Shadowlands Paladin Leveling Guide & Best Leveling Spec 1-60

By Wowhead Updated: 2020/11/29

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Important Changes to Leveling a Paladin in the Shadowlands Pre-Patch

There is a new tab on your spellbook between General and your talent specialization, simply titled "Paladin". These are abilities that are now shared by all Paladins, regardless of what specialization they are in.

New Paladins will not begin in a default spec (Retribution). Until they are allowed to choose a spec at level 10, their abilities are drawn from the general Paladin abilities available to all specializations.

Experienced Paladins will notice some talents have been reworked or rearranged, and may require re-acquiring some talents.

Holy Power has returned as a secondary resource for Holy Paladins!

Best Paladin Leveling Spec in ShadowlandsAvenger's ShieldJudgmentBlade of JusticeTemplar's VerdictCrusader StrikeHoly ShockChoosing a Paladin Specialization

Holy: Use Crusader Strike and Judgment as you main damage abilities, with Holy Shock being able to be used to either damage or heal. Flash of Light is your main healing spell. At higher levels you will learn more healing spells, like Light of the Martyr to instantly heal someone in exchange for your own health, Light of Dawn to heal many allies at once, and Beacon of Light to have all your heals copied onto a selected target.

Protection: Use Crusader Strike and Judgment to deal damage, with Avenger's Shield serving to attack multiple targets. At higher levels you will learn many spells to damage multiple enemies at once, like Hammer of the Righteous, which deals damage to multiple targets if standing in your Consecration, as well as defensive tank abilities like Ardent Defender, which can save you from dying!

Retribution: Use Crusader Strike and Judgment to deal damage and generate Holy Power, and use it on abilities such as Templar's Verdict or Divine Storm. At higher levels, you will learn powerful abilities like Blade of Justice to generate more Holy Power and Wake of Ashes, a powerful ability that deals heavy AOE damage and stuns Undead and Demon targets.

Choosing a Race for Your Paladin in Shadowlands

Default Races are races that are immediately available to be played when you start your WoW account.

Allied Races are races that are locked behind certain requirements that need to be met before you can create characters belonging to that race.

Alliance

Default Races:
Human

Horde

Default Races:

Blood Elf

Tauren

Zandalari Troll

Best Paladin Leveling Talents in ShadowlandsSuggested Holy Paladin Leveling Talents in Shadowlands

Level 15 Talents:
Crusader's Might is a strong talent that grants you more Holy Shocks to heal or damage with whenever you decide to damage targets. Very simple and a must pick.

Bestow Faith is not a bad talent, but it has strictly defensive usage and considering it only heals after a few seconds, you might accidentally heal the target during the duration and simply waste the ability use.

Light's Hammer is not a bad talent pick, granting you some AOE damage and healing for a few seconds.

Level 25 Talents:

Holy Prism is a strong talent that both heals allies and damages enemies no matter who you target with it, and definitely a good addition to your kit!

Saved by the Light has limited usefulness, as you will never see any benefits from this talent if your Beacon of Light target never drops below 30% health, and even then, it is a weak absorption shield at best.

Judgment of Light is by far the weakest talent of this tier - The healing it does is very weak, and the more melee you have with you, the quicker the healing from this talent is depleted. Avoid at all costs.

Level 30 Talents:

Fist of Justice is a very strong talent option that will significantly decrease the cooldown on Hammer of Justice, as Judgment is used very often in your rotation.

Repentance is not a bad option, but any damage will break the CC from Repentance.

Blinding Light is also not a terrible option, but suffers from the same limitations as Repentance, as any non-Holy damage will break the CCs.

Level 35 Talents:

Cavalier is a simple and effective talent that grants you a second charge of Divine Steed, and very effective for movement while leveling.

Unbreakable Spirit is not a great talent for leveling, as if you do not use Ardent Defender or Lay on Hands often, this will be a waste of a talent slot.

Rule of Law is a pretty weak talent option, as the range is only really useful for Light of Dawn healing. Almost none of your heals have that short of a range, and you will usually be pretty close to your main healing target (the tank) anyway, so the Mastery range increase is also pretty moot.

Level 40 Talents:

is a strong cooldown that will increase the effectiveness of your heals and damage, and not that bad to use, as you have very limited Holy Power usage as a Holy Paladin.

Holy Avenger can also be a good choice for dungeons as a Holy Paladin, as this will allow to more efficiently heal your entire group at once with Light of Dawn.

Divine Purpose is pretty weak for Holy Paladins, as you will usually not be using Holy Power abilities enough to gain the bonus granted with this ability.

Level 45 Talents:

Sanctified Wrath is an incredibly strong talent option that grants you increased duration on Avenging Wrath and reduced cooldown on Holy Shock while under Avenging Wrath.

Avenging Crusader seems like an interesting damage cooldown on paper for Holy Paladins, but as you lose the increased damage and healing from Holy Shock, the extra heals from your damaging abilities will not add much more to your healing than Avenging Wrath.

Abyssal Punishment is a weak talent that requires you to use your Holy Power abilities to gain any benefit from. You will likely not use Word of Glory or Light of Dawn often enough to gain the free Avenging Wrath from this talent at a reasonable rate.

Level 50 Talents:

Glimmer of Light is an incredibly strong talent that multiplies your Holy Shock damage and healing, and lasts for long enough for you to be able to easily keep it up on multiple targets. A must pick!

Beacon of Faith is not that interesting of an effect, as you should not have two targets taking so much damage to the point where two beacons are needed at them.

Beacon of Virtue would be an interesting talent if Glimmer of Light didn't exist - It won't heal as many people often enough for it to be worth taking over Glimmer.

Suggested Protection Paladin Leveling Talents in Shadowlands

Level 15 Talents:
Blessed Hammer is the strongest talent in this tier, as it not only is a permanent AOE damage in exchange for Hammer of the Righteous, it decreases damage dealt to you.

Holy Shield is not a bad talent choice if you plan on doing dungeons, but does not do as much damage as Blessed Hammer for solo leveling.

Redoubt is a passive stat increase, and not a particularly strong one.

Level 25 Talents:

First Avenger is a really strong talent option that not only grants extra damage in AOE for your Avenger's Shield, but you also gain an absorption shield every time you use it.

Crusader's Judgment is an interesting single-target option that grants you extra Judgment damage in the long run, but doesn't grant as much of a defensive benefit as First Avenger.

Moment of Glory is not that much of a good option as the cooldown is very long for a marginal benefit at best.

Level 30 Talents:

Fist of Justice is a very strong talent option that will significantly decrease the cooldown on Hammer of Justice, as Judgment is used very often in your rotation.

Repentance is not a bad option, but any damage will break the CC from Repentance.

Blinding Light is also not a terrible option, but suffers from the same limitations as Repentance, as any non-Holy damage will break the CCs.

Level 35 Talents:

Cavalier is a simple and effective talent that grants you a second charge of Divine Steed, and very effective for movement while leveling.

Unbreakable Spirit is not a great talent for leveling, as if you do not use Ardent Defender or Lay on Hands often, this will be a waste of a talent slot.

Blessing of Spellwarding is a pretty weak talent option, as spell immunity likely won't be much help during leveling - Protection Paladins already have many ways to stop spellcasting from happening, to the point where Spellwarding would never be used.

Level 40 Talents:

Divine Purpose is a strong defensive talent option that will help you gain more healing from Word of Glory or damage from Shield of the Righteous.

Holy Avenger is not a good talent for Protection, as you don't gain that much benefit from using Word of Glory and Shield of the Righteous super often.

is not a bad talent choice, but can be a bit difficult to use with its Holy Power cost.

Level 45 Talents:

Consecrated Ground is a great talent option that increases the size and grants more versatility to your Consecration with the built-in speed decrease.

Hand of the Protector is not a bad defensive talent option, but with how easy it is to get enough Holy Power to use , you will likely not need the extra healing that often.

Judgment of Light is a very weak talent option that grants you negligible healing in the long run.

Level 50 Talents:

Sanctified Wrath is a great talent option that increases your burst window by giving you a bigger duration on Avenging Wrath.

Righteous Protector is a weak talent option simply because you likely won't be spending that much Holy Power to grant you a significant cooldown decrease on either Avenging Wrath or Guardian of Ancient Kings.

Final Stand is very useless while leveling unless you're doing dungeons, as during normal leveling, nobody else will be hitting your mobs but you, making a potential AOE taunt on Divine Shield useless.

Suggested Retribution Paladin Leveling Talents in Shadowlands

Level 15 Talents:
Zeal is a very strong talent that provides you with extra damage by simply using Judgment, which will be used on cooldown regardless of this talent.

Righteous Verdict can be a bit hard to benefit from, as mobs will likely die too fast for you to be able to benefit from the damage increase on Templar's Verdict.

Execution Sentence is a weak talent during leveling, as again, mobs are likely to die too fast and even before Execution Sentence lands.

Level 25 Talents:

Blade of Wrath is a strong talent that early on, works as a passive damage increase for Blade of Justice, and gains an added benefit once you learn Art of War.

Fires of Justice is not that strong of a talent, as Crusader Strike already has a low cooldown to begin with, although the Holy Power reduction can be nice.

Empyrean Power is not that bad of a talent if you're looking for slightly more AOE damage, as the free Divine Storm you can proc with this talent has added damage.

Level 30 Talents:

Fist of Justice is a very strong talent option that will significantly decrease the cooldown on Hammer of Justice, as Judgment is used very often in your rotation.

Repentance is not a bad option, but any damage will break the CC from Repentance.

Blinding Light is also not a terrible option, but suffers from the same limitations as Repentance, as any non-Holy damage will break the CCs.

Level 35 Talents:

Cavalier is a simple and effective talent that grants you a second charge of Divine Steed, and very effective for movement while leveling.

Unbreakable Spirit is not a great talent for leveling, as if you do not use Shield of Vengeance or Lay on Hands often, this will be a waste of a talent slot.

Eye for an Eye is a pretty weak talent option, as you won't get much damage reduction and also reflect little damage to enemies while it is active.

Level 40 Talents:

Divine Purpose is a strong talent option that significantly increases the power of your Holy Power offensive abilities like Templar's Verdict and Divine Storm.

Holy Avenger is not that interesting of a talent choice for Retribution Paladins, as this talent makes it easy for you to overcap on Holy Power and miss potential extra Templar's Verdict and Divine Storm.

is a pretty bad talent for Retribution Paladins, simply because of the Holy Power requirement to use - You are missing a potential burst for a marginal increase at best.

Level 45 Talents:

Healing Hands is a very strong talent option that increases the effectiveness of Word of Glory and reduces the cooldown on Lay on Hands based on missing health when either abilities are used. As those abilities are only to be used in emergency situations, this talent sinergizes well with their utility.

Selfless Healer is also a good talent that benefits you in emergency situations, but loses effectiveness if you aren't using Flash of Light often, and in emergency situations you will likely be using Word of Glory or Lay on Hands instead.

Justicar's Vengeance is a weak talent because of its Holy Power cost and low base damage, unless you're using it against a stun target. However, if you stun a target, you are better casting a couple Flash of Light and healing for more instead of losing all your Holy Power for a measle self-heal.

Level 50 Talents:

Final Reckoning is an incredibly strong cooldown that not only deals heavy damage and increase the power of your Holy Power abilities, it even grants you a weaker version of it while not used. Definitely a must-pick for leveling!

Sanctified Wrath is not a bad talent to take, but not as strong as Final Reckoning, as you must have Avenging Wrath active to receive any benefits from it.

Avenging Wrath is an iffy talent to take at best, as you need to build up stacks for the talent to be stronger than it's counterpart Avenging Wrath. If you don't plan your Holy Power usage before using Crusade, you will likely not have a strong Crusade buff for long.

Best Paladin Leveling Rotation in ShadowlandsDungeons:Beacon of LightFlash of LightHoly ShockLight of DawnCrusader StrikeJudgmentJudgmentAvenger's ShieldCrusader StrikeHammer of the RighteousConsecrationElite Mobs:ConsecrationShield of the RighteousWord of GloryAvenging WrathDivine ShieldLay on HandsGuardian of Ancient KingsArdent DefenderLots of small mobs:ConsecrationHammer of the RighteousDungeons:Hand of ReckoningHammer of JusticeCrusader StrikeJudgmentBlade of JusticeTemplar's VerdictElite Mobs:Templar's VerdictWord of GloryAvenging WrathDivine ShieldLay on HandsShield of VengeanceLots of small mobs:Divine StormWake of AshesDungeons:Hammer of JusticeRebukePaladin Dungeon Leveling in ShadowlandsThis may be nerfed prior to release, so do not count on this technique being available unless it is still in place when the pre-patch goes live.

Protection or Holy are the specs to go with for dungeon leveling. Dungeon queues are perpetually short of tanks and healers, so you'll find yourself getting a group nearly instantly, instead of having to wait 15 minutes (or longer) for a group as a DPS class.

As a tank in a dungeon, your main job is to ensure mobs are hitting you and not your group, and because of this, you likely dictate the pace of the dungeon. Make sure you don't pull too much to not strain yourself and watch your healer's mana to ensure they don't strain themselves!

If you instead decide to heal a dungeon, your main job is to keep your group healthy. DPSing as a Healing Paladin is nice but you are not expected to do it, DPS while your entire group is safe and not taking heavy amounts of damage, but quickly heal them back up if the need arises.

Retribution Paladins an also be useful in a dungeon leveling setting, just be mindful that you will not be able to get into dungeons super fast due to being a DPS specialization. You will want to quest while waiting for dungeon queues to maximize your leveling time.

Best Weapons and Gear For Leveling a Paladin in WoW Shadowlands Paladin Heirlooms in Shadowlands

2 Pieces: Rested experience consumed is reduced by 30%.

3 Pieces: Increases your out-of-combat regeneration in the outdoors, normal dungeons and battlegrounds.

5 Pieces: Gaining a level triggers Burst of Knowledge, dealing 6546 Holy damage to nearby enemies and granting you 40% $pri for 2 min. Defeating enemies extends this effect, up to an additional 2 min.

6 Pieces: Rested experience consumed is reduced by 30%.

Helm: Burnished Helm of Might, Polished Helm of Valor or Pristine Lightforge Helm

Necklace: Eternal Amulet of the Redeemed (Holy) or Eternal Emberfury Talisman (Protection/Retribution) or Man'ari Training Amulet

Shoulder: Burnished Pauldrons of Might, Polished Spaulders of Valor or Pristine Lightforge Spaulders

Cloak: Ancient Bloodmoon Cloak (Holy), Worn Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape (Protection/Retribution) or Stone Guard's Bladed Cloak/Banded Gilnean Cloak

Chest: Burnished Breastplate of Might, Polished Breastplate of Valor or Pristine Lightforge Breastplate

Legs: Burnished Legplates of Might, Polished Legplates of Valor or Pristine Lightforge Legplates

Rings: Signet of the Third Fleet (Holy) / Captain Sander's Returned Band (Protection/Retribution) and Dread Pirate Ring

Trinkets: Discerning Eye of the Beast / Swift Hand of Justice and Touch of the Void

2H Weapon: Bloodied Arcanite Reaper (Retribution)

1H Weapon: The Blessed Hammer of Grace (Holy) / Bloodsoaked Skullforge Reaver (Protection)

Off-Hand: Weathered Observer's Shield or Flamescarred Draconian Deflector

Chauffeured ChopperHeirloom HoarderRelics of the Past

Relic of the Past I: Set the Item Level to 23 and the Required Level to 15.

Relic of the Past II: Set the Item Level to 33 and the Required Level to 25.

Relic of the Past III: Set the Item Level to 43 and the Required Level to 35.

Relic of the Past IV: Set the Item Level to 56 and the Required Level to 45.

Relic of the Past V: Set the Item Level to 100 and the Required Level to 50.

Stat Weights while Leveling in ShadowlandsBest Paladin Leveling Professions in ShadowlandsMiningBlacksmithingLevel 60 Legendary ArmorHerbalismAlchemyHerbalismSkinningEnchantingBest Paladin Questing Path in Shadowlands

Levels 1-10: Your race's Starting Area or Exile's Reach

Levels 10-50: Battle for Azeroth zones or other expansion zones via Chromie Time

Levels 50-60: Shadowlands Storyline or Threads of Fate

Threads of Fate LevelingShadowlands Paladin Leveling Gameplay MechanicsUsing Mana and Holy Power on your PaladinManaManaManaHoly PowerLight of DawnShield of the RighteousDivine StormTemplar's VerdictWord of GloryEmpty Holy Power bar, and 3 Holy Power available to use. The 2 empty spaces below the 3 light-up runes are 2 extra Holy Power runes.Paladin AurasAura Mastery

Crusader Aura: Increases mounted speed by 20% for all party and raid members with 40 yards.

Devotion Aura: Party and raid members within 40 yards are bolstered by their devotion, reducing damage taken by 3%.

Retribution Aura: When any party or raid member within 40 yards dies, you gain Avenging Wrath for 8 sec.

Concentration Aura: Interrupt and Silence effects on party and raid members within 40 yards are 30% shorter.

Paladin UtilityBlessing of ProtectionBlessing of FreedomHammer of JusticeLay on HandsRedemptionAbsolutionCleanseSense UndeadTurn EvilShadowlands Paladin Class AbilitiesStarting Abilities: Exile's ReachCrusader Strike

At level 2, you will learn Shield of the Righteous, an ability that uses Holy Power to slam a target with your shield.

At level 3, you will learn Judgment, an ability that strikes a target with Holy damage.

At level 4 you will learn your first heal, Flash of Light, a quick-casting healing spell.

At level 5, you will learn Hammer of Justice, an ability that stuns a target for a few seconds.

At level 6, you will learn Consecration, a spell that deals damage to all targets in its area.

At level 7, you will learn Word of Glory, a spell that uses Holy Power to heal a target for heavy amounts.

At level 8, you will learn the second rank of Judgment, which makes your Judgement deal 50% more damage.

At level 9, you will learn Lay on Hands, a long cooldown spell that heals you or a target for 100% of your maximum health.

If you created an Allied Race Paladin, i.e. Lightforged Draenei, Dark Iron Dwarf or Zandalari Troll, you will start as a level 10 Paladin with all the above abilities learned. You can choose a specialization immediately after logging on your Allied Race character for the first time.General Paladin Class Abilities

Divine Shield (level 10): Grants immunity to all damage and harmful effects for 8 sec. Cannot be used if you have Forbearance. Causes Forbearance for 30 sec.

Redemption (level 13): Brings a dead ally back to life with 35% of maximum health and mana. Cannot be cast when in combat.

Hand of Reckoning (level 14): Commands the attention of an enemy target, forcing them to attack you.

Divine Steed (level 17): Leap atop your Charger for 3 sec, increasing movement speed by 100%. Usable while indoors or in combat.

Crusader Aura (level 21, Aura): Increases mounted speed by 20% for all party and raid members with 40 yards.

Blessing of Freedom (level 22): Blesses a party or raid member, granting immunity to movement impairing effects for 8 sec.

Turn Evil (level 24): The power of the Light compels an Undead, Aberration, or Demon target to flee for up to 40 sec. Damage may break the effect. Only one target can be turned at a time.

Devotion Aura (level 28, Aura): Party and raid members within 40 yards are bolstered by their devotion, reducing damage taken by 3%.

Blessing of Protection (level 32): Blesses a party or raid member, granting immunity to Physical damage and harmful effects for 10 sec. Cannot be used on a target with Forbearance. Causes Forbearance for 30 sec.

Blessing of Sacrifice (level 32): Blesses a party or raid member, reducing their damage taken by 30%, but you suffer 100% of damage prevented. Last 12 sec, or until transferred damage would cause you to fall below 20% health.

Avenging Wrath (level 37): Call upon the Light to become an avatar of retribution, increasing your damage, healing, and critical strike chance by 20% for 20 sec. Your first Holy Shock, Templar's Verdict or Divine Storm or Word of Glory will critically strike.

Retribution Aura (level 38, Aura): When any party or raid member within 40 yards dies, you gain Avenging Wrath for 8 sec.

Avenging Wrath (level 43, Rank 2): Cooldown reduced by 60 sec.

Hammer of Wrath (level 46): Hurls a divine hammer that strikes an enemy for moderate Holy damage. Only usable on enemies that have less than 20% health. Generates 1 Holy Power.

Blessing of Sacrifice (level 47, Rank 2): Reduces the damage you take from Blessing of Sacrifice by 25%.

Divine Steed (level 49, Rank 2): Cooldown reduced by 15 sec.

Concentration Aura (level 52, Aura): Interrupt and Silence effects on party and raid members within 40 yards are 30% shorter.

Sense Undead (level 54): Shows the location of all nearby undead on the minimap until cancelled. Only one form of tracking can be active at a time.

Retribution Aura (level 56, Rank 2): Duration increased by 4 sec.

Hammer of Wrath (level 58, Rank 2): Hammer of Wrath may be used on any target during Avenging Wrath.

Holy Paladin Class Abilities

Holy Shock (level 10): Triggers a burst of Light on the target, dealing moderate Holy damage to an enemy, or moderate healing to an ally. Generates 1 Holy Power.

Mastery: Lightbringer (level 10, Mastery): Increases healing done by up to 12.00%, based on the proximity of your target.

Holy Light (level 11): An efficient spell, healing a friendly target for moderate amounts.

Cleanse (level 12): Cleanses a friendly target, removing all Poison, Disease, and Magic effects.

Holy Shock (level 18, Rank 2): Holy Shock has an additional 30% chance to crit.

Beacon of Light (level 19): Wrap a single ally in holy energy, causing your heals on other party or raid members to also heal that ally for 50% of the amount healed.

Infusion of Light (level 23, Passive): Your critical Holy Shocks reduce the cost of your next Flash of Light by 30% or increase the healing of your next Holy Light by 30%.

Divine Protection (level 26): Reduces all damage you take by 20% for 8 sec.

Light of the Martyr (level 27): Sacrifice a portion of your own health to instantly heal an ally for (210% of Spell power). You take damage equal to 50% of the healing done. Does not cause your Beacon of Light to be healed. Cannot be cast on yourself.

Greater Judgment (level 29, Rank 3): Judgment causes the target to take 30% increased damage from your next Crusader Strike or Holy Shock.

Radiant Onslaught (level 33, Rank 3): Crusader Strike now has 2 charges.

Light of Dawn (level 34): Unleashes a wave of holy energy, healing up to 5 injured allies within a 15 yd frontal cone for light amounts.

Aura Mastery (level 39): Empowers your chosen aura for 8 sec.

Tower of Radiance (level 44, Rank 2): Casting Flash of Light or Holy Light on your Beacon of Light grants 1 Holy Power.

Absolution (level 47): Returns all dead party members to life with 35% of maximum health and mana. Cannot be cast when in combat.

Avenging Wrath (level 48, Rank 3): Effects increased by 10%.

Protection Paladin Class Abilities

Avenger's Shield (level 10): Hurls your shield at an enemy target, dealing moderate Holy damage, interrupting and silencing the non-Player target for 3 sec and then jumping to 2 additional nearby enemies. Generates 1 Holy Power.

Mastery: Divine Bulwark (level 10, Mastery): Increases your chance to block melee attacks by 8.0%. Also increases your attack power by 8.0%.

Crusader Strike (level 11, Rank 2): Crusader Strike mana cost reduced by 80%.

Cleanse Toxins (level 12): Cleanses a friendly target, removing all Poison and Disease effects.

Hammer of the Righteous (level 14): Hammers the current target for light Physical damage. While you are standing in your Consecration, Hammer of the Righteous also causes a wave of light that hits all other targets within 8 yds for light Holy damage. Generates 1 Holy Power.

Judgment (level 16, Rank 3): Judgment generates 1 Holy Power.

(level 18, Rank 2): Damage taken is reduced by 5% while inside your Consecration.

Mastery: Divine Bulwark (level 19, Rank 2): Reduces all damage taken while inside your Consecration, based on your Mastery.

Consecration (level 23, Rank 3): Cooldown reduced by 50%.

Rebuke (level 27): Interrupts spellcasting and prevents any spell in that school from being cast for 4 sec.

Grand Crusader (level 27, Passive): When you avoid a melee attack or use Hammer of the Righteous, you have a 15% chance to reset the remaining cooldown on Avenger's Shield.

Greater Judgment (level 29, Rank 4): Judgment causes the target to take 25% increased damage from your next Holy Power ability.

Hammer of the Righteous (level 33, Rank 2): Hammer of the Righteous now has 2 charges.

Word of Glory (level 34, Rank 2): When you cast Word of Glory on yourself, it is increased by up to 300% based on your missing health.

Guardian of Ancient Kings (level 39): Empowers you with the spirit of ancient kings, reducing all damage you take by 50% for 8 sec.

Ardent Defender (level 42): Reduces all damage you take by 20% for 8 sec. While Ardent Defender is active, the next attack that would otherwise kill you will instead bring you to 20% of your maximum health.

Avenger's Shield (level 44, Rank 3): Avenger's Shield interrupts and silences the main target for 3 sec if it is not a player.

Riposte (level 47, Passive): You gain Parry equal to 100% of your Critical Strike from gear.

Shining Light (level 48, Passive): Judgment reduces the cost of your next Word of Glory by 1.

Retribution Paladin Class Abilities

Templar's Verdict (level 10): Unleashes a powerful weapon strike that deals heavy Holy damage to an enemy target.

Mastery: Highlord's Judgment (level 10, Mastery): Increases Holy damage done by 13.0%.

Crusader Strike (level 11, Rank 2): Crusader Strike has no mana cost.

Cleanse Toxins (level 12): Cleanses a friendly target, removing all Poison and Disease effects.

Judgment (level 16, Rank 3): Judgment generates 1 Holy Power.

Hand of Hindrance (level 18): Burdens an enemy target with the weight of their misdeeds, reducing movement speed by 70% for 10 sec.

Blade of Justice (level 19): Pierces an enemy with a blade of light, dealing moderate Physical damage. Generates 1 Holy Power.

Divine Storm (level 23): Unleashes a whirl of divine energy, dealing moderate Holy damage to up to 5 nearby enemies.

Art of War (level 24, Passive): Your auto attacks have a 8% chance to reset the cooldown of Blade of Justice.

Shield of Vengeance (level 26): Creates a barrier of holy light that absorbs damage for 15 sec. When the shield expires, it bursts to inflict Holy damage equal to the total amount absorbed, divided among all nearby enemies.

Rebuke (level 27): Interrupts spellcasting and prevents any spell in that school from being cast for 4 sec.

Greater Judgment (level 29, Rank 4): Judgment causes the target to take 25% increased damage from your next Holy Power ability.

Radiant Onslaught (level 33, Rank 3): Crusader Strike now has 2 charges.

Blade of Justice (level 34, Rank 2): Generates 1 additional Holy Power.

Wake of Ashes (level 39): Lash out at your enemies, dealing heavy Radiant damage to all enemies within 12 yd in front of you and reducing their movement speed by 50% for 5 sec. Damage reduced on secondary targets. Demon and Undead enemies are also stunned for 5 sec. Generates 3 Holy Power.

Art of War (level 48, Rank 2): Art of War has an additional 4% chance to trigger.

Shadowlands Paladin End-Game GuidesPaladin DPS Max Level Guides for ShadowlandsRetribution Paladin Shadowlands GuidePaladin Tank Max Level Guides for ShadowlandsProtection Paladin Shadowlands GuidePaladin Healing Max Level Guides for ShadowlandsHoly Paladin Shadowlands Guide

Comments

Comment by bastillea

A great starter guide!

Comment by Backaddict

Also remember the class mounts for Paladins (and Warlocks). That could confuse new folks.

Comment by Xantrik

What mog is that in the static picture? Looks like a gold version of the CM armor.

Comment by Translokator

Paladin is now extremly boring class for first 20 levels. There's nothing to do. Just Wait for Judge and Crusader Strike. Back in 2.4.3 it was good. You had auras, Seals judges, again seals. You had to know how to combine each Seals with Judges.

Comment by Naahuc

Hey,
nice guide.

~~Just a little typo that has sneaked in... You wrote "Warlock" instead of "Paladin" in #players-choices.~~

Comment by Cdaw

Holy paladin with correct PvP talents in war mode is quite easy to kill mobs too. Just heal yourself with holy light while dealing AoE damage.

Comment by mageranger13

Great guide overall, I tend to go templar's verdict more over zeal but meh to each their own. In either case, I'm SOOOO glad ret doesn't revolve around Judgement anymore.

Comment by cleric670

Why on Azeroth would you recommend Zeal, Crusade, and Justicar's Vengeance for leveling when Righteous Verdict, Word of Glory and Divine Purpose are almost infinitely better.

JV doesn't do enough damage or healing and is a colossal waste of 5 holy power, you can spend DP procs on free WoG that is a massive 75% heal while leveling. Otherwise spend those DP procs on Templars Verdict and couple it with Righteous Verdict for wrecking ball level damage.

Comment by Zedahr

Although almost a year from the last comment, I'm now playing in a War Mode Retro Pally in 8.2, I have my first talent as Righteous Verdict rather than Zeal. This gives me greater Burst and Sustainable damage. You did not make it apparent in your talent choices for a Retro Pally if they were for PVP or PVE, unless I missed your designation along the way. Gr8 guide and thought process. Learned a lot from your explanations. Keep up your good work!

Comment by Lanloriel

Righteous Fury has now been removed from the game with more passive threat given to Protection Paladins

Comment by Lovelyx33

Can anyone help? So recently my character hit level 42 and whenever I kill anything.. I’m hitting it at 50,000 hp for regular moves and I don’t know why... the quests are giving me super low xp as well ever since this started happening. It just started a day ago and it’s getting super annoying because I can’t level up anymore with all of the quests being so low in xp and the things I’m killing are level syncing.. they are all at 30 and I’m a 42

Comment by sofibo12345

thanks for posting this guide it was very helpful :)

Comment by Koragi385

Returning WoW player here, and as of Patch 9.1.5, at least. Protection Paladins no longer have access to Crusader Strike.

Comment by Kobecat

Great guide. I didn't see weapon skills that a Paladin has?

Shadowlands Paladin Leveling Guide & Best Leveling Spec 1-60

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