Noxxic DPS & Tank Ranking FAQs

These rankings are created using SimulationCraft, a program that is highly tested and trusted for simulating in-game encounters with characters.

We use SimulationCraft because simulators permit a high degree of control by allowing us to use specific talents, rotations, gear, possible boss mechanics, etc. to arrive at repeatable results that can be compared across specs and time. Also, simulators allow us to average out results from thousands of fights to get a feel for how a spec performs all of the time and not in one amazing fight.

How often are the rankings updated?

Rankings on Noxxic are updated weekly as SimulationCraft is continually being updated and improved. We update rankings even more frequently when new patches are released, due to rapid updates to SimulationCraft.

How do these rankings compare to other sources that use raid logs to show spec comparisons?

Raid log sites offer a perspective on how some of top players are performing with each spec. These rankings can be helpful to understand how specs are faring in the current raid tier and often reveal unexpected synergies between specific specs and boss encounters. However, log based sites are subject to their own data problems including players who artificially boost their DPS by employing technical or social exploits, changes in popularity of specs, uneven sample sizes, and generally unrepeatable or uncontrolled results.

While simulators allow us to get a feel for how a spec performs all of the time through averaging out thousands of fight results, it is important to note that simulators are generally weak when modeling specific fights in a raid tier, and additionally they rely on data that is as good as the theorycrafting community is able to produce.

Overall, no single DPS ranking is perfect and they should all be considered when evaluating specs. Simulators and log based solutions both offer value to the WoW community.

What are the ranking modes and how do they differ?

Each ranking mode is designed to simulate a specific type of encounter that helps highlight different aspects of a spec's performance.

• Raid Boss (Max)This mode measures best-case single-target raid boss damage in a clean, stand-still fight with full raid buffs and near-perfect execution. Use it as the ceiling for pure boss damage.
• Raid Boss (Real)This mode measures practical single-target raid boss damage in a mostly clean fight with occasional repositioning and small execution losses. It is meant to feel closer to real raid uptime than Raid Boss Max without turning into a mechanics-heavy encounter.
• One Button AssistThis mode uses Blizzard's Single-Button Assist in a clean, stand-still single-target raid boss fight. It includes the built-in penalty from assisted play and shows how each spec performs using the official one-button rotation.
• Chain PullsThis mode measures chain-pull trash damage in a speed-clear style scenario, with frequent waves of 4-5 enemies and occasional overlap between packs. It is best read as clearing to the boss in a hurry, not as a boss fight with a few adds.
• Pure AoENoxxic+ ExclusiveThis mode measures sustained AoE in a constant 16-target fight with no movement or interruptions. It is a pure mass-AoE stress test, not a realistic dungeon pull or raid encounter.
• Solo DelvesNoxxic+ ExclusiveThis mode measures solo-oriented damage without raid buffs in a rougher fight with frequent movement, stuns, distractions, and occasional extra enemies. It is closer to a messy Delve or outdoor questing scenario than a clean boss-style encounter.
• Burst PhaseNoxxic+ ExclusiveThis mode measures short, stand-still single-target damage in a 60-second raid-style burn. It favors specs with strong openers and early cooldown damage more than long-fight consistency.
• Execute PhaseNoxxic+ ExclusiveThis mode measures single-target damage in execute range by starting the fight at 20% enemy health and running a short 30-second burn without raid buffs. It is best read as an execute snapshot, not the full final phase of a normal boss fight.
• High LatencyNoxxic+ ExclusiveThis mode uses the same stand-still single-target raid setup as Raid Boss Max, but adds heavy input and network delay to mimic high latency. It shows which specs hold up better when the game feels sluggish because of a poor connection or distant servers.
• Imperfect PlayNoxxic+ ExclusiveThis mode measures single-target raid damage with slower reactions and more rotation mistakes. It is useful for seeing which specs are more forgiving when play is less clean or less practiced.

My damage meters look different than these rankings. Why?

There are any number of reasons why in-game results will differ from simulated (or log based) results. A few common differences include the following.

Fight Length: Dungeons and LFR raids often have shorter fight durations which can result in much higher DPS as the value of DPS cooldowns is greatly increased in short fights.

Player Variables: Skill, latency, gear, a lucky string of crits, etc. can all significantly impact in-game DPS. Rankings can help represent general trends, but they’ll rarely predict the outcome of a specific encounter with all its unique factors.

What is The Theck-Meloree Index (TMI)?

The Theck-Meloree Index is one of the metrics used to evaluate tanking specs. TMI measures the smoothness and spikiness of damage received by a tank. High TMI values means a tank is taking a large amount of spike damage and low TMI values means a tank is taking a low amount of spike damage. TMI values are roughly proportional with every 1000 TMI equivalent to spike damage worth 1% of total health. For example, a score of 135k TMI means that spec is taking damage spikes as high as 135% of their total health.

What is Damage Taken Per Second (DTPS)?

Damage Taken Per Second is one of the metrics that is used to evaluate the performance of tanking specs. DTPS represents the average amount of net damage that a tank receives from all damage sources after any healing and absorption mechanics. Low DTPS numbers are typically better than high DTPS numbers because that means the tank spec is taking less damage overall.