Augmentation Evoker proved that we can have support specs in WoW. However we need more than 1 support spec for it to be healthy for the game, not everyone wants to play a Dracthyr. Ideally we want 5-7 support specs in game and to have group comp be 1/1/1/2 in M+ past 16 (or 20) and Heroic/Mythic Raids having 2-4 per raid. All other content shouldn’t have any issue being completed with 3 dps and RDF with multiple support dps specs.
Given WoW’s classes, class flavor, and class history here are the 5 classes currently in game that a support spec would fit perfectly (Paladin, Shaman, Monk) or well enough (Demon Hunter and Priest) into their class fantasies and how they may play. The next expansion ideally should introduce a new class with a support spec as well being a Bard or Tinker to round off 7 support specs.
All of the below suggestions are just ideas to get the specs a footing and a idea on their gameplay, numbers and effects should be adjusted the numbers exist to give a general feel and identity of the spec.
Click the Summary below to expand the section.
Paladin- Possible Spec Name: Conviction
Summary
Gameplay- In Vanilla and Classic WoW one of the first things you think of Paladins are their blessings and seals. This lead to Paladins, especially Ret in Vanilla to be seen as a support spec. This support spec brings back this fantasy.
Weapons- 2-handed Strength Weapons
This melee spec will debuff enemies with Seal of the Crusader (Crusader Strike Applies it) which can be spread to nearby enemies with judgement which increases the chance allies attacks will critical strike by 3% (increased with Mastery) with its other abilities enhancing Seal of the Crusader to increase critical strike damage or major CD’s which apply a new Seal.
This spec will also have 3 different blessings. Greater Blessing of Might (1 hour duration) increases the stamina on a selected player by 5% and Greater Blessing of Wisdom (1 hour duration) increases the mana pool of a healer by 5%. Some CD’s will also apply Blessing of Kings for 10 seconds (duration can be increased through attacks like Ebon Might) which increases the player and 4 nearby allies primary stat by 5%.
Shaman- Possible Spec Name: Totemic
Summary
Gameplay- Similarly to Paladin, Shamans also filled a support role in Vanilla with their totems. This support spec brings a variety of totems to the table and buffs which applies to allies through Windfury Procs.
Weapons- 2-handed Agility Weapons
This melee support spec brings back something we haven’t seen since Vanilla, the 2-handed Shaman looking to proc Windfury and to proc Windfury (with Windfury) while your orc laughs as the slot machine goes BRRRR.
This support spec will bring the general class totem utility, Windfury Totem, and its spec specific totem Windburn Totem. As well as having Windfury as a passive affected by the mastery increasing the chance of it proc’ing and can proc off itself and 1 additional time only (2 with capstone talent).
Windburn Totem (10 second CD) lasts 30 mins on the ground and has a radius of 100 yards (25 yards for PvP). When Windfury procs it places a Windburn dot on the enemy which is hit by it OR when Lightning Bolt OR Chain Lightning hits an enemy after having an instant cast (your next Lightning Bolt or Chain Lightning are instant when Windfury Procs). The Windburn debuff reduces the targets armor by 25%, increase Spell Damage done by 3%, and inflicts a bleed effect which increases damage from attacks made by you and allies (to a certain cap) and increases the chance for Windfury to Proc Windfury again.
The spec’s main fillers Windstrike extends the duration of Windburn and Windcleave does the same and spreads it to 4 nearby targets and its current DoT damage tick (weaker DoT’s will not override stronger DoT’s but will extend the duration if affected by Windcleave).
Monk- Possible Spec Name: Brew Weaver
Summary
Gameplay- Monk’s class fantasy fits perfectly to providing support to allies by giving allies brews which enhance their abilities. This support spec brings a varieties of brews which increases allies stats and adds a proc to their attacks and abilities.
Weapons- Agility Weapons
This melee support spec revolves around Favorite Brew. This buff affects the player and 4 nearby allies giving them a 3% increase to their primary stat and a 3% increase (increased with mastery) to their lowest secondary stat.
This spec uses the general monk kit of Tiger Palm, Rising Sun Kick, etc, to reduce the CD on your brews. Spicy Brew, Chilled Brew, and Swift Brew share a CD and have 2 charges (3 with talents).
Spicy Brew is a single target attack that smashes a brew at the target enemy which inflicts a DoT, applies Favorite Brew to yourself and 4 nearby allies, and give affected players attacks and abilities a chance to deal minor fire damage to their target (or minor heal if a beneficial ability on an ally).
Chilled Brew smashes a brew at the target dealing damage to it and nearby enemies within 8 yards applying a 30% slow to them, and applying Favorite Brew to you and 4 nearby allies. As well as giving affected players a chance with their harmful attacks and abilities to extend the duration of the slow.
Swift Brew applies Favorite Brew to you and nearby allies as well as giving a 25% increased movement speed to all nearby allies for 10 seconds.
Demon Hunter- Possible Spec Name: Metamorphic
Summary
Gameplay- This support spec seeks to maintain their Metamorphosis for as long as possible. While in Metamorphosis it modifies abilities to buff nearby allies and debuff enemies. (Lets be real the only reason why DH must have a support spec is because if we are giving classes 4th specs DH’s need a 3rd spec. However I do think maintaining Metamorphosis will lead to a fun spec identity).
Weapons- 1-Hand Agility Weapons
This melee support spec tries to maintain Metamorphosis for as long as possible. Metamorphosis is a 30 second CD and last 12 seconds, duration increased by modified core abilities. While in Metamorphosis modifies your basic toolkit of abilities (Throw Glaive, Immolation Aura, Chaos Strike, Demon’s Bite, etc). While in Metamorphosis your Chaos Brand increases to 7% and gives all nearby allies increased tertiary stats (10% Avoidance and 10% Speed and a set number for Leech increased by your mastery).
Priest- Possible Spec Name: Smite
Summary
Gameplay- Going back to Vanilla and TBC this support spec takes inspiration by meme spec Smite Priest. This spec uses Smite, Purge the Wicked, Holy Fire, and Penance in its damage rotation giving priests the class fantasy of finally using Holy Spells to tear apart your enemies rather than Shadow, while still buffing allies. As well as using Priests robust utility to assist the party and raid.
Weapons- Intellect Weapons
This ranged support spec seeks to reduce the damage output of enemies via Purge the Wicked by 3% and give yourself and 4 nearby allies 1.5% increase to all secondary stats while Power Word: Divine Fury (30 second CD, 12 second duration) is up and can be extended by some abilities primarily Smite.
After a Holy Fire, Penance causes an AoE on the target if effected by Purge the Wicked spreading the debuff to nearby enemies. Holy Fire applies a attack speed and casting reduction. Smite leaves a DoT that deals 15% of the damage dealt by Smite to the enemy for 3 seconds.