In this article, we explain what the best statistics are for Arms Warriors (WoW MoP 5.3), how the class benefits from each of them, and what your reforging strategy should be. We also detail what the various caps are and why they should be attained. The statistics priority is important as it influences reforging strategies as well as itemisation choices (gear, enchants, and gems).

Make sure to check our Gear Optimisation Guide, which serves as a support guide for this article.

The other articles of our Arms Warrior guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

This guide has been reviewed and approved by Gondlemstyle, one of the best Arms Warriors in the world, who raids in Midwinter.

1. Basics↑top

The stat priority for an Arms Warrior is:

1. Hit Rating (until 7.5%);
2. Expertise Rating (until 7.5%);
3. Strength;
4. Critical Strike Rating (until you reach 32% unbuffed critical strike chance);
5. Haste Rating;
6. Mastery Rating.

These statistics have been obtained by combining common sense, in-game testing, and simulations using Simulation Craft.

If you are unsure what the optimal reforging strategy is for the above priority, you can Ask Mr. Robot for a personalised optimisation of your character's gear, by filling the form below.

2. Getting a Better Understanding↑top

Hit Rating decreases the chance that your melee attacks will miss their target (7.5% against a raid boss). Therefore, your goal is to reach the 7.5% hit cap (see section below), which will ensure that your attacks never miss.

Expertise Rating decreases the chance that your melee attacks will be dodged (7.5% against a raid boss). Therefore, your goal is to reach the 7.5% expertise cap (see section below), which will ensure that your attacks are never dodged. Note that you should always be attacking bosses from behind, which prevents them from parrying your attacks. Therefore, it is usually unnecessary (unless the boss cannot be attacked from behind) to decrease the chance that your attacks will be parried (something that you can do by stacking Expertise Rating after reaching the 7.5% cap).

Strength is your primary statistic. You should look for it in all of your upgrades. It provides you with Attack Power, which determines the damage your abilities do.

Critical Strike Rating is particularly beneficial thanks to the fact that Mortal Strike and Colossus Smash critical strikes trigger Enrage. That said, after a while (32% unbuffed critical strike chance, more or less), Critical Strike Rating loses some of its value. This is because Overpower (one of your most important abilities) has a high innate critical strike chance. Once Overpower exceeds 100% critical strike chance, the value of further Critical Strike Rating is diminished, and Haste Rating becomes the next best choice.

Haste Rating increases your attack speed.

Mastery Rating, through, Mastery: Strikes of Opportunity, gives your melee attacks a chance to trigger an additional melee attack which hits for 55% weapon damage.

2.1. Hit Cap

At level 90, most races require 2,550 Hit Rating to reach the melee hit cap. Draenei, thanks to Heroic Presence, only need 2,210 Hit Rating.

2.2. Expertise Cap

At level 90, most races require 2,550 Expertise Rating to reach the expertise cap. Some races, in some cases, only need 2,210 Expertise Rating, thanks to passive racial skills:

• Dwarves when using a Mace ( Mace Specialization);
• Humans when using a Mace/Sword ( Mace Specialization and Sword Specialization);
• Orcs when using an Axe ( Axe Specialization).

3. Changelog↑top

• 20 May 2013: Patch 5.3 update: nothing to change.
• 04 May 2013: Added mention that Critical Strike Chance ceases to be the best secondary stat after a certain point.