Gamers on the Street logs into U.S. servers to get the word from the front on what's going on in and around the World of Warcraft.

What's the "right" class and spec to be playing right now? What's going to make the biggest splash on the scoreboards? Why do players choose the classes that they do? WoW Insider readers, who generally enjoy theorycrafting and playing their classes to the absolute hilt, are a savvy lot when it comes to class balance and what specs are hot, hot, hot. Log in, though, and you're much less likely to encounter players who are concerned with theorycrafting or running up whatever spec is considered the new hawtness. In game, players seem concerned about how to get a fair shake with their character of choice.

We logged in during prime time last night on The Forgotten Coast (PvP) realm to see what players had to say about the classes of 2008 -- who's hot, who's not and how it all affects their characters and play styles. Who got the raves, and who's chalking up the most bad press? Read on to find out ...

As it turns out, rogues and mages overwhelmingly received the most mentions from players we asked about class balance. We started off Hordeside, among the most polite, mature and friendly group of players Gamers on the Street has yet visited. (Well, we did get one n00b who /spit on us for even suggesting that he talk to us about class balance – but everyone else responded enthusiastically.)

Polymath, Level 52 Tauren Druid <Armor Nex>
Gamers on the Street: So what class and spec is the hawtness right now for PvE and raiding, in your opinion?

Polymath: Well, in my opinion, I think feral druids are doing really well in PvE, some of the leading guilds take feral tanks over warriors. I have had a lot of different characters, both Horde and Alliance, but I have decided to make this my main.

So have you raided at level 70 with other characters?

Yes. I was the main tank for my old guild. I'm planning on Arena for this 'toon.

Why the change to feral druid for Arena?

I enjoy challenges. Everyone says feral is useless for Arena. I'm set out to prove them wrong.

What strengths do you think your druid will bring over a warrior?

Definitely more versatility, I believe the main weakness of a warrior is always having to have a support class to maximize efficiency -- although as a druid, I will be able to heal myself, which is a great bonus for PvE and PvP.

Have you PvPed much with your warrior?

Yes, a lot. (I appreciated) the ability to just charge into anything and always be a large threat to the other team. I disliked the fact that I would be useless without a healer.

Anything else you'd like to add about current class and spec balance? Anyone you feel is ahead of the pack or lagging behind?

For PvE, druids definitely are ahead -- although for PvP, I have yet to discover. Many say we are gimped for PvP. Well, apparently feral DPS is a joke, and we have limited crowd control. But I believe (with) a hybrid class, this is to be expected; one must intertwine all the elements in order to be successful.

Liquidswrds: Level 70 Undead Rogue
Gamers on the Street: What class or spec do you think right now is the hot class for PvE? What about PvP? Who do you think is the standout?

Liquidswrds: 17/0/44 rogues for PvP.

And that would be ... YOUR spec? ;)

Yes, sir.

So what sort of PvP are you doing these days? And why do you think your spec works so well for you?

Arena and battlegrounds. I like the ability to catch up to hunters when they try to kite with my Shadowstep. Also, I can keep most people stunned 'til death.

How do you think rogues like you are doing in PvE content? Do you raid?

I do raid -- and I have to change specs to combat swords.

Ugh! Do you flip back and forth?

Yeah.

Speaking of flipping, let me flip our focus around. What class/spec do you think is really having a hard time right now (either PvE or PvP)?

I'd have to say mages in PvP. They don't have that much survivability. Ice Block is nice, but it's not a fear bomb or stun now, is it? And ice mages aren't that fun when you don't see the 7k crits.

I take it you don't think twice about jumping a mage in a BG or Arena?

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