Playstyle
The Warrior is melee in its purest form: heavy plate, big weapons and no spellbook. Its resource is Rage, which builds as you deal and take damage. The longer a fight goes, the more of your toolkit opens up.
Charge and Heroic Leap get you into the fight fast, and abilities like Victory Rush heal you along the way. That makes solo play much smoother than you would expect from a class without healing spells.
Background and lore
Almost every race in Azeroth has warriors, because every army needs weapons and courage. Many of the best known characters in the game's story are warriors: Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind, who fought in the arenas as the gladiator "Lo'Gosh", or Garrosh Hellscream, Warchief of the Horde, who later became a final boss himself. Warriors need no magic. Their power is Rage, which grows with every hit they deal or take.
Specializations
Arms
Arms is the warrior with the big two-handed weapon and the spec for people who like rhythm. You set the enemy up, wait for the right window and then strike with full force. The fantasy: a seasoned veteran whose every swing lands. A bit more planning than Fury, but easy to learn.
Signature abilities: Mortal Strike, Colossus Smash, Bladestorm
Fury
Fury wields two weapons and plays like a frenzy. You keep the warrior Enraged, swing almost nonstop and heal yourself along the way. Few buttons, lots of speed, lots of fun. Many community lists name Fury as one of the easiest melee specs.
Signature abilities: Bloodthirst, Rampage, Recklessness
Protection
Protection is the shield tank that gathers enemies with leaps and taunts and then simply holds the line. You block, absorb damage and hit back with your shield. If you like standing between your group and danger, you will feel at home here.
Signature abilities: Shield Slam, Ignore Pain, Last Stand
Who is the Warrior for?
A good fit if you …
- want to jump straight into melee without juggling spell bars,
- are looking for a sturdy class to learn the game with,
- want to tank later but start out dealing damage.
Not ideal if you …
- prefer fighting from a safe distance,
- want to heal, because Warriors have no healing spec.
Strengths and weaknesses
Its biggest strength is a simple core: the basic rotation clicks quickly, and plate armor forgives mistakes. Battle Shout is a group buff every party is happy to have. Things get harder when enemies stay at range, since the Warrior has very few ranged options.
Not sure if the Warrior should be your main? Take the class quiz or send it into the arena against other classes.
Images: © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com
