What is the Best Weapon Type for a Warrior in WoW Classic?
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The best weapon type for a Warrior in WoW Classic is highly situational, depending on your spec (Arms, Fury, or Protection), your role (DPS or Tank), and your current gear level. However, there’s no single “best” weapon for every scenario. Generally speaking, for end-game DPS, either slow two-handed weapons with a Slam build or fast one-handed weapons for Dual Wielding in a Fury spec tend to be favored. Ultimately, the “best” weapon is the one that maximizes your damage output within the constraints of your chosen build and available gear. Here’s a more in-depth look at weapon choices:
Understanding Warrior Weapon Mechanics
Before diving into specific weapon types, it’s crucial to grasp how weapon mechanics interact with the Warrior class. Warriors rely heavily on rage, a resource generated by dealing and taking damage. Slower weapons generally have higher damage ranges, meaning they provide larger chunks of rage when they connect, while faster weapons hit more often but for less damage per strike. Several Warrior abilities are directly based on a weapon’s damage, such as Slam and Mortal Strike, making weapon damage and speed critical.
Weapon Skill and Specialization
Additionally, weapon skill plays a critical role in combat effectiveness. Human Warriors benefit from Sword Specialization, granting +5 Weapon Skill with swords. This reduces glancing blows, increases hit chance, and reduces the chance of a mob dodging, parrying or blocking. Paired with talents like Sword Specialization (Fury tree) which grants extra attacks (once a warrior strikes a mob with their main hand) it makes swords an extremely good choice for Human Warriors. This means that Human Warriors often excel using swords. The racial bonus is a very good option for this race. However, Weapon Skill is beneficial no matter your race, so training this is essential for consistent damage.
Importance of Weapon Speed
Weapon speed influences rage generation and damage output significantly. Slower weapons (usually 2.6+ speed) are favored for builds that rely on high base damage abilities like Slam. These weapons also generate larger bursts of rage. Faster weapons (around 1.5 speed) are better suited to dual-wielding builds as they allow more hits (and thus more chances for special weapon procs to occur) and also generate rage at a more consistent rate.
Weapon Type Breakdown
Let’s examine how the major weapon types fare for Warriors:
Swords
- 1H Swords: Excellent for dual-wielding Fury Warriors due to their availability and often good stats. The inherent bonus for Human Warriors is a significant advantage. They can also be used in conjunction with a shield for protection builds.
- 2H Swords: A popular choice for Arms and Fury Warriors. Slower, high damage 2H swords are the cornerstone for “Slam” builds. This provides big hits that help you generate more rage.
Axes
- 1H Axes: Similar to swords, axes can be used for dual-wielding Fury Warriors, though they may lack the racial synergy for Humans. They are perfectly acceptable for all other races.
- 2H Axes: A viable alternative to 2H swords, particularly if good axes are available. Again, a good choice for slower, hard hitting abilities.
Maces
- 1H Maces: Generally not ideal for DPS Warriors due to a lack of damage focus, but can be used when dual wielding in Fury spec or when paired with a shield.
- 2H Maces: Can be used in similar roles to 2H axes and swords. Their availability can be a deciding factor in early raid content.
Daggers
- Daggers are not a good choice for warrior, as their damage range is not good enough. They are typically used by rogues.
Polearms
- Polearms can be useful, usually for their stats. However, they are often used by other classes, and generally do not offer the best damage available to warriors.
Guns and Bows
- Warriors can learn to use guns and bows, but these are typically used for pulling at range and not for regular combat.
The “Best” Weapon Choices by Spec
Fury Warriors
- Dual-Wield Fury: Prioritizes fast, high DPS 1H weapons, such as swords or axes.
- 2H Fury/Slam: Utilizes slow, hard-hitting 2H weapons (swords, axes, or maces).
Arms Warriors
- Arms Warriors benefit from slow two-handed weapons. Abilities such as Mortal Strike deal a % of weapon damage, meaning big slow hits provide big damage.
Protection Warriors
- Protection Warriors use a shield and a one-handed weapon. They want a mix of hit rating and stamina to maximize survivability. A fast hitting one handed weapon is often preferred so they can generate rage more often.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a single “best” weapon type for warriors in WoW Classic. Rather, optimal weapon choices are driven by your spec and available gear. For Fury, fast 1H weapons or slow 2H weapons are the way to go. For Arms, slow two-handed weapons are the most effective. While Human Warriors benefit from Sword Specialization, all races should focus on using whatever weapon will provide the highest overall damage or survivability. Pay attention to weapon stats, speed, and procs to make sure that the weapon you use maximizes your effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best DPS Warrior Spec for PvE in WoW Classic?
For Classic end-game content, Fury is considered the best spec for DPS Warriors. They will either use a slow 2H weapon with a Slam build or use two 1H weapons with high DPS as Dual-Wield Fury.
2. Why do Warriors want slow weapons in WoW Classic?
Slow weapons tend to have a higher damage statistic, and many warrior attacks are based on the main hand’s damage for the damage they do. This helps to create consistent high damage output when combined with strong abilities such as Slam or Mortal Strike.
3. What weapon does a Warrior use?
A Warrior uses a primary weapon, typically a polearm or bow, a dagger, and possibly a sidearm of some kind like a sword or axe.
4. Is Warrior hard to play in Classic WoW?
Warrior is the most difficult class to level in the Hardcore challenge in World of Warcraft Classic by a large margin. Warriors lack the damage, crowd control, AoE, self-sustainability, buffs, and escape tools that other classes possess, especially at low levels.
5. Can Warriors learn to use guns in WoW Classic?
Yes, Human warriors can use guns. Go to the Military District in Ironforge to find the Timberland Arms shop to train in the Guns skill.
6. Can Warriors use bows in WoW Classic?
Yes, Warriors can learn to use bows from a weapon trainer in an appropriate major city.
7. Can a Warrior dual-wield in WoW Classic?
Yes, Warriors learn dual-wield at level 20, but that is for one-hand and off-hand weapons only. To dual-wield two-handed weapons, the earliest level you can start is level 60, by putting every talent point into your Fury spec tree.
8. What is the most powerful class in Classic WoW?
The classes of Hunter and Mage are considered to be the most powerful in Classic Hardcore leveling, as they have the ability to efficiently kill mobs while also maintaining a high level of safety with minimal risk involved.
9. What is the best solo Warrior spec in WoW Classic?
While leveling, it is recommended to play as Arms, as both damage dealt and taken are more consistent. While Fury can provide more DPS, it also takes more damage, which makes leveling more dangerous.
10. Can Arms Warriors tank in Classic?
Yes, Arms is capable of tanking dungeons, especially max-level dungeons due to the higher multi-target damage.
11. Can Warriors use fist weapons in Classic?
Yes, Warriors can dual wield fist weapons if they can dual wield normally.
12. Can Warriors use staves in WoW Classic?
Yes, Warriors can learn to use staves from a Weapon Master.
13. Is Fury better than Arms in WoW Classic?
Fury Warrior achieved 2.65% more maximum boss DPS than Arms Warrior when dealing with occasional movement, lag and crowd-control. However, Fury has a slightly higher skill cap, and takes more damage, making it more dangerous to play solo.
14. How do Warriors generate rage in Classic?
Dealing damage to enemies by regular melee attacks generates rage, based on damage dealt. Also, Shield Specialization (protection talent) can generate 2 rage every time the warrior blocks.
15. What is the best race for Warriors in Classic?
Orc is considered the best race for PvE and PvP. Tauren have a range advantage that makes them great for PvP. Troll and Undead are slightly behind but have unique perks. Humans often benefit from weapon specialization.