Best Paladin leveling build for WoW Forever (levels 1 to 20)
Level a WoW Forever Paladin as Retribution: Benediction 5/5 first because mana is the limit, Improved Judgement for a faster Judgement, three points in Conviction for crit, and Seal of Command at 20 on the slowest two-hander you can find. Holy Strike at level 6 makes the early levels the easiest they have ever been.
Reported Three independent guides agree on Benediction first and Seal of Command at 20; the points between are disputed and this page takes the majority. Talent rows are cross-checked against three beta client datamines. Talent effects come from the beta client, so numbers can change with each build. Open the Paladin talent calculator.
Why Retribution for leveling a Paladin in WoW Forever
- Three guides agree on Benediction first and Seal of Command as the 11th point. Judgement no longer consumes your seal and is on a 10-second cooldown, so cheap seals and a faster Judgement add up to a lot of Holy damage.
- Holy Strike is baseline at level 6 and Consecration and Blessing of Kings at 20, so the class has a real rotation from the first dungeon.
- Protection is the serious alternative now that Seal of Fury exists: each hit builds an absorb shield with a shield equipped, and judging it taunts. It is the better choice for dungeon-first levelling or an Undead Paladin, whose Cannibalize refills mana.
- The 15 to 19 filler is the only disputed part: this build takes Improved Judgement and Conviction; one guide takes Conviction 5/5 and another opens with Deflection.
Alternative: Protection, if you level through dungeons, pull three or more mobs, or play an Undead Paladin: Improved Holy Strike 2/2 in Holy for early threat, then Redoubt 5/5, Precision 3/3 and Anticipation, aiming at Shield Specialization for mana on block. Seal of Fury and a shield from level 10.
Paladin talent order, levels 10 to 20
| Level | Talent | Rank | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Benediction | 1 | Instant-cast mana cost down 2% per rank. |
| 11 | Benediction | 2 | |
| 12 | Benediction | 3 | |
| 13 | Benediction | 4 | |
| 14 | Benediction | 5 | |
| 15 | Improved Judgement | 1 | Judgement every 8 seconds instead of 10. |
| 16 | Improved Judgement | 2 | |
| 17 | Conviction | 1 | 1% crit per rank. Feeds Vengeance at 30. |
| 18 | Conviction | 2 | |
| 19 | Conviction | 3 | |
| 20 | Seal of Command | 1 | 11-point milestone: a chance for 70% weapon damage as Holy on every swing. |
Levels 21 to 30: Conviction to 5/5 at 21 and 22, Sanctified Judgement 3/3 from 23 to 25 (new: Judgement refunds up to 60% of the seal's mana), Crusade 2/2 or Sacred Arbiter at 26 and 27, Pursuit of Justice 2/2 at 28 and 29, then Vengeance at 30 as the 21st point. Two guides agree on this shape.
Paladin abilities to train, levels 1 to 20
| Level | Ability | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holy Light, Seal of Righteousness, Devotion Aura | Seal of Righteousness stays up until Seal of Command. |
| 4 | Judgement, Blessing of Might | Judgement is on a 10-second cooldown and no longer consumes your seal. |
| 6 | Holy Strike, Seal of the Crusader, Divine Protection | Holy Strike is new and baseline: an instant strike on a 12-second cooldown. Use it every time. |
| 8 | Purify, Hammer of Justice | Hammer of Justice stops runners and casters. |
| 10 | Seal of Fury, Lay on Hands, Blessing of Protection | Seal of Fury is the new tank seal. Judging it taunts for 4 seconds. |
| 14 | Blessing of Wisdom | Wisdom while questing if mana runs short. |
| 16 | Retribution Aura, Righteous Fury | Righteous Fury only when tanking. |
| 18 | Blessing of Freedom | Plus Divine Protection rank 2. |
| 20 | Consecration, Blessing of Kings | Both are baseline in Forever. Consecration hits the first four targets hardest. |
Paladin leveling rotation in WoW Forever
- Seal of Righteousness up, Blessing of Might on yourself, Devotion or Retribution Aura.
- Open with Judgement. Holy Strike on cooldown, Judgement on cooldown when mana allows.
- Hammer of Justice on runners and casters. Holy Light after the fight, not during, unless it is going wrong.
- From 20, Seal of Command on the two-hander and Consecration on packs.
- Protection: Righteous Fury on, Seal of Fury always, Judgement to taunt, Consecration on packs, Holy Strike as filler with a one-hander and shield.
Best race for a leveling Paladin
| Faction | Race | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Horde | Undead (new combination) | The only Horde Paladin. Cannibalize now restores 7% health and mana every 2 seconds, Touch of the Grave drains health on hits, and Will of the Forsaken breaks fear. Starts in Tirisfal with its own Bandarion Keep questline. |
| Alliance | Human | Sword Specialization gives 2% crit with swords for Retribution, and Will to Survive breaks stuns. |
| Alliance | Dwarf | Stoneform and Mace Specialization make Dwarf the better Protection pick. |
Every racial is on the WoW Forever racials page, and the class list per race on the race and class table.
Professions and camping for a Paladin
Mining and Blacksmithing for your own weapons and mail, or Herbalism and Alchemy for mana potions. For camping, the Blacksmith's Sharpening Wheel gives attack power and the Herbalist's Incense Candle gives Intellect, which Retribution converts into damage through Champion of the Light later on. See how Camping works for every camp object.
Gear and stats under level 20
- The slowest two-hander you can find for Retribution: Seal of Command scales with weapon damage per swing.
- After weapon damage: hit, crit, Stamina, then Spirit and Intellect for mana. Protection wants Strength and attack power, then Stamina and armour.
- Mail until plate at 40. Hall of Thanes and Ruins of Lordaeron loot is not confirmed yet, so run them for experience and rare-quality drops rather than specific items.
Paladin leveling questions
Is Retribution or Protection better for leveling a Paladin in WoW Forever?
Reported Retribution for solo questing. Protection with Seal of Fury is close behind and better for dungeons, big pulls and Undead Paladins.
When does a Paladin get Consecration in WoW Forever?
Reported Level 20, baseline, alongside Blessing of Kings. Holy Strike arrives at level 6.
Does Judgement still consume your seal in WoW Forever?
Reported No. Judgement is on a 10-second cooldown and leaves the seal in place, so you can keep judging without reapplying.
What is the best race for a Paladin in WoW Forever?
Reported Undead is the only Horde option and suits Protection. On Alliance, Human for Retribution with swords or Dwarf for Protection.
Sources
6 independent reports
Reported means independent guides and the beta client agree but Blizzard has not published the build. Class changes with sources are on Paladin in WoW Forever.
Other WoW Forever leveling builds
Priest (Shadow (wand leveling)), Shaman (Enhancement), Druid (Feral), Warrior (Fury (first 11 points)), Hunter (Beast Mastery), Rogue (Combat (swords)), Mage (Frost), Warlock (Affliction (Voidwalker))