Arms Warrior leveling guide
Arms is the most forgiving way to take a Warrior from 70 to 80 in Northrend. Taste for Blood gives free Overpowers, Sudden Death lets you Execute at any health, and Bladestorm spins through groups while nothing can stop you. Second Wind and Victory Rush keep you on your feet between pulls.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strong single-target damage with Mortal Strike, Overpower and Execute.
- Sweeping Strikes and Bladestorm handle two or more enemies well.
- Juggernaut lets you use abilities right after Charge, so fights start fast.
- A slow two-handed weapon is needed, and bad weapons slow you down.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Arms: Improved Heroic Strike 3/3, Deflection 2/5, Improved Charge 2/2, Tactical Mastery 3/3, Improved Overpower 2/2, Anger Management, Impale 2/2, Deep Wounds 3/3, Two-Handed Weapon Specialization 3/3 and Taste for Blood 3/3.
- Sweeping Strikes, Poleaxe Specialization, Mace Specialization or Sword Specialization 5/5 to match your weapon, Weapon Mastery 2/2, Trauma 2/2, Second Wind 2/2, Mortal Strike and Strength of Arms 2/2.
- Juggernaut, Improved Mortal Strike 3/3, Sudden Death 3/3, Endless Rage, Wrecking Crew 3/5 and Bladestorm, for 51 points. In Fury: Cruelty 5/5, Armored to the Teeth 3/3 and Unbridled Wrath 2/5.
Level 71 to 80
- Unbridled Wrath 5/5 and Blood Craze 3/3.
- Commanding Presence 2/5 and Improved Execute 2/2, for 20 points in Fury.
Rotation
One enemy
- Charge, then Rend so Taste for Blood can light up Overpower.
- Mortal Strike on cooldown, Overpower whenever it lights up, and Execute when Sudden Death gives you the chance.
- Heroic Strike with spare rage, and Victory Rush after every kill.
Two enemies
- Sweeping Strikes, then Mortal Strike and Cleave, or Bladestorm when three or more enemies stand close.
- Thunder Clap and Demoralizing Shout lower the damage you take.
Staying alive
- Second Wind heals you whenever you are stunned or rooted, and Enraged Regeneration from level 75 heals you in a pinch.
- Intimidating Shout to break away, and Hamstring on enemies that flee.
- Shattering Throw from level 71 breaks a shield or immunity, and Heroic Throw at 80 pulls from range.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Strength first, then Armor Penetration, Crit, Hit and Expertise.
- The slowest two-handed weapon you can find, of the type that matches your weapon specialization.
- Enchants: Berserking or Mongoose on the weapon, Greater Assault on the bracers and Crusher on the gloves.
- Tradeskills: Mining with Blacksmithing for extra sockets, or Mining with Jewelcrafting for your own gems. Skinning pays well in Northrend.