What would the best main DPS class to use for a 40-man raid setup?

[Ellay]

(not playing classic) but I'd go with Mages, your ability to handle mechanics makes you much more versatile for more scenarios. You also have an out in Ice Block for a complete immunity if you mess up a mechanic. I suppose mechanics in Classic aren't as in depth as retail but it still catches up the more it progresses.

The other part was gearing them out. Mages can work with more and their power curve is more forgiving as you gear up.

[nodoze]

(not playing classic) but I'd go with Mages, your ability to handle mechanics makes you much more versatile for more scenarios. You also have an out in Ice Block for a complete immunity if you mess up a mechanic. I suppose mechanics in Classic aren't as in depth as retail but it still catches up the more it progresses.

The other part was gearing them out. Mages can work with more and their power curve is more forgiving as you gear up.

LoL I hadn't though of Ice Block to bypass mechanics and you could do it at least twice on a given boss by leveraging cold snap. If you have Paladin Healers they can also be immune to any mechanic at least once (maybe twice depending on the mechanic). Those are without popping any invul pots.

Warlocks could sacrifice Voids to get a really big buffer which may allow quite a bit but I can't think of a way for them to be totally immune like Mages or Paladins.