Protection Paladin
Tank A real tanking tree now: threat and mitigation both addressed.
Best in slot
Head Crusader's Silvered Chain Helm Blacksmithing · Crafted 9
- 2 Protector's Silvered Chain Helm Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 3 Acolyte's Silvered Chain Helm Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 4 Totemic Leather Hood Leatherworking · Crafted
- 5 Wisdom's Leather Hood Leatherworking · Crafted
- 6 Guard's Silvered Chain Helm Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 7 Pristine Circlet Tailoring · Crafted
- 8 Veteran's Silvered Chain Helm Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 9 Magistrate's Chain Hood Source not listed
- 10 Brawler's Leather Hood Leatherworking · Crafted
Neck Erudite's Amulet Source not listed 9
- 2 Scholarly Pendant Source not listed
- 3 Tarnished Locket Source not listed
- 4 Ephemeral Choker Faldrim Anvilmar · Hall of Thanes
- 5 Scout's Medallion Kelm Hargunth · Vendor
- 6 Sentinel's Medallion Illiyana Moonblaze · Vendor
- 7 Snake Eye Kaleidoscope Lady Anacondra · Wailing Caverns
- 8 Mark of the Pack Leader Source not listed
- 9 Replica Crescent Necklace Source not listed
- 10 Sorcerer Collar Rethilgore · Shadowfang Keep
Shoulder Tanned Shoulderpads Source not listed 9
- 2 Bronzed Shoulderguards Source not listed
- 3 Chestnut Mantle Allegiance to the Old Gods · Quest (Horde)
- 4 Durable Chain Shoulders WANTED: Chok'sul · Quest (Alliance)
- 5 Raptorclaw Shoulders Source not listed
- 6 Rough Bronze Shoulders Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 7 Silvered Bronze Shoulders Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 8 Double-Stitched Woolen Shoulders Tailoring · Crafted
- 9 Magician's Mantle World drop
- 10 Luminescent Amice Fallen Sky Lake · Quest
Back Feyscale Cloak Deviate Faerie Dragon · Wailing Caverns 9
- 2 Battle Healer's Cloak Kelm Hargunth · Vendor
- 3 Caretaker's Cape Illiyana Moonblaze · Vendor
- 4 Sentry Cloak World drop
- 5 Sporid Cape Verdan the Everliving · Wailing Caverns
- 6 Grave Shroud Source not listed
- 7 Engineer's Cloak Gerenzo Wrenchwhistle · Quest (Horde)
- 8 Windsong Drape Free at Last · Quest (Horde)
- 9 Miner's Cape Miner Johnson · The Deadmines
- 10 Resilient Poncho Apprentice's Duties · Quest (Alliance)
Chest Protector's Chain Shirt Blacksmithing · Crafted 9
- 2 Crusader's Chain Shirt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 3 Guard's Chain Shirt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 4 Remembrance Armor Source not listed
- 5 Acolyte's Chain Shirt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 6 Rough Bronze Cuirass Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 7 Stormrider's Leather Armor Leatherworking · Crafted
- 8 Barkshell Tunic Betrayal from Within · Quest (Horde)
- 9 Veteran's Chain Shirt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 10 Blackened Defias Armor Edwin VanCleef · The Deadmines
Shirt Empty No stats, wear what you like
Tabard Empty No stats, reputation and guild only
Wrist Beetle Clasps Researching the Corruption · Quest 9
- 2 Steel-clasped Bracers The Book of Ur · Quest (Horde)
- 3 Beastial Manacles Fallen Sky Lake · Quest
- 4 Rift Bracers Arugal's Voidwalker · Shadowfang Keep
- 5 Cultist's Armguards Source not listed
- 6 Tempered Bracers Reclaiming the Charred Vale · Quest (Alliance)
- 7 Bandsaw Wristbands Sneed · The Deadmines
- 8 Hexed Bracers Jin'Zil's Forest Magic · Quest (Horde)
- 9 Staghide Armguards Source not listed
- 10 Rough Bronze Bracers Blacksmithing · Crafted
Hands Silvered Gauntlets Source not listed 9
- 2 Protector's Gloves Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 3 Crusader's Gloves Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 4 Guard's Gloves Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 5 Tattered Mittens Source not listed
- 6 Acolyte's Gloves Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 7 Grip of Fear The Abandoned · Ruins of Lordaeron
- 8 Veteran's Gloves Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 9 Stormrider's Leather Gloves Leatherworking · Crafted
- 10 Runed Gauntlets Source not listed
Waist Heartwood Girdle Twilight Falls · Quest (Alliance) 9
- 2 Protector's Chain Belt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 3 Warsong Sash Warsong Supplies · Quest (Horde)
- 4 Crusader's Chain Belt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 5 Guard's Chain Belt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 6 Acolyte's Chain Belt Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 7 Centaur War Chain Source not listed
- 8 Pristine Sash Tailoring · Crafted
- 9 Atrophic Girdle Witherfang · Ruins of Lordaeron
- 10 Hillman's Belt Leatherworking · Crafted
Legs Protector's Chain Leggings Blacksmithing · Crafted 9
- 2 Dark Ritual Leggings Source not listed
- 3 Crusader's Chain Leggings Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 4 Guard's Chain Leggings Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 5 Acolyte's Chain Leggings Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 6 Stormrider's Leather Pants Leatherworking · Crafted
- 7 Veteran's Chain Leggings Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 8 Plainsguard Leggings Wanted - Arnak Grimtotem · Quest (Horde)
- 9 Wisdom's Leather Pants Leatherworking · Crafted
- 10 Totemic Leather Pants Leatherworking · Crafted
Feet Protector's Boots Blacksmithing · Crafted 9
- 2 Crusader's Boots Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 3 Guard's Boots Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 4 Acolyte's Boots Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 5 Quagmire Galoshes In Nightmares · Quest (Horde)
- 6 Grizzled Boots The Book of Ur · Quest (Horde)
- 7 Strange Copper Boots Blacksmithing · Crafted
- 8 Stormrider's Leather Boots Leatherworking · Crafted
- 9 Savage Trodders Lord Serpentis · Wailing Caverns
- 10 Silver-linked Footguards World drop
Finger 1 Seal of Sylvanas Arugal Must Die · Quest (Horde) 9
- 2 Advisor's Ring Kelm Hargunth · Vendor
- 3 Lorekeeper's Ring Illiyana Moonblaze · Vendor
- 4 Slain Baron's Signet Source not listed
- 5 Sustaining Ring Knowledge in the Deeps · Quest
- 6 Minor Channeling Ring WANTED: Chok'sul · Quest (Alliance)
- 7 Blood Ring World drop
- 8 Ring of Scorn A Husband's Revenge · Quest (Horde)
- 9 Ring of Defense World drop
- 10 Ring of Iron Will Howling in the Hills · Quest
Finger 2 Advisor's Ring Kelm Hargunth · Vendor 9
- 1 Seal of Sylvanas Arugal Must Die · Quest (Horde)
- 3 Lorekeeper's Ring Illiyana Moonblaze · Vendor
- 4 Slain Baron's Signet Source not listed
- 5 Sustaining Ring Knowledge in the Deeps · Quest
- 6 Minor Channeling Ring WANTED: Chok'sul · Quest (Alliance)
- 7 Blood Ring World drop
- 8 Ring of Scorn A Husband's Revenge · Quest (Horde)
- 9 Ring of Defense World drop
- 10 Ring of Iron Will Howling in the Hills · Quest
Trinket 1 Minor Recombobulator Engineering · Crafted 8
- 2 Gnomish Universal Remote Engineering · Crafted
- 3 Rune of Duty Source not listed
- 4 Rune of Perfection Source not listed
- 5 Lookie's Spyglass Cookie · The Deadmines
- 6 Crystal of Zin-Malor Source not listed
- 7 Greater Insignia of the Alliance Source not listed
- 8 Greater Insignia of the Horde Source not listed
- 9 Insignia of the Alliance Rank 6 · PvP Rank
Trinket 2 Gnomish Universal Remote Engineering · Crafted 8
- 1 Minor Recombobulator Engineering · Crafted
- 3 Rune of Duty Source not listed
- 4 Rune of Perfection Source not listed
- 5 Lookie's Spyglass Cookie · The Deadmines
- 6 Crystal of Zin-Malor Source not listed
- 7 Greater Insignia of the Alliance Source not listed
- 8 Greater Insignia of the Horde Source not listed
- 9 Insignia of the Alliance Rank 6 · PvP Rank
Main Hand Frostfall Source not listed 9
- 2 Scepter of the Abandoned The Abandoned · Ruins of Lordaeron
- 3 Butcher's Slicer Razorclaw the Butcher · Shadowfang Keep
- 4 Pathfinder's Clearway Source not listed
- 5 Cruel Barb Edwin VanCleef · The Deadmines
- 6 Stinging Viper Lord Pythas · Wailing Caverns
- 7 The Stitcher Ruins of Lordaeron Quest · Quest Reward
- 8 Legionnaire's Sword Kelm Hargunth · Vendor
- 9 Protector's Sword Illiyana Moonblaze · Vendor
- 10 Diamond Hammer World drop
Off Hand Arctic Buckler Blackfathom Villainy · Quest 9
- 2 Raven Hill Crest Source not listed
- 3 Seedcloud Buckler Verdan the Everliving · Wailing Caverns
- 4 Mirror of Rath'mael Rath'mael · Ruins of Lordaeron
- 5 Clink Shield Arikara · Quest
- 6 Kresh's Back Kresh · Wailing Caverns
- 7 Gold-plated Buckler Miner Johnson · The Deadmines
- 8 Redbeard Crest World drop
- 9 Constable Buckler Reclaiming the Charred Vale · Quest (Alliance)
- 10 Driftmire Shield Je'neu of the Earthen Ring · Quest (Horde)
Ranged Tenets of the Silver Hand Enchanting · Crafted
Where the list sends you
- 7 Crafted of 51 on the list
- 2 Quest of 9 on the list
- 1 Quest (Horde) of 15 on the list
- 1 Vendor of 10 on the list
- 1 Wailing Caverns of 7 on the list · 10 quests
- 1 Quest (Alliance) of 7 on the list
Alternatives only: World drop, The Deadmines, Ruins of Lordaeron, Shadowfang Keep, PvP Rank, Hall of Thanes, Quest Reward.
Talents
51 points, all of them spent by level 60.
Holy
2
2/2 
0/5 
0/5 
0/3 
0/2 
0/3 
0/2 
0/1 
0/3 
0/2 
0/2 
0/5 
0/1 
0/3 
0/1 
0/2 
0/5 
0/1 
Protection
31
0/5 
5/5 
3/3 
0/2 
5/5 
1/1 
3/3 
3/3 
2/2 
1/1 
0/3 
0/3 
1/1 
1/5 
5/5 
1/1 
Retribution
18
5/5 
4/5 
2/2 
2/2 
0/5 
0/3 
0/3 
0/1 
2/2 
0/2 
1/1 
2/2 
0/3 
0/3 
0/1 
0/3 
0/2 
0/1 21 points, which is everything the beta's level 30 cap allows.
Holy
0 0/2 0/5 0/5 0/3 0/2 0/3 0/2 0/1 0/3 0/2 0/2 0/5 0/1 0/3 0/1 0/2 0/5 0/1 Protection
21 0/5 5/5 3/3 0/2 3/5 1/1 3/3 3/3 2/2 1/1 0/3 0/3 0/1 0/5 0/5 0/1 Retribution
0 0/5 0/5 0/2 0/2 0/5 0/3 0/3 0/1 0/2 0/2 0/1 0/2 0/3 0/3 0/1 0/3 0/2 0/1 Rotation
In priority order: the first line that applies is the one you press.
- Use Righteous Fury . Increases the threat generated by your Holy attacks by 90%. Lasts 30 min.
- Use your assigned Aura, otherwise Devotion Aura or Retribution Aura . Gives 55 additional armor to party members within 30 yards. Players may only have one Aura on them per Paladin at any one time.
- Use your assigned Blessing, otherwise
Blessing of Kings . - Maintain Seal of Fury . Use Seal of Righteousness instead when not tanking. Fills the Paladin with divine fury for 30 sec, causing melee attacks to deal an additional 6 Holy damage. While a shield is equipped, each attack also grants an absorb shield equal to 50% of the Holy damage dealt. Only one Seal can be active on the Paladin at any one time. Unleashing this Seal's energy causes 32 to 35 Holy damage to an enemy and taunts the target to attack you for 4 sec.
- Maintain Holy Shield . Increases chance to block by 20% for 10 sec, and deals 153 Holy damage for each attack blocked while active. Damage caused by Holy Shield causes 20% additional threat.
- Cast Templar's Bulwark as your emergency defensive cooldown. When activated, this ability grants you an absorb shield equal to 100% of your maximum health for 8 sec. Applies Forbearance for 1 min. Cannot be cast while Forbearance is active.
- Cast Swift Judgement followed by Judgement . Can be used as an emergency taunt, snap threat, or damage. Finishes the remaining cooldown on your Judgement ability and reduces the Mana cost of your next Judgement by 100%.
- Cast Holy Strike . An instant strike that causes 25% weapon damage plus an additional 11 to 14 as Holy damage.
- Cast Judgement . Keep in mind that this is also your taunt when using Seal of Fury . Unleash the energy of a Seal spell upon an enemy. Does not consume the Seal. Refer to individual Seals for Judgement effect.
- Cast Consecration . Consecrates the land beneath the Paladin, doing 24 Holy damage over 8 sec to enemies who enter the area The first 4 enemies who enter the area will take an additional 56 damage over 8 sec.
- Cast Exorcism if the target is Undead or Demon. Causes 79 to 91 Holy damage to an Undead or Demon target.
- Use Righteous Fury . Increases the threat generated by your Holy attacks by 90%. Lasts 30 min.
- Use your assigned Aura, otherwise Devotion Aura or Retribution Aura . Gives 55 additional armor to party members within 30 yards. Players may only have one Aura on them per Paladin at any one time.
- Use your assigned Blessing, otherwise Blessing of Kings .
- Maintain Seal of Fury . Use Seal of Righteousness instead when not tanking. Fills the Paladin with divine fury for 30 sec, causing melee attacks to deal an additional 6 Holy damage. While a shield is equipped, each attack also grants an absorb shield equal to 50% of the Holy damage dealt. Only one Seal can be active on the Paladin at any one time. Unleashing this Seal's energy causes 32 to 35 Holy damage to an enemy and taunts the target to attack you for 4 sec.
- Use Swift Judgement followed by Judgement . Can be used as an emergency taunt, snap threat, or damage. Finishes the remaining cooldown on your Judgement ability and reduces the Mana cost of your next Judgement by 100%.
- Use Holy Strike . An instant strike that causes 25% weapon damage plus an additional 11 to 14 as Holy damage.
- Use Judgement . Keep in mind that this is also your taunt when using Seal of Fury . Unleash the energy of a Seal spell upon an enemy. Does not consume the Seal. Refer to individual Seals for Judgement effect.
- Use Consecration . Consecrates the land beneath the Paladin, doing 24 Holy damage over 8 sec to enemies who enter the area The first 4 enemies who enter the area will take an additional 56 damage over 8 sec.
- Use Exorcism if the target is Undead or Demon. Causes 79 to 91 Holy damage to an Undead or Demon target.
Races
Ranked by how many of a race's racials touch what this spec does, read out of the game's own wording and out of the weapon its gear list aims for. Those are lit; the number on the right is the count. It is a measure, not a verdict: nothing in the beta has been parsed yet, so anything stronger would be a guess.
Alliance
- 1 Dwarf Big Game Hunter Mace Specialization Stoneform Find Treasure 1
- 2 Human Will to Survive Sword Specialization Perception The Human Spirit 1
Horde
- 1 Undead Touch of the Grave Cannibalize Will of the Forsaken Underwater Breathing 2
What Forever changed
4 new, 32 rewritten, 4 no longer taught, across the whole class. Every ability, rank by rank.
In the Protection tree
- Holy Strike and Seal of FuryNew damage tools that give Protection and Retribution threat generation worth using.
Elsewhere in Paladin
- Judgement no longer consumes SealsRetribution stops fighting its own rotation. This alone changes how the spec plays more than any new talent.
- Blessing of Kings is baselineIt no longer costs a talent point, and Blessings last an hour instead of ten minutes.
- Holy ShockAn instant heal, which Classic Paladins simply did not have.
- Twist of LightSeal twisting is supported by a talent instead of relying on precise weapon timing.
New abilities
- Holy StrikeAn instant strike that causes 25% weapon damage plus an additional 11 to 14 as Holy damage.
- Seal of FuryFills the Paladin with divine fury for 30 sec, causing melee attacks to deal an additional 6 Holy damage. While a shield is equipped, each attack also grants an absorb shield equal to 50% of the Holy damage dealt. Only one Seal can be active on the Paladin at any one time. Unleashing this Seal's energy causes 32 to 35 Holy damage to an enemy and taunts the target to attack you for 4 sec.
- Hammer of the RighteousHammer the current target and up to 3 additional nearby targets, causing Holy damage to each equal to 3 times the damage per second of your main hand weapon. Cooldown shared with Crusader Strike.
- Light's VigilApplies Light's Vigil to the target for 30 sec. Your next Holy Shock cast on them triggers no cooldown and causes allied targets to heal their party for 486 to 515, or enemy targets to suffer 268 to 288 Holy damage and refund 75% of Light's Vigil's Mana cost. You may only have 1 Light's Vigil active per Paladin, per party.
