Warrior • Arms • PVE
Arms Warrior (PVE)
PvP-first spec with Mortal Strike utility
Aldor vs Scryer
When you first reach Shattrath City at level 60 or higher, you are given a choice between two factions: The Aldor and the Scryers. This decision affects which rewards you can purchase, which quest lines you can pursue, and which faction strongholds you can access in Shadowmoon Valley. While it is possible to switch later, it is best to avoid making a haphazard choice. One of the most common questions in The Burning Crusade is which Shattrath reputation you should pick. The answer depends heavily on your class and specialization, especially during the early phases of the expansion.
Before you choose
Here are the only things you need to know before picking a side.
What your choice affects
Your choice changes which reputation rewards you can buy, which quest lines you follow, and which faction areas you can access in Shadowmoon Valley.
You cannot pick both
Declaring for one faction makes you Unfriendly with the other, and raising one reputation will generally lower the other.
Switching is possible
You can swap later, but it is time-consuming and usually costs gold. It is best to choose intentionally early.
How to decide
For most players, the decision comes down to early Phase 1 value versus cost. The long-term difference is small, so either choice remains viable.
Aldor vs Scryer
Side-by-side comparison of early highlights, pros, and cons.
Neither choice is permanent, but your early gearing experience can feel very different depending on which faction you choose
- Greater Inscription of Vengeance provides a strong shoulder enchant option for Arms PvE
- Quest rewards such as Overseer's Signet are competitive pre-raid gearing options
- Aldor rewards align well with Arms’ early stat priorities
- Often more expensive to rush due to higher demand for Mark of Sargeras and Fel Armament
- Pushing reputation early can require a noticeable gold investment
- Slightly stronger shoulder enchant if you only compare critical strike versus attack power (difference is minor overall)
- Unique Blacksmithing plans can reduce the cost of leveling Blacksmithing to 375
- Sunfury Signet and Arcane Tome are often cheaper turn-ins than the Aldor equivalents, saving gold early
- Provides less immediate PvE payoff for Arms compared to Aldor’s early reputation rewards
- Feels less impactful if your goal is early Phase 1 raid readiness
What matters for Arms Warrior
Shoulder enchants
Both factions offer shoulder enchants that are viable for Arms PvE. The overall difference is small and should not be the sole factor in your decision. While the Scryer enchant offers slightly more Critical Strike rating, the Aldor option provides balanced stats that align well with early Arms gearing priorities.
Early power versus gold efficiency
Arms Warriors tend to value consistent early stat gains over niche advantages. Aldor offers a smoother early gearing path through reputation and quest rewards, while Scryer is generally more gold efficient due to cheaper turn-ins and profession-related benefits. If you are leveling Blacksmithing aggressively, Scryer can help reduce early costs.
Recommendation for Arms Warrior PvE
We recommend choosing Aldor as an Arms Warrior in TBC Classic. Greater Inscription of Vengeance offers strong early value, and Aldor reputation rewards fit cleanly into an Arms Warrior’s early Phase 1 gearing path. While Scryer remains a perfectly viable alternative—especially for players focused on saving gold or leveling Blacksmithing—the practical difference fades after the early portion of Phase 1. Ultimately, Aldor provides the most straightforward and reliable early experience for Arms PvE.