I would probably choose a warlock. he has good synergies with the priest and his lifetap doesn't make him a lame duck, like a mage with no mana.
Shaman has similar probs like the mage with the mana.
-if you do burst dmg you are getting oom fast
-if you do aoe dmg you going oom as soon you drop the totems or chainlightning.
-if you play more conservative your dmg output is kinda low
-as a 3-man you want to pull everything you see and steamroll over it. imo the shaman is not optimal. because you have a priest with optional heal spells, you have a warrior with optional tank spells and this makes your strength of being a hybrid not really shine in this group.
IMO they need a very strong dps with heavy aoe skills.
hunter is normally the ideal char to play solo to 60. but he is also helpful for your team:
- a hunter can easily pull with his high range. the fast pull thing is very important as a group.
-you can play a hunter in a team very mana efficient while doing a good amount of good dmg
-aspect of the pack is really nice (lvl 40) for the team's mobility
- track beast/humanoids etc. is useful, especially on a fresh server
- you have decent aoe dmg and you fit in the gearing niche with a warr and priest.
-pet is useful (tank, dps, pulling) and generally strong during the leveling process
-you have a great farm char on lvl 60
I would not base that decision on gear competition. It does not matter that much while levelling imo. Go with the class you will enjoy playing all the way to 60 and beyond, that is what matters.
I would not base that decision on gear competition. It does not matter that much while levelling imo. Go with the class you will enjoy playing all the way to 60 and beyond, that is what matters.
I agree with Fae, gear competition is not a big deal because at 60 assuming that priest is healing will not be looking for the same gear as the mage!
I was a priest and I never went after Mage gear.
Yes I started building/getting my off spec shadow gear but its not my priority so i would pass gear to a dmg dealer especially if it were a friend
I agree with the warlock suggestions. I tried the trio with a couple of friends and it was really nuts how much killing power it was able to put out nonstop, even without us properly designating targets for Spirit Tap.
The major downside is that all of your CC abilities share diminishing returns.
If you do however insist on going Hunter than I'd advise you play with a tanky pet so your group can fight 2-3 monsters at a time much easier.
I'd consider Troll and take skinning.
the Warrior is most likely going Orc and the priest is pretty much always going to go undead.
You can do a run up to Orgrimmar with the Warrior, as soon as you arrive at Razor Hill, then take the Zeplin and meet up with your Priest friend near Undercity.
I still think you might want to consider a Warlock.
Mage
Warlock
Shaman
Rogue
If you do however insist on going Hunter than I'd advise you play with a tanky pet so your group can fight 2-3 monsters at a time much easier.
I'd consider Troll and take skinning.
If it's hunter it will definitely be troll with skinning - I've only ever levelled hunter solo; in a group situation would it be better to go marksman and just use pet as a meatshield?
A well used Raid spec is Trueshot Aura in Marksman, Sure Footed (3% Hit) and Deterrence in Survival and left over points in Aspect of the Hawk.
I think the only issue you would find is that you might not feel any noticeable power gains from talents until you get Aimed Shot at lvl 20.
If you feel you're going to end up playing solo on days when your friends are not online then you might find Marksman less optimal.
You might get some millage of improved Aspect of the Pack with your three man comp, so that could make BM slightly more viable.
If you go Troll, with skinning and plan to go Marksman then I would pick up your 3% extra dmg to monsters on your way down the Survival Tree towards 'Surefooted'
Disclaimer. I don't play hunter. I just have friends who do.