Protection Warrior leveling guide
Protection is the tank spec of the Warrior, and in Outland it shines in dungeons. Shield Slam, Revenge and Devastate give strong threat on one enemy, Thunder Clap and Demoralizing Shout hold a group, and Spell Reflection at level 64 sends spells back to casters. Alone it kills slowly, so it suits players who level mostly through dungeons.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Groups always need a tank, so dungeon invitations come quickly.
- Very hard to kill with a shield, Last Stand and Shield Wall.
- Devastate stacks Sunder Armor while it deals damage.
- Slow solo questing compared with Arms or Fury.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Protection: Tactical Mastery 3/3, Anticipation 3/5, Shield Specialization 5/5, Toughness 5/5, Last Stand, Improved Shield Block and Defiance 3/3.
- Improved Sunder Armor 3/3, Concussion Blow, One-Handed Weapon Specialization 5/5, Shield Slam, Focused Rage 3/3, Improved Defensive Stance 1/3, Vitality 5/5 and Devastate, for 41 points.
- In Arms: Improved Heroic Strike 3/3, Deflection 5/5 and Improved Charge 2/2.
Level 61 to 70
- Anger Management, Deep Wounds 3/3 and Improved Overpower 1/2.
- Impale 2/2 and Improved Thunder Clap 3/3, for 20 points in Arms.
Rotation
One enemy
- Charge, switch to Defensive Stance, then Shield Slam whenever it is ready and Revenge whenever it lights up.
- Devastate as your filler, and Heroic Strike only with spare rage.
- Shield Block before a big hit, which also makes Revenge available more often.
Dungeon groups
- Thunder Clap and Demoralizing Shout on every pull, then Shield Slam and Devastate on the marked target and Cleave with spare rage.
- Taunt an enemy that runs to the healer, and Challenging Shout when several do.
- Spell Reflection from level 64 against casters, and Intervene from level 70 to protect a player in trouble.
Staying alive
- Shield Block and Shield Wall against heavy hits, and Last Stand when your health drops fast.
- Commanding Shout from level 68 adds health for you and your group.
- Concussion Blow stuns an enemy while you catch your breath.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 | Hellfire Peninsula (Honor Hold) | Hellfire Peninsula (Thrallmar) |
| 62-64 | Zangarmarsh (Telredor) | Zangarmarsh (Zabra’jin) |
| 64-65 | Terokkar Forest (Allerian Stronghold) | Terokkar Forest (Stonebreaker Hold) |
| 65-67 | Nagrand (Telaar) | Nagrand (Garadar) |
| 67-68 | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Sylvanaar) | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Thunderlord Stronghold) |
| 68-70 | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Wildhammer Stronghold) | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Shadowmoon Village) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Hellfire Ramparts and The Blood Furnace from level 60, The Slave Pens and The Underbog around 62, and Mana-Tombs and Auchenai Crypts from 64.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Stamina and armor first, then Defense. At 490 Defense bosses in heroic dungeons can no longer land critical strikes on you.
- A one-handed weapon with a shield that has plenty of armor and Block Value.
- Enchants: Exceptional Health on the chest, Fortitude on the bracers and Major Stamina on the shield.
- Tradeskills: Mining with Blacksmithing for plate and shields, or Mining with Jewelcrafting for Stamina gems.