!A fantasy orc warrior wielding a massive glowing two-handed axe

WoW Forever Beta Arms Warrior 2H DPS Guide

Arms Warrior is the 2H weapon DPS spec for Warriors in WoW Forever beta, with Mortal Strike, Slam, and Improved Execute. This guide covers talent build, rotation, gear, and best races.

For broader Warrior info, see our Warrior Guide, Fury Warrior, Protection Warrior, and Best Race for Each Class articles.

Quick summary: Best Arms Warrior race: Orc (Blood Fury + Axe Spec + Hardiness). Talent priority: Improved Heroic Strike → Mortal Strike → Two-Handed Weapon Spec. Rotation: Auto attacks + Mortal Strike + Slam + Execute. Stat priority: Strength > Hit > Crit > Agility.

Why Arms Warrior is strong

Strengths

• Mortal Strike (heavy damage + healing reduction)
• Slam (fast filler)
• Execute (high damage at low HP)
• Two-Handed Weapon Spec (massive 2H damage)
• Battle Shout (party AP buff)
• Bloodlust compatible (Horde Bloodlust, Alliance Heroism)

Weaknesses

• Slow rage generation vs Fury
• Single-target focused (limited AoE)
• Slow leveling vs Fury
• No self-heals

Best races for Arms Warrior

S tier

Race	Faction	Why
Orc	Horde	Blood Fury + Axe Spec + Hardiness
Skyborne	Both	Wind Blessed + Elemental Insight

A tier

Race	Faction	Why
Tauren	Horde	Endurance + War Stomp
Human	Alliance	Sword Spec + Spirit scaling

B tier

Race	Faction	Why
Troll	Horde	Berserking + Beast Slaying
Undead	Horde	Will of the Forsaken
Dwarf	Alliance	Stoneform + Mace Spec

Verdict: Orc for Axe Spec + Blood Fury + Hardiness (anti-stun), Skyborne for Wind Blessed + Elemental Insight.

Talent build (level 10-30)

Tier 1: Core Arms talents

1. Improved Heroic Strike (3/3) — +damage
2. Deflection (5/5) — +parry
3. Improved Rend (3/3) — +Rend damage

Tier 2: Damage boosts

1. Improved Charge (2/2) — +rage on Charge
2. Mortal Strike (1/1) — major damage spell
3. Tactical Mastery (5/5) — +rage on stance switch
4. Improved Overpower (2/2) — +Overpower damage

Tier 3: Advanced talents

1. Deep Wounds (3/3) — +DoT on crit
2. Two-Handed Weapon Specialization (5/5) — +damage with 2H
3. Improved Slam (2/2) — -rage cost
4. Improved Mortal Strike (5/5) — +Mortal Strike damage
5. Sword Spec (5/5) — +sword crit (if using sword)

Endgame (level 30+)

1. Improved Execute (5/5) — +Execute damage
2. Blade Storm (1/1) — AoE burst (level 30+)
3. Improved Berserker Rage (2/2) — +Berserker Rage
4. Wrecking Crew (5/5) — +crit damage
5. Anger Management (3/3) — rage regen
6. Death Wish (1/1) — major CD (level 30+)

Rotation (level 20)

Standard Arms rotation

1. Battle Shout (party AP buff)
2. Auto attacks (main damage source)
3. Mortal Strike on cooldown (heavy damage + healing reduction)
4. Rend (DoT, maintain)
5. Slam (filler)
6. Execute (below 20% HP)
7. Heroic Strike queue (extra rage dump)

Opener (raid)

1. Charge (gap close + rage)
2. Battle Shout (party)
3. Rend (DoT for sustained damage)
4. Mortal Strike on cooldown
5. Slam filler
6. Heroic Strike queue

Execute phase (boss below 20% HP)

1. Execute every GCD
2. Mortal Strike if proc
3. Slam filler
4. Heroic Strike queue
5. Rend maintain

Stat priority

Raid DPS

1. Strength (primary, attack power)
2. Hit (until 9% cap)
3. Crit (25%+ ideal, Deep Wounds scales)
4. Agility (some crit)
5. Stamina (survivability)

PvP

1. Stamina (survivability)
2. Strength (damage)
3. Hit (9% cap)
4. Resilience (when available)
5. Crit (burst)

Pre-bis gear checklist (level 20)

Slot	Best in slot	Source
Head	Lionheart Helm	Blackrock Depths (40+)
Shoulders	Slamshot Shoulders	Quest reward
Chest	Ironforge Breastplate	Ironforge Honored
Legs	Dark Iron Leggings	BRD (40+)
Boots	Mithril Boots	BS crafting
Weapon (2H)	Tharsh Blade	Hall of Thanes
Trinket	Excavator’s Trowel	Brogdul rare drop

PvP strategy

Offense

• Mortal Strike (heavy damage + healing reduction)
• Execute (high damage at low HP)
• Overpower (when available)
• Charge for gap close
• Hamstring for slow

Defense

• Defensive Stance (-10% damage taken)
• Shield Block (with shield equipped)
• Shield Wall (major CD)
• Last Stand (level 30+)
• Recklessness (+crit, level 30+)

Crowd control

• Hamstring (slow)
• Pummel (interrupt, with shield)
• Intimidating Shout (fear, 8 sec)
• Death Wish (level 30+, big CD)

Common Arms Warrior questions

Is Arms Warrior viable at level 20?

Yes — solid 2H DPS.

Which race is best for Arms Warrior?

Orc (Axe Spec + Blood Fury + Hardiness).

When does Death Wish unlock?

Level 30 (Phase 2).

Is Arms Warrior good for leveling?

Solid — Mortal Strike adds good sustained damage.

How much Strength at level 20?

~150 Strength is competitive.

Common Arms Warrior mistakes

Mistake	Cost	Fix
Forgetting Battle Shout	Lost party buff	Maintain before combat
Wasting Mortal Strike	Lost burst	Use on cooldown
Not maintaining Rend	Lost DoT	Refresh before expire
Standing in AoE	Death	Move out before combat

Phase 2 Arms Warrior preview

At level 30, Death Wish unlocks (major burst CD). Blade Storm adds AoE burst. Wrecking Crew further boosts crit damage. Improved Execute is the major execute talent.

Final verdict

Best Arms Warrior race: Orc (Axe Spec + Blood Fury + Hardiness)

Best Arms Warrior talents:

• Mortal Strike + Two-Handed Weapon Spec + Deep Wounds
• Improved Execute + Death Wish + Wrecking Crew

Best rotation: Mortal Strike + Slam + Rend + Execute

Whatever your race, Arms Warrior is a strong 2H DPS in WoW Forever. Mortal Strike + Execute = solid sustained damage.

For more Warrior info, see our Warrior Guide, Fury Warrior, Protection Warrior, and Best Race for Each Class articles.