3 man PvE team - what classes?

[Terai]

This is my first post here on Dual-boxing, and I have to say that these forums are pure gold for information about my newfound interest.

I would love to 5-box, but at the moment I only have access to three accounts. My goal with multi boxing is clearing as much PvE content as possible, and to have fun in the process.

Question is, what would be the ideal class setup for PvE instancing? I would like to use my gnome death knight as tank, since I just love gnomes, but the other two spots are open for suggestions. One thought is to have two shaman which can switch between dps and healing roles depending on the encounter. Since I am new to this I'll leave it to you though, to come with good suggestions and ideas. A big plus would be if the group was viable in 3v3 arena as well, but that's perhaps asking to much :)

[Siaea]

You'll find that multiple shaman are the most popular and for a reason: totems. When I run mine (4+dk for PvE, 5 for PvP) I can have nearly every totem available out. That, and they can do pretty respectable DPS and heal. Add reincarnation and rez abilities, and you have a really nice beginner team.

[Terai]

Thank you - I'll go with the shaman then. I wonder, will I be severely limited using only three characters? Will I be able to do instances at the same level as my characters? What about heroics? Looking at the heroic gundrak movie in your wiki it seems like a walk in the park with five characters. I reckon you are pretty well geared, though, so maybe that's why it looks easy.

[Siaea]

I wouldn't think you would be able to do heroics without 4 or 5 unless you have Naxx and above gear. It may be possible, maybe somebody on here has done it and can reply.

[Ogloo]

For pve I would do paladin shaman priest (Druid mage) is the way to go but take out the Druid Mage
for 3 man team... But if u want a dk then run dk instead of paladin..

But for pvp run 3 shamans.. Whatever u do u can not run 3 guys in a heroiic but u will easily if u pick up to others like guildies or pugs to go with u

[OgreKing]

The above post is correct. I can multi-box a Heroic with three toons, a Mage, Priest or Druid, and a Paladin. BUT I had to get Nax+ gear on the Mage before I could do it successfully. The Prot Paladin and the healer just wear heroic gear. I just let the Pally take the brunt of the damage up front to build aggro and then release the Mage on them... with 25 man Nax gear he cooks them.