DreXxiN World of Warcraft Patch 11.2: The Biggest Class and Spec Winners
With World of Warcraft Patch 11.2, "Ghosts of K’aresh," set to launch on August 5, 2025, Blizzard has unleashed a significant wave of class tuning and new set bonuses tied to Hero Talents. These changes, detailed in the Public Test Realm (PTR) notes, shake up the meta for Season 3 of The War Within. Some specs have emerged as clear winners, poised to dominate in raids, Mythic+ dungeons, and PvP. Below, we highlight the biggest beneficiaries of Patch 11.2’s class and spec changes, based on buffs, reworks, and set bonuses.1. Frost Death Knight: A Chilling Comeback
Frost Death Knights are receiving a major overhaul in Patch 11.2, cementing their place as a top-tier DPS spec. Blizzard’s focus on reducing resource friction and enhancing iconic abilities has paid off. Key changes include:- Baseline Glacial Advance: Now learned at level 10, this ability allows Frost DKs to spend Runic Power on AoE damage without a talent point, improving early leveling and endgame flexibility.
- New Talents: Additions like Frostbound Will (reduces Empower Rune Weapon cooldown when consuming Rime) and Runic Strikes (boosts Obliterate and Frostscythe damage) enhance both single-target and AoE performance.
- Manaforge Omega Set Bonuses: The 2-piece bonus increases Reaper’s Mark stacks with heightened scythe effectiveness, while the 4-piece allows Reaper’s Mark to stack up to 15 times and boosts critical strike chance by 10% for 8 seconds after exploding. Trollbane’s Obliterate and Frostscythe also see significant damage increases, with Frostscythe now shattering Trollbane’s Chains of Ice.
2. Elemental Shaman: S-Tier DPS Potential
Elemental Shamans are riding a wave of buffs that could propel them into S-tier status for DPS in Patch 11.2. While they faced nerfs to their set bonuses in Patch 11.1, Blizzard has compensated with significant damage increases:- Primordial Wave Buff: A massive 500% damage increase to Primordial Wave makes it a cornerstone ability for single-target damage, addressing previous weaknesses.
- Overall Damage Boosts: Combined with earlier buffs to core spells, Elemental Shamans are now a top contender for ranged DPS, particularly in Mythic+ and raids.
3. Retribution Paladin: Shining Bright
Retribution Paladins are among the biggest winners of Patch 11.2, with targeted buffs reversing earlier nerfs and enhancing their DPS profile. Posts on X highlight a significant boost to Ret Paladins, and PTR notes confirm:- Damage Increases: Core abilities have been tuned upward, making Ret a competitive melee DPS option in both PvE and PvP.
- Set Bonus Synergy: The new class set bonuses tied to Hero Talents amplify Ret’s burst damage, particularly for Herald of the Sun and Lightsmith builds, ensuring sustained output in raids like Manaforge Omega.
4. Evoker (Flameshaper): Explosive Potential
Evokers, particularly Flameshaper builds across Preservation, Augmentation, and Devastation, are set to benefit from powerful new set bonuses:- Flameshaper 4-Piece Bonus: Consuming Essence Burst during Inner Flame fires an Essence Bomb, dealing damage (Devastation) or healing allies (Preservation/Augmentation). This adds significant AoE potential and synergy with Hero Talents.
- Devastation Buffs: While Devastation Evokers faced nerfs to old tier sets in Patch 11.1.5, the new bonuses incentivize switching to Season 3 gear, boosting their damage output.
5. Protection Warrior: The Tank Throne
Protection Warriors are poised to dominate as the premier tank spec in Patch 11.2’s Mythic+ Season 3. Key changes include:- Damage and Survivability Buffs: Adjustments to talents and abilities enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities, making Prot Warriors the go-to choice for high-level Mythic+.
- PvP Viability: Blizzard’s focus on improving tank performance in battlegrounds, including flag-carrying incentives, boosts Prot Warriors’ presence in PvP.
Honorable Mentions
- Shadow Priest: Buffs to Psychic Link, Halo, and Entropic Rift improve DPS, particularly in Mythic+, where Shadow has been underutilized. The Voidweaver 4-piece set bonus enhances Void Blast and Entropic Rift, making them a dark horse for Season 3.
- Fire Mage: Significant buffs to Pyroblast, Fireball, Fire Blast, and Scorch improve their PvP and PvE performance, though they still lag behind top DPS specs. The Sunfury set bonus adds synergy with Hyperthermia and Lesser Time Warp.