Paladin - Retribution

Updated for 3.2

Purpose

A Retribution Paladin is a DPS character. She provides high damage and several buffs to the raid, most notably Replenishment∞.

Talent Builds

Standard: 5/11/55∞ (Note that you wont actually be using Seal of Command until 3.2.2, but why not spec into it now and save the respec cost later)

Ability Rotation

• Primary Seal: Seal of Vengeance∞ if Alliance; Seal of Corruption∞ if Horde.
• Primary Aura: Retribution Aura∞

Retribution uses a First Come, First Serve ability rotation. The paladin uses abilities as soon as they become available, and not in any specific order. If the paladin has a choice between two or more abilities, she should use the abilities with the following priority:

1. Hammer of Wrath∞ - only available at 20%
2. Crusader Strike∞
3. Judgement∞
4. Divine Storm∞
5. Consecration∞
6. Exorcism∞ - only use when you have an Art of War∞ proc (if its not instant, don't use it.)
7. Holy Wrath∞ - only available against Undead or Demons

Key Cooldowns

Most cooldowns, especially those which increase damage or return mana, should be used early and often.

1. Divine Plea∞
2. Avenging Wrath∞

Key Stats

Stats are listed in order of importance. All these stats are useful, but look for gear with more stats from the top of the list.

1. Hit Rating - up to a cap of of 262 Hit Rating (8%)
2. Strength
3. Expertise Rating - up to a cap of 214 Expertise Rating (26 Expertise, 6.5%)
4. Critical Strike Rating
5. Agility
6. Attack Power - 2 points of Attack Power is comparable to 1 point of another stat
7. Haste
8. Armor Penetration
9. Stamina

• Weapon: Retribution uses Two-Handed weapons. Use the weapon with the highest DPS you can find.

Recommended Glyphs

1. Glyph of Judgement∞
2. Glyph of Consecration∞
3. Glyph of Seal of Vengeance∞, however, you should replace it with Glyph of Exorcism∞ when you get your Expertise capped.

Recommended Enchants

Enchants are listed from best and most expensive to least expensive. If you have a crafting profession, you may have access to crafter-only enchants which are better than these recommendations.

• Head: Arcanum of Torment∞
• Shoulders: Greater Inscription of the Axe∞ or Lesser Inscription of the Axe∞
• Chest: Powerful Stats∞ or Super Stats∞
• Cloak: Greater Speed∞ or Major Agility∞
• Bracers: Greater Assault∞ or Striking∞
• Hands: Crusher∞ or Precision∞
• Belt: Eternal Belt Buckle∞
• Legs: Icescale Leg Armor∞ or Nerubian Leg Armor∞
• Feet: Icewalker∞ or Greater Assault∞
• Weapon: Berserking∞ or Massacre∞ or Greater Savagery∞

Recommended Gems

Note that while the epic (purple) quality gems are linked below, rare (blue) quality gems may be more appropriate when you know the gear will be replaced soon. Jewelcrafters need to make sure they have 3 Bold Dragon's Eyes∞ in their sockets somewhere. (Or, if your unable to reach your hit cap, Rigid Dragon's Eyes∞ may help.)

• Meta: Relentless Eathsiege Diamond∞
• Red: Etched∞ or Bold∞
• Yellow: Rigid∞ or Etched∞ or Inscribed∞
• Blue: Sovereign∞
• Prismatic: Bold∞

Recommended Consumables

• Flask: Flask of Endless Rage∞
• Food: Dragonfin Filet∞

Additional Tips

• Always attack from behind or from the side. If you attack a mob from the front, it can parry your attacks.
• Art of War∞ and Sacred Shield∞ can be used without affecting your swing timer, so use them if you need to and all your other abilities are on cooldown.
• Pro Ret Paladins will talk with other Paladins in the raid to ensure both Judgement of Wisdom∞ and Judgement of Light∞ is covered (in that order.) They will also make sure everyone has Blessing of Kings∞ and Blessing of Might∞ or Blessing of Wisdom∞.
• Really Pro Ret Paladins will use Sacred Shield∞ on either the tank, off tank, or themselves (in that order) when taking damage, they will also use their Art of War∞ procs that come up when Exorcism∞ is on cooldown to heal either themselves or someone else in the raid.

Sources and Other Resources

• Elitist Jerks: 3.2 Retribution Paladin Thread∞
• Retpaladin.com∞