Paladin vs. Demon Hunter
Key differences
- Only the Paladin can heal.
- The Paladin fights in melee.
- The Demon Hunter fights in melee or at range, depending on the specialization.
- The Paladin wears plate, the Demon Hunter leather.
- Both are similarly beginner friendly.
- The Paladin does better solo.
- More races can play the Paladin (9 instead of 3).
At a glance
| At a glance | Paladin | Demon Hunter |
|---|---|---|
| Roles | Tank, Healer, DPS | Tank, DPS |
| Armor | Plate | Leather |
| Combat style | Melee | Melee and ranged |
| Playable races | 9 | 3 |
| Specializations | Holy (Healer), Protection (Tank), Retribution (DPS) | Havoc (DPS), Vengeance (Tank), Devourer (DPS) |
| Beginner friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Solo play | 5/5 | 4/5 |
These ratings help you pick a class. They are not a DPS ranking, and balance shifts with every patch. How we rate ›
The classes in short
Paladin
The Paladin is a plate wearer wielding holy Light and, alongside Druid and Monk, can play all three roles: Holy heals, Protection tanks, Retribution deals damage. Plenty of emergency abilities make it very beginner friendly.
Learn more about the Paladin ›Demon Hunter
The Demon Hunter is the most mobile class in WoW. Havoc deals melee damage, Vengeance tanks, and the new Devourer spec from Midnight fights with Void magic from mid-range.
Learn more about the Demon Hunter ›Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Paladin or Demon Hunter?
Neither class is better in general. Both are similarly beginner friendly. The Paladin does better solo. In the end, what matters is which playstyle you enjoy more.
What is the difference between Paladin and Demon Hunter?
Only the Paladin can heal. The Paladin fights in melee. The Demon Hunter fights in melee or at range, depending on the specialization. The Paladin wears plate, the Demon Hunter leather.
Popular comparisons
All comparisons (78)
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