Right now, Paladins are winning the second one.
According to Icy Veins’ breakdown of Patch 12.0.5 class popularity, using Data for Azeroth numbers, Paladin is currently the most popular level 80 main in Midnight at 13.7%. Druid follows at 12.3%, with Hunter jumping hard into third place at 9.5%.
Meanwhile, Demon Hunter has slipped from first at Midnight launch to fourth, now sitting at 8.1%.
That does not mean Demon Hunters are dead. It does mean the main-character energy has moved.
Paladin Is the Safe Pick That Never Feels Boring
Paladin popularity is not exactly shocking. The class has one of the strongest fantasy identities in the game, three highly recognizable specs, big visual payoff, strong utility, and the permanent advantage of making players feel like they are solving problems with holy violence.
That last part is important.
Players do not only pick mains because of rankings. They pick them because the class feels dependable. Paladin has that rare combination of theme, survivability, group value, and “I can probably fix this disaster myself” energy.
That matters in Midnight, where players are juggling raids, Mythic+, outdoor content, delves, PvP, collector grinds, and the constant sense that another currency is about to appear from behind a bush.
A Paladin feels like a good life decision. Which, in World of Warcraft, is basically a miracle.
Hunters Are Climbing Hard
Hunter jumping to third is also interesting. It suggests that players are gravitating toward comfort, mobility, familiar gameplay, and pet-powered problem solving.
Hunter has always had “main forever” appeal. It farms well, solos well, feels approachable, and gives players that cozy fantasy of bringing a murder animal to every social situation.
It also helps that Beast Mastery remains a popular pick in Mythic+ discussions, with Icy Veins’ Patch 12.0.5 Mythic+ tier coverage placing Beast Mastery Hunter among the stronger DPS options. Performance is not everything, but it absolutely nudges players when they are deciding what to invest time into.
Demon Hunter Slipping Is the Real Story
Demon Hunter dropping from first to fourth is the spicy part.
This does not mean people suddenly hate the class. Demon Hunter is still popular. But the early Midnight shine has clearly cooled. Some of that may be natural new-expansion behavior: players rush toward the exciting or newly changed option, test it heavily, then drift back to old favorites once the season settles.
There is also the tuning factor. A recent Patch 12.0.5 class tuning pass included reductions for Devourer Demon Hunter, which may have contributed to the class feeling less untouchable than it did at launch.
Again, popularity is not the same as power. But when a class drops several places, it usually means something changed: numbers, feel, novelty, frustration, or all of the above.
Players Main What Feels Worth the Effort
The current ranking says something simple about Midnight: players are settling.
Paladin, Druid, and Hunter are all broad, flexible, identity-heavy classes. They offer strong fantasy, practical tools, and enough playstyle variety to keep people invested. Demon Hunter, Death Knight, Warlock, and Monk slipping down the list does not necessarily mean those classes are bad. It may simply mean fewer players feel they are the safest long-term bet right now.
That is the real “main war.”
It is not just about which class tops a chart. It is about which class players trust with their time.
And in Patch 12.0.5, Paladins appear to have won that trust by a very shiny margin.
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