Protection Warrior leveling guide
Protection is the tank spec of the Warrior. Questing alone, it is the slowest way to level, because a one-handed weapon and a shield deal little damage. It pays off for players who mostly run dungeons: groups always look for a tank.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Groups for dungeons fill quickly with a Warrior who can tank.
Shield Block, Shield Wall and 
Last Stand make hard pulls survivable.- Killing enemies alone is slow, so questing takes longer than with Arms.
- Holding threat on several enemies takes practice: Classic has no area threat ability for Warriors.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
Shield Specialization 5/5 for rage from blocks, and 
Anticipation 5/5 for Defense.
Toughness 5/5, then 
Defiance 5/5 for extra threat in 
Defensive Stance.
Improved Revenge 3/3 and Last Stand.
Level 31 to 40
Improved Sunder Armor 3/3 and 
Concussion Blow.
One-Handed Weapon Specialization, then 
Shield Slam at level 40.
Level 41 to 60
- The rest of One-Handed Weapon Specialization, Improved Shield Block 3/3 and
Improved Shield Wall 2/2. - In Arms:
Improved Heroic Strike 3/3 and two points in 
Deflection, then 
Tactical Mastery 5/5 so a stance change keeps your rage.
Rotation
Tanking one enemy
- Defensive Stance. Open with
Charge from 
Battle Stance, then switch. - Shield Slam on cooldown, Revenge whenever it lights up and Sunder Armor in between.
- Shield Block makes Revenge available more often. Heroic Strike with rage to spare.
Tanking a group
- Mark the most dangerous enemy and keep Sunder Armor on it. Switch targets to put a Sunder on the others.
- Thunder Clap in Battle Stance and
Demoralizing Shout reduce the damage the group deals. 
Taunt when an enemy turns to a healer, and Mocking Blow in Battle Stance as a second taunt.
Staying alive
- Shield Wall and Last Stand for the worst moments.
Disarm against elites that hit hard with a weapon.- Questing alone: fight in Battle Stance and use
Rend and Heroic Strike. Bandages between fights.
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 to tank along the way: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- For tanking: Stamina and Defense first, then armor and Block from the shield. Hit makes sure Sunder Armor and Shield Slam land.
- For questing: Strength and Stamina.
- A one-handed weapon with high damage and the shield with the most armor. Enchants: Crusader on the weapon, and Stamina on chest, bracers and shield.
- Tradeskills: Mining with Blacksmithing for plate and shields, or Mining with Engineering for bombs that stun. First Aid saves time between fights.