Leveling in WotLK Every Class
WotLK leveling advice for all ten classes: the best leveling spec, what to press, the rules that work for everyone and the zones in short.
Leveling in Wrath is fast, but the class you pick decides whether it feels smooth or painful. This page has four parts: the rules that work for every class, the zones in short, a card for each class with the spec that levels best and what to press, and the dungeons you should run on the way. For a full zone-by-zone route, read the leveling route I actually use.
These are leveling specs, not end-game specs. For the end-game version of each class, see Which Class Should You Play?. Hover or tap a coloured spell for its tooltip.
1.Rules for every class
Every mob gives solid experience, so do not skip too much.
Stack several quests in an area before you turn any in.
When quests turn green, go to the next zone. Do not over-grind.
Set your Hearthstone in the main hubs so you can return after a quest loop.
Rested experience doubles the experience from kills until the bar is used up. Log out in an inn or a city.
Vendor the grey items often, and repair after every turn-in.
Bandages save lives and healer mana, whatever your class.
Mining, skinning or herbalism is the fastest gold. Crafting is better at 80.
Heirlooms and experience buffs make a huge difference.
2.The zones, in short
Stay and finish the quests. It is the fastest start.
Alliance: Westfall, Redridge, Duskwood. Horde: The Barrens, Stonetalon, Silverpine. Run a dungeon if you get the quest.
Wetlands, Arathi, Hillsbrad, Desolace, and Stranglethorn Vale (an experience goldmine, but avoid the PvP hotspots).
Feralas, Tanaris, the Hinterlands, Searing Gorge, the Blasted Lands. The mount at 40 changes everything.
Hellfire Peninsula, Zangarmarsh, Nagrand.
Borean Tundra or Howling Fjord, then Dragonblight, Grizzly Hills, Zul'Drak, Sholazar Basin and Icecrown.
3.What to play, class by class
The kindest class to level. You are tough, you have a heal, a stun and a bubble, and the mount comes early.
PressSeal of Command, then Judgement and Crusader Strike. Use Consecration on groups of mobs.
CarefulLearn the two life-savers: Divine Shield and Lay on Hands. Use Hammer of Justice on a mob that runs.
Rage is your fuel: you only fight well when you are already fighting. Your weapon is your experience speed, so upgrade it every few levels.
PressCharge, then Rend, Mortal Strike and Overpower. Victory Rush after every kill for free health.
CarefulRage starvation at the start of a pull: use Bloodrage and bandage between fights.
Self-healing and strong from level 55. After the starting area you go to Outland at 58 like everyone else, and to Northrend at 68. Pull big groups and let Death Strike carry you.
PressIcy Touch, Plague Strike, Blood Strike and Death Strike. Pestilence and Death and Decay on groups.
CarefulThe start of every pull is weak while the runes are on cooldown. Use Death Grip on runners.
The best solo class. Your pet tanks and you shoot, so most group quests are solo quests.
PressHunter's Mark, Serpent Sting, Arcane Shot while the pet holds the mob. Mend Pet between pulls.
CarefulCarry ammo, feed your pet, and use Feign Death to drop a bad pull. Frost Trap and Disengage for melee mobs.
Simple and durable. You choose your fights, because you can stealth around the mobs you do not want.
PressCheap Shot or Ambush, then Sinister Strike and Eviscerate. Slice and Dice on longer fights.
CarefulYou have no self-heal, so bandage between fights. Vanish and Evasion are for a pull that goes wrong.
A strong solo spec. The healer specs level fast in dungeons, because the queues are instant.
PressShadow Word: Pain, Mind Blast and Mind Flay. Keep Vampiric Touch up on hard mobs and cast Power Word: Shield before the mob reaches you.
CarefulMana is your bar, so drink between pulls. You cannot heal while in Shadowform, so step out of it for emergencies.
The best leveling build once you dual wield: melee, a heal, and totems that do part of the work.
PressLightning Shield, then Flame Shock, Stormstrike and Earth Shock. Windfury Weapon on the main hand, Flametongue Weapon on the off-hand.
CarefulDrop Searing Totem before the pull. Use Lightning Bolt with a two-hander until you have dual wield, and heal with Healing Wave between pulls.
Control and safety. You kill from range, freeze what comes close, and can farm groups of mobs from level 40 for absurd experience.
PressFrostbolt, then Frost Nova and kite. Fire Blast when the mob runs. Ice Barrier before the pull.
CarefulCloth dies fast when two mobs reach you. Polymorph the extra one. Make your own food and water to save gold.
Your Voidwalker is your tank, and your damage over time kills while you drain. Sustain is endless if you play it right.
PressCurse of Agony, Corruption, Immolate and Shadow Bolt. Drain Life to heal, Life Tap for mana, and Fear for the second mob.
CarefulSoul Shards fill your bags, so delete the extra ones. Do the pet quests, and use Health Funnel on the pet.
Sustain everywhere. Cat Form for damage and speed, Bear Form for tough pulls, and heals when you need them.
PressCat Form, then Rake, Rip and Ferocious Bite. Bear Form for big pulls. Regrowth out of form.
CarefulShapeshifting costs mana, so heal before the next pull. Travel Form outdoors makes the zones short.
4.Dungeons or questing?
Questing is fast and quiet: no waiting, no one takes your loot. Dungeons give you good gear upgrades, teach group mechanics early, and are great for tanks and healers because their queues are instant.
Deadmines, Ragefire Chasm, Wailing Caverns.
Scarlet Monastery from 25 to 40, Zul'Farrak and Maraudon from 40 to 50.
Blackrock Depths and Stratholme from 50 to 58, Hellfire Ramparts and the Blood Furnace from 60 to 68.
Utgarde Keep, the Nexus and Azjol-Nerub.
Set your Hearthstone wisely, carry food and bandages, repair after every turn-in, and use your interrupts every single time. If you pull ten mobs and live, you are a hero. If you die, you are still a hero, but for the content.