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Hey, look at you, Mr/Miss/Mrs./Ms. Level Ten! Way to go! Hopefully the first ten levels of WoW have been an enjoyable romp filled with lots of dead boars. Now that you are level 10, there are a bunch of new and exciting options that are available to you.

To start things off, you now have your first talent point and you can start thinking about what kind of warrior/ mage/ priest/ shaman/ druid/ hunter/ paladin/ warlock/ rogue you want to play.

Second, you can now choose what professions you want to learn. Technically, these became available at level 5, but there’s so much to learn when you start out I advise you to wait until level 10 to start learning them.

Thirdly, you’re going to start seeing weapons and armor with attribute bonuses and you need to know what kind of items to choose and what stats are good for your class.

In this post I’m going to give an introduction to the different talent specs for each class and we’ll take a look at the other two in future articles.

The Lowdown

When you dinged 10, you might have noticed that a new box appeared on your screen in the toolbar that contains your character screen and quest log.

See the third one from the left? That bullseye opens up your talent spec screen. For right now, instead of using the in-game talent calculator, click here and we’ll use Wowhead’s. I’m going to use the Mage tree to introduce you to the talent trees and how they work.

The first thing you’ll notice is that there are three different trees. In our example, we have Arcane, Fire, and Frost, which coincide with the Mage spell trees. If you’re thinking that putting points into the Frost tree will improve, diversify, and strengthen your Frost spells, then you are correct. Congratulations! You win a shiny new [Boar Rib].

The next thing you’ll notice is that there are lots of choices. Lots. You can’t choose them all. Right now, at level 10, you have one point to spend. You’ll get one each level from here on, so at level 70, you’ll have a total of 61 points. That’s only enough to go all the way down one tree and then about halfway down a second (if you choose), so you must spend your points wisely.

As you think about choosing your spec, it’s important to know that talents usually get better with each successive tier. This means that it’s generally a good plan to start by focusing your points in one tree instead of putting points in two or three trees. Once you have all of the talents you want from your main tree, then feel free to spread the love around some.

Lastly, if you happen to make a mistake spending your points, or put a point in a talent that you later decide you don’t want, or just want to can the whole thing and start something new, you can get all of your points refunded. Head to any of your class trainers and select “Unlearn talents.” Respec’ing is definitely a part of the game and everyone does it sooner or later, if for no other reason than just to try out something new. It does cost some Gold, however, so frivolous respecs should be avoided. Also, I think we can all agree that Frivolous Respecs would be a great name for a rock band.

Choosing Your Spec

The first thing most people want to know is, “What’s the best spec for my class?” The answer is: There is no “best” spec for any class. Every class can play and compete in virtually every area of the game regardless of spec. What you want to accomplish with your talent choices is to match your playstyle with the spec that best complements it.

When choosing how to place your points, you usually won’t fill in every box in your tree. The best talents are generally at 21, 31 and 41 points and the other available talents range from poor to great. Once you’ve got a general idea of how you want to spec, the WoW class forums can be a great source of additional (and more specific) information.

For the purposes of this guide we’ll primarily be looking at the different specs from a leveling perspective, i.e., we’ll be looking for talents that allow for quicker, easier and more efficient leveling (mainly solo leveling but we’ll talk about groups some too). I’ll also mention some PvP specs when appropriate, and lastly I’ll give some thoughts on weapon choices when they would make an impact on playstyle.

In no particular order, here we go:

Warrior

For the most gear dependent class, it should come as no surprise that the type of weapon(s) you like to play with will have a large impact on what talent spec you should choose.

Arms - If you like to play with a big and mean 2-handed weapon, then Arms is the spec for you. This spec has a huge potential for burst DPS making it the most popular PvP spec. It is also a solid choice for general leveling, although a wee bit less efficient than Fury for that purpose.

Fury - If you like to dual-wield two weapons, then Fury is the spec for you. It is the most efficient leveling/PvE spec, allowing for longer periods of combat with little downtime. It can also be a solid PvP spec.

Protection - If you like to tank or play with a 1-hander and shield, then Protection is your spec. The Prot tree is all about defensive capabilities at the cost of offensive prowess. Most high-end raiding warriors will choose a Prot spec, but it is usually not considered a good spec for PvP or leveling.

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Mage

Mages will rarely have any trouble killing things. As with all cloth wearers, their weakness in leveling is in their defense. Your choices are: spec to increase your survivability or spec to kill things before they can get to you.

Arcane - The Arcane tree is something of a black sheep among the Mage community. Not because it’s a poor or ineffective tree, but because it is somewhat difficult to classify. It focuses mostly on utility but there are also some talents that directly increase damage and survivability. The Arcane tree is a decent (but probably not great) choice for leveling. However, it does have several talents that shine in PvP which makes it a solid choice there.

Fire - Fire is all about offensive DPS casting and very little else. This is an excellent PvP spec and can also be used well in leveling, but you will definitely have to watch your aggro in groups.

Frost - The Frost tree focuses primarily on increasing your survivability but also has some great talents to improve your DPS. This is an excellent leveling spec (especially for AOE grinding) and can also be a great PvP spec.

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Priest

Healing ability is generally more dependent on gear than on talent spec, especially in the pre-BC levels. If you are leveling a Priest, don’t feel like you have to spec one way or another in order to be an effective healer.

Discipline - The Discipline tree is primarily focused on utility with several talents specifically designed to help you (and your group) stay alive longer. Discipline can be a capable leveling spec, especially for priests that want to be more “group-friendly” than Shadow Priests.

Holy - The Holy tree is almost completely devoted to increasing your healing abilities, although there are a couple of talents to increase survivability and DPS. Holy is generally regarded as the least effective leveling and PvP spec (since it is difficult to heal things to death).

Shadow - The Shadow tree is primarily focused on offensive casting and is an excellent choice for both leveling and PvP. The majority of Priests choose Shadow to level and then will often respec Holy or Disc at the level cap.

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Shaman

As one of the hybrid classes, Shaman can fill various roles in a group, from off-tank to melee DPS to caster to healer. Their choice of talent spec will significantly affect their gameplay experience, and at higher levels will determine what roles they can fill.

Elemental - The Elemental spec will increase the Shaman’s casting prowess, turning them into something of a Mage type caster. This is a decent leveling spec and a very good PvP spec. Elemental Shaman will usually want to use a 1-hander and a shield for some added protection.

Enhancement - The Enhancement tree focuses on improving the melee fighting abilities of the Shaman. The ability to wield 2-handed axes and maces, and later the ability to dual-wield are both excellent talents, and give the Shaman a wide range of options. The Enhancement tree is generally considered the best leveling spec but the worst PvP spec. Enhancement Shaman will want to take advantage of their weapon talents and either use a 2-hander or dual wield.

Restoration - The Resto tree is mainly focused on healing, and additionally has several talents designed to increase and sustain the Shaman’s mana pool. It is not a very efficient leveling build, but surprisingly is considered a capable PvP build. Resto Shaman will generally want to use a 1-hander and shield.

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Druid

With a wide range of playstyles available, the Druid’s choice of talent spec will have a huge impact on his gameplay. It can be tempting to spread points in the different trees to maintain a level of competence in all areas; however, at higher levels specialization becomes more and more necessary to help the Druid compete with other classes.

Balance - The Balance tree focuses on the Druid’s spellcasting abilities, and gives the Moonkin form at 31 points. A Balance Druid plays similar to a mage, but lacks any AoE capabilities. The Balance tree is a good choice for leveling and also a solid PvP spec.

Feral - The Feral tree enhances the Druid’s (shapeshifted) melee abilities, focusing on the Bear, Dire Bear, and Cat forms. A properly geared Feral Druid can tank any pre-70 instance with ease and can also provide excellent DPS in Cat form. Feral is an excellent spec for both leveling and PvP.

Restoration - The Restoration tree increases the Druid’s healing abilities and a properly geared Resto Druid can provide healing on par with any class. However, as with most healing-specific trees, Restoration is not a good leveling or PvP spec. Many Druids will level as Feral or Balance and then respec to Resto at the level cap.

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Hunter

For the most part, the Hunter’s spec will not change his or her gameplay all that much. Hunters are a solid DPS class with a capable tank/off-tank and will level easily regardless of spec. What the spec will affect is how the Hunter does damage — bows and guns vs. pets vs. traps and stings.

Beast Mastery - Increasing their survivability and DPS, the Beast Mastery tree is focused on improving the Hunter’s pets. This is an excellent leveling and PvP spec. Many a caster has gone down in a Battleground under a large, red, and above all *angry* Hunter pet (hee hee*).

Marksmanship - The Marksman tree focuses on increasing the Hunter’s ranged attack abilities and has several new shots that the Hunter can learn as she specs deep into the tree. Marksmanship is a good leveling spec and can also be an excellent PvP spec.

Survival - Survival is similar to the Mages’ Arcane tree in that it is somewhat hard to classify. There are several talents designed to increase the utility and damage done by the Hunter’s traps as well as several talents that increase ranged and melee capabilites. The Survival tree is generally not considered the best leveling spec but it can be a capable PvP spec.

*I realize that I am a caster now, but I used to take such an inordinate amount of joy from doing this to casters on my old Hunter that it still makes me giggle.

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Paladin

As with all of the hybrid classes, Paladins can competently fill several different group roles. However, Paladins as a class are more defensively oriented than other hybrids - with their shield and mail/plate abilities - and so they are usually more suited to a tank/off-tank or healer/off-healer role than to a DPS slot. As with all hybrids, talent spec will determine what roles a Paladin can fill at higher levels.

Holy - At the level cap, Holy is considered to be the best all around spec. With the proper gear, it allows for strong PvE capabilities and can provide for an exceptional (and quite durable) PvP healer. However, leveling as a Holy paladin would be a slow and probably frustrating task, as the tree is primarily devoted to increasing the Paladin’s healing capabilities. Holy Paladins will usually want to use a 1-hander and shield.

Protection - Spec’ing in the Protection tree will increase a Paladin’s survivability and tanking capabilities. If you want to be a tankin’, healin’, plate wearin holy dude, then this tree is what you’re looking for. PvP is viable with a Prot spec, but it has been described to me as “wonky.” Not weird or screwy, but precisely wonky. Leveling as a Protection Paladin would be possible but slow. Prot Paladins will want to use a 1-hander and shield as well.

Retribution - To my knowledge, Retribution is the only spec of any class that has spawned its own nickname: Retnoob. Allow me to break down this complicated word for you. First, we have the word “retn” which I believe is a derivative of an ancient Orcish word “rietine” which meant “free” or “easily obtained.” Then “oob” I believe comes from the old Thalassian word “troobe” which meant “honor points.” So, we have, um… whoops…

No, no, I keed, I keed. Seriously, at the level cap, Retribution is often mocked because some people feel that Paladins will never be a viable DPS class (regardless of spec or gear) and so spec’ing Ret is something only a noob would do. There is a glimmer of truth in this - it certainly requires skill and good gear to DPS as a pally - but I can say that it is not true across the board.

With all that said, Retribution is probably the most popular leveling build and can be a capable PvP build as well. Ret Paladins will usually want to use a 2-handed weapon to maximize their DPS.

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Warlock

With several demons to summon and a couple of different styles of gameplay, the Warlock can be a difficult class to figure out. If you are playing a Lock, don’t be afraid to experiment with different methods of combat as you try to find your niche.

Affliction - The Affliction tree is all about strengthening the Warlock’s DoTs and debuffs. This is an excellent leveling spec, as it allows for incredibly long periods of sustained combat, and it can produce a very dangerous PvP opponent as well.

Demonology - The Demonology tree focuses on improving the Warlock’s demons (and his control over them). There are also several utility spells in the tree and it is capped off by the excellent Felguard summon at 41 points. The Demo tree is a solid leveling and PvP spec.

Important Tip for my fellow Demo Warlocks: Hear me now and believe me later. If you are planning on getting the Felguard, make sure you have 3/3 points in Mana Feed. Trust me on this.

EDIT: I no longer think 3/3 is necessary. I’ve got only 1/3 at 70 in Mana Feed and this seems to be working fine. If your Felguard is going OOM too frequently, try turning Cleave off. It’s not really needed in solo PvE.

Destruction -The Destruction tree is all about offensive, direct damage spellcasting. It is the premiere DPS and PvP build for Warlocks. However, there will be significant downtime with this build. S I G N I F I C A N T D O W N T I M E. If you choose the Destro tree for leveling, either become very friendly with a generous mage or plan on mortgaging your Felsteed to support your Filtered Draenic Water addiction.

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Rogue

Regardless of spec, Rogues are a stealthy, deadly, high-DPS class. For the most part, the talent spec chosen will not determine what the rogue can do; rather, it should act as a complement to the Rogue’s particular style of gameplay.

Assassination - The Assassination tree focuses mainly on burst DPS, making it an excellent PvP tree. It can also be a viable leveling spec; however it is not the most efficient build for that purpose. Assassination rogues will generally want to use daggers as several of their talents require them.

Combat - Combat focuses on providing a high level of sustained DPS with less burstiness (is that a word? it is now) than the Assassination tree. It is generally viewed as the best leveling spec (especially when coupled with swords) and can be a decent (but not superb) PvP spec.

Subtlety - The Subtlety tree is primarily focused on utility, providing improvements to skills such as Sap, Blind, Stealth, Feint, and Dodge, but it also has several talents designed to increase DPS. The Subtlety Rogue can be a very dangerous PvP opponent - although you will most likely not do as much damage as an Assassination Rogue, you would have more tricks up your sleeve to control the flow of combat. The Subtlety tree also makes a decent leveling build, but will be somewhat less efficient than Combat.

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Part Five of the Newbie’s Guide to WoW can be found here.

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