Paladin spec guide
Holy PaladinSummarized from Blizzard's class deep-dive articles. They were published during the beta, so live numbers and talents may differ.
The unique Seal and Judgement system stays. Holy gains healing and support tools, Protection gets stronger threat, mana and survival options, and Retribution gets ways to sustain Judgements plus a more approachable form of Seal Twisting.[1]
Paladins are very strong against Undead and Demons, but they have limited range, no interrupt and no way to slow enemies. The goal is highly effective tanks, competitive damage dealers and the strongest single-target healers in the game.
This is a healing spec. The talent picks don't weigh healing; they are calculated from estimated DPS while leveling with attack spells, so talents you need for healing may be missing. If you heal in groups or raids, add healing talents yourself in the calculator. The gear picks use healing weights.
One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Holy tree is filled to 31 points first, and the remaining points go where they raise estimated DPS the most in the other trees.
The level 60 build uses the same method as the calculator's "Recommended build" (estimated DPS from tooltip values + judgment weights for talents the math can't capture, such as rage, energy and mana talents), with the extra rule "Holy tree to 31 points first". The order picks, one point at a time, the talent that raises the score the most on the way to that build. Estimated DPS is a rough "compared with no talents" figure and leaves out the damage of newly learned abilities. Talent point rules (starting at level 10) follow classic, since nothing has been announced officially.
| Level | Points | Tree split | Est. DPS | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 20 | 11 points | 11/0/0 | +7.4% | Open |
| Level 30 | 21 points | 21/0/0 | +10.8% | Open |
| Level 40 | 31 points | 31/0/0 | +13.1% | Open |
| Level 50 | 41 points | 31/2/8 | +17.5% | Open |
| Level 60 | 51 points | 35/8/8 | +20.1% | Open |
Consecutive levels spent on the same talent are grouped on one line.
Divine Strength1→5/5
Improved Seals1→5/5
Reverence1→2/2
Purifying Power1→2/2
Holy Conduit1/2
Divine Precision1→2/2Holy Conduit2/2
Illumination1→2/5
Holy Shock1/1
Consecrated Ground1→2/2Illumination3→5/5
Infusion of Light1/2
Oath of Light1/1
Boundless Light1/2
Holy Power1→2/5
BenedictionRetribution1→5/5
ConvictionRetribution1→3/3
Divine IntellectProtection1→5/5
PrecisionProtection1→3/3Holy Power3→5/5
Light's Vigil1/1Talents with a large share of estimated DPS, plus talents that grant abilities or handle resources. Descriptions are the tooltip at the rank taken.
Divine Strength5/5 · Holy
Est. DPS +2.5%
Increases your Strength by 10%.
Improved Seals5/5 · Holy
Est. DPS +4.1%
Increases the damage done by your Seals and Judgements by 15%.
Illumination5/5 · Holy
Resource / utility
After getting a critical effect from your Flash of Light, Holy Light, Light's Vigil, or Holy Shock heal spell you have a 100% chance to gain Mana equal to 50% of the base cost of the spell.
Divine Precision2/2 · Holy
Est. DPS +3.8%
Improves your chance to hit with Holy spells by 8%, and reduces the duration of Silence effects on you by 20%.
Oath of Light1/1 · Holy
Ability
Swear an Oath to protect target ally for 5 min, increasing the healing of your Holy Light on them by up to 400, your Flash of Light by up to 115, and your Holy Shock by up to 230. Only one Oath of Light may be sworn by the Paladin at any one time.
Consecrated Ground2/2 · Holy
Est. DPS +2.0%
Gives your Holy spells 10% increased damage against the first 4 enemies that enter your Consecration.
Holy Shock1/1 · Holy
Ability
Blasts the target with Holy energy, causing 213 to 223 Holy damage to an enemy, or 328 to 337 healing to an ally.
Light's Vigil1/1 · Holy
Ability
Applies Light's Vigil to a friendly target for 30 sec. The caster's next Holy Shock on the target incurs no cooldown and heals the target and their party for 397 to 416. Only one Vigil per Paladin may be active in each party.
Divine Intellect5/5 · Protection
Est. DPS +0.5%
Increases your total Intellect by 10%.
Precision3/3 · Protection
Est. DPS +1.9%
Improves your chance to hit by 3%.
Conviction3/3 · Retribution
Est. DPS +3.7%
Improves your chance to get a critical strike with all spells and attacks by 6%.
Holy abilities in the order you first learn them. The numbers are the levels at which each rank is learned; the description is rank 1 without gear or stats.
Holy Light
Learned at level 1 · 6 · 14 · 22 · 30 · 38 · 46 · 54 · 60
Heals a friendly target for 39 to 47.
Seal of Righteousness
Learned at level 1 · 1 · 10 · 18 · 26 · 34 · 42 · 50 · 58
Fills the Paladin with holy spirit for 30 sec, granting each melee attack an additional 1 to 4 Holy damage. Slower weapons cause more Holy damage per swing. Only one Seal can be active on the Paladin at any one time.
Purify
Learned at level 8
Purifies the friendly target, removing 1 disease effect and 1 poison effect.
Lay on Hands
Learned at level 10 · 30 · 50
Heals a friendly target for an amount equal to the Paladin's maximum health. Drains all of the Paladin's remaining Mana when used, but does not interrupt Mana regeneration.
Blessing of Wisdom
Learned at level 14 · 24 · 34 · 44 · 54 · 60
Places a Blessing on the friendly target, restoring 12 mana every 5 seconds for 1 hour. Players may only have one Blessing on them per Paladin at any one time.
Consecration
Learned at level 20 · 30 · 40 · 50 · 60
Consecrates the land beneath the Paladin, doing 16 Holy damage over 8 sec to enemies who enter the area. The first 4 enemies who enter the area will take an additional 32 damage over 8 sec.
Exorcism
Learned at level 20 · 28 · 36 · 44 · 52 · 60
Causes 74 to 84 Holy damage to an Undead or Demon target.
Flash of Light
Learned at level 20 · 26 · 34 · 42 · 50 · 58
Heals a friendly target for 43 to 49.
Voice of Truth
Learned at level 20
Grants you immunity to Silence and Interrupt effects for 6 sec.
Holy ShockTalent
Learned at level 30 · 40 · 48 · 56
Blasts the target with Holy energy, causing 129 to 139 Holy damage to an enemy, or 110 to 118 healing to an ally.
Seal of Light
Learned at level 30 · 40 · 50 · 60
Fills the Paladin with divine light for 30 sec, giving each melee attack a chance to heal the Paladin for 39. Only one Seal can be active on the Paladin at any one time. Unleashing this Seal's energy will judge an enemy for 40 sec, granting melee attacks made against the judged enemy a chance of healing the attacker for 25. Your melee strikes will refresh the spell's duration. Only one Judgement per Paladin can be active at any one time.
Seal of Wisdom
Learned at level 38 · 48 · 58
Fills the Paladin with divine wisdom for 30 sec, giving each melee attack a chance to restore 50 of the Paladin's mana. Only one Seal can be active on the Paladin at any one time. Unleashing this Seal's energy will judge an enemy for 40 sec, granting attacks and spells used against the judged enemy a chance to restore 33 mana to the attacker. Your melee strikes will refresh the spell's duration. Only one Judgement per Paladin can be active at any one time.
Light's VigilTalent
Learned at level 40 · 50 · 60
Applies Light's Vigil to a friendly target for 30 sec. The caster's next Holy Shock on the target incurs no cooldown and heals the target and their party for 315 to 333. Only one Vigil per Paladin may be active in each party.
Cleanse
Learned at level 42
Cleanses a friendly target, removing 1 poison effect, 1 disease effect, and 1 magic effect.
Hammer of Wrath
Learned at level 44 · 52 · 60
Hurls a hammer that strikes an enemy for 274 to 302 Holy damage. Only usable on enemies that have 20% or less health.
Holy Wrath
Learned at level 50 · 60
Sends bolts of holy power in all directions, causing 362 to 428 Holy damage to all Undead and Demon targets within 20 yds and stunning them for 2 sec.
Greater Blessing of Wisdom
Learned at level 54 · 60
Gives all members of the raid or group that share the same class with the target the Greater Blessing of Wisdom, restoring 36 mana every 5 seconds for 1 hour. Players may only have one Blessing on them per Paladin at any one time.
The 3 highest-scoring items for each slot in every level range. Only items whose required level falls inside the range are compared.
| Stat | Score per point |
|---|---|
| Spell Healing | 1 |
| Spell Power | 1 |
| Mana Regeneration per 5 sec | 1 |
| Intellect | 0.6 |
| Critical Strike | 0.4 |
| Haste | 0.4 |
| Stamina | 0.2 |
| Spirit | 0.1 |
Req. 20 · Spell Healing +21 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 20 · Spell Power +11 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 20 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 23 · Stamina +3 · Spirit +2
Item level 23 · Stamina +3
Req. 18 · Stamina +2
Same stats: Sentinel's Medallion
Item level 24 · Stamina +6
Req. 20 · Stamina +3 · Spirit +3
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 17 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 18 · Spell Healing +9 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +2
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Req. 16 · Spell Power +4 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Req. 14 · Spell Power +2 · Intellect +3
Crafted: Tailoring
Req. 15 · Spell Healing +16 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 15 · Spell Power +9 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 15 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +7
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 24 · Intellect +4
Req. 18 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 14 · Stamina +2
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 15 · Spell Healing +10 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +3
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 15 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 15 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 12 · Spell Healing +9 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +3
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 12 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 12 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 20 · Spell Healing +21 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 20 · Spell Power +11 · Stamina +7
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 20 · Spell Power +6 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 17 · Spell Healing +11 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 10 · Spell Healing +9 · Intellect +4
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 17 · Spell Power +6 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 18 · Spell Power +5 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +2 · Stamina +2
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Ring
Item level 24 · Spell Power +5 · Intellect +2
Item level 25 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +3
Req. 20 · Stamina +4
Same stats: Rune of Duty
Item level 23 · Damage per second 7.6 · Intellect +2 · Stamina +2
Req. 20 · Damage per second 16 · Stamina +5
Reputation required
Req. 15 · Damage per second 13.5 · Stamina +4
Req. 18 · Intellect +4
Item level 20 · Spell Power +2 · Spirit +2
Item level 15 · Spell Power +2
Item level 21 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +3
Req. 20 · Intellect +5 · Spirit +5
Reputation required
Item level 16 · Intellect +5 · Spirit +-3
Req. 25 · Spell Healing +25 · Stamina +11
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 25 · Spell Power +14
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 35 · Spell Power +7
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 43 · Spell Healing +13 · Spirit +7
Req. 30 · Spell Power +7 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5
Req. 38 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +11
Reputation required
Same stats: Darkspear Warding Pendant
Req. 40 · Spell Power +11
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 45 · Critical Strike +10 · Stamina +10
Req. 35 · Spell Power +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 38 · Spell Healing +18 · Stamina +8 · Spirit +5
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Req. 28 · Spell Healing +13 · Stamina +6 · Spirit +4
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Item level 41 · Spell Power +6 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +5
Req. 22 · Spell Healing +22 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +6
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 37 · Spell Power +9 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 40 · Spell Power +14
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 40 · Spell Healing +9 · Intellect +8
Reputation required
Req. 37 · Spell Power +6 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 32 · Spell Power +6
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 35 · Spell Healing +21 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 35 · Spell Power +11 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 35 · Spell Power +11 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 30 · Spell Healing +22 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +6
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 30 · Spell Power +12 · Stamina +7
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 40 · Spell Power +11
Req. 25 · Spell Healing +25 · Intellect +8 · Stamina +7
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 25 · Spell Power +13 · Stamina +8
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 33 · Spell Power +12
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 40 · Spell Healing +28 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +7
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 40 · Spell Healing +24 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +5 · Spirit +7
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 40 · Spell Power +13 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +7 · Spirit +5
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 30 · Spell Healing +18
Reputation required
Item level 45 · Spell Power +9 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +7
Req. 38 · Spell Power +9 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +3 · Stamina +5
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Ring
Req. 38 · Stamina +8
Reputation required
Same stats: Talisman of Arathor
Req. 40 · Stamina +8
Same stats: Rune of Duty
Req. 35 · Stamina +7
Req. 33 · Damage per second 20.6 · Spell Power +5
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 45 · Damage per second 17.7 · Intellect +8
Req. 35 · Damage per second 18.9 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +3 · Spirit +1
Req. 40 · Spell Healing +11 · Spirit +12
Item level 39 · Spell Power +5 · Intellect +6
Item level 38 · Spell Power +7 · Stamina +4
Req. 25 · Spell Healing +13 · Spirit +6
Crafted: Enchanting
Item level 31 · Spell Healing +13
Req. 25 · Spell Power +7 · Intellect +6
Crafted: Enchanting
Req. 48 · Spell Power +12 · Intellect +16 · Spirit +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 41 · Spell Power +10 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 43 · Spell Power +15
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 52 · Spell Power +9 · Spirit +8
Req. 50 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +6 · Intellect +6
Req. 48 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +13
Reputation required
Same stats: Darkspear Warding Pendant
Req. 42 · Spell Healing +29 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +8
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 42 · Spell Healing +24 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +6 · Spirit +7
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 42 · Spell Power +13 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +7 · Spirit +6
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 48 · Spell Healing +22 · Stamina +9 · Spirit +6
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Item level 51 · Spell Power +12 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +6
Quest: WANTED: Vile Priestess Hexx and Her Minions (The Hinterlands)
Req. 48 · Spell Power +9 · Intellect +8
Crafted: Tailoring
Req. 49 · Spell Power +11 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 47 · Spell Healing +10 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Item level 50 · Intellect +11 · Stamina +11
Req. 45 · Spell Healing +23 · Intellect +8 · Stamina +6
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 45 · Spell Healing +19 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +5 · Spirit +6
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 45 · Spell Power +10 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +6 · Spirit +5
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 50 · Spell Healing +35 · Intellect +11 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 50 · Spell Healing +31 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +6 · Spirit +9
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 50 · Spell Power +16 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +9 · Spirit +6
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 50 · Spell Healing +30 · Intellect +12 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 50 · Spell Healing +30 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +13
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 50 · Spell Power +16 · Intellect +12 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 49 · Spell Healing +22 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 42 · Spell Power +11 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +11
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 44 · Spell Power +16
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 47 · Spell Healing +28 · Intellect +11 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 47 · Spell Healing +27 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +12
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 47 · Spell Power +15 · Intellect +11 · Stamina +9
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 48 · Spell Power +12 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4 · Stamina +6
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Ring
Req. 48 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +7 · Stamina +14
Reputation required
Item level 55 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +4
Item level 51 · Critical Strike +7
Quest: Job Opening: Guard Captain of Revantusk Village (The Hinterlands)
Same stats: Cleansed Vilebranch Icon
Req. 48 · Stamina +10
Reputation required
Same stats: Talisman of Arathor, Enriched Seal, Volunteer's Lucky Seal, Relentless Raider's Seal, Darkspear Voodoo Seal
Item level 50 · Spirit +10
Req. 50 · Damage per second 36.4 · Critical Strike +14
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 54 · Damage per second 21.6 · Intellect +8 · Spirit +5
Item level 52 · Damage per second 34.5 · Stamina +11
Item level 55 · Spell Healing +18 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +3 · Stamina +12
Item level 52 · Critical Strike +14 · Stamina +6
Item level 55 · Stamina +10
Req. 45 · Spell Healing +19 · Stamina +8 · Spirit +8
Crafted: Enchanting
Item level 55 · Spell Healing +19 · Spirit +9
Req. 45 · Spell Power +10 · Intellect +8 · Stamina +8
Crafted: Enchanting
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +35 · Intellect +15 · Spirit +15
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +24 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +25 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Headguard
Req. 56 · Spell Power +38
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 55 · Spell Power +22
Item level 63 · Spell Power +13 · Intellect +12 · Stamina +7
Item level 60 · Spell Power +12 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +8
Req. 53 · Spell Healing +44 · Spirit +10
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 60 · Spell Healing +30 · Stamina +21 · Spirit +18
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +18 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4 · Stamina +19 · Intellect +4
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Shoulders
Req. 57 · Spell Healing +42 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +8
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 60 · Spell Healing +31 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4 · Stamina +8
Req. 58 · Spell Healing +26 · Stamina +11 · Spirit +8
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Req. 56 · Spell Healing +57
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 56 · Spell Healing +40 · Intellect +14 · Spirit +33
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +22 · Stamina +26 · Intellect +7 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Breastplate
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +11 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +14
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Armsplints
Item level 65 · Spell Power +8 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +10 · Spirit +9
Item level 65 · Spell Power +8 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +10
Req. 51 · Spell Healing +40 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +18 · Intellect +9 · Stamina +20
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Gauntlets
Req. 54 · Spell Power +18 · Stamina +7
Crafted: Leatherworking
Item level 61 · Spell Power +20 · Intellect +13 · Stamina +10
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +13 · Intellect +7 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4 · Stamina +19
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Cinch
Item level 65 · Spell Power +12 · Intellect +11 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +4 · Stamina +11
Req. 56 · Spell Healing +73 · Intellect +14 · Spirit +18
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 56 · Spell Power +38 · Critical Strike +14
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Req. 56 · Spell Healing +20 · Intellect +32
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 53 · Spell Healing +43 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Leatherworking
Req. 55 · Spell Healing +22 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +19
Same stats: Premier Lamellar Sabatons
Item level 58 · Spell Healing +26
Quest: Blight No More (Mount Hyjal)
Same stats: Plaguecrusher Greaves
Req. 60 · Spell Healing +31 · Stamina +10 · Spirit +8
Req. 60 · Spell Healing +22 · Stamina +10 · Spirit +10
Quest: A Ring of Gems (Winterspring), Reputation required
Item level 61 · Spell Power +15 · Intellect +11 · Spirit +7
Req. 60 · Spell Healing +42
Req. 60 · Spell Power +22
Item level 57 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +6
Item level 63 · Damage per second 41.4 · Intellect +9 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +3 · Stamina +5
Quest: Hero of the Stormpike (Alterac Valley), Quest: Hero of the Frostwolf (Alterac Valley)
Item level 60 · Damage per second 26.2 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +8 · Spirit +4
Item level 58 · Damage per second 23 · Intellect +13
Req. 60 · Spell Healing +23 · Critical Strike +14 · Stamina +16
Crafted: Blacksmithing
Item level 57 · Spell Power +11 · Stamina +9
Item level 62 · Intellect +10 · Stamina +15
Quest: The Scarlet Oracle, Demetria (Eastern Plaguelands), Quest: Order Must Be Restored (Eastern Plaguelands)
Req. 53 · Spell Healing +22 · Stamina +10 · Spirit +10
Item level 60 · Spell Healing +15 · Spirit +12
Item level 58 · Spell Power +12
