Retribution Paladin DPS Guide — Shadowlands 9.2
Welcome to our Retribution Paladin guide for World of Warcraft — Shadowlands 9.2. 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 TBC Classic content, please refer to our TBC Classic Retribution Paladin guide.
Retribution Paladin Overview
Retribution Paladin is a very cooldown reliant melee-DPS spec. Their greatest strength is the high versatility in available burst types, be it single-target, close-range cleave, or AoE. The defensive utility is very good as well, as it offers a damage reduction aura, a strong single-target damage reduction cooldown for others, massive off-heals, and the best immunity in the game.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strong single-target and cleave burst.
Strong defensives like
Divine Shield,
Shield of Vengeance, and
Eye for an Eye.
Many utility spells, such as
Blessing of Protection,
Blessing of Sacrifice, and
Blessing of Freedom.
Strongest single-target off-heal with
Lay on Hands.
Source of the raid wide 3% damage reduction aura with
Devotion Aura.
Low mobility.
Uptime-reliant.
Patch 9.2 Changes for Paladins
We are maintaining a list of changes for Paladins, so you can see what changes with every patch of Shadowlands. Be sure to also check out Retribution's specific changes for the upcoming patch, 9.2, to hear our thoughts on the new tier set bonuses that have arrived.
Mage Tower Challenge
From Patch 9.1.5 onward, both Legion Timewalking and the Mage Tower have returned. As such we have created a separate guide detailing what you can expect from the Mage Tower challenge available to Retribution Paladins.
Significant Patch 9.2 Retribution Changes
Venthyr Legendary Changes
While using the Covenant Legendary Radiant Embers, it will no longer
cancel the effect of
Ashen Hallow when stepping outside of the large
bloody circle. To gain the cooldown-reduction effect, you now have to manually
cancel the effect by pressing Ashen Hallow again.
Leveling a Retribution Paladin
If you want to play a Retribution Paladin, but currently do not have one at max level, you can check out our leveling guide for tips on your crusade.
Once you reach max level, it can be somewhat overwhelming to completely change the way you play by suddenly implementing a large number of addons in a short space of time, especially if they have a heavy visual impact on your UI. We recommend using some of the more basic addons recommended on our Addons page below while leveling, so that you have more time to get used to them during the easier phases of playing your class.
Basics of Retribution Paladin Gameplay
Retribution Paladin is a spec about buffing yourself, managing cooldowns, and handling resource management all at the same time. The fundamental idea of the rotation is simple, you are building and spending Holy Power, while mixing in cooldowns to maximize the effectiveness of your Holy Power abilities.
At all times, you will be figuring out which Holy Power generator you should
prioritize over your others while not overcapping Holy Power, and then figure
out the best Holy Power spender to use in your current situation. You will
also regularly be using your main cooldown, Avenging Wrath.
If you are an absolute beginner to the spec, but would like to learn the basic fundamentals of the class, we recommend looking through the Spell Summary first, as well as the Easy Mode page linked below.
If you are already somewhat familiar with Retribution Paladin, you can head straight to the Talents and Rotation pages to jump right into the more complex, detailed information.
How to Gear Up as a Retribution Paladin
Despite the fact that gearing has become more challenging, due to the huge number of variables that 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 need to make sure that you have the appropriate consumables, gems, enchants, and more. We have a dedicated page for exactly this, as shown below, as well as 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
Starting off as Retribution Paladin can look very different from the absolute end-game raiding and progression as one. Our Mythic+, Raiding, and PvP guides can guide you to performing as well as possible, regardless of your focus in end-game content.
Improving as a Retribution Paladin
If you are finding your performance lacklustre, but are not sure where you are going wrong, you can check out the pages below for potential tips, or answers to questions you may have.
Changelog
- 11 May 2022 (talents page): Updated Divine Purpose and Sanctified Wrath usage.
- 11 May 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated Tips and Talents for various bosses.
- 15 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for converted tier set gear.
- 13 Apr. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated for tier set changes.
- 13 Apr. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated Level 40 and 50 talent row recommendations.
- 22 Mar. 2022 (stats page): Updated for double Legendary Powers.
- 22 Mar. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for double Legendary Powers.
- 22 Mar. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for double Legendary Powers.
- 22 Mar. 2022 (talents page): Updated for double Legendary Powers.
- 22 Mar. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated for double Legendary Powers.
- 22 Mar. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for double Legendary Powers.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (this page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (Legendaries): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (stats page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (talents page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (Torghast): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (addons page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (gear page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (spells page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 02 Mar. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for 9.2 Raid opening.
- 28 Feb. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Page added.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (gear page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (this page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (spells page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (easy mode page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (Legendaries): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (stats page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (talents page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (Torghast): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (rotation page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (enchants page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (mythic+ page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 21 Feb. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.2.
- 15 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Page added with initial thoughts and information.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Legendaries): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (talents page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (stats page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (easy mode page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (enchants page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Torghast): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (simulations page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (addons page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (gear page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (how to improve page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (FAQ page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Sanctum of Domination page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (spells page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 14 Jul. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated with retail information.
- 14 Jul. 2021 (Sanctum of Domination page): Partly updated for Mythic raid opening.
- 07 Jul. 2021 (Sanctum of Domination page): Page added.
- 07 Jul. 2021 (mythic+ page): Updated for Shadowlands Season 2 launch.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (how to improve page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (gear page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (easy mode page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (spells page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (addons page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (Torghast): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (stats page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (talents page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (Legendaries): Updated for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (mythic+ page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.
- 28 Jun. 2021 (simulations page): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.
- 16 Jun. 2021 (gear page): Updated recommended Jaithys consume level to 5/5 and Domination Gem upgrade order.
- 14 Jun. 2021 (gear page): Updated recommended Jaithys consume level to 4/5.
- 20 May 2021 (rotation page): Updated Consecration priority.
- 20 May 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Page filled with preliminary information.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (Castle Nathria page): Updated Legendary Power recommendations.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (gear page): Updated for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (Legendaries): Updated Legendary Power recommendations.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (addons page): Added notes about stopcasting and cancelqueuedspell.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (mythic+ page): Added Relentless Inquisitor Legendary Power note.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (rotation page): Updated for the Vanquisher's Hammer change.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated Covenant recommendations for Patch 9.0.5.
- 09 Mar. 2021 (Torghast): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (Torghast): Updated talent recommendations for Seraphim update.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (enchants page): Updated cloak enchant to Fortified Avoidance.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (easy mode page): Increased Hammer of Wrath priority.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (talents page): Updated talent recommendations for Seraphim update.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (rotation page): Increased Hammer of Wrath priority.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (mythic+ page): Updated talent recommendations for the Seraphim update.
- 04 Mar. 2021 (Castle Nathria page): All boss talents updated for Seraphim update & added more boss tips.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (talents page): Updated talent recommendations for Kyrian Paladins.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (enchants page): Moved Strength gems to gems sim paragraph.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (rotation page): Added Divine Toll Holy Power note.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (mythic+ page): Added Kyrian talent notes.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (Legendaries): Updated Magistrates Judgement info.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated recommended Covenants and Conduits after SimulationCraft updates.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (gear page): Added trinket options.
- 16 Jan. 2021 (Torghast): Added Eye for an Eye as viable talent.
- 18 Dec. 2020 (Castle Nathria page): Added Mythic Shriekwing + Altimor tips and talents.
- 11 Dec. 2020 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Expurgation Conduit moved to A-Tier for single-target.
- 07 Dec. 2020 (mythic+ page): Page updated for Shadowlands Mythic+ Season 1 start.
- 07 Dec. 2020 (Castle Nathria page): Updated for Castle Nathria Normal/Heroic opening.
- 03 Dec. 2020 (FAQ page): Updated for Castle Nathria.
- 01 Dec. 2020 (Castle Nathria page): Added placeholder Castle Nathria page.
- 25 Nov. 2020 (Torghast): Page added.
- 24 Nov. 2020 (Legendaries): Updated best legendary for Torghast.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (talents page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (enchants page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (stats page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (this page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (FAQ page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (how to improve page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (rotation page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (easy mode page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (gear page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (addons page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 23 Nov. 2020 (spells page): Updated for Shadowlands.
- 22 Nov. 2020 (Legendaries): Page added.
- 22 Nov. 2020 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Page added.
- 10 Nov. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for Execution Sentence and Final Reckoning changes.
- 10 Nov. 2020 (mythic+ page): Page updated for Execution Sentence and Final Reckoning changes.
- 10 Nov. 2020 (how to improve page): Page updated for Execution Sentence and Final Reckoning changes.
- 10 Nov. 2020 (talents page): Page updated for Execution Sentence and Final Reckoning changes.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (stats page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (enchants page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (spells page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (addons page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (simulations page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (easy mode page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (rotation page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (mythic+ page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (how to improve page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (FAQ page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (this page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (talents page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Oct. 2020 (gear 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 (Crucible of Storms 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 (Uldir 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
Guides from Other Classes
This guide has been written by Urthearso, theorycrafter for Retribution Paladins. If you have any questions about the spec you can reach him on the official Paladin Discord, on Twitter, and during his streams on Twitch.
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