Cataclysm Classic Retribution Paladin Rotation and Cooldowns

If you have not already, we recommend reading the Spells Summary page first. Knowing how each spell and ability works in detail will greatly increase your understanding of the topics discussed on this page.

Retribution Paladin focuses on generating as much Holy Power as possible with our Crusader Strike ability to enable us to use abilities like Inquisition and Templar's Verdict. The rotation for Retribution acts much more as a priority system focused on generating as much Holy Power as possible while spending it to maintain Inquisition and spending any excess on Templars Verdict. It is worth noting that when Zealotry is active that your focus should be on pressing Crusader Strike on cooldown as much as possible in order to be able to cast one of our Holy Power spending abilities and it is often worth losing out on a second or so to ensure you are pressing it as soon as it is off cooldown.

1. Keep Seal of Truth active;
2. Cast Crusader Strike to generate Holy Power on cooldown;
3. Keep Inquisition active at all times, this should be used ideally with 3 Holy Power;
4. Cast Templar's Verdict as Holy Power/ Divine Purpose procs allows;
5. Cast Exorcism if you have a The Art of War proc;
6. Cast Hammer of Wrath on cooldown (only usable against an enemy below 20% health);
7. Cast Judgement on cooldown to reapply Replenishment;
8. Cast Holy Wrath;
9. Cast Consecration.

Your AoE Rotation against 2-3 acts relatively similarly to our Single target rotation but we will be using Seal of Righteousness in place of Seal of Truth.

1. Keep Seal of Righteousness active;
2. Cast Crusader Strike to generate Holy Power on cooldown;
3. Cast Templar's Verdict as Holy Power/ Divine Purpose procs allows;
4. Cast Exorcism if you have a The Art of War proc;
5. Cast Hammer of Wrath on cooldown (only usable against an enemy below 20% health);
6. Cast Judgement on cooldown to reapply Replenishment;
7. Cast Consecration;
8. Cast Holy Wrath.

When fighting four or more mobs your Divine Storm ability will now generate Holy Power and will now take the place of Crusader Strike.

1. Keep Seal of Righteousness active;
2. Cast Divine Storm to generate Holy Power on cooldown;
3. Cast Templar's Verdict as Holy Power/ Divine Purpose procs allows;
4. Cast Exorcism if you have a The Art of War proc;
5. Cast Hammer of Wrath on cooldown (only usable against an enemy below 20% health);
6. Cast Judgement on cooldown to reapply Replenishment;
7. Cast Consecration;
8. Cast Holy Wrath.

Retribution Paladins have three major DPS cooldowns and utilizing them properly will lead to a massive DPS increase so knowing how they are used most optimally can result in a large DPS difference.

Guardian of Ancient Kings should be cast on the pull, after 10 seconds cast your Avenging Wrath ability to maximize the benefit from Guardian of Ancient Kings. It takes 10 seconds for your Guardian of Ancient Kings to stack to fully so instead of spending the first 10 seconds of your Avenging Wrath waiting for the buff to stack you will get its full duration with the stacked guardian buff. Try to stack Zealotry with Avenging Wrath whenever possible but especially towards the beginning of a fight to get them on cooldown

When Zealotry is active your ability usage will be a bit different as you are now generating three Holy Power every time you cast Crusader Strike. As a result will have much more Holy Power to spend on Templar's Verdict and Inquisition. The list of priorities for your rotation remains the same but keep in mind you will gain three Holy Power every time Crusader Strike is cast with Zealotry active so it is even more crucial to be pressing it on cooldown. Templar's Verdict should only be cast when you have three Holy Power

Avenging Wrath is a flat 20% Damage increase for 20 seconds and after your initial use pairing it with Guardian of Ancient Kings should be used on cooldown but if you are able to pair it with Zealotry then you should always look to do so as your Templar's Verdict is your highest damage dealing ability and scales the best with the increased Damage.