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The War Within Arms Warrior Guide

Table of contents

Arms Warrior Overview

The Arms Warrior specialization is a formidable damage dealer, known for its focus on precise single-target strikes. It delivers heavy blows with abilities like Mortal Strike and Overpower, dealing additional damage by weakening enemies’ defenses. Skills like Rend or Mastery: Deep Wounds further amplify the Warrior’s ability to apply devastating bleed effects. As mentioned previously, Arms Warrior is an ideal choice for beginners due to its simple yet effective playstyle.

Arms Warriors rely on Rage as their primary resource, which can be built up to 100 points. Rage is generated through basic attacks and signature abilities like Whirlwind, Charge, and the powerful Rage spender Slam, which is often your go-to for unleashing initial damage.

Arms Warrior WoW: The War Within

Arms Warrior Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses
✅ Relative flexibility, allows you to enjoy solo- or multi-target content to your taste. ⛔️ Lack of passive resource generation requires a constant focus on overseeing your cooldowns.
✅ A high mobility class with multiple options to rapidly move towards an ally or an enemy via Charge, Intervene, and Heroic Leap. ⛔️ Strictly melee fighter, lack of range abilities.
✅ Multiple choices of defensive abilities for you and your party like Defensive Stance. ⛔️ No options for builds suitable for solo and multi-target situations at once, you’ll have to choose a priority.
✅ Focus on rapid execution of low HP enemies.

Arms Warrior Hero Talents

The Arms specialization in WoW’s “The War Within” expansion allows players to select between two distinct Hero Talent Trees, each enhancing different aspects of the Arms Warrior’s toolkit:

  • Colossus: This talent tree is heavily tied to the new channeled ability, Demolish, offering a powerful offensive boost with crushing attacks.
  • Slayer: This talent tree focuses on a versatile mix of AoE and single-target damage, providing the flexibility to adapt to both mob-packed encounters and tougher, individual foes.
Colossus Slayer
Demolish Slayer’s Dominance
Martial Expert Imminent Demise
Colossal Might Overwhelming Blades
Boneshaker Relentless Pursuit
Earthquaker Vicious Agility
One Against Many Death Drive
Arterial Bleed Culling Cyclone
Tide of Battle Brutal Finish
No Stranger to Pain Fierce Followthrough
Veteran Vitality Opportunist
Practiced Strikes Show No Mercy
Precise Might Reap the Storm
Mountain of Muscle and Scars Slayer’s Malice
Dominance of the Colossus Unrelenting Onslaught

Changes to The Existing Abilities And Talents

The Arms Warrior’s Rage generation system has been overhauled, reducing the amount of Rage earned per attack and setting a standardized 20 Rage cost for many abilities. This revamp affects how efficiently Warriors manage their resources in combat.

Additionally, the Warrior Class Talent Tree has been simplified, providing easier access to essential abilities like Shockwave, thanks to the removal of certain redundant talents. Some major class updates include automatic learning of Berserker Rage, the reworked Second Wind, and a redesigned Blademaster’s Torment.

The Arms Warrior Spec Tree has also seen some modifications. Notable changes include Cleave replacing Whirlwind, and the fact that talents like Fervor of Battle and Collateral Damage now impact Cleave.

Other significant changes include the removal of Tide of Blood, improved stacking for Sudden Death, reduced procs for Tactician, and a revamped Dance of Death, which now provides additional rewards for slaying enemies during Bladestorm or Ravager.

Basics of Arms Warrior Gameplay

Arms Warrior gameplay in WoW revolves around efficient Rage generation and management, paired with burst damage windows. The core combat strategy for Arms Warriors involves timed bursts of damage during the activation of Colossus Smash. Depending on your specific Arms Warrior build, mastering this process is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness in combat.

Rage is only generated while in combat, with no passive accumulation, so understanding the optimal WoW Arms Warrior rotation is essential. Mastering this rotation will enable you to generate and spend Rage efficiently, increasing your damage output and making you a valuable member of any group.

Arms Warrior Rotation

The War Within Arms Warrior rotation is straightforward yet heavily reliant on Rage, focusing on key talents that synergize with major cooldowns. To excel in Arms Warrior combat, it’s essential to choose talents and abilities that amplify bleeds and enhance the impact of Execute, the signature finishing move.

By following the strategies in our guide, your Arms Warrior will be capable of dishing out massive damage and optimizing DPS. The key to mastering rotations lies in fully utilizing your chosen spec and class talents.

Opening Rotation

To start your Arms Warrior rotation, open with Charge, an essential talent that not only engages your target but also generates 20 Rage, providing an immediate combat boost.

Follow up with Rend to inflict a bleed, then unleash a major cooldown for significant damage output right after Charge.

The rest of your War Within Arms Warrior rotation will depend on your talent choices, whether you’re focusing on AoE or single-target damage. Utilizing Overwhelming Rage is highly recommended to increase your maximum Rage and maintain pressure throughout the fight.

Single Target Rotation for Arms Warriors

  1. Execute : Execute enemies with less than 20% health. It costs no Rage if triggered by the Sudden Death proc and should be used on cooldown.
  2. Thunderous Roar : Deals bleed damage to nearby foes and synergizes well with buffs like Test of Might and In For The Kill , providing extra Rage generation.
  3. Avatar : Boosts your damage output by 20% and grants immunity to control effects, best used alongside your next talent.
  4. Colossus Smash or Warbreaker (AoE): Increases damage dealt by 30% and should be activated as soon as it’s available.
  5. Mortal Strike : Deals damage and slows enemies while applying Rend . Costs 30 Rage and should be used on cooldown.
  6. Thunder Clap : Used to apply Rend if it’s not already active; utilize this ability whenever it’s off cooldown.
  7. Whirlwind combined with Storm of Swords (providing +175% damage): Acts as a Rage expenditure ability, delivering significant damage.
  8. Overpower : Inflicts immediate damage and increases Rage generation based on your Attack Power.
  9. Slam : Deals Physical damage and consumes excess Rage; primarily used as a filler ability.

Execution Phase

The execution phase resembles the main rotation but kicks in when the target’s health drops below 35%. During this phase, Execute becomes your primary Rage consumer.

It’s essential to utilize Mortal Strike , Colossus Smash , and Avatar effectively while avoiding unnecessary Rage expenditure during this crucial phase.

Once your target reaches 20% health, focus solely on using Execute . Prioritize this ability above all others until your target is defeated.

Arms Warrior Multi-Target Cleave and AoE Rotation

There are two primary methods for an effective Arms Warrior AoE rotation, each depending on whether you are utilizing Fervor of Battle or Bladestorm in your AoE build. Other aspects of the rotation remain consistent.

  1. Thunder Clap: Deals AoE damage and applies In For The Kill to all nearby targets.
  2. : Increases single-target damage by cleaving to a second target.
  3. Avatar: Combine with Warbreaker to inflict Deep Wounds across multiple enemies.
  4. Colossus Smash: Target your highest-priority enemy, ideally while Avatar and Blademaster’s Torment are active.
  5. Mortal Strike: Use during Sweeping Strikes for amplified cleave damage.
  6. Thunderous Roar: Unleash during Colossus Smash (or Hurricane) for maximum AoE damage.
  7. Whirlwind: Best used when facing 2+ targets; its effectiveness drops beyond 5 targets. Alternatively, opt for Bladestorm for massive AoE damage under Colossus Smash.
  8. Continue the rotation with supplementary talents or Whirlwind to manage excess Rage, particularly when paired with Storm of Swords.
  9. Overpower: Cast during Sweeping Strikes for multi-target cleave.
  10. Mortal Strike: Maintain Deep Wounds on your main target.
  11. Execute: Trigger once the target drops below 35% health for a high-damage finisher.
  12. Overpower: Use as a filler with a short cooldown.
  13. Thunder Clap: Provides a burst of close-range cleave damage, also useful for dumping excess Rage.
  14. Slam: Effective for cleaving two targets, also used to consume extra Rage.

Specialization Skills

As you step into the game as an Arms Warrior, you will be equipped with a fundamental set of offensive and defensive abilities that define your playstyle. Below is a detailed list of these essential skills:

Offensive Cooldowns

Spell Cooldown Description
Whirlwind The primary AoE ability causes a whirlwind of steel and strikes all nearby enemies with Physical damage.
Slam A baseline ability that strikes an enemy with Physical damage, spends 20 Rage, and generates 10.
Shield Slam 9 sec Good average damage-dealing ability for early gameplay requires equipping a shield and most likely you will replace it.
Hamstring Another early ability that slows down an enemy and deals Physical damage.
Defensive and Utility Cooldowns
Spell Cooldown Description
Die by the Sword 2 min Grants 100% parry chance 100% and reduces incoming damage.
Rallying Cry 3 min Grants all party/raid members 10% temporary and maximum health for 10 sec.
Charge 20 sec Provides mobility to your character, charges towards an enemy, and roots them for 1 sec.
Pummel 15 sec Interrupts spellcasting.
Battle Shout 15 sec Increases Attack Power of all party or raid members by 5%.
Taunt 8 sec Taunts the target to attack you.

Arms Warrior Build

Fortunately, you don’t need to figure out your own Arms Warrior build in WoW or delve into talent compatibility to begin your journey. Simply select one of the loadouts below that appeals to you; each one includes the optimal talents for maximizing your Arms Warrior’s potential.

Raid Aoe
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Raid Single Target
Code:
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Mythic+ Multitarget
Code:
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Mythic+ Single Target

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Arms Warrior Stats

The optimal stats for an Arms Warrior can differ based on individual playstyles. However, seasoned players often suggest the following stat priority for WoW Arms Warriors:

  • Critical Strike;
  • = Haste;
  • > Mastery;
  • = Versatility;
  • > Strength.

This stat priority is effective, emphasizing critical strike damage and a quicker ability rotation for enhanced performance.

  • Haste: Accelerates your ability rotation by reducing cooldowns for skills such as Mortal Strike and Cleave, while boosting damage output for abilities like Bladestorm and Rend.
  • Critical Strike: Often results in double damage while enhancing Rage generation. Its effectiveness is further increased by talents such as Impale, Sharpened Blades, and Cruel Strikes.
  • Versatility: Enhances damage dealt while reducing damage received, providing a steady boost to both offense and defense.
  • Mastery: Increases Mastery: Deep Wounds damage, applied by abilities like Mortal Strike and Cleave. Its value increases in multitarget encounters.
  • Strength: The primary stat for plate armor, weapons, and trinkets, it enhances Attack Power, boosting the damage output of all abilities and auto-attacks.

Best Gear for Arms Warrior

Assembling a comprehensive set of Best-in-Slot (BiS) gear for your WoW Arms Warrior, focusing on optimal stats for the specialization, can be quite challenging. This endeavor involves engaging in Mythic+ dungeons, tackling raid encounters, exploring crafting options, and converting items into set pieces using the Catalyst. However, investing the time to create this character build will significantly enhance your performance in combat and maximize the utility of your Arms Warrior.

Item Slot Name Source
Helm Warsculptor’s Barbute Catalyst
Neck Sureki Zealot’s Insignia Sikran
Shoulders Warsculptor’s Horned Spaulders Catalyst
Cloak zzOld Do Not Use (DNT) Crafted
Chest Warsculptor’s Furred Plastron Catalyst
Bracers Everforged Vambraces Crafted
Gloves Black Blood Injectors Broodtwister Ovi’nax
Belt Crystal-Fissure Girdle The Stonevault
Legs Warsculptor’s Cuisses Catalyst
Boots Warsculptor’s Carved Boots Catalyst
Ring Seal of the Poisoned Pact Queen Ansurek
Ring Band of the Ancient Dredger Siege of Boralus
Trinket Mark of Khardros Grim Batol
Trinket Ara-Kara Sacbrood Ara-Kara, City of Echoes
Main Hand Anub’arash’s Colossal Mandible Anub’arash

Best Arms Warrior Trinkets

Acquiring the best trinkets can be challenging; they’re often elusive yet unforgettable due to their significant impact on gameplay. Various types of content provide opportunities to obtain your Best-in-Slot (BiS) trinkets, with dungeons being the primary source, as they feature a diverse array of trinkets compared to the limited options available in raids. If you’re targeting a specific trinket, consider our Dungeon Trinkets service, where our expert players will help you farm the exact piece you need.

Active Trinkets

Passive Trinkets

Tier Set Bonuses for Arms Warrior

The Warsculptor’s Masterwork is the designated Tier Set for Arms Warriors in Season 1 of the War Within expansion. This striking set not only features impressive tier bonuses but also enhances your WoW Arms Warrior transmog collection, making it a valuable addition for any player.

2-set Mortal Strike and Cleave increase the damage of your next Overpower by 10%.
4-set When Overpower has its cooldown reset by Tactician, your next Mortal Strike or Cleave has its damage increased by 10% and critical strike chance increased by 10%, stacking up to 2 times.

Do you find it challenging to collect a complete set of gear? You’re not alone—it can indeed be a daunting task. It often takes weeks or even months just to have a shot at looting a single tier-set item. Additionally, you might be stuck waiting for a Catalyst charge to craft even one piece. Luckily, our team offers the service to acquire Nerub’ar Palace Gear, allowing you to bypass the lengthy hours spent in countless raids. Let our professionals handle it for you!

Best Crafted Gear for Arms Warrior

Best Consumables for Arms Warrior

Type Best Consumable Alternate
Flask Flask of Alchemical Chaos Flask of Tempered Aggression
Combat Potion Tempered Potion
Health Potion Algari Healing Potion
Weapon Buff Algari Mana Oil Ironclaw Whetstone
Augment Rune Crystallized Augment Rune
Food The Sushi Special Beledar’s Bounty
Diamond Culminating Blasphemite
Other Gems Deadly Emerald + 1x Quick RubyQuick SapphireQuick Onyx

Best Arms Warrior Enchants

Slot Best Enchant Alternate
Weapon Enchant Weapon – Authority of the Depths Enchant Weapon – Authority of Radiant Power
Cloak Enchant Cloak – Chant of Winged Grace Enchant Cloak – Chant of Burrowing Rapidity
Chest Enchant Chest – Crystalline Radiance Enchant Chest – Oathsworn’s Strength
Bracers Enchant Bracer – Chant of Armored Avoidance Enchant Bracer – Chant of Armored Speed
Legs Defender’s Armor Kit Stormbound Armor Kit
Boots Enchant Boots – Defender’s March Enchant Boots – Scout’s March
Ring Enchant Ring – Radiant Critical Strike Enchant Ring – Radiant Haste
Boots Enchant Boots – Watcher’s Loam Enchant Boots – Plainsrunner’s Breeze
Ring Enchant Ring – Devotion of Critical Strike Enchant Ring – Devotion of Haste

Arms Warrior End-Game

The end-game content for Arms Warriors in *The War Within* offers a plethora of exciting activities tailored to your interests. Dive into engaging storylines to complete quests that unveil the mysteries of the expansion. Participate in local and world quests for valuable rewards from the Great Vault, or tackle challenging Mythic+ dungeons and raids to acquire upgraded gear.

Moreover, Warriors are among the few classes capable of conquering the Mage Tower challenge from the *Legion* expansion. This formidable trial demands significant preparation and often requires multiple attempts to succeed, making it a true test of skill and perseverance.