TBC Classic Paladin Weapons Guide

Last updated on Jan 12, 2026 at 12:03 by Sellin 1 comment

Weapons are extremely important for Paladins, especially while early in the leveling process or specced Retribution as weapon damage is a huge part of your damage. For Protection and Holy your weapon acts more as a stat stick then anything but is a major source of spell power and +healing.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

Paladin Weapon Skills

Paladins know how to use their starting melee weapons when created, the weapon you start with depends on the race you have chosen.

1.1.

Alliance Weapon Skills

Weapon Master location	Weapon Skills available
Ironforge	Axes, Maces
Stormwind	Swords, Polearms
The Exodar	Swords, Maces

1.2.

Horde Weapon Skills

Weapon Master location	Weapon Skills available
Orgrimmar	Axes
Thunderbluff	Maces
Undercity	Swords, Polearms
Silvermoon City	Swords, Polearms

Usable Weapon Types for Paladin

Swords Axes Maces Shields Polearms

2.1.

Swords

Paladins can use swords, both one handed ( Bloodmaw Magus-Blade Icon Bloodmaw Magus-Blade) and two handed ( Lionheart Champion Icon Lionheart Champion). Humans gain extra benefit from their Sword Specialization Icon Sword Specialization racial. What kind of weapon you end up choosing depends largely on your specilization, there are many spell caster one handed swords that are great for Tanks to help with threat and even more powerful two-handed swords to help you bolster your dps as Retribution.

2.2.

Axes

Paladins can use axes, both one handed ( The Decapitator Icon The Decapitator) and two handed ( Lunar Crescent Icon Lunar Crescent). No Paladin race benefits from using axes specifically, and there are no notable spell power or healing axes in The Burning Crusade. Your choice of weapon will depend largely on stats as opposed to weapon type as long as you are able to equip it.

2.3.

Maces

Paladins can use maces, both one handed ( Light's Justice Icon Light's Justice) and two handed ( Deep Thunder Icon Deep Thunder). Humans gain extra benefit from maces thanks to their Mace Specialization Icon Mace Specialization racial. What kind of weapon you end up choosing depends largely on your specilization. There are many spell caster one handed maces that are great for Tanks to help with threat and even more powerful two-handed Maces to help you bolster your dps as Retribution.

2.4.

Shields

Paladins can use shields ( Aegis of the Vindicator Icon Aegis of the Vindicator), but they are used either as Holy for stats or as Protection to tank. It is always worth keeping a 1H and shield on your just in case you ever need to tank.

2.5.

Polearms

Paladins can use polearms ( Glaive of the Pit Icon Glaive of the Pit). No Paladin race benefits from using Polearms specifically, and there are no notable spell power or healing Polearms in The Burning Crusade. Your choice of weapon will depend largely on stats as opposed to weapon type as long as you are able to equip it.

Unusable Weapon Types for Paladin

Paladins cannot use Wands, Staves, Daggers, Crossbows, Bows, Guns, Thrown Weapons, or Fist Weapons.

Leveling Weapons

As stated above, weapon damage is king when looking for upgrades while leveling. It is also worthwhile to look for 1H weapons with +Holy Damage, +Healing for Holy, and you should want to keep a shield around for when you need to tank something. The best ways to get weapon upgrades while leveling is to check the Auction House to buy weapons there or do dungeons. Paladins can spend extra gold since they do not need to save for a mount at level 40, meaning you can throw more gold at weapon upgrades and Paladins have an easier time finding groups thanks to their ability to fill all three roles.

For more leveling information, please refer to our leveling guide for Paladins.

Paladin Leveling Guide

End-Game Weapons

Paladins will use a few different end game weapons depending on spec. Retribution Paladins will want high damage, slow 2H weapons, Holy Paladins will completely focus on +Healing, and Protection Paladins will want a 1H weapon with spell power and a high level shield.

Quantum Blade is going to be your best pre-raid BiS weapon as Ret without leveling Blacksmithing. This item drops from Aeonus in heroic The Black Morass and has a decently high drop chance so you will likely be able to get it after just a few tries.
Lionheart Champion is an extremely powerful two handed weapon for Paladins that you are able to craft using Blacksmithing, this sword will last you well into later phases and can eventually be upgraded into Lionheart Executioner
Protection Paladins in The Burning Crusade have shifted their weapon focus on one handed weapons with large amounts of spell power to help generate threat. Gavel of Unearthed Secrets from Lower City is a great pre-raid weapon and you will likely already be farming Lower City reputation throughout your adventures in Azeroth and Outland.
+Healing is still king for Holy Paladins in The Burning Crusade. Gavel of Pure Light from The Sha'tar is the ideal Holy paladin weapon as it includes Intellect, Bonus healing and MP5.