Best in Slot for Protection Warrior in WoW Midnight (Patch 12.1.0)
Patch 12.1.0 · Updated Oct 11, 2026
Best single target weapon for Protection Warrior on patch 12.1.0.69933: Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver from Nek'zali the Soulcoiler. Wear Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique and Voracious Heart of Ula'tek as your trinkets. Every item is compared at item level 334.
- Slots ranked
- 14
- Item level
- 334
- From the raid
- 11
- From dungeons
- 3
- Crafted
- 0
Best in slot by equipment slot
effect not modelledhas a proc or on-use effect the weights cannot seetierset piece, pinned for the 4-set
The best item for every slot plus up to four alternatives, ranked by this spec's simmed stat weights. Trinkets are ranked by simmed DPS.
| # | Item | Source | ilvl | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Headof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Tempered Horns of the Jade Warlordtier189 Strength / 140 Critical Strike / 61 Haste | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 98.4% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Visor of the Predator189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery | Dungeon Atroxus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Greathelm of Temptation189 Strength / 126 Mastery / 75 Critical Strike | Dungeon Kystia Manaheart, Murder Row | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 4 |  Aetherlume Sun Guardcrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Versatility | CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.3% of best |
| 5 |  Spellbreaker's Covercrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.3% of best |
Neckof 10 | ||||
| 1 |  Aqirbane Reliquaryeffect not modelled405 Critical Strike | Raid Ula'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Graft of the Domanaar261 Critical Strike / 145 Mastery | Dungeon Charonus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 98.2% of best |
| 3 |  Masterwork Sin'dorei Amuletcrafted, your stats199 Critical Strike / 199 Versatility | CraftedJewelcrafting, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.1% of best |
| 4 |  Amulet of the Twin Fangseffect not modelled344 Mastery / 61 Haste | Raid The Twin Fangs, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 92.2% of best |
| 5 |  Strand of Warding Fangs230 Critical Strike / 175 Haste | Dungeon The Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 91.8% of best |
Shoulderof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Raging Pauldrons of the Jade Warlordtier141 Strength / 105 Mastery / 46 Critical Strike | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.0% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Swelling Sea Spaulders141 Strength / 107 Critical Strike / 44 Mastery | Raid Nymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Pauldrons of the Great Unifier141 Strength / 85 Versatility / 66 Mastery | Dungeon Dazar, The First King, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 4 |  Spellbreaker's Mantlecrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.6% of best |
| 5 | C'thraxxi Binders Pauldrons141 Strength / 101 Haste / 50 Critical Strike | Dungeon Avatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 95.2% of best |
Backof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Amani Summoning Shawl106 Strength / 78 Critical Strike / 35 Versatility | Raid Nek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Speakeasy Shroud106 Strength / 66 Critical Strike / 47 Mastery | Dungeon Zaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row | 334 | 99.0% of best |
| 3 |  Cloak of the Restless Tribeseffect not modelled106 Strength / 61 Versatility / 52 Mastery | Dungeon The Council of Tribes, Kings' Rest | 334 | 98.8% of best |
| 4 |  Adherent's Silken Shroudcrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Versatility | CraftedTailoring, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.0% of best |
| 5 |  Silken Voodoo Drape106 Strength / 80 Mastery / 33 Haste | Raid The Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 95.9% of best |
Chestof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Cuirass of the Jade Warlordtier189 Strength / 142 Mastery / 59 Critical Strike | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 98.3% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Aged Interwoven Scaleplate189 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 96 Versatility | DungeonThe Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Sentinel Challenger's Prize189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery | Dungeon Sentinel of Winter, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 99.2% of best |
| 4 |  Desert Guardian's Breastplate189 Strength / 122 Mastery / 79 Critical Strike | DungeonAvatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 98.6% of best |
| 5 |  Spellbreaker's Sheltercrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 97.5% of best |
Wristof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Shellbound Bracers106 Strength / 79 Mastery / 34 Critical Strike | Raid The Lost Explorers, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Aetherlume Guardscrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Versatility | CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.7% of best |
| 3 | Spellbreaker's Bracerscrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.7% of best |
| 4 |  Embalmer's Steadying Bracers106 Strength / 69 Critical Strike / 44 Haste | Dungeon Mchimba the Embalmer, Kings' Rest | 334 | 98.5% of best |
| 5 | Shard-Tipped Vambraces106 Strength / 66 Versatility / 47 Haste | Dungeon Adderis and Aspix, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 98.2% of best |
Handsof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Jeweled Gauntlets of the Jade Warlordtier141 Strength / 101 Critical Strike / 50 Haste | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 98.6% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Despondent's Gauntlets141 Strength / 91 Versatility / 59 Mastery | Dungeon Taz'Rah, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Gauntlets of the Avian Sentinel141 Strength / 101 Mastery / 50 Critical Strike | Dungeon The Golden Serpent, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.7% of best |
| 4 | Thornspike Gauntlets141 Strength / 98 Mastery / 53 Versatility | Dungeon Ziekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.7% of best |
| 5 |  Spellbreaker's Resolvecrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.2% of best |
Waistof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Girdle of Toxic Regret141 Strength / 106 Critical Strike / 45 Mastery | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Sand-Scoured Greatbelt141 Strength / 95 Versatility / 56 Mastery | Dungeon Galvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.7% of best |
| 3 |  Autumn's Boon Belt141 Strength / 91 Mastery / 59 Versatility | Dungeon The Hoardmonger, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 98.9% of best |
| 4 |  Spellbreaker's Girdlecrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.6% of best |
| 5 | Girdle of Pestilent Purification141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery | DungeonThe Council of Tribes, Kings' Rest | 334 | 94.6% of best |
Legsof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Greaves of the Jade Warlordtier189 Strength / 135 Versatility / 66 Mastery | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.1% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Bedrock Breeches189 Strength / 122 Critical Strike / 79 Versatility | Dungeon Lightblossom Trinity, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Legplates of Charged Duality189 Strength / 126 Versatility / 75 Critical Strike | DungeonAdderis and Aspix, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 4 |  Chausses of Unbound Rancor201 Mastery / 189 Strength | RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 97.6% of best |
| 5 |  Spellbreaker's Legguardscrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 97.5% of best |
Feetof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Auric Puddle Stompers141 Strength / 88 Versatility / 62 Critical Strike | DungeonThe Golden Serpent, Kings' Rest | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Scaleguard's Stalwart Greatboots141 Strength / 98 Versatility / 53 Mastery | Dungeon Melidrussa Chillworn, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 99.4% of best |
| 3 |  Aetherlume Stomperscrafted, your stats138 Strength / 75 Critical Strike / 75 Versatility | CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.5% of best |
| 4 | Murder Row Fleet Feeteffect not modelledcrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.2% of best |
| 5 | Spellbreaker's Marchcrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.2% of best |
Ringswear twoof 14 | ||||
| 1 |  Pilfered Precious Band243 Versatility / 162 Critical Strike | DungeonThe Hoardmonger, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Masterwork Sin'dorei Bandcrafted, your stats199 Critical Strike / 199 Versatility | CraftedJewelcrafting, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.3% of best |
| 3 |  Signet of Snarling Servitude249 Critical Strike / 156 Mastery | Dungeon Xathuux the Annihilator, Murder Row | 334 | 98.0% of best |
| 4 |  Charged Sandstone Band232 Critical Strike / 174 Mastery | DungeonGalvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 98.0% of best |
| 5 |  Apex Brute's Claw Ringeffect not modelled338 Critical Strike / 67 Haste | Raid Sszorak, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 97.1% of best |
Trinketswear twoof 53 | ||||
| 1 |  Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique179 Strength | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +13,257 DPS gain |
| 2 |  Voracious Heart of Ula'tek143 Critical Strike | RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +12,715 DPS gain |
| 3 |  Tumor of the Swarm179 Strength | DungeonAtroxus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | +11,429 DPS gain |
| 4 |  Coiled Fangstone179 Strength | Dungeon Rav'i, Altar of Fangs | 334 | +10,746 DPS gain |
| 5 |  Sszorak's Ferocity179 Strength | RaidSszorak, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +10,701 DPS gain |
Main handof 10 | ||||
| 1 |  Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver94 Strength / 66 Mastery / 35 Critical Strike | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Bloomforged Clawcrafted, your stats92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.9% of best |
| 3 |  Farstrider's Choppercrafted, your stats92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.9% of best |
| 4 |  Spellbreaker's Bladecrafted, your stats92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.9% of best |
| 5 |  Spellbreaker's Ultimatumcrafted, your stats92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 99.9% of best |
Off handof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Bulwark of Brimming Potential289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 55 Versatility / 46 Critical Strike | DungeonGalvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Teldrassil's Sacrifice289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 61 Critical Strike / 39 Versatility | DungeonZiekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 3 |  Drake Rider's Stecktarge289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 61 Versatility / 39 Mastery | Dungeon Kyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 98.6% of best |
| 4 |  Knight-Commander's Palisadeeffect not modelledcrafted, your stats281 Intellect / 92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.4% of best |
| 5 | Spellbreaker's Rebukecrafted, your stats281 Intellect / 92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.4% of best |
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Methodology
Stat weights
Each item's stats are multiplied by the Protection Warrior stat weights from the weekly scale-factor sim (normalized: Strength 1.00, Critical Strike 0.71, Versatility 0.71, Mastery 0.67, Haste 0.58). Full stat priority.
Trinkets
Taken from the weekly simmed trinket leaderboard, 50,000 iterations per trinket on the canonical baseline profile, since trinket value is mostly effect. Trinket leaderboard.
Item level
Raid and Mythic+ drops at the Myth 6/6 ceiling (334), crafted gear at the crafted cap, everything else at its fixed item level. Stats scaled with SimulationCraft's item scaling from the game's DB2 tables.
Tier pieces and crafted gear
Tier pieces are pinned to rank one of their slot for the set bonus. Crafted gear is priced with its two crafter-chosen secondaries set to the spec's two best stats at an even split.
Top-player check
No top-player sample for this spec yet. The check shows up once the top players board has data. Top Protection players.
Not included
On-use and proc effects outside the trinket slot (flagged), embellishments, set-bonus interactions between slots, and the combined value of a full set.
Source and patch
SimulationCraft af05b9e2e1e50ad5b50f255d7189161dcc058554, client build 12.1.0.69933, generated Oct 11, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-in-slot gear for Protection Warrior in Patch 12.1.0.69933?
For Protection Warrior on single target: Head: Tempered Horns of the Jade Warlord; Neck: Aqirbane Reliquary; Shoulder: Raging Pauldrons of the Jade Warlord; Back: Amani Summoning Shawl; Chest: Cuirass of the Jade Warlord; Wrist: Shellbound Bracers; Hands: Jeweled Gauntlets of the Jade Warlord; Waist: Girdle of Toxic Regret; Legs: Greaves of the Jade Warlord; Feet: Auric Puddle Stompers; Rings: Pilfered Precious Band; Trinkets: Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique; Main hand: Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver; Off hand: Bulwark of Brimming Potential. Stat items are ranked by the spec's simmed stat weights and trinkets by their simmed DPS gain.
What is the best weapon for Protection Warrior?
Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver, from Nek'zali the Soulcoiler, scores highest against the Protection Warrior stat weights at the season ceiling. Weapons with a proc or on-use effect are flagged on the board, since the score leaves the effect out.
Where does Protection best-in-slot gear come from?
Of the 14 best-in-slot picks, 11 come from the raid, 3 from Mythic+ dungeons and 0 from crafted gear. Open the best dungeons page for a per-dungeon breakdown.
Does this match what top Protection Warrior players actually wear?
There's no top-player sample for Protection Warrior yet. The check appears once the top players board has data.
How is this ranked without simming every item?
Each item's stats at the season ceiling are multiplied by the Protection Warrior stat weights (DPS per point, from the weekly scale-factor sim). Trinkets come from the simmed trinket leaderboard. Items with effects outside the trinket slot are flagged because a weight cannot value an effect.
Why is the tier piece ranked first even when another item has better stats?
The 4-set bonus is worth more than a stat difference, so tier pieces are pinned. The alternatives are what to wear before the set is complete or in the fifth tier slot.
How often is this updated?
Every Sunday after the weekly SimulationCraft update, when the stat weights and trinket boards are re-simmed. The methodology section shows the SimC build used.