Overview
5s in TBC is far less standardized than 2s/3s, so it's best to think in archetypes rather than fixed comps. Melee cleave is the highest-floor archetype: stack a warrior + rogue for single-target burst behind a double/triple healer core, and simply out-swap the enemy.
You win by calling clean, fast swaps — CC the enemy healers, train one target with Mortal Strike + rogue burst, and swap the moment a peel lands. The healer core (paladin + priest + shaman) makes you nearly impossible to kill first.
Win condition
Call coordinated swaps and burst a single target through the enemy's healing while your double/triple healer core keeps your melee alive.
Strengths
- +Overwhelming single-target burst with double healer backing
- +Mortal Strike + rogue burst kills through most 5s healing
- +Simple, high-floor game plan
Weaknesses
- −Kited and CC'd by caster-control 5s setups
- −Relies on calling clean swaps to break double/triple healing
Cooldown timeline
CC the enemy healers (Fear/Sap/Poly from support) → warrior + rogue stack burst + trinkets on the primary → swap on the peel. Healers rotate defensive cooldowns; Nature's Swiftness/bubble to cover the trained ally.
Positioning
Melee collapse on the kill target; healers spread behind LoS. Peel enemy melee off your casters/healers.
Vs. the meta
Ranged control kites your melee and CC's your healers. Tunnel a caster, use every gap-closer and Spell Reflect, and force their healers OOM with sustained pressure.
Gear requirements
- ▸Melee: weapons + resilience first
- ▸Healers: resilience + mp5 for long, chaotic games
Tips
- •5s is about swaps and CC on healers — coordinate voice calls.
- •Two Mortal Strikes or MS + Wound Poison shuts down enemy healing.
- •Don't over-commit; reset and re-swap rather than tunneling a peel.
Gear & talents for this comp
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