Tank Rotation & Cooldowns
This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Protection Warrior, along with additional details on important cooldowns at the bottom. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.0.5).
Single Target
Start with Taunt followed by Charge.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use to engage the target.
- Cast as you Charge.
- Maintain up as much as possible.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use with Booming Voice talent.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use when it procs.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use when it procs again.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use if Rage allows.
- Use if target is above Execute health threshold.
Maintain Ravager and Avatar on cooldown, followed by Shield Block and Shield Slam. Use Demoralizing Shout with Booming Voice and prioritize Thunder Blast when it procs.
AoE
For AoE, prioritize gaining Threat on multiple enemies.
- Use on cooldown.
- Engage multiple targets.
- Cast as you Charge.
- Maintain up as much as possible.
- Use with Booming Voice talent.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use when it procs.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use when it procs again.
- Use to spread Deep Wounds.
In AoE, start with Ravager and Charge, then maintain Shield Block and Demoralizing Shout. Use Thunder Blast when it procs and prioritize Revenge to spread damage.
Cooldowns
Use cooldowns strategically based on the encounter.
- Use as an emergency cooldown or preemptively for damage spikes.
- Use during high damage phases.
- Use on cooldown for damage reduction.
- Use to reflect spells or as a magic damage reduction.
- Use to block spells and reduce damage.
Prioritize Last Stand for emergencies, Shield Wall during high damage, and Demoralizing Shout on cooldown. Use Spell Reflection and Spell Block wisely.