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Forever Tool

Paladin spec guide

Protection Paladin

Everything for Protection Paladin on one page: role, talent order by level, Protection abilities and recommended gear for each level range. Talent and gear picks are calculated from the tooltip values in official game data plus the assumptions Forever Tool states below.
Gear focus
Tank
Talent calculation
Protection (one-hand and shield)
Level 60 build
10/33/8
Estimated DPS
+24.5%

Protection Paladin at a glance

Summarized from Blizzard's class deep-dive articles. They were published during the beta, so live numbers and talents may differ.

Paladin as the developers describe it

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.

Protection talents in Forever

  • Improved Seal of Fury (11-point gold medal): returns mana each time a Seal of Fury absorb shield is fully consumed.
  • Swift Judgement (16-point gold medal): instantly finishes the remaining cooldown on Judgement and makes your next Judgement cost no mana.
  • Templar's Bulwark (21-point gold medal): an absorb shield equal to 100% of your maximum health for 8 seconds. Using it applies Forbearance.
  • Iron Creed (new row 6 talent): Holy Strike generates more threat, and while Righteous Fury is active it also reduces the damage you take.

This is a tanking spec. The talent picks are calculated from estimated DPS with a shield plus the defensive talents a tank needs (judgment weights). Damage taken reduction isn't calculated separately.

Protection talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Protection 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 "Protection 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.

Builds by level

LevelPointsTree splitEst. DPSCalculator
Level 2011 points0/11/0+2.4%Open
Level 3021 points0/21/0+2.1%Open
Level 4031 points0/31/0+12.0%Open
Level 5041 points10/31/0+19.7%Open
Level 6051 points10/33/8+24.5%Open

Talent order by level

Consecutive levels spent on the same talent are grouped on one line.

  1. Levels 10–14Redoubt1→5/5
  2. Levels 15–17Precision1→3/3
  3. Levels 18–19Sacred Duty1→2/2
  4. Levels 20–24Toughness1→5/5
  5. Levels 25–29Anticipation1→5/5
  6. Level 30Holy Shield1/1
  7. Levels 31–35Reckoning1→5/5
  8. Levels 36–38Improved Righteous Fury1→3/3
  9. Level 39Shield Specialization1/2
  10. Level 40Shieldsworn1/1
  11. Levels 41–45Divine StrengthHoly1→5/5
  12. Levels 46–50Improved SealsHoly1→5/5
  13. Levels 51–55BenedictionRetribution1→5/5
  14. Levels 56–58ConvictionRetribution1→3/3
  15. Level 59Templar's Bulwark1/1
  16. Level 60Swift Judgement1/1

Key talents of the level 60 build

Talents 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 +4.3%

    Increases the damage done by your Seals and Judgements by 15%.

  • Redoubt5/5 · Protection

    Resource / utility

    Damaging melee attacks against you have a 10% chance to increase your chance to block by 30%. Lasts 10 sec or 5 blocks.

  • Precision3/3 · Protection

    Est. DPS +2.3%

    Improves your chance to hit by 3%.

  • Templar's Bulwark1/1 · Protection

    Ability

    When activated, this ability grants you an absorb shield equal to 100% of your maximum health for 8 sec. Applies Forbearance for 1 min. Cannot be cast while Forbearance is active.

  • Toughness5/5 · Protection

    Resource / utility

    Increases your armor value from items by 10%.

  • Swift Judgement1/1 · Protection

    Ability

    Unleash the energy of a Seal spell upon an enemy. Does not consume the Seal. Refer to individual Seals for Judgement effect. Does not share a cooldown with your Judgement ability.

  • Improved Righteous Fury3/3 · Protection

    Resource / utility

    While Righteous Fury is active, all damage taken is reduced by 9%.

  • Anticipation5/5 · Protection

    Resource / utility

    Increases your Defense Skill by 20.

  • Holy Shield1/1 · Protection

    Ability

    Increases chance to block by 30% for 10 sec, and deals 90 Holy damage for each attack blocked while active. Damage caused by Holy Shield causes 20% additional threat. Each block expends a charge. 4 charges.

  • Reckoning5/5 · Protection

    Est. DPS +9.8%

    Gives you a 40% chance after Blocking and a 100% chance after receiving a non-periodic critical strike to gain an extra attack. Stores up to 4 extra attacks. Cannot occur from Blocks more than once every 1.5 sec.

  • Shieldsworn1/1 · Protection

    Resource / utility

    Reduces the cooldown of your Holy Strike ability by 4 sec. Additionally, Holy Strike now strikes with your shield, triggering your active Holy Shield and Shield Specialization talents without consuming their charges or triggering their cooldowns, and allowing you to Block spells for 6 sec.

  • Conviction3/3 · Retribution

    Est. DPS +4.0%

    Improves your chance to get a critical strike with all spells and attacks by 6%.

Protection abilities

Protection 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.

Protection Paladin gear by level

The 3 highest-scoring items for each slot in every level range. Only items whose required level falls inside the range are compared.

How were these picked?
  • The score is the sum of the item's tooltip lines from official game data (Strength, Stamina, Spell Power, damage per second and so on) multiplied by the weights below. There is no official formula, so the weights are Forever Tool's rough estimates (assumptions). Compare scores only within the same slot.
  • Equip, use and chance-on-hit effects, set bonuses and resistances are not scored. Items without fixed stats (only armor in the tooltip) are left out.
  • Only Uncommon and Rare items, plus craftable Epic items, of item level 65 or lower are included (no raid loot). Items that require a profession to use and crafts that need raid materials are left out.
  • Items without a required level count as item level minus 5. Only armor types a Paladin wears are included, with mail and plate counted from level 40 (classic rules, since nothing has been announced).
  • Sources list only crafting (professions) and quest rewards. Dungeon drops are being collected from player reports; check the item page.

Protection weights (assumed)

StatScore per point
Main hand / two-hand damage per second3
Defense1.2
Stamina1
Dodge1
Parry0.9
Block0.6
Agility0.6
Strength0.5
Hit0.4
Expertise0.4
Block Value0.3
Intellect0.3
Spell Power0.3
Spell Damage0.3
Holy Damage0.3
Mana Regeneration per 5 sec0.3
Attack Power0.2
Critical Strike0.2
Armor0.05
Bonus Armor0.05

Chest

  1. Req. 15 · Stamina +7 · Defense +5 · Strength +4

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 15 · Stamina +7 · Defense +3 · Spell Power +5

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 15 · Stamina +5 · Strength +7 · Agility +4

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Hands

  1. Guard's GlovesScore 16.9

    Req. 15 · Stamina +5 · Defense +3 · Strength +5

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 15 · Stamina +5 · Defense +3 · Spell Power +5

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 15 · Stamina +5 · Strength +5 · Agility +3

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Waist

  1. Req. 12 · Stamina +4 · Defense +3 · Strength +4

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 12 · Stamina +4 · Defense +2 · Spell Power +5

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 12 · Stamina +4 · Strength +4 · Agility +3

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Feet

  1. Guard's BootsScore 18.9

    Req. 17 · Stamina +5 · Defense +4 · Strength +5

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 17 · Stamina +5 · Defense +4 · Spell Power +6

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Veteran's BootsScore 16.5

    Req. 17 · Stamina +5 · Strength +5 · Agility +4

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Neck

  1. Req. 38 · Stamina +7 · Agility +11

    Same stats: Sentinel's Medallion

  2. Req. 38 · Stamina +11 · Intellect +7

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Darkspear Warding Pendant

  3. Req. 30 · Stamina +13

    Reputation required

Hands

  1. Req. 35 · Stamina +10 · Defense +7 · Strength +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 40 · Strength +16 · Stamina +7

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 35 · Stamina +10 · Defense +7 · Spell Power +11

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Waist

  1. Sentinel's BeltScore 28.0

    Req. 30 · Stamina +10 · Defense +7 · Strength +6

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Warder's BeltScore 27.1

    Req. 30 · Stamina +10 · Defense +7 · Spell Power +7

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 40 · Strength +12 · Stamina +6 · Intellect +6

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Lamellar Girdle

Feet

  1. Req. 40 · Stamina +13 · Defense +9 · Strength +7

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Warder's BootsScore 43.0

    Req. 40 · Stamina +13 · Defense +9 · Spell Power +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Officer's BootsScore 36.2

    Req. 40 · Stamina +9 · Strength +13 · Agility +7

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Main hand

  1. Req. 40 · Damage per second 30.4 · Stamina +9 · Agility +4

  2. Req. 40 · Damage per second 30.4 · Strength +9

  3. Req. 38 · Damage per second 29.3 · Strength +8 · Stamina +3

    Same stats: Protector's Sword

Shoulder

  1. Req. 42 · Stamina +13 · Defense +10 · Strength +8

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 42 · Stamina +13 · Defense +10 · Spell Power +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 42 · Stamina +10 · Strength +13 · Agility +8

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Wrist

  1. Req. 45 · Stamina +11 · Defense +8 · Strength +6

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 45 · Stamina +11 · Defense +8 · Spell Power +7

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 45 · Stamina +8 · Strength +11 · Agility +6

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Hands

  1. Req. 50 · Stamina +16 · Defense +11 · Strength +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Warder's GlovesScore 50.6

    Req. 50 · Stamina +16 · Defense +11 · Spell Power +11

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 50 · Stamina +11 · Strength +16 · Agility +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Waist

  1. Req. 50 · Stamina +14 · Defense +10 · Strength +13

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 50 · Stamina +14 · Defense +10 · Spell Power +15

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 50 · Stamina +13 · Strength +14 · Agility +10

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Feet

  1. Req. 47 · Stamina +13 · Defense +9 · Strength +12

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 47 · Stamina +13 · Defense +9 · Spell Power +14

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 47 · Stamina +12 · Strength +13 · Agility +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Finger

  1. Req. 48 · Stamina +14 · Attack Power +15

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Insurgent's Band

  2. Req. 48 · Stamina +6 · Agility +9 · Strength +10

    Same stats: Protector's Band

  3. Req. 48 · Stamina +14 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +7

    Reputation required

Main hand

  1. Item level 52 · Damage per second 34.5 · Stamina +11 · Strength +5

  2. Req. 48 · Damage per second 35.2 · Strength +11 · Stamina +5

    Same stats: Protector's Sword

  3. Dawn's EdgeScore 112.0

    Req. 50 · Damage per second 36.4 · Critical Strike +14

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Back

  1. Shifting CloakScore 32.6

    Req. 57 · Dodge +12 · Agility +17 · Stamina +8

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Sergeant's CapeScore 22.8

    Req. 58 · Stamina +17 · Bonus Armor 70

    Same stats: Sergeant's Cloak

  3. Req. 55 · Stamina +16 · Bonus Armor 67

    Same stats: Premier Sergeant's Cape

Hands

  1. Req. 60 · Defense +12 · Stamina +14 · Strength +21

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Req. 57 · Stamina +18 · Parry +15 · Critical Strike +14

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. Req. 60 · Stamina +18 · Agility +21 · Intellect +14

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Main hand

  1. GreenhammerScore 163.0

    Req. 60 · Damage per second 47.4 · Stamina +12 · Agility +8 · Hit +10

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Ironwood BladeScore 161.9

    Req. 60 · Damage per second 47.3 · Stamina +12 · Strength +8 · Hit +10

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. PersuaderScore 143.9

    Req. 58 · Damage per second 45.7 · Hit +10 · Critical Strike +14

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

More

Other Paladin specs

Other class guides

Sources

  1. [1]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — PaladinBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 15, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  2. [2]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Priest and WarriorBlizzard Entertainment · Sep 30, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  3. [3]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Hunter and DruidBlizzard Entertainment · Sep 30, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  4. [4]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Mage and ShamanBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 7, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  5. [5]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Rogue and WarlockBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 7, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026