Updated November 3, 2026.
Blizzard reworked the Paladin talent tree with the hotfixes of October 30: Twist of Light became Unsealed Wrath, Protection ends in the new Shieldsworn, Holy gained Oath of Light and Boundless Light, and many talents moved rows or changed ranks. The builds below come from guides rewritten for the new tree: Retribution and Protection for leveling, and the Protection tank for level 60. Holy, Seal Twisting, the Shockadin and PvP builds will be back once a guide publishes them for the new tree. WoW Forever launches on November 4, so nothing at level 60 is tested in play yet, and we will update these as players reach 60.
Paladin build planner
Pick a build and set your level: the planner shows the talents you should have now, where the next point goes and what to press.
Talents, spells and their numbers come from the game client. Every build and rotation comes from a published guide or plan, named under the planner. Where we changed an order or carried one over from leveling, the rotation says so. Nothing at level 60 is tested in play yet.
Paladin leveling builds
Retribution Leveling
Deflection takes the first five points, then Conviction, Improved Judgement and Pursuit of Justice for movement speed. Seal of Command comes at 22, Two-Handed Weapon Specialization by 27 and Repentance at 33. Champion of the Light fills levels 35 to 39 and Unsealed Wrath, the new last talent of Retribution, arrives at 40. The last 20 points go to Holy for Divine Strength, Reverence and Improved Seals, and to Protection for Divine Intellect and Precision.
Talent points: 12 Holy, 8 Protection, 31 Retribution.
Rotation: keep up: Blessing of Kings, Seal of Command, Devotion Aura; in the fight: Judgement, Holy Strike, Consecration, Exorcism, Hammer of Wrath, Holy Wrath; when it helps: Seal of the Crusader, Hammer of Justice, Repentance, Holy Light.
Open Retribution Leveling in the planner
Protection Leveling
The first twelve points stay in Retribution for Deflection, Improved Judgement, Sanctified Judgement and Pursuit of Justice. Protection starts at 22 with Redoubt and Precision, then Shield Specialization for mana and Templar's Bulwark at 34. Improved Righteous Fury comes by 40, Holy Shield at 42, Reckoning by 47 and Iron Creed by 50. Shieldsworn, new in Forever, arrives at 52: Holy Strike then also triggers Holy Shield and Shield Specialization. The last points go to Conviction, Sacred Arbiter, Anticipation and Toughness.
Talent points: 35 Protection, 16 Retribution.
Rotation: keep up: Righteous Fury, Seal of Fury; in the fight: Consecration, Judgement, Holy Strike; when it helps: Swift Judgement.
Open Protection Leveling in the planner
Paladin raid builds
Protection Tank
The level-60 tank build goes down Protection for Holy Shield, Reckoning, Iron Creed and Shieldsworn, which also lets Holy Strike trigger Holy Shield damage without spending a charge. The Retribution points buy Deflection, Improved Judgement, Conviction, Sanctified Judgement, Pursuit of Justice and Sacred Arbiter. The guide gives no point order for it, so the tool shows the finished tree.
Talent points: 35 Protection, 16 Retribution.
Rotation: keep up: Righteous Fury, Seal of Fury; your main buttons: Consecration, Holy Strike, Holy Shield, Judgement; when it helps: Swift Judgement.
Open Protection Tank in the planner
See also: WoW Forever Shockadin Build: Holy Damage Paladin Guide
