Blizzard says the first big tuning pass comes once players are past level 30, so a launch tier list would be fiction. What we can say is how much each class changed and what it now plays like on paper. Everything below comes from the game files (build 1.60.1.70753) and Blizzard's November 2 notes; every class page has the full list.

Druid

Feral is the biggest story: two 31-point talents, Primal Bite for bears and Shifting Power for cats, plus Lacerate, Rend and Tear and Predatory Discipline. Restoration gets Wild Growth and the new Bloom, and Bear Form threat went to 115%. Our take: the most improved class in the game. If you always wanted to be a real Feral tank or cat, now is the time. Druid page

Hunter

Aimed Shot left the talent tree, Marksmanship now ends in Sniper Shot, and Survival in Lacerating Strikes with a melee toolkit (Strider Kick, Expose Prey). Aimed Shot damage went up about 110% and all traps share one 30-second cooldown. Our take: Survival is finally a real choice instead of a joke spec. Hunter page

Mage

The least changed class (6 new talents): Arcane Blast and Arcane Wrath in Arcane, Heating Up in Fire, Ice Lance and Fingers of Frost in Frost. Frost Blast was added and removed again, Critical Mass went back to 3 points. Our take: the safest pick for anyone who loved the Classic mage. Mage page

Paladin

The most changed class: 20 new talents. Blessing of Salvation is gone, Righteous Fury is trained at level 10 and adds 33% threat, Protection ends in Shieldsworn, Holy gets Oath of Light and Boundless Light, and Retribution ends in Unsealed Wrath. Our take: finally a Paladin that can tank from day one. Expect it to be popular and expect it to be tuned. Paladin page

Priest

Discipline gets Penance, Divine Aegis and Renewed Hope, Holy gets Prayer of Mending and Holy Binding, Shadow gets Dark Inspiration and Devouring Contagion. Lightwell and Divine Spirit are gone. Our take: Discipline is the interesting new healer; Shadow looks like a real group damage spec for the first time. Priest page

Rogue

The November 2 rework is big: Shank at level 24, Poised at level 18, and new talents such as Death Mark, Boot Knife and Blood Splatter, with Murder, Quietus, Cutthroat and Thousand Cuts removed. These changes are announced, but the game files we read do not have them yet, so our calculator will catch up with the next game build. Our take: wait for the new trees before you plan a build; the class is being rebuilt around Shank. Rogue page

Shaman

Also mid-rework: Lava Burst is being replaced by Call of Thunder, Elemental Mastery becomes Lightning Mastery, Lightning Overload jumps to 10/20/30%, Stormstrike hits for 150% on a 6-second cooldown, and Riptide becomes a heal over time only. Shamans are also the Horde Skyborne class. Our take: Enhancement looks strong on paper; Elemental is the spec to watch after the first tuning pass. Shaman page

Warlock

Seventeen new talents: Wrack in Affliction, Demonic Pact in Demonology, Incinerate in Destruction, plus Pandemic, Bane of Havoc and Fire and Brimstone. Pets now get 2 health per point of your Stamina instead of 7.5. Our take: a deeper class than in Classic. Affliction finally has more than one way to spend points. Warlock page

Warrior

Weapon specializations are gone, Defensive Stance threat went to 80%, and Slam is back on a 15-second cooldown. Fury's November 2 changes (Reckless Swings, Improved Whirlwind, a 3-point Flurry) are announced but not yet in the game files we read. Our take: tanking will feel easier than in Classic; Fury will change once more before you reach 40. Warrior page

So which one?

Play the class you will still enjoy at level 60 in six months. If you want something that feels new, Druid, Paladin or Priest. If you want the Classic feeling with fewer rough edges, Mage or Warlock. If you pick Rogue, Shaman or Warrior, keep an eye on our calculator: their trees will change with the next game build.