticks

Affliction can keep Corruption and other DoTs working while Nightfall contributes direct Shadow Bolts, and Siphon Life turns DoT ticks into recovery. Contagion and Seed reward progress through a dense pack. It is a strong sustained-damage route, but its recovery is gradual and its most expansive damage effects need deaths.

Core at 31 points

Contagion spreads Corruption or Curse of Agony on an afflicted death from point 21. Seed of Corruption gives the Corruption opening at point 31 and adds a nearby burst when a DoT-afflicted enemy dies.

Before it comes together

Nightfall arrives at point 11 and Siphon Life at point 26. Before 31, Corruption is a draft priority rather than a guaranteed opening spell.

The trade-off

A target must stay alive long enough for ticks, then die to fuel the spread. Siphon Life is ongoing recovery, not a full emergency heal. A boss without adds gives fewer opportunities for Contagion and death bursts.

What 51 points adds

Shadow Cleave arrives at point 42 and an Imp from 43. This Affliction plan never selects Legion Gate or a demon capstone.

Want permanent and periodic demons instead? The Demonology route has a different trigger system and mutually exclusive summon choices. Imp, Felhunter and Pit Lord.

A

Warrior

Whirlwind engine

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Recurring spins around your position

Whirlwind provides immediate surrounding coverage and keeps recurring after Bladestorm, while Flurry supports both Whirlwind and Bloodthirst against targets that stay in reach. Blood Craze adds ongoing recovery from damage dealt. The engine has fewer low-health or death requirements than Rogue's finishers, but retreating can also mean giving up close-range damage and healing.

Core at 31 points

Flurry adds an immediate partial repeat to Whirlwind and Bloodthirst from point 21. Bladestorm supplies the Whirlwind opening and a free spin every 3 seconds at point 31.

Before it comes together

Rampage provides a free Whirlwind every seventh kill from point 11. That is different from the periodic spin at 31; Cleave remains the practical alternative while desired cards are absent.

The trade-off

Whirlwind has limited surrounding reach. Bloodthirst heals through damage dealt to a nearby target, so standing outside attack range removes that recovery. Recurring attacks are not permission to stand inside a pack.

What 51 points adds

Arms adds damage reduction and Deep Wounds at point 42. The finished 31 Fury / 20 Arms split leaves Sweeping Strikes unselected.

B

Rogue

Backstab splash

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Nearby finishers with splash

Backstab and Eviscerate reward finishing wounded targets, and Shadow Dance carries part of those hits into nearby enemies. Preparation supplies recurring control and Cheat Death can rescue a lethal mistake. We still rate the overall package below Warrior's at 31 points: it asks for close contact while more of its payoff is gated by enemy health, and its recovery has a long reset.

Core at 31 points

Preparation adds a free surrounding Gouge every 6 seconds from point 21. Shadow Dance supplies the Backstab opening at point 31 and adds splash to Backstab and Eviscerate.

Before it comes together

Cheat Death arrives at point 11. Before point 31, Backstab is an offered option rather than the guaranteed opening spell; Shadow Dance's splash is absent.

The trade-off

Backstab and Eviscerate need a target in melee range; their doubled-damage condition requires the enemy below 30% health. Cheat Death can save a lethal hit only once every 2.5 minutes.

What 51 points adds

Assassination adds Deadly Poison at point 42. Mutilate remains unavailable in this 31 Subtlety / 20 Assassination plan; fitting both milestones would exceed 51 points.