

Priest vs. Mage
Key differences
- Only the Priest can heal.
- Both fight at range.
- Both wear cloth.
- Both are similarly beginner friendly.
- The Mage does better solo.
- Both are open to the same number of races (26).
At a glance
| At a glance | Priest | Mage |
|---|---|---|
| Roles | Healer, DPS | DPS |
| Armor | Cloth | Cloth |
| Combat style | Ranged | Ranged |
| Playable races | 26 | 26 |
| Specializations | Discipline (Healer), Holy (Healer), Shadow (DPS) | Arcane (DPS), Fire (DPS), Frost (DPS) |
| Beginner friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Solo play | 2/5 | 3/5 |
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
Priest
The Priest is the classic healing class with two healing specs (Discipline, Holy) and Shadow as a ranged damage spec. In cloth it is strong in groups but vulnerable solo.
Learn more about the Priest ›Mage
The Mage is the classic ranged caster with arcane, fire and frost magic and big burst damage. It only deals damage, brings portals and food and is fragile in cloth.
Learn more about the Mage ›Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Priest or Mage?
Neither class is better in general. Both are similarly beginner friendly. The Mage does better solo. In the end, what matters is which playstyle you enjoy more.
What is the difference between Priest and Mage?
Only the Priest can heal. Both fight at range. Both wear cloth.
Popular comparisons
All comparisons (78)
- Warrior vs. Paladin
- Warrior vs. Hunter
- Warrior vs. Rogue
- Warrior vs. Priest
- Warrior vs. Death Knight
- Warrior vs. Shaman
- Warrior vs. Mage
- Warrior vs. Warlock
- Warrior vs. Monk
- Warrior vs. Druid
- Warrior vs. Demon Hunter
- Warrior vs. Evoker
- Paladin vs. Hunter
- Paladin vs. Rogue
- Paladin vs. Priest
- Paladin vs. Death Knight
- Paladin vs. Shaman
- Paladin vs. Mage
- Paladin vs. Warlock
- Paladin vs. Monk
- Paladin vs. Druid
- Paladin vs. Demon Hunter
- Paladin vs. Evoker
- Hunter vs. Rogue
- Hunter vs. Priest
- Hunter vs. Death Knight
- Hunter vs. Shaman
- Hunter vs. Mage
- Hunter vs. Warlock
- Hunter vs. Monk
- Hunter vs. Druid
- Hunter vs. Demon Hunter
- Hunter vs. Evoker
- Rogue vs. Priest
- Rogue vs. Death Knight
- Rogue vs. Shaman
- Rogue vs. Mage
- Rogue vs. Warlock
- Rogue vs. Monk
- Rogue vs. Druid
- Rogue vs. Demon Hunter
- Rogue vs. Evoker
- Priest vs. Death Knight
- Priest vs. Shaman
- Priest vs. Mage
- Priest vs. Warlock
- Priest vs. Monk
- Priest vs. Druid
- Priest vs. Demon Hunter
- Priest vs. Evoker
- Death Knight vs. Shaman
- Death Knight vs. Mage
- Death Knight vs. Warlock
- Death Knight vs. Monk
- Death Knight vs. Druid
- Death Knight vs. Demon Hunter
- Death Knight vs. Evoker
- Shaman vs. Mage
- Shaman vs. Warlock
- Shaman vs. Monk
- Shaman vs. Druid
- Shaman vs. Demon Hunter
- Shaman vs. Evoker
- Mage vs. Warlock
- Mage vs. Monk
- Mage vs. Druid
- Mage vs. Demon Hunter
- Mage vs. Evoker
- Warlock vs. Monk
- Warlock vs. Druid
- Warlock vs. Demon Hunter
- Warlock vs. Evoker
- Monk vs. Druid
- Monk vs. Demon Hunter
- Monk vs. Evoker
- Druid vs. Demon Hunter
- Druid vs. Evoker
- Demon Hunter vs. Evoker