Patch 4.0.6 will bring a lot of PVP changes to WoW with several specs getting the buffs they deserve (disc priests for example) and several being rightfully nerfed. Rogues are still looking balanced (even with the halved duration of smokebomb) and the buffs to Subtlety are definitely a step in the right direction.

Warriors will be affected by a lot of changes in today’s patch, something the class does not seem too happy about. One effect of the patch will be an increase in the number of Fury warriors you’re likely to run into. While a lot of PVPing warriors are staying arms for the control/survivability, others will be attracted to the high damage potential that Fury offers. However, this damage can be controlled to a large extent by dispelling the mechanism that gives them their burst – enrage. Whenever your target enrages, a gentle shiv will instantly calm them down (and may even transfer the rage to the player IRL instead).

There are several enrages that you need to keep an eye open for, a couple of which are available to both Arms and Fury specs. Either keep checking their buff bar, watch their character animations, or run a third party addon like Afflicted3/Parrot/IceHUD/Natur to track the procs.

Berserker Rage

Berserker rage grants the warrior rage and gives them immunity to fear. This may not sound too dangerous for a rogue, but it does allow them to use abilities that rely on them being enraged. Enrage effects allow the warrior to use Enraged Regeneration for some impressive non-dispellable self healing, as well as the hard-hitting Raging Blow (if they have a Fury spec). Enraged Regeneration can’t be dispelled, but you can try and stop them from using it in the first place.

Death Wish (Fury tree)

The 20% damage buff from the fury talent ‘Death Wish’ would put this ability on a par with Vendetta, if it wasn’t for the longer CD, 5% increase in damage taken and the fact it can be dispelled with a 20-energy shiv.

Enrage/Wrecking Crew

Both Fury and Arms warriors have access to talents which can proc an enrage buff. Arms warriors rely on Mortal Strike crits, while Fury warriors have a chance-on-hit. Regardless of how it is generated, you may wish to dispel it (especially vs a Fury warrior).

Recklessness (not dispellable)

The increase in damage taken during Recklessness cannot be negated through glyphs or talents. Recklessness cannot be dispelled through shiv, so you will need to control the warrior with stuns/disarms instead.

Enrage effects aren’t limited to just warriors and tanks – Feral Druids and Unholy Death Knights also have buffs that you can remove.

Unholy Frenzy (Death Knight)

As well as providing an increase in damage output, Unholy Frenzy also prevents the Death Knight (or whoever they cast it on) from being sheeped/blinded. I’ve seen some DKs cast it onto their pet during Dark Transformation – if you see the ghoul suddenly flash red/purple you may want to throw a shiv at it to take some pressure off your healer.

Enrage (Druid)

It seems common for feral druids to put points into King of the Jungle – dispelling their enrage will remove the 15% buff this gives them and also reduce their energy regen.

Frenzied Regeneration (Druid)

While a warrior needs to enrage before being able to use their undispellable self-heal, a druid’s self heal is actually an enrage effect in its own right. Get rid of it quickly.

Savage Roar (Druid)

Savage Roar is a finishing move – wasting five of the druid’s combo-points for the cost of a 20 energy shiv is a worthwile exchange.