This is my gift to Lordaeron players.
This guide will not include heirloom items, and leveling zones will only be covered briefly since this guide is intended to help with learning and leveling with the spec, not the process of gaining experience points itself.
Important notes for leveling a Retribution Paladin on WotLK;
- You have 200% increased health and mana regeneration up to level 20.
- Paladins do not passively regenerate their mana except for the mp5 stat.
- Tauren cannot be Paladins.
- Until reaching a moderately high level threshold (level 50), your options for damage output are very limited.
- Two-Handed Weapons are preferred for max damage, but a One-Handed Weapon and a shield can work well.
- In WotLK, spells scale up using a "Spell Rank" system. All spells and abilities have ranks, and grow more powerful with each rank. All ranks (except for rank 1 abilities provided by talents) must be trained at a Paladin Trainer. This includes higher ranks of spells granted by talents (Crusader Strike, Divine Storm, etc.).
- You gain 1 talent point per level for every level starting at level 10.
Race Options
Alliance
Human
Every Man for Himself - Free pvp trinket.
10% bonus reptuation gains.
Increased expertise with swords and maces.
Increased stealth detection and increased spirit.
Dwarf
Stoneform - Removes poisons, diseases and bleeds and increases armor by 10% for 8 seconds. 2min cd.
Can see treasure chests on the mini-map.
Reduced chance to be hit by frost spells.
Increased expertise with maces.
Increased critical strike chance with guns.
Draenei
Gift of the Naaru - Heal over time for 15 seconds (3min cd) that scales with your stats.
Increased Jewelcrafting skill.
Increased hit rating by 1% for self and all party members.
Reduced chance to be hit by shadow spells.
Horde
Blood Elf
Arcane Torrent - Regenerate mana and silence all enemies in a small radius. 2min cd.
Increased Enchanting skill.
Reduced chance to be hit by all spells.
Stats
The most important stats to you while leveling are stamina and weapon damage. Stamina increases the time you can stay alive and weapon damage increases your ability to kill a target. The only stat that will not be useful to you is Spirit. All other stats you can find on items will have some sort of benefit to you. The ranking of how valuable stats are as follows;
#1 Weapon damage (This is the base amount of how hard your weapon will hit. It is the most important factor when it comes to scaling your melee strike damage)
#2 Stamina (Increase your maximum health; damage stats take precedence over this at level 80)
#3 Strength (Best scaling stat for increasing your damage)
#4 Attack Power (Second best scaling stat for increasing your damage)
#5 Intellect (Increases your mana pool for more healing and casting damage; very important until you get Judgements of the Wise talent)
#6 Spell Power (Increases the damage of your spells and the healing of your heals)
#7 Agility (Gives dodge rating, armor and melee crit chance)
#8 Crit Chance (Increases your chance to critically strike with all direct damage abilities and heals)
#9 Hit Rating (Increases your chance to hit a target. You only need 4% increased chance to hit a target that is the same level as you.)
#10 Haste (Increases your attack and spell cast speed)
#11 Expertise (Decreases the chance your target will avoid your attacks)
#12 Armor (Decreases the damage you take from physical attacks)
Training Spells
At level 1, you already have Seal of Righteousness and Holy Light available to you. Seal of Righteousness is a passive buff to your melee attacks. Holy Light is your strongest healing spell. You also have the ability to train Devotion Aura from a Paladin Trainer, which is a party and raid-wide buff to the group's armor stat.
Keep in mind that you have to visit a Paladin Trainer to learn your new spells and spell ranks. New spells and spell ranks become available every 2 levels.
Spell Training Milestones;
At level 8, you can learn to parry.
At level 10, you can do the quest to learn Redemption.
At level 20, you can learn Summon Warhorse.
At level 34, you can learn Divine Shield.
At level 40, you can learn Summon Charger.
At level 42, you can learn Cleanse.
At level 52, you start gaining access to 'Greater' blessings.
At level 70, you can learn Avenging Wrath.
At level 71, you can learn Divine Plea.
At level 80, you can learn Sacred Shield.
Spell Usage
Damage;
Divine Storm > Crusader Strike > Judgement > Consecration > Exorcism
Divine Storm is your hardest hitting ability. Crusader Strike is your second hardest hitting ability. Judgement can be a hard hitting ability once you get great gear, and it doesn't restore mana until you have Judgements of the Wise active in your talents. But it is important to keep your Judgement active on your target so you always benefit from it.
Healing;
- Holy Light is your "big heal", but it also costs a large amount of mana. Use it only when you need to heal for a huge amount in a short amount of time.
- Flash of Light is your "small heal", and it is the most mana-efficient healing spell in the game. It heals for a small-to-moderate amount for very little mana.
- Sacred Shield you want to keep active at all times when you are taking any damage. This is only available at level 80.
- Avenging Wrath is your "burst damage" ability. Use it when you need to do a lot of damage or healing in a short amount of time.
Talents
Recommended talents for leveling will prioritize surviving above everything else. Damage comes second.
Levels 10-14: Deflection
Levels 15-16: Improved Judgements
Levels 17-19: Heart of the Crusader
Level 20: Seal of Command
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...00000000000000
Levels 21-22: Vindication
Levels 23-24: Pursuit of Justice
Levels 25-26: Eye for an Eye
Levels 27-29: Crusade
Level 30: Sanctified Retribution
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...01000000000000
Levels 31-33: Two-Handed Weapon Specialization
Level 34: Conviction
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31000000000000
Levels 35-36: Divine Purpose
Levels 37-39: Conviction
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31020000000000
Level 40: Repentance
Levels 41-43: Judgements of the Wise
Levels 44-45: The Art of War
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31022130000000
Levels 46-48: Fanaticism
Level 49: Conviction
Level 50: Crusader Strike
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31022133001000
Levels 51-53: Sheath of Light
Levels 54-56: Vengeance
Levels 57-59: Righteous Vengeance
Level 60: Divine Storm
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31322133001331
Levels 61-65: Divine Strength
Levels 65-67: Stoicism
Levels 68-69: Sanctified Wrath
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31322133201331
Levels 70-71: Divinity
Levels 72-77: Toughness
Levels 78-79: Improved Hammer of Justice
https://rpgworld.altervista.org/335/...31322133201331
When you reach level 80, please see my other guides for Retribution Paladins in the WotLK expansion.
PvE: http://forum.warmane.com/showthread.php?t=325565
PvP: http://forum.warmane.com/showthread.php?t=79433
Class Quests
Redemption
To be added.
Summon Charger
To be added.
Leveling Path (brief overview)
If you are willing to travel the distance, the same-level areas can be interchanged.
Human
Level 1-10 Elwynn Forest
Level 10-15 Westfall
Level 15-20 Redridge Mountains
Level 20-30 Duskwood
Level 30-40 Stranglethorn Vale
Level 40-50 Swamp of Sorrows & Western Plaguelands
Level 50-60 Eastern Plaguelands
Dwarf
Level 1-10 Dun Morogh
Level 10-20 Loch Modan
Level 20-30 Wetlands
Level 30-40 Arathi Highlands
Level 40-50 Hinterlands & Western Plaguelands
Level 50-60 Eastern Plaguelands
Draenei
Level 1-10 Azuremyst Isle
Level 10-15 Bloodmyst Isle
Level 15-20 Darkshore
Level 20-30 Ashenvale Forest
Level 30-40 Desolace
Level 40-45 Dustwallow Marsh or Tanaris
Level 45-50 Feralas or Tanaris
Level 50-60 Winterspring
Blood Elf
Level 1-10 Eversong Woods
Level 10-20 Ghostlands
Level 20-30 Hillsbrad Foothills
Level 30-40 Arathi Highlands & Stranglethorn Vale
Level 40-50 Tanaris
Level 50-60 Un'goro Crater & Silithus
Outland
Level 58-62 Hellfire Peninsula
Level 62-64 Zangarmarsh
Level 64-66 Nagrand
Level 65-67 Blade's Edge Mountains
Level 67-69 Netherstorm
Level 68-70 Shadowmoon Valley
Northrend
Level 68-72 Borean Tundra & Howling Fjord
Level 72-74 Dragonblight
Level 73-75 Grizzly Hills
Level 74-76 Zul'Drak
Level 76-78 Sholazar Basin
Level 77-79 The Storm Peaks
Level 78-80 Icecrown
Items
Good Dungeon Weapons
Classic
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=7230 Deadmines - There are several other 2h weapons in this dungeon.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=3191 Shadowfang Keep
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=6641 Shadowfang Keep
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=6905 Blackfathom Deeps - There are other 2h weapons in this dungeon.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=9449 Gnomeregan
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=9459 Gnomeregan
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=7723 Scarlet Monastery - Cathedral
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=6687 Razorfen Kraul
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=18759 Scholomance - There are several other 2h weapons in this dungeon.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=10758 Razorfen Downs
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=18717 Stratholme
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=13505 Stratholme (super rare off Baron Rivendare)
There are a lot of weapons from Blackrock Spire and Blackrock Depths that aren't listed.
TBC
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=24044 Hellfire Ramparts
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=24394 The Blood Furnace
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=24461 The Underbog
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=25944 Mana-Tombs
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=27524 The Shattered Halls
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=34794 Magister's Terrace
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=28393 The Arcatraz
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=28367 The Botanica
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=28253 The Mechanar
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=27986 Sethekk Halls
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=27903 Shadow Labyrinth
WotLK
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=35576 Utgarde Keep
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=35618 Drak'Tharon Keep
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=37108 The Culling of Stratholme
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=36962 The Oculus
Trinkets
http://www.cavernoftime.com/item=17744 Maraudon
This is the only trinket for level 70 or below that isn't: very rare world drop // a rep grind reward // crafted via profession // drop from a raid or heroic dungeon // bought from a vendor using honor or arena points.
http://www.cavernoftime.com/item=11815 Blackrock Depths (from Emperor Thaurissan)
When you get close to level 60, you should aim to get this trinket. It has a low proc rate, but it is a very very good trinket. Can be really tough to get though.
Librams
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=23201 Very low drop chance from various sources in Scholomance.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=24386 The Blood Furnace
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=27983 15x Mark of Honor Hold on the pvp vendor in Zangarmarsh.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=28065 Group quest in Hellfire Peninsula.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=25644 Final quest in the Nesingwary quest chain in Nagrand.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=31033 Final quest in a long quest chain in Shadowmoon Valley.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=27917 Sethekk Halls
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=27484 The Blood Furnace (heroic)
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=37574 Borean Tundra quest chain.
http://wotlk.cavernoftime.com/item=38362 Venture Co. vendor in Grizzly Hills.
Where you can train a weapon type
Maces - Ironforge and Thunderbluff
Swords - Stormwind and Silvermoon
Axes - Ironforge and Orgrimmar
Tricks
- Repentance can be used to remove a mob from the fight with you for a full minute, or to give you a minute to regenerate your mana or heal.
- You can cast spells while being protected by Hand of Protection. Use this to your advantage to heal yourself. You can do the same while using Divine Shield, but Divine Shield allows you to attack as well.
- Lay on Hands is best used to save a friend.
- Hand of Reckoning does decent damage and can be used effectively to pull mobs at range or to tag a mob.
Addons
Atlasloot is highly recommended. This addon allows you see all item drops in the game.
Skada is my preferred "damage meter", which tracks all sorts of healing, damage done, damage taken, etc.
Recount is an alternative to Skada, which is easier to use, but less accurate when it comes to healing&absorbs.
Deadly Boss Mods (aka DBM) is an addon that will assist you with boss encounter mechanics.
Dominos is a UI addon that allows you to customize your action bars however you like.
Grid is a party/raid frame addon that replaces the default party&raid frames. It is more compact and easier to play the game with than default party&raid frames.
Dr.Damage is an addon that displays the calculated approximate damage of your abilities on their buttons on your action bar.
A larger list of addons for a whole bunch of things can be found here.
Glossary
Cooldown - (aka CD) The time required for a spell or ability to be ready again after using it.
2h - Meaning Two-Handed, usually referring to a weapon type.
1h - Meaning One-Handed, usually referring to a weapon type.
mp5 - It is the short-hand name of the stat "mana per 5 sec." Your mp5 stat is displayed on your character sheet as "Mana Regen", and the number displayed there is how much mana you will regenerate every 5 seconds.
When you reach level 80, please see my other guides for Retribution Paladins in the WotLK expansion.
PvE: http://forum.warmane.com/showthread.php?t=325565
PvP: http://forum.warmane.com/showthread.php?t=79433