Leveling; dual-wield vs. two-handerFollow

First of all, I apologize if this is a topic around these parts. I went through RPZip's FAQ and two pages of topics, but was unable to find anything that answered my question.

My Warrior is currently level 46 with a DW Fury build. I know that leveling is to PvE what Battlegrounds are to PvP. Everything goes. However, I'm wondering if I'm using a downright silly build.

Is a 2H Fury build better for leveling than a DW Fury build? By better I mean faster kills and higher survivability. I know a lot of it probably has to do with weapons and current gear, but if we imagine that the gear is of equal quality. And if you're wondering what's wrong with dual-wield, I'm finding that I miss a lot against even low level mobs. I have 3/3 Precision and still miss a lot, even with the main hand.

On another note, what weapon specialization (and weapon type) should I go with once I hit level 70 and respec to Arms/Fury? I'll most likely be grinding Battlegrounds for the S1 gear and I'm considering going down the path of blacksmithing to (eventually) get the Stormherald.

Is the stun and rage generation from Mace Specialization better than the chance to get an extra attack? Or should I forget about stuns, the Stormherald and all that jazz, and go with Sword Specialization and the S1 sword instead for max lulz with a Shaman Windfury slave (when I can get my hands on one)?

Actually... if you're planning to get into PvP, you shouldn't be worried about your smithing specialization at all.

The thing is... swords or even axe are the way to go for PvE, and the weapons you can make are just right for that.

If at some point you decide to focus more on PvE rather than PvP, you'll be sitting on a mace that's inferior to the other two, if for nothing else the way sword or axe specialization work.

I suggest you pick something else other than hammer smith, and use your sword or axe to grind up the honor for the PvP weapon of your choice. Season 2 items will be available for honor in another week or two, and sadly enough they're equal in DPS to the last tier of crafted weapons - with other stats that are much more beneficial to your PvP efforts.

Mace is quite nasty when you're on the receiving end. Intercept stun, mace stun, and a possible Warstomp (seeing that you're Alliance just like me) can take some serious chunks of health out of you before you even get to do a darn thing, and you possibly experienced that already while being out with one of your Level 70 toons.

What I like about sword spec is that that it can proc from just about everything. Unlike axe spec, it doesn't rely on crit so much for it's DPS, while at the same time your extra attack can and will crit.

I just had to add this: Don't forget that talent respecs are MUCH cheaper than changing your smithing spec.





Edited, May 7th 2008 8:54am by Kanngarnix

As far as weapon spec goes you should spec for whatever the best weapon available for you at the time is. Your about to hit 51 and be able to get your IBS so poleaxe is in your future. While maces aren't optimal for dps mace spec will help you take alot less dmg. This is strictly speaking for pve level grind.

Odd as it may sound, I'm not really playing my Warrior for the tanking aspect of the class. I realize that, as with my Priest, the role in 5-man PUGs (or 5-mans in general) is pretty much laid out. However, the role doesn't appeal to me with this class. I'm used to tanking on my Feral Druid and having to juggle two different methods of tanking will make my brain implode.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm going to grab a huge sword, respec and go proc some extra swings on those damn quest mobs. Enough with the "miss, miss, miss" spam.

Edit: At level 46/47, what 2H Fury/Arms build would you suggest? Where should I place my points first?

Edited, May 7th 2008 11:55pm by Mazra

Thanks, cupcake. I'll go respec right away.

I do have one question left, though:

What stance do you use when going with the Slam spam rotation? Seeing as Whirlwind isn't used as much (if at all?), Battle stance for the reduced damage taken? I'm guessing Berserker once I get the talents to improve it. Right now +3% crit doesnt' seem worth +10% incoming damage.

I'm using the Mazzle compilation which features an auto attack timer. I use it on my Hunter to time Steady Shots.

I've read through the guide and it seems the gist of the technique is to use Slam just after an auto swing so you don't clip the next auto swing. Sounds simple enough. Swing, Slam, swing, Slam, etc. Weave in a Whirlwind or Bloodthirst if needed.

Right? Come to think of it, with Steady Shot being on a 1.5 second timer, it's pretty much the ranged equivalent of Slam. Nice, I'm playing a melee Hunter (or a ranged Warrior?).

Edited, May 8th 2008 12:46am by Mazra

<random KT feed post>

gogo 10k!

See, now you're just askin for spam posts and im really trying to avoid that. :P

if you stay in BS, what do you spend your extra rage on?

i found at lower levels, where mazra is playing, WW does more damage than BT. And MS isnt reachable if you have imp slam. and slam spam robs you of damage.

If you actually spam slam though, you wont ever get a white hit in.



That sh*t is the bomb... Pull a couple, get in zerker, zerker rage, bloodrage, get 100 and boom. SS+WW+cleave till WW CD is up, WW. stuff dies fast. And you can do it every 30 sec, save bloodrage.

10% more damage in can be countered with more damage out if you are using WW as a filler, plus the 3% crit and more rage from zerker rage which i would use pretty much every 30 sec. :P

Edited, May 8th 2008 11:03am by KTurner

doesnt matter what your swing time is. slam resets it comepletely right? doesnt sneak it in between swings. sorry if im totally misunderstanding you.

if you have 100 rage and hit slam over and over and over till its gone, you will never white hit even if your weapon is 4.0 speed.

Edited, May 8th 2008 11:18am by KTurner