I always loved the threads on 4th specs, both in terms of mechanics and aesthetics, so I’m starting another one to share mine and hear everyone else’s.
Warrior - Ranger (DPS - Ranged Weapons)
Elven Rangers are among the most fearsome warriors on Azeroth, and their time in the Alliance and Horde has seen their numbers bolstered with the races of their allies looking to learn from these ancient and powerful fighters. Rangers fight with discipline, utilizing less magic than a Hunter but always putting their shots directly where they count.
Everyone always says Gladiator Sword and Board DPS when the topic of a 4th spec comes around, but I feel since Hunters have a melee spec now, why can’t Warriors have a Ranged spec? We used to have Ranged weapons after all. I’ll actually be taking a similar thought with the Rogue.
Hunter - Stalker (DPS/Ranged + Dual Wield)
Taking cues from the Dark Rangers, the living archers of the world have learned to blend in with their surroundings and lurk in the shadows to ambush their targets with well-placed shots and traps.
This is taking cues from Subtlety a bit, but snipers hidden waiting to ambush is a class fantasy that is underutilized for the Hunter. This should also bring back Hunters dual wielding (this concept would probably necessitate bringing back separate Melee and Ranged weapon slots, or making something work).
Mage - Void (DPS)
The war against the void taught the spellchuckers of Azeroth one thing: The void is both dangerous, and controllable. Mages who were previously afraid of the Void’s destructive and dangerous power have turned to learn from the Ethereals, the Ren’dorei, and the Forsaken Cult of Forgotten Shadows.
The fact that Void is such a prominent theme this expansion and we only have one void-using spec feels a little off to me. Umbric himself is a Mage, so why not have Void mages?
Rogue - Bard (Support DPS, Ranged Weapon + Instrument)
Previously limited to twiddling their banjos in Azeroth’s taverns, some charming musicians learned from the elven rangers that magic could be coalesced in a bowstring. Adapting this technique to the strings of their instruments, they have learned to spin their melodies into support for their allies.
Bard is often proposed as a separate class, but I find there’s so little to it and the Bard is already pretty roguish as is, that utilizing them to bring in a new support spec akin to Aug would be pretty cool. Also they get their ranged weapons back.
Priest - Solari (Tank)
The increasing worship of An’she, Belore and Beledar throughout the world has attracted a new generation of clerics who draw their power from the sun, wielding it as a fearsome bulwark against their enemies.
Not a lot of people remember this, but Disc Priests were intended to tank in very early Alpha WoW. That’s why they had Inner Fire for so long. We could bring it back.
Warlock - Necromancer (Ranged DPS)
Having turned to the art of Death, many Warlocks have learned to raise the dead over summoning and bargaining with demons. Though their armies are fewer in number, their undying nature makes them formidable foes.
I also want Necromancer as it’s own class, but at the same time the introduction of a Void Demon Hunter got me thinking. I envision the Necromancer as having fewer minions than Demonology, but being really focused on buffing those minions and weaving in some shadow magic in between. A sort of middle point between Demo and old school Destruction.
Paladin - Faithless (Melee DPS, Dual Wield)
Not all Paladins remain dutiful servants of the Light forever. Some lose their faith in the Light, viewing it as uncaring as the Void or the Burning Legion. These Paladins have turned inward, utilizing Arcane and Fire magic in place of their former powers for their own cause.
The idea of a Paladin who is still a crusader, still zealous, but for something other than the Light always fascinated me. The Light isn’t exactly a noble force on Azeroth, and often responsible for great evils, and I’d like to see Paladins growing disillusioned with that.
Druids - Already have four.
Shaman - Earthwarder (Tank)
The strength of the Earth is not utilized as much by the Shaman of Azeroth. But those who can master it’s unyielding will can prove themselves as unmoveable as mountains.
Unoriginal, but it’s the best idea tbh.
Monk - Mistdancer (DPS / Melee + Mid Range)
Mistweavers of old have learned to utilize spiritual energy for offence.
A step between Windwalker and Mistweaver, I couldn’t really think of a niche for the Monk since all of them are filled already.
Demon Hunter - Eternity (Support / Melee)
Purging themselves of fel magic, some Demon Hunters have returned to their roots, drawing power from the Well of Eternity, the Sunwell or the Arcan’dor. They have learned to weave their arcane magic into their attacks to spray latent energy over their allies.
Demon Hunter melee support role. It’s about the only niche they have left to fill.
Death Knight - Mawsworn (DPS / Dual Wield)
Freed from the Jailer’s grasp, Mawsworn Death Knights assisted the Banshee Queen in retrieving souls from the Maw before returning to Azeroth to wield the pure death magic of the Shadowlands against their enemies, along with the skills they picked up from their liberator.
Frost always had this problem of balancing between the Forstmourne fantasy and Dual Wielding, so making a spec that’s entirely dual wielding would be quite interesting. I chose Mawsworn because these ones could be faster and more agile due to being trained by Sylvanas.
Evoker - Immortality (Tank)
Utilizing the might of the Black and Red Dragonflights, Immortality evokers mix the strength of the earth with the everlasting tenacity of life to protect their allies.
Evoker Tank. Now you have DPS, Healing, Support and Tank.
lol