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Warrior specialization

Protection Warrior in WoW Forever

Shield defense and threat control.

  • Your role: Tank
  • Advice for every level to 60
  • Class notes checked

Your character

I’m playing
Updating…

Choose the level you are playing now. The playbook and gear rankings update to match.

Level 30 · Combat priorities

How to play at level 30

Your tank loop

Press the first one that is ready.

Protection’s own loop, from level 10. Before that every Warrior plays the same loop.

Own loop from: Protection level 10Fury level 20Arms level 25

Keep up:
  1. Bloodrage For rage · every 60 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 60 sec, for rage.

  2. Revenge Rank 2 Every 5 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 5 sec.

    41% of your damage
  3. Heroic Strike Rank 4 Spare rage

    Spend spare rage on it.

    8% of your damage
  4. Auto attack All the time

    Your weapon swings on its own. Stay in melee range.

    51% of your damage

The first 30 seconds

When to press each one from the pull. The blue line under a press is the global cooldown (1.5 sec) or cast it holds: nothing else on the global cooldown can go until it ends, so of two that are ready together the higher one goes first. Bloodrage is off the global cooldown, so it has no line and goes alongside.

In the gaps
Heroic Strike
All the time
Auto attack

How MaxDPS works this out

Talents at level 30

21 points at level 30: the first at level 10, then one every level.

The MaxDPS build at this level, in the game’s talent frame. Click a talent to learn it and right click to unlearn it, as in the game.

Talents
Unspent Talents
Point order: when each point goes in
  1. Shield Specialization 5/5 · levels 10–14 +1.5% survival and threat
  2. Anticipation 5/5 · levels 15–19 +4.6% survival and threat
  3. Defiance 3/3 · levels 20–22 +20% survival and threat
  4. Improved Revenge 3/3 · levels 23–25 +18% survival and threat
  5. Last Stand 1/1 · level 26 no survival and threat
  6. Improved Sunder Armor 3/3 · levels 27–29 no survival and threat
  7. Vanguard 1/1 · level 30 no survival and threat

Every Warrior talent

Preliminary item rankings

Protection Warrior gear rankings

Survival and physical threat · Level 30 · Solo DPS · Calculated defaults

Head 103 items · Updating…

Where it comes from
Faction

Key stats show the stats behind the three largest score contributions, as the game tooltip states them; open an item’s details for every value and source.

Head items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank Item Score (pts) Where to get it Actions
1 in this filtered list
Veteran's Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Crafted Key stats: 11 Stamina12 Strength177 Armor
26.87

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Strength: 12 × 0.6901 = 8.28 pts
  • Armor: 177 × 0.0429 = 7.59 pts

Rare

Source

2 in this filtered list
Guard's Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Crafted Key stats: 11 Stamina177 Armor12 Agility
25.63

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Armor: 177 × 0.0429 = 7.59 pts
  • Agility: 12 × 0.5866 = 7.04 pts

Rare

Source

3 in this filtered list
Frostreaver Crown Mail · iLvl 32 · Req. 27 · Other drop Key stats: 15 Stamina182 Armor4 Strength
25.57
Burning Blade SeerNPC drop · 2.8% · Desolace

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 15 × 1 = 15.00 pts
  • Armor: 182 × 0.0429 = 7.81 pts
  • Strength: 4 × 0.6901 = 2.76 pts

Rare

43 sources

Burning Blade SeerNPC drop · 2.8% · Desolace
Hatefury BetrayerNPC drop · 0.7% · Desolace
Hatefury HellcallerNPC drop · 0.7% · Desolace
Qiraji LieutenantNPC drop · 0.4% · The Barrens
Razorfen ThornweaverNPC drop · 0.3%
Large Solid ChestObject loot · 0.3%
Giant YetiNPC drop · 0.3% · Alterac Mountains
Dabyrie LaborerNPC drop · 0.2% · Arathi Highlands
All 43 sources
4 in this filtered list
Defender's Leather Helm Leather · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 13 Stamina12 Strength84 Armor
24.88

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 13 × 1 = 13.00 pts
  • Strength: 12 × 0.6901 = 8.28 pts
  • Armor: 84 × 0.0429 = 3.60 pts

Rare

15 sources

Lorgus JettNPC drop · 0.3% · Blackfathom Deeps
Charlga RazorflankNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Aggem ThorncurseNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Bazil ThreddNPC drop · <0.1% · Stormwind Stockade
Aku'maiNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps
Old Serra'kisNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps
All 15 sources
5 in this filtered list
Veteran's Silvered Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 25 · Req. 20 · Crafted Key stats: 9 Stamina163 Armor10 Strength
22.89

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Armor: 163 × 0.0429 = 6.99 pts
  • Strength: 10 × 0.6901 = 6.90 pts

Rare

Source

6 in this filtered list
Cloudy Skyforged Helm Mail · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Crafted Key stats: 9 Stamina173 Armor9 Strength
22.63

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Armor: 173 × 0.0429 = 7.42 pts
  • Strength: 9 × 0.6901 = 6.21 pts

Uncommon

Source

7 in this filtered list
Azure Skyforged Helm Mail · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Crafted Key stats: 9 Stamina173 Armor9 Strength
22.63

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Armor: 173 × 0.0429 = 7.42 pts
  • Strength: 9 × 0.6901 = 6.21 pts

Uncommon

Source

8 in this filtered list
Brawler's Leather Helm Leather · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 13 Stamina10 Agility84 Armor
22.47

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 13 × 1 = 13.00 pts
  • Agility: 10 × 0.5866 = 5.87 pts
  • Armor: 84 × 0.0429 = 3.60 pts

Rare

17 sources

RoogugNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Lorgus JettNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps
GelihastNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps
Charlga RazorflankNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
IronspineNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Aggem ThorncurseNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Aku'maiNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps
Dextren WardNPC drop · <0.1% · Stormwind Stockade
All 17 sources
9 in this filtered list
Tusken Helm Mail · iLvl 34 · Req. 29 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 13 Strength188 Armor120 Bonus armor
22.18
Overlord RamtuskNPC drop · 75% · Razorfen Kraul

Score breakdown

  • Strength: 13 × 0.6901 = 8.97 pts
  • Armor: 188 × 0.0429 = 8.07 pts
  • Bonus armor: 120 × 0.0429 = 5.15 pts

Rare

Source

Overlord RamtuskNPC drop · 75% · Razorfen Kraul
10 in this filtered list
Slayer's Skullcap Mail · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Other drop Key stats: 168 Armor7 Stamina9 Strength
22.18
Withered WarriorNPC drop · 1.7% · Razorfen Downs

Score breakdown

  • Armor: 168 × 0.0429 = 7.21 pts
  • Stamina: 7 × 1 = 7.00 pts
  • Strength: 9 × 0.6901 = 6.21 pts
  • Agility: 3 × 0.5866 = 1.76 pts

Uncommon

58 sources

Withered WarriorNPC drop · 1.7% · Razorfen Downs
Kolkar Battle LordNPC drop · 0.9% · Desolace
Kolkar ScoutNPC drop · 0.4% · Desolace
Kolkar WindchaserNPC drop · 0.3% · Desolace
Magram OutrunnerNPC drop · 0.3% · Desolace
Razorfen ThornweaverNPC drop · 0.2%
Razorfen BattleguardNPC drop · 0.2%
Death's Head CultistNPC drop · 0.1%
Ward GuardianNPC drop · 0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
All 58 sources
11 in this filtered list
Protector's Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Crafted Key stats: 11 Stamina177 Armor7 Defense rating
21.99

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Armor: 177 × 0.0429 = 7.59 pts
  • Defense rating: 7 × 0.4853 = 3.40 pts

Rare

Source

12 in this filtered list
Guard's Silvered Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 25 · Req. 20 · Crafted Key stats: 9 Stamina163 Armor10 Agility
21.86

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Armor: 163 × 0.0429 = 6.99 pts
  • Agility: 10 × 0.5866 = 5.87 pts

Rare

Source

13 in this filtered list
Green Iron Helm Mail · iLvl 34 · Req. 29 · Crafted Key stats: 11 Stamina171 Armor5 Strength
21.79

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Armor: 171 × 0.0429 = 7.34 pts
  • Strength: 5 × 0.6901 = 3.45 pts

Uncommon

Source

14 in this filtered list
Foreman's Helm Mail · iLvl 26 · Req. 21 · Other drop Key stats: 9 Stamina166 Armor8 Strength
21.64

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Armor: 166 × 0.0429 = 7.12 pts
  • Strength: 8 × 0.6901 = 5.52 pts

Rare

15 in this filtered list
Protector's Silvered Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 25 · Req. 20 · Crafted Key stats: 9 Stamina163 Armor7 Defense rating
19.39

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Armor: 163 × 0.0429 = 6.99 pts
  • Defense rating: 7 × 0.4853 = 3.40 pts

Rare

Source

16 in this filtered list
Fire Hardened Coif Mail · iLvl 31 · Req. 26* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 8 Stamina163 Armor7 Agility
19.10
Grimand's ArmorQuest reward

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 8 × 1 = 8.00 pts
  • Armor: 163 × 0.0429 = 6.99 pts
  • Agility: 7 × 0.5866 = 4.11 pts

Uncommon

Source

Grimand's ArmorQuest reward
17 in this filtered list
Brutal Helm Mail · iLvl 31 · Req. 26* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 8 Stamina163 Armor7 Agility
19.10
Brutal HelmQuest reward

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 8 × 1 = 8.00 pts
  • Armor: 163 × 0.0429 = 6.99 pts
  • Agility: 7 × 0.5866 = 4.11 pts

Uncommon

Source

Brutal HelmQuest reward
18 in this filtered list
Barbaric Iron Helm Mail · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Crafted Key stats: 173 Armor9 Strength9 Agility
18.91

Score breakdown

  • Armor: 173 × 0.0429 = 7.42 pts
  • Strength: 9 × 0.6901 = 6.21 pts
  • Agility: 9 × 0.5866 = 5.28 pts

Uncommon

Source

19 in this filtered list
Defender's Leather Hood Leather · iLvl 25 · Req. 20 · Crafted Key stats: 10 Stamina8 Strength76 Armor
18.78

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 10 × 1 = 10.00 pts
  • Strength: 8 × 0.6901 = 5.52 pts
  • Armor: 76 × 0.0429 = 3.26 pts

Rare

Source

20 in this filtered list
Cloudy Gustwoven Hood Leather · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Crafted Key stats: 9 Stamina9 Strength83 Armor
18.77

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Strength: 9 × 0.6901 = 6.21 pts
  • Armor: 83 × 0.0429 = 3.56 pts

Uncommon

Source

Item stats from the WoW Forever game files; sources from data collected from the live game.