Retribution Paladin Raid Guide

Dawnlight Interactions

• Wake of Ashes causes your 2 next Holy Power spenders to apply Dawnlight to your target. This debuff radiates damage around the target for 8 seconds. Additionally , when you activate Avenging Wrath or Crusade you also apply Dawnlight on 4 nearby targets and start Sun's Avatar.
• As long as there is any Dawnlight DoT active your Holy Power spenders gain 5% additional damage. On top of this every time you apply any Dawnlight you gain 2% Haste for 12 seconds which can overlap.
• Wake of Ashes grants you Divine Purpose.

Divine Storm and Hammer of Wrath gain some new passives

• Second Sunrise
  • They have a 15% chance to be casted again for 30% effectiveness.
• Luminosity
  • They both gain 10% increased damage.
• Sun Sear
  • When they critical strike any target they burn the target for some radiant damage for 4 seconds.
• Blessing of An'she
  • Your overtime effects have a chance to buff your next Hammer of Wrath by 200% and make it usable on the target regardless of its health.

Defensive Traits

• Eternal Flame
  • Replaces Word of Glory and also heals a small amount over 16 seconds, and its healing is increased by 25% when used on your self.
• Illumine
  • When you have Dawnlight on a target its now slowed by 50%.

When to use this Spec

This build allows you to spam Divine Storm while your generators cleave everything around you. And don't forget constant AoE from Shake the Heavens combo this with Wrathful Descent.

Talent Adjustments

Listing all the changes within the Class and Spec tree compared to the default build.

Spec Tree

• Added
  • Final Reckoning
  • Sanctify
  • Lightforged Blessing
  • Cleanse Toxins
  • Empyrean Power
  • Searing Light
  • Blessed Champion
  • Tempest of the Lightbringer
  • Light of Justice
  • Blade of Vengeance

• Removed
  • Execution Sentence
  • Executioner's Will
  • Zealot's Fervor x2
  • Rush of Light
  • Swift Justice
  • Empyrean Legacy
  • Divine Arbiter
  • Divine Arbiter
  • Holy Flames

Class Tree

Nothing Changed.

Hero Talents

For more info visit the Hero Talent section above.

Swapped To Templar

• For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Sanctification
• Unrelenting Charger

When to use this Spec

This build utilizes Herald of the Sun as your hero talent pick.

Talent Adjustments

Listing all the changes within the Class and Spec tree compared to the default build.

Spec Tree

Nothing Changed.

Hero Talents

For more info visit the Hero Talent section above.

Swapped To Herald of the Sun.

• Gleaming Rays
  • Spender deal 5% more damage while any Dawnlight is active.
• Will of the Dawn
  • Faster movement speed while above 80% and when you fall below 35% you grain a small burst of speed once every 1 min.
• Blessing of An'she
  • Your damaging spells have a chance to make your Hammer of Wrath be used with increased damage.

When to use this Spec

This build allows you to spam Divine Storm while your generators cleave everything around you. This build also utilizes Herald of the Sun as your hero talent pick.

Talent Adjustments

Listing all the changes within the Class and Spec tree compared to the default build.

Spec Tree

• Added
  • Burning Crusade
  • Searing Light
  • Blessed Champion
  • Empyrean Power
  • Tempest of the Lightbringer
  • Light of Justice
  • Blade of Vengeance

• Removed
  • Vanguard's Momentum
  • Rush of Light
  • Swift Justice
  • Empyrean Legacy
  • Divine Arbiter
  • Holy Flames

Class Tree

Nothing Changed.

Hero Talents

For more info visit the Hero Talent section above.

Swapped To Herald of the Sun.

• Gleaming Rays
  • Spender deal 5% more damage while any Dawnlight is active.
• Will of the Dawn
  • Faster movement speed while above 80% and when you fall below 35% you grain a small burst of speed once every 1 min.
• Blessing of An'she
  • Your damaging spells have a chance to make your Hammer of Wrath be used with increased damage.

To read more about Avenging Wrath head down to the Deep Dive section!

Opener

Your main goal in your opener should be to get to 3 Holy Power by using Blade of Justice followed up by Divine Toll before starting in your Execution Sentence window. There are also 2 different openers you can play with, if you see that Divine Toll is not ready for your burst window and it's a few seconds behind dont hold your Execution Sentence simply follow the 2nd version below.

The Crusading Strikes trait has an RNG factor that affects when you gain Holy Power. Specifically, Holy Power is gained on the 2nd auto attack, but this can vary due to the RNG factor. During your opener, be aware of this variability. If you don't gain Holy Power as expected, you may need to use a generator ability to fill in the gaps or skip 1 generator as Crusading Strikes as already gained you the Holy Power thats needed to cast Templar's Verdict in your Execution Sentence window.

Standard Opener with Divine Hammer

Delayed Execution Sentence with Divine Hammer Opener.

Opener without Divine Hammer

Delayed Divine Toll Opener

Priority List

This is a general priority you aim to maintain throughout the fight.

1. Cast Templar's Verdict (When close to 5 Holy Power, to not mess up your burst windows with overcapped Holy Power).
2. Cast Execution Sentence on cooldown.
3. Cast Divine Hammer on cooldown.
4. Cast Avenging Wrath on cooldown.
5. Cast Wake of Ashes (on cooldown with 2 Holy Power).
6. Cast Hammer of Light to proc Shake the Heavens.
7. Cast Blade of Justice (to keep up Expurgation and Holy Flames).
8. Cast Divine Toll on cooldown.
9. Cast Hammer of Wrath (During Avenging Wrath or on any target below 20%).
10. Cast Judgment (if 3 Holy Power or below).
11. Cast Blade of Justice (if 3 Holy Power or below).

To read more about Avenging Wrath head down to the Deep Dive section!

Opener

If you are going to overcap on Holy Power by using Divine Toll early in the combo, you can delay it to after your Hammer of Light in some situations.

Early Divine Hammer opener.

Opener without Divine Hammer.

Multitarget / AoE Priority List

1. Cast Divine Storm if you’re close to 5 Holy Power.
2. Cast Avenging Wrath on cooldown.
3. Cast Final Reckoning on cooldown.
4. Cast Divine Hammer on cooldown.
5. Cast Wake of Ashes on cooldown if you are at 2 Holy Power.
6. Cast Hammer of Light to proc Shake the Heavens.
7. Cast Blade of Justice to keep up Expurgation and Holy Flames.
8. Cast Divine Toll on cooldown.
9. Cast Judgment if you are low on Holy Power or to keep up Sanctification.
10. Cast Divine Storm if you have <= 3 Holy Power.
11. Cast Hammer of Wrath on any target below 20%.

• Choose this talent when boss fights or dungeons allow you to never miss a cooldown window.
• Never sit on Avenging Wrath for more than a few seconds, as most of your damage comes from combining it with other 1-minute cooldowns. As mentioned earlier, always use Avenging Wrath first unless you are using Execution Sentence, in which case follow the specific strategy explained below.
• Delaying Avenging Wrath also delays your other minor cooldowns.
• When using trinkets, do not hold your Avenging Wrath, as it does not significantly buff the overall damage of trinkets but it does increase their crit chance.
• For trinkets with a 90-second cooldown, use them on cooldown unless you have a trinket that provides a massive mastery or strength buff. In that case, try to align it with Avenging Wrath.

• The main reason to play this talent is if there is a boss where you can utilize your strong 2-minute cooldown burst, or if you have heavy haste with Radiant Glory, which grants you a decent amount of proc wings.
• Optimally you instantly use Templar's Verdict to quickly build up your stacks. Aim to get to 7-10 stacks before using Execution Sentence or Final Reckoning for the most damage. However, be mindful of the fight or dungeon scenario. If holding these cooldowns for later in the Crusade window means losing a full usage overall, it is better to use them early.

Below you can see an explanation of how to delay your Execution Sentence or Final Reckoning in your Crusade window.

• Your big AoE cooldown Final Reckoning, it's mainly used for AoE or in fights where getting good single target usage out of Execution Sentence is not possible.
• It puts a 12-second debuff on the target, increasing your single-target Holy Power spenders by 30% and other spenders by 15%.
• Optimal usage of Final Reckoning is to combo it with your other 1-minute cooldowns such as Avenging Wrath, since they share the same cooldown.
• If playing Crusade, try to save Final Reckoning for when you are at 7-10 stacks before using it. This provides the most damage overall since Crusade lasts 30 seconds.
• If playing Radiant Glory, refer to the opener/prioritization list above for usage instructions.

The idea around Divine Hammer is for it to proc Empyrean Hammer from Templar hero talent.

Instead of Execution Sentence where you have an 8-second window to burst, here it's more about how good you are at keeping this up. it works very similar to Breath of Sindragosa from Frost Deathknights, the more Holy Power you spend into this the longer it will last and therefore you will generate a lot of Empyrean Hammer and these can even cleave from Wrathful Descent.

You can extend Divine Hammer from using any Holy Power spender, such as Templar's Verdict / Divine Storm and don't forget your hero power from templar Hammer of Light.

Quick opener to show you how to play around Divine Hammer.

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

Defensive Cooldown Usage

• Scrapbombs is the most dangerous damage overtime effect on this fight.
• So rotating your Shield of Vengeance and Divine Protection is very needed.

Boss Tips

• A very straightforward boss fight as a DPS, but try to not run over someone else when dealing with any of the mechanics on the boss.
• Both Divine Shield and Blessing of Protection can be very powerful on this boss, so if you see yourself going to high on stacks to quickly cast any of them to immune the stun!

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

Boss Tips

• Use your defensives on Sound Cannon or when you're about to get hit by Resonant Echoes.
• If you can't make it to an Amplifier before Blaring Drop hits you during the intermission utilize your Divine Shield or Blessing of Protection to immune 1 wave and catch up with your raid!

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

Boss Tips

• Use Rebuke to interrupt Scrap Rockets as often as possible.
• Use your defensives whenever you're afflicted by Incinerator.

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Defensive Cooldown Usage

Boss Tips

Defensive Cooldown Usage

• Use your defensives on overlaps of Sonic Ba-Boom and Foot-Blasters explosions.

Boss Tips

• Look out for a Demonic Gateway and use it right after Beta Launch goes off to quickly reposition yourself.
• You can not immune the knockback of Beta Launch with Divine Shield, but either use a Gateway or quickly cast Divine Steed to catch up with the boss.

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Defnsive Cooldown Usage

Boss Tips

• Use defensives whenever the Reel Assistants cast Withering Flames on you. This together with Pay-Line explosions is dangerous.
• Interrupt Overload! as late as possible to avoid potential Withering Flames casts.

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Boss Tips and Defensive rundown are going to be updated when RWF is over!

In any encounter you would prefer to never hold the 30 sec and 1 min cooldowns for more then a few seconds, if holding a few seconds would result in a better lineup overall and not losing a full use then its worth it.

Here is a simple 30 sec + 1 min rotation to do.

Here is a simple 30 sec rotation to do, note you wanna get 5 Holy Power before you use Divine Hammer.

Boss Tips and Defensive rundown are going to be updated when RWF is over!

Below you are presented with a good list of farmable alternatives that are obtainable outside of WoW’s weekly lockout system. While replaced in time as you progress, these offer immediate character power.