WoW Forever DB
Theme

World of Warcraft: Forever · class guide

Protection Warrior: Races

Every race Protection Warrior can be, ranked against each other: best first, with how much the choice matters.

Best races for Protection Warrior

Best races for Protection Warrior in PvE

Race matters a lot

Survival decides Protection Warrior, not damage. Dwarf Stoneform is the strongest survival kit and Tauren Endurance and War Stomp are next (about 5% more effective health), while every other race trails by 1.5 or more and the damage spread is small. Dwarf is the best Alliance pick. Tauren is the best Horde pick.

  • Best Alliance pick: Dwarf S tier
  • Best Horde pick: Tauren A tier

  1. Dwarf S tier

    Stoneform gives Dwarf the strongest survival and threat here, which makes it the best pick for Protection Warrior.

    Why S, and its scores

    Stoneform takes 10% less physical damage for 8 seconds every 3 minutes, about 0.44% on average but a real panic button against a tank-buster, and it makes the Warrior immune to bleeds, poison and disease. Earth Fury adds 2% to the crit bonus. Stoneform removes bleed, poison and disease, grants immunity to them and cuts physical damage taken 10% for 8 seconds, every 3 minutes. It is the strongest survival kit in the group. Safety scores 5 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Big Game Hunter adds 5% damage to Beasts, and Find Treasure adds chest loot. In beast zones that is an estimated 1 to 3% over a session. Leveling scores 2 of 5.

    It has no race ahead of it. The next race, Tauren, trails by 0.60 and sits in tier A. It falls short on survival and threat (Endurance against Stoneform, 4 of 5 to 5) and safety (War Stomp against Stoneform, 4 of 5 to 5).

    Scores for Dwarf for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 5
    Survival and utility25 5
    Leveling and downtime20 2

    Weighted score 4.40, the best for this spec, which is S tier.

    What would move it: It would lose first place if testing showed Endurance on Tauren worth more than the estimate for Protection Warrior now, or if Stoneform were cut in a patch.

    The Dwarf race page

  2. Tauren A tier

    Tauren's Endurance trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why A, and its scores

    Endurance adds 5% health, about 5% more effective health, and War Stomp stops adds for 2 seconds on a 90 second cooldown. It lost the old 1% hit. War Stomp stuns up to 5 enemies for 2 seconds on a 90 second cooldown, and Endurance adds 5% health. War Stomp works as an AoE stop on adds. Safety scores 4 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Plainsrunning adds up to 30% movement speed while moving, and Endurance adds 5% health. Leveling scores 3 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf. The best, Dwarf, is 0.60 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 4) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 4). This race wins on leveling (Plainsrunning) but not by enough. Tier A covers up to 0.83 behind; tier S needs 0.50 or less.

    Scores for Tauren for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 4
    Survival and utility25 4
    Leveling and downtime20 3

    Weighted score 3.80, 0.60 behind the best race for this spec, which is A tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.10 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Endurance or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier S.

    The Tauren race page

  3. Undead C tier

    Undead's Touch of the Grave trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why C, and its scores

    Will of the Forsaken answers fears, such as Scholomance and Onyxia, which is a real tank answer. Touch of the Grave adds a small self-heal. Will of the Forsaken removes Charm, Fear and Sleep every 2 minutes, and Cannibalize heals 35% of health between pulls. Safety scores 4 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Cannibalize restores 35% of health and mana near a corpse every 2 minutes, which cuts drinking and eating time. Leveling scores 4 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf and Tauren. The best, Dwarf, is 1.50 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 4). This race wins on leveling (Cannibalize) but not by enough. Tier C covers up to 1.50 behind; tier B needs 1.17 or less.

    Scores for Undead for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 2
    Survival and utility25 4
    Leveling and downtime20 4

    Weighted score 2.90, 1.50 behind the best race for this spec, which is C tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.33 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Touch of the Grave or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier B.

    The Undead race page

  4. Orc F tier

    Orc's Blood Fury trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Blood Fury adds threat on attack-power abilities, about 0.5 to 1% (an estimate). Savage adds 1% crit. Hardiness cuts stun duration 20%, and Shatter Curse removes Curses and Banes and cuts magic damage taken 5% for 8 seconds, every 3 minutes. A Warrior has no other answer to stuns or curses. Safety scores 4 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Hardiness helps against stuns, and little else helps leveling. Leveling scores 2 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren and Undead. The best, Dwarf, is 1.90 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 4). That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Orc for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 2
    Survival and utility25 4
    Leveling and downtime20 2

    Weighted score 2.50, 1.90 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.07 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Blood Fury or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Orc race page

  5. Skyborne High Order F tier

    Skyborne (High Order)'s Wind Blessed trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Wind Blessed adds 3% haste, which means more swings, more rage and an estimated 2 to 3% more threat. It has no defensive use. Walk on Air is a 10 second glide on a 90 second cooldown, and that is the whole safety kit. Safety scores 1 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Read Ley Line doubles health and mana regen (15 minutes at a ley line, 30 seconds elsewhere) and can be cast while moving. Leveling scores 3 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren and Undead. The best, Dwarf, is 1.90 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 3) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 1). This race wins on leveling (Read Ley Line) but not by enough. That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Skyborne (High Order) for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 3
    Survival and utility25 1
    Leveling and downtime20 3

    Weighted score 2.50, 1.90 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.07 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Wind Blessed or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Skyborne race page

  6. Skyborne Windshaper F tier

    Skyborne (Windshaper)'s Wind Blessed trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Wind Blessed adds 3% haste, which means more swings, more rage and an estimated 2 to 3% more threat. It has no defensive use. Walk on Air is a 10 second glide on a 90 second cooldown, and that is the whole safety kit. Safety scores 1 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Skysight adds 10% movement speed for 30 seconds, or 15 minutes at an elemental convergence. Leveling scores 3 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren and Undead. The best, Dwarf, is 1.90 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 3) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 1). This race wins on leveling (Skysight) but not by enough. That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Skyborne (Windshaper) for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 3
    Survival and utility25 1
    Leveling and downtime20 3

    Weighted score 2.50, 1.90 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.07 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Wind Blessed or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Skyborne race page

  7. Human F tier

    Human's Ruthless trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Ruthless adds 2% crit, which helps threat and rage, and Will to Survive removes stuns that would otherwise take the tank out. Will to Survive removes all stuns on a 3 minute cooldown, and Perception detects stealth for 20 seconds. Safety scores 4 of 5 for Protection Warrior. The Human Spirit adds 5% Spirit, which helps regen a little. Leveling scores 1 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren, Undead and 3 more. The best, Dwarf, is 2.10 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2), safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 4) and leveling (Big Game Hunter, 2 of 5 against 1). That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Human for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 2
    Survival and utility25 4
    Leveling and downtime20 1

    Weighted score 2.30, 2.10 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.27 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Ruthless or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Human race page

  8. Night Elf F tier

    Night Elf's Elune's Light trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Quickness adds 1% dodge, and Elune's Light adds crit for threat, about 0.8% on average. Shadowmeld drops threat, which a tank does not want. Quickness adds 1% dodge, about 1% fewer hits taken, and Shadowmeld drops threat, which a tank does not want. Safety scores 2 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Quickness adds 2% movement speed that stacks with other speed effects, and Wisp Spirit adds 75% speed as a wisp. Leveling scores 3 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren, Undead and 4 more. The best, Dwarf, is 2.20 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2). This race wins on leveling (Quickness) but not by enough. That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Night Elf for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 2
    Survival and utility25 2
    Leveling and downtime20 3

    Weighted score 2.20, 2.20 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.37 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Elune's Light or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Night Elf race page

  9. Troll F tier

    Troll's Berserking trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Berserking adds 10% attack speed for threat bursts, about 0.6% on average. Rapid Regeneration heals 50% of maximum health over 6 seconds, but any movement, action or damage cancels it. Regeneration adds 20% health regen. Safety scores 2 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Regeneration adds 20% health regen (20% of it works in combat), and Beast Slaying adds 5% damage to Beasts. In beast zones that is an estimated 1 to 3% over a session. Leveling scores 3 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren, Undead and 4 more. The best, Dwarf, is 2.20 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2) and safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2). This race wins on leveling (Regeneration) but not by enough. That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Troll for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 2
    Survival and utility25 2
    Leveling and downtime20 3

    Weighted score 2.20, 2.20 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 0.37 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Berserking or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Troll race page

  10. Gnome F tier

    Eureka!, the Gnome racial, trails Dwarf's Stoneform on survival and threat.

    Why F, and its scores

    Escape Artist frees the Warrior from roots and snares, and Eureka! adds 10% damage and 10% lower costs for 8 seconds. Neither does much for a tank's job. Escape Artist frees you from movement impairment and gives 3 seconds of immunity, every 2 minutes. Safety scores 2 of 5 for Protection Warrior. Expansive Mind adds a larger resource pool, and Escape Artist helps with kiting. Leveling scores 1 of 5.

    Ahead of it: Dwarf, Tauren, Undead and 6 more. The best, Dwarf, is 3.15 ahead because it is stronger on survival and threat (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 1), safety (Stoneform, 5 of 5 against 2) and leveling (Big Game Hunter, 2 of 5 against 1). That is beyond 1.83 behind the best, which is tier F.

    Scores for Gnome for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    The spec's job55 1
    Survival and utility25 2
    Leveling and downtime20 1

    Weighted score 1.25, 3.15 behind the best race for this spec, which is F tier.

    What would move it: Closing about 1.32 of weighted score, through a higher tested value for Eureka! or a change to Stoneform on Dwarf, would lift it to tier D.

    The Gnome race page

How these are ranked

Forecast. Rated from the client data and our research, before anyone has played it at this level on this build. Where the data stops, the write-up says what it assumed. Rated as of , build 1.60.1.70450.

For each of the 28 specs, every race that can play it, ranked against each other for that spec: what the race's racials give it in PvE, leveling 1 to 60 and then in dungeons and raids at 60. It answers one question per spec: which race should I pick for it?

A tier says how far a race trails the best race for the same spec, never how it compares with another spec's races: an S Dwarf Protection Warrior and an S Undead Fire Mage are each the best for their own spec. The best race of every spec is S. Each spec also says how much the choice matters: on some specs the best and worst races are a few percent apart, on others one racial decides it.

The scores are the racials' worth on fixed anchors (1 to 5). The tier comes from the weighted score's gap to the spec's best: 5 minus 1.5 times the gap, against the thresholds, so S is within 0.50 of the best and F more than 1.83 behind.

The racials are rated from their tooltips and the client's numbers; none has been measured in play. The percentages are estimates, and no racial is worth more than about 3% of a spec's output, so a damage spec's races are often close and its pick is a matter of a few percent.

Where a racial answers something a spec cannot do without, the gap is larger: Stoneform for a tank, a mana return for a healer, a fear break for a melee spec. Those specs say race matters a lot.

The rubric: each criterion scored 1 to 5
CriterionWeightWhat it measures
The spec's job55What the racials add to what the spec is for at 60: damage for a damage spec, healing and mana for a healer, survival and threat for a tank. 5: about 3% or more of the spec's output, or one racial the role leans on most fights (a tank's Stoneform, a healer's large mana return). 3: about 1 to 1.5%, or a role racial that helps on some fights. 1: nothing that adds to the spec's job.
Survival and utility25Racials that keep this spec alive or help its group, beyond its main job: removing or ignoring a common danger (fear, poison, disease, curse, stun), a damage cut, a threat drop, an interrupt or stun the spec lacks. 5: helps on most fights. 3: one racial that helps on some fights. 1: nothing.
Leveling and downtime20Makes leveling this spec quicker or easier: less eating and drinking, more health, speed, a strong solo cooldown. 5: a large help throughout. 3: helps a little, or helps some of the levels. 1: nothing.
S 0.50 or less behind the best
The best race for this spec, or as good as makes no difference.
A 0.83 or less behind the best
A little behind the best; a fine pick if you prefer it.
B 1.17 or less behind the best
Behind the best, but nothing you will notice most nights.
C 1.50 or less behind the best
Clearly behind the best on what this spec needs.
D 1.83 or less behind the best
Well behind the best; pick it for other reasons.
F more than 1.83 behind
The furthest behind for this spec.

What the ratings assume:

  • Racials as of the stated build: the client's tooltips, cooldowns and numbers, after the 15–16 Oct racial rework.
  • The spec played as its class guide sets it out, in its usual group role at 60, and leveled as that spec.
  • Gear: leveling gear, then pre-raid blues at 60.
  • No Legacy perks and no world buffs.
  • Faction is not rated. Both factions' races sit on one scale; each spec names the best pick on each side.
  • The game rules of the stated build. A patch that changes a racial makes a new version.

Best races for Protection Warrior in PvP

Race matters some

Protection is a tech spec that holds a flag or point with almost no damage, so burst racials matter little and a stun, a kite or a fear out of position ends the hold. Four races sit within 0.35 of the lead. The spread is 1.15, so the choice matters some. Human is the best Alliance pick. Orc and Tauren tie as the best Horde pick.

  1. Human S tier

    Human leads Protection Warrior: Will to Survive gives it the best breaks.

    Why S, and its scores

    Breaks scores 5 of 5: Will to Survive frees you from all stuns on a 3 minute cooldown. Burst scores 1 of 5: Ruthless adds 2% crit. Defensives scores 1 of 5: Human has no defensive racial. Mobility scores 2 of 5: Perception is a 20 second stealth detection on a 3 minute cooldown, and Spirit is 5% higher.

    No race is ahead of it. The next race, Orc, is 0.30 behind and sits in tier S. It falls short on breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against Hardiness, 3) and mobility (Perception, 2 of 5, against 1 here).

    Scores for Human for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 5
    Burst25 1
    Defensives25 1
    Mobility and detection20 2

    Weighted score 2.40, the best for this spec, which is S tier.

    What would move it: It would lose first place if testing how often stuns chain on Forever (diminishing returns there are undocumented) went against it, or if its Will to Survive were cut in a patch. Orc is 0.30 behind, so a small change could close it.

    The Human race page

  2. Orc S tier

    Orc stays close to Human for Protection Warrior: Hardiness keeps it in tier S, short on breaks and mobility.

    Why S, and its scores

    Breaks scores 3 of 5: Hardiness cuts stun duration 20% at all times, and Shatter Curse removes curses. Hardiness stacks on top of Iron Will, and Shatter Curse answers curses. Burst scores 2 of 5: Blood Fury adds 10% attack power and spell power for 15 seconds on a 3 minute cooldown, and Savage adds 1% crit. Defensives scores 2 of 5: Shatter Curse cuts magic damage 5% for 8 seconds. Mobility scores 1 of 5: Orc has nothing here.

    It is 0.30 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier S. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against Hardiness, 3) and mobility (Perception, 2 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on burst (2 of 5 against 1) and defensives (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Orc for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 3
    Burst25 2
    Defensives25 2
    Mobility and detection20 1

    Weighted score 2.10, 0.30 behind the best race for this spec, which is S tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.30. One more point on burst is worth 0.25, so settling whether Blood Fury's cooldown is 3 minutes (older notes say 2) would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Orc race page

  3. Tauren S tier

    Tauren stays close to Human for Protection Warrior: War Stomp keeps it in tier S, short on breaks.

    Why S, and its scores

    Breaks scores 1 of 5: Tauren has no break from control. Burst scores 1 of 5: Endurance adds a 2% crit bonus. Defensives scores 3 of 5: Endurance adds 5% health. The extra health also gives Last Stand a bigger pool to work from, which is an estimate. Mobility scores 4 of 5: War Stomp stuns five enemies within 8 yards for 2 seconds (0.5 second cast, 90 second cooldown, and a stun or interrupt cuts it), and Plainsrunning adds speed while moving. War Stomp is a second stun beside Concussion Blow.

    It is 0.30 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier S. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on defensives (3 of 5 against 1) and mobility (4 of 5 against 2).

    Scores for Tauren for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 1
    Burst25 1
    Defensives25 3
    Mobility and detection20 4

    Weighted score 2.10, 0.30 behind the best race for this spec, which is S tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.30. One more point on mobility is worth 0.20, so settling whether War Stomp's 0.5 second cast lands before a stun or interrupt cuts it would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Tauren race page

  4. Gnome S tier

    Gnome stays close to Human for Protection Warrior: Escape Artist keeps it in tier S, short on breaks.

    Why S, and its scores

    Breaks scores 3 of 5: Escape Artist frees you from any movement impairment and gives 3 seconds of immunity on a 2 minute cooldown. Protection has no gap closer and is easy to kite, so Escape Artist matters. Burst scores 2 of 5: Eureka! adds 10% non-periodic damage and cuts costs 10% for 8 seconds on a 2 minute cooldown. Defensives scores 1 of 5: Gnome has no defensive racial. Mobility scores 2 of 5: Gnome adds only 5% more mana, energy or rage.

    It is 0.35 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier S. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against Escape Artist, 3). It does lead on burst (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Gnome for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 3
    Burst25 2
    Defensives25 1
    Mobility and detection20 2

    Weighted score 2.05, 0.35 behind the best race for this spec, which is S tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.35. One more point on burst is worth 0.25, so settling what Eureka! covers for Warriors (its client text is cut off) would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Gnome race page

  5. Dwarf A tier

    Dwarf stays close to Human for Protection Warrior: Stoneform keeps it in tier A, short on breaks and mobility.

    Why A, and its scores

    Breaks scores 2 of 5: Stoneform cleanses Bleed, Poison and Disease, a narrow family. Burst scores 1 of 5: Earth Fury adds a tiny 2% crit bonus. Defensives scores 3 of 5: Stoneform cuts Physical damage 10% for 8 seconds. Stoneform stacks with the Shield Wall and Last Stand windows and clears bleeds. Mobility scores 1 of 5: Dwarf has nothing here.

    It is 0.60 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier A. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against Stoneform, 2) and mobility (Perception, 2 of 5, against Chastise, 1). It does lead on defensives (3 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Dwarf for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 2
    Burst25 1
    Defensives25 3
    Mobility and detection20 1

    Weighted score 1.80, 0.60 behind the best race for this spec, which is A tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.60. One more point on defensives is worth 0.25, so settling the real size of Stoneform's 10% Physical cut would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Dwarf race page

  6. Night Elf A tier

    Night Elf stays close to Human for Protection Warrior: Elune's Light keeps it in tier A, short on breaks.

    Why A, and its scores

    Breaks scores 1 of 5: Night Elf has no break from control. Burst scores 2 of 5: Elune's Light adds 10% crit for 15 seconds on a 3 minute cooldown. Defensives scores 2 of 5: Night Elf has only a 1% dodge gain. Mobility scores 2 of 5: Shadowmeld, 2% extra speed and a one-level stealth edge for Rogues and Druids help, and Shadowmeld against players in combat is untested. Using Shadowmeld to drop attackers in combat is untested.

    It is 0.70 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier A. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on burst (2 of 5 against 1) and defensives (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Night Elf for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 1
    Burst25 2
    Defensives25 2
    Mobility and detection20 2

    Weighted score 1.70, 0.70 behind the best race for this spec, which is A tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.70. One more point on mobility is worth 0.20, so settling whether Shadowmeld discourages attacks in combat against players (untested) would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Night Elf race page

  7. Undead B tier

    Undead trails Human for Protection Warrior on breaks and mobility, and Will of the Forsaken does not make up the difference.

    Why B, and its scores

    Breaks scores 2 of 5: Will of the Forsaken removes Charm, Fear and Sleep on a 2 minute cooldown. Burst scores 1 of 5: Touch of the Grave has a 20% or 30% proc chance and drains up to 5% of your health on a 25 second internal cooldown, worth about 1 to 2% damage as an untested estimate. Defensives scores 2 of 5: Touch of the Grave heals a little, and Cannibalize restores 7% health and mana every 2 seconds for 10 seconds but only after a kill near a corpse. Mobility scores 1 of 5: Undead has nothing here.

    It is 0.85 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier B. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against Will of the Forsaken, 2) and mobility (Perception, 2 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on defensives (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Undead for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 2
    Burst25 1
    Defensives25 2
    Mobility and detection20 1

    Weighted score 1.55, 0.85 behind the best race for this spec, which is B tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.85. One more point on burst is worth 0.25, so settling how large Touch of the Grave is in practice (untested) would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Undead race page

  8. Skyborne High Order B tier

    Skyborne (High Order) trails Human for Protection Warrior on breaks, and Wind Blessed does not make up the difference.

    Why B, and its scores

    Breaks scores 1 of 5: Skyborne has no break from control. Burst scores 2 of 5: Wind Blessed adds 3% haste at all times. Defensives scores 1 of 5: Skyborne has no combat defense, only Read Ley Line, which doubles health and mana regeneration out of combat. Mobility scores 2 of 5: Walk on Air is a 10 second glide on a 90 second cooldown, and Read Ley Line can be cast while moving.

    It is 0.95 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier B. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on burst (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Skyborne (High Order) for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 1
    Burst25 2
    Defensives25 1
    Mobility and detection20 2

    Weighted score 1.45, 0.95 behind the best race for this spec, which is B tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.95. One more point on burst is worth 0.25, so settling whether Wind Blessed's 3% haste is worth more than estimated for swing speed would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Skyborne race page

  9. Skyborne Windshaper B tier

    Skyborne (Windshaper) trails Human for Protection Warrior on breaks, and Wind Blessed does not make up the difference.

    Why B, and its scores

    Breaks scores 1 of 5: Skyborne has no break from control. Burst scores 2 of 5: Wind Blessed adds 3% haste at all times. Defensives scores 1 of 5: Skyborne has nothing in combat. Mobility scores 2 of 5: Skysight adds 10% speed for 30 seconds and can be cast while moving, and Walk on Air is a 10 second glide on a 90 second cooldown.

    It is 0.95 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier B. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on burst (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Skyborne (Windshaper) for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 1
    Burst25 2
    Defensives25 1
    Mobility and detection20 2

    Weighted score 1.45, 0.95 behind the best race for this spec, which is B tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 0.95. One more point on burst is worth 0.25, so settling whether Wind Blessed's 3% haste is worth more than estimated for swing speed would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Skyborne race page

  10. Troll B tier

    Troll trails Human for Protection Warrior on breaks and mobility, and Berserking does not make up the difference.

    Why B, and its scores

    Breaks scores 1 of 5: Troll has no break from control. Burst scores 2 of 5: Berserking adds 10% attack and casting speed for 10 seconds on a 3 minute cooldown. Defensives scores 1 of 5: Rapid Regeneration heals 50% over 6 seconds but any damage, action or movement cancels it, so it works only out of combat. Mobility scores 1 of 5: Troll has nothing here.

    It is 1.15 behind Human, the best race for this spec, and sits in tier B. The gap comes from breaks (Will to Survive, 5 of 5, against 1 here) and mobility (Perception, 2 of 5, against 1 here). It does lead on burst (2 of 5 against 1).

    Scores for Troll for Protection Warrior
    CriterionWeightScore
    Breaks and escapes30 1
    Burst25 2
    Defensives25 1
    Mobility and detection20 1

    Weighted score 1.25, 1.15 behind the best race for this spec, which is B tier.

    What would move it: Reaching Human means making up 1.15. One more point on burst is worth 0.25, so settling how much Berserking's 10% adds in a real fight (an estimate) would not be enough by itself. It would take a patch to its racials.

    The Troll race page

How these are ranked

Forecast. Rated from the client data and our research, before anyone has played it at this level on this build. Where the data stops, the write-up says what it assumed. Rated as of , build 1.60.1.70450.

For each of the 28 specs, every race that can play it, ranked against each other for that spec in PvP: what the race's racials give it at level 60 in open-world fights and battlegrounds, against players of similar level and gear. It answers one question per spec: which race should I pick for it in PvP?

A tier says how far a race trails the best race for the same spec, never how it compares with another spec's races. The best race of every spec is S. Each spec also says how much the choice matters.

The scores are the racials' worth on fixed anchors (1 to 5). The tier comes from the weighted score's gap to the spec's best: 5 minus 1.5 times the gap, against the thresholds, so S is within 0.50 of the best and F more than 1.83 behind.

The racials are rated from their tooltips and the client's numbers; none has been measured in play, and diminishing returns on control in this build are not yet confirmed.

A break from the control a spec suffers most weighs most: a stun break for a melee spec that must stay on its target, a fear break for a spec that can't answer fear itself. Where a spec already has its own answer, the racial is worth less to it.

The rubric: each criterion scored 1 to 5
CriterionWeightWhat it measures
Breaks and escapes30Racials that free this spec from the control it suffers most. 5: an on-use break from a whole family of control (all stuns, or all fears and charms) on a cooldown of 2 to 3 minutes, or an always-on cut to control that works every fight. 3: a break for a narrower family (roots and slows, or one effect type such as curses or poisons), or one that only partly fits how this spec is controlled. 1: nothing.
Burst25Racials that raise this spec's damage (or a healer's healing) against players in its burst window. 5: about 10% or more, lined up with its own cooldowns, or an always-on gain the spec uses fully. 3: a smaller gain, or one the spec only partly uses (a physical bonus on a mostly spell spec). 1: nothing.
Defensives25Racials that keep this spec alive against players. 5: one that turns a losing fight: a large damage cut or immunity on use, more health, or healing in combat that a player can't stop. 3: a small or narrow one: a few % cut against one school, a small health or dodge gain, a heal that damage interrupts. 1: nothing.
Mobility and detection20Tools that win fights outside the numbers. 5: an area stun or interrupt the spec lacks, stealth or stealth detection that changes its fights, a lasting speed boost that works in combat. 3: one such tool, or several small ones (a short sprint, a safe fall). 1: nothing.
S 0.50 or less behind the best
The best race for this spec, or as good as makes no difference.
A 0.83 or less behind the best
A little behind the best; a fine pick if you prefer it.
B 1.17 or less behind the best
Behind the best, but nothing you will notice most nights.
C 1.50 or less behind the best
Clearly behind the best on what this spec needs.
D 1.83 or less behind the best
Well behind the best; pick it for other reasons.
F more than 1.83 behind
The furthest behind for this spec.

What the ratings assume:

  • Racials as of the stated build: the client's tooltips, cooldowns and numbers, after the 15–16 Oct racial rework.
  • The spec in a PvP-minded build, as its class's open-world PvP research sets it out.
  • Gear: pre-raid blues. No honor gear yet.
  • Opponents of any class and race, so a racial is worth what it does against the whole field, not one matchup.
  • Faction is not rated: population, queue times and which faction's classes are stronger are not part of the score. Each spec names the best pick on each side.
  • The game rules of the stated build. A patch that changes a racial makes a new version.