Retribution Paladin 10.2.6 Guide
Introduction
This guide presents an in-depth view of the Paladin's Retribution Specialization in WoW Dragonflight patch 10.2.6! You will learn everything about the spec, such as how to level, gear, prepare, and then min-max your Retribution Paladin for the most challenging PvE content in World of Warcraft, Season 3.
First, we'll check out the specialization's particularities and see how well the Retribution Pala performs in Dragonflight's latest season. Then, you'll learn how to gear your paladin as a DPS, what stats to prioritize, and the best leveling spec, talents, and rotation to get you to the maximum level in no time.
Finally, we'll discuss min-maxing your character for the end-game content and teach you what gear to use for Mythic Raiding and Mythic Plus dungeons. By the end of the guide, you will become a master of the Retribution specialization! Sounds good, right? Let's get started!
Table of Contents
- Retribution Paladins: Strengths and Weaknesses
- How to gear your Retribution Paladin
- How to level your Retribution Paladin. Leveling tips
- Best Retribution Paladin talents for end-game content
- Retribution Paladin in Dragonflight - FAQ
Retribution Paladins in Dragonflight: Strengths and Weaknesses
In World of Warcraft, the Paladin class has three specializations: Retribution, Protection, and Holy. The Retribution Paladins cover the melee DPS role and use Holy Power as their spending resource.
The Retribution Paladin represents one of the better DPS classes for Mythic Dungeons and Mythic Raiding in Dragonflight Season 3. It provides strong burst damage and great group utility, especially in raids.
In terms of weapons, the Retribution Pala uses a wide selection of weapons such as one and two-handed axes, swords, maces, polearms, and shields. As for raid gear, the Paladin shares the Conqueror Tier Token with Priests, Warlocks, and Demon Hunters for legacy content. In the Dragonflight's latest expansion raid, it shares the Venerated Tier Token with Priests and Shamans.
In the table below, we present the Retribution spec's strengths and weaknesses:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| + Strong defensive cooldowns | - Low mobility & poor knockback resistance |
| + Raid-Wide Aura buffs | - Low cleave while maintaining high single-target output |
| + Excellent group utility options |
How to gear your Retribution Paladin
In World of Warcraft, gearing is one of the most important aspects that enhances your character's overall performance by providing massive amounts of stats, armor, procs, and set bonuses. This guide will teach you how to properly gear up for the most challenging content in WoW Dragonflight, Mythic Raiding, and Mythic+ Dungeons.
We'll start with the basics and cover the Retribution Paladin's stats priority, check out the tier set bonuses, and finally, the best in slot gear you can get from mythic raids and dungeons.
Retribution Paladin stat priority
Regardless of the class and spec you roll into in World of Warcraft, the stats are a key component when gearing up and min-maxing your character for the end-game content. Retribution Paladins wear Plate gear with Strength as the main stat.
As a DPS paladin, the strength stat increases the power of your spells, abilities, and auto-attacks; in other words, it is the damage you are dealing to the enemies. Also, please note that a higher and adequate item level will better impact your character's performance than a perfect stat distribution, so always keep an eye on the gear's item level!
The Retribution Paladin stats priority looks like this:
- 1. Strength
- 2. Haste
- 3. Versatility/Critical Strike
- 4. Mastery
So, as a Retribution Paladin, you will primarily value item level for Strength as the primary stat, then Haste, followed by Critical Strike/Versatility as secondary stats.
In other words: Strength > Haste > Versatility/Critical Strike > Mastery. And here's why:
Haste: Increases your attack speed and reduces your cooldowns
Critical Strike: Increases the chance for extra effectiveness on your attacks and heals
Versatility: Increases healing and damage dealt and reduces damage taken by half
Mastery: Increases the effectiveness of Mastery: Hand of Light
Retribution Paladin Tier Set Bonus
To start with, what is a tier set in World of Warcraft?
In WoW, a tier set is a unique class armor set with powerful 2-set and 4-set specific bonuses for each specialization of that particular class. Tier set bonuses change based on the character's active talent specialization, ensuring that the bonus is appropriate and useful to that spec.
So to recap, tier sets are unique pieces of armor that, when equipped simultaneously, provide you with a bonus, different for each spec of the chosen class. This bonus is based on the number of pieces from the set you have equipped, with most tier sets providing bonuses when equipping 2 or 4 pieces.
How to get the Retribution Paladin Tier Set in Dragonflight Patch 10.2.6
There are three ways you can get tier set items in WoW in the Dragonflight expansion:
- Raids: You can get tier set items found as class tokens from specific bosses in the Dragonflight raids.
- Revival Catalyst: You can craft Tier armor from non-set pieces of the same item level using the Revival Catalyst crafting system.
- Great Vault: You can obtain tier set items from all activities that typically reward Great Vault, such as raiding, Mythic+ dungeons, and PvP.
The fastest way to obtain tier set items is to take advantage of these three sources that can reward you with tier set items for your paladin. The best advice is to complete the raid weekly - this is probably the fastest way to get your hands on the desired tier armor. In case you don't have a team to raid with, complete some Mythic+ Dungeons or some PvP matches.
Mythic dungeons and PvP are highly beneficial because even if you can't drop the set items while participating in these activities, you increase the chances of getting your set items at the Great Vault or the Revival Catalyst console in Thaldraszus. At the revival catalyst console, you can convert the non-set pieces obtained in dungeons or PvP into tier set items.
Let's have a closer look at the Great Vault feature:
And this is what the Revival Catalyst looks like:
Back to our Retribution Paladin Tier Set. Now that you learned how to obtain the tier set, let's see some set bonuses and particularities, shall we?
The Paladin Tier set is called Virtuous Silver Cataphract. For the Retribution spec, it comes with the following bonuses for two pieces and four pieces equipped:
- 2-Set: Expurgation lasts an additional 3 sec and deals 30% increased damage. Casting Judgement and Divine Toll on a target with Expurgation causes Wrathful Sanction, damaging the target for a large amount Holy damage and resonating half of that amount to up to 4 nearby enemies.
- 4-Set: Wrathful Sanction grants you Echoes of Wrath, causing your next Divine Storm & Final Verdict to deal damage a second time at 25% effectiveness. This effect does not consume Greater Judgment.
In the table below, we present you the sources for Retribution Paladin Tier Set items:
| Slot | Tier Piece | Source |
| Helm | Zealous Pyreknight's Barbute | Tindral Sageswift |
| Shoulders | Zealous Pyreknight's Ailettes | Smolderon |
| Chest | Zealous Pyreknight's Warplate | Nymue, Weaver of the Cycle |
| Gloves | Zealous Pyreknight's Jeweled Gauntlets | Igira the Cruel |
| Legs | Zealous Pyreknight's Cuisses | Larodar, Keeper of the Flame |
The remaining tier set items (Cloak, Wrists, Waist, and Boots) can be obtained by using the Revival Catalyst in Thaldraszus.
As previously stated, you unlock the tier set bonuses for your paladin when you equip any two or four pieces of the Zealous Pyreknight's Ardor set. For itemization and build optimization, your four pieces of tier set as a Retribution Paladin will be the Chest, Shoulders, Gloves, and Helm.
Raid Best in Slot (BiS) Gear for Retribution Paladins
In the table below, you can find the best item to use in each slot from the raids as a Retribution Paladin:
| Slot | Item Name | Encounter |
| Helm | Zealous Pyreknight's Barbute | Tindral Sageswift |
| Neck | Ouroboreal Necklet | Volcoross |
| Shoulders | Zealous Pyreknight's Ailettes | Smolderon |
| Cloak | Inflammable Drapeleaf | Gnarlroot |
| Chest | Zealous Pyreknight's Warplate | Nymue, Weaver of the Cycle |
| Wrists | Agonizing Menacles | Igira the Cruel |
| Gloves | Eldermoss Gauntlets | Nymue, Weaver of the Cycle |
| Waist | Phlegethic Girdle | Larodar, Keeper of the Flame |
| Legs | Zealous Pyreknight's Cuisses | Larodar, Keeper of the Flame |
| Boots | Fused Obsidian Sabatons | Smolderon |
| Ring #1 | Band of Burning Thorns | Larodar, Keeper of the Flame |
| Ring #2 | Signet of the Last Elder | Igira the Cruel |
| Trinket #1 | Cataclysmic Signet Brand | Smolderon |
| Trinket #1 | Augury of the Primal Flame | Fyrakk, the Blazing/td> |
| Weapon | Fyr'Alath, the Dreamrender | Fyrakk, the Blazing |
Mythic+ Best in Slot (BiS) Gear for Retribution Paladins
In the table below, you can find the best item to use in each slot from the Mythic+ Dungeons as a Retribution Paladin:
| Slot | Item Name | Location |
| Helm | Zealous Pyreknight's Barbute | Revival Catalyst |
| Neck | Ironshell pendant | Throne of the Tides |
| Shoulders | Zealous Pyreknight's Ailettes | Revival Catalyst |
| Cloak | Shadowfeather Shawl | Black Rook Hold |
| Chest | Zealous Pyreknight's Warplate | Revival Catalyst |
| Wrists | Zealous Commander's Cuffs | Dawn of the Infinite: Galakrond's Fall |
| Gloves | Zealous Pyreknight's Jeweled Gauntlets | Revival Catalyst |
| Waist | Unwinding Eon Girdle | Dawn of the Infinite: Galakrond's Fall |
| Legs | Zealous Pyreknight's Cuisses | Revival Catalyst |
| Boots | marbled Oathstone Greatboots | Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise |
| Ring #1 | Seal of the Regal Loa | Atal'Dazar |
| Ring #2 | Thornwoven Band | Waycrest Manor |
| Trinket #1 | Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows | Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise |
| Trinket #2 | Porcelain Crab | Throne of the Tides |
| Weapon | Gorehowl, Might of the Warchief | Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise |
Best in Slot (BiS) Trinkets for Retribution Paladins
The best Retribution Paladin trinkets for end-game content are:
| Tier | Item Name | Location |
| S | Cataclysmig Signet Band | Smolderon |
| A | Augury of the Primal Flame | Fyrakk, the Blazing |
| A | Rezan's Gleaming Eye | SAtal'Dazar |
| A | Branch of the Tormented Ancient | Gnarlroot |
| A | Ashes of the Embersoul | Smolderon |
| A | Pip's Emerald Friendship Badge | Council of Dreams |
| A | Porcelain Crab | Throne of the Tides |
| B | Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows | Dawn of the Infinite |
| B | Coiled Serpent Idol | Volcoross |
| B | Accelerating Sunglass | Dawn of the Infinite |
| B | Ember of Nullification | Black Rook Hold |
| C | Spores of Alacrity | The Everbloom |
| C | Might of the Ocean | Throne of the Tides |
This wraps up everything you should know about gearing your Retribution Pala: the stats priority, how to obtain the tier set, and what items to use in the end-game activities. Moving on to the next section of our guide, we'll teach you how to level your Retribution Paladin in Dragonflight patch 10.2.6. Sounds good, right? Let's dive in!
How to level your Retribution Paladin. Leveling tips
Before leveling your paladin, you must first create and customize the character. That brings us to the first question: what race should you go for when creating the character? Let's find out, shall we?
Best Retribution Paladin Races
When it comes to races, with so many options to choose from, you are probably wondering what would be the best race for the Retribution spec. In World of Warcraft, each race has different racial abilities and spells, but no races offer an immediate advantage compared to others regarding this DPS spec. I highly recommend choosing the race you like the most, aesthetically speaking.
However, in the table below, you can see the top 5 best races for Retribution Paladins based on performance gain:
| Race | Performance Gain |
| Dark Iron Dwarf | +1.47% |
| Human | +0.90% |
| Dwarf | +0.87% |
| Tauren | +0.84% |
| Blood Elf | +0.74% |
Now, if you want to get an idea of what race players generally choose for their Retribution Paladins:
- For Alliance: Dark Iron Dwarf, Draenei, and Human.
- For Horde: Blood Elf, Tauren, and Zandalari Troll.
Best Retribution Paladin Leveling Talents in Dragonflight 10.2.6
The best talents to use while leveling as a Retribution Pala are:
Best Retribution Paladin Single-Target Leveling Rotation in Dragonflight 10.2.6
- Retribution Paladins unleash a flurry of righteous fury while leveling. Their core rotation prioritizes spending Holy Power on Templar's Verdict, followed by Wake of Ashes.
- Hammer of Wrath is used whenever available, and Blade of Justice helps generate more Holy Power.
- Judgement is woven in to keep the damage flowing, with Templar Strike or Templar Slash filling the gaps depending on which is available.
Best Retribution Paladin AoE Leveling Rotation in Dragonflight 10.2.6
- They prioritize spending Holy Power on the mighty Divine Storm to unleash a holy blast on all nearby foes.
- Wake of Ashes remains a core component, followed by Judgement to keep the damage flowing.
- Like in single-target situations, Blade of Justice helps generate Holy Power, and Templar Strike or Templar Slash fill the gaps depending on what's available.
- Hammer of Wrath is still used whenever it's ready to deal even more damage.
In the next section of our Retribution Spec Guide, we'll present the best talents to use for PvE end-game content, such as raiding and Mythic+ dungeons. In the end game, it's crucial to use the right talents and prioritize the skills you use depending on the activity. Choosing the best talents will significantly impact your performance as a DPS!
Best End-game Talents for Retribution Paladins
From the PvE perspective, there are two main end-game activities we'll take into consideration: Mythic raiding and Mythic+ Dungeons.
Best Talents for Mythic Raiding in Season 3 (patch 10.2.6)
In the picture below, you can see the best talents for mythic raiding as a Retribution Paladin:
Single-Target Auto Attack Raid build
Single-Target Zero Downtime Raid build
Passive Cleave Auto Attack Raid build
Passive Cleave Zero Downtime Raid build
Full Cleave Auto Attack Raid build
Full Cleave Zero Downtime Raid build
Best Talents for Mythic+ Dungeons in Season 3 (patch 10.2.6)
For Mythic plus dungeons, you can use the same talent tree from the raids:
M+ Auto Attack build
M+ Zero Downtime build
M+ Auto Attack Single-Target build
Retribution Paladin in Dragonflight - FAQ
1. Are Retribution Paladins good in Dragonflight 10.2.6?
Yes, Retribution Paladin represents one of the stronger DPS specs in WoW Dragonflight, Season 3.
2. Is Retribution Paladin easy to play?
Yes. The Retribution specialization qualifies as one of the easier specs in WoW Dragonflight.
3. What is the stats priority for Retribution Paladins?
The stats priority for Paladin's Retribution specialization is Strength > Haste > Versatility = Critical Strike > Mastery.
4. Which paladin spec is best for leveling in patch 10.2.6?
The Retribution Specialization is the best spec for paladin leveling.
5. What is the best race for Retribution Paladins in Dragonflight?
- Alliance's best Retribution Paladin races are Dark Iron Dwarf, Draenei, and Human
- Horde's best Retribution Paladin races are Blood Elf, Tauren, and Zandalari Troll
Final thoughts
This wraps up everything you should know regarding the Paladin's Retribution specialization in World of Warcraft Dragonflight for Season 3, patch 10.2.6. By reading this guide, you should now better understand the Retribution Paladin's spec and particularities and how they perform in certain circumstances and different end-game activities. It's one of the game's strongest specs in Dragonflight, so I encourage you to try it!
