Retribution Paladin DPS Spell Summary (Legion 7.2.5)

This guide has been reviewed and approved by Fardion, a top Retribution Paladin. You can follow him on Twitter, and you can also reach him on the official Paladin Discord channel if you have any questions about the spec.

1. Introduction

If you are new to Retribution, this is a great place to start to get an understanding of how the spec works. On this page we will discuss what abilities you have, what they are used for within the specialisation, how they interact with each other and also with important cooldowns. If you already have experience with Retribution and are comfortable with it in Legion, it is recommended you skip this section and move on to the rest of the guide.

2. Main Resource

Retribution Paladins rely on Holy Power as their primary resource. You can have up to 5 Holy Power at one time, with several of your abilities generating Holy Power. Some (very few) abilities cost Holy Power to use (your Holy Power spenders), usually costing 3 Holy Power (with one costing 5). Holy Power does not decay during combat.

The general gameplay of Retribution Paladins revolves around generating and spending Holy Power efficiently, as well as around dealing the highest possible Holy Power spender damage during times when the target takes increased damage from them (following a Judgment Icon Judgment cast).

3. Basic Abilities

These are your core skills that are available regardless of talents, and form the core gameplay of the specialization.

Judgment Icon Judgment deals Holy damage to the target and causes them to take increased damage from your Holy Power spenders (abilities that cost Holy Power) for 8 seconds. This period of taking increased damage is central to the Retribution Paladin playstyle. The cooldown of Judgment is reduced by your Haste.

Crusader Strike Icon Crusader Strike deals Physical damage to the target and generates 1 Holy Power. This ability has 2 charges, and its recharge time is reduced by your Haste.

Blade of Justice Icon Blade of Justice deals Physical damage to the target and generates 2 Holy Power. The cooldown of Blade of Justice is reduced by your Haste.

Templar's Verdict Icon Templar's Verdict is your main Holy Power spender. It deals Holy damage to the target, and costs 3 Holy Power to use.

Divine Storm Icon Divine Storm deals Holy damage to all nearby enemies, and also costs 3 Holy Power.

Icon Wake of Ashes deals damage to enemies in front of you and reduces their movement speed by 50% for 6 seconds. With the Icon Ashes to Ashes trait, Wake of Ashes also generates 5 Holy Power when used.

3.1. Utility

Divine Shield Icon Divine Shield makes you immune to all damage and loss of control effects for 8 seconds, and is an excellent way for you to survive dangerous mechanics and continue healing your raid in the meantime.

Shield of Vengeance Icon Shield of Vengeance grants you a 15-second damage absorption shield (which absorbs up to a moderate amount of damage), which explodes when it is consumed by damage, dealing this damage as Holy damage divided between all enemies within 8 yards.

Blessing of Protection Icon Blessing of Protection protects the targeted ally from all physical damage for 10 seconds, and it has a 5-minute cooldown. It can be used to clear harmful physical damage debuffs and bleeds from the target. Bosses will not attack targets affected by Blessing of Protection.

Blessing of Freedom Icon Blessing of Freedom removes movement-impairing effects from the targeted ally, also granting them immunity to such effects for 8 seconds.