Arms Warrior leveling guide

Arms is the usual way to level a Warrior in Classic Era. The spec leans on a slow two-handed weapon, Mortal Strike from level 40 and Sweeping Strikes against two enemies. The weak spot is downtime: a Warrior cannot heal, so food and bandages set the pace.

Strengths and weaknesses

• Every two-handed upgrade is felt at once, from the Whirlwind Axe quest at level 30 to Ravager from Herod in the Scarlet Monastery Armory.
• Sweeping Strikes and Whirlwind handle two or three enemies at a time.
• Rage runs dry with a weak weapon or when attacks miss.
• There is no self-healing, so every fight costs time eating or bandaging.

Talents by level

Level 10 to 30

• Improved Heroic Strike 3/3 and two points in Deflection, then Tactical Mastery 5/5 so a stance change keeps your rage.
• Improved Overpower 2/2, Anger Management and Deep Wounds 3/3.

Level 31 to 40

• Two-Handed Weapon Specialization 5/5 and Impale 2/2.
• Sweeping Strikes, then Axe Specialization or Polearm Specialization to match your weapon.
• Mortal Strike at level 40, the heart of the spec.

Level 41 to 60

• The rest goes into Fury: Cruelty 5/5, Unbridled Wrath 5/5, Improved Battle Shout 5/5 and Enrage 5/5.
• At level 60 that gives 31 points in Arms and 20 in Fury.

Rotation

One enemy

• Stay in Battle Stance, keep Battle Shout up and open with Charge.
• Rend on enemies that live long enough, Mortal Strike on cooldown and Overpower whenever the target dodges.
• Heroic Strike only with rage to spare, and Execute below 20% health.

Two or three enemies

• Sweeping Strikes in Battle Stance, then Berserker Stance for Whirlwind. Tactical Mastery keeps the rage.
• Cleave with rage to spare. Thunder Clap and Demoralizing Shout help against larger groups.

Staying alive

• Retaliation and Intimidating Shout when a pull goes wrong.
• Hamstring to kite enemies that flee or hit hard.
• First Aid for bandages, and a shield in your bags for Shield Block and Shield Wall.

Leveling route

Level	Alliance	Horde
1-12	Elwynn Forest, Dun Morogh, Teldrassil	Durotar, Mulgore, Tirisfal Glades
12-20	Westfall, Loch Modan, Darkshore	The Barrens, Silverpine Forest
20-30	Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Wetlands	The Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles
30-40	Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace	Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace
40-50	Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands	Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands
50-60	Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring	Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring

Dungeons worth the detour: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.

Stats, weapons and tradeskills

• Strength first, then Crit from Agility and gear. Hit helps against enemies above your level, and Stamina keeps you safe.
• Pick the slower two-handed weapon with the higher top damage: Mortal Strike and Overpower scale with it.
• Enchants: Crusader on the weapon once gold allows it, and Strength on bracers and gloves.
• Tradeskills: Mining with Engineering for bombs that stun, or Mining with Blacksmithing for weapons. Skinning pays for training along the way.