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World of Warcraft: Forever · class guide

Protection Paladin: Leveling

Client build 1.60.1.70425 · updated

Level as Retribution: it is the fastest solo spec.

How this works

Keep a Seal up, use Judgement and Holy Strike on cooldown, and heal yourself with Holy Light between pulls instead of eating. The XP curve is the same as Classic's (Blizzard: testers took 20.5 hours to reach 20, against 20.4 in Classic), but dungeon quests pay about 2.2 times Classic's XP, so the dungeons on your class quests are worth grouping for. The spells and ranks in each band below come straight from the client's trainer data.

How Protection fights is on its rotation page.

Level by level

Your race

Classic routing on Forever zone levels

1–10Seals and Judgement

Learn the buttons

Seal of Righteousness from level 1, Judgement and Blessing of Might at 4, Holy Strike at 6, Seal of Fury at 10. Hammer of Justice at 8 is your main way to stop a cast.

Where
Human: Northshire Abbey, then Elwynn Forest (5–10).
Dwarf: Coldridge Valley, then Dun Morogh (4–12).
Undead: Deathknell (trainer Aramis Hammerhand), then Brill (trainer Shari Stilwell). From about 8, the new Paladin hub at Bandarion Keep in the Whispering Wood, north-west Tirisfal; its level-11 quest Murlocs at the Gates gives a choice of a mace or a two-handed mace.
New spells
Holy Light 1 Seal of Righteousness 1 Devotion Aura 1 Blessing of Might 4 Judgement 4 Divine Protection 6 Holy Strike 6 Seal of the Crusader 6 Purify 8 Hammer of Justice 8 Lay on Hands 10 Blessing of Protection 10 Seal of Fury 10
New ranks
Holy Light 2 6 Seal of Righteousness 2 10 Devotion Aura 2 10
Talents
Benediction 5/5 10–14
Tips
11–20Redemption at 12

Redemption, then Seal of Command at 20

The level-12 class quest teaches Redemption. Talents start at 10: Benediction first for cheaper instants. At 20 you get Consecration, Exorcism, Flash of Light and Blessing of Kings, and Seal of Command with your 11th Ret point: the spec's biggest jump.

Where
Human: Westfall (9–18) or Loch Modan (10–18); Redridge from about 15. Redemption chain from Duthorian Rall in Stormwind Cathedral.
Dwarf: Loch Modan (10–18), then Westfall or Darkshore. Redemption chain from Tiza Battleforge in Ironforge.
Undead: Silverpine Forest (10–20) or the Barrens (10–25). Redemption comes from the new chain A Lesson in Divinity at Bandarion Keep (Undercity, back to the keep, then Venomweb Vale in east Tirisfal). Players call its travel long.
Dungeons

Alliance: Hall of Thanes 13–18 (new, under Ironforge; three of five quests Alliance-only) · Wailing Caverns · Deadmines

Horde: Ruins of Lordaeron 15–20 (new, in Undercity; six Horde quests) · Ragefire Chasm 13–18 (Horde) · Wailing Caverns · Deadmines

New spells
Redemption 12 Blessing of Wisdom 14 Righteous Fury 16 Retribution Aura 16 Blessing of Freedom 18 Consecration 20 Exorcism 20 Flash of Light 20 Blessing of Kings 20
New ranks
Blessing of Might 2 12 Holy Strike 2 12 Seal of the Crusader 2 12 Holy Light 3 14 Seal of Righteousness 3 18 Divine Protection 2 18 Seal of Fury 2 18 Devotion Aura 3 20 Holy Strike 3 20
Talents
Benediction 5/5 10–14 Improved Judgement 2/2 15–16 Holy Conduit 2/2 17–18 Deflection 1/5 19 Pursuit of Justice 2/2 20–21
Tips
21–30Beta cap

The weapon chain and the beta cap

Each faction has a class quest chain for a two-hander in the 20s, and both need materials from the Deadmines, Shadowfang Keep and Blackfathom Deeps; every Paladin in the group loots their own. Levels 20–30 cost 331,800 XP, twice all of 1–20. Holy Shock arrives with the Holy 21-point talent at 30 for Holy builds.

Where
Human: Redridge (20–22) → Wetlands from Menethil (22–24) → Duskwood (24–28) → Ashenvale from Astranaar (28–30). Verigan's Fist chain from Duthorian Rall (Westfall, then Jordan Stilwell in Ironforge).
Dwarf: As Human: Redridge → Wetlands → Duskwood → Ashenvale. Verigan's Fist chain starts in Stormwind with Duthorian Rall.
Undead: The Barrens from Camp Taurajo (20–22) → Hillsbrad from Tarren Mill (22–24) → Ashenvale from Splintertree (24–27) → Thousand Needles (27–30). The Wolfsbane chain from 18 (Danitha Morr) runs through Silverpine, Fenris Isle and Tarren Mill and fits that route.
Dungeons

Alliance: Shadowfang Keep · Blackfathom Deeps · Stockade (Alliance) · Razorfen Kraul · Gnomeregan · Excavation Site: Wetlands 26–31 (new) · Razorfen Downs (25+) · Uldaman (30+)

Horde: Shadowfang Keep · Blackfathom Deeps · Razorfen Kraul · Gnomeregan · Excavation Site: Wetlands 26–31 (new) · Razorfen Downs (25+) · Uldaman (30+)

New spells
Concentration Aura 22 Seal of Justice 22 Turn Undead 24 Revoke 26 Salvation 26 Shadow Resistance Aura 28 Seal of Light 30 Divine Intervention 30
New ranks
Holy Light 4 22 Blessing of Might 3 22 Seal of the Crusader 3 22 Redemption 2 24 Blessing of Wisdom 2 24 Hammer of Justice 2 24 Blessing of Protection 2 24 Seal of Righteousness 4 26 Flash of Light 2 26 Seal of Fury 3 26 Retribution Aura 2 26 Exorcism 2 28 Holy Strike 4 28 Holy Light 5 30 Lay on Hands 2 30 Consecration 2 30 Devotion Aura 4 30
Talents
Pursuit of Justice 2/2 20–21 Redoubt 5/5 22–26 Precision 3/3 27–29 Anticipation 2/5 30–31
Tips
31–40Twist of Light at 40

Thirties: Undead, Seal of Wisdom, the mount

Divine Shield at 34, Seal of Wisdom at 38, and at 40 Twist of Light, the Warhorse and plate. Scarlet Monastery is a Paladin playground: Exorcism and Holy Wrath only hit Undead and Demons.

Where
Arathi Highlands (30–40), Stranglethorn Vale (30–44), Desolace (30–39), Alterac (27–39), then Dustwallow Marsh, Badlands and Swamp of Sorrows (36–45). Riverglades (36–44) is a new contested zone with over 150 quests (announced); Alliance fly to Farholde Keep, Horde to Rog'mar.
Dungeons
Scarlet Monastery wings · City of Dalaran 28–33 (later beta update) · The Drowned City 35–40 (new) · Razorfen Downs
New spells
Frost Resistance Aura 32 Divine Shield 34 Fire Resistance Aura 36 Seal of Wisdom 38 Blessing of Light 40 Hammer of the Righteous 40 Summon Warhorse 40
New ranks
Blessing of Might 4 32 Seal of the Crusader 4 32 Seal of Righteousness 5 34 Blessing of Wisdom 3 34 Flash of Light 3 34 Seal of Fury 4 34 Redemption 3 36 Exorcism 3 36 Holy Strike 5 36 Retribution Aura 3 36 Holy Light 6 38 Turn Undead 2 38 Blessing of Protection 3 38 Consecration 3 40 Seal of Light 2 40 Devotion Aura 5 40 Hammer of Justice 3 40 Shadow Resistance Aura 2 40 Summon Warhorse 2 40
Talents
Anticipation 2/5 30–31 Shield Specialization 3/3 32–34 Improved Seal of Fury 1/1 35 Sanctified Judgement 3/3 36–38 Sacred Arbiter 1/1 39 Deflection 5/5 40–43
Tips
  • On long or elite fights, judge Seal of Wisdom once and swap to Command: the Judgement lasts 40 seconds and melee refreshes it (inference from the tooltip).
  • Champion of the Light (35–37) makes Intellect worth a little: 30% of it becomes spell damage.
41–50Cleanse at 42

Forties: Hammer of Wrath and Cleanse

Cleanse at 42, Hammer of Wrath at 44 (a finisher below 20% health, made instant by Instrument of Law), Blessing of Sacrifice at 46, Holy Wrath at 50.

Where
Tanaris, Feralas, the Hinterlands, Searing Gorge, Swamp of Sorrows and Azshara.
Dungeons
Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45 (new) · Uldaman · Zul'Farrak · Maraudon · Alcaz Prison 48–53 (new)
New spells
Cleanse 42 Hammer of Wrath 44 Blessing of Sacrifice 46 Holy Wrath 50
New ranks
Seal of Righteousness 6 42 Flash of Light 4 42 Seal of Fury 5 42 Blessing of Might 5 42 Seal of the Crusader 5 42 Blessing of Wisdom 4 44 Exorcism 4 44 Frost Resistance Aura 2 44 Holy Strike 6 44 Holy Light 7 46 Retribution Aura 4 46 Redemption 4 48 Seal of Wisdom 2 48 Fire Resistance Aura 2 48 Seal of Righteousness 7 50 Lay on Hands 3 50 Consecration 4 50 Flash of Light 5 50 Seal of Light 3 50 Blessing of Light 2 50 Devotion Aura 6 50 Seal of Fury 6 50 Divine Shield 2 50
Talents
Deflection 5/5 40–43 Vengeance 3/3 44–46 Repentance 1/1 47 Conviction 1/5 48 Champion of the Light 3/3 49–51
51–60Charger at 60

Fifties: Greater Blessings and the Charger

Greater Blessings from 52, the last ranks of everything at 58–60, and the Charger quest at 60.

Where
Un'Goro Crater, Felwood, Burning Steppes, Western and Eastern Plaguelands, Winterspring and Silithus. The Plaguelands and Felwood are full of Undead and Demons.
Dungeons
Sunken Temple · Blackrock Depths · Dire Maul · Blackmaw Hold 55–60 (new) · Lower Blackrock Spire · Scholomance · Stratholme · Shaper's Terrace 58–60 (new)
New spells
Greater Blessing of Might 52 Greater Blessing of Wisdom 54 Greater Blessing of Light 60 Greater Blessing of Kings 60 Mass Salvation 60 Summon Charger 60
New ranks
Exorcism 5 52 Turn Undead 3 52 Hammer of Wrath 2 52 Shadow Resistance Aura 3 52 Blessing of Might 6 52 Holy Strike 7 52 Seal of the Crusader 6 52 Holy Light 8 54 Blessing of Wisdom 5 54 Hammer of Justice 4 54 Blessing of Sacrifice 2 54 Frost Resistance Aura 3 56 Retribution Aura 5 56 Seal of Righteousness 8 58 Flash of Light 6 58 Seal of Wisdom 3 58 Seal of Fury 7 58 Holy Light 9 60 Redemption 5 60 Blessing of Wisdom 6 60 Consecration 5 60 Exorcism 6 60 Seal of Light 4 60 Blessing of Light 3 60 Hammer of Wrath 3 60 Holy Wrath 2 60 Greater Blessing of Wisdom 2 60 Devotion Aura 7 60 Fire Resistance Aura 3 60 Blessing of Might 7 60 Holy Strike 8 60 Greater Blessing of Might 2 60
Talents
Champion of the Light 3/3 49–51 Improved Righteous Fury 3/3 52–54 Sacred Duty 2/2 55–56 Swift Judgement 1/1 57 Templar's Bulwark 1/1 58 Reckoning 2/5 59–60

Talents above follow the Protection leveling order. Levelling order for Protection. With the Talented legacy perk every step comes up to five levels sooner. Guide's pick, untested (in client data or one guide only) Step through it in the talent trees.

Class quests and mounts

  • Level 12, Redemption. Human: Duthorian Rall, Stormwind Cathedral. Dwarf: Tiza Battleforge, Ironforge. Both are the unchanged Classic Tome of Divinity chain (9 quests). Undead: the new chain A Lesson in Divinity from Danitha Morr at Bandarion Keep (7 quests; bring 10 Linen Cloth, then resurrect a Deathguard at Venomweb Vale). Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • Levels 20–25, Alliance: Verigan's Fist. The Tome of Valor in Westfall (rewards the shield Bastion of Stormwind), then Jordan Stilwell in Ironforge wants Whitestone Oak Lumber (Deadmines), Bailor's ore (Loch Modan), Jordan's hammer (Shadowfang Keep) and a Kor Gem (Blackfathom Deeps, purified in Darkshore). Verigan's Fist changed in Forever: 25.6 dps, +5 Stamina +10 Spirit +6 Intellect, and a new Holyfire proc. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • Levels 18–26, Undead: the Wolfsbane chain (13 quests, about 14,900 XP). Danitha Morr → the Sepulcher → Fenris Isle, where you free a Skyborne Windshaper → materials from Shadowfang Keep, the Deadmines and Blackfathom Deeps → Ott in Tarren Mill forges the Moonsilver Blade → kill the elite worgen Old Fire-Eye → Wolfsbane: rare two-handed sword, 25.6 dps, +9 Stamina +10 Intellect, Paladin only, confirmed in game. A Horde group has to reach the Deadmines in Westfall. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • Level 30, Alliance (new): A Strange Artifact takes the Althalaxx Orb to Delgren the Purifier in Ashenvale. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • Level 40, Warhorse (Alliance): The Tome of Nobility is still a talk-to quest with Duthorian Rall, so Summon Warhorse appears as a level-40 spell. Classic (Classic Era behaviour no Forever source confirms or contradicts)
  • Undead mounts: Blizzard showed a level-40 and a level-60 Forsaken Paladin mount at BlizzCon, with a Retribution-themed 60 quest. Neither quest is in the game data yet, and the client lists Summon Charger for Human and Dwarf only. Announced (Blizzard said so; not in a build yet)
  • Level 60, Charger (Alliance): the Classic chain from Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker is intact (13 quests; 40 Runecloth, 6 Arcanite Bars, 10 Arthas' Tears, 5 Stratholme Holy Water and 150 gold, plus 50 gold for horse feed). Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)

Weapons on the way

  • 11, Undead: Driftwood Smasher (two-handed mace) from Murlocs at the Gates at Bandarion Keep. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • 15–20: Corpse Chopper (two-handed axe with no stats; use: chop a corpse for 150 health and mana) from Bjork in Ruins of Lordaeron (new). Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • 22–26: Verigan's Fist (Alliance) or Wolfsbane (Undead), both 25.6 dps rares from the class chains. Dwarf Mace Specialization suits the Fist. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • 25–27, Alliance Stockade: Ursine Hammer (rare, Agility/Spirit/Intellect) and Headbasher (rare, but fast at 2.30, so better with Seal of Righteousness than Command). Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • 30, Gnomeregan: Mechanic's Pipehammer (rare, +19 spell power) for a spell-power Ret. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • 31, Excavation Site (new dungeon): Heavehammer or Ironwood Destroyer, rare two-handed maces at about 27.7 dps: the best quest weapons at the beta cap. Live in beta (in a beta build, with its date)
  • 40–55: Bonebiter (Alliance, Scarlet Monastery quest), Cragwood Maul (Horde, Duskwood), Will of the Mountain Giant (Horde, Feralas), Beastslayer (Un'Goro, both factions). Classic (Classic Era behaviour no Forever source confirms or contradicts)
  • Polearms: Paladins may be able to train them from 20, but this is unconfirmed. Classic Paladins couldn't, and no client or Blizzard source confirms it. Unconfirmed (in client data or one guide only)

How to level well

  • Use your mana as a second health bar. Topping up with Holy Light and killing the next mob on low mana is often faster than sitting to eat and drink.
  • Seal of the Crusader first on long fights, judge it, then switch back to Command or Righteousness. With Sacred Arbiter, Holy Strike keeps it up.
  • Hammer of Justice, then Judgement under Seal of Command doubles the Judgement. Save Lay on Hands for a pull that goes wrong.
  • Judge Seal of Justice on runners: its Judgement stops them fleeing. You have no slow.
  • Mana talents carry you: Benediction, Holy Conduit, Sanctified Judgement, and from 40 Twist of Light's 20% cheaper Seals.
  • XP extras: the Cozy Sleeping Bag (+3% for 2 hours), well-fed food that adds 5% kill XP (Bear Brisket, Cooking 175), and the Well Rested and Talented legacy perks once you have legacy points.
  • Professions: Mining and Blacksmithing (Merchant's Favor recipes), or Herbalism and Alchemy, plus Cooking for XP food and First Aid.
  • Holy can level as a Holy Shock and spell-power hybrid, but every source calls it slower solo. Protection AoE levelling (Consecration packs, mana from blocks) is theorycraft, and slow before 30.