Retribution Paladin DPS Guide — Dragonflight 10.2
Welcome to our Retribution Paladin guide for World of Warcraft — Dragonflight 10.2. Here, you will learn how to play as a Retribution Paladin in both raids and Mythic+ dungeons: from the very beginning to maximizing your DPS.
If you were looking for WotLK Classic content, please refer to our WotLK Classic Retribution Paladin guide.
Retribution Paladin Overview
Retribution is the melee DPS spec of Paladin. It can use the wide array of utility options that Paladin is known for, including its sought-after Auras, along with some incredibly strong defensive abilities. Retribution is one of the most popular specs in the game due to its strong class fantasy and good all-round damage and utility toolkit.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strong defensive cooldowns, including
Divine Shield,
Divine Protection, and
Shield of Vengeance.
Brings raid-wide Aura buffs with
Retribution Aura and
Devotion Aura.
Excellent utility options, including
Blessing of Protection,
Blessing of Sacrifice, and
Blessing of Freedom.
Able to do excellent damage at lower item levels.
Mobility options are limited, and is poor at dealing with knockback effects.
Difficulty taking cleave talents while maintaining high single-target output.
Damage is not especially impressive at higher item levels.
Dragonflight Changes for Paladins
We are maintaining a list of changes for Paladins, so you can see what changes with every patch of Dragonflight.
Retribution Paladin and Guide Changes for Patch 10.2
Blade of Vengeance now functions as an addition to your single target
Blade of Justice rather than replacing it.
Leveling a Retribution Paladin
If you would like to play a Retribution Paladin but do not yet have one at max level, you can refer to our leveling guide.
Once you reach max level, it can be overwhelming to completely change your UI by suddenly implementing a lot of different add-ons, especially if they have a large visual impact on your UI. We recommend using some of the more basic add-ons recommended on our add-ons page below while leveling so that you are used to them by the time you get to endgame content.
Basics of Retribution Paladin Gameplay
Retribution gameplay revolves around managing your Holy Power and maximizing your spells’ cooldowns and GCDs. It can be reactive, but especially during cooldowns, it will be very important to plan your casts several spells ahead in order to not accidentally waste Holy Power.
There are two popular talent builds with different gameplay styles. Crusading Strikes is the most popular by far,
which includes a lot more passive Holy Power generation but has a significant amount of downtime in its rotation.
Templar Strikes or base
Crusader Strike is the alternative, which will require a bit more focus on maximizing individual GCDs
and generally has more control over its Holy Power generation.
If you are an absolute beginner to Retribution and would like to learn the fundamentals of the class, we recommend looking through the Spell Summary, as well as the Easy Mode page linked below.
If you are already fairly familiar with Retribution Paladin, you can jump straight to the details on how to best perform.
How to Gear Up as a Retribution Paladin
Although gearing has become much more complex due to the many variables that can depend on your character, you can find information on how best to gear as Retribution on our dedicated gearing page.
Once you have started to gear up, you will want to ensure you have the appropriate consumables, gems, enchants, and more. We have a dedicated page for exactly this, as shown below, and the stats page, where you can find more information on the possibility of a changing stat priority and the necessary changes you may need to make for consumables.
End-Game as a Retribution Paladin
The playstyle and gear you use in endgame content as a Retribution Paladin can look very different from when you start out. Our Mythic+, Raiding, and PvP guides can guide you to perform as well as possible, regardless of your focus on endgame content.
Improving as a Retribution Paladin
It can sometimes be difficult to identify exactly what you need to work on to improve your performance. Many players will run into similar issues, so we have set up specific pages to address any common questions or problems Retribution players face.
Retribution Paladin Viability in Dragonflight
Retribution is comfortably viable as a spec. It has strong defensives and group utility that makes it valuable in any type of content. Its damage throughput tends to be strong in lower content and can taper off at the highest level, but it is still decent enough to compete at any level.
Changelog
- 28 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Added the new Legendary and adjusted trinket recommendations.
- 07 Nov. 2023 (Amirdrassil page): Page added.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (simulations page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (gear page): Added BiS lists and overhauled page formatting for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (addons page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated talent builds and ability discussion for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (spells page): Updated formatting and ability descriptions for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated builds and rotation for Patch 10.1.7.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7.
- 22 Aug. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Updated tips and recommended builds.
- 10 Aug. 2023 (enchants page): Updated all recommendations.
- 10 Aug. 2023 (stats page): Updated stat recommendations and explanations.
- 10 Aug. 2023 (rotation page): Updated priority lists, added trinket explanation.
- 08 Aug. 2023 (talents page): Updated talent builds and explanations.
- 07 Aug. 2023 (this page): Updated all sections.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 24 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Cataclysm Timewalking and added Pocket Anvil for pure single-target.
- 24 May 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Updated encounter talents and tips.
- 24 May 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated talents and affix tips.
- 24 May 2023 (talents page): Updated mixed single-target and full cleave build.
- 09 May 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Page added.
- 06 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for trinket and T30 secondary stat changes.
- 06 May 2023 (rotation page): Simplified page and changed wording to assume key talents.
- 06 May 2023 (rotation page): Divine Toll no longer pulls out of combat or neutral enemies.
- 06 May 2023 (talents page): Updated Templar Stikes single-target talent build to use Zealots Fervor instead of Penitence.
- 06 May 2023 (easy mode page): Updated Hammer of Wrath to T30 cleave priority and Holy Power management based on recommend talents.
- 02 May 2023 (gear page): Updated Raid and Dungeon gear and added m+ embellishments.
- 02 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated Hammer of Wrath to T30 priority for cleave.
- 01 May 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 05 Apr. 2023 (enchants page): Primordial Stone update.
- 05 Apr. 2023 (rotation page): Updated Shield of Vengeance duration.
- 05 Apr. 2023 (spells page): Updated various descriptions for latest hotfixes.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (addons page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 21 Mar. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Added Justicars Vengeance or Templars Verdict Question.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Readded Idol of Tampling Hooves after it got fixed.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (stats page): Updated Stat priority.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Updated Talents.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated 2-min talents.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (spells page): Shield of Vengeance now has a 90-second cooldown.
- 17 Jan. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated Talents and Stats.
- 16 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Removed Idol of Tampling Hooves because it didnt hit raid bosses properly.
- 16 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Added second on-use trinket Manic Grieftorch.
- 13 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Added fallback Versatility Phial.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight Mythic+ Season 1 loot tables.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Added fallback Phial and Potion options.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (stats page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Page added.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (rotation page): Updated Rotation and Notes.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (talents page): Updated the single target talents to Sanctify.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (spells page): Seal of the Crusader no longer affects allies.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated Talents and Rotation.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Seal of the Crusader no longer affects allies.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Legendaries): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Torghast): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Castle Nathria page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Sanctum of Domination page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 13 Apr. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated for tier set changes.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 17 Jan. 2022 (talents page): Updated Talents.
- 15 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Page added with initial thoughts and information.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 14 Jul. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated with retail information.
- 20 May 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Page filled with preliminary information.
- 10 Nov. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for Execution Sentence and Final Reckoning changes.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 11 Apr. 2020 (The Eternal Palace page): Updated talent and essence recommendations.
- 14 Jan. 2020 (The Eternal Palace page): Updated for Patch 8.3.
- 05 Aug. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Updated for Mythic.
- 09 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Page added.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 13 May 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Added Mythic notes.
- 15 Apr. 2019 (Uldir page): Inquisition has been added as a viable Talent.
- 15 Apr. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Inquisition has been added as a viable Talent.
- 15 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
- 11 Mar. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1.5 and no changes are necessary.
- 17 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Added Mythic recommendations.
- 21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Page added.
- 11 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): Adjustments to talent advice for N'Zoth and Zul.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for 8.1.
- 12 Nov. 2018 (Uldir page): Added Uldir Mythic talent recommendations and tips. Updated a few Normal/Heroic boss talent recommendations.
- 03 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Added content for Uldir release.
More Paladin Guides
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This guide has been written by Bolas, a long time Retribution Paladin enthusiast, theorycrafter, and sometimes high-end raider. You can find him in the Paladin Discord as bolas.ret.
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