Retribution Paladin Guide for Patch 11.1.7 – Season 2 DPS Overview
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Retribution Paladin Overview
Retribution Paladins are divine warriors who wield a two-handed weapon and channel the Light into high-damage attacks. As the Paladin’s DPS specialization, Retribution primarily operates in melee range, but also has tools that can deal damage at a distance.
Your rotation is built around generating Holy Power using skills like Blade of Justice and Judgment, then consuming it with powerful finishers such as Final Verdict and Divine Storm. While Retribution lacks high mobility, it compensates with a wide array of self-buffs, group support, and survival tools that enhance group utility.
If you enjoy melee DPS with team-oriented support abilities and strong burst potential, Retribution may suit your playstyle.
Retribution Paladin Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Forgiving and simple playstyle with an easy learning curve.
Powerful defensives, both passive and active, including Divine Shield and Divine Protection.
A wide range of utility that fits most group content.
Effective self-healing and off-healing for allies.
Weaknesses:
Limited movement tools, with Divine Steed being the main mobility option.
Some utility overlaps with other specs in high-end content.
Lower skill ceiling—once mastered, there’s less depth beyond the basics.
Stat Priority: Strength > Mastery > Crit > Haste > Versatility
Retribution Paladin Changes in Patch 11.1
Patch 11.1 brings minor changes for Retribution. Divine Hammer was reworked—now it extends in duration when using Holy Power spenders instead of draining Holy Power. This improves its general use. Templar Hero Talents were slightly nerfed, and off-healing was toned down to balance support capabilities.
Retribution Paladin Hero Talents: Templar and Herald of the Sun
Retribution Paladins can choose between two Hero Talent trees: Templar and Herald of the Sun.
Templar provides access to Hammer of Light, a powerful Holy Power spender ideal for burst phases. You’ll also call down Empyrean Hammers passively through various effects and triggers, adding to your sustained damage potential during cooldowns.
Herald of the Sun emphasizes damage-over-time effects, especially through Dawnlight, which triggers frequently during cooldowns. It also passively enhances Divine Storm and Hammer of Wrath, offering more AoE and execute-focused utility.
Currently, Templar is significantly ahead in raw damage output. While Herald of the Sun remains viable in most content, the performance gap is hard to ignore in competitive environments.
Playing a Retribution Paladin in Season 2
Retribution follows a priority-based rotation, not a fixed sequence. Key gameplay principles include:
Avoid overcapping Holy Power – Your strongest abilities come from spending Holy Power. Letting it cap without spending will cause major DPS loss.
Keep key effects active – Make sure to maintain Expurgation and Judgment debuffs on targets, as they enhance your other attacks.
Use spenders efficiently – Prioritize Final Verdict or Divine Storm usage when possible. They trigger valuable effects like Radiant Glory and help manage your Holy Power cycle effectively.
Gearing a Retribution Paladin in Season 2
Focus on stacking Mastery without sacrificing too much item level. A balanced mix of Critical Strike, Haste, and Versatility follows after Mastery. To fine-tune your setup, use simulation tools to test combinations and identify upgrades.
Best Professions for Retribution Paladin
Professions in The War Within offer minimal raw power, so feel free to choose based on utility or preference.
Blacksmithing lets you craft personal armor, which may be close to BiS.
Alchemy offers value by creating your own potions and flasks.
Enchanting is useful for enchanting gear without relying on the auction house.
Best Race for Retribution Paladin
For Alliance, Humans and Dark Iron Dwarves are top-tier for damage.
For Horde, Blood Elves and Zandalari Trolls are strong picks, especially with Embrace of Pa’ku.
However, the performance difference is small—choose what you enjoy playing the most.