Welcome to the Retribution Paladin guide for Shadowlands! This holy warrior spec excels at dealing melee damage, using the Light to smite enemies. Ideal for both single-target and AoE scenarios, Retribution Paladins offer a balanced playstyle with powerful cooldowns and consistent damage output. This guide covers everything you need to master the spec, from talents and rotations to gearing and Covenant choices, ensuring you dominate in raids, dungeons, and PvP.
1.1 Overview of the Retribution Paladin Spec
Retribution Paladins are holy warriors who channel the Light to deal devastating melee damage. Specializing in single-target and AoE damage, they rely on Holy Power and cooldowns like Templar’s Verdict and Divine Storm. Their rotation revolves around generators and spenders, with mobility and survivability enhanced by abilities like Shield of Vengeance. This spec offers a dynamic playstyle, balancing burst damage with consistent output, making it versatile for various content.
1.2 Key Changes in Shadowlands for Retribution Paladins
Shadowlands brought significant updates to Retribution Paladins, including a reworked talent system and the introduction of Covenants. Crusading Strikes became the dominant choice over Templar Strikes, enhancing damage output. The spec also saw unpruned abilities in the pre-patch, improving gameplay fluidity. Additionally, the expansion introduced new gearing strategies and simplified rotations, with a focus on Holy Power management and cooldown optimization for both single-target and AoE scenarios.
Stats and Races for Retribution Paladins
Strength is the primary stat for Retribution Paladins, followed by Mastery, Haste, and Critical Strike. Race choices like Lightforged Draenei and Blood Elf provide strong bonuses, optimizing damage output and survivability.
2.1 Stat Priority: Strength, Mastery, Haste, and More
Strength is your primary stat, directly increasing damage output. Mastery enhances Holy damage, while Haste improves attack speed and Global Cooldown. Critical Strike boosts damage variability, and Versatility increases damage dealt while reducing damage taken. Always sim your gear to refine priorities, as stat weights can vary based on equipment and playstyle.
- Strength: Highest priority for raw damage.
- Mastery: Boosts Holy damage effectiveness.
- Haste: Reduces attack and ability cooldowns.
- Critical Strike: Increases potential for double damage.
- Versatility: Balances damage and survivability.
2.2 Best Races for Alliance and Horde
Race choice for Retribution Paladins depends on preference, but some offer slight advantages. For Alliance, Iron Dwarf and Human are top picks due to their versatile traits. Horde favors Blood Elf for Arcane Acuity, boosting enchant effects, and Tauren for Endurance, increasing health. While differences are minor, these races provide edge in specific scenarios, making them ideal for optimizing performance.
Talents and Builds
Retribution Paladins offer versatile talent options, allowing for tailored builds to suit single-target, AoE, or specialized gameplay. This section explores optimal talent combinations for various playstyles and content types, ensuring maximum effectiveness in any scenario.
3.1 Single-Target and AoE Talent Builds
Retribution Paladins can adapt their talents for single-target or AoE scenarios. Single-target builds focus on maximizing Holy Power generation and damage output through talents like Crusading Strikes and Templar’s Verdict. For AoE, talents such as Divine Toll and Wake of Ashes enhance area damage and reduce cooldowns, making them ideal for multi-enemy encounters. This flexibility ensures Retribution Paladins excel in diverse content types.
3.2 Crusading Strikes vs. Templar Strikes: Which is Better?
Crusading Strikes outperforms Templar Strikes due to higher damage output and smoother Holy Power generation. Crusading Strikes enhances Blade of Justice and Crusader Strike, increasing single-target and AoE capabilities. Templar Strikes, while offering burst potential, falls short in sustained damage. Thus, Crusading Strikes is the optimal choice for both single-target and multi-enemy encounters, making it the go-to talent for most Retribution Paladins in Shadowlands.
Rotation and Playstyle
Retribution Paladins balance Holy Power generation and spending through abilities like Judgment and Crusader Strike. Use Avenging Wrath to amplify damage in intense moments effectively.
4.1 Basic Rotation and Opener
Retribution Paladins follow a Holy Power-based rotation, using Judgment and Crusader Strike to generate power for Templar’s Verdict or Divine Storm. Open with Crusader Strike, then Judgment to generate Holy Power. Use Blade of Justice or Hammer of Wrath during Avenging Wrath for maximum damage. Maintain Consecration and Holy Prism for consistent Holy Power generation and area damage.
4.2 Managing Holy Power and Cooldowns
Efficiently managing Holy Power is crucial for Retribution Paladins. Use Judgment and Crusader Strike to generate Holy Power, then spend it on Templar’s Verdict (single-target) or Divine Storm (AoE). Coordinate Avenging Wrath and Holy Avenger for maximum burst damage. Always maintain Consecration and Holy Prism for consistent Holy Power generation and damage. Use Hammer of Wrath during Avenging Wrath for additional Holy Power and damage.
Gearing and Equipment
Gearing is essential for maximizing Retribution Paladin performance. Prioritize high item level weapons and armor, focusing on Strength and Mastery. Consider covenant-specific bonuses and enchants for optimal setups.
5.1 Best-in-Slot Gear for Retribution Paladins
Best-in-Slot (BiS) gear for Retribution Paladins focuses on maximizing Strength, Mastery, and Haste. Prioritize high item level weapons and armor, especially those with versatile stat combinations. Trinkets from Mythic+ dungeons and raids often provide significant damage boosts. Consider covenant-specific gear bonuses, as they enhance your class abilities. Always sim your gear using tools like Raidbots to ensure optimal performance for your specific build and content type.
5.2 Enchants, Gems, and Consumables
Optimize your Retribution Paladin with strategic enchants, gems, and consumables. Enchant your weapon with Culminating Blasphemite for enhanced stats. Use gems like Keen kelim’sarth to boost Strength, Mastery, or Haste. Consumables such as Strength Flasks and Masterful Feast increase damage output. Apply enchants like Shadowlands Gathering to boots for movement speed. These enhancements ensure peak performance in raids, Mythic+, and PvP, maximizing your holy wrath’s impact.
Covenants and Soulbinds
Choose the right Covenant and Soulbind to enhance your Retribution Paladin’s abilities. Each Covenant offers unique powers that align with different playstyles, boosting damage or utility.
6.1 Choosing the Best Covenant for Retribution Paladins
Selecting the right Covenant for your Retribution Paladin depends on your playstyle and content type. Kyrian excels in single-target damage, while Venthyr shines in multi-target scenarios. Night Fae offers mobility and utility, and Necrolord provides survivability. Each Covenant has unique abilities and passives, so choose based on your focus: raids, dungeons, or PvP. Experiment to find the best fit for your gameplay.
6.2 Optimal Soulbinds for Different Content
Choose Soulbinds based on your playstyle and content type. For single-target damage, Kleia or Mikanikos are ideal due to their damage-enhancing traits. In multi-target scenarios, Niya or Heirmir provide excellent utility. For PvP, Damzel or Slaughterbeck enhance survivability and control. Experiment with Soulbinds to optimize your performance in raids, dungeons, or arenas, ensuring you maximize your Retribution Paladin’s potential in any situation.
PvP Guide for Retribution Paladins
Master Retribution Paladin PvP with expert strategies for battlegrounds and arenas. Learn optimal talent builds, ability rotations, and how to dominate in competitive play with precision and skill.
7.1 PvP Talents and Builds
In PvP, Retribution Paladins thrive with Crusading Strikes builds, emphasizing high burst damage and mobility. Key talents include Empyrean Power, Divine Toll, and Final Reckoning, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities. These choices optimize Holy Power generation and cooldown management, making you a formidable opponent in arenas and battlegrounds. Pair these talents with a focus on Haste and Mastery for maximum effectiveness in competitive play.
7.2 Strategies for Battlegrounds and Arenas
Retribution Paladins excel in PvP through aggressive play and smart cooldown management. Focus on controlling enemies with Hammer of Justice and Rebuke while positioning for optimal burst damage. Use Avenging Wrath to devastating effect in skirmishes and coordinate with teammates to lock down targets. Manage mana carefully to maintain healing and damage output, leveraging Divine Shield defensively. Adaptability and precise timing are key to dominating in fast-paced PvP environments.
PvE Content and Raiding
Retribution Paladins shine in PvE, delivering consistent damage and utility. Their versatility makes them valuable in both single-target and AoE-heavy encounters, while their healing support enhances raid sustainability. By mastering cooldowns and maintaining optimal rotations, Paladins can significantly contribute to progression and success in challenging content.
8.1 Raiding as a Retribution Paladin
Raiding as a Retribution Paladin requires precise execution and cooldown management. Focus on maintaining your rotation, leveraging Holy Power generators like Judgment and Blade of Justice, while syncing Avenging Wrath with high-damage phases. Optimize your talents for single-target or AoE scenarios, and ensure proper positioning to maximize Wake of Ashes. Use Divine Toll for burst healing or damage in critical moments, and coordinate with your team to enhance overall raid performance.
8.2 Mythic+ Dungeons and Key Strategies
In Mythic+ dungeons, Retribution Paladins excel at cleaving and burst damage. Use Divine Toll to handle multiple enemies and generate Holy Power quickly. Focus on Hammer of Wrath during Avenging Wrath to maximize damage. Positioning is crucial for Wake of Ashes and Blade of Justice to hit as many targets as possible. Coordinate with your group to manage skips and optimize route efficiency, ensuring smooth progression through higher keystones.
Leveling Guide for Retribution Paladins
Leveling as a Retribution Paladin is smooth and efficient, with strong burst damage from Hammer of Wrath and consistent Holy Power generation. Use cooldowns strategically and maintain mobility for optimal progression.
9.1 Leveling Talents and Rotation
For leveling, focus on talents that enhance mobility and burst damage, such as Blade of Justice and Hammer of Wrath. Use Judgment to generate Holy Power and trigger Crusader Strikes. Maintain a simple rotation: Judgment, Blade of Justice, and Hammer of Wrath when available. Use Divine Steed for mobility and Shield of Vengeance for survivability. This setup ensures consistent damage and efficiency while leveling.
9.2 Best Gear and Stats for Leveling
When leveling your Retribution Paladin, prioritize Strength for increased attack power. Mastery and Haste are crucial for enhancing Holy damage and attack speed, respectively. Critical Strike improves burst potential, while Versatility offers balanced damage and survivability. For gear, focus on items with Strength and Mastery. Enchants like Strength on weapons and Stamina on armor are ideal. Trinkets with on-use damage effects can bolster your offensive capabilities. Maintain a balance between stats to optimize both damage output and survivability while progressing through levels.
Legendary Powers and Conduits
Legendary Powers and Conduits empower your Retribution Paladin, enhancing abilities like Judgment and Hammer of Wrath. Key legendaries include Vanguard’s Lightning and Empyrean Power, while conduits like Empyrean Power amplify Holy damage. These synergize with your build, boosting damage output in raids and Mythic+ dungeons. Conduit choices depend on your playstyle and content type, ensuring optimal performance.
10.1 Best Legendary Powers for Retribution Paladins
The best legendary powers for Retribution Paladins include Empyrean Power and Vanguard’s Lightning, which enhance core abilities like Judgment and Holy Shock. These powers significantly boost single-target and AoE damage, making them ideal for both raids and Mythic+ dungeons. Empyrean Power synergizes with Templar’s Verdict, increasing Holy damage, while Vanguard’s Lightning enhances mobility and damage during combat. These legendaries are crucial for maximizing your Paladin’s potential.
10.2 Optimal Conduits for Different Builds
For Retribution Paladins, optimal conduits vary by build. Single-target builds benefit from Empyrean Power, enhancing Judgment damage, while Vanguard’s Lightning boosts mobility and AoE potential. Templar’s Discipline improves survivability, making it ideal for Mythic+ dungeons. Always prioritize conduits that align with your build’s focus, whether it’s maximizing damage, enhancing mobility, or improving survivability in different content types.
Tips and Tricks
Maximize Holy Power by using Hammer of Wrath and Crusader Strike during cooldowns. Maintain Judgment on targets and ensure Blade of Justice is used frequently for consistent damage. Always pre-position for Divine Toll and manage cooldowns to burst during critical phases for optimal DPS output.
11.1 Improving Your DPS
Boost your Retribution Paladin’s DPS by optimizing your rotation, focusing on Hammer of Wrath and Crusader Strike during Avenging Wrath. Use Judgment on cooldown and ensure Blade of Justice is frequently cast. Positioning for Divine Toll and aligning cooldowns with burst phases maximizes damage output. Simming your gear and refining talent choices based on content ensures peak performance in both single-target and AoE scenarios, enhancing overall effectiveness in raids and dungeons.
11.2 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not maintaining a consistent rotation, especially forgetting to use Judgment on cooldown.
- Overusing Avenging Wrath without aligning it with burst phases or high-damage windows.
- Neglecting to position for Divine Toll or Wake of Ashes to maximize AoE damage.
- Ignoring proper cooldown management, leading to wasted Holy Power or missed opportunities for Hammer of Wrath.
Final Thoughts and Resources
Mastering Retribution Paladin requires practice and adaptability. Stay updated with the latest changes and resources from sites like Method, Icy Veins, and Wowhead for optimal performance.
12.1 Resources for Further Learning
For deeper insights, check out Method.gg, Icy Veins, and Wowhead for comprehensive guides. Nurseos’ detailed guide on Murlok.io offers expert tips for Mythic+ and raid content. These resources provide in-depth coverage of talents, rotations, and gearing strategies to help you optimize your Retribution Paladin in various game modes.
12.2 Staying Updated with Ret Paladin Changes
Regularly check Method.gg, Icy Veins, and Wowhead for updates on Retribution Paladin changes. Follow Blizzard’s patch notes and blue posts for the latest adjustments. Engage with the WoW community through forums and streams to stay informed about nerfs, buffs, and optimal strategies. Subscribing to guides like Murlok.io and top player insights ensures you’re always up-to-date and performing at your best in Shadowlands.