In World of Warcraft Classic: Season of Discovery, some of the biggest changes to the vanilla formula come via the new Rune Engraving system. Warriors have never particularly struggled in WoW (except early levels, and in WoW Hardcore), and the new Warrior Runes players can discover add nothing but power to an already formidable class.
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Though many of these WoW Warrior Runes have been found, their effects and power levels will change as the Season of Discovery progresses. Because only one Rune can be equipped to each slot, each section below ranks Warrior Runes against other Runes within the same gear category.
Updated November 6, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: Now that the Season of Discovery is in full swing a week after launch, all Warrior Runes SoD players can get have been found. Some are easy to get, and players will practically stumble across some Warrior SoD Runes in the starting zones, while others can only be used after long questlines (and long journeys across Azeroth). This guide to the best SoD Warrior Runes has been updated with all Discovery methods – but players who want to preserve the sense of adventure and mystery need not avert their gaze. Though the names and effects are spoiled below, the methods to get each of the best Warrior Runes in SoD are hidden by default. Only reveal this information if you are truly stumped on how to get the best Warrior Runes WoW SoD offers.
This guide to the best Warrior Runes in WoW SoD covers all 12 Phase One Runes. Later in the Season, check back for information on the best SoD Warrior Runes for other equipment slots when the 40, 50, and 60 level brackets unlock in later Phases.
Warrior Chest Runes, Ranked
Blood Frenzy, Flagellation, Raging Blow, & Warbringer
Of the four Warrior Chest Runes in Season of Discovery, one reigns supreme: Warbringer. This single ability vastly improves warriors’ maneuverability in combat, one of the biggest weaknesses of the Warrior, by removing all movement impairing effects when using any of the three Charge abilities. It’s not a direct damage increase, but it shores up the worst aspect of the Warrior.
Of the other three, Flagellation seems to provide the least benefit. Warriors have a few sources of bleed damage, but they don’t scale well into late game, and 3 Rage with every Bleed proc isn’t exactly game-breaking. Warriors also get Raging Blow and Blood Frenzy through Rune Engravings, which are both well worth using as a DPS warrior.
Overall, though, Warbringer offers the most power and versatility.
Flagellation
All characters must go to the crypt in Raven Hill, and pick up the Decrepit Phylactery. Leave the crypt and enter another one to the west to find a unique NPC called Slumbering Bones. Use the Phylactery on the NPC to summon an elite enemy that drops the Rune on defeat.
Flagellation Effect
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- Each time you deal Bleed damage, you gain 3 Rage.
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Raging Blow
All characters must find the Dragonslayer’s Shield, the Dragonslayer’s Lance, and the Dragonslayer’s Helm from various Elite Enemies throughout Azeroth, and bring them to Alonso, Knight Errant in southern Ashenvale near the Stonetalon entrance.
The Dragonslayer’s Shield can be found next to the elite Gath’ilzogg in Redridge Mountains
The Dragonslayer’s Lance can be found in Dun Modr in the Wetlands, being sold for 75s by the Dark Iron Entrepreneur
The Dragonslayer’s Helm can be found in the Commander Springvale boss room in Shadowfang Keep
It appears that this quest works for Horde players, too, despite taking place mostly in Alliance territory.
Raging Blow Effect:
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- A n instant strike that deals 100% weapon damage
- Can only be used while Enrage, Berserker Rage, or Bloodrage is active.
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Blood Frenzy
All characters must defeat the elite Wandering Swordsman, a relatively infrequent spawn that wanders around each Starting Zone. Easier to find with a group of Warriors tracking him down.
Blood Frenzy Effect
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- Gain a 25% bonus to Physical damage done for 12 sec after activating Bloodrage or Berserker Rage.
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Warbringer
Purchased from Grizzby in the Ratchet Inn after completing a series of quests requiring several items – 24 Fish Oil, 20 Dark Iron Ordinance, and 16 Shredder Turbochargers. Players have at least 5 Gold to interact with Grizzby.
Warbringer Effect
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- Your Charge, Intercept, and Intervene abilities are now usable while in combat and in any stance, and will all remove movement impairing effects when activated.
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Warrior Legs Runes, Ranked
Consumed by Rage, Frenzied Assault, & Furious Thunder
There are only three Warrior Legs Runes to choose from, and for the most part, they seem to be about equal in power. Frenzied Assault will be a massive boon for Arms 2H Warriors, while Furious Thunder is the best Tank pick.
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Consumed by Rage is the most interesting of the lot, though, as the way it is worded seems to imply it will proc every time Warriors exceed 80 Rage. This means maintaining a high amount of Rage without spending it constantly, which could be a hindrance to the typically fast-paced Fury playstyle.
Consumed by Rage
All characters must defeat the elite enemy Carrodin, found deep in the cave that borders Loch Modan and the Wetlands
Consumed by Rage Effect
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- Enrages you and grants you a 20% melee damage bonus for 12 sec or up to a maximum of 12 swings after you exceed 80 Rage.
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Frenzied Assault
All characters must head to an Inn in either their starting town or capitol city. Here, speak with the innkeeper to learn of a local disturbed of the peace – find them, defeat them, then head back to earn this Rune.
Alliance characters can find this quest in Stormwind’s Park, the inn in Dolanaar in Teldrassil, or the Ironforge Inn.
Horde characters can find this quest in The Drag in Orgrimmar, the inn in Brill in Tirisfal Glades, or the inn in Thunder Bluff
Frenzied Assault Effect
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- While wielding 2-handed weapons, your attack speed is increased by 20%.
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Furious Thunder
Alliance characters must kill Fyodi or Lurkmane in Dun Morogh, Goldtooth or Mother Fang in Elwynn Forest, or loot it in the Gnarlpine Cache found in the Furbolg Den in Teldrassil
Horde characters must kill Gazz’uz, Sarkoth, or Zalazane in Durotar, Mazszranache, Arra’chea, or Lurkmane in Mulgore, or Gillgar in northern Tirisfal Glades
Furious Thunder Effect
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- Thunder Clap now increases the time between attacks by an additional 6%, can be used in any stance, and deals 50% increased threat.
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Warrior Gloves Runes, Ranked
Devatate, Endless Rage, Quick Strike, Single-Minded Fury, & Victory Rush
Warriors have a huge five Runes to choose for their Gloves slot in Phase One of SoD, and though they all seem pretty useful, some might only be useful during specific areas of the game. Victory Rush, for example, has little to no impact in group dungeon and raid content, but it can be super useful while leveling and in PvP. Devastate has the potential to be strong, too, but players have to build up stacks of Sunder Armor, and it might only reach its potential against high-HP enemies and elites.
Similarly, Quick Strike may be a great pick for 2H Warriors, but it’s not useful for Tanks or Fury players at all. The story is the same for Single-Minded Fury, though a 10% boost to both damage and movement speed gives Fury Warriors a lot more than Arms gets from Quick Strike.
In general, though, Endless Rage seems to be the best Warrior Gloves Rune as it is useful for all specs and gives Warriors much more of their primary resource to spend.
Victory Rush
Alliance players can open a hidden cache in the Echo Ridge Mine, complete the quest Amidst The Shadowed Webs in Teldrassil, or kill Frostmane Trolls for The Lost Rune quest
Horde players can loot the Hidden Cache in the Valley of Trials, open the Bristleback Loot Cache in the Bramble Ravine in Mulgore, or open the Lost Stash in the spider cave in the starting zone for Undead
Victory Rush Effect
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- Instantly attack the target causing damage and healing you for 10% of your maximum health.
- Only useable within 20 sec after you kill an enemy that yields experience or honor.
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Devastate
All characters must kill certain monster enemies and collect their heads to earn this Rune. Different races require different monsters to be slain.
Human characters must collect heads from Kobolds, Murlocs, and Gnolls. Then, bring them to the Monster Hunter in Stormwind.
Dwarf and Gnome characters must collect heads from Troggs, Trolls, and Wendigo. Then, bring them to the Monster Hunter in Kharanos.
Night Elf characters must collect heads from Tigers, Owls, and Spiders. Then, bring them to the Monster Hunter in Darnassus.
Forsaken characters must collect heads from Bats, Murlocs, and Gnolls. Then, bring them to the Monster Hunter in the Undercity.
Orc and Troll characters must collect heads from Quillboar, Harpies, and Centaur. Then, bring them to the Monster Hunter in Razor Hill.
Tauren characters must collect heads from Quillboar, Harpies, and Gnolls. Then, bring them to the Monster Hunter in Bloodhoof Village.
Devatate Effect
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- Sunder Armor also deals 100% weapon damage, increased by 10% per application of Sunder Armor already on the target.
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Quick Strike
Alliance players can kill Defias enemies to get the Gillsbane weapon. Equip it, then kill Murlocs with it to get the Soul Of The Sea. Head south to find a Medusa statue, and interact with it to spawn a Level 20 enemy that drops the Rune.
Horde players must purchase a Fishing Harpoon in Ratchet and look for the elite shark Bruuz near the docks. Spear the shark with the Harpoon and kill the elite to get the Rune.
Quick Strike Effect
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- A reckless instant melee attack with your two-handed weapon dealing physical damage.
- This ability benefits from and triggers all effects associated with Heroic Strike.
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Single-Minded Fury
Purchased from Waylaid Supply vendors after reaching Honored with the new faction, the Azeroth Commerce Authority/Durotar Supply and Logistics.
Single-Minded Fury Effect
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- While dual-wielding, your Physical damage and movement speed are increased by 10%.
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Endless Rage
Alliance characters can defeat Old Murk-Eye in Westfall, or Lady Sedorax in Darkshore, to get this Rune.
Horde characters must look for The Horde Warbanner near the Crossroads. Pick this up, then walk to Northwatch Hold to the southeast. Replace the Alliance Banner at the top of Northwatch Hold and defeat the enemy that is summoned.
Endless Rage Effect
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- You generate 25% more Rage from all damage you deal.
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World of Warcraft
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- November 23, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)