Now that we are getting closer to the end of Beta, and actual release of the new stance, I'm happy to provide some of the basics that should hopefully be our bread and butter when we ding 100 and equip our shield again. Blizzard has addressed quite a few of the concerns I've had for Gladstance and it is definitely nice to be heard. They've buffed Execute, given PVP Gear Bonus Armor and delivered on a very fun spec to play.
This is just basic information I've collected through use of Simcraft and actual play in Beta, and it's very possible that changes in tuning might skewer these steps. Be warned that I may be editing this post :)
Stat Priority and Weights
With the 6.0.3 Changes. I've updated the scale factors. It still holds true that you need a bit of haste to get that extra GCDs inside Shield Charges. This factors in that you have the 5% haste buff as well. But going forward into Heroic and Mythic gear the values change a bit. I've detailed this below.
The basic stat priority is when gearing up to raid Highmaul :
250 Haste > STR > Bonus Armor > Haste to 700 > Crit > Haste after 700 > Multistrike > Versatility > Mastery >
Here are the new stat weights:
630 ilvl
| WDPS | 250 Haste | STR | Bonus Arm/AP | 700 Haste | Crit | 700 Haste+ | Multistrike | Versatility | Mastery |
| 1.43 | 1.2 | 0.95 | .90 | .44 | .42 | .41 | .36 | .32 | .30 |
665 ilvl
| WDPS | 250 Haste | STR | Bonus Arm/AP | 700 Haste | Crit | 700 Haste+ | Multistrike | Versatility | Mastery |
| 1.32 | 1.2 | 0.95 | .90 | .60 | .53 | .49 | .48 | .41 | .38 |
695 ilvl
| WDPS | 250 Haste | STR | Bonus Arm/AP | 700 Haste | Crit | 700 Haste+ | Multistrike | Versatility | Mastery |
| 1.26 | 1.2 | 0.95 | .90 | .62 | .62 | .58 | .55 | .48 | .45 |
Importable for Ask Mr Robot(edit depending on ilvl):
If you can Reach 7% Haste:
MainHandDps 1.32
Strength 1.00
AttackPower 0.94
BonusArmor 0.94
Haste < 7% 0.60
CriticalStrike 0.53
Haste 7% + 0.49
Multistrike 0.48
Versatility 0.41
Mastery 0.38
What this means for us when we hit 100 is the following:
1. Use the Draenic Armor Potion, this is because you get a lot more stat then you would with a strength potion.
2. Use Crit enchants on cloak/neck/rings. This is assuming you made that 700 haste breakpoint with your gear.
3. Get Bonus Armor gear on your Neck, Rings, Cloak and Trinkets, otherwise use the stat priority for the rest of your gear.
4. Mark of the Thunderlord is your best bet for DPS. The Mark of Blackrock looks like it could be competitive, but you don't want to be trying to drop to 50% hp to set it off.
Talents
Level 15 : Juggernaut / Double Time / Warbringer
This is definitely just your preference. I like the mobility of Double Time so I usually choose that.
Level 30 : Enraged Regen / Second Wind / Impending Victory
Impending is a DPS loss, Second Wind isn't as powerful as it used to be, and Enraged seems to be the best with my own testing thus far. I'd still go with Second Wind if I was soloing old content or fights where I was low on health for long periods.
Level 45: Heavy Repercussions / Sudden Death / Unyielding Strikes
US is currently going to net you the most dps. You should try out heavy repercussions, sudden death and unyielding strikes to choose here. They greatly affect how the rotation feels and if I had to choose, I would do the following:
HR/SD for PVP where burst is needed.
Otherwise, US with the Cleave Glyph.
Level 60 : Storm Bolt / Shockwave / Dragon Roar
The DPS Difference is enough that I would recommend Dragon Roar. Especially if using Bloodbath below.
Level 75 : Mass Spell Reflection / Safeguard / Vigilance
I've used MSR all through levelling and dungeons, it's been awesome. But in raids I'd go with safeguard. It's hard to top the 20% damage reduction all the time on your tanks/comrades.
Level 90 : Avatar / Bloodbath / Bladestorm
Bloodbath unless you have waves of 3+ adds every minute. Avatar if you overgear the fight so bad you won't see a second CD needed or the raid needed some intense dps burn every 3mins.
Level 100 : GLADIATOR STANCE!!!!!
Rotation
The Glad rotation will primarily be the similar to the one Protection Warriors have been using all through 5.4. However with the addition of shield charge, it is better to pool rage until you are within a Shield Charge.
Unyielding Strikes Rotation:
Devastate if under 6 stacks of US and US is about to Fall Off > Bloodbath + Shield Slam + Shield Charge > Revenge > Dragon Roar > Devastate
Bloodbath + Shield Slam + Shield Charge > Revenge > Dragon Roar > Devastate
Sudden Death Rotation:
SD Execute > Bloodbath + Shield Slam + Shield Charge > Revenge > Dragon Roar > Devastate
Optional Execute Rotation:
Simply Execute (Sub 20%) before Devastate at the end of each rotation. Adding in Execute is optional and I cover reasons for and against in another post HERE.
Example:
Bloodbath + Shield Slam + Shield Charge > Revenge > Dragon Roar > Execute (Sub 20%) Devastate
For All Rotations Use Heroic Strike to prevent capping rage, or when you get Ultimatum Proc's. Unyielding Strikes users will be using Heroic Strike a lot. Be sure to dump your rage during Shield Charge using Heroic Strike.
Note: Remember that you can hit Shield Charge and Slam at the same time, and should. You can delay a Shield Charge for 1 Second to allow for an extra Slam inside the charge, but should NEVER Delay Shield Slam.
The Perfect Pull
Charge
Bloodbath+Berserker Rage+Shield Charge+Shield Slam
Heroic Strike + Revenge
Heroic Strike + Dragon Roar
Heroic Strike + Devastate
Shield Slam
Also one side tidbit I found funny with some other Warriors on Twitter was that because some races perform pretty visual jumps, twirls, flips etc on heroic strikes you might be able to look fairly hilarious playing as glad :)
- Cyc out :)
