Midnight S1
Melee DPS

Warrior — Arms

Arms is a deliberate Rage-spending melee built around Colossus Smash, Mortal Strike, Overpower, and Execute. Slayer is the dependable raid and Mythic+ default, while Colossus rewards a prepared Demolish window.

World of Warcraft: Midnight · Season 1

Guide contents
Spec briefing

How Arms Warrior wins

Arms is a deliberate Rage-spending melee built around Colossus Smash, Mortal Strike, Overpower, and Execute. Slayer is the dependable raid and Mythic+ default, while Colossus rewards a prepared Demolish window.

Role
Melee DPS
Stat lead
Item Level / Strength then Critical Strike
Single target
Slayer
Cleave / AoE
Slayer
Patch 12.0.7Updated Aug 2, 2026

Strong when

Plan around

  • Burst tied to Colossus Smash windows
  • Rage flow management
  • Ramp on target swaps
Character setup

Stat priority and consumables

Item level and effect strength still matter. Use this ordering to break close choices, then re-check it after major gear swaps.

  1. 1.Item Level / Strength
  2. 2.Critical Strike
  3. 3.Haste
  4. 4.Mastery
  5. 5.Versatility

Weapon damage and Strength make item level the first filter. Critical Strike is the usual leading secondary, followed by Haste, then Mastery and Versatility. Secondary weights move with hero tree, target count, and tier, so sim rings, necks, trinkets, and same-item-level weapons.

Racials

Race choices that change a real decision

Throughput differences are small; utility can win the pull.
Taurenthroughput
Brawn

Current Horde throughput default. Brawn improves critical-strike damage, and War Stomp adds a reliable pack stop when its cast time is safe.

Dwarfutility
Stoneform

One of the best Alliance choices. Might of the Mountain supports the Crit profile, while Stoneform removes dangerous poison, disease, curse, magic, and bleed effects.

Void Elfutility
Spatial Rift

A top Alliance alternative. Spatial Rift gives planned displacement and Preternatural Calm prevents damage from delaying casts such as Demolish.

Orcthroughput
Blood Fury

Blood Fury is easy to align with Avatar and Colossus Smash. Hardiness also matters in stun-heavy PvP.

Trollthroughput
Berserking

A controllable Haste cooldown for burst and Execute windows. The total PvE race spread remains small enough that execution wins more damage.

Dark Iron Dwarfutility
Fireblood

Fireblood turns a broad self-dispel into Strength, making it excellent whenever a removable mechanic lines up with a damage window.

Consumables

Flasks, food, potions, weapon oils, and runes for this build.

7 rows
FoodQuel'dorei MedleyAlternatives: Silvermoon ParadeDefault highest-secondary-stat feast.Feast alternativeSilvermoon ParadeUse when your group provides it.FlaskFlask of the Shattered SunCurrent Arms damage flask.Combat potionPotion of RecklessnessUse inside an Avatar and Colossus Smash window. Hold it for Execute only when doing so will not lose a second potion.Health potionSilvermoon Health PotionIndependent emergency heal; carry it alongside Impending Victory.Weapon oilThalassian Phoenix OilTwo-hour Critical Strike and Haste weapon coating.Augment runeVoid-Touched Augment RuneUse for progression and high keys.
Combat

Opener and priority

Use these as decision priorities, not a rigid cast sequence. Re-evaluate whenever targets, resources, procs, or mechanics change.

Core principles

  • Stay in melee: auto-attacks are the main source of Rage. Use Charge and Heroic Leap to recover uptime, not merely because the movement buttons are available.
  • Build each Colossus Smash window before pressing it. Enter with enough Rage and the relevant hero-tree resource so Bladestorm or Demolish, Heroic Strike, and Mortal Strike actually fit.
  • Use Slayer as the default. Colossus gains value only when Ravager can connect, Colossal Might is prepared, and Demolish can finish before movement or target death.
  • Change modes by target count: Sweeping Strikes at two targets, Cleave at three or more durable targets, and never spend AoE globals on targets that will die before they pay back.
SlayerDefault raid and Mythic+ tree with Bladestorm, Reap the Storm, and frequent Execute pressure.

Single-target priority

  1. 1.Rend - apply once and refresh with less than five seconds remaining
  2. 2.Avatar - with Colossus Smash unless a brief delay loses a cast
  3. 3.Colossus Smash - when the burst globals can connect
  4. 4.Bladestorm - inside Colossus Smash
  5. 5.Heroic Strike - when Apex Master of Warfare transforms Slam
  6. 6.Execute - on Sudden Death
  7. 7.Mortal Strike - on cooldown, especially with its setup buffs
  8. 8.Overpower - build Mortal Strike value and avoid charge capping
  9. 9.Slam - only when no higher-priority action is ready

AoE priority

  1. 1.Rend - on the priority target; spread only to targets that live
  2. 2.Avatar - into the durable part of the pull
  3. 3.Colossus Smash - on the priority target
  4. 4.Sweeping Strikes - at exactly two targets and only when no charges are already active
  5. 5.Bladestorm - inside Colossus Smash
  6. 6.Execute - on Sudden Death against the priority target
  7. 7.Cleave - at three or more targets
  8. 8.Mortal Strike - with Battlelord or when Cleave is not appropriate
  9. 9.Overpower - avoid charge capping
  10. 10.Slam - single-target filler only

Opener

  1. 1.Charge the boss and apply Rend.
  2. 2.Use Avatar with Colossus Smash once you are in melee and the full window can connect.
  3. 3.Cast Bladestorm inside Colossus Smash.
  4. 4.Spend an available Heroic Strike proc, then Mortal Strike.
  5. 5.Use Overpower between Mortal Strikes and take Sudden Death Execute immediately unless doing so would break a higher-value Smash global.
ColossusEncounter-specific alternative built around Ravager, Colossal Might, and completing Demolish inside Colossus Smash.

Single-target priority

  1. 1.Rend - apply once and refresh with less than five seconds remaining
  2. 2.Ravager - immediately before Colossus Smash so it benefits from the window
  3. 3.Avatar - with Colossus Smash
  4. 4.Colossus Smash - with enough Colossal Might for Demolish
  5. 5.Demolish - complete the channel inside Colossus Smash
  6. 6.Heroic Strike - when transformed by Apex Master of Warfare
  7. 7.Mortal Strike - on cooldown
  8. 8.Execute - on Sudden Death
  9. 9.Overpower - build Colossal Might and Mortal Strike value
  10. 10.Slam - filler when nothing else is ready

AoE priority

  1. 1.Rend - on the priority target
  2. 2.Ravager - where the pack will remain
  3. 3.Avatar - with Colossus Smash
  4. 4.Colossus Smash - press before manual Sweeping Strikes when Broad Strokes is selected
  5. 5.Demolish - inside Colossus Smash while targets are stable
  6. 6.Cleave - at three or more targets; Crushing Combo can raise its priority
  7. 7.Sweeping Strikes - at two targets after generated charges are spent
  8. 8.Mortal Strike - priority target
  9. 9.Overpower - build Colossal Might and avoid charge capping
  10. 10.Execute - on Sudden Death or in execute range

Opener

  1. 1.Charge and apply Rend.
  2. 2.Place Ravager where the boss will remain.
  3. 3.Use Avatar and Colossus Smash with Colossal Might prepared.
  4. 4.Complete Demolish inside the Colossus Smash debuff.
  5. 5.Resume Mortal Strike and Overpower priority, spending Heroic Strike procs without Rage capping.

Pre-combat checks

  • Apply Battle Shout and select Battle Stance.
  • Use Quel'dorei Medley or Silvermoon Parade, Flask of the Shattered Sun, Thalassian Phoenix Oil, and a Void-Touched Augment Rune for progression.
  • Verify the encounter talent import, four-piece tier, and the correct on-use trinket before the ready check.
  • Place Charge, Heroic Leap, Pummel, Defensive Stance, Spell Reflection, and Die by the Sword where they remain usable while strafing.

Major cooldowns

Colossus Smash

  • Use it frequently enough to avoid losing casts, but enter with the Rage and setup required for the next Bladestorm or Demolish sequence.
  • The four-piece can extend the debuff through Mortal Strike and three-target Cleave, so watch the live timer rather than memorizing a fixed number of globals.

Avatar

  • Align with Colossus Smash by default. A short hold is valid for targets or an amplification phase, but losing an entire Avatar is worse than imperfect overlap.

Bladestorm

  • Slayer only. Use inside Colossus Smash for single target and against the durable portion of a pack.
  • Do not start it when a soak, stop, interrupt, or forced movement will immediately cancel its value.

Ravager and Demolish

  • Colossus only. Ravager goes down immediately before Colossus Smash, then Demolish completes inside the debuff.
  • Skip or delay Demolish when the target will leave range, die, or force movement before the channel finishes.

Defensive toolkit

  • Use Spell Reflection on reflectable magic, Defensive Stance before predictable raid damage, and Die by the Sword for lethal physical pressure.
  • Impending Victory is active recovery. Rallying Cry is a group cooldown and should follow the raid or key assignment, not personal panic.

Advanced tips

Execute phase

  • Heroic Strike remains high priority when Apex Master of Warfare transforms Slam.
  • Use Mortal Strike with two Executioner's Precision stacks and Colossus Smash active.
  • Use Execute above roughly 70 Rage or before Executioner's Precision would fall; use Overpower below that point to avoid starving the next Mortal Strike.

Broad Strokes charge discipline

  • Broad Strokes grants Sweeping Strikes from Colossus Smash, and generated charges do not stack with manual charges.
  • Press Colossus Smash first, spend the generated cleave, then use manual Sweeping Strikes only when another full two-target window remains.

Cooldown holds

  • Do not hold a cooldown longer than about 10 to 15 percent of its recharge unless the delay adds targets, reaches a damage-amplification window, or is the final use of the fight.
  • In Mythic+, target lifetime decides the hold. A perfect burst package into a nearly dead pack is worse than opening the next durable pull with every button ready.
Build

Talents and hero trees

Use Slayer for the single-target profile below and Slayer when cleave or adds make its toolkit more valuable.

Recommended starting profiles

Single-target: Slayer

Slayer is the default single-target starting point; Colossus is the Demolish alternative when the full channel can connect.

  • Slayer hero tree
  • Stat priority: Item Level / Strength > Critical Strike
  • Interrupt: Pummel

Multi-target: Slayer

Slayer adds Slayer's Dominance and Reap the Storm for stronger cleave and sustained AoE.

  • Slayer hero tree
  • Prioritize AoE and add-swap talents
  • Interrupt: Pummel

Verified import strings

Start with the profile matching your content. Boss and dungeon tabs in the gear section show the exact loadout used for each ranked result.

Open talent calculator

Slayer - Raid single target

Default raid starting point with Bladestorm, Reap the Storm, and strong Execute pressure.

SlayerBladestormReap the StormExecutioner's PrecisionPowerful Momentum
In-game import string
CcEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAzMzsMz8AzMDAAAghphZYGbLzMzMDzYmBAAAAwMLzMgMGbLDsAGwMMhMD2AzMYMzgZMAzMAMjhB
Open in talent calculator →Raid BiS equipment ↓

Slayer - Two-target cleave

Council and durable two-target profile that converts Sweeping Strikes uptime into boss damage.

SlayerSweeping StrikesCleaveBladestormPowerful Momentum
In-game import string
CcEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAzMzsMz8AzMDAAAghphZYGbLzMzMDzYmBAAAAwMLzMwWGjtlBWADYGmQmBbgZGMmBmxAMzAwMGGA
Open in talent calculator →Raid BiS equipment ↓

Slayer - Mythic+ and AoE

Default key profile for Cleave, repeated pack burst, and Slayer proc flow.

SlayerCleaveBladestormCrushing ComboReap the Storm
In-game import string
CcEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgZmZmFzMzYGAAAghphZYmZbZmZmZYGzMAAAAAGLmB2iZstMwCYAzwEyMYDYGMGMbmtBYmBgZmhB
Open in talent calculator →Live Mythic+ gear →

Colossus - Raid single target

Alternative boss profile centered on Ravager, Colossal Might, and Demolish inside Colossus Smash.

ColossusRavagerDemolishColossal MightPrecise Might
In-game import string
CcEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAzMzsMzMzMDAAAghphZYGbLzMzMDzYmBAAAAwMmZAZGwmZMsBDMj2oxgFwMDGjBzYwMDAYGDD
Open in talent calculator →Raid BiS equipment ↓

Colossus - Two-target cleave

Uses Broad Strokes and Demolish for two durable targets; avoid overlapping generated and manual Sweeping Strikes charges.

ColossusBroad StrokesSweeping StrikesRavagerDemolish
In-game import string
CcEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAzMzsMzMzMDAAAghphZYGbLzMzMDzYmBAAAAwwMDslZAbmxwGMwMajGDWAzMYMGMjBzMAgZMMA
Open in talent calculator →Raid BiS equipment ↓

Colossus - Mythic+ and AoE

Demolish-focused pack profile with Cleave and Crushing Combo for targets that live through the setup.

ColossusDemolishCleaveCrushing ComboBroad Strokes
In-game import string
CcEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgZmxsMzMzYGAAAghphZYmZbZmZmZYGzMAAAAAGbmB2iBsZGDLwAzoNaMYBYGMGMbmtBzMAgZmhB
Open in talent calculator →Live Mythic+ gear →

Complete talent reference

Every class, specialization, and hero-tree talent from Blizzard game data. Active and choice talents stay open; passive nodes remain searchable and expand on demand.

Build a custom loadout
Talent type

Warrior class tree

Shared class talents, including throughput, control, defensives, and movement.

44 of 44 shown

Active and choice talents

Battle StanceActiveA balanced combat state that increases the critical strike chance of your abilities by 3% and reduces the duration of movement impairing effects by 10%. Lasts until canceled.Defensive StanceActiveA defensive combat state that reduces all damage you take by 15% and all damage you deal by 10%. Lasts until canceled.Thunder ClapActiveBlasts all enemies within 8 yards for 81 Physical damage and reduces their movement speed by 20% for 10 sec. Deals reduced damage beyond 5 targets. If you know Rend, inflicts Rend on all targets.Impending VictoryActiveInstantly attack the target, causing 20 damage and healing you for 30% of your maximum health. Killing an enemy that yields experience or honor resets the cooldown of Impending Victory and makes it cost no Rage.Heroic LeapActiveLeap through the air toward a target location, slamming down with destructive force to deal 8 Physical damage to all enemies within 8 yards.Storm BoltActiveHurls your weapon at an enemy, causing 10 Physical damage and stunning for 4 sec.RendActiveLash out with your weapon, striking all targets within 10 yds for 91 Physical damage instantly and wounding them for an additional 74 Bleed damage over 15 sec.InterveneChoiceRun at high speed toward an ally, intercepting all melee and ranged attacks against them for 6 sec while they remain within 10 yds.InterposeChoiceRun at high speed toward a target location near your allies, taking 30% of all damage dealt to allies within 3 yards for 8 sec or until you take at least 6,110 damage from this effect.ShockwaveActiveSends a wave of force in a frontal cone, causing 7 damage and stunning all enemies within 10 yards for 2 sec.Rallying CryActiveLets loose a rallying cry, granting all party or raid members within 40 yards 10% temporary and maximum health for 10 sec. Health granted increased by 50% when not in a raid.Spell ReflectionActiveRaise your weapon, reflecting the first spell cast on you and reducing magic damage you take by 20% for 5 sec.Wrecking ThrowChoiceHurl your weapon at the enemy, causing 207 Physical damage, ignoring armor. Deals up to 500% increased damage to absorb shields. Shattering ThrowChoiceHurl your weapon at the enemy, removing any magical immunities and causing 213 Physical damage, ignoring armor. Deals up to 500% increased damage to absorb shields.Berserker ShoutChoiceGo berserk, removing and granting immunity to Fear, Sap, and Incapacitate effects for 6 sec. Also remove fear effects from group members within 12 yds.FearlessChoiceCooldown of Berserker Rage is reduced by 50% and Berseker Rage removes all movement speed-impairing effects.Intimidating ShoutChoiceCauses the targeted enemy to cower in fear while all enemies within 8 yards flee from you and their movement speed is reduced by 70% for 8 sec. Damage may cancel the effect.Piercing HowlChoiceSnares all enemies within 12 yards, reducing their movement speed by 70% for 8 sec. Spurs all allies within 6 yards, increasing their movement speed by 30% for 4 sec.Champion's SpearActiveThrow a spear at the target location, chaining all enemies in the area to the spear's location and dealing 84 Physical damage instantly and an additional 128 Physical damage over 6 sec. While the spear is active, activating this ability will cause you to leap to the spear, dealing 16 Physical damage to all targets. All damage dealt reduced beyond 5 targets. Generates 10 Rage.

Passive talents

Fast FootworkPassiveMovement speed increased by 5%.War MachinePassiveYour auto-attacks generate 10% more Rage. Killing an enemy instantly generates 5 Rage and increases your movement speed by 30% for 8 sec.Leeching StrikesPassiveLeech increased by 3%.Crackling ThunderPassiveThunder Clap's radius is increased by 50% and it reduces affected target's movement speed by an additional 20%.Second WindPassiveRestores 6% health every 1 sec when you have not taken damage for 5 sec. Restores 2% health every 1 sec while you are below 35% health. The amount restored increases the closer you are to death.Frothing BerserkerPassiveMortal Strike and Cleave have a 20% chance to immediately refund 10% of the Rage spent.Bounding StridePassiveReduces the cooldown of Heroic Leap by 15 sec and Heroic Leap also increases your movement speed by 70% for 3 sec.Pain and GainPassiveWhen you take any damage, heal for 2.0% of your maximum health. This can only occur once every 10 sec.Overwhelming RagePassiveMaximum Rage increased by 30.Field DressingPassiveHealing received increased by 3% and all self-healing increased by an additional 10%.Rumbling EarthPassiveShockwave's range increased by 6 yards and when it strikes at least 3 targets its cooldown is reduced by 15 sec.Honed ReflexesPassiveCooldown of Die By the Sword, Intervene, Interpose, Spell Reflection, Storm Bolt, and Pummel reduced by 10%. Successfully interrupting an enemy increases the damage you deal to them by 5% for 10 sec.Armored to the TeethPassive2 ranksGain Strength equal to 10% of your Armor.Double TimePassiveCharge gains 1 additional charge and its cooldown is reduced by 3 sec.Reinforced PlatesPassive2 ranksStamina increased by 10% and Armor increased by 10%.Barbaric TrainingPassiveSlam, Whirlwind, and Cleave deal 10% more damage and 5% increased critical strike damage.JavelineerPassiveRange of your thrown abilities is increased by 5 yards. Damage dealt by Champion's Spear, Shattering Throw, and Wrecking Throw increased by 20%. Shattering Throw and Wrecking Throw silence non-players for 3 sec.Resonant VoicePassiveThe effects of your shouts last 20% longer.Crushing ForcePassiveMortal Strike deals an additional 5% damage and deals 5% increased critical strike damage.Cruel StrikesPassive2 ranksCritical strike chance increased by 2% and critical strike damage of Execute increased by 10%. Two-Handed Weapon SpecializationPassive2 ranksWhile wielding two-handed weapons your damage is increased by 6% and damage taken from area of effect attacks is reduced by 4%.Wild StrikesPassive2 ranksHaste increased by 2% and your auto-attack critical strikes increase your auto-attack speed by 20% for 10 sec.Anger ManagementPassiveEvery 20 Rage you spend on attacks reduces the remaining cooldown on Avatar and Colossus Smash by 1 sec.Stance MasteryPassiveYour stances have additional effects. Battle Stance Increases the critical strike damage of your abilities by 3%. Defensive Stance When an attack deals 20% or more of your maximum health in damage, that damage is reduced by 15%.Battlefield CommanderPassiveYour Shout abilities have additional effects. Battle Shout: Grants you an additional 3% attack power. Rallying Cry: Grants an additional 2% health and duration increased by 3 sec. Piercing Howl: Radius increased by 100% Berserker Shout: Radius increased by 100%. Intimidating Shout: Cooldown reduced by 15 sec.

Arms specialization tree

Every Arms talent currently exposed by Blizzard game data.

43 of 43 shown

Active and choice talents

Mortal StrikeActiveA vicious strike that deals 185 Physical damage and reduces the effectiveness of healing on the target by 50% for 10 sec.OverpowerActiveOverpower the enemy, dealing 135 Physical damage. Cannot be blocked, dodged, or parried. Fueled by ViolenceChoiceYou are healed for 85% of the Bleed damage dealt by Rend and Deep Wounds.Ignore PainChoiceFight through the pain, ignoring 50% of damage taken for 12 sec or until 560 damage has been prevented.Die by the SwordActiveIncreases your parry chance by 100% and reduces all damage you take by 30% for 8 sec.Colossus SmashActiveSmash the ground and shatter the armor of all enemies within 10 yds, dealing 106 Physical damage and increasing damage you deal to them by 30% for 10 sec. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. Brute ForceChoiceSlam has a 10% increased chance to trigger Tactician.EfficiencyChoiceSlam's Rage cost is reduced by 25%.Just Warming UpChoiceColossus Smash generates 15 Rage.Broad StrokesChoiceColossus Smash grants you Sweeping Strikes.CleaveActiveStrikes all enemies in front of you for 90 Physical damage. Deals reduced damage beyond 5 targets.Improved Sweeping StrikesChoiceSweeping Strikes affects 6 additional damaging single-target abilities.Powerful MomentumChoiceSecondary targets take an additional 25% damage from Sweeping Strikes.Tactical EdgeChoiceColossus Smash causes your next 2 Mortal Strikes to have a 100% chance to trigger Tactician.Crushing ComboChoiceColossus Smash causes your next 2 Cleaves within 20 sec to trigger no cooldown.BladestormChoiceBecome an unstoppable storm of destructive force, striking all nearby enemies for 661 Physical damage over 5.4 sec. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. You are immune to movement impairing and loss of control effects, but can use defensive abilities and can avoid attacks. RavagerChoiceThrows a whirling weapon at your target that chases nearby enemies, inflicting 252 Physical damage to all enemies over 10.7 sec. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. Cleave and Whirlwind deal 50% increased damage while Ravager is activeAvatarActiveTransform into a colossus, increasing all damage you deal by 20% and reducing damage you take from area of effect attacks by 5% for 20 sec.Master of WarfareActiveYour single target melee abilities have a chance to upgrade Slam to Heroic Strike. All modifiers and talents that affect Slam also affect Heroic Strike.

Passive talents

Sudden DeathPassiveYour attacks have a chance to make your next Execute cost no Rage, be usable on any target regardless of their health, and deal damage as if you spent 40 Rage.BloodsurgePassiveDamage from Rend has a chance to generate 5 Rage.Improved OverpowerPassiveOverpower has 2 charges and deals 15% more damage.Improved ExecutePassiveExecute no longer has a cooldown and if your foe survives, 10% of the Rage spent is refunded.Fervor of BattlePassiveIf Cleave or Whirlwind hits 3 or more targets you also Slam your primary target. This Slam deals 50% additional damage.TacticianPassiveYou have a 30% chance to gain a charge of Overpower when you use an attack that has a Rage cost. This effect applies even if that ability's Rage cost has been reduced to zero.ImpalePassiveCritical strike damage of your abilities is increased by 10%.Overpowering FinishPassiveOverpower deals 15% additional damage to targets below 35% health. Strength of ArmsPassive2 ranksOverpower and Slam damage increased by 10% and critical strike damage increased by 10%. Critical strike chance of Slam and Overpower increased by 10%.Sharpened BladesPassive2 ranksMortal Strike, Cleave, and Execute damage increased by 10% and critical strike damage increased by 10%.Martial ProwessPassiveOverpower and Slam increase the damage of your next Mortal Strike by 5%, stacking up to 3 times.DreadnaughtPassiveOverpower causes a seismic wave, dealing 24 damage to all enemies in a 10 yd line. Deals reduced damage beyond 5 targets.Deep WoundsPassiveExecute inflicts Deep Wounds on the target. Deep Wounds Causes the target to suffer 50 Bleed damage over 6 sec. If this effect is reapplied, any remaining damage will be added to the new Deep Wounds.MassacrePassiveExecute is usable on targets below 35% health. Mass ExecutionPassiveCleave and Whirlwind deal 20% additional damage to targets below 35% health.Collateral DamagePassiveWhen an ability used during Sweeping Strikes damages a second target, your next Cleave or Whirlwind deals 25% increased damage, stacking up to 3 times.BloodbornePassive2 ranksYour Bleed effects deal 10% increased damage and 10% increased critical strike damage.Critical ThinkingPassive2 ranksExecute critical strike chance increased by 10% and Execute immediately refunds an additional 20% of the Rage spent.BattlelordPassiveOverpower has a 35% chance to reset the cooldown of Mortal Strike and reduce the cost of your next Mortal Strike by 33%.BloodlettingPassiveRend and Deep Wounds' Bleed effects last 33% longer and have a 5% increased critical strike chance. If you know Rend, Mortal Strike inflicts Rend on targets below 35% health. Executioner's PrecisionPassiveExecute increases the damage of your next Mortal Strike by 35%, stacking up to 2 times.FatalityPassiveMortal Strike has a 50% chance to apply a Fatal Mark to your target, stacking up to 5 times. Your next Execute on a target with a Fatal Mark causes the Fatal Mark to deal 96 additional Physical damage per stack.Master TacticianPassiveTactician has a 5% increased chance to trigger.Mortal WoundsPassiveMortal Strike and Slam critical strikes inflict Deep Wounds at 100% effectiveness. Deep Wounds Causes the target to suffer 50 Bleed damage over 6 sec. If this effect is reapplied, any remaining damage will be added to the new Deep Wounds.

Slayer

Slayer hero talents, including every active, choice, and passive node exposed by Blizzard.

17 of 17 shown

Active and choice talents

Culling CycloneChoiceEach strike of Bladestorm deals an additional 20% damage evenly split across all targets.Brutal FinishChoiceYour next Mortal Strike after Bladestorm ends deals 50% additional damage.Fierce FollowthroughChoiceMortal Strike critical strikes increase the damage of your next Mortal Strike by 20%. OpportunistChoiceWhen Overpower has its cooldown reset by Tactician, your next Overpower deals 10% additional damage and 10% additional critical damage. Stacking up to 2 times.Relentless PursuitChoiceCharge increases your movement speed by 70% for 3 sec. Charge removes all movement impairing effects, this effect cannot occur more than once every 30 sec. Vicious AgilityChoiceHeroic Leap reduces the cooldown of Charge by 5 sec and Charge reduces the cooldown of Heroic Leap by 2 sec.

Passive talents

Show No MercyPassiveExecutioner also increases your Execute critical strike chance and critical strike damage by 3% per stack.Imminent DemisePassiveEvery 3 Slayer's Strikes you gain Sudden Death. Using Sudden Death accelerates your next Bladestorm, striking 1 additional time (max 3). Bladestorm's total duration is unchanged. Sudden Death has a 100% chance to trigger Reap the Storm at 100% effectiveness.Slayer's MalicePassiveOverpower and Execute damage increased by 15%.Reap the StormPassiveWhen Cleave hits 3 or more targets you have a 20% chance to unleash a flurry of steel, striking all nearby enemies for 271 Physical damage and applying Overwhelmed. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. Overwhelming BladesPassiveEach strike of Bladestorm applies Overwhelmed to all enemies affected, increasing damage you deal to them by 1% for 20 sec, max 5 stacks.Death DrivePassiveYou heal for 15% of damage dealt by Sudden Death.Slayer's DominancePassiveYour attacks against your primary target have a 15% chance to overwhelm their defenses and trigger a Slayer's Strike, dealing 295 Physical damage and granting you a stack of Executioner, increasing your Execute damage by 3% for 12 sec. Multiple stacks of Executioner may overlap.Unrelenting OnslaughtPassiveUsing Sudden Death causes you to both reduce the cooldown of Bladestorm by 5 sec and apply 1 stack of Overwhelmed to your primary target per stack of Executioner you have. You can use Pummel and Storm Bolt while Bladestorming. Bladestorm damage increased by 20%.UnhingedPassiveEvery 2 strikes of Bladestorm, you automatically cast a Mortal Strike at your target or random nearby enemy, dealing 100% of normal damage. Deadly FocusPassiveExecutioner's duration is increased by 6 sec.Violent EuphoriaPassiveBladestorm puts you into a battle trance, granting you 15% haste for 8 sec after you stop Bladestorming.

Mountain Thane

Mountain Thane hero talents, including every active, choice, and passive node exposed by Blizzard.

18 of 18 shown

Active and choice talents

Gathering CloudsChoiceYour attacks trigger Lightning Strikes 30% more often.Thorim's MightChoiceLightning Strikes generate 3 Rage. Raging Blow and Execute damage increased by 25%.Flashing SkiesChoiceThunder Blast calls down a Lightning Strike on an enemy it hits.Snap InductionChoiceActivating Recklessness grants a charge of Thunder Blast.Keep Your Feet on the GroundChoicePhysical damage taken reduced by 2%. Thunder Blast reduces damage you take by 8% for 5 sec.Steadfast as the PeaksChoiceStamina increased by 5%. Victory Rush increases your maximum health by 10% for 5 sec. When this health increase expires, you heal for any amount of the original Victory Rush that healed you in excess of your full health.Storm BoltsChoiceStorm Bolt also hits 2 additional nearby targets, stunning them for 2 sec, but its cooldown is increased by 10 sec.Storm ShieldChoiceIntervening a target grants them a shield for 5 sec that absorbs magic damage equal to 3 times your Armor.

Passive talents

Thunder BlastPassiveShield Slam and Bloodthirst have a 35% chance to grant you Thunder Blast, stacking up to 2 charges. Thunder Blast Your next Thunder Clap becomes a Thunder Blast that deals 70 Stormstrike damage and generates 2 Rage.Ground CurrentPassiveLightning Strikes also deal 15 Nature damage to enemies near their target. Damage reduced beyond 5 targets.Lightning StrikesPassiveDamaging enemies with Thunder Clap, Raging Blow, or Execute has a 25% chance to also strike one with a lightning bolt, dealing 54 Nature damage. Lightning Strikes occur 30% more often during Avatar.Avatar of the StormPassiveCasting Avatar grants you 2 charges of Thunder Blast and resets the cooldown of Thunder Clap. While Avatar is not active, Lightning Strikes have a 10% chance to grant you Avatar for 4 secs. Thunder Blast Your next Thunder Clap becomes a Thunder Blast that deals Stormstrike damage.Burst of PowerPassiveLightning Strikes have a 15% chance to make your next 2 Bloodthirsts have no cooldown.Strength of the MountainPassiveShield Slam damage increased by 15%. Bloodthirst and Rampage damage increased by 25%.Crashing ThunderPassiveStormstrike or Nature damage your abilities deal is increased by 5%. Stormstrike damage ignores Armor. Thunder Clap damage increased by 30%.CapacitancePassiveDuring Avatar, Thunder Blast extends Avatar's duration by 2.0 sec.ConductivityPassiveLightning Strike damage increased by 10% and critical strike damage increased by 10%.Storm SurgePassiveAvatar increases the damage of Thunder Clap by 50% and reduces its cooldown by 50%.

Colossus

Colossus hero talents, including every active, choice, and passive node exposed by Blizzard.

17 of 17 shown

Active and choice talents

BoneshakerChoiceShockwave's stun duration is increased by 1 sec and reduces the movement speed of affected enemies by 40% for 3 sec after the stun ends.EarthquakerChoiceShockwave also knocks enemies into the air and its cooldown is reduced by 5 sec.One Against ManyChoiceShockwave, Cleave, and Whirlwind deal 5% more damage per target affected up to 5.Arterial BleedChoiceColossal Might increases the damage of your Rend and Deep Wounds by 3% per stack. No Stranger to PainChoiceDamage prevented by each use of Ignore Pain is increased by 20%.Veteran VitalityChoiceWhen your health is brought below 35%, you gain a Second Wind, healing you for 12% of your max health over 2 sec. This effect cannot occur more than once every 60 sec.DemolishActiveUnleash a series of precise and powerful strikes against your target, dealing 804 damage to it, and 437 damage to enemies within 10 yds of it. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. While channeling Demolish, you take 10% less damage and are immune to stuns, knockbacks, and forced movement effects. You can block, parry, dodge, and use certain defensive abilities while channeling Demolish.

Passive talents

Dominance of the ColossusPassiveColossal Might stacks up to 10 times. If you would gain a stack of Colossal Might and are at max stacks, the cooldown of Demolish is reduced by 5 sec. Enemies affected by Demolish take up to 10% more damage from you and deal up to 10% less damage to you for 10 sec based on the number of stacks of Colossal Might consumed by Demolish.Precise MightPassiveMortal Strike critical strikes grant an additional stack of Colossal Might.Practiced StrikesPassiveMortal Strike and Slam damage increased by 25%. Cleave and Whirlwind damage increased by 15%.Mountain of Muscle and ScarsPassiveYou deal 5% more damage and take 5% less damage. Size increased by 5%.Tide of BattlePassiveColossal Might increases the damage of your Overpower by 3% per stack.Martial ExpertPassiveCritical strike damage of your abilities is increased by 10% and the amount of damage blocked by your critical blocks is increased by 20%.Colossal MightPassiveColossal Might increases damage dealt by your next Demolish by 5%, stacking up to 5 times. Mortal Strike grants a stack of Colossal Might and Cleave grants a stack of Colossal Might when it strikes 3 or more targets.Celeritous ConclusionPassiveDemolish's final strike grants 10% Haste for 10 sec and increases the critical strike chance of your next Mortal Strike by 100%.Cut to the BonePassiveMortal Strike critical strikes increase your Rend and Deep Wounds damage by 15% for 8 sec.DecimatorPassiveDemolish's final strike applies Deep Wounds to all targets at 100% effectiveness.
Gear

Boss and dungeon loadouts

Switch between raid and Mythic+ to inspect the top player for every available encounter: exact talents, source link, item level, enchant and socket counts, and the player's gear.

Loading verified raid results

Pulling the top Warcraft Logs result, exact talents, and equipment for each boss.

Editorial acquisition targets

Use these slot targets when planning drops and crafted pieces. The encounter explorer above remains the source for the exact gear worn by each ranked player.

Raid acquisition targets

15 slots
Night Ender's Tusks
Head
298
TierRune of Avoidance
Lightblinded Vanguard / Catalyst
Ribbon of Coiled Malice
Neck
298
Socketed raid neckPowerful Eversong Diamond
Fallen-King Salhadaar
Night Ender's Pauldrons
Shoulder
298
TierNature's Grace
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Adherent's Silken Shroud
Back
298
Crafted Crit / HasteDevouring BandingTailoring
Tailoring
Night Ender's Breastplate
Chest
298
TierMark of the Worldsoul
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Spellbreaker's Bracers
Wrist
298
Crafted Crit / HasteDevouring BandingBlacksmithing
Blacksmithing
Embergrove Grasps
Hands
298
Best non-tier hands
Windrunner Spire
Girdle of Devouring Rot
Waist
298
Raid BiS
Sporefall - Rotmire
Night Ender's Chausses
Legs
298
TierBlood Knight's Armor Kit
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Greaves of the Unformed
Feet
298
Raid BiSLynx's Dexterity
Chimaerus
Occlusion of Void
Finger
298
Crit profileZul'jin's Mastery
Nexus-Point Xenas
Sporecaller's Blooming Loop
Finger
298
Socketed raid ringZul'jin's MasteryFlawless Deadly Peridot
Sporefall - Rotmire
Gaze of the Alnseer
Trinket
298
Top raid trinket
Chimaerus
Heart of Ancient Hunger
Trinket
298
Top raid pairing
Vorasius
Alah'endal, the Dawnsong
Weapon
298
Two-handed raid BiSAcuity of the Ren'dorei
Midnight Falls

Mythic+ acquisition targets

15 slots
Night Ender's Tusks
Head
298
TierRune of Avoidance
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Barbed Ymirheim Choker
Neck
298
Socketed dungeon neckPowerful Eversong Diamond
Pit of Saron
Night Ender's Pauldrons
Shoulder
298
TierNature's Grace
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Adherent's Silken Shroud
Back
298
Crafted Crit / HasteDevouring BandingTailoring
Tailoring
Night Ender's Breastplate
Chest
298
TierMark of the Worldsoul
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Spellbreaker's Bracers
Wrist
298
Crafted Crit / HasteDevouring BandingBlacksmithing
Blacksmithing
Embergrove Grasps
Hands
298
Dungeon BiS
Windrunner Spire
Bent Gold Belt
Waist
298
Dungeon BiS
Pit of Saron
Night Ender's Chausses
Legs
298
TierBlood Knight's Armor Kit
Raid / Catalyst / Great Vault
Sabatons of Furious Revenge
Feet
298
Dungeon BiSLynx's Dexterity
Windrunner Spire
Occlusion of Void
Finger
298
Dungeon ringZul'jin's Mastery
Nexus-Point Xenas
Omission of Light
Finger
298
Dungeon ringZul'jin's Mastery
Nexus-Point Xenas
Heart of Wind
Trinket
298
Passive dungeon trinket
Windrunner Spire
Algeth'ar Puzzle Box
Trinket
298
Planned on-use burst
Algeth'ar Academy
Garfrost's Two-Ton Hammer
Weapon
298
Two-handed dungeon BiSAcuity of the Ren'dorei
Pit of Saron
Enhancements

Enchants

Choose enhancements after your equipment is settled. Secondary-stat enchant choices move with your current stat mix and the content you are preparing for.

Recommended enchants
7 recommendations
Rune of AvoidanceHelm - Default raid helm enchant. The empowered version is an optional outdoor upgrade.EnchantingNature's GraceShoulders - Current Arms shoulder enchant.InscriptionMark of the Worldsoul+50 Primary StatChest - Primary-stat chest enchant.EnchantingBlood Knight's Armor Kit+32 Agility or Strength - +16 ArmorLegs - Strength and Stamina plate DPS leg kit.LeatherworkingLynx's Dexterity+19 Avoidance - +232 StaminaBoots - Avoidance and Stamina for raid and keys.EnchantingZul'jin's Mastery+29 MasteryRings - Use on both rings for the current recommended setup; sim close alternatives.EnchantingAcuity of the Ren'doreiWeapon enchant - +53 Primary Stat for 15 sec when Might of the Void triggersWeapon - Default two-handed weapon enchant.Enchanting
Enhancements

Gems

Socket into the current stat priority, then re-check after major equipment swaps rather than treating a gem choice as permanent.

Recommended gems
5 recommendations
Powerful Eversong Diamond+23 Primary Stat - +0.15% critical strike effectiveness per unique Midnight gem colorUnique primary-stat diamond; gains critical-strike effectiveness from unique Midnight gem colors.JewelcraftingFlawless Deadly Peridot+16 Haste - +7 Critical StrikeCritical Strike color for the diamond spread.JewelcraftingFlawless Deadly Lapis+16 Versatility - +7 Critical StrikeCritical Strike color for the diamond spread.JewelcraftingFlawless Quick Garnet+16 Critical Strike - +7 HasteHaste color used to activate another unique diamond color.JewelcraftingFlawless Deadly Amethyst+16 Mastery - +7 Critical StrikeCritical Strike color for the diamond spread.Jewelcrafting
Crafting

Embellishments

Crafted effects are capped at two equipped embellishments. Lock these in only after deciding which crafted slots survive your next raid or Mythic+ upgrades.

Recommended embellishments
2 recommendations
Use two throughput embellishments once your crafted slots are settled.Devouring BandingTwo crafted armor pieces - Add Devouring Bolts to two crafted slots, commonly the low-stat-budget cloak and bracers. Re-sim when a Myth-track drop would replace either craft.Blacksmithing
Survival and control

Utility, defensives, and movement

Your Warrior toolkit is part of the rotation whenever it prevents lost uptime, lethal damage, or an enemy cast.

Defensives

Utility & CC

Movement

Rallying Cry is a raid-saving group health cooldown; Spell Reflection bounces targeted casts.

Interrupt: Pummel - grab a focus-interrupt macro on the Arms macros page.

Execution

Interface and macros

Use interface changes only when they expose a decision sooner: resources, procs, defensives, dispels, interrupts, and encounter assignments.

Rage and auto-attack uptime - Put Rage directly below the character and warn near cap. Arms gains most Rage from auto-attacks, so pair the bar with a swing or out-of-range indicator that exposes lost melee uptime.
Colossus Smash window - Show the target's Colossus Smash debuff with tenths of a second in its final two seconds. Demolish, Bladestorm, Mortal Strike, Heroic Strike, and potion decisions depend on this timer.
Mortal Strike setup - Track both Overpower charges, Battlelord, Martial Prowess, and Executioner's Precision stacks beside Mortal Strike. The display should answer whether Mortal Strike is ready and properly prepared.
Rend and Deep Wounds - Show Rend and Deep Wounds on enemy nameplates, with priority-target emphasis. Refresh Rend in its final five seconds instead of discovering the drop after a target swap.
Hero-tree resources - For Slayer, track Sudden Death, Reap the Storm, and Bladestorm cooldown. For Colossus, replace that space with Colossal Might stacks, Ravager, and Demolish readiness.
Two-target versus pack mode - Keep Sweeping Strikes charges and Cleave visible together. Two targets favor Sweeping Strikes; three or more durable targets make Cleave the repeatable spender.
Mobility and defensives - Keep Charge charges, Heroic Leap, Defensive Stance, Die by the Sword, Spell Reflection, Impending Victory, and Rallying Cry visible with cooldown text.
Enemy casts and group stops - Use readable nameplate cast bars with your Pummel assignment highlighted. Track Storm Bolt and Shockwave as utility stops, never as filler damage.

Cursor Heroic Leap

#showtooltip Heroic Leap
/cast [@cursor] Heroic Leap

Removes the targeting click. Keep a normal reticle version if an encounter requires exact placement rather than maximum reaction speed.

Mouseover Execute

#showtooltip Execute
/cast [@mouseover,harm,nodead][] Execute

Finishes a low-health add without dropping the boss target. The normal fallback remains your current hostile target.

Arena 1 Pummel

#showtooltip Pummel
/cast [@arena1,harm,nodead] Pummel

Direct arena-frame interrupt without changing your kill target. Duplicate this macro for arena2 and arena3.

Arena 1 Storm Bolt

#showtooltip Storm Bolt
/cast [@arena1,harm,nodead] Storm Bolt

Direct cross-control when Storm Bolt is selected. Duplicate for arena2 and arena3; do not use Storm Bolt as rotational damage.

Party 1 Intervene or Interpose

#showtooltip
/cast [known:Interpose,@party1,help,nodead] Interpose; [@party1,help,nodead] Intervene

Saves party1 without dropping your enemy target. Duplicate for party2 and keep the spell matching the class-tree choice.

Battle and Defensive Stance

#showtooltip
/cast [stance:2] Battle Stance; Defensive Stance

One button enters Defensive Stance when exposed and returns to Battle Stance when the danger ends. Confirm your stance index after any UI or macro reset.

Mouseover Shattering Throw

#showtooltip Shattering Throw
/cast [@mouseover,harm,nodead][] Shattering Throw

Uses the utility cast on a hostile mouseover without dropping your main target. Keep it only when the current build knows the spell.

Full addon guide →Arms macros →Keybind setups →
Execution review

What improves results

Self-review

Common mistakes

FAQ

6 quick answers

Which Arms hero tree should I start with?

Start with Slayer for raid and Mythic+. It is the most dependable 12.0.7 default for both single target and multitarget. Colossus is a valid encounter-specific alternative when Demolish can complete inside Colossus Smash and targets live through the setup.

What is the Arms stat priority?

Item level and Strength first, then Critical Strike, Haste, Mastery, and Versatility as a general PvE order. Sim same-item-level jewelry, trinkets, and weapons because the exact secondary weights move with build and gear.

When do I press Sweeping Strikes instead of Cleave?

Sweeping Strikes is the defining two-target button. At three or more durable targets, Cleave becomes the repeatable spender. Broad Strokes can generate Sweeping Strikes from Colossus Smash, so do not manually overcap those charges.

Should Storm Bolt be in the Arms opener?

No. Storm Bolt is crowd control, not a rotational damage button. Keep it available for a dangerous cast, assigned stop, or arena cross-control.

Which upgrades should I buy first?

Prioritize the best weapon, then the best trinkets, then secondary weapon and trinket alternatives. Four-piece tier is mandatory; the fifth tier piece is optional and should lose to a stronger non-tier slot when the set remains intact.

Which race is best for Arms?

Tauren is the current Horde throughput default, while Dwarf and Void Elf are the leading Alliance choices. The numerical spread is small: Stoneform, Fireblood, Spatial Rift, and War Stomp can decide more real pulls than a fractional sim lead.

Guide Updates

  1. Aug 2, 2026Rebuilt the 12.0.7 Arms guide with six current talent imports, complete raid and dungeon gear sets, item IDs, exact enchants, a four-color gem plan, current consumables, races, interface tracking, and direct-target macros.
  2. Aug 2, 2026Corrected the default hero-tree guidance to Slayer for both raid and Mythic+, while retaining Colossus alternatives for single target, cleave, and AoE.
  3. Aug 2, 2026Removed Storm Bolt from the damage opener and rewrote single-target, Execute, two-target, and three-plus-target priorities around current Midnight Rage and Colossus Smash rules.
Arena Talent Planning

Talents by enemy class

Pick an opponent to see the pressure your PvP build must answer. The baseline comes from this spec's current arena build when one is published.

Open full matchup guide
Their pressure

Grip setups, anti-caster pressure, and sustained melee uptime.

Talent focus

Mobility, anti-slow, and physical or magic mitigation.

Game plan

Keep an answer for grip-based isolation and do not spend movement before the Death Knight commits their control chain.

No reviewed PvP baseline is published for this spec yet. Use the live tree to apply the matchup focus above rather than treating a PvE build as an arena answer.

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