WoW Forever Protection Paladin — Guide (Beta Test)
viewsAbout the Class
This guide is based on the World of Warcraft: Forever beta and covers gameplay up to level 20. The talents and combat tips are starting recommendations built on the spells and talents available in the beta. They will be refined as testing continues.
Protection Paladin is a shield tank whose entire gameplay is built around 
Consecration and a constant stream of area threat. On top of that, you keep the full Paladin support kit: Blessings, auras, healing, and a stun.
Strengths
- Consecration provides steady threat on several targets at once.
Seal of Fury adds both damage and survivability from level 10, and with it 
Judgement taunts the target.- Tanks are always wanted in groups, so putting a run together is easier than for any other class.
- A full utility kit: Blessings, auras,
Hammer of Justice, and 
Holy Light.
Weaknesses
- Experience from dungeon runs was cut noticeably, so dungeon farming is no longer the best way to level.
- Consecration costs a lot of Mana.
- Single-target damage is modest, and solo kills are slow.
- The spec's stat priority has always been unusual, and in the beta it hasn't settled yet.
Stat Priority
- 1Weapon Damage
- 2Hit
- 3Strength
- 4Intellect
- 5Spell Power
- 6Stamina
- 7Armor
A higher-level item is usually better, but there are exceptions: a lower-level piece can carry more of the stats you need. Always compare the stats, not the level.
Talents
Talent Notes
Redoubt 5/5 — increases your chance to block after you take a hit.- Precision 3/3 — increases your chance to hit with all spells and attacks.
Anticipation 2/5 — increases your Defense skill.
Shield Specialization 1/5 — increases your block value.
Ability Priority
- Consecration — the core of your entire gameplay. Keep it active and press it on cooldown: it's both your damage and your threat
- Seal of Fury should be active at all times: it gives both damage and survivability
- Judgement with Seal of Fury active taunts the target, so it's your way to pull an enemy off an ally
Holy Strike adds damage when you have the Mana for it- Keep
Blessing of Might or 
Blessing of Kings on yourself along with 
Devotion Aura - Use Holy Light to keep your Health high
Leveling
Experience from dungeon runs has been cut noticeably in Forever, so running them for experience makes little sense: quests give more. Experience from dungeon quests, on the other hand, was raised, so runs for those quests are still worth it. As a tank you're always in demand and will put a group together with no trouble.
Important Abilities
Best in Slot (BiS)
There is no BiS list in the beta. Pick up higher-level items if their stats suit you, and don't forget a shield: the spec doesn't work without one.
Enchants, Gems, Consumables
ConsumablesBest Professions
Lets you craft your own upgrades: mail armor, shields, and weapons. Forever added a lot of items starting from the very lowest levels.
The second solid pairing: your own healing potions and Mana potions plus elixirs with long-lasting buffs. The downside is that it gives you no gear.
Secondary professions worth taking no matter what: food with bonuses and an experience boost, plus bandages for when you run out of Mana.
Author
Fouren
Fouren has been playing World of Warcraft for over 15 years. He is an active player with 12 Cutting Edge achievements under his belt, and has reached the top 1% and 0.1% multiple times on various classes. His main classes are healers, particularly Holy Paladin.
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