Your Stat Priority for Arcane Mage DPS BiS in Cataclysm Classic should be like this (left to right).
Main Hand for Retribution Paladin DPS (2-Handed)
The best two-handed weapon is Reclaimed Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood. Akirus the Worm-Breaker and Shalug’doom, the Axe of Unmaking are good alternatives.
Best Weapon Enchant – Landslide or Berserking.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Reclaimed Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood | Nefarian, Onyxia | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
Alt | Akirus the Worm-Breaker | Magmaw | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
Alt | Shalug’doom, the Axe of Unmaking | Cho’gall | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
Alt | Vicious Gladiator’s Greatsword | Vicious Gladiator’s Greatsword 3400 Conquest Points, 2200 rating | Orgrimmar, Stormwind City |
Alt | Reclaimed Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood | Nefarian, Onyxia | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Zin’rokh, Destroyer of Worlds | x150 Troll Archaeology Fragment | Archaeology |
Librams for Retribution Paladin DPS
Use Relic of Aggramar if you can utilize the expertise without overcapping. Otherwise, Notched Jawbone is better for hit.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Expertise | Relic of Aggramar | 750 Valor Points | Orgrimmar, Stormwind City |
Hit | Notched Jawbone | BoE Crafted | Iscription |
Shoulders for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best shoulders are the Pauldrons of the Great Ettin used as an off-piece with Tier 11 in the other slots. If you need to complete the 4-set bonus early, Reinforced Sapphirium Pauldrons are a good alternative.
Best Shoulder Enchant – Greater Inscription of Jagged Stone (requires Exalted with Therazane).
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Pauldrons of the Great Ettin | Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Reinforced Sapphirium Pauldrons | Mantle of the Forlorn Conqueror Al’Akir Cho’gall | Throne of the Four Winds, The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Vicious Gladiator’s Scaled Shoulders | 1650 Conquest Points | Orgrimmar, Stormwind City |
Chest for Retribution Paladin DPS
The Reinforced Sapphirium Battleplate is the best for the Tier 11 4-set bonus. Use the Battleplate of Ancient Kings or the crafted Elementium Deathplate until you get it.
Best Chest Enchant – Peerless Stats or Mighty Stats.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Reinforced Sapphirium Battleplate | Chest of the Forlorn Conqueror Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Battleplate of Ancient Kings | Atramedes | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Elementium Deathplate | BoE Crafted | Blacksmithing |
Back for Retribution Paladin DPS
The Cloudburst Cloak is best in slot with either Earthshaker or Faultline enchantments. Glittering Epidermis is a good temporary option until you get a 372 item level cloak, and Floating Web is the best 359 item level option from Valor Points.
Best Back Enchant – Swordguard Embroidery (for Tailors), otherwise Greater Critical Strike or Critical Strike.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Cloudburst Cloak of the Earthshaker | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Best | Cloudburst Cloak of the Faultline | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Cloudburst Cloak of the Landslide | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Glittering Epidermis | Elementium Monstrosity | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Floating Web | 1250 Valor Points | Orgrimmar, Stormwind City |
Head for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best helm for Retribution Paladins is the Reinforced Sapphirium Helmet to secure the 4-set Tier 11 bonus. You might use the Reinforced Bio-Optic Killshades in the meantime, which can be socketed with Hit, Expertise, or Mastery cogwheels as needed.
Best Helm Enchant – Arcanum of the Wildhammer or Arcanum of the Dragonmaw (requires Revered with Dragonmaw Clan or Wildhammer Clan).
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Reinforced Sapphirium Helmet | Crown of the Forlorn Conqueror Al’Akir Nefarian Onyxia | Throne of the Four Winds Blackwing Descent |
Engineer Alt | Reinforced Bio-Optic Killshades | BoE Crafted | Engineering |
Alt | Dragon Bone Warhelm | Maloriak | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Helm of Maddening Whispers | Cho’gall | The Bastion of Twilight |
Waist for Retribution Paladin DPS
The Belt of Absolute Zero is best in slot. Sky Strider Belt with either Faultline or Earthshaker enchantments is the next best option.
Best Waist Enchant – Nitro Boosts and Ebonsteel Belt Buckle.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Belt of Absolute Zero | Maloriak | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Sky Strider Belt of the Faultline | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Sky Strider Belt of the Earthshaker | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Sky Strider Belt of the Landslide | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Thunder Wall Belt of the Bedrock | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Thunder Wall Belt of the Rockslab | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Legs for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best legs are the Reinforced Sapphirium Legplates for the Tier 11 4-set bonus. Sky Strider Greaves with Faultline or Earthshaker enchantments are the next best.
Best Legs Enchant – Dragonscale Leg Armor.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Reinforced Sapphirium Legplates | Leggings of the Forlorn Conqueror Maloriak | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Sky Strider Greaves of the Faultline | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Sky Strider Greaves of the Earthshaker | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Sky Strider Greaves of the Landslide | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Terrastra’s Legguards | Elementium Monstrosity | The Bastion of Twilight |
Feet for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best boots are the Massacre Treads. Treads of Savage Beatings and Woe Breeder’s Boots are solid alternatives.
Best Boot Enchant – Mastery.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Massacre Treads | Chimaeron | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Treads of Savage Beatings | BoE Trash Drop | Blackwing Descent or Auction House |
Alt | Woe Breeder’s Boots | 1650 Valor Points | Orgrimmar Stormwind City |
Wrist for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best wrist item is the Bracers of the Mat’redor from Sinestra. Electron Inductor Coils are an easier-to-acquire option.
Best Wrist Enchant – Major Strength or Precision/Greater Expertise/Critical Strike.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Bracers of the Mat’redor | Sinestra | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Electron Inductor Coils | Toxitron | Blackwing Descent |
Hands for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best gloves are the Reinforced Sapphirium Gauntlets for the Tier 11 4-set bonus. Vicious Gladiator’s Scaled Gauntlets are also powerful due to the 5% damage increase to Crusader Strike.
Best Gloves Enchant – Mighty Strength, plus Synapse Springs (Engineers only).
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Reinforced Sapphirium Gauntlets | Gauntlets of the Forlorn Conqueror Atramedes | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Plated Fists of Provocation | Chimaeron | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Vicious Gladiator’s Scaled Gauntlets | 1650 Conquest Points | Orgrimmar Stormwind City |
Alt | Gravitational Pull | Elementium Monstrosity | The Bastion of Twilight |
Trinkets for Retribution Paladin DPS
The optimal setup is Impatience of Youth for an active trinket and Heart of Rage for a passive trinket. Heart of Solace and License to Slay are viable until you get the best options.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Active Best | Impatience of Youth | Hellscream’s Reach/Baradin’s Wardens (Exalted) | Tol Barad |
Passive Best | Heart of Rage | Chimaeron | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
Alt | Heart of Rage | Chimaeron | Blackwing Descent |
Alt | Heart of Solace | Augh Lockmaw | Lost City of Tol’vir |
Alt | License to Slay | 1650 Valor Points | Orgrimmar Stormwind City |
Alt | Crushing Weight | Elementium Monstrosity | The Bastion of Twilight |
Rings for Retribution Paladin DPS
The top ring is Dargonax’s Signet. Cloudburst Ring with Faultline or Earthshaker enchantments is also excellent.
Best Ring Enchant – Strength (for enchanters only).
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Dargonax’s Signet | Sinestra | The Bastion of Twilight |
Best | Cloudburst Ring of the Faultline | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Best | Cloudburst Ring of the Earthshaker | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Cloudburst Ring of the Landslide | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Ring of Rivalry | Valiona | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Permafrost Signet of the Bedrock | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Permafrost Signet of the Rockslab | Conclave of Wind | Throne of the Four Winds |
Neck for Retribution Paladin DPS
The best options are Rage of Ages or Caelestrasz’s Will. Cloudburst Necklace with Faultline or Earthshaker enchantments is a good alternative.
Rank | Item | Source | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Best | Rage of Ages | Nefarian Onyxia | Blackwing Descent |
Best | Caelestrasz’s Will | Sinestra | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Cloudburst Necklace of the Faultline | Al’Akir | The Bastion of Twilight |
Alt | Cloudburst Necklace of the Earthshaker | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Alt | Cloudburst Necklace of the Landslide | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
Even with all of these tips and breakdowns, actually assembling the best Ret Pally build is a very arduous and sometimes annoying task. Cataclysm boosting services from LepreStore can help save tons of time!
What are the best Races for Retribution Paladin?
Alliance – Human and Dwarf, Horde – Blood Elf and Tauren.
Are Retribution Paladins good?
Retribution Paladins excel in burst-oriented single-target damage during cooldowns and offer valuable raid utility, high mobility, and mana efficiency. However, their damage drops off significantly once cooldowns end, they have moderate and clunky AoE damage, and struggle against 2-3 targets, with some reliance on RNG mechanics.
What tier is Retribution Paladin in?
A tier in Cataclysm Classic, along with Arcane Mage, Demonology Warlock, Balance Druid, Ele Shaman and Unholy Death Knight.
What are the best professions for Retribution Paladin?
It’s Engineering, Tailoring and Blacksmithing.
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