Cleave ( arena term ) Cleave is a term used to describe an arena composition where a majority of the players or damage dealer s are melee classes . The term became popular in season three of the arena PvP system , when multiple 3v3 " double melee " compositions began to climb arena ladders . The original " Cleave " setup ( Warrior / Rogue / Restoration Druid ) became prominent in high tier arena and LAN tournaments . Cleave compositions including Warriors , Rogues , Retribution Paladins , and Enhancement Shamans were commonly high ranking and live tournament arena teams . The term expanded to include 5v5 arena teams , where three or more of the players were melee classes . Recently , cleave teams have become prominent in high level arena and LAN tournaments in season six of the arena PvP system in both 3v3 and 5v5 brackets . Criticisms . Cleave compositons are heavily criticized for its simplistic style of play in both 3v3 and 5v5 . Players are critical of both the individual level of talent required to play a melee class and the strategy involved , which is commonly perceived as simply " training " one player on the opposing team . Similar terms . African Turtle Cleave . African Turtle Cleave ( ATC ) or simply African Turtle is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which usually means consist of Marksman Hunter , Protection Warrior and Holy Paladin . The name African Turtle may refer to or generally open - ended to some of the . Beast Cleave . Beast Cleave or beastcleave is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which usually means consist of Beast Mastery Hunter , Enhancement Shaman and Holy Paladin . The name beastcleave comes from the fact that the setup has lots of pet assistance . Hitler Cleave . Hitler Cleave is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which consist of two Unholy Death Knight s and a Healer of your choice , usually a Holy Paladin . Why this potentially offensive team is called Hitler Cleave is due to the fact that it contains two Unholy Death Knight s and the spread of Desecration is guaranteed . Desecration is commonly called gas / disease clouds . Kung Fu Cleave . Kung Fu Cleave or KFC is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which usually means consist of Marksman Hunter , Arms Warrior and Holy Paladin / Restoration Druid / Restoration Shaman . Lumberjack Cleave . Lumberjack Cleave or simply Lumberjack is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which usually means consist of two Arms Warrior s and Holy Paladin . Mancleave . Mancleave is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which usually means consist of Arms Warrior , Protection Warrior and Holy Paladin . Rob Reiner Cleave . A " Rob Reiner Cleave is simply a triple rogue DPS team . It consists of running a train on the weakest target and eliminating the other two targets through ninja tactics . It is named for the South Park episode " Butt Out " where Rob Reiner rogued into the Tobacco Plant dressed as Rita Poon . Cobain Cleave . Cobain Cleave is a common 3v3 arena composition , which consists of a Frost Death Knight , Assassination Rogue , and a Holy Paladin . Stalin Cleave . Stalin Cleave is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which consist of two Frost Death Knight s and a Healer of your choice , usually a Holy Paladin . Why this potentially offensive team is called Stalin Cleave is due to the fact that it contains two Frost Death Knight s and due to the chilly nature of the composition with spells such as Hungering Cold and Howling Blast . This composition gained wide popularity in Season 9 in early Cataclysm due to Frost Death Knight s very high damage output . TSG . TSG is a common 3vs3 ( cleave ) arena composition , which usually consists of an Arms Warrior , an Unholy Death Knight and a Holy Paladin . The name TSG originated from the arena team who popularized the composition " The Steel Gauntlet . " Thug Cleave Thug Cleave is a comp that consist of a Subtlety Rogue , Beastmaster Hunter and Discipline Priest . Wizard cleave . The term wizard cleave has been used to describe a team of two burst caster classes and one healer . It was originally invented by Braman and Venoma of < Storms > .