Attribute Attributes are the basic building blocks for a character ' s combat ability . The five primary attributes are , , , , and . These five attributes along with armor appear on the under " Attributes " . These are often referred to as simply " stats " . A number of secondary attributes affect specific areas of combat more directly , and are often influenced in some way by a primary attribute . Secondary attributes include critical strike rate , damage absorption , attack power , spell power , and many others . All characters inherently have some amount of each attribute that increases with level depending mainly on class . For example , a mage will have more base intellect than a rogue , who will have more base agility . Increasing these attributes is mainly done with equipment , as well as temporary effects such as buffs , elixirs , scrolls , aura s , and many other means . Nearly all combat mechanics rely in some way on one or more character attributes . Increasing the appropriate attribute will increase damage done , reduce damage taken , increase healing done , affect a character ' s mana or health , or other benefits . Understanding how these attributes work is important for effective combat . AddOns such as RatingBuster can show you the actual improvements in game to your Secondary attributes which are more directly applied to combat mechanics . Base . Strength . Strength ( often abbreviated STR ) has the following effects : Strength does not affect the chance to land a critical strike . Strength does not improve the chance to block . Agility . Agility ( often abbreviated AGI ) has the following effects : Agility Equivalence Points is a notable formula for calculating the contribution of agility . It might be outdated with regard to hunters . Intellect . Intellect ( often abbreviated as INT ) has the following effects : Intellect in Mists of Pandaria . Intellect will no longer affect ( increase ) the mana pool . Stamina . Stamina ( often abbreviated STA ) has the following effects : Spirit . Spirit ( often abbreviated SPI ) has the following effects : Spirit is of no use for mage s and warlock s due to how their classes ' mana regeneration works . Spirit is made more valuable by abilities that increase other stats based on Spirit . Some could argue that Spirit is not a base attribute , since Blizz ard groups it under " Enhancements " on the Stat panel of the character window . Bonus attributes . Some attributes ( like ) appear as ( similar to color ) on tooltips . There is no official explanation for why these attributes are colored this way , but it appears that they are always secondary attributes . Another possible theory is that the attributes are colored when they receive bonuses from equipment , such as armor or off - hand items . Secondary . Secondary attributes are player stats that affect combat directly . The four primary attributes only indirectly affect combat , by contributing to these attributes . Mastery . Mastery is a unique secondary attribute that has different effects depending on class and specialization . Listed under " Enhancements " on the Stats panel of the character window . Physical combat . Enhancements . All these stats except Expertise appear in the " Enhancements " section of the Stats panel of the character window . Tertiary . Warlords of Draenor adds random and rare " tertiary " attributes to some items . These are not truly attributes in the sense that they boost some characteristic of the player during combat , but more like abilities attached to items like being able to proc ( Leech ) . All these stats except Indestructible appear in the " Enhancements " section of the Stats panel of the character window . Other information . Attack power . Base statistics affect attack power ( which contributes to DPS ) as follows : Avoidance . Not specifically an attribute , but more of an attack table cumulative rating . Represents chance to avoid an attack with a combination of dodge , parry , and chance to miss ( which is a fixed percentage depending on the target ) . Avoidance should not be confused with mitigation which reduces damage from an attack . Listed under " Enhancements " on the Stats panel of the character window . Mana regeneration . Although this stat was removed from itemization in Cataclysm , it is still a key player stat for spell casters to track . It is now primarily based on . Listed under " Spell " on the Stat panel of the character window . Random attributes on items . On many , and on some items you can get random attributes . Attributes removed in Warlords of Draenor . Attributes that were removed from itemization in Warlords of Draenor : Attributes removed in Mists of Pandaria . Attributes that were removed from itemization in Mists of Pandaria : Attributes removed in Cataclysm . Attributes that were removed from itemization in Cataclysm :