Defensive Stance

Defensive Stance is a defensive stance for the Warrior, decreasing damage taken by 10% and increasing threat generated by 200%. It is learned at level 10 for.

Information
Defensive stance is the second stance available to a warrior. Previously, it was obtained via a level 10 class quest (see below). However, with the changes in Patch 4.0.1, it can now be learned at level 10 for. It is used primarily for tanking, providing 10% damage reduction and increasing threat 200%. In combination with the Bastion of Defense talent, the warrior's chance to be critically hit is reduced by 6%, enough to tank even Boss level mobs without the fear of being critically struck. A number of tanking oriented abilities are available solely in Defensive Stance as well. As always, however, the warrior is able to switch stances to access abilities that might be infrequently needed for special situations.

Defensive Stance heavily favors usage of a shield and one handed weapon; many of the abilities available in Defensive Stance require shield usage. For instance, Shield Block and Shield Wall provide temporary reductions to incoming damage and both require a shield to use.

Defensive Stance is unsuitable for DPS, given lack of damage increase associated with the other two stances, increased threat generation and inability to use a number of critical DPS abilites.

Exclusive Abilities
These abilities are only usable when the warrior is in Defensive Stance.

Unavailable Abilities
These abilities are not usable when the warrior is in Defensive Stance.

Quests
Previously, Defensive Stance was granted to the warrior via one of a number of equivalent warrior class quests as listed below. With the changes in Patch 4.0.1, these quests no longer need to be completed, however. Defensive Stance is available from the warrior trainer at level 10.


 * in Ironforge
 * in Darnassus
 * in Stormwind
 * in Azuremyst Isle
 * in The Barrens
 * in Tirisfal Glades