Holy Paladin PvP Rotation and Playstyle — The War Within (Season 1)

Last updated on Nov 13, 2024 at 08:19 by Mysticall 12 comments

PvP requires you to perform various actions in the course of a duel, match, or battleground: interrupting/silencing enemies, healing your teammates and yourself, defending yourself, keeping yourself alive, etc.. It is a game mode that fully utilizes your kit, especially spells that are rarely used in PvE. On this page, we go through all the spells you need to use in PvP as a Holy Paladin, how you should use them, and we explain what your playstyle should be.

This page is part of our Holy Paladin PvP Guide.

1.

Playstyle for Holy Paladins

The main role for a Holy Paladin, besides keeping your team alive, is to use your utility to prevent your teammates from using cooldowns and keep them offensive. To keep your team offensive, you will often push in with your team to try to get a Hammer of Justice Icon Hammer of Justice/Repentance Icon Repentance on the enemy healing.

1.1.

Before Gates Open

Before the gates open, you should use Beacon of Light Icon Beacon of Light on a teammate that might be the kill target for the enemy team. It does not have a cooldown, so it is acceptable if the enemy team swaps their target, but it is important to keep it active on the teammate that the enemy team is focusing.

Make sure your team has a strategy for crowd control, Hammer of Justice Icon Hammer of Justice is a strong stun that should be used on a DPS when trying to get a kill or on a healer to set up crowd control. If you are using Repentance Icon Repentance make it clear who you are using it on. This will break from any damage.

1.2.

The Opener

The other team is going to try to force your trinket in the opener so they have an advantage later in the game. Use Divine Steed Icon Divine Steed to try to avoid incoming crowd control on you, and hold on to your trinket for as long as you can.

2.

Healing Techniques

2.1.

Auras and Aura Mastery

Aura Mastery Icon Aura Mastery is a strong 3-minute cooldown with an effect that changes depending on which Aura you have active. It will not be uncommon to switch between these auras during an Arena match. Here are the two auras you will find yourself switching between and when you should use them:

  • Concentration Aura Icon Concentration Aura makes interrupts and silences shorter on you and your teammates. When Aura Mastery Icon Aura Mastery is used, it will also make them immune to interrupts or silences for 8 full seconds. This should be used when you are playing with other casters or versus teams that have ranged kicks.
  • Devotion Aura Icon Devotion Aura reduces the damage your teammates take by 3%. This is crucial when the enemy team is using their burst rotation. When Aura Mastery Icon Aura Mastery is used, it will you and your teammates take 15% less damage. This should absolutely be used when the enemy team is using their burst cooldowns.

Overall, you want to use Concentration Aura Icon Concentration Aura when you are playing with casters or if the enemy team has ranged interrupts available for you. If they do not, then use Devotion Aura Icon Devotion Aura.

2.2.

Generating Holy Power

Before jumping into the healing rotations, it is important to know how to generate Holy Power. This is important, because Holy Paladins have both Holy Power and Mana. Learning how to heal with both resources is crucial for maximize your healing output and not running out of Mana quickly. Here is how to generate Holy Power:

  • Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike generates 1 Holy Power and should be used on any enemy within melee range. If there is not an enemy player close to you, you can also use it on pets or totems.
  • Judgment Icon Judgment is a ranged spell that does a low amount of damage, but generates 1 Holy Power. Similar to Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike, you can use this spell on pets or totems, as well as enemies in range. it is also important to use Judgment as often as you can to get value from the talent Greater Judgment Icon Greater Judgment.
  • Hammer of Wrath Icon Hammer of Wrath can only be used on enemies with 20% or less health, but once you do use it, it will generate 1 Holy Power.
  • Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock it does not matter whether you use this on an enemy or ally, this will generate 1 Holy Power every time it is used.
  • Divine Toll Icon Divine Toll instantly casts Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock on up to 5 targets. This will cast every 5 sec for 15 seconds. This is great for when you see damage is incoming and want to quickly generate Holy Power.
  • Of Dusk and Dawn Icon Of Dusk and Dawn is a passive that procs after you cast 3 Holy Power generating spells. Blessing of Dawn Icon Blessing of Dawn makes your next Holy Power spending ability deal additional damage and healing. Blessing of Dusk Icon Blessing of Dusk reduces damage taken for 10 seconds.

You can store up to 5 Holy Power, but once you get to 3 you can start using abilities that cost Holy Power. The only ability you want to use Holy Power on is Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory. This ability will be instant and works well with the regular talent Divine Purpose Icon Divine Purpose.

2.3.

Spending Holy Power

The 2 spells you will be spending Holy Power on are Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory and Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame. Your goal during your healing rotation is to use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock off cooldown to generate Holy Power and use that Holy Power on these two spells. You always want to make sure that Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame is on the target. If it is active on your target and you have 3 Holy Power, use it on Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory.

2.4.

Basic Healing Rotation

This is the basic rotation you should be using.

  1. Use Tyr's Deliverance Icon Tyr's Deliverance off cooldown.
  2. Use and maintain Beacon of Light Icon Beacon of Light on whichever teammate is taking the most damage.
  3. Use Beacon of Faith Icon Beacon of Faith on a second teammate.
  4. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock. This will generate Holy Power and give you a chance to get a Infusion of Light Icon Infusion of Light proc. When you get this proc, you can do one of the following:
    • Flash of Light Icon Flash of Light Mana cost reduced.
    • Holy Light Icon Holy Light healing increased.
    • Greater Judgment Icon Greater Judgment prevents 150% more damage.
  5. Use Barrier of Faith Icon Barrier of Faith if you are out of Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock charges and to put an absorption shield on your target. In addition to the shield, Barrier of Faith does the following:
    • For 24 sec after using Barrier of Faith Icon Barrier of Faith, your target takes accumulates healing from Flash of Light Icon Flash of Light, Holy Light Icon Holy Light, and Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock done to them. This healing will be converted to another absorption shield. This is a crucial spell to not waste.
    • After casting Barrier of Faith Icon Barrier of Faith, you will get the Divine Favor Icon Divine Favor buff. This increases the healing next Holy Light Icon Holy Light or Flash of Light Icon Flash of Light and reduces their Mana cost and cast time.
  6. Use Holy Light Icon Holy Light.
  7. Use Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike and Judgment Icon Judgment to generate Holy Power.
  8. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock as often as you can.
    • This will also generate 1 Holy Power.
  9. Use Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame when you get to 3 Holy Power.
  10. Use Infusion of Light Icon Infusion of Light procs on Holy Light Icon Holy Light.
  11. Cast Holy Light Icon Holy Light if the enemy team is far and cannot interrupt you.
  12. Use Flash of Light Icon Flash of Light when your teammate is extremely low on health and you need to quickly heal them.
  13. Use Hammer of Wrath Icon Hammer of Wrath on an enemy if they drop below 20% health.
    • Also keep in mind that this will generate 1 Holy Power.
  14. Use Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory if the target has Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame on them and when you get to 3 Holy Power.
2.5.

Burst Healing

Use this if the enemy team uses their cooldowns to try to kill a teammate.

  1. Use Beacon of Light Icon Beacon of Light on the primary target taking damage.
  2. Use Barrier of Faith Icon Barrier of Faith to put an absorption shield on your target and to get the Divine Favor Icon Divine Favor buff.
  3. Use Avenging Wrath Icon Avenging Wrath.
  4. If Avenging Wrath Icon Avenging Wrath is on cooldown, you can also use here.
  5. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock.
  6. Use Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame at 3 Holy Power.
  7. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock.
  8. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock.
  9. Use Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory.
  10. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock.
  11. Use Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory.
  12. Cast Holy Light Icon Holy Light.
  13. Continue using Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock and Hammer of Wrath Icon Hammer of Wrath to generate Holy Power. use Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame at 3 Holy Power, and Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory if Eternal Flame is already active on the target. Cast Holy Light Icon Holy Light if you get an Infusion of Light Icon Infusion of Light proc or if you do not have Holy Shock available.
  14. If you do not have Avenging Wrath Icon Avenging Wrath available, use Divine Toll Icon Divine Toll. This will heal your target and generate Holy Power to help you use Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame/Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory.

If Avenging Wrath Icon Avenging Wrath ends or is on cooldown, the rotation is almost the same. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock as often as possible to generate 1 Holy Power and have a chance at getting an Infusion of Light Icon Infusion of Light proc. If you do get one, use Holy Light Icon Holy Light. If your teammate is still low, you should use Blessing of Sacrifice Icon Blessing of Sacrifice. Against teams with no purges or with melee on it, you might also have to use Blessing of Protection Icon Blessing of Protection to stop a lot of the incoming damage and give you time to recover.

2.6.

Sustained Damage Healing

Use this to heal sustained damage throughout the match (damage done when the other team does not have burst cooldowns available).

  1. Maintain Beacon of Light Icon Beacon of Light on your teammate that is being focused.
  2. Use and maintain Beacon of Faith Icon Beacon of Faith on another teammate if you are using this talent.
  3. Generate Holy Power by using Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock, Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike, and Hammer of Wrath Icon Hammer of Wrath.
  4. Use Barrier of Faith Icon Barrier of Faith to put an absorption shield on your target and to get the Divine Favor Icon Divine Favor buff.
  5. Cast Holy Light Icon Holy Light.
  6. Use Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame when you get to 3 Holy Power.
  7. Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock off cooldown.
  8. Use Divine Toll Icon Divine Toll if you have no Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock charges left and you need to generate Holy Power.
  9. Use Judgment Icon Judgment for damage and to prevent damage the enemy deals, thanks to the Greater Judgment Icon Greater Judgment talent.
  10. Use Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory if Eternal Flame Icon Eternal Flame is not active on your target and when you get to 3 Holy Power.
  11. Use Holy Light Icon Holy Light when you get an Infusion of Light Icon Infusion of Light proc.
2.7.

Avenging Crusader Healing

One important note about the Holy Paladin healing rotation is that Avenging Crusader Icon Avenging Crusader is a powerful cooldown and might be the best playstyle throughout the expansion. With that said, here is what you should do to maximize your healing output when playing Avenging Crusader:

  • Use Avenging Crusader Icon Avenging Crusader.
  • Use Judgment Icon Judgment off cooldown.
  • Use Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike off cooldown.
  • Use Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory at 3 Holy Power.
  • Use Holy Shock Icon Holy Shock.
  • Use Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike.
  • From here, you will keep rotating your damage abilities, Judgment Icon Judgment and Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike, to generate Holy Power and spending it on Word of Glory Icon Word of Glory. Use Holy Bulwark Icon Holy Bulwark when Avenging Crusader Icon Avenging Crusader is on cooldown and you need additional healing.
3.

Utility

One of the unique things about Holy Paladins is the amount of utility you have. Below are all of the spells you can use on teammates and when to use them.

  • Blessing of Freedom Icon Blessing of Freedom: this is a great ability for getting away from enemies or to use on your teammates to catch up to an enemy.
  • Blessing of Protection Icon Blessing of Protection: this is a strong ability against melee classes. This should be used on a teammate that is being focused and you do not want to use cooldowns or or do not have any left. Alternatively, it can be used on yourself, but it does give you the debuff that prevents you from using Divine Shield Icon Divine Shield for 30 seconds.
  • Blessing of Sacrifice Icon Blessing of Sacrifice: use this ability when the enemy team uses multiple offensive cooldowns. This way, you use one cooldown when the other team has used 2-3 cooldowns. If you use this before a crowd control ability that can be broken from damage, it will break.
  • Turn Evil Icon Turn Evil fears an enemy Undead, Aberration or Demon. This is useful versus Death Knights and Warlocks. You can fear the Death Knight's Abomination or fear the Warlock's pets. This does cost quite a bit of Mana, so do not use it too often, but it should be used when you want to stop some incoming damage.
4.

Defensive Techniques

Divine Shield Icon Divine Shield is your primary defensive cooldown. Using this ability makes you immune to everything and should be used when you or a teammate is about to die. This will guarantee that you will stay alive if you are being focused; and guarantee that you will not be interrupted if your teammate is being focused.

Divine Protection Icon Divine Protection can be used while stunned and can only be used on yourself. Use this if you are being focused and need to reduce any incoming damage.

5.

Macros

It is advised to use Macros to use abilities on enemies or allies without having to target them. For this reason, we have a page dedicated to them.

6.

Changelog

  • 13 Nov. 2024: Updated all Healing Rotations.
    • Added Spending Holy Power section.
    • Updated Sustained Healing rotation.
    • Updated Burst Healing rotation.
  • 09 Sep. 2024: Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 21 Aug. 2024: Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 23 Jul. 2024: Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 07 May 2024: Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 22 Apr. 2024: Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
  • 15 Jan. 2024: Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 06 Nov. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
  • 04 Sep. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7.
  • 10 Jul. 2023: Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
    • Updated all Healing Rotations.
  • 07 May 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
  • 21 Mar. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 30 Jan. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 11 Dec. 2022: Updated Healing rotations.
  • 22 Nov. 2022: Updated for Dragonflight Pre-patch.
  • 01 Aug. 2022: Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 31 May 2022: Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 28 Feb. 2022: Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Updated all Healing Rotations.
  • 10 Nov. 2021: Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 02 Jul. 2021: Updated Basic Healing rotation.
  • 08 Mar. 2021: Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 23 Dec. 2020: Updated Healing Rotations for Shadowlands.
    • Added Covenant Abilities to healing rotations.
  • 15 Oct. 2020: Updated Basic and Sustained Healing rotations.
  • 12 Oct. 2020: Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch (Patch 9.0.1).
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