Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Guide

These guides are based on simulation data, tools, and theorycrafting from original Cataclysm. We'll be sure to update them when modern sims are finished. Rotations are likely to get optimized via sims, but it should already give you a very strong starting point.

Introduction

    Arms Warriors bring increased Bleed Damage and 4% Physical Damage taken with Blood Frenzy to raids. All Warriors also bring a Strength and Agility buff with
    Battle Shout
    , Stamina buff with
    Commanding Shout
    , and Armor Reduction with
    Sunder Armor
    .

Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Rotation

    Arms Warriors have a simple priority system, but as with any class that uses Rage or Energy, managing your resources properly will be critical to perform well. Making sure you make the most out of your
    Colossus Smash
    windows, and proper usage of
    Inner Rage
    and
    Deadly Calm
    will make a huge impact on your DPS. Another complexity of the Arms Warriors rotation is Stance Dancing. Performed correctly, Stance Dancing will result in a small DPS increase, but if done incorrectly, it will result in a DPS loss compared to just staying in
    Battle Stance
    100% of the time. The talent
    Tactical Mastery
    allows for an additional 50 Rage to be retained when switching stances, which is what allows this technique to be possible. The abilities you need to be in
    Battle Stance
    for are
    Rend
    and
    Overpower
    . In most single target scenarios, you will only be using 1
    Rend
    , so the main problem here is
    Overpower
    . Like we mention in the rotation section,
    Overpower
    is only used when
    Taste for Blood
    procs, which can only occur once every 5 seconds so you dont have to use it immediately once it procs. To maximize your time in
    Berserker Stance
    , you should wait to until the end of the 5 second window, switch to
    Battle Stance
    , use
    Overpower
    ,
    Taste for Blood
    will proc again right after, use
    Overpower
    a second time, and then switch back to
    Berserker Stance
    . You will be in
    Berserker Stance
    for about 10 seconds, since the next
    Taste for Blood
    proc won't happen for 5 seconds, and you won't use that proc for about 4 seconds. It is recommended to make a macro for each of your skills with it's corresponding stance.

Single Target

  1. Use and maintain 3 stacks of
    Sunder Armor
    if assigned.
  2. Maintain
    Battle Shout
    or
    Commanding Shout
    if assigned.
  3. Maintain
    Rend
    .
    Mortal Strike
    will take care of this thanks to
    Lambs to the Slaughter
    .
  4. Use
    Bloodrage
    .
  5. Use
    Shattering Throw
    .
  6. Use
    Inner Rage
    when high on Rage.
  7. Use
    Deadly Calm
    when low on Rage and avoid using during
    Bloodlust
    /
    Heroism
    .
  8. Use
    Recklessness
    .
  9. Use
    Mortal Strike
    .
  10. Use
    Colossus Smash
    from
    Sudden Death
    procs as long as the target doesn't currently have the
    Colossus Smash
    debuff.
  11. Use
    Colossus Smash
    . Ideally have a
    Taste for Blood
    proc before casting so you can fit in 2
    Overpower
    casts inside the debuff window.
  12. When
    Taste for Blood
    procs, wait 4 seconds and use
    Battle Stance
    and
    Overpower
    . Wait for another
    Taste for Blood
    proc and use
    Overpower
    again before switching back to
    Berserker Stance
    .
  13. Use
    Heroic Strike
    with
    Battle Trance
    proc or if you have excess Rage.
  14. Use
    Execute
    to dump Rage for targets below 20% HP.
  15. Use
    Slam
    to dump Rage.
  16. Use
    Battle Shout
    or
    Commanding Shout
    to generate Rage.

AoE

    2 targets:

  1. Use
    Sweeping Strikes
    .
  2. Proceed with single target rotation. When
    Sweeping Strikes
    runs out, replace
    Heroic Strike
    with
    Cleave
    .
  3. 3+ targets:

  4. If running the talent
    Blood and Thunder
    , use
    Rend
    and spread it with
    Thunder Clap
    .
  5. Use
    Bladestorm
    .
  6. Use
    Sweeping Strikes
    .
  7. Proceed with single target rotation. When
    Sweeping Strikes
    runs out, replace
    Heroic Strike
    with
    Cleave
    .
  8. For 4+ targets, replace
    Colossus Smash
    with
    Whirlwind
    .

Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Talents

Standard Build

For AoE fights, you can remove 2 points from
Incite
and put them into
Blood and Thunder
.
0
Arms
0
Fury
0
Protection

Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Glyphs

  1. Prime:
    Mortal StrikeMortal Strike
    ,
    OverpowerOverpower
    ,
    SlamSlam
  2. Major:
    Sweeping StrikesSweeping Strikes
    ,
    CleavingCleaving
  3. Optional:
    Colossus SmashColossus Smash
    or
    Rapid ChargeRapid Charge
  4. Minor:
    Berserker RageBerserker Rage
    ,
    BattleBattle
    ,
    Bloody HealingBloody Healing

Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

    Best:
  • Flask of Titanic Strength

Food

    Best:
  • Seafood Magnifique Feast
    ,
  • Beer-Basted Crocolisk
    ,
  • Fortune Cookie
    Alternatives:
  • Broiled Dragon Feast
    ,
  • Hearty Seafood Soup

Potions

    Best:
  • Golemblood Potion

Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Best Races

Alliance

  1. Worgen:
    Viciousness
    and
    Darkflight
  2. Human:
    Sword Specialization
    and
    Mace Specialization
  3. Dwarf:
    Mace Specialization
  4. Draenei:
    Heroic Presence

Horde

  1. Orc:
    Axe Specialization
    and
    Blood Fury
  2. Goblin:
    Time is Money
    ,
    Rocket Barrage
    , and
    Rocket Jump
  3. Troll:
    Berserking

Cataclysm Classic Arms Warrior Best Professions

  1. Engineering:
    Synapse Springs
    .
  2. Tailoring:
    Swordguard Embroidery
    .
  3. Blacksmithing:
    Socket Bracer
    and
    Socket Gloves
    . Becomes 2nd best in T13.
  4. The rest of the Crafting Professions provide nearly identical benefits.