The following compares the current state of Fire Mages to Windwalker Monks using the latest SimulationCraft data for end-game PvE in World of Warcraft The War Within patch 11.0.2.
Comparison
Category
Winner
Windwalker Monk
+15.39%
When simulating boss fight encounters, Windwalker Monks averaged 15.39% more DPS than Fire Mages (+245K DPS).
Windwalker Monk
+34.42%
When simulating AoE DPS, Windwalker Monks averaged 34.42% more DPS than Fire Mages (+340K DPS).
Windwalker Monk
+72.35%
Windwalker Monks have higher spike damage potential, achieving +6.3M more DPS than Fire Mages.
Spike damage is the peak DPS achieved in any given moment and is not sustained DPS.
Windwalker Monk
+2.11%
When upgrading the gear for both specs by +44 ilvl, Windwalker Monk DPS improved the most, +2.11% more than Fire Mage. In total, Windwalker Monks DPS increased by 68.31% and Fire Mages by 66.2%.
Windwalker Monk
+19.57%
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 8.84% for Windwalker Monks.
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 28.41% for Fire Mages.
When introducing occasional movement and real-world latency, Windwalker Monks performed better, as Fire Mages suffered a +19.57% DPS loss.
Fire Mage
When evaluating abilities used during boss encounters, Fire Mages had fewer damaging abilities in total, indicating a potentially less complex rotation.
The comparisons above highlight some of the key differences between Fire Mage and Windwalker Monk in the current meta, which can hopefully help you determine which spec to play or group up with.
Windwalker Monk
Fire Mage