WoW Forever Retribution 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.
Retribution Paladin is a two-handed weapon DPS who backs up melee strikes with Holy magic. Along with that, you get an extensive support kit that many classes can't even come close to.
The spec got several new tools in Forever. Chief among them is 
Holy Strike, a new rotation button available as early as level 6.
Strengths
- A hard-hitting two-handed weapon and a steady flow of Holy damage from Seals.
- A huge utility kit: Blessings, auras,
Hammer of Justice, and healing. - The ability to heal yourself with
Holy Light: you can spend Mana as a second Health pool. 
Exorcism adds damage against Undead and demons.
Weaknesses
- Until level 20 you don't have a single area damage spell, so pulling several enemies is dangerous.
Consecration, available from level 20, costs a lot of Mana.- The full rotation doesn't come together in the beta yet, and some buttons are unavailable.
- Mana runs out fast if you mindlessly spam both damage and healing.
Stat Priority
- 1Weapon Damage
- 2Hit and Expertise
- 3Critical Strike
- 4Strength
- 5Spell Power
- 6Intellect
- 7Agility
The priority shifts slightly depending on whether you play solo or in a group. A higher-level item is usually better, but a piece with poor stats can lose out to a more modest item.
Talents
Talent Notes
Leveling Build
- Improved Holy Strike 2/2 — boosts Holy Strike.
Deflection 5/5 — a chance to parry attacks, so you take less damage while leveling.
Improved Judgement 2/2 — reduces the cooldown of Judgement.
Conviction 2/5 — increases your critical strike chance.
Level 20 Build
Benediction 5/5 — reduces Mana costs.- Improved Judgement 2/2
- Conviction 3/5
Seal of Command 1/1 — unlocks a strong damage Seal.
Ability Priority
- Always keep a Seal active. By default it's
Seal of Righteousness, or Seal of Command if you've taken it - Use Holy Strike and Judgement on cooldown as long as you have the Mana
Seal of the Crusader can be applied through Judgement to a target that will live long enough: it increases the Holy damage that target takes. After that, go back to your regular Seal- With Seal of Command, it's handy to stun the target with Hammer of Justice to boost Judgement
- Against Undead and demons, add Exorcism
- Keep
Blessing of Might or 
Blessing of Kings on yourself along with a suitable aura, usually 
Devotion Aura - Use Holy Light to keep your Health high
Mana is your second Health pool. Sometimes it pays to heal up and kill the next enemy on a nearly empty Mana bar rather than sit down to eat and drink.
Multiple Targets
Until level 20 you have no area damage at all, so don't pull more enemies than you can kill. At level 20 you unlock Consecration: it hits four targets hard and the rest for less, but it's expensive.
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 above all look for a two-handed weapon with the highest damage.
Enchants, Gems, Consumables
ConsumablesBest Professions
Lets you craft your own upgrades: mail armor and weapons. Forever added a lot of items starting from the very lowest levels, and they come with bonus Spell Power, which is a noticeable damage boost for a Paladin.
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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