Shield Specialization 1/5
Leveling 1–60
TankWarrior Protection Leveling Build
You decide where the enemies stand and keep them away from your group. Secure threat and prepare for heavy hits before looking for extra damage. Select your level in the calculator to see which talents the build takes by that point.
Talent order by levelTalent calculator ↓
View the full talent progression
Shield Specialization 5/5 · Improved Bloodrage 2/2 · Improved Thunder Clap 3/3 · Improved Revenge 1/3
Shield Specialization 5/5 · Improved Bloodrage 2/2 · Improved Thunder Clap 3/3 · Improved Revenge 3/3 · Last Stand 1/1 · Master of Defense 2/2 · Vanguard 1/1 · Defiance 3/3 · Concussion Blow 1/1
Shield Specialization 5/5 · Improved Bloodrage 2/2 · Improved Thunder Clap 3/3 · Improved Revenge 3/3 · Last Stand 1/1 · Master of Defense 2/2 · Vanguard 1/1 · Defiance 3/3 · Concussion Blow 1/1 · Anticipation 5/5 · Focused Rage 3/3 · Improved Sunder Armor 1/3 · Shield Slam 1/1
Shield Specialization 5/5 · Improved Bloodrage 2/2 · Improved Thunder Clap 3/3 · Improved Revenge 3/3 · Last Stand 1/1 · Master of Defense 2/2 · Vanguard 1/1 · Defiance 3/3 · Concussion Blow 1/1 · Anticipation 5/5 · Focused Rage 3/3 · Improved Sunder Armor 1/3 · Shield Slam 1/1 · Deflection 5/5 · Improved Heroic Strike 3/3 · Improved Charge 2/2
Shield Specialization 5/5 · Improved Bloodrage 2/2 · Improved Thunder Clap 3/3 · Improved Revenge 3/3 · Last Stand 1/1 · Master of Defense 2/2 · Vanguard 1/1 · Defiance 3/3 · Concussion Blow 1/1 · Anticipation 5/5 · Focused Rage 3/3 · Improved Sunder Armor 1/3 · Shield Slam 1/1 · Deflection 5/5 · Improved Heroic Strike 3/3 · Improved Charge 2/2 · Improved Tactical Mastery 3/3 · Anger Management 1/1 · Improved Overpower 2/2 · Improved Rend 3/3 · Deep Wounds 1/3
Interactive talent calculator
Choose your level to see the points assigned so far. Change them if you like, then share your build with a link.
Core talents
- Level 23: Last Stand
- Level 26: Vanguard
- Level 30: Concussion Blow
- Level 40: Shield Slam
- Level 54: Anger Management
Playstyle and rotation
Leveling priority
- Build threat with Bloodrage and Thunder Clap.
- Use Revenge immediately after a block or dodge.
- Prioritize Shield Slam and save defensive abilities for damage spikes.
Important notes
A current shield and a fast one-handed weapon are essential for pace and safety.
Racial abilities for your class
- Human · Ruthless
Increases spell and ability critical strike chance by 1%, regardless of weapon type.
- Human · The Human Spirit
Increases Spirit by 10%.
- Dwarf · Artisan’s Precision
Increases hit chance with spells and attacks by 1%.
- Orc · Blood Fury
Increases attack power and spell power by 10% for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
- Orc · Command
Increases damage dealt by Hunter and Warlock pets by 5%.
- Undead · Touch of the Grave
Damaging spells and attacks can drain Health. Proc chance: 30% for casters, 20% for Paladins, Rogues and Warriors; internal cooldown 15 seconds. Does not scale with Shadow-damage increases.
- Tauren · Plainsrunning
Movement speed rises by 2% per 5 seconds moving, up to 60%. Damage or standing still reduces the effect. Does not increase mounted speed.
- Tauren · Endurance
Increases total Health by 5%.
- Troll · Berserking
Increases spell casting and attack speed by 10% for 15 seconds.
- Skyborne · Read Ley Line
Alliance: increases Health and Mana regeneration by 50% for 15 seconds. Using it at a leyline grants Attuned for 1 hour, raising the bonus to 100%. Attuned persists through death. Cannot be used during Innervate; Innervate replaces the effect. Castable while moving. Removed on entering a raid.
- Skyborne · Skysight
Horde: increases movement speed by 15% for 15 seconds. Using it at an elemental convergence grants Charged for 1 hour, raising the bonus to 30%. Charged persists through death. Castable while moving. Removed on entering a raid.
- Skyborne · Wind Blessed
Increases melee, ranged and spell haste by 2%.