WotLK Classic Retribution Paladin Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities

If you have not already, please read the Spell Summary page. Knowing how each spell and ability works in detail will greatly increase your understanding of the topics discussed on this page.

Retribution Paladin are one of the strongest melee DPS in the entire game not only because of the amazing buffs that they bring to any group or the utility they have with powerful abilities such as Hand of Protection but they do a massive amount of damage as well and are in contention for being the highest DPS melee class in the game especially early on.

This guide assumes you are using the talent build that can be found at Talents page and are playing a max level character. If you are looking for leveling based help please refer to Leveling page for a leveling-specific rotation.

The Retribution DPS rotation, while a relatively simple list of priorities to follow, will require some practice to make sure you avoid keeping spells on cooldown longer than they need to be in order to use an ability lower in the list of priorities; overall, however, it is quite simple. Do not forget to use Divine Plea in order to maintain the rotation being Mana positive!

As opposed to a set rotation, Retribution Paladin follows a strict list of priorities. Following this list will lead to your maximum possible single-target DPS output.

1. Apply Seal of Vengeance to the target if single-target, or use Seal of Command if you will be consistently hitting 2 or more targets;
2. Crusader Strike;
3. Judgement of Wisdom;
4. Hand of Reckoning;
5. Divine Storm;
6. Consecration;
7. Exorcism;
8. Holy Wrath should be the lowest in your priority and only used when you are fighting an Undead or Demon mob type.

Similar to single-target, as a Retribution Paladin you will be using a list of priorities when AoEing as opposed to a rotation. The AoE rotation is extremely similar except with an emphasis on getting Consecration down.

1. Apply Seal of Command;
2. Consecration;
3. Divine Storm;
4. Judgement of Wisdom;
5. Holy Wrath should be low in your priority and only used when you are fighting an Undead or Demon mob type;
6. Crusader Strike;
7. Exorcism.

Retribution Paladin has one of the strongest personal DPS cooldowns in the game in Avenging Wrath, but also some of the strongest group utility tools that can greatly help your group or possibly even avoid a wipe.

• Hand of Freedom — Makes the target immune to roots and other movement impairing effects for 10 seconds.
• Divine Protection — Reduces all incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds but causes Forbearance.
• Hand of Protection — A shield that causes your target to be immune to all Physical attacks for 10 seconds, but they cannot attack during that time. This also procs a 1-minute debuff that makes you unable to cast your other immunities during that time.
• Divine Intervention — You sacrifice yourself to place a 2-minute shield on a target, making them invulnerable, but unable to move or use abilities while inside the shield. This is mainly used as a wipe recovery tool in raids to ensure someone will stay alive.
• Divine Sacrifice — A powerful raid cooldown that will redirect a percentage of the group's incoming damage to the Paladin. This effect will automatically cancel if the Paladin goes below 20% health, but it can kill you.
• Divine Shield — A shield that causes you to be immune to all attacks and spells for 12 seconds and slows your attack speed drastically while the shield is active. This also procs a 1-minute debuff that makes you unable to cast your other immunities during that time.
• Lay on Hands — Instantly heals your target for a massive amount and gives them some Mana, but drains all of your Mana.
• Hand of Sacrifice — A 30-second buff that transfers some of the damage taken by the target to you while active.
• Avenging Wrath — A 20-second buff that increases the damage dealt by the Paladin by 30% for 20 seconds. This also procs a 1-minute debuff that makes you unable to cast you other immunities during that time.