TBC Spec Definition

Generally, specializations in TBC on Warcraft Logs are determined by which talent tree the character has the majority talent points in. There is no information in the log file about which specific talents are taken. We have implemented some more specializations that are performing other roles than their talent trees suggest. As a general rule, to create a new spec, it has to perform a different role (e.g. a DPS spec that heals such as Dreamstate).

Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Shaman and Warlock specializations only require the majority talent points in their respective talent trees.

There are a few notable exceptions to this, such as T6 and onwards having damage taken requirements for tank specializations. This article will go more in detail about the various specializations, their requirements and some of the reasoning behind their implementation.

Please note that the tank requirements are relevant for BLACK TEMPLE, MOUNT HYJAL, ZUL'AMAN AND LIKELY ONWARDS and the overview for them is found in the Tank Damage Taken Requirements Spreadsheet. These requirements are based on community input and suggestions, and meant to properly categorize tanks and non-tanks.

Karazhan, SSC and TK were pre-damage taken requirements, and as such have various different stance/form uptime requirements that are outlined at the bottom of this article.

Druid

Druids have 6 different specializations.

Balance Druid

This requires majority talent points in the Balance tree and doing more damage than healing.

Dreamstate Druid

Dreamstate is a Balance Druid (majority talent points in Balance) that does more healing than damage.

Restoration Druid

This requires majority talent points in the Restoration tree.

Guardian Druid

Guardian is the main tank role for Druids. It requires majority talent points in the Feral talent tree and in BT/Hyjal/ZA it requires you to complete the damage taken requirements found in the Tank Damage Taken Requirements Spreadsheet.

SSC/TK/Kara/Gruul/Mag on the other hand goes by a Bear Form uptime requirement. This is more than 70% Bear Form uptime on all fights except Netherspite, Aran and Nightbane., which require 45% or higher.

Warden Druid

Warden is the offtank role for Druids. It requires majority talent points in the Feral talent tree and in BT/Hyjal/ZA it requires you to complete the Warden damage taken requirements found in the Tank Damage Taken Requirements Spreadsheet.

SSC/TK/Kara/Gruul/Mag on the other hand goes by a Bear Form uptime requirement. This is more than 20% Bear Form uptime, but less than the Guardian requirements above.

Feral Druid

Feral is the cat/DPS role specialization for druids with a majority talent points in the Feral talent tree. If you fail the damage taken requirements with a majority talent points in the Feral tree, you will be assigned Feral.

Paladin

For Paladins, Holy and Retribution require the majority talent points in their respective talent trees.

Protection Paladin

Protection is the tank specialization for Paladins. It requires majority talent points in the Protection tree and in BT/Hyjal/ZA it requires you to complete the damage taken requirements found in the Tank Damage Taken Requirements Spreadsheet.

Justicar Paladin

Justicar is a relatively new specialization created for Protection Paladins that don't complete the damage taken requirements. It requires majority talent points in the Protection tree and to fail the damage taken requirements.

Priest

For Priests, Holy and Shadow specializations only require the majority talent points in their respective talent trees.

Discipline Priest

This requires majority talent points in the Discipline talent tree and more healing than damage.

Smite Priest

Smite Priest requires majority talent points in the Discipline talent tree and x3 times more damage than healing.

Warrior

For Warriors, Arms and Fury require the majority talent points in their respective talent trees.

Protection Warrior

Protection is one of the tank specializations for Warriors. It requires majority talent points in the Protection talent tree, and in BT/Hyjal/ZA it requires you to complete the damage taken requirements found in the Tank Damage Taken Requirements Spreadsheet.

In SSC/TK/Karazhan/Gruul/Mag, it went by purely Defensive Stance uptime requirements. Protection required 70% or more uptime on Defensive Stance on all bosses but Netherspite, Aran and Nightbane.

Gladiator Warrior

Gladiator is the non-tank role for Protection Warriors. It requires majority talent points in the Protection tree, and failed damage taken requirements.

In SSC/TK/Karazhan/Gruul/Mag, it is a Protection Warrior with failed Stance Requirements, or a Fury/Arms Warrior with more than 20% Defensive Stance (and less than the requirement for Champion).

Champion Warrior

Champion is the tank role for Arms/Fury Warriors. It requires majority talent points in either the Arms or the Fury tree and to complete the damage taken requirements found in the Tank Damage Taken Requirements Spreadsheet.

In SSC/TK/Karazhan/Gruul/Mag, it went by purely Defensive Stance uptime requirements. Champion required 70% or more uptime on Defensive Stance on all bosses but Netherspite, Aran and Nightbane.

Contact and Feedback

As always, feedback and discussion is always appreciated. Please join our Discord and check out the #tbc-spec-detection for any thoughts on the current iteration of specializations.