Retribution Paladin PvP Guide — The War Within (11.1.5) - World of Warcraft

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play Retribution Paladin in a PvP environment. The guide will cover everything from talent choices, PvP talents, gameplay and rotation, and useful racial bonuses. It is most applicable to Arena content, but most talents and racial bonuses will work in Rated Battlegrounds and skirmishes.

If you were looking for TBC Classic content, please refer to our TBC Paladin PvP guide.

PvP Retribution Paladin Guides

Paladin Leveling Guide

Retribution Paladin PvE Guide

Introduction Talents Gear & Stats Battleground Blitz Compositions Playstyle & Rotations Macros Races

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

3. Notable 11.1 Changes

Retribution Paladins in the Current Meta

Retribution Paladin is currently a solid melee/ranged hybrid specialization that can excel in both Solo Shuffle and Battleground Blitz. It is in a unique place where both Hero talent specializations have seen significant play in each bracket. Retribution remains one of the worst DPS in 2v2 arena as it has no Mortal Wounds Icon Mortal Wounds and below average damage compared to other classes with Mortal Wounds. Retribution has a few comps that are are fairly good in 3v3 arena.

Retribution Paladin Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Strong burst damage
Great consistent and cleave damage
Multiple ways to support teammates via blessing spells
Nearly the entire damage kit can be done from mid-range

Weaknesses

Limited mobility
Target of choice for most teams
No Mortal Wounds effect limits compositions

Notable 11.1 Changes

5% Overall damage increase.
30% Nerf on Empyrean Hammer
Procs of Dawnlight and Empyrean Hammer will now prioritize players over pets and minions.
Greater Judgment applied through Hammer of Light will now be consumed by Hammer of Light.
Divine Hammer slightly reworked into a 3 holy power spender.
50% nerf on Seal of the Crusader and Healing Hands no longer buffs Word of Glory on other players.
Sun's Avatar, Second Sunrise, and Final Reckoning are all receiving significant buffs.
Luminescence has been reworked and Aura of Reckoning has been removed.

Changelog

23 Apr. 2025 (gear): Updated for Patch 11.1.5 Meta
23 Apr. 2025 (talents): Updated for Patch 11.1.5 Meta
21 Apr. 2025 (races): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (blitz): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
21 Apr. 2025 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
25 Feb. 2025 (talents): Updated for Patch 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (races): Reviewed for Patch 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (blitz): Reviewed for 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (gear): Updated for the War Within 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.1
24 Feb. 2025 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.1
15 Dec. 2024 (races): Updated for Patch 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (blitz): Reviewed for 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for The War Within 11.0.7 + Added Circlet notes
15 Dec. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.0.7
15 Dec. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.0.7
24 Oct. 2024 (blitz): Updated Talent Trees for Bug Fixes 11.0.5
24 Oct. 2024 (talents): Updated for Bug Fixes TWW 11.0.5
21 Oct. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
21 Oct. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
21 Oct. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
21 Oct. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5
21 Oct. 2024 (blitz): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
21 Oct. 2024 (gear): Updated for The War Within 11.0.5
21 Oct. 2024 (talents): Updated for The War Within 11.0.5
21 Oct. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.0.5
21 Oct. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.0.5
11 Sep. 2024 (gear): Updated Embellishments The War Within Season 1
09 Sep. 2024 (races): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
09 Sep. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
09 Sep. 2024 (playstyle): Updated for The War Within Season 1.
09 Sep. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
09 Sep. 2024 (blitz): Page added.
09 Sep. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
09 Sep. 2024 (talents): Revisions for Bug Fixes The War Within 11.0.2 Season 1
09 Sep. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
09 Sep. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
31 Aug. 2024 (playstyle): Updated for Bug Fixes The War Within 11.0.2 Season 1
31 Aug. 2024 (talents): Revisions for Bug Fixes The War Within 11.0.2 Season 1
21 Aug. 2024 (races): Reviewed for The War Within.
21 Aug. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for The War Within.
21 Aug. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for The War Within.
21 Aug. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for The War Within.
21 Aug. 2024 (gear): Updated for The War Within 11.0.2 Season 1 Gear Changes
21 Aug. 2024 (talents): Updated for The War Within 11.0.2 Season 1
21 Aug. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within.
21 Aug. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within.
20 Aug. 2024 (gear): Updated for The War Within 11.0.2 Season 1
23 Jul. 2024 (races): Reviewed for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (playstyle): Updated for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (comps): Updated for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (gear): Updated for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (talents): Updated for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
23 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within 11.0 Prepatch
07 May 2024 (races): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (macros): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (comps): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (gear): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (talents): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (this page): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
07 May 2024 (this page): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
25 Apr. 2024 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.6 Season 4 Gear Updates
22 Apr. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Season 4.
22 Apr. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Season 4.
22 Apr. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Season 4.
22 Apr. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Season 4.
22 Apr. 2024 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.6 Season 4
22 Apr. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for Season 4.
22 Apr. 2024 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.6 Season 4
22 Apr. 2024 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.6 Season 4
19 Mar. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for Dragonflight 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (talents): Updated for Patch 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.6
19 Mar. 2024 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.6
15 Jan. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for Dragonflight 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.5
15 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2.5
23 Nov. 2023 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2 Meta Changes
06 Nov. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (playstyle): Updated for Patch 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (comps): Updated for Patch 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (talents): Updated for Patch 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.2
06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.2
04 Sep. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (gear): Reviewed for Dragonflight 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.7
04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.7
10 Jul. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.5
10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.5
01 Jun. 2023 (playstyle): Updated for Patch 10.1
21 May 2023 (talents): Updated for Patch 10.1
19 May 2023 (macros): Updated for Patch 10.1
19 May 2023 (comps): Updated for Patch 10.1
19 May 2023 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight 10.1
18 May 2023 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.1
18 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1
18 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1
09 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
09 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
30 Jan. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
30 Jan. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
11 Dec. 2022 (races): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (playstyle): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (comps): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (gear): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (talents): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
22 Nov. 2022 (races): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (macros): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (playstyle): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (comps): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (talents): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
22 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
01 Aug. 2022 (races): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (playstyle): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (comps): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (gear): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (talents): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
01 Aug. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
31 May 2022 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
31 May 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
28 Feb. 2022 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.
28 Feb. 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.
28 Feb. 2022 (playstyle): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- Updated all Damage Rotations.
28 Feb. 2022 (comps): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- Updated Best 3v3 Compositions.
28 Feb. 2022 (gear): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- Updated Recommended Gear.
- Added Tier-Sets section.
- Removed Shards of Domination section.
28 Feb. 2022 (talents): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- Updated Talent Table.
- Updated Tier 7 Regular Talent.
28 Feb. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- Added Notable Changes section.
28 Feb. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- Added Notable Changes section.
10 Nov. 2021 (races): Updated Best Races.
10 Nov. 2021 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
10 Nov. 2021 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
10 Nov. 2021 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
10 Nov. 2021 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
10 Nov. 2021 (talents): Updated PvP Talents.
10 Nov. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
10 Nov. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
02 Jul. 2021 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.
02 Jul. 2021 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.
02 Jul. 2021 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.
02 Jul. 2021 (comps): Updated Best 2v2 Compositions.
02 Jul. 2021 (gear): Updated Recommended Gear.
- Added Shards of Domination section.
02 Jul. 2021 (talents): Updated PvP Talents.
02 Jul. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
02 Jul. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
08 Mar. 2021 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
08 Mar. 2021 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
17 Feb. 2021 (playstyle): Updated all rotations with new talent.
17 Feb. 2021 (talents): Updated Tier 1 Regular Talents.
- Updated PvP Talents.
17 Dec. 2020 (playstyle): Removed old spells.
06 Dec. 2020 (gear): Added BiS gear list for Shadowlands.
05 Dec. 2020 (playstyle): Updated Damage Rotations to include Covenant Ability.
30 Nov. 2020 (gear): Removed outdated Traits and Essences.
- Removed outdated gear.
- Added gems section.
30 Nov. 2020 (this page): Added Covenant page, removed old Azerite mentions, and updated gear section.
30 Nov. 2020 (this page): Added Covenant page, removed old Azerite mentions, and updated gear section.
14 Oct. 2020 (races): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (macros): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (playstyle): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (comps): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (gear): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (talents): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (this page): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
14 Oct. 2020 (this page): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.

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PvP Retribution Paladin Guides

Paladin Leveling Guide

Retribution Paladin PvE Guide

Introduction Talents Gear & Stats Battleground Blitz Compositions Playstyle & Rotations Macros Races

Other PvP Guides

Retribution Paladin Battleground Blitz

Retribution Paladin PvP Races and Racials

Retribution Paladin PvP Arena Compositions

Retribution Paladin PvP Useful Macros

Retribution Paladin PvE Guides

Retribution Paladin Builds and Talents

Retribution Paladin Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities

Retribution Paladin Stat Priority

Retribution Paladin Gear and Best in Slot

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This guide has been written by Lvladen, a Ret Paladin Multi-Gladiator PvP Player, Streamer, and Content Creator. You can find him on his stream on Twitch, or his YouTube Channel

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Retribution Paladin PvP Guide — The War Within (11.1.5)