In patch 7.3.5 of World of Warcraft: Legion , the DPS meta was defined by the final raid tier, Antorus, the Burning Throne, and the power spikes provided by Tier 21 set bonuses and legendary items. The clear frontrunners were Affliction Warlocks for ranged and Windwalker Monks for melee, both excelling due to their unique damage profiles and high utility. Top-Tier DPS Specializations
Affliction Warlock (Ranged): Dominant in almost all raid scenarios, especially multi-target and AoE fights like the Coven of Shivarra. Their massive self-sustain also made them a top choice for high Mythic+ keys, often allowing groups to run with minimal healer intervention.
Windwalker Monk (Melee): One of the strongest melee specs, benefiting heavily from the Tier 21 set bonus and the legendary helm. They consistently topped logs on high-movement fights like Kin'garoth due to their mobility and massive burst potential.
Assassination Rogue (Melee): Remained a premier choice for single-target damage, often leading the charts on bosses like Garothi Worldbreaker.
Balance Druid (Ranged): Particularly strong in heavy AoE encounters (e.g., Eonar). Their utility, including Innervate and Solar Beam, made them highly desirable for Mythic+ and raid progression.
Shadow Priest (Ranged): Excelled in "council" style fights with multiple targets, often overtaking Rogues in those specific scenarios. Antorus Raid DPS Rankings
Rankings shifted significantly based on the specific encounter mechanics:
Single-Target: Assassination Rogue, Enhancement Shaman, and Windwalker Monk led for pure boss damage.
Multi-Target/Cleave: Affliction Warlock and Shadow Priest were the undisputed kings.
Heavy AoE: Elemental Shaman, Balance Druid, and Marksmanship Hunter performed exceptionally well on "add" heavy fights like Eonar. Factors Influencing Performance
Tier 21 Sets: These bonuses provided massive throughput increases for certain specs like Windwalker Monks and Elemental Shamans, pushing them into the top tiers.
Legendary Items: Performance was often highly dependent on having specific "BiS" (Best-in-Slot) legendaries, which could make or break a spec's viability for high-end play.
Mobility: Classes with high mobility (Monks, Demon Hunters) were favored in Antorus due to the high volume of movement-based mechanics in the final bosses.
For further performance tracking, players typically referred to Warcraft Logs to see live data from high-level Mythic and Heroic clears.
Based on the context of World of Warcraft: Legion with an item level of 735, the answer requires a key clarification: 735 was not a typical endgame item level in Legion.
Here is the informative breakdown:
Therefore, "best DPS at 735" means best DPS while leveling. At that low item level and sub-max level, class balance is irrelevant because:
The actual answer for "best" at 735:
If you meant "Legion best DPS at 935+ (endgame):" The top specs in Antorus (Patch 7.3.5) were:
Verdict: There is no "best DPS" at 735 because you are still leveling. Focus on reaching 110 and unlocking your full artifact weapon. If you want to dominate while leveling, play a Tank or Beast Mastery Hunter.
You may have seen the term “735 better” floating around – it refers to the massive stat squish and scaling changes introduced in Patch 7.3.5. At 735, secondary stats (haste/crit) reach a “breakpoint” where many specs change rotation or talent choices.
Pro tip: Always sim your own character. Go to Raidbots, import your armory, and run “Top Gear” – it’s free and accurate.
Upload your logs to Warcraft Logs. Compare yourself to other 735 players, not to 960 players.
If you strictly look at the SimC rankings and raid logs from late Legion, the hierarchy looked like this:
Why it felt "Better": Many players look back at Legion 7.3.5 DPS as "better" than modern WoW because the classes felt complete. The Artifact Weapons (like the Dreadblades for Rogues or Fangs of the Devourer) gave each spec unique mechanics that were stripped away in later expansions. You didn't just play a Rogue; you played a Shadow Dance Rogue with traits that fundamentally changed how the spell worked.
In summary: If you wanted to be the absolute best in 7.3.5, you rolled a Subtlety Rogue for raids or an Outlaw Rogue for dungeons.
In patch 7.3.5 of World of Warcraft: Legion , Affliction Warlocks and Windwalker Monks were widely considered the best all-around DPS classes. Their dominance was driven by their performance in the Antorus, the Burning Throne raid and high-level Mythic+ keys, primarily due to their strong synergy with Tier 21 set bonuses and specific legendary items. Top DPS Rankings by Scenario
While certain classes excelled overall, the "best" often depended on whether the encounter focused on single-target burst or multi-target sustain. Category Top Specializations Why They Led Overall Best Affliction Warlock, Windwalker Monk Exceptional sustain, utility, and damage in Antorus. Single-Target Fury Warrior, Enhancement Shaman
Highest potential damage for single-target boss fights in Antorus. Ranged DPS Affliction Warlock, Balance Druid Dominant multi-dotting and strong AoE capabilities. Melee DPS Windwalker Monk, Fury Warrior
High mobility combined with massive burst and cleave damage. "Deep Features": Why These Classes Dominated
The performance of these top-tier specs was tied to specific mechanics and itemization available in patch 7.3.5.
Affliction Warlocks: Their dominance in Antorus was largely due to their multi-dotting capabilities, which allowed them to deal massive damage across multiple targets simultaneously. They also possessed incredible self-sustain (e.g., Drain Soul), making them nearly unkillable in high Mythic+ keys.
Windwalker Monks: They benefited immensely from the Tier 21 set bonus paired with the legendary helm (Katsuo's Eclipse). This combination made them top-tier for both single-target and massive AoE pulls in dungeons.
Fury Warriors: Remained the king of single-target burst damage, consistently topping logs on patchwerk-style boss fights.
Havoc Demon Hunters: While not always at the absolute top of raid logs, they were considered the best class for fast progression and solo content due to their mobility and innate lifesteal.
For a breakdown of which classes were easiest for beginners to pick up during this patch: 20:15
World of Warcraft: Legion Patch 7.3.5, the meta was dominated by classes that could leverage the Tier 21 set bonuses from the Antorus raid. Based on data from Warcraft Logs and community analysis during that period, the top-performing specializations for PvE content were as follows: Top Tier DPS (S-Tier)
Affliction Warlock: Widely considered the absolute king of 7.3.5. They excelled in multi-target and council-style fights in Antorus due to their strong "multi-dot" capabilities and incredible self-sustain, which often allowed them to survive mechanics that killed other classes.
Windwalker Monk: The premier melee DPS choice. They featured explosive AoE and single-target damage, particularly when pairing the Tier 21 4-piece bonus with specific legendaries like the Drinking Horn Cover or Katsuo's Eclipse. High Performance DPS (A-Tier)
Balance Druid: Highly valued for their massive "AoE" spread and utility (like Innervate and Solar Beam). They performed exceptionally well on high-movement fights. wow legion best dps 735 better
Shadow Priest: While they had a steeper "ramp-up" time, their performance on long boss encounters in Antorus made them a top-tier choice for progression.
Marksmanship Hunter: Provided extremely high burst damage and reliable single-target pressure, making them a staple for raid groups needing priority target damage. 7.3.5 DPS Rankings Overview Specialization Affliction Warlock Sustained Multi-target & Survivability Windwalker Monk Burst AoE & Mobility Balance Druid Sustained Cleave & Utility Marksmanship Hunter Burst Single-target Elemental Shaman High Burst (Procs-dependent) Improving Performance in 7.3.5
To reach the "better" numbers indicated in simulations, players focused on three key areas:
Legendaries: Your performance was heavily gated by having "Best-in-Slot" (BiS) legendaries. In 7.3.5, you could target these by buying tokens from the Arcanomancer Vridiel in Dalaran.
Tier 21 Set: The 2-piece and 4-piece bonuses from Antorus were mandatory for most specs to be competitive.
Artifact Concordance: Ensuring your Artifact Weapon was leveled past the initial traits to gain stacks of Concordance of the Legionfall was vital for the raw stat proc.
Top DPS Specs in Legion (735 ilvl):
Other notable mentions:
735 ilvl and better:
Keep in mind that at 735 ilvl, many specs can perform well, but some may have an edge over others. To give you a better idea, here are some approximate DPS ranges for each spec at 735 ilvl:
Keep in mind that these are rough estimates and actual DPS numbers can vary greatly depending on factors like player skill, gear, and playstyle.
Tips for improving your DPS:
In patch 7.3.5 of World of Warcraft: Legion , two specializations stood at the absolute top of the performance tiers: Affliction Warlock for ranged and Windwalker Monk for melee.
While the patch mostly focused on a massive leveling revamp and a new legendary acquisition system, the Tier 21 set from Antorus, the Burning Throne, solidified the end-game meta. Top Ranged DPS: Affliction Warlock
Affliction Warlocks were arguably the strongest spec in the game during this period.
: They dominated multi-target and council-style fights (like the Coven of Shivarra) due to their "multi-dot" capabilities.
: Their self-healing and damage reduction were so high that they could sometimes survive high-level Mythic+ keys without a dedicated healer. Other Notables Shadow Priests Balance Druids
were also high-tier performers, especially on fights with high uptime for multi-targeting. Top Melee DPS: Windwalker Monk
Windwalker Monks surged to the top thanks to the synergy between their Tier 21 set bonus and the legendary helm, Katsuo's Eclipse
: They excelled in both single-target and AoE scenarios, making them highly versatile for both the Antorus raid and high-end Mythic+ content. : Their high mobility and the
stun made them essential for Mythic Dungeon Invitational-level play. Other Notables Assassination Rogues Enhancement Shamans
often traded top spots on specific single-target or pure melee-friendly fights like Garothi Worldbreaker. Notable Patch 7.3.5 Changes Legendary Catch-up : You could now buy specific legendary tokens for 1000 Wakening Essences
from Arcanomancer Vridiel in Dalaran, making it much easier to "finish" your character's power. Combat Resurrections
: In Mythic+, combat resurrections became a shared team resource with a 10-minute recharge. Leveling Revamp : This patch introduced zone scaling
across the entire game world, significantly changing the way players leveled new characters. stat priority for one of these top-tier classes?
World of Warcraft: Legion Patch 7.3.5, the meta revolved around the final raid, Antorus, the Burning Throne, and the powerful Tier 21 set bonuses. The "best" DPS depends on whether you are looking at multi-target raid encounters or high-level Mythic+ utility. Top Ranged DPS
Ranged classes dominated many of the complex, movement-heavy encounters in Antorus.
Affliction Warlock: Widely considered the "king" of Patch 7.3.5. Their damage output in multi-dot and AoE scenarios was unmatched, and their self-sustain was so high it sometimes allowed groups to drop a healer in Mythic+.
Balance Druid: Highly valued for its consistent AoE, massive utility, and the ability to excel in "spread-cleave" fights like the Coven of Shivarra.
Shadow Priest: Similar to Affliction, they thrived on multi-target fights. They often sat near the top of logs for encounters like the Felhounds of Sargeras.
Arcane Mage: Saw a significant rise in rankings during this patch, especially on fights where high burst or specific target priority was required. Top Melee DPS
The Tier 21 set bonuses significantly boosted several melee classes, making them competitive even in ranged-favored raids.
Windwalker Monk: Arguably the strongest melee spec in 7.3.5. They possessed incredible burst, high mobility, and benefited massively from combining the Tier 21 set bonus with the legendary helm (Storm Spirit's Hood).
Assassination Rogue: Excelled in single-target and priority-damage scenarios, frequently topping logs for bosses like Garothi Worldbreaker and Aggramar.
Enhancement Shaman: A strong contender for consistent high-end damage, particularly on fights with frequent target swapping.
Fury & Arms Warrior: Both specs remained highly viable, with Fury often preferred for its high burst windows during Execute phases. 7.3.5 Antorus Raid Statistics
Based on high-end raid logs (95th percentile), the following specs frequently held the highest average DPS across all boss encounters: Primary Strength S-Tier Affliction Warlock Multi-dotting, survivability S-Tier Windwalker Monk Burst AoE, mobility A-Tier Balance Druid Consistent cleave, utility A-Tier Assassination Rogue Single-target, target priority A-Tier Shadow Priest Spread multi-target Mythic+ Performance
For Mythic+ in 7.3.5, the "God Tier" often included specs that could handle high-mobility requirements and provide critical utility:
Subtlety Rogue and Outlaw Rogue were prized for Shroud of Concealment and high utility. In patch 7
Frost Mage remained a staple for its crowd control and slowing capabilities.
Havoc Demon Hunter was highly valued for its massive AoE burst and short cooldowns. Legion Remix Best Classes Tier List - Skycoach
In the final patch of the World of Warcraft: Legion expansion (Patch 7.3.5), the "best" DPS classes were largely defined by their performance in the Antorus, the Burning Throne raid and high-level Top Performing DPS (Patch 7.3.5)
The following specializations were widely considered the strongest due to their high damage output and utility: Affliction Warlock
: Dominant in both raids and Mythic+. They excelled in multi-dotting and AoE scenarios, with legendary self-sustain that often allowed them to survive without a dedicated healer in high-level content. Windwalker Monk
: One of the strongest melee choices. They benefited immensely from their Tier 21 set bonus
and specific legendaries (like the legendary helm), making them top-tier for both single-target and AoE damage while remaining highly mobile. Enhancement Shaman
: Frequently appeared at the top of raw DPS rankings for Antorus, often surpassing other melee classes in pure throughput for certain boss encounters. Assassination Rogue
: Renowned for powerful single-target damage and consistency, especially in raid environments where focus-target damage was critical. Demonology Warlock
: While often overshadowed by Affliction in utility, Demonology saw significant performance spikes, sometimes ranking among the top five for pure damage output. Key "Good Features" of 7.3.5 DPS
Beyond raw numbers, certain mechanics made these classes feel "better" to play: Tier 21 Set Bonuses
: Many classes reached their peak power in 7.3.5 due to the final raid tier's equipment bonuses, which drastically altered rotations and power levels. Legendary Synergy
: By this patch, players could target specific legendaries. Classes like Windwalker Monks Affliction Warlocks
became exceptionally strong once paired with their "bis" (best-in-slot) legendary items. Scaling and Self-Sustain : Late-expansion gear scaling made certain specs like Shadow Priests Balance Druids
extremely viable, while the self-sustain of Warlocks made them "safe" picks for difficult content. for a specific type of content, like
Dominating the Charts: The Best DPS Specs in WoW Legion Patch 7.3.5
The final chapter of World of Warcraft: Legion, Patch 7.3.5, represents the pinnacle of class design for many players. With the Antorus, the Burning Throne raid fully unlocked and Artifact Weapons at their absolute peak power, the competition for the top of the damage meters is fierce.
If you’re looking to maximize your output, here is the definitive breakdown of the best DPS specs in Patch 7.3.5 and why they currently own the meta. The S-Tier: Kings of the Meter 1. Affliction Warlock
In 7.3.5, Affliction Warlocks are widely considered the undisputed kings of DPS. Their strength lies in their incredible self-sustain and multi-target damage.
Why they are better: The synergy between the Reaping Souls artifact trait and the Malefic Grasp talent allows them to maintain massive pressure on single targets while their DoTs (Damage over Time) melt secondary targets. They are exceptionally "tanky" for a cloth wearer, making them a progression favorite. 2. Shadow Priest
Shadow Priests excel in long, sustained encounters—which describes almost every boss in Antorus.
Why they are better: Their "Surrender to Madness" days might be over, but the tier 21 set bonuses turn them into Void Form machines. The longer a fight lasts, the more Haste they stack, eventually reaching a "machine gun" state where their damage scaling becomes exponential. 3. Marksmanship Hunter
For players who prefer physical damage and range, Marksmanship is the go-to.
Why they are better: With high burst potential and some of the best AoE (Area of Effect) in the game via Bursting Shot and Trick Shots, they are versatile. In 7.3.5, their ability to target-swap without losing significant momentum makes them invaluable for high-end Mythic+ and raiding. The A-Tier: Strong and Reliable Balance Druid (Boomkin)
Balance Druids are the masters of "cleave." If a fight has two or three targets standing near each other, the Boomkin will likely top the meters. Their Starfall and Dot spreading capabilities are unmatched, and they provide immense utility with Innervate and Solar Beam. Havoc Demon Hunter
Demon Hunters are the kings of burst. While they might fall slightly behind Affliction Warlocks in ultra-long fights, their "Meta" (Metamorphosis) window provides the highest peak DPS in the game. They are also arguably the most mobile class, allowing them to maintain 100% uptime on bosses even during heavy movement mechanics. Subtlety Rogue
After various tuning passes throughout Legion, Subtlety emerged as the premier Rogue spec for 7.3.5. Their priority target damage is immense. If a boss has a specific phase where something needs to die now, you want a Subtlety Rogue on the job. Why 7.3.5 is "Better" for DPS Balance
Many veterans consider 7.3.5 the "better" version of Legion for several reasons:
Artifact Concordance: By this patch, players have maxed out their Artifact weapons, removing the "grind gap" between casual and hardcore players.
Legendary Catch-up: The introduction of the Wakening Essence vendor means you can finally target the "BiS" (Best in Slot) legendaries that define your spec.
Tier 21 Synergy: The Antorus set bonuses are some of the most transformative in the expansion's history, fixing many of the "clunky" rotations seen in earlier patches. Conclusion
While Affliction Warlocks and Shadow Priests dominate the top of the logs, Patch 7.3.5 is remarkably well-balanced. Almost every spec is viable for Heroic raiding, and most can push high Mythic+ keys if played skillfully.
The "best" DPS is ultimately the one you can play perfectly while handling boss mechanics. However, if you want the easiest path to the top of the charts, it's time to start casting some Unstable Afflictions.
In patch 7.3.5 of World of Warcraft: Legion , the "best" DPS was dominated by Affliction Warlocks Windwalker Monks . This patch was the final major balancing act for the Antorus, the Burning Throne
raid tier, where legendary items and Tier 21 set bonuses defined the meta. Top Tier DPS Breakdown (Patch 7.3.5) Why They Ruled Affliction Warlock
The absolute king of ranged DPS. Their multi-dotting capability and massive self-sustain allowed them to top meters in nearly every Antorus encounter. Windwalker Monk
The top melee contender. With the Tier 21 set bonus and the legendary helm, they provided unmatched burst AoE and strong single-target damage, especially on Mythic Argus. Subtlety Rogue
Highly favored in top-end progression for their incredible single-target burst and survival utility. Balance Druid
Consistently strong across both raids and Mythic+. They offered great utility (Invervate, Solar Beam) and reliable cleave damage. Shadow Priest Standard Legion Item Levels: In Legion (Patch 7
Excelled in long, multi-target fights typical of the Antorus raid. Key Factors for "Better" Performance Tier 21 Sets
: The final raid tier significantly boosted specific specs. For instance, Windwalker Monks became significantly stronger after acquiring their 4-piece bonus. Legendary Reliance : Some specs, like Arms Warrior , were highly dependent on specific legendaries (e.g., Koralon's Burning Touch Archavon's Heavy Hand ) to reach their full potential. Mythic+ vs. Raiding Affliction Warlocks were raid masters, specs like Havoc Demon Hunter Subtlety Rogue
were often preferred for high-level Mythic+ keys due to their explosive burst and mobility. Easiest DPS for Beginners
If you were looking for high performance with a simpler rotation, Beast Mastery Hunter
remained the top choice for its mobility and pet-tanking capabilities, followed by Retribution Paladin due to its plate armor and self-heals. Legendaries
are essential for a specific class to hit these top numbers?
In patch 7.3.5 of World of Warcraft: Legion , the "best" DPS title was largely dominated by Affliction Warlocks Windwalker Monks
. This patch was the final major update of the expansion, focusing on the Antorus, the Burning Throne raid and the scaling changes that made certain specs "better" as they reached high item levels. Top-Tier DPS in Patch 7.3.5 Affliction Warlock
: Widely considered the "king" of the Antorus raid. They excelled due to incredible multi-dotting potential, self-sustain (often out-healing actual healers), and massive scaling with the Tier 21 set bonus. Windwalker Monk
: One of the strongest melee choices. Their damage output was described by some players as "disgusting," often doubling the output of average players due to their high mobility and strong performance in both single-target and AoE scenarios. Balance Druid
: Highly ranked for its consistency and powerful AoE, especially on Council-style fights. Assassination Rogue
: A top contender for single-target damage, often pushing the limits on boss fights like Imonar the Soulhunter. Shadow Priest
: Similar to Warlocks, they scaled exceptionally well toward the end of the expansion, performing excellently on multi-target encounters. Why These Specs Were "Better"
The strength of these classes at the end of Legion was driven by: Tier 21 Set Bonuses
: Many specs only became "S-tier" once they secured their 4-piece bonus from Antorus, the Burning Throne Legendary Scaling
: By 7.3.5, players could target specific legendaries, allowing top specs like Windwalker (with the legendary helm) to reach their maximum potential. Artifact Power
: Maximum artifact levels meant classes with strong "infinite" scaling traits benefited more than others.
If you're looking for the current "best" performers for a private server or a "time capsule" run, check the latest Warcraft Logs for Antorus for the most accurate historical data. Are you planning a specific raid or looking for the best options for that patch?
The transition from the Warlords of Draenor endgame into the World of Warcraft: Legion pre-patch (Version 7.0.3) represented one of the most radical mechanical shifts in the game’s history. For players sitting at a 735 item level—representative of Heroic or Early Mythic Hellfire Citadel gear—the game changed overnight. The effectiveness of a class was no longer defined by the old ability priorities, but by how well their revamped kit interacted with the lingering power of Tier 18 set bonuses and Archimonde trinkets.
During this specific window, the "best" DPS was defined by burst potential and the scaling of new mechanics with old, overpowered gear. Demonology Warlocks and Survival Hunters underwent complete overhauls, but it was the Fire Mage and the Marksmanship Hunter that often rose to the top of the meters. Fire Mages benefited immensely from the new "Critical Mass" and "Phoenix's Flames" mechanics, which allowed them to chain pyrotechnics with a fluidity previously unseen. At a 735 item level, their critical strike chance was high enough to make them devastating in both single-target and area-of-effect encounters.
Furthermore, the pre-patch period was defined by the loss of "Multistrike" as a stat, which was converted into other secondary stats. This shifted the power balance significantly for classes like Subtlety Rogues and Elemental Shamans. The Subtlety Rogue, in particular, became a high-skill, high-reward specialization that could produce astronomical numbers if the player mastered the new "Shadow Dance" charges. Meanwhile, Enhancement Shamans saw a massive surge in viability due to the "Stormstrike" proc-based gameplay, which felt incredibly fast-paced at higher gear levels.
Ultimately, being "better" in the 735-item-level bracket during the Legion transition required more than just picking the right class; it required a deep understanding of the new talent trees. The removal of many baseline abilities into the talent system meant that utility was often traded for raw throughput. While the Shadow Priest and Unholy Knight showed great promise for the upcoming level 110 content, the pre-patch crown belonged to those who could exploit the short combat durations of Hellfire Citadel with the explosive new kits provided by the Legion class updates. 💡 Key Takeaways Fire Mage: Unmatched burst and crit scaling. Enhancement Shaman: High APM and strong procs. Marksmanship Hunter: Retained high-tier viability. Subtlety Rogue: Best for high-skill ceiling players.
Title: WoW Legion: The Truth About "735 Better" and How to Actually Top the DPS Meters
Posted by: MythicMelder
If you’ve been in trade chat or raid pugs lately, you’ve probably heard the chant: “735 or kick,” “item level 735+ only,” “735 better.”
Let’s clear this up right now: In Legion (Patch 7.3.5), 735 is not a real, consistently achievable item level. The absolute highest realistic ilvl for fully mythic-geared players at the end of Antorus was around 970-985. So if someone says “735 better,” they either:
But I think you meant: “What is the actual best DPS in Legion when your gear is ‘better’ (i.e., maxed out)?”
Here’s the no-nonsense, patch 7.3.5 tier list for Mythic Antorus (the final raid). This is where “better gear” actually matters.
At 735, your artifact has at least 4-5 relic slots. The ilvl of relics matters less than the trait.
After analyzing logs from Nighthold Mythic speed kills and M+ leaderboards (patch 7.2), here are the standout performers at 735 equipped.
Summary
Methodology (assumptions)
Top DPS specs and strengths
Situational specialists
Gear, stats, and tips for ilvl ~735
Practical recommendations
Short checklist to maximize DPS at 735
If you want, I can:
(Invoking related search terms for further refinement.)
Here’s a solid, search-engine-friendly blog post tailored for players looking for the best DPS at item level 735 in World of Warcraft: Legion.
At 735, you should have all legendaries. The difference between an optimal pair (e.g., Soul of the Netherlord + Hood of Eternal Disdain) and a random pair is 15-20% DPS. Farm those Legion invasions and Antoria.