WoW Forever DB

World of Warcraft: Forever · class guide

Protection Warrior: Talents

Client build 1.60.1.70425 · updated

Every Protection build and leveling order, on all three Warrior trees from the Forever beta client (build 1.60.1.70425). Pick a build and move the level slider to see where its points are at that level.

You get one talent point per level from 10. A tier opens after 5 points in the tiers above it in the same tree, and a talent joined by a line to one above it needs that one maxed first.

51 points spent

Shown: Protection leveling order at level 60.

Arms 13

  1. 0/3

    Improved Heroic StrikeRank 0/3

    Arms talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded. Heroic Strike costs 3 less Rage at 3/3. The level-60 Fury and Protection builds take all three; Arms takes two.
  2. 5/5

    DeflectionRank 5/5

    Arms talent, tier 1, level 10+

  3. 3/3

    Improved RendRank 3/3

    Arms talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed 12/23/35% more Rend damage (Classic 15/25/35%).
  4. 2/2

    Improved ChargeRank 2/2

    Requires 5 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded. Charge generates 6 more Rage at 2/2, as in Classic. The level-60 Protection build takes one point.
  5. 0/5

    Improved Tactical MasteryRank 0/5

    Requires 5 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Changed New Arms row 2: keep up to 15 more rage on a stance change (25 in all).
  6. 0/2

    Improved OverpowerRank 0/2

    Requires 5 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Moved Moved from tier 3 to tier 2, so you reach it earlier. It adds 50% crit chance to Overpower at 2/2. Both Arms builds and the levelling order take it.
  7. 0/1

    Anger ManagementRank 0/1

    Requires 10 points in Arms Talents

    Requires 5 points in Improved Tactical Mastery

    Generates 1 Rage every 3 sec while in combat, and reduces Rage loss while out of combat by 30%.

    Arms talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed Arms' 11-point talent: 1 rage every 3 seconds in combat, and 30% slower rage decay out of combat.
  8. 3/3

    Deep WoundsRank 3/3

    Requires 10 points in Arms Talents

    Requires 3 points in Improved Rend

    Arms talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded. Your crits make the enemy Bleed for 60% of your melee weapon's average damage over 12 sec at 3/3, and the effect is as in Classic. It no longer scales with your off-hand weapon's attack power; Blizzard: it "does not scale with Attack Power but is a rolling DoT compared to Classic/Vanilla". Arms, Fury and Protection builds take it for extra damage on crits.
  9. 0/1

    Spearing StrikeRank 0/1

    15 RageMelee range

    Instant20 sec cooldown

    Requires 15 points in Arms Talents

    Requires Melee Weapon

    Requires Battle Stance

    A brutal attack that deals 40% weapon damage. Deals an additional 80% weapon damage against Giants, Dragonkin, and mounted targets. Mounted targets are dismounted.

    Arms talent, tier 4, level 25+

    New New Arms 16-point talent. Battle Stance, any weapon.
  10. 0/3

    Two-Handed Weapon SpecializationRank 0/3

    Requires 15 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Changed 3 ranks (Classic 5): +1/2/3% two-handed damage.
  11. 0/2

    ImpaleRank 0/2

    Requires 15 points in Arms Talents

    Requires 1 point in Deep Wounds

    Arms talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Changed Requires Deep Wounds again.
  12. 0/5

    BloodthrillRank 0/5

    Requires 20 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 5, level 30+

    New New Arms row 5: main-hand hits on a target with your Rend have a 4–20% chance to enable Overpower.
  13. 0/1

    Sweeping StrikesRank 0/1

    30 Rage

    Instant30 sec cooldown

    Requires 20 points in Arms Talents

    Requires Battle Stance

    Your next 5 melee attacks strike an additional nearby opponent.

    Arms talent, tier 5, level 30+

  14. 0/5

    WeaponmasterRank 0/5

    Requires 20 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 5, level 30+

    New New Arms row 5, replacing the four weapon specialisations: axes and polearms +1–5% crit, maces and staves ignore 3–15% armour, swords 1–5% chance of an extra attack (no longer from Shield Bash or Shield Slam).
  15. 0/2

    Improved SlamRank 0/2

    Requires 25 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 6, level 35+

    Changed Moved from Fury. Slam no longer delays your swing and its cooldown drops by 3 seconds. Client oddity: the 70205 tooltip says 3.0 seconds at both ranks.
  16. 0/3

    Improved HamstringRank 0/3

    Requires 25 points in Arms Talents

    Arms talent, tier 6, level 35+

  17. 0/1

    Mortal StrikeRank 0/1

    30 RageMelee range

    Instant6 sec cooldown

    Requires 30 points in Arms Talents

    Requires 1 point in Sweeping Strikes

    Requires Melee Weapon

    A vicious strike that deals weapon damage plus 160 and wounds the target, reducing the effectiveness of any healing by 50% for 10 sec.

    Arms talent, tier 7, level 40+

Fury 5

  1. 0/5

    Booming VoiceRank 0/5

    Fury talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed Also cuts shout rage costs by 5–25%. Shout durations are baseline now.
  2. 5/5

    CrueltyRank 5/5

    Fury talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded; it still gives +5% melee crit at 5/5, as in Classic. Arms and Fury builds max it, and Protection takes two points.
  3. 0/5

    Lingering RageRank 0/5

    Requires 5 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 2, level 15+

    New New (row 2): rage starts decaying 2–10 seconds later after combat. A levelling talent: carry rage into the next pull. It no longer stops health regeneration after combat.
  4. 0/5

    Unbridled WrathRank 0/5

    Requires 5 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Changed 12–60% chance per hit for 1 rage. It no longer doubles for two-handers. Blizzard's "Unbridled Rage" proc-rate fix almost certainly means this talent.
  5. 0/3

    Furious PrecisionRank 0/3

    Requires 10 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 3, level 20+

    New New (row 3): +4/7/10% off-hand hit. With Precision gone it is the Warrior's only hit talent.
  6. 0/1

    Piercing HowlRank 0/1

    10 Rage

    Instant

    Requires 10 points in Fury Talents

    Causes all enemies within 0 yds to be Dazed, reducing movement speed by 50% for 6 sec.

    Fury talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded. It Dazes all enemies within 10 yds, slowing them by 50% for 6 sec. The level-30 Fury build takes it as a crowd-control tool.
  7. 0/3

    Blood CrazeRank 0/3

    Requires 10 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed Heals 1–3% over 6 seconds after you are crit or take a big hit. No longer triggers from Bloodthirst.
  8. 0/5

    Dual Wield SpecializationRank 0/5

    Requires 15 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Changed Off-hand damage +5–25% and off-hand rage +10–50%. It no longer gives hit.
  9. 0/1

    Raging BlowsRank 0/1

    Requires 15 points in Fury Talents

    Reduces the Rage cost of your Cleave and Whirlwind abilities by 3.

    Fury talent, tier 4, level 25+

    New New Fury 16-point talent. Cleave and Whirlwind cost 3 less rage (the off-hand on Whirlwind is baseline).
  10. 0/5

    EnrageRank 0/5

    Requires 15 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Changed Redesigned: a 30% chance when you are hit to deal 2–10% more physical damage for 12 seconds. No longer needed for Flurry.
  11. 0/2

    Improved ExecuteRank 0/2

    Requires 15 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Changed −3/5 rage (Classic −2/5), row 4.
  12. 0/2

    Improved Berserker RageRank 0/2

    Requires 20 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 5, level 30+

    Changed Row 5: 5/10 rage, and a 50/100% chance to break movement impairments.
  13. 0/1

    Death WishRank 0/1

    10 Rage

    Instant3 min cooldown

    Requires 20 points in Fury Talents

    When activated, increases your Physical damage done by 20% and makes you immune to Fear effects, but increases all damage you take by 5%. Lasts 30 sec.

    Fury talent, tier 5, level 30+

    Changed Fury's 21-point milestone and the gate to Flurry.
  14. 0/2

    Improved InterceptRank 0/2

    Requires 20 points in Fury Talents

    Fury talent, tier 5, level 30+

  15. 0/5

    FlurryRank 0/5

    Requires 25 points in Fury Talents

    Requires 1 point in Death Wish

    Fury talent, tier 6, level 35+

    Changed Needs Death Wish. 25% attack speed at 5/5, 5% less than Classic. Row 6, so level 35 at the earliest (30 with all five Talented points).
  16. 0/2

    Gore DrinkerRank 0/2

    Requires 25 points in Fury Talents

    Requires 5 points in Enrage

    Fury talent, tier 6, level 35+

    New New (row 6, needs Enrage): after Enrage, Berserker Rage, Bloodrage, Death Wish or Bloodthirst, your next 3 hits heal 0.5/1% of your health.
  17. 0/1

    BloodthirstRank 0/1

    30 RageMelee range

    Instant6 sec cooldown

    Requires 30 points in Fury Talents

    Instantly attack the target causing damage equal to 45% of your Attack Power plus 48 and increasing your movement speed by 10% for 10 sec.

    Fury talent, tier 7, level 40+

    Changed No longer requires Death Wish, so it is easier to reach. It hits for 45% of your Attack Power plus 30 and gives +10% movement speed for 10 sec. Level-60 Fury takes it as its main attack.

Protection 33

  1. 0/2

    Improved BloodrageRank 0/2

    Protection talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed Row 1.
  2. 5/5

    Shield SpecializationRank 5/5

    Protection talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed A block now gives 5 rage (Classic 1), at a 20–100% chance.
  3. 0/5

    Iron WillRank 0/5

    Protection talent, tier 1, level 10+

    Changed Moved from Fury into Protection row 1, so damage Warriors can dip for it.
  4. 5/5

    AnticipationRank 5/5

    Requires 5 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Changed +4 Defense per point (Classic 2), up to 20. Row 2.
  5. 3/3

    Improved RevengeRank 3/3

    Requires 5 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Changed Now +20–60% Revenge damage; the stun chance is gone. Row 2.
  6. 3/3

    Improved Thunder ClapRank 3/3

    Requires 5 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 2, level 15+

    Changed Moved from Arms to Protection (row 2): −2/4/6 rage.
  7. 1/1

    Last StandRank 1/1

    Instant3 min cooldown

    Requires 10 points in Protection Talents

    When activated, this ability temporarily grants you 30% of your maximum health for 20 sec. After the effect expires, the health is lost.

    Protection talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed No longer requires Improved Bloodrage. 3-minute cooldown.
  8. 2/2

    Master of DefenseRank 2/2

    Requires 10 points in Protection Talents

    Requires 5 points in Shield Specialization

    Protection talent, tier 3, level 20+

    New New Protection row 3: a dodge or parry has a 50/100% chance to give 5 rage, with a shield equipped.
  9. 0/3

    Improved DisarmRank 0/3

    Requires 10 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed Now cuts Disarm's cooldown by 7/13/20 seconds. Row 3.
  10. 0/3

    DefianceRank 0/3

    Requires 10 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 3, level 20+

    Changed 3 ranks, +5/10/15% threat in Defensive Stance, and only with a shield.
  11. 3/3

    Improved Sunder ArmorRank 3/3

    Requires 15 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Changed
  12. 0/1

    VanguardRank 0/1

    Requires 15 points in Protection Talents

    Your Charge ability is now usable while in Defensive Stance.

    Protection talent, tier 4, level 25+

    New New Protection 16-point talent: Charge in Defensive Stance.
  13. 0/2

    Improved Shield BashRank 0/2

    Requires 15 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 4, level 25+

    Moved Row 4: a 50/100% chance to silence for 3 seconds.
  14. 1/2

    Improved Shield WallRank 1/2

    Requires 20 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 5, level 30+

    Changed Now cuts the cooldown by 5.5/11 minutes (Classic added duration): a 4-minute Shield Wall at 2/2.
  15. 1/1

    Concussion BlowRank 1/1

    10 RageMelee range

    Instant45 sec cooldown

    Requires 20 points in Protection Talents

    Requires Melee Weapon

    Stuns the target for 5 sec.

    Protection talent, tier 5, level 30+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded. It stuns the target for 5 sec, and the effect is as in Classic. The level-60 Protection build takes it for its stun.
  16. 3/3

    Focused RageRank 3/3

    Requires 20 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 5, level 30+

    New New Protection row 5: offensive abilities cost 1–3 less rage. Moved up to help Protection level.
  17. 5/5

    BastionRank 5/5

    Requires 25 points in Protection Talents

    Protection talent, tier 6, level 35+

    Changed New Protection row 6: +2–10% damage with a shield.
  18. 1/1

    Shield SlamRank 1/1

    20 RageMelee range

    Instant6 sec cooldown

    Requires 30 points in Protection Talents

    Requires 1 point in Concussion Blow

    Requires Shields

    Slam the target with your shield, causing 640 to 670 damage, increased by your Block Value, and has a 50% chance of dispelling 1 magic effect on the target. Causes a very high amount of threat.

    Protection talent, tier 7, level 40+

    Changed The tooltip was reworded. It does 421 to 439 damage plus your Block Value, has a 50% chance to dispel one magic effect and generates very high threat. The level-60 Protection build takes it as its capstone.

Protection builds and leveling order

Protection leveling order 13/5/33 Guide's pick, untested

Arms: Deflection 5, Improved Rend 3, Improved Charge 2, Deep Wounds 3

Fury: Cruelty 5

Protection: Shield Specialization 5, Anticipation 5, Improved Revenge 3, Improved Thunder Clap 3, Last Stand 1, Master of Defense 2, Improved Sunder Armor 3, Improved Shield Wall 1, Concussion Blow 1, Focused Rage 3, Bastion 5, Shield Slam 1

Levelling order for Protection. With the Talented legacy perk every step comes up to five levels sooner.

Protection, level 30 3/2/16 Tested in beta

Arms: Improved Rend 3

Fury: Cruelty 2

Protection: Improved Bloodrage 2, Shield Specialization 5, Improved Revenge 3, Improved Thunder Clap 3, Master of Defense 2, Vanguard 1

3/2/16 dungeon build: Shield Specialization and Master of Defense for rage, Improved Revenge and Improved Thunder Clap for threat, Vanguard to Charge in Defensive Stance. Defiance is left out because the points don't fit and the calculator doesn't include it. Concussion Blow, Focused Rage and Improved Shield Wall need 20 Protection points, so they wait for Talented or level 35. Order: the Protection levelling order, keeping this build's talents; Improved Bloodrage and Vanguard, which that order skips, go in where the tree allows.

Protection, level 60 (projected) 17/2/32 Guide's pick, untested

Arms: Improved Heroic Strike 3, Deflection 5, Improved Rend 3, Improved Charge 1, Deep Wounds 3, Impale 2

Fury: Cruelty 2

Protection: Shield Specialization 5, Anticipation 5, Improved Revenge 3, Last Stand 1, Master of Defense 2, Defiance 3, Vanguard 1, Improved Shield Wall 2, Concussion Blow 1, Focused Rage 3, Bastion 5, Shield Slam 1

"Standard" 17/2/32 tank build: Defiance, Bastion, Improved Shield Wall and Shield Slam, with Deep Wounds and Impale from Arms. Every Protection talent that matters needs a shield. Beta theorycraft; older builds with Toughness or "Vitality" are out of date. Order: the Protection levelling order, keeping this build's talents; Defiance, Vanguard, Improved Shield Wall, Improved Heroic Strike and Impale, which that order skips, go in where the tree allows.

How the trees work

  • Tier 1: 0 points in the tree, level 10
  • Tier 2: 5 points in the tree, level 15
  • Tier 3: 10 points in the tree, level 20
  • Tier 4: 15 points in the tree, level 25
  • Tier 5: 20 points in the tree, level 30
  • Tier 6: 25 points in the tree, level 35
  • Tier 7: 30 points in the tree, level 40