Which class should I main?

Pick by what you'll do most in the first month, not by end-game damage meters: nothing is tuned at 60 yet. Every pick below comes from our tier list by role; the reason names the level or talent it rests on.

Level alone with the fewest deaths

Beast Mastery Hunter	The pet tanks; Aimed Shot is baseline at 20; traps work in combat.
Affliction Warlock	Voidwalker from the level 10 quest; Life Tap and Drain Life replace drinking.

Tank dungeons

Protection Paladin	Seal of Fury at 10 gives a 10-yard Judgement taunt; Consecration at 20.
Protection Warrior	Shield Wall on its own 15-minute cooldown; Thunder Clap in Defensive Stance.
Feral Combat Druid	Tank and cat damage in one tree; potions work in Bear Form.

Heal dungeons and raids

Holy Priest	Prayer of Mending at 31 points; several Priests' Renews on one target.
Restoration Shaman	Chain Heal, Riptide at 31 points, saved totem sets from 20.
Holy Paladin	Holy Shock on a 10 s cooldown at 21 points; plate while leveling.

Fast group leveling and AoE

Frost Mage	Frost Nova plus Cone of Cold for packs; conjured water for everyone.
Enhancement Shaman	Windfury Totem is a party buff; can off-tank a pull.

PvP rulesets

Subtlety Rogue	Sap no longer breaks stealth; Distract lowers stealth detection for 10 s.
Marksmanship Hunter	Sniper Shot reaches 45 yards; traps in combat.
Affliction Warlock	Fear, damage over time and a demon to peel.

One character, every role

Feral Combat Druid	Bear, cat, and a Restoration dual spec from 40.
Retribution Paladin	Levels with Holy Strike and Consecration; Protection or Holy as the second spec at 40.

Still unsure? The planner asks four questions and builds a plan for one race, class and role.

Spotted something wrong or out of date? Suggest a correction. Players keep these guides accurate.