Esitorial - What's your favorite Class in Warcraft? Why?

This week, the topic of the week comes off as a simple one, at first glance. There is more to it though, when you realize how attached most of us get to our characters. The simple question is: What is your favorite class in the World of Warcraft? The much more difficult and involved part of the question is the one little word: Why?

This topic came up due to a conversation I had two weeks ago with a new WoW player at work. He had just decided to get WoW and the Burning Crusade and start playing with myself and several other friends. He asked what he thought was a simple question: What class should I play? After killing both coffee breaks and lunch that day discussing it, he was no closer to deciding. His comment to us was that we were all so passionate about our choices that to an outsider they all seemed great. So how did we decide and what makes each of the classes our personal favorite?

It really is a difficult question and comes down to allot of "who we are". Some players play characters that represent "who they are", while others play characters that represent "Who they see themselves as" while still others play characters that represent "Who they would like to be". All very different things, and all things that are based on part of our psyche.

In the end I had to describe three favorite characters that I had, I couldn't simplify it down to just one, as they are all favorites for different reasons. Although when describing them it also became apparent that there was something in common with them that defined who I liked to be, both in game and out.

The Paladin

My first choice as a class in the World of Warcraft was the Paladin. There is just something that calls to me to play a Paladin. Maybe its just having read too many fantasy books and King Arthur stories as a kid, but I like the idea of being the knight in shining armor. I play the class attempting to protect and save those around me focusing on holy and protection abilities, while almost totally ignoring the amount of damage I can cause.

So why is the Paladin one of my favorite classes? I think it is because of his ability to survive and to save those around him. I get a real sense of satisfaction by being able to take a beating and live, to prove yourself able to cope and survive many different situations, and to bring others through with you.

The Priest

My next favorite class is the Priest, and for mainly the same reason as the Paladin. I really like to be the savior in the group. Sure I don't get to cause any damage with this character other than while leveling in shadow spec, but while in an instance I am the lynchpin in the group. If I can't heal players correctly, we die. It's a huge responsibility, and you will often be blamed for many things that are not your fault, but when you keep everyone alive through something that they shouldn't have survived, the feeling of accomplishment to me is more than any other thing in the game.

The Hunter

The Hunter is one of my favorite classes as well, however for a very different reason. My first two choices, really require a group for how I play them. This has always been an issue at times for me, as there just isn't always time to find a group and adventure when you have 30 minutes or an hour before having to go out or do something with the family.

That's where the hunter kicks in. A hunter is a loner and a survivalist. Hunters have their weapon and trust pet, and that is about it. You can pick them up and play with no worries about ever finding a group. You can survive almost anything on your own and if you can't, you can always feign death and get away. I found it was one of the best classes for those that could only play short periods of time and could not always group.

When played correctly though, a Hunter can bring a lot to a group. The issue generally is convincing the group to give you a shot, since so many hunters are strictly solo players and have lost many of their group skills.

Messiah's Choices

What I came to realize is that more than anything, what I choose is a support class. I like to be there to support the group, and provide the way to success from the back ranks. My joy or sense of success in the game does not come from delivering the killing blow to a boss in an instance, or killing everyone in PvP. It comes from helping a group get through something they shouldn't be able to. I do this in various ways with my various characters, but in the end I play them all the same, as support.

It's not the right choice for everyone, as some players really need the ego boost of being the best at something: PvP, damage, etc. For me, I realize that none of it really concerns me, as long as we can get through. Despite being highly competitive in almost everything I do, for some reason, I don't feel that need in WoW, and just play to have fun and support others.

The Messiah has spoken, now its you turn...

VOTE IN OUR POLL!

What is your favorite class? WHY?

While you can vote in our pole, what I would really like is for you to post a paragraph or two about the reasoning behind your choice. Let us all take a glimpse into your soul and see where you stand.

VOTE HERE