Season of Discovery brought many exciting changes to World of Warcraft Classic, including Runes and new class/role combinations such as Mage healer and Warlock tank. Warriors didn’t undergo quite as big of an overhaul compared to other classes, but they did receive a fair number of changes to how they play, both as DPS and as tanks. This guide focuses solely on the DPS changes that Warriors can expect in this new season.
Thanks to the newly-introduced Runes, Warrior players in Season of Discovery have access to a variety of additional abilities that open the path to new builds and an overall more versatile playstyle. Keep reading to find out more about the best Runes, talents, rotation, and everything else you need to know about playing a Warrior DPS in WoW Classic: Season of Discovery.
Warriors in the Alliance can benefit from races such as Humans, who offer Sword and Mace specializations, and Dwarves, whose Stoneform racial ability can be advantageous in certain scenarios. Meanwhile, Horde players will find Orcs to be the superior choice due to their racial abilities, like Blood Fury and Axe Specialization, which significantly enhance their DPS capabilities. Trolls also provide unique advantages such as Berserking, which allows for faster attacks.
Best Runes For Warrior DPS In Season Of Discovery
Runes are a new system designed to enhance gameplay by granting players powerful abilities early on. In Season of Discovery, Warriors have access to a total of 12 Runes, but can only equip 3 at a time. The best picks for Warrior DPS currently include:
- Raging Blow (Chest slot): A powerful strike that deals 100% weapon damage, usable only while Enrage, Berserker Rage, or Bloodrage is active.
- Consumed By Rage (Legs slot): Enrages you, granting a 20% melee damage bonus for 12 seconds or up to a maximum of 12 swings after exceeding 80 Rage.
- Single-Minded Fury (Hands slot): Increases Physical damage and movement speed by 10% while dual-wielding.
- Quick Strike (Hands slot): An instant melee attack with your two-handed weapon that deals a percentage of your attack power as physical damage.
Raging Blow is the chest Rune of choice for now, but players will want to consider Flagellation once Phase 2 is released. Consumed By Rage synergizes well with Raging Blow, requiring careful Rage management to maximize effectiveness. Warriors should choose between Single-Minded Fury and Quick Strike based on their weapon preferences, each offering unique advantages.
Warrior DPS Rotation In Season Of Discovery
Rage management becomes crucial in Season of Discovery, particularly due to the impact of Consumed by Rage. A standard DPS rotation involves:
- Charge
- Battle Shout
- Bloodrage
- Raging Blow
- Sunder Armor stacking (useful against bosses)
- Rend (against high HP enemies)
- Heroic Strike, Cleave, or Quick Strike when above 80 Rage
- Execute when the enemy is below 20% health
Remember to use Charge and Bloodrage wisely, as they are essential for Rage generation but can lead to dangerous situations if misused. Battle Shout should be kept active at all times for maximum effectiveness, while Raging Blow can be utilized after charging into battle. Balancing your Rage expenditure is vital for maintaining DPS output and effectiveness in combat.
Stat Priority For Warrior DPS In Season Of Discovery
Warriors rely heavily on weapon skills for damage, making it essential to prioritize weapon DPS over other stats. Key stats to focus on include:
- Hit Chance
- Critical Strike Chance
- Strength
- Attack Power
- Agility
Hit Chance is crucial since missed attacks do not generate Rage. The Season of Discovery Phase 1 Hit cap is 6%, making it important to reach this threshold before focusing on other stats. Critical Strike Chance significantly increases damage output, while Strength directly enhances melee Attack Power, providing consistent DPS boosts. Agility, while less critical, still offers benefits in terms of Attack Power and Dodge Chance.
Best Professions For Warrior DPS In Season Of Discovery
Choosing the right professions can greatly benefit your Warrior DPS in Phase 1. Players can opt for gathering professions like Mining and Herbalism for gold-making or focus on crafting professions like Blacksmithing and Engineering for direct gameplay benefits.
Blacksmithing allows for crafting powerful gear and utility items, while Engineering provides access to bombs that can boost DPS. Crafting your own gear is a significant advantage for Warriors, especially since they are highly gear-dependent.
Both professions rely on Mining for materials. It's advisable to start with Mining alongside one crafting profession before transitioning to the other as materials accumulate. This approach allows for a smooth transition and maximizes the benefits of crafted items.
Best Talent Spec For Warrior DPS In Season Of Discovery
Warriors have limited talent options in Phase 1, with a cap of 25 levels and only 16 talent points available. The best approach is to balance points between the Arms and Fury talent trees to optimize DPS. Key talents to consider include:
- 3/3 Improved Hero
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