WoW TBC Prot Warrior: A Quick Meta Guide

[@blacksabbath2559]

Thanks for all your guides. Greeting from France

[@Cornan1980]

Thanks for posting something for me to watch while I wait for the servers to come up.

[@realslimshady6]

xD the servers keep getting delayed for me, unlucky

[@Dev0177]

Quality content as always!

[@lilwhitec4]

Can't waite to start tanking tbc , it's been so long since I truely enjoyed WOW

[@Kylekashi]

Personally I would like to add something to your notion about the rotation: Priority until 5 stacks of SA: Devastate > Revenge > Shield Slam After 5 stacks one would use the rotation you suggested. But up until then you get an additional 300 threat per stack of SA you apply to the target, basically making it the single highest threat per attack. And it does not count as applying anymore, once the target already has 5. For AoE rotation: I personally like to stance dance and add a whirlwind every now and then. If I notice there's no way I will hold the groups aggro anyway (big mage AoE or seeders) I usually opt to just spam cleave, TC on CD and as said whirlwind. PS: switching into berserker stance is obviously not viable for every pack in heroics and raids. Pick the dance moments wisely ;)

[@ytho2646]

Hey mate thanks for posting. For some reason all of your sound is quite soft. Might want to boost the volume a bit! Appreciate the hard work!

[@KnotxD]

Thanks, will do!

[@chriztopher1231]

great video bro thanks!

[@gudlaugurrobertsson7623]

Hello, my guild wants to use a Expose armor rogue for the raids, how does this affect Devistate threat ? will devistate loose the sunder armor part of the threat mechanic when used or will it work normally giving normal threat with 5 stacks up even if expose armor is on the target??

[@KnotxD]

Hey, it is a threat loss for the prot warrior but the loss is still manageable assuming everything is equal between raid skill etc.

[@intuit13]

to answer your queustion Gudlaugur - Yes, you will lose the sunder armor part. It's a decent loss to your devastate dmg/threat, but, as Knot has already replied, it should not hurt you so much that you can no longer perform your tps duties (although on a fight like Gruul, if you have a feral offtank they will most likely need to hold back unless you're in a raw threat set w/ WF etc.). Best thing to do is to ask for a short "head start" ,just to make sure you get a decent lead initially, before applying EA. That's not REQUIRED, but could help you if you're having trouble.

[@richardhasek5859]

Doesnt matter if you are Prot Pala/War or a Druid...people will take ANY tank and even pay you for it...just look at the LFM...everybody spamming for a tank...and they dont care. Only sweaty guilds or try hards care about meta grind etc...most of the players just want to find tank to do dungs :-) So Prot War will always be in the market :-)

[@robertmanship966]

What about the impale prot buid?

[@Ally.Cat.252]

What consumables do I need?

[@kevintyrrell7409]

I really feel bad not having piercing howl. If you give up some Toughness and Defense you can go 11 into fury and become a lot more versatile.

[@sabin0810]

I’m gonna have to disagree with your threat build. I tanked all the way to muru (before nerf) and for threat builds, we went all the way to impale. Because of the avoidance scaling at t6, we sacrificed survival for more threat. Anger management doesn’t provide enough rage over a fight compared to the tps provided by impale and deep wounds

[@narutoinpink]

Please explain more, I’d like to see this talent build. Thank you.

[@intuit13]

@@narutoinpink I'm using the same build in tbcc that I did in tbc (cleared sunwell prior to 3.0). 17/3/41. I also use the 12agi+3%crit meta, as the alternative is basically just 18stam (the stun resist COULD come in handy occasionally in 5mans, but imo not worth it overall in tbcc). Threat is VERY important as a prot warrior, especially in tbcc with impatient/triggerhappy dps who are used to modern/retail wow. This build also allows for more dps when soloing in fury gear or when dpsing a boss you aren't needed to tank - say, shade of aran or any other 1tank fight if you aren't the main tank.

[@Atropabelopa]

@@intuit13 any chance you could link this build? I'm trying to remove all unneccessary points in prot tree but I always end up at 43. I dont' know where I can sacrifice those last 2 points. Also how much crit do you use so that deep wounds/impale is actually useful?

[@WarriorTSW]

Nice video. I even made an unexpected cameo XD

[@ZBSBACANLOLER]

What you think about piercing howl+deep prot for dungeon tanking at fresh 65-70 lvl warrior?

[@nikolaikalashnikov4253]

That adds a lot of survivability if your group sucks... But unfortunately, if your group is really that bad, then they're probably also too stupid to utilize kiting techniques.

[@kwonderland89]

Thank you sir.

[@Djuntas]

How are warrior for AOE tanking / 5 mans. I want to play a prot paladin but lvling....blaah. Will likely just stay with my warrior or boost a druid.

[@KnotxD]

Warriors and Druids have quite a bit of difficulty on AoE threat, especially with mages/locks. If you craft your group to be a melee cleave or a single-target focused group, its fine. But Prot Pala really dunks them both on 5mans tbh.

[@Djuntas]

@@KnotxD yea, HATE how you cant boost a blood elf or dranei...Just let us Blizzard...Dont wanna level for gut damn 100-200 hours again.

[@zackwoods5077]

They are abysmal for AoE tanking though they are able to get the job done for heroics just fine. I say they are abysmal because Thunder Clap doesn't scale at all but it works in heroics.

[@Djuntas]

@@zackwoods5077 I see :) Well, I will try a druid for now. Its my main since classic anyway, so going back to what I know lol.

[@zackwoods5077]

@@Djuntas Druid is better off for AoE threat than warrior but they are still crappy at it with swipe only hitting 3 targets and doing mediocre threat on multiple targets.

[@kebas239]

How come noone ever takes any points in Iron Will? I know it's thought of as being for PvP, but I would think that the talent (especially as an orc) would be great for mitigation AND threat as there are plenty of mobs that stun in dungeons, etc. I think people forget that while stunned, you lose all avoidance (thereby taking significantly more damage) and you can't attack anything (resulting in losing threat). Some stuns can keep you locked down for a very long time. With the talent maxed, orcs could have a 40% change to resist stuns and 15% MC resist.

[@nikolaikalashnikov4253]

I'm just coming back to the game and tried all the races on character creation: Unfortunately, while the Orcs have great racials & probably the best dance moves, their melee attack animation is absolutely horrible... Not sure about their ranged & magic animations tho ? After discovering their horrible attack animations, i promptly deleted my Orc Shaman & Orc Hunter and made them both Trolls. I'm also not a big fan of big ass fv

[@alaskanmalamute101]

surely 1 more point in parry is better than anger management 20 rage per min is pretty useless in raids

[@xsteelfeverx8004]

Should I feel bad for having a hard time holding threat in dungeons if I'm in semi decent tank gear while the dps is all Naxx/AQ40 geared and pumping damage? Seems like no matter how much threat I can accumulate,even with the rotations you provided, they tend to draw aggro from me. At least In normal dungeons, they arent dying but I feel like in heroics, it will be a big issue.

[@ollieharris1992]

i have the same issues :L

[@KnotxD]

AoE wise, it will always be difficult unless the group are very focused on priority targets that you're putting more threat into. Single target you'll be fine once you're on a level playing field gear-wise; but yeah, its rough. I just levelled to 70 with Feral tank via dungeons and it wasn't great at times, can't say im looking forward to my prot warrior alt doing the same route, might quest instead in all honesty.

[@Sk1tz092]

I play arms warrior and I noticed that the tank has trouble keeping threat whenever we start cleaving, as long as we stick to prio targets and attack what the tank attacks, everything is fine :p

[@capoeiraoverdone5019]

Do u know any build use Impale as prot?

[@jogas000erzetenpe2]

only thing that u forgot to add is a gameplay. very good tutorial

[@sunbun93]

Drums will share a cd with sappers? 😦

[@KnotxD]

Yep, thats why Pserver meta had no sappers, because they all were spamming 2.3 drum rotations :D

[@sunbun93]

@@KnotxD what is the CD from drums to sappers then? i still want to go engi and lw for my ele shaman

[@GrowlUnicorn]

Hello mate, nice guide. I was thinking about that why you don't improve your thunderclap? I mean, its a really good threat generator in AOE and helps A LOT while clearing dungeons / thrash in raid. Thanks for ur work!

[@mauricioviggianoneto6308]

how about pvp gear for prot?

[@KnotxD]

PvP gear is very good for prot warrior. 2pc Gladiator resi bonus allows you to gear for more threat in other slots cause shield block does the uncrushability for you.

[@mauricioviggianoneto6308]

@@KnotxD cool cool! tks Knot

[@mrSnotyify]

Still waiting on the meta guide for smite priests

[@skittles1002003]

Thanks

[@Ganon999]

So am I totally gimping myself playing undead for pve? I have a 29 undead warrior already and not sure if I should reroll races cause man it would save me a lot of time lol

[@KnotxD]

Nah not gimped, but orc racials are amazing

[@Ganon999]

@@KnotxD Alrighty cool lol the expertise sounded nice but it's only with axes and blood rage reduces healing taken by 50% though right?

[@kalenwheeler123]

Being able to tank Hydros with 100 nature resist is nice.

[@ChrisToensberg]

Great video. Is there a hit rating number you need to aim for? Im orc using axe

[@Kurathis552]

ANY race should be aiming for the 9% Hit. Your choice of Orc using an axe doesn't play into the Hit Chance, only Expertise.

[@Kurathis552]

@Professor Thinker Expertise doesn't do anything in regards to your Hit Rating. Both stats affect different situations for each player. 13.39% Hit? Wtf are you smoking? 9% is cap for non-duel-wielding players. I'm well aware that both Expertise and Hit benefits tanks (as with all physical DPS) That was never a point of discussion.

[@SamusLovesMilk]

I only have a tiny bit of tanking experience with DH in SL, just dungeons, LFR, and M0. Started playing classic again with friends now that TBC got released, and we all made new characters. So I wanted to try tanking (usually a healer), because why not. Made a warrior, and from the looks of it, I made the right choice

[@moonmoon4537]

How necessary is Anticipation, really? It’s pretty easy to make up that defense cost with you gear, and even just with gem slots. I just believe that 5 entire talent points are worth more than 2, possibly 3 gem slots, that would net you maybe 700 extra XP. Not criticizing, it’s just a question I’m trying to find a solution for myself atm

[@KnotxD]

It's more that you get to gear more aggressively with those talent points. For example, the best possible setup in Phase 1 for prot warrior involves 2x Gladiator pieces, stacking resilience for easy uncrittability alongside the free defense from anitipation etc. Likewise, using grips of deftness etc for threat, which would be less feasible if you trim from anticipation. Also worth noting that its not 20 defense rating from the talents. Its a full 20 defense. Which is 47 defense rating; making it reasonably efficient even if its unspectacular.

[@moonmoon4537]

@@KnotxD Do you have a BiS list you found someplace online? There aren’t many good lists out there atm

[@arissp4950]

can you level up as prot? atm i am 51 level arms and i find it easier to level without downtime with sword and shield rather than two-handed. should i respec to fury or prot?

[@KnotxD]

Levelling as prot is fine if you're doing dungeons, Im not sure I'd recommend it for questing etc, but its definitely a good idea to do alot of dungeons from 60-70 as it helps your reputations be alot easier later on. (Quests never stop providing rep, but normal mode dungeons

[@zackwoods5077]

You can but you shouldn't unless you are spamming dungeons 90% of the time because Prot is terrible for questing.

[@arissp4950]

@@zackwoods5077 I changed to fury dual wield. Way better than arms

[@nhyze]

Is there a leveling spec for questing & tanking?

[@arissp4950]

@@nhyze until level 50 you can tank dungeons with arms or fury and sword and shield. After that you need to change to protection if you wanna tank. For question arms fury kill faster but you have more downtime due to the health you lose. Prot kills slower but less downtime. Aoe damage of all specs is bad

[@Xerock30]

as a prot warrior you can also lvln from 1-70 or as a fury you should rather lvln

[@dutchman8758]

Debating going prot as I've just hit 70, rough getting a grp as fury

[@nathanmitchellita]

I switch between two, so out some questing for a day or two, switch out do some dung spams

[@asambi69]

Don't U need a Prot warrior for Illidan?.

[@KnotxD]

Easier for sure, but its been discovered that Paladins can manage it fine, and Ferals *might* be able to due to bosses potentially having more miss chance if they dual wield, but that needs more testing when we get a dual wielding boss to test with.

[@Deya1337]

@@KnotxD Shear cant miss

[@crjm2001]

But if you are not here, then who is?

[@fluffyncute063]

Shouldn't parry also be apart of the "Threat" section mostly because of parry haste? Not the best but does have use.

[@NeutronicalGaming]

spam devastate, block and demo shout and win. oh and you're going full def unless you want to be globaled in heroics btw, there's not much other way to go about it.

[@Cube420]

shield slam, revenge is the priority

[@ino145]

Thanks for this, will help me out! I'm having such a hard time keeping aggro on groups and sometimes even on 2 mobs.. I do SSlam and Heroic Strike at much as I can and Tclap, still losing aggro, it annoys me as a tank. :( Perhaps It's because I'm only 65 but still, I feel useless. xD (Also I get so little rage that's it's laughable)

[@michaelandreasen993]

remember that dps players these days, aren't used to WAIT for tanks to get aggro.. it's a symptom of blizzard removing everything in retail. so, if they whine in dungeons, tell them why ;)

[@ino145]

@@michaelandreasen993 Now that is so true, they go ham instantly. Luckely atm I'm playing with my brother who's a Mage and he atleast let me do some attacks first. xD But yes, if they b*tch to me that's it's my fault, I'll certainly tell them. :P I'm 68 now and holding a bit better aggro now. Except on big packs it's a pain still. :D

[@Kengion]

Thank goodness I have Thunderfury for AoE threat.

[@KnotxD]

It's super nerfed sadly on the 2.4.3 client. It'll be fine for levelling but not really much further tbh

[@kalenwheeler123]

As a prot war main, I show up to raids as dps and tell the bears to go cat. I have yet to join a group where this is a problem.

[@Kurathis552]

As a Protection Warrior, you show up to raids as DPS, and tell Feral Tanks to go Cat Form? I can't see the logic here...

[@Kurathis552]

@Professor Thinker Please enlighten me then?

[@Kurathis552]

@Professor Thinker Prot Warriors CANNOT dps worth a crap.

[@Kurathis552]

@Professor Thinker Technically, you're DPSing at ALL times. It's just very poor in comparison to actual DPS specs.

[@Kurathis552]

@Professor Thinker Got some proof to substantiate this?

[@investobb2269]

Might be a good vid but who could tell. Can barley hear you. Fix recording volume please

[@zackwoods5077]

Block rating is virtually useless on a Prot Warrior. It will be pushed off when you have Shield Block up and it won't even help stop crushing blows if you don't have it up by either really bad RNG or being a bad player.

[@KnotxD]

I should have definitely mentioned how quickly its no longer beneficial, you're right

[@zackwoods5077]

@@KnotxD It's only beneficial if you are in a set with no avoidance like a full PvP set for the crit cap, but the guild is better off using a bear as MT if you are able to get away with doing that with no issues. This means block rating is useless. The ONLY possible exception of Illidan if Shear has a shorter cooldown than Holy Shield and if Illidan crushes. At that point you would stack it for 102.4% avoidance without Shield Block.

[@fazz2810]

Keep adding Pepes in your videos plz. They are hilarious.

[@shaylasometimes]

I'm just going prot so I can find a group

[@frankopanklaric]

Can I tank heroics?

[@Deya1337]

Yes, easily

[@Hermes_The_Sage]

You’re talking as if Prot warrior wasn’t the go to back in the day for high tier raids. You saw MORE prot warriors back in the day tanking than pallys .

[@domenickniceschwander607]

Not much explanation as to why you’re taking Tactical Mastery, sorta worthless as Prot & no explanation as to why you don’t take the reduced spell damage deep into Prot? Interesting choices here

[@elvanrezhda7439]

I think it's about saving up as much rage as you can while using intervene on your friend and then intercept on the mob.When you use whirlwind on multiple mobs.When you stance dance you find yourself with 10 or less rage and you have to wait to get more rage.When using Mocking blow and changing back to def stance you are 0 rage so you will have problems generating threat.

[@Radtxget]

Всё что нужно знать о прот воине - у него чудовищные проблемы с агро, если мобов 2+.

[@Tontonio3]

I actually would take the improved defensive stance than the 30% increased block, you already have a lot of physical mitigation.

[@Tontonio3]

I have watched all your guides, love them!

[@killahownage]

Dont, it also gives more shield slam damage.

[@Tontonio3]

@@killahownage it does not, it increases the damage absorbed by your shield by 30%, it does not increase your threat.

[@killahownage]

@@Tontonio3 www.bluetracker.gg/wow/topic/eu-en/122322396-shield-mastery-talent-explained/

[@Deya1337]

@@Tontonio3 it increases block value by 30%

[@Ally.Cat.252]

I’m still fury prot dual wielding

[@eazyduzit419]

Talent tree is not even close to what you would want it. Specially going deep prot

[@Markus-zb5zd]

only true race: gnome!

[@KnotxD]

Very true, im looking forward to my alt gnome prot warrior :D

[@Markus-zb5zd]

@@KnotxD my main since vanilla, all the way to retail (not just prot)

[@asambi69]

PogU

[@Xelrazad]

gold bid makes game crap

[@tannerhahn2256]

His talent spec is bad, 17/3/41 is way better.

[@benzinho5054]

Do you have a screen of the talent?

[@wilkinson6400]

First

[@tychus8219]

Full zoomer? Full boomer? Full millenium build? That is disgusting.... disgusting choice of words. Thumbs down.

[@samueljosephfernald4663]

TBC = bye bye warriors and mages

[@someone-ji2zb]

Arcane becomes viable, so I doubt mages are going anywhere. Warriors on the other hand.. yea.. I can't imagine most classic guilds recruiting *new* tanks would be wanting a prot warrior over a pally this time around. Druid can be the 3rd OT for dps reasons, a pally is required for hyjal, and a pally can MT tidewalker as well as make the murlocs easy with a pally OT. So the preferred tank set up will be 2 pally tanks and a bear who can serve as DPS on fights that need 2 tanks or less.

[@Deya1337]

@@someone-ji2zb paladin threat OMEGALUL

[@zackwoods5077]

@@someone-ji2zb Honestly, the meta for progression and more casual clearing is going to be one of each with the Warrior as the MT on 75%+ of the bosses. As for the sweaty guilds, they will use Feral Druids as much as possible because of their unrivaled single target tps and ability to dps decently when not needed as a tank, but they will use a token Warrior or Paladin tank if they need it for some parts.

[@MK-ly3gk]

Shit build lol, 8 / 10 / 43 is the correct one.

[@nikolaikalashnikov4253]

lol, you went 10 in Fury and you couldn't spare ONE POINT for *_Piercing Howl_* ? ...Fv