Master World of Warcraft

Roles: Tanking, Damage

Notes for WotLK Expansion

Warriors have gotten a helluva lot better in WorLK. Prior to the release these backbones of World of Warcraft were slowly getting shoved aside in favour of Feral Druid and Protection Pally tanks.  Well no longer. At the very least, Warriors have regan their position as the best Tanks around.

All warriors have had their damage increased (a substantially big increase for tank-specced Protection warriors, meaning they now do extra damage while being a tank), and are able to take more of a beating while controlling multiple mobs better.

Many abilities now have innate threat generation too, whereas previously only special abilities, excluding raunt and challenging shout (which, by the way, has had the cool down reduced), affected higher threat on top of the general damage caused.

This is Blizzard’s way of say that tanking is now easier — roll up a Warrior character today! There’s never been a better rime to do so, either.

WoW Warrior Overview

So, you’ve decided to join the ranks of the tough, battle-hardened, and bloodthirsty killing machines known as the Warrior, or perhaps you’re simply checking in to see if this is the class for you.

Either way, I personally recommend the warrior class to all those who thrive off ripping apart opponents with a combination of personal skills and overpowering damage – But take note, this class is not for those who want the easy road.

The warrior class is for those who want to be the first target in every battle, PvE or PvP, and are willing to bear the brunt of punishment to reach and annihilate the opposition with a combination of devastating abilities such as Mortal Strike and Blood Thirst.

However, first things first, and before you’ve even entered the game world you’ll be forced to choose amongst the numerous races of world of warcraft, and choose wisely, many players find this descision almost as important as what class to play.

The Alliance

We’ll start with the Alliance choices, firstly Humans and Diplomacy.  The ability Diplomacy grants you a solid 10% increase to all faction reputation gains.  Initially you might scoff at this being a warrior racial, but quite honestly WoW incorporates so many faction grinds with each new expansion, this ability’s been elevated to a nigh ‘must have’ status.

Nextly, Night Elves gain both Shadowmeld and Quickness as far as effective abilities go, the wisp spirit racial(increased movement speed when dead) is fairly pointless unless you plan on dieing frequently, which you shouldn’t as long as you play your cards right.

Quickness is a 1% increase to dodge, seemingly worthless initially, but this 1% easily counts for multiple pieces of gear bonuses at level 70, take note of it.  Secondly, Shadowmeld gives you a stealth of sorts, allowing you to wait and ambush others in PvP, or even just avoid being targeted while AFK or resting.

Dwarves gain the impressive Stoneform ability, something that, much like other racials, is somewhat uneeded from levels 1-60, but demonstrates its true benefits once you hit Outland and start dungeoning more often, that and it gives you a solid anti-rogue ability on a 3 minute cooldown.

Draenei present probably the most contestable rank amongst warrior race choices, some say the HoT(Heal over time) is easily worth it, acting as a secondary bandage – Others however disagree, and I must admit it becomes somewhat weaker with level, becoming nigh worthless at 70 with over 16,000 HP.

However, Draenei also gain a 1% +hit aura for both themselves and all party members within 30 yards, nothing to scoff at in both PvE and PvP, this will be especially relevant to those desiring to run with a dual-wield Fury build at higher levels.

Finally, Gnomes, also the ultimate PvP warrior race despite what you might think at first glance.  This is purely because of escape artist, a handy 1-minute 45 sec. cooldown racial ability allowing them to free themselves from a root or snare effect.

The Horde

On the flipside, Horde and Orcs, what most consider the deadliest warrior race at 70.  Orcs possess an interesting racial ability called Bloodfury, increasing their attack power by a number of level x4 +2, equally 282 for 15 sec. at level 70, an undeniably handy increase.  However, this also reduces healing effects by 50%, making it questionable in possibly dangerous situations, but useable with caution.

Additionally, and making them only more favored as a warrior race, Orc’s possess Hardiness, a 15% resistance to all stuns and knockout effects, what with warriors already anti-rogue arsenal, orcs stand as the greatest rogue slayers of all.

Taurens are the greatest tank race for all those wishing to focus on maximising potential as opposed to looks, a 5% increase to base health becoming amazingly useful at level 70 for any prospective tank.  However, also to consider is war stomp, an almost strictly PvP ability that gives them a crucial short range AoE stun, highly valuable.

Trolls are something of the weaker choice, although I must admit they gain innumerable points for style and uniqueness, despite this their abilities are some of the weakest when considered as a Warrior.  Berserking is of limited usefulness, somewhat like a weaker version of bloodfury, and the health regeneration is barely noticable.

Finally, Undead, another race with one great PvE ability and one great PvP to match.  Will of the Forsaken is one of the greatest racials PvP wise, granting a free break from fear, sleep, and charm effects every 2 minutes, yet PvE wise it’s almost unused aside from specific boss fights.

Cannibalize grants undead great post-fight regeneration ability, making them exeedingly faster than other warrior races in long-term grinding.  Finally, underwater breathing has helped in the odd-scenario of being rooted underwater by an enterprising alliance druid.

All in all I’d recommend you consider whether you value looks or maximized power first, and then take your pick of either Tauren for tanking or Gnome for PvP, although admittedly undead also have a strong case for being PvP champions as well.

Strengths:

• Able to use all armor and all weapons except wands
• Very high hit points
• Great close range melee skills
• Good at pulling, tanking, and dealing damage, thanks to different combat stances.
• Ability to taunt enemies off other party members

Weaknesses:

• No healing ability available, except Draenei
• Limited long range damage capability
• Limited ability to buff party members

Allowed races: Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome, Orc, Tauren, Troll, Undead, Draenei

Equipment: Cloth, Leather, Mail, Plate (with training), Shields

Weapons: Daggers, All (excluding wands)

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