Protection Warrior leveling guide
Protection is the tank spec of the Warrior, and in WotLK Classic it can also quest well. Warbringer lets you 
Charge and 
Intercept in any stance, 
Sword and Board turns 
Devastate into free Shield Slams, and 
Shockwave stuns every enemy in front of you. Dungeon groups always need a tank, so the spec levels fast through the dungeon finder.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Excellent threat on one and many enemies with
Shield Slam, Thunder Clap and Shockwave. - Very hard to kill with
Shield Block, 
Shield Wall, 
Last Stand and Critical Block. - Warbringer and
Damage Shield make solo questing workable. - Lower damage than Arms or Fury when you quest alone.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Protection:
Improved Thunder Clap 3/3, 
Shield Specialization 5/5, 
Incite 3/3, Last Stand, 
Improved Revenge 2/2, 
Shield Mastery 2/2, 
Puncture 3/3, 
Concussion Blow and Gag Order 2/2. 
One-Handed Weapon Specialization 5/5, 
Vigilance, 
Focused Rage 3/3, 
Improved Defensive Stance 2/2, 
Vitality 3/3, 
Safeguard 2/2, Warbringer, Devastate and Critical Block 3/3.- Sword and Board 3/3, Damage Shield 1/2,
Toughness 3/5 and Shockwave, for 51 points. In Arms: 
Improved Heroic Strike 3/3, 
Deflection 5/5 and Improved Charge 2/2.
Level 71 to 80
Tactical Mastery 3/3, 
Anger Management and 
Deep Wounds 3/3.
Impale 2/2 and 
Improved Overpower 1/2, for 20 points in Arms.
Rotation
One enemy
- Charge in Defensive Stance thanks to Warbringer, then Shield Slam whenever it is ready.
- Revenge whenever it lights up, Devastate as your filler, and Shield Slam again when Sword and Board resets it.
- Heroic Strike with spare rage, and Concussion Blow to stun.
Dungeon groups
- Thunder Clap and Shockwave on the pull, then Shield Slam and Devastate on the main target and
Cleave with spare rage. 
Taunt an enemy that runs to the healer, and 
Challenging Shout when several do.- Vigilance on a damage dealer,
Intervene to protect a player, and 
Spell Reflection against casters.
Staying alive
- Shield Block before heavy hits, Shield Wall and Last Stand when your health drops fast.
- Enraged Regeneration from level 75 heals you in a pinch.
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
- Stamina first, then Defense until 540 so bosses in heroic dungeons cannot land critical strikes on you, then Dodge, Parry and Block Value.
- A one-handed weapon with a shield that has plenty of armor.
- Enchants: Super Health on the chest, Major Stamina on the bracers and Defense on the shield.
- Tradeskills: Mining with Blacksmithing for extra sockets, or Mining with Jewelcrafting for Stamina gems.