PvE Protection Warrior Tank Addons & Macros

A comprehensive list of addons and macros to improve a Protection Warrior’s performance in dungeon and raid environments in Mists of Pandaria.

Addons

• MinimapButtonButton – Addon that piles up all addon icons, preventing them from clogging your Minimap. Must-have addon if you plan on acquiring a large number of addons.
• DeadlyBossMods – Allows you to track boss abilities. It’s a must-have for raiding.
• Details – Shows you how much damage, healing, etc, everyone in your raid is doing. Flex on your friends!
• WeakAuras – Extremely versatile addon that can track buffs and debuffs, modify the User Interface, or even create audio notifications.
• Leatrix Plus – Multi-purpose addon that is extremely helpful, especially for streamers, for changing in-game mechanics such as auto-accepting quests, summons, and resurrection spells, blocking Party/Duel requests, modifying Chat, Frames, System, and Interface functionality.
• Leatrix Maps – Enhances map functionality by adding coordinates, increasing zoom level, and many more!
• Auctionator – A great tool for any interaction with the Auction House
• OmniCC – Displays a timer on the Action Bar for the remaining time until a Cooldown is available
• GTFO – Addon that provides audio notifications whenever you are standing in dangerous effects. Great for raiding!
• Questie – Addon that tracks and showcases Quests & Quest Objectives on the map. Extremely helpful for leveling or the Loremaster Achievement!
• Rarescanner – Addon that tracks and showcases rare mobs when in proximity to them. It is very helpful for acquiring early loot or completing achievements!
• Bagnon – An Addon that completely revamps the Bag Interface and combines all bags into one big window. It’s a fantastic addon overall!
• Plater Nameplates – This addon, similar to Weakauras, allows you to customize all nameplates in the game entirely. It is great for players who struggle to track debuffs on targets or simply want to overhaul the default interface.

Macros

Like other tank specializations, Protection Warriors use mouseover macros to utilize their utility more easily, and offensive/defensive macros aid them in simultaneously activating multiple off-GCD cooldowns. While such macros can boost your performance by a large margin, not all have general usability. In some encounters, it would be better to use Defensive Abilities independently rather than throw them all down simultaneously.

Mouseover Macro

This macro can cast an ability on any target by simply hovering your mouse over it. You can either hover your mouse over the target itself or the UI raid or party frame in the case of a friendly target. For any beneficial spell, you will want “Help” in your macro; for any damaging spell, you will want “Harm”. This type of macro works with any ability, including Intervene, Vigilance, Charge, and Heroic Throw.

#showtooltip
/cast [@mouseover, help, nodead] Vigilance

#showtooltip
/cast [@mouseover, harm, nodead] Charge

Shield Block + Shield Barrier Macro

This macro can be useful if you instantly defend against Physical and Magical damage. However, this macro should only be used if you consistently Rage Cap yourself, as it can consume up to 120 Rage!

#showtooltip Shield Block
/cast Shield Block
/cast Shield Barrier

Enraged Regeneration Macro

This macro is useful for ensuring you get the maximum Healing Output from Enraged Regeneration! If you consistently benefit from Enrage, you should avoid using this macro or play a Critical Strike Chance build that specifically guarantees 100% Enrage uptime, as it would simply waste Berserker Rage.

#showtooltip Enraged Regeneration
/cast Berserker Rage
/cast Enraged Regeneration

All Out Defensive Macro

An “All Out Defensive Macro” can incorporate all your Defensive Cooldowns that don’t share GCD. It can be custom-tailored depending on your needs, especially considering it works even with the Enraged Regeneration macro! However, you can’t combine certain defensive cooldowns, such as Last Stand and Rallying Cry, as they share an internal cooldown.

#showtooltip Shield Wall
/cast Berserker Rage
/cast Enraged Regeneration
/cast Shield Wall
/cast Last Stand

Charge Macro

This macro should be used whenever you initiate, as it allows you to cast Charge and Heroic Throw in the same GCD, effectively increasing your initial Threat considerably!

#showtooltip Charge
/cast Charge
/cast Heroic Throw