Retribution Paladin PVE Guide – Cataclysm

Welcome to the PVE Retribution Paladin Guide for World of Warcraft Cataclysm!

This guide will teach you how to play a Retribution Paladin in a raid. It covers talents, glyphs, gems, enchantments, rotation, and gameplay tips.

This talent build takes the standard Retribution Paladin talents to maximize DPS.

Prime Glyphs

• Glyph of Exorcism
• Glyph of Seal of Truth
• Glyph of Templar’s Verdict

Major Glyphs

• Glyph of the Ascetic Crusader
• Glyph of Divine Protection
• Glyph of Hammer of Wrath

Minor Glyphs

• Glyph of Blessing of Kings
• Glyph of Blessing of Might
• Glyph of Truth

Gems are situational and depend on the build and equipment. They are used to reach the required stat caps.

• Meta – Reverberating Shadowspirit Diamond
• Prismatic/Red – Bold Queen’s Garnet, Bold Inferno Ruby, or Bold Chimera’s Eye (Jewelcrafting)
• Yelow
  • If Socket Bonus is not at least +15 Strength or +30 of another stat per socket, Bold Queen’s Garnet, Bold Inferno Ruby
  • Otherwise, Skillful Lava Coral or Skillful Ember Topaz
• Blue
  • If Socket Bonus is not at least +15 Strength or +30 of another stat per socket, Bold Queen’s Garnet, Bold Inferno Ruby
  • Otherwise, Etched Shadow Spinel or Etched Demonseye

• Head – Arcanum of the Wildhammer (Alliance) or Arcanum of the Dragonmaw (Horde)
• Shoulder – Greater Inscription of Jagged Stone or Lionsmane Inscription (Inscription)
• Cloak – Enchant Cloak – Greater Critical Strike or Swordguard Embroidery (Tailoring)
• Chest – Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats
• Bracers – Enchant Bracer – Major Strength or Enchant Bracer – Precision (cheaper) or Draconic Embossment – Strength (Leatherworking) with Socket Bracer (Blacksmithing)
• Gloves – Enchant Gloves – Mighty Strength with Synapse Springs (Engineering) or Socket Gloves (Blacksmithing)
• Waist – Grounded Plasma Shield (Engineering) or Ebonsteel Belt Buckle
• Legs – Dragonscale Leg Armor or Dragonbone Leg Reinforcements (Leatherworking)
• Boots – Enchant Boots – Mastery or Enchant Boots – Precision
• Weapon – Enchant Weapon – Landslide

Dodge and Parry should be kept at similar values.

• Strength
• Hit Rating (to 8% hit cap)
• Expertise (to 26 cap)
• Mastery
• Critical Strike
• Haste

Single Target Rotation

Always use Seal of Truth. If you are fighting Demons and Undead, Exorcism becomes higher prio and replaces Templar’s Verdict in the rotation

• Under 3 Holy Power
  • Use Crusader Strike
  • Use Templar’s Verdict if you have Divine Purpose proc
  • Use Exorcism when Art of War procs or if out of melee range
  • Use Hammer of Wrath if target is below 20% HP and you have Avenging Wrath active
  • Use Judgement
  • Use Holy Wrath
  • Use Consecration
• At 3 Holy Power
  • Use Inquisition and keep maintained
  • Use Templar’s Verdict if you have Divine Purpose proc
  • Use Exorcism when Art of War procs or if out of melee range
  • Use Templar’s Verdict

Multi Target Rotation

Same as the single target rotation, except Divine Storm replaces Crusader Strike, and Consecration replaces Holy Wrath vs 4+ enemies. Use Seal of Righteousness.

Cooldowns

• Use Guardian of Ancient Kings and Zealotry with Avenging Wrath
  • Zealotry changes your rotation:
    • Crusader Strike
    • Templar’s Verdict
    • Filler
• Use Avenging Wrath on cooldown, generallya fter you have cast Avenging Wrath and had it active for 10 seconds. You can also time Avenging Wrath with raid buffs that increase DPS, and/or boss phases where the boss is vulnerable.