TBC Warrior Arena Mastery
Complete Guide from Beginner to Duelist (2200+)
Warrior Identity
Warriors are the ultimate melee pressure machines in TBC. You bring relentless Mortal Strike pressure, crippling healing reduction, and terrifying burst windows. Master stance dancing and you'll be an unstoppable force in arena.
Mortal Strike
50% healing reduction - your signature ability that defines arena pressure
Stun & Interrupt
Intercept stun + Pummel interrupt - control casters and healers
Spell Reflect
Turn enemy spells against them - incredible vs casters
Berserker Rage
Fear immunity on demand - counter warlocks and priests
Hidden Mechanics
Stance Dancing
Each stance has unique abilities. Battle: Charge, Overpower. Berserker: Intercept, Pummel. Defensive: Spell Reflect, Disarm.
Rage Management
Rage generates from damage dealt AND taken. Stance switching costs rage. Plan your switches!
Mortal Strike Debuff
10 second duration, 50% healing reduction. This wins games. Keep it up 100% on kill target.
Overpower Procs
Usable for 5s after enemy dodges. Cannot be dodged, blocked, or parried. Destroys Evasion!
Dead Zone Awareness
Charge/Intercept require 8-25 yard range. Learn to stay close to prevent enemy kiting.
Hamstring Priority
15 second 50% slow. Costs only 10 rage. Keep this up 100% on all targets!
Pro Tips & Tricks
Intercept > Charge in Arena
Intercept's 3s stun is far superior to Charge's 1s. Save it for kill attempts or stopping healers.
Pre-Berserker Rage
Against warlocks/priests, use Berserker Rage BEFORE they cast Fear - immunity lasts 10s!
Spell Reflect Timing
Watch enemy cast bars. Swap to Defensive + Shield just before the spell lands. Reflect Fear, Poly, Frostbolt!
Rend vs Rogues
Always Rend rogues. The bleed DoT prevents them from re-stealthing. Essential for winning the matchup.
Execute Range is 20%
Save rage when target approaches 20% HP. Execute hits extremely hard - often finishes kills.
Disarm is Incredible
10 second disarm on 1 min CD. Completely shuts down rogues, other warriors, hunters. Use it!
Stance Knowledge
Battle Stance
Opener & Overpower- Charge: Gap closer, 1s stun
- Overpower: After dodge, can't miss
- Mocking Blow: Taunt + damage
- Balanced damage taken/dealt
Defensive Stance
Survival & Control- Spell Reflect: Reflect spells!
- Shield Bash: 6s interrupt
- Disarm: 10s weapon removal
- 10% less damage taken & dealt
Berserker Stance
Damage & Mobility- Intercept: 3s stun gap closer!
- Pummel: 4s interrupt
- Berserker Rage: Fear immune
- Whirlwind: AoE damage
Ability Priorities
Damage Priority
Opening Rotation
Burst Window
Common Mistakes
Not Stance Dancing
Staying in one stance = missing key abilities. Practice switching for Pummel, Spell Reflect, Intercept.
Wasting Intercept
30 second CD! Don't use it to close small gaps. Save for stun on healers or escaping enemies.
No Hamstring Uptime
If they're not slowed, they're kiting you. 50% slow for 15s costs only 10 rage. Keep it up!
Getting Feared
Berserker Rage exists! Use it pre-emptively vs locks/priests. 30s CD, 10s immunity.
Tunneling Kill Target
Sometimes you need to Intercept > Pummel the healer. Awareness wins games.
Late MS Application
Mortal Strike should be your 2nd ability after gap closer. 50% healing reduction is everything.
Win Conditions
MS + Burst Window
Keep MS debuff up, then unload Bloodthirst + Execute during healer CC. 50% healing = dead target.
Train the Healer
Non-stop pressure on healer keeps them running. They can't cast if they're eating MS every 6s.
Execute Range Dominance
Below 20% HP, Execute hits for 2k+. Swap to low targets and delete them before heals land.
Pummel Lock-Out Kills
Pummel healer at high damage, they're locked out of healing for 4s. Perfect for securing kills.
Rating Progression Roadmap
What to focus on at each rating bracket to keep climbing. Master each tier before moving on.
Positioning & Gap Closing
The Warrior Engage Pattern
Never let them get to 25+ yards. Stay glued to your target. Hamstring is life.
vs Casters
Close gap fast, stay in melee. Spell Reflect key casts. Pummel when they try to cast.
vs Melee
Trade blows, use Disarm for advantage. Overpower after their dodges. Stay aggressive.
vs Kiters
Intercept is gold. Save it for when they create distance. Hamstring prevents kiting.
Peeling for Healer
Intercept to your healer's attacker, Hamstring, Intimidating Shout if needed.
Cooldown Trading Framework
Arena is won by making better trades. Your cooldowns vs their cooldowns. Here's when to use what.
Defensive Cooldowns
Offensive Windows
Best 2v2 Comps (Casual Friendly) - Click for Guide
Win Condition
Constant Mortal Strike pressure while Druid keeps you alive and CCs the enemy healer. Force trinkets then land kills.
Opening Strategy
- Druid drinks to full, you wait for opener
- Charge kill target (usually DPS)
- Hamstring + Rend + MS immediately
- Druid Cyclones healer when you start pressure
- Intercept healer after Cyclone ends for stun
Kill Setup
- CC Chain: Cyclone -> Intercept stun -> Cyclone (DR)
- During CC: MS + WW + Execute if low
- Pummel the healer if they trinket early
- Druid Feral Charge can interrupt too
Tips & Tricks
- Druid HoTs keep you healthy through trades
- Coordinate Intercept with Cyclone for chain CC
- Berserker Rage enemy Fears
- Use Intervene to help Druid if they're trained
- This comp excels in long games - don't rush
Win Condition
You are nearly unkillable with Blessing of Freedom, Blessing of Sacrifice, and Lay on Hands. Grind enemies down with MS pressure.
Opening Strategy
- Get Blessing of Freedom before engaging
- Charge in fearlessly - Paladin will keep you up
- Aggressive pressure from the start
- HoJ (Hammer of Justice) from Paladin for stuns
Kill Setup
- CC Chain: Intimidating Shout -> HoJ -> Intercept
- Paladin can Repentance (if Ret) for extra CC
- Burst when enemy healer is CCed
- Very long games are fine - you win attrition
Tips & Tricks
- Freedom removes roots AND makes you immune
- Blessing of Sacrifice splits damage to Paladin
- Lay on Hands is a full heal - don't panic early
- Divine Shield + Heal = reset button
- This comp can beat anyone through attrition
Win Condition
Windfury Totem gives you insane burst potential. One lucky Windfury proc during MS window = dead target. Shaman purges defensives.
Opening Strategy
- Shaman drops totems (WF, Strength, Earth Shield on you)
- Charge in with full buffs
- Aggressive upfront damage
- Shaman Purges enemy buffs (shields, HoTs)
Kill Setup
- Windfury procs make your autos devastating
- Shaman Hex or Earth Shock interrupt for healer
- Bloodlust for massive burst windows
- Grounding Totem absorbs enemy CC on you
Tips & Tricks
- Stay near Windfury Totem - it has range limit
- Tremor Totem breaks Fears on you
- Earth Shield makes you very tanky
- Shaman can purge Ice Block, Pain Supp, etc.
- Call for Bloodlust during kill windows
Win Condition
Priest Mana Burns the enemy healer while you provide constant MS pressure. Fear chains help control the game.
Opening Strategy
- Priest shields you and dots enemy healer
- Charge kill target
- Priest starts Mana Burn on healer
- Fear enemy DPS when they try to peel
CC Chain
- Double Fear: Priest fears one, you Intimidating Shout the other
- Psychic Scream for emergency peel
- Pain Suppression saves you from burst
- Mass Dispel removes bubbles and Ice Block
Tips & Tricks
- Priest SW:Pain keeps rogues out of stealth
- Berserker Rage enemy Fears, call for Pain Supp if needed
- Mana Burn wins long games
- Coordinate Fear DRs - don't overlap
- Priest can drink behind pillars while you pressure
Core Arena Abilities
Arena Points Calculator
Arena Checklist
- Two-hand AND Shield in bags
- Healthstone ready
- Stance dancing macros set up
- MS on kill target ASAP
- Hamstring up on all targets
- Berserker Rage vs Fear classes
- Save Intercept for key moments
- Pummel healer casts
- Spell Reflect key spells
- Stay on target - don't get kited
Quick Win Conditions
vs Double DPS
Trade aggressively -> Disarm one -> Kill the other before you die
vs Healer/DPS
MS on DPS -> Intercept healer -> Coordinate CC -> Execute phase
vs Casters
Gap close fast -> Pummel/Spell Reflect -> Stay in melee range -> Pressure
Matchup Knowledge
Understanding each class's win conditions and vulnerabilities is what separates Gladiators from the rest. Master these matchups and you'll know exactly what to do in every situation.
vs Warrior (Mirror)
EvenWin Condition
Out-trade with better cooldown usage. Whoever lands Disarm at the right time usually wins. First MS often sets the pace.
Danger Points
- Their Mortal Strike: Same as yours - 50% healing debuff
- Their Intercept: Can stun you during your burst
- Execute Phase: Both warriors hit hard below 20%
- Disarm: If they Disarm first, you lose the trade
Pro Tips
- Disarm them when they pop offensive CDs
- Save Intercept for when they try to run
- Overpower procs matter - watch for dodges
- First to get MS up usually controls the fight
vs Rogue
EvenWin Condition
Survive opener with Berserker Rage, Rend to prevent restealth, Overpower destroys Evasion. You win if you stay on them.
Danger Points
- Opener Stun Lock: Cheap Shot -> Kidney can hurt
- Blind: 10s CC, often used to reset
- Evasion: 50% dodge for 15s - use Overpower!
- Cloak of Shadows: Immune to magic - doesn't affect you
Pro Tips
- Berserker Rage the opener stun - generates rage too
- Rend IMMEDIATELY - prevents re-stealth
- Overpower cannot be dodged - destroys Evasion
- Disarm when they pop CDs = dead rogue
vs Mage
HardWin Condition
Close the gap and stay in melee. Spell Reflect Polymorph/Frostbolt. If you're in melee range, you win. If not, you lose.
Danger Points
- Polymorph: Long CC - Spell Reflect or interrupt
- Frost Nova: Roots you for kiting - Intercept out
- Blink: Instant 20 yard teleport
- Ice Block: Full immunity reset
Pro Tips
- Spell Reflect Polymorph = they Poly themselves
- Save Intercept for after they Blink
- Pummel Frostbolt/Poly casts
- Hamstring is essential - slow them down
vs Priest
FavorableWin Condition
MS reduces their healing by 50%. Berserker Rage their Fears. Pummel key heals. Constant pressure = dead priest.
Danger Points
- Psychic Scream: AoE Fear - Berserker Rage it
- Mana Burn: Can drain you (lol warriors use rage)
- Pain Suppression: 40% DR for 8s - wait it out
- Fear chains: Multiple Fears in a row
Pro Tips
- Berserker Rage BEFORE they Fear
- Pummel Mana Burn and big heals
- MS reduces ALL their healing by half
- They're squishy - pressure wins
vs Hunter
HardWin Condition
Get into melee and stay there. Dead zone is 5-8 yards. If you're in their face, they can't shoot. Kill pet if BM.
Danger Points
- Kiting: They have range, you don't
- Scatter Shot: 4s disorient, sets up traps
- Freezing Trap: 10s CC if you step in it
- Bestial Wrath (BM): Pet immune to CC
Pro Tips
- Intercept is your best friend - save it
- Dead zone is 5-8 yards - stay there
- Hamstring and STAY on them
- Kill the pet if they're BM spec
vs Druid
HardWin Condition
Keep them in combat to prevent drinking. Hamstring in caster form. Long fights favor the druid - burst when you can.
Danger Points
- Travel Form: 40% speed, hard to catch
- Cyclone: 6s CC, no DR with Fear
- Bear Form: Very tanky, hard to kill
- Lifebloom: Strong HoTs you can't easily stop
Pro Tips
- Rend prevents stealth but not shapeshifting
- Charge when they shift to caster form
- Intercept stun interrupts Cyclone casts
- Very long fights - be patient
vs Shaman
FavorableWin Condition
Stay on them and interrupt heals. They're squishy in cloth. MS pressure destroys their healing throughput.
Danger Points
- Frost Shock: 50% slow, annoying for chasing
- Earth Shock: Interrupt on low CD
- Grounding Totem: Absorbs one spell
- Windfury: Random burst potential
Pro Tips
- Kill Grounding Totem before key abilities
- Pummel Chain Heal - big healing spell
- They're squishy when you're on them
- MS reduces Earth Shield healing too
vs Paladin
EvenWin Condition
Wait out Divine Shield, pressure mana, burst after major CDs. Very long fights - patience is key.
Danger Points
- Divine Shield: 12s full immunity
- Blessing of Freedom: Immune to slows
- Hammer of Justice: 6s stun
- Lay on Hands: Full heal once per fight
Pro Tips
- MS before they bubble to maintain pressure
- Save burst for after Divine Shield
- Hamstring still works through Freedom (slow immunity, not debuff immunity)
- Very long fights - conserve CDs
vs Warlock
EvenWin Condition
Spell Reflect Fear, Berserker Rage for fear immunity, kill pet to remove Soul Link. Stay aggressive through DoTs.
Danger Points
- Fear: 10s CC - Berserker Rage or Reflect
- Death Coil: 3s Horror (different DR)
- DoT Pressure: Constant damage over time
- Soul Link: 20% damage split with pet
Pro Tips
- Berserker Rage is your BEST tool - use it!
- Spell Reflect their Fear = they fear themselves
- Kill Felhunter first to remove Soul Link
- Pummel their Drain Life for extra pressure
Quick Matchup Reference
TBC Warrior Arena Builds
Arms is the only viable PvP spec in TBC. The key is getting Mortal Strike while picking up enough survivability and utility talents.
Arms/Fury (31/30/0)
RecommendedThe standard TBC warrior PvP build. Mortal Strike + Death Wish + Improved Intercept.
Arms/Prot (33/5/23)
DefensiveMore survivability with improved defensive stance and shield abilities.
31/30/0 Arms/Fury Build
Arms
31 Points
Improved Heroic Strike
5/5
Deflection
5/5
Improved Rend
2/2
Improved Charge
3/3
Iron Will
2/2
Two-Handed Weapon Specialization
5/5
Sweeping Strikes
1/1
Mace Specialization
5/5
Mortal Strike
1/1
KEY
Second Wind
2/2
Fury
30 Points
Cruelty
5/5
Unbridled Wrath
5/5
Improved Berserker Rage
2/2
Improved Intercept
2/2
Enrage
5/5
Death Wish
1/1
KEY
Flurry
5/5
Endless Rage
5/5
Key Talent Explanations
Mortal Strike
The reason to play Arms. 50% healing reduction for 10s. This single ability defines warrior PvP.
Death Wish
20% increased damage for 30s on 3 min CD. Pop this during kill windows for massive pressure.
Second Wind
Regenerate 10 rage and 5% HP when stunned or immobilized. Incredible vs rogues and mages.
Stat Priority
S1 Gladiator's Set
Priority Purchase Order
- Gladiator's Decapitator Weapon > Everything. Huge damage increase.
- Gladiator's Plate Gauntlets Cheap upgrade, good stats.
- Gladiator's Plate Shoulders 2-piece set bonus (Resilience).
- Gladiator's Plate Helm Big stamina piece.
- Gladiator's Plate Legguards 4-piece bonus.
- Gladiator's Shield Wall For Spell Reflect macros.
Weapon Choice
Gladiator's Decapitator (Axe)
Best overall choice. High top-end damage for MS and Execute.
RecommendedGladiator's Bonegrinder (Mace)
Stun proc can be game-winning. Good with Mace Specialization.
Gladiator's Greatsword (Sword)
Extra swing chance. Consistent damage but less burst.
Enchants & Gems
Weapon
Mongoose or Executioner
Head
Glyph of Ferocity (Revered Cenarion)
Shoulders
Greater Inscription of Vengeance (Aldor)
Cloak
+12 Agility or +120 Armor
Chest
+15 Resilience or +150 HP
Bracers
+24 Attack Power
Gloves
+15 Strength
Legs
Nethercobra Leg Armor
Boots
+12 Stamina or Cat's Swiftness
Gems
Stamina > Resilience > Strength
Essential Macros
Charge / Intercept
#showtooltip
/cast [stance:1] Charge; [stance:3] Intercept
/cast [stance:2] Berserker Stance
Charge in Battle, Intercept in Berserker, swap from Defensive
Pummel (Stance Swap)
#showtooltip Pummel
/cast [stance:3] Pummel; Berserker Stance
Auto-swap to Berserker and Pummel
Spell Reflect (Equip Shield)
#showtooltip Spell Reflect
/equip [noequipped:shield] Your Shield Name
/cast [stance:2] Spell Reflect; Defensive Stance
Equips shield, swaps stance, and reflects
Berserker Rage (Any Stance)
#showtooltip Berserker Rage
/cast [stance:3] Berserker Rage; Berserker Stance
/cast Berserker Rage
Swaps to Berserker and uses rage immunity
Overpower (Battle Swap)
#showtooltip Overpower
/cast [stance:1] Overpower; Battle Stance
Auto-swap to Battle for Overpower procs
Disarm (Defensive Swap)
#showtooltip Disarm
/cast [stance:2] Disarm; Defensive Stance
Swap to Defensive and Disarm
Intervene Partner
#showtooltip Intervene
/cast [stance:2,@party1] Intervene; Defensive Stance
Leap to partner, intercept next attack
Keybind Suggestions
Damage (1-5)
Utility (Q,E,R,F,G)
Stances (Shift+)
Defensive (C,V)
Recommended Addons
Quick Tips Cheatsheet
Top Arena Videos
Learn from the best TBC Warriors. These videos showcase high-level arena gameplay, positioning, stance dancing, and kill setups.
TBC Classic War/Ret/Rsham 3v3 Arena - 2200+ Rating
High-rated TBC Classic arena gameplay from Season 3. Watch coordinated burst windows and target swaps at Gladiator level.
Aziegodx - Rank 1 Warrior/Druid 2v2 TBC Arena
Rank 1 Warrior gameplay showcasing the classic Warrior/Druid 2v2 composition. Learn positioning, target selection, and burst timing.
TBC Warrior/Druid 2v2 Arena - High Rating Gameplay
High-rated Warrior/Druid 2v2 gameplay demonstrating MS pressure, stance dancing, and coordinated CC with your druid partner.