Arms Warrior Raid Guide

11.1 - Undermine(d)

Last Updated:February 25, 2025|Changelog|FAQ

Welcome to the Arms Warrior Raid guide for the World of Warcraft patch 11.1! This guide covers everything you need to know to understand your character! Are you starting out and leveling up from 70? Check out the leveling guide!

Overview

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior
Arms WarriorRaid
Single-Target
Excellent
AoE
Weak
Utility
Average
Survivability
Average
Mobility
Strong
Arms Warrior Raid Best in Slot

Hero Talents

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior
  • Slayer is stronger on single target, while Colossus is stronger in AoE. The difference in single-target damage is big enough that you rarely play Colossus in raid, so this guide will primarily cover Slayer Arms Warrior.
Slayer
Colossus
  • Slayer's Dominance
    • You attacks have a chance to proc Slayer's Strike, which applies Marked for Execution.
  • Unrelenting Onslaught
    • Consuming Marked for Execution reduces the cooldown of Bladestorm.
    • You can use Storm Bolt while channeling Bladestorm because of this talent, and since Storm Bolt does some damage it is a DPS increase.
  • Overwhelming Blades
    • Consuming Marked for Execution, getting a Reap the Storm proc or using Bladestorm applies Overwhelmed.
  • Imminent Demise
    • Every third Slayer's Strike procs a Sudden Death. This Sudden Death that comes from Imminent Demise does not need you to have the talent Sudden Death selected.
  • Opportunist and Slayer's Malice
    • With so much extra power invested in Overpower it takes a prominent role in your rotation.
  • Demolish
    • Gets significantly buffed by Colossal Might.
  • One Against Many and Practiced Strikes
    • Cleave deals by far the highest overall damage of our abilities in sustained AoE scenarios, and with Colossus you invest further into Cleave.
  • Dominance of the Colossus
    • Your Demolish gets its cooldown reduced, making it a bit tricky to line up with your other cooldowns sometimes.

Talents

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior
Slayer Single-Target
Slayer Cleave
Slayer 2-Target
Slayer Arms Warrior Single-Target talents in Raids

Gameplay Altering Talents

Discover all talents that significantly alter your gameplay within the Spec and Class Talent trees. This section gives a concise overview of these talents and their applications but for a more detailed look check out the Rotation and Deep Dive sections below.

Spec Tree

  • Anger Management
    • You get to use your cooldowns significantly more often with this talent, and it puts some value on the act of simply spending rage by itself.
  • Bladestorm
    • Going into The War Within Bladestorm received a big buff to its damage, and when paired with Unhinged it is a strong cooldown for both single-target and AoE.
  • Juggernaut
    • A significant damage increase in the Execute Phase.
    • Don't let it fall off - it can easily happen if a boss has forced downtime, then you should finish off with an Execute when the boss leaves and open with an Execute when it comes back if it is possible to keep it up.
  • Executioner's Precision
    • Makes Mortal Strike stay relevant throughout the entire fight including the Execute Phase.
  • Rend
    • Is kept up automatically in the Execute phase because of Bloodletting.

Class Tree

  • Thunderous Roar
    • Strong AoE cooldown.
  • Avatar
    • Your primary big DPS cooldown to plan around. It also has a root dispel which can be useful sometimes.
Slayer Arms Warrior Cleave talents in Raids

When to use this Spec

Use this spec if you need to do some AoE damage.

Talent Adjustments

Listing all the changes within the Class and Spec tree compared to the default build.

Spec Tree

  • Added
    • Cleave
  • Removed
    • Bloodborne

Class Tree

  • Added
    • Seismic Reverberation
  • Removed
    • Honed Reflexes
Slayer Arms Warrior 2-target talents in Raids

When to use this Spec

Use this spec if you need to do 2-target damage.

Talent Adjustments

Listing all the changes within the Class and Spec tree compared to the default build.

Spec Tree

  • Added
    • Improved Sweeping Strikes
  • Removed
    • Bloodborne

Rotation

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

Tier Set

  • The War Within Season 2: 2-Set: Your abilities have a chance to begin a Winning Streak!, increasing the damage of Overpower by 5%, stacking up to 10 times. Overpower has a 15% chance to end your in a Winning Streak!
  • The War Within Season 2: 4-Set: When your Winning Streak! ends you gain 2% Haste and your Mortal Strike and Cleave damage is increased by 2% per stack of Winning Streak! you had for 12 sec.
  • The 4-set buff is called Pay Them Back.

Single-Target

  • Cooldowns are covered in the Deep Dive section.

Opener

  • Unrelenting Onslaught allows you to use Storm Bolt during Bladestorm.
Arms Warrior Slayer single-target opener in Raids

Pre-Execute Priority List

  • Cooldowns are covered in the Deep Dive section.

This is a general priority you aim to maintain throughout the fight before the target hits 35% health.

  1. Use Execute with a Sudden Death proc if you have any of:
    • 3x Marked for Execution.
    • Sudden Death at 2 stacks or if the buff is running out.
    • Juggernaut is running out then refresh it.
  2. Use Overpower if you have any of:
    1. 2 charges of Overpower available.
    2. You have a Pay Them Back that is running out and Winning Streak! is active.
    3. Winning Streak! is at max stacks.
  3. Use Mortal Strike on cooldown.
  4. Apply Rend if it is not already up, and if Colossus Smash is not up.
  5. Use Overpower on cooldown.
  6. Refresh Rend if it has less than 40% its time left.
  7. Use Slam.

Execute Priority List

  • Cooldowns are covered in the Deep Dive section.

Execute Priority List

This is a general priority you aim to maintain when the target is below 35% health.

  1. Use Mortal Strike if you have 2x Executioner's Precision
  2. Use Overpower if you don't already have 2x Martial Prowess and any of this applies:
    • You have a Pay Them Back that is running out and Winning Streak! is active.
    • You have high stacks of Winning Streak!, 7+.
  3. Use Execute if you have more than 80 rage.
  4. Use Overpower if you 2 charges, or less than 40 rage.
  5. Use Execute.

2-Target

  • The single-target priority lists apply when fighting 2 targets, with the addition that you keep up Sweeping Strikes as much as you can, as the highest priority, and you can apply Rend with Thunder Clap instead.
  • Below is an example of how you do a 2-target opener.
Slayer Arms Warrior 2-target opener for Raids

AoE

  • The following AoE priority lists are assuming you play with the Slayer Cleave talent build.
  • Cooldowns are covered in the Deep Dive section.

Opener

  • Unrelenting Onslaught allows you to use Storm Bolt during Bladestorm.
Arms Warrior Slayer Cleave talents AoE opener in Raids

Priority List

  1. Apply Rend with Thunder Clap if it is not already up.
  2. Use Cleave on cooldown.
  3. Use Execute if you have any Marked for Execution.
  4. Use Overpower on cooldown.
  5. Use Mortal Strike if you have 2x Executioner's Precision when Sweeping Strikes is up.
  6. Use Execute when Sweeping Strikes is up.
  7. Use Mortal Strike when Sweeping Strikes is up.
  8. Use Thunder Clap on cooldown.
  9. Use Mortal Strike if you have 2x Executioner's Precision.
  10. Use Execute.
  11. Use Mortal Strike on cooldown.
  12. Use Slam.

Deep Dive

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

Cooldown Usage

Single-Target Pre-Execute Cooldowns

Cooldowns as a priority list:

  1. Use Thunderous Roar on cooldown.
  2. Use Avatar if the Colossus Smash debuff is active on your target or if Colossus Smash has less than 5 seconds remaining cooldown.
  3. Use Colossus Smash on cooldown.
  4. Use Bladestorm if the remaining cooldown of Colossus Smash is greater than the duration of Bladestorm (4 GCDs). --- Basically, don't use Bladestorm just before Colossus Smash is ready, but any other time is good.
Slayer Arms Warrior Raid Single-Target Cooldowns

Single-Target Execute Cooldowns

Cooldowns as a priority list:

  1. Use Thunderous Roar on cooldown.
  2. Use Avatar together with Colossus Smash.
  3. Use Colossus Smash on cooldown.
  4. Use Bladestorm if you have 2x Executioner's Precision, and don't cause it to delay Colossus Smash.
Slayer Arms Warrior Raid Single-Target Execute Phase Cooldowns

Multi-Target Cooldowns

  • This is assuming you play with the Slayer Cleave Talent setup

Cooldowns as a priority list:

  1. Use Thunderous Roar on cooldown.
  2. Use Sweeping Strikes on cooldown.
  3. Use Avatar on cooldown.
  4. Use Colossus Smash on cooldown.
  5. Use Bladestorm on cooldown.
Slayer Arms Warrior Raid Multi-Target Cooldowns

Generating more Rage

If you are new to Arms Warrior you should skip this section since even when rage-starved it is a lot of effort for a minimal gain, and if done poorly it is a big DPS loss.

Becoming rage-starved should be a rare occurrence in normal play, but can happen sometimes if you are holding onto cooldowns, playing an unusual or AoE-focused talent build on single-target, or if your group does not have Skyfury. Consider these two ideas to be your very last priority, if the choice is between doing this or doing nothing.

Understanding Mechanics

Rotational min-maxing is just one aspect of mastering a specialization, but there are numerous other key mechanics that influence your performance. Use the following guides to improve them.

Liberation of Undermine

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

← Scroll for more Bosses

Vexie
Cauldron
Rik
Stix
Sprocketmonger
One-Armed Bandit
Mug'Zee
Gallywix
Slayer Arms Warrior Cleave talents in Raids

Offensive Cooldown Usage

  • Use cooldowns on pull, and then hold future uses for Mechanical Breakdown, like shown on the timeline below.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

  • Use Spell Reflection to reduce damage taken when affected by Bomb Voyage!.
Slayer Arms Warrior 2-target talents in Raids

Offensive Cooldown Usage

  • The first Colossal Clash happens a bit too early to line up with your cooldowns well. If you use Avatar with 10 seconds left of the pull timer, you waste half of it but then have your Avatar for every Colossal Clash.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

  • The timing between Scrapbomb can be a bit close to have Spell Reflection ready for all of them, but if you pre-use Spell Reflection so that the end of it covers the bomb you can have it ready for all.

Boss Tips

  • The Colossal Clash can be very dangerous and it is also the best time to use DPS cooldowns since you can attack 2 targets. It might be best to save your defensive cooldown also to save yourself when you get hit by Fiery Wave.
Slayer Arms Warrior Single-Target talents in Raids

Offensive Cooldown Usage

  • You can use Avatar twice in the first and third phase, and once in the second phase.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

  • Use defensives if targeted by Sound Cannon.
Slayer Arms Warrior Cleave talents in Raids

Offensive Cooldown Usage

  • The timeline below shows a good way to use Avatar if you are trying to do damage to the Adds.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

  • You can cover every single Incineration with Spell Reflection.

Boss Tips

  • When targeted by Rolling Rubbish you can Heroic Leap out and get some distance to the boss, making it easier to find a good path of garbage to pick up.
Slayer Arms Warrior Single-Target talents in Raids

Offensive Cooldown Usage

  • Be careful to not use your cooldowns just before Beta Launch.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

  • Use defensive cooldowns when there is an overlap of Sonic Ba-Boom and Foot-Blasters exploding.
Slayer Arms Warrior 2-target talents in Raids

Offensive Cooldown Usage

  • Try to use your cooldowns either with Spin To Win! or with the bombs that spawn after, and not use cooldowns on a single target unless you can't delay without losing a use.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

  • Foul Exhaust can be dangerous if overlapped with other damage such as Electric Blast. Be ready to use a defensive cooldown to cover it.

Boss Tips

  • Stay close to the Pay-Line to get High Roller!.
Slayer Arms Warrior 2-target talents in Raids

Boss Tips

  • There is a decent amount of 2-target cleave on this fight, ideally don't use your cooldowns much on a single target only.
  • The Volunteer Rocketeer is a dangerous mob that comes down at low health %, enabling you cleave Execute with Sweeping Strikes.
Slayer Arms Warrior 2-target talents in Raids

Boss Tips

  • Gallywix has not been seen yet, but the above talents are a good starting point.

Stat Priority

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

Understand your stat priority and the tertiary stats needed for optimal performance during Raid boss fights as an Arms Warrior. For more detailed information, visit the Stats and Attributes guide.

Arms Warrior Stat Priority in Raids

Higher Item level items are better in most scenarios. For an accurate representation of what item to equip you should use Simcraft! A static "Stat Priority" is just a starting point and can easily shift depending on your individual gear.

  • All secondary stats are affected by diminishing returns. Click here to learn more!

Tertiary

  • Avoidance - Great stat to reduce the damage intake of "Area of Effect" abilities.
  • Leech - Provides additional healing through damage dealing.
  • Speed - Niche tertiary that can be very useful and has been proven useful in the past. Makes playing certain mechanics a lot easier.

Gear

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior
Best in Slot
Farmable Alternatives
SlotItemLocation
HeadFullthrottle FacerigVexie and the Geargrinders
NeckSemi-Charmed AmuletRik Reverb
ShoulderEnforcer's Backalley ShoulderplatesRik Reverb / Catalyst
CloakConsecrated CloakTailoring
ChestEnforcer's Backalley VestplateSprocketmonger Lockenstock / Catalyst
WristEverforged VambracesBlacksmithing
GlovesEnforcer's Backalley CrushersCauldron of Carnage / Catalyst
BeltEnforcer's Backalley GirdleCatalyst
LegsEnforcer's Backalley ChaussesStix Bunkjunker / Catalyst
BootsSabatons of Rampaging ElementsThe MOTHERLODE!!
Ring 1The Jastor DiamondChrome King Gallywix
Ring 2Cyrce's CircletThe Siren Isle
Trinket 1Mechano-Core AmplifierDelves
Trinket 2Eye of KezanChrome King Gallywix
WeaponBest-in-SlotsThe One-Armed Bandit

Below you are presented with a good list of farmable alternatives that are obtainable outside of WoW’s weekly lockout system. While replaced in time as you progress, these offer immediate character power.

SlotItemLocation
HeadWaxsteel GreathelmDarkflame Cleft
NeckStrapped Rescue-KegCinderbrew Meadery
ShoulderSkyscorcher PauldronsThe MOTHERLODE!!
CloakCloak of Questionable IntentThe MOTHERLODE!!
ChestSlashproof Business PlateCinderbrew Meadery
WristStonefury VambracesThe MOTHERLODE!!
GlovesJumpstarter's Scaffold-ScrapersOperation: Floodgate
BeltVenture Contractor's FloodlightOperation: Floodgate
LegsGalvanized Oxxein LegguardsTheater of Pain
BootsSabatons of Rampaging ElementsThe MOTHERLODE!!
Ring 1Cyrce's CircletThe Siren Isle
Ring 2Bloodoath SignetTheater of Pain
Trinket 1Improvised Seaforium PacemakerOperation: Floodgate
Trinket 2Signet of the PrioryPriory of the Sacred Flame
WeaponCircuit BreakerOperation: Floodgate

Trinkets

Below you can find active and passive alternatives to our recommended trinkets. Do note that some trinkets are better than others depending on the raid boss.

Active Trinket alternatives

  • House of Cards
    • The best on-use trinket.
  • Funhouse Lens
    • Good alternative from delves.

Passive Trinket alternatives

  • Eye of Kezan
    • The best trinket for raiding.
  • Mechano-Core Amplifier
    • Great trinket but can be difficult to farm from delves.
  • Improvised Seaforium Pacemaker
    • The best trinket from M+ currently.
Slayer Arms Warrior Single-Target Trinkets 5 min simulation

Embellishments

  • 2x Duskthread Lining or Dawnthread Lining
    • Which one is best depends on your current gear setup, the BiS list is using Dawnthread Lining.

Remaining Sparks

  • Crafted items are 675 item level and regular items are 678 on max item level, therefore, it's not beneficial to equip crafted items outside of your 2x embellishments unless you don't have access to other high item level gear on that slot.

Simcraft

To find the best combination of gear available to you or identify the best possible upgrades, visit our Simcraft guide to learn how to utilize Simcraft easily and effectively.

Consumables

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior
  • Phials
    • Flask of Alchemical Chaos
  • Food
    • Feast of the Divine Day -- Primary stat food is the best option when you have low item level.
    • Feast of the Midnight Masquerade -- Primary stat food is the best option when you have low item level.
    • Outsider's Provisions -- With high item level gear secondaries start to become competitive with or superior to Strength.
  • Combat Potion
    • Tempered Potion
  • Health Potion
    • Algari Healing Potion
  • Weapon Temporary Enchant
    • Algari Mana Oil
  • Augment Rune
    • Crystallized Augment Rune
  • Sockets
    • Deadly Emerald
    • Culminating Blasphemite -- Unique, use one of each gem color to enhance your Culminating Blasphemite.
      • Quick Sapphire
      • Quick Ruby
      • Quick Onyx

Enchantments

HeadS.A.D.
NeckMagnificent Jeweler's Setting 2x
CloakEnchant Cloak - Chant of Winged Grace
ChestEnchant Chest - Crystalline Radiance
WristEnchant Bracer - Chant of Armored Avoidance
S.A.D.
WaistS.A.D.
LegsDefender's Armor Kit
BootsEnchant Boots - Scout's March
Ring 1Enchant Ring - Radiant Haste
Magnificent Jeweler's Setting 2x
Ring 2Enchant Ring - Radiant Haste
Magnificent Jeweler's Setting 2x
WeaponEnchant Weapon - Authority of the Depths
Arms Warrior Enchantments in Raids

You buy S.A.D. from the Great Vault Vendor to add sockets to your Helm, Wrists & Waist.

Races

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

For min-maxing an Arms Warrior in raiding, different racial traits can provide a tremendous benefit to your character. If this is not your top goal, picking a race that fits your style works just as well.

  • Escape Artist -- Gnome
    • Root and Snare dispel.
  • Shadowmeld -- Night Elf
    • Drop combat in order to avoid spells being targeted at you.
  • Stoneform -- Dwarf
    • Removes all Poison, Disease, Curse, Magic, and Bleed simultaneously.
  • Arcane Torrent -- Blood Elf
    • Dispels 1 beneficial effect from all nearby enemies at the same time.
  • Spatial Rift -- Void Elf
    • Activate to spawn a shadow traveling in the direction you are facing. Activate again to teleport to it.
    • Maximum range of 100 yards.
Slayer Arms Warrior Single-Target Races 5 min simulation

Recommendation

If you prioritize the highest DPS then you should go with the best simming racial, but if your priority is in progression raiding then you should consider the the utility of different racials. For example: The Stoneform racial made Dwarf the best pick for Fyrakk the Blazing in the latest Race to World First.

Macros

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

Discover recommended macros for Arms Warriors during Raid encounters and watch a quick video guide on creating simple macros for your character.

Macro Import Guide Video

Bladestorm and Ravager Macro --- If you have Ravager talented then you use Ravager on your cursor, if not then you Bladestorm.

/cast [known:228920,@cursor] Ravager; Bladestorm

Thunderous Roar and Champion's Spear Macro --- If you have both abilities talented then Champion's Spear is prioritized, and if you have Champion's Spear talented it is cast on your cursor.

/cast [known:376079,@cursor] Champion's Spear; Thunderous Roar

Heroic Leap Macro --- Leap on your cursor without the extra mouse click.

/cast [@cursor] Heroic Leap

Addons

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

Below, you see a screenshot of the author's User Interface for their Arms Warrior, outlining which addons are used and how they are utilized in Raids to make your life easier.

Arms Warrior Raid 11.0.1 Revvez UI
Revvez Arms Warrior Interface in Raid

Changes this Patch

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

FAQ

Patch 11.1 - Undermine(d)
Arms Warrior

Credits

Written By: Revvez

Reviewed By: Swag

© 2025 Maxroll Media Group, All Rights Reserved