Arms warrior is a utility spec, it brings [Trauma], increasing bleed damage by 30% and [Blood frenzy] increasing physical damage done by all targets by 4%. The overall damage it can increase will depend on the composition of the raid, however, for 10 man the raw difference between Fury and Arms will make arms lacking. The DPS difference between Fury and Arms are considerable, because of that it is seen mostly has a PVP spec.
Stats for Arms Warrior Wotlk
8% hit > 1400 ARP > Strength > Crit (Max 68%) > 26 Expertise > Haste
Note: Races with weapon expertise increase require 5 less expertise and the itemization is different for BIS.
Arms Warrior Stats Overview
Hit Cap
Hit reduces the chance of missing melee hits, the melee hit cap is 8%.
Armor penetration (ARP)
Armor penetration is one of the most beneficial stats, it can ignore enemy armor and after 400 armor penetration it gives the highest DPS boost, that’s why after this threshold all gems should be for armor penetration. Gem for Strength below 400 and armor penetration above, depending on the gear available.
Strength
The best stat when you are below 400 ARP and hit capped. It increases attack power.
Critical Strike
Critical chance is needed to get procs of Glyph of Heroic Strike, because of the tables the maximum amount of critical chance recommended is 68% for two-hand, being that any amount above that might be negated.
Expertise
Expertise lowers the chance of getting dodged or parried, has a melee class 26 expertise is the amount required, however giving the Overpower dynamic, if an attack is dodged Overpower becomes available, this given getting attacks dodged will increase DPS for the low cost and damage of the ability.
Haste
Haste increases the speed of the attacks, the less desired stat for arms warrior.
Stats Breakdown without increasing effects
33 hit rating ≈ 1% to hit
33 expertise rating ≈ 1 expertise
33 haste rating ≈ 1% haste
45 critical chance ≈ 1% critical
1 stamina ≈ 10 Health
1 intellect ≈ 15 mana
1 agility ≈ 1 attack power
1 strength ≈ 2 attack power
1 critical chance ≈ 84 agility
14 Armor Penetration ≈ 1% Armor ignore
