Protection is one of the three Warrior talent trees in WoW Forever. Its tree has 18 talents: 3 new, 11 changed, 2 moved and 2 same as in Classic. Forever removes 2 Classic talents from this tree. Our best-in-slot (BiS) list treats it as a tanking spec.
Protection talentsThe 18 talents of the Protection tree in the beta, row by row. Each one opens its own page: what every rank does, its requirements and what changes from Classic.
Shield SpecializationRow 1 · 5 ranksChanged
AnticipationRow 1 · 5 ranksChanged
Improved BloodrageRow 2 · 2 ranksChanged
ToughnessRow 2 · 5 ranks
Improved Thunder ClapRow 2 · 3 ranksMoved
Last StandRow 3 · 1 rankChanged
Master of DefenseRow 3 · 2 ranksNew
Improved RevengeRow 3 · 3 ranksChanged
DefianceRow 3 · 3 ranksChanged
Improved Sunder ArmorRow 4 · 3 ranksChanged
Improved DisarmRow 4 · 3 ranksChanged
VanguardRow 4 · 1 rankNew
Improved Shield WallRow 5 · 2 ranksChanged
Concussion BlowRow 5 · 1 rankChanged
Improved Shield BashRow 5 · 2 ranks
BastionRow 5 · 5 ranksMoved
Focused RageRow 6 · 3 ranksNew
Shield SlamRow 7 · 1 rankChangedWhat is new and changed for Protection compared with Classic Era: our change list, its talent tree and its abilities.
CHANGEDSpellCHANGEDTalentThey affect every Warrior, whatever tree they play:
Master of DefenseGrants you a 100% chance to generate 5 Rage when you Dodge or Parry while a shield is equipped.
VanguardYour Charge ability is now usable while in Defensive Stance.
Focused RageReduces the Rage cost of your offensive abilities by 3.
Shield SpecializationChanges: text, numbers.AnticipationChanges: text, numbers.Improved BloodrageChanges: text, numbers.Improved Thunder ClapChanges: tree, text, numbers. In Classic it was in Arms.Last StandChanges: text.Improved RevengeChanges: text, numbers.DefianceChanges: ranks, text, numbers.Improved Sunder ArmorChanges: text.Improved DisarmChanges: text, numbers.Improved Shield WallChanges: text, numbers.Concussion BlowChanges: text.BastionChanges: position, text, name, icon.Shield SlamChanges: text, numbers.BloodrageChanges: tooltip.
Defensive StanceChanges: tooltip.
TauntChanges: cooldown.RevengeChanges: tooltip.
Shield BlockChanges: tooltip.Last StandChanges: cooldown, tooltip.Shield WallChanges: cooldown, tooltip.Concussion BlowChanges: cost, tooltip.Shield SlamChanges: tooltip.The 12 abilities the beta spellbook groups under Protection, by the level they are learned at. Each one opens its own page with its ranks, cost and changes.
The site’s suggestion, not an official list: we score the beta items with our stat weights for each level. The beta is capped at level 30.
The End of Dreamsitem level 83 · Drops from Grobbulus · Naxxramas (Classic data)
Gressil, Dawn of Ruinitem level 89 · Drops from Kel'Thuzad · Naxxramas (Classic data)
Dreadnaught Helmetitem level 88 · Quest: Dreadnaught Helmet · Naxxramas (Classic data)
Conqueror's Crownitem level 81 · Quest: Conqueror's Crown · Ahn'Qiraj (Classic data)
Dreadnaught Breastplateitem level 92 · Quest: Dreadnaught Breastplate · Naxxramas (Classic data)
Conqueror's Breastplateitem level 88 · Quest: Conqueror's Breastplate · Ahn'Qiraj (Classic data)The two highest-scoring pieces in three slots. It is a forecast: until the beta reaches 60, items and their sources may change.
Full Protection list at level 60 →
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.
The races that can pick the class in WoW Forever. The ones marked new are combinations Classic did not have.
Talents and abilities: beta client (build 1.60.1.70205), compared with Classic Era 1.15.9.69722. BiS: the site’s stat weights.
Updated
Map
Items
BiS
Talents
Human
Dwarf
Night Elf
Gnome
Orc
Undead
Tauren
Troll