We are well aware that rune-granted abilities surpass the basic ones associated with our chosen class. However, this is where Warriors face a significant deficiency in PvP. Let’s be honest, Warriors have been dealt a subpar hand in terms of runes and rune selection, with the majority being passive and offering little support in PvP. Lacking any impactful rune abilities, Warriors currently find themselves at the bottom of the PvP hierarchy by a considerable margin.
After spending the last five days in Warsong Gulch and enduring defeat at the hands of every class in the game, I had ample time to engage in theory crafting and practical experimentation. I’ve discovered a somewhat viable approach for Warriors, although it may not be well-received. Brace yourselves, Warriors: it’s time to let go of Warbringer and embrace Flagellation.
Flagellation, being a rune ability, is remarkably potent, exceeding the indicated 25% increase in physical damage. While initially hesitant to part with Warbringer, I found that the conventional setup was severely lacking in damage output. White swings were averaging 150-200, and even Mortal Strike and Slam barely reached the 200 mark. In contrast, opponents from other classes were dealing four times that amount with significantly quicker global cooldowns, resulting in my inevitable demise.
Experimenting with various runes proved futile until I reluctantly decided to drop Warbringer. As a last resort, I opted to maximise damage output before inevitably being kited and killed. To my surprise, the first encounter in Warsong Gulch against a feral druid yielded impressive results let’s say.
Let me paint you a picture… I [Charge], followed by [Bloodrage], surviving two/three mangles that take me to 50% HP because of course they do… I [Mortal Strike] and I crit for 890 (My highest ever Mortal Strike in PvP), I [Slam], I hit of 490, I [Rallying Cry]. The gods then grant me a dodge and I [Overpower] for 560. Then the beautiful flash appears on my screen of [Execute] popping. I [Execute] for 1690. The Feral… dies. This marked my first Warrior 1v1 victory in many moons and was the first time I didn’t want to hold my head underwater until the bubbles stopped.
Warriors may be reluctant to lose what should be a baseline ability, but my recent success in Warsong Gulch, where I achieved exalted status, urges me to advocate for embracing [Flagellation]. Accept that defeating a mage may remain impossible, and prioritise the damage boost offered by Flagellation.
Due to the sheer potency of rune abilities, it’s evident that Flagellation is surpassing the indicated 25% boost for Warriors. Previously, my Mortal Strike, Slam, and White swings hovered around 150-300, but with the introduction of Flagellation, I’m now witnessing substantial increases. Hits are reaching 400-500, with critical strikes peaking at 700-800. These numbers far exceed what I could achieve with Warbringer in place. The impact of Flagellation on damage output is undeniable.