What are Talent Builds in World of Warcraft?

World of Warcraft utilizes a talent build for each of its classes. Each of these classes can spend talent points when they level in one of three talent trees. While some players may spend all points in one tree, many opt to use a hybrid of trees to maximize potential. For example, a healing Priest may opt to spend talent points in the Discipline and Holy trees to be able to maximize healing and buffing a group. Each player is awarded one talent tree point per level starting at level 11.

Talent builds allow a player to take advantage of class-specific bonuses depending on which spec they choose.  Since players often opt to spec into at least two trees, this gives them the chance to take advantage of a variety of skills that will increase the effectiveness of their role in a group.  Depending on what a player wants to do – such as tank, heal or DPS – certain trees may be better suited for that goal.  Normally, when a player hits end game, they may end up respeccing their talent tree to better suit high level raid content.  It takes some time for players to find the right talent build but there are also resources out there to help build the best spec.

Most talent builds add to what role the player fulfills during the game.  Before choosing where to spend your talent points, read each talent carefully to decide how it will benefit your role in a group or while questing.  At level 40, you can pay to dual specialization which gives you two separate talent trees to work with.  This allows a player to either use two different builds for one role, like DPSing, or allows them to DPS and tank or tank and heal.  By finding a balance between two talent trees, a player can often bring out the best in their role no matter what they are doing.