Which spec to level
Level Retribution. Warcraft Tavern, Mobalytics and Icy Veins all recommend it: good single-target damage, healing from your own mana and defensives for emergencies. Tavern suggests putting the first 20–30 levels into Retribution even if you want to tank later.
Note: Retribution was nerfed on Oct 15 (Champion of the Light 10/20/30% instead of 20/40/60%, Consecration scales less with spell power). For leveling it is still among the strong specs.
| Spec | When to take it | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Retribution | Solo, the whole way to 60 | Nothing to interrupt an enemy spell or catch a runner |
| Protection | Hit 3–4 enemies at once with Consecration, tank dungeons | Slower on a single target |
| Holy through Holy Shock | With spell power gear | Opens up only with the Holy Shock talent |
Talents by level
Icy Veins order for Retribution (updated Oct 17). The beta confirms it up to level 30. Levels 31–60 are closed on the beta: this is the source’s plan, and we will check it on live after Nov 4.
| Levels | Talent | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 10–14 | Benediction | 5 |
| 15–16 | Improved Judgement | 2 |
| 17 | Conviction | 1 |
| 18–19 | Holy Conduit | 2 |
| 20 | Seal of Command | 1 |
| 21–22 | Pursuit of Justice | 2 |
| 23–24 | Sanctified Judgement | 2 |
| 25 | Sacred Arbiter | 1 |
| 26 | Sanctified Judgement | 3/3 |
| 27–29 | Vindication | 3 |
| 30 | Repentance | 1 |
| 31–33 | Vengeance | 3 |
| 34 | Two-Handed Weapon Specialization | 1 |
| 35–37 | Champion of the Light | 3 |
| 38–39 | Two-Handed Weapon Specialization | 3/3 |
| 40 | Twist of Light | 1 |
| 41–42 | Instrument of Law | 2 |
| 43–47 | Divine Intellect | 5 |
| 48–50 | Improved Seals | 3 |
| 51–52 | Divine Strength | 2 |
| 53–55 | Reverence | 3 |
| 56–58 | Divine Strength | 5/5 |
| 59–60 | Conviction | 3 |
TipMobalytics (Oct 17) starts with defense and crit: Deflection 5/5, Conviction 5/5, then Pursuit of Justice (+15% speed) and Seal of Command. Icy Veins takes mana savings (Benediction) first. Both paths work. The Legacy Talented perk gives talents up to 5 levels earlier.
Abilities and trainer
| Level | What to take | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seal of Righteousness, Holy Light, Devotion Aura | Damage, healing, armor |
| 4 | Judgement, Blessing of Might | Judgement and attack power |
| 6 | Holy Strike, Divine Protection | A Light strike, 10 sec cooldown |
| 8 | Hammer of Justice | A stun, the only control |
| 10 | Lay on Hands, Blessing of Protection, Seal of Fury | A rescue and the tank seal |
| 16 | Retribution Aura | Damage to those who hit you |
| 20 | Consecration, Exorcism, Flash of Light, Blessing of Kings; polearms from the weapon trainer | Area damage and a fast heal |
| 32 | Divine Shield | Full invulnerability |
| 40 | Class quest mount, dual specialization | Riding without buying a mount |
| 44 | Hammer of Wrath | Finishing off |
- 1Before the fight
Blessing of Might and Retribution Aura, a seal on your weapon: Seal of Command with a slow two-hander, Seal of Righteousness before level 20 or with a one-hander.
- 2Opening
Judgement on the approach, then Holy Strike.
- 3In the fight
Judgement and Holy Strike on cooldown; refresh the seal only when it runs out. Against 2+ enemies, Consecration if they will live 8 seconds: that is how long it takes to deal full damage.
- 4After
spend leftover mana on healing (Holy Light) instead of eating.
Blessings last an hour in Forever. Keep Blessing of Salvation (level 26) on everyone except the tank: it lowers threat. Pick the aura another Paladin doesn’t have. Protection tanks with Seal of Fury: its Judgement taunts the enemy.
Solo, duo, group
Mana is both damage and healing. Replace your water about every 10 levels, and take mana potions for chains of enemies. Mana regenerates after 5 seconds without casting: cast spells in a burst, then hit with the weapon. In a dangerous fight, Divine Protection or Blessing of Protection on yourself, then heal.
Paladin is good with any partner: it heals them between pulls and gives a blessing. With a ranged class, take Protection and Consecration to keep enemies on you.
You can tank, heal or deal damage. Until level 40 there is one specialization: choose the role the group needs more often.
Stats and gear
Retribution needs Strength and a slow, heavy two-hander. Mobalytics gives this order for Human: Strength > Spirit > Agility > Intellect > Stamina; for Undead, Spirit goes last, since they have Cannibalize. For Protection and Holy, Warcraft Tavern recommends spell power and Stamina; a fast weapon for Protection, a one-hander with spell power for Holy.
Professions: Blacksmithing with Mining if you go for spell power builds (Tavern). Class pairings and camp objects are in the professions guide.
How Forever differs from Classic
| What | In Forever |
|---|---|
| Holy Strike | A new strike from level 6, 10 sec cooldown. |
| Consecration | Baseline from the trainer at level 20; in Classic it was a talent. |
| Judgement | No longer consumes the seal. |
| Blessings | Last 1 hour (was 5 minutes), and Blessing of Kings became baseline. |
| Seal of Fury | A new tank seal: its Judgement taunts the enemy. |
| Retribution Aura | Scales with spell power. |
| Horde | Undead can be Paladins and have their own starting zone. |
| Dual specialization | From level 40. |
Questions
Which Paladin spec should I level in WoW Forever?
Retribution: Warcraft Tavern, Mobalytics and Icy Veins recommend it. Protection is good if you hit several enemies at once with Consecration.
Which seal should I use?
Seal of Command with a slow two-hander, Seal of Righteousness before level 20 or with a one-hander. Holy Strike and Seal of Command scale with weapon damage, so of two similar weapons take the slower one.
Can I level as Holy?
You can: Warcraft Tavern calls such a Holy surprisingly strong with spell power gear, but it opens up only after the Holy Shock talent. For solo, Mobalytics and Icy Veins recommend Retribution.
Was Retribution nerfed?
Yes, on Oct 15: Champion of the Light and Consecration got weaker. In the leveling tier list Paladin is still an A class.
Where do I get a mount?
At level 40 from a class quest; you don’t need to buy a mount.
