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WoW Forever Protection Warrior BiS at level 20
Summary
This is the site’s suggestion for Protection Warrior at level 20, not an official list: we use our Protection stat weights to score every item a Warrior can use with a required level of 20 or lower, and pick the best one for each slot. The beta already goes past this level: the current cap is 30.
Stat priority of the list, per point: Defense > Stamina > Agility > Strength. Percentage stats count too, per 1%: dodge and parry. On weapons, main-hand DPS matters most. Armour adds to the score too.
- Main hand:
Doomspike - Off hand:
Redbeard CrestClassic data (not in the beta client) - Legs:
Guard's Chain Leggings - Head:
Protector's Silvered Chain Helm
6 of the 17 pieces are new in Forever and all of them have a known source.
Gear by slot
For each slot, the suggested piece and the next two on the list.Head
Neck
Shoulders
Back
Chest
Wrists
Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring 1
Ring 2
Trinket 1
Trinket 2
No other alternatives at this level.
Main hand
Off hand
Ranged
More on Protection Warrior
Reasoning: Shield-wearing tank. 1 stamina = 10 health and is the baseline; each point of defense grants 0.04% dodge, parry, block and enemy miss (0.16% avoidance) and reduces crits taken, which is why it is worth more than stamina. Dodge and parry are worth ~12 and ~10 stamina per 1%; block less since it only absorbs the block value. Armour counts (100 armour ≈ 3 stamina), so the shield and mail/plate always win. Strength and hit are there for threat, not damage.
Heads up: the beta is capped at level 30 and the weights are indicative, tuned for level 60 with no simulations behind them. Sources come from the WoWSims Forever database and, for items that already existed in Classic, from the Classic 1.12 database (CMaNGOS Classic-DB, marked "Classic data": they may change in Forever); an item without a source may not be obtainable yet. Set bonuses and procs are not scored. Everything will change with each build.
Treat these lists as a starting point: your talents, enchants and play style may make another piece the better pick.
Updated