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Expertise Explained

What expertise does, how much you need, and why tanks care about it differently.

What it does

Each point of expertise reduces the chance that your attacks are dodged or parried by 0.25%. At level 70 it takes about 3.9 expertise rating for one point of expertise. Note that expertise rating on gear and expertise points aren't the same number.

How much is enough

Raid bosses dodge about 6.5% of attacks from the front or back, so 26 expertise removes dodge entirely. If you attack from behind, parry doesn't apply, which is why damage dealers rarely chase expertise past that point.

Tanks

Tanks attack from the front, where bosses can also parry. A parried attack doesn't just lose threat: it can speed up the boss's next swing. That makes expertise more valuable for tanks than for most damage dealers, though survival stats still come first.