Table of Contents

Paladin Specialization PvE Guides
Best In Slot Pre-Raid
Best in Slot Phase 1

Retribution Paladins get some love headed into Classic Wrath of the Lich King. The spec was able to do respectable DPS throughout The Burning Crusade and now features the capabilities to continue to dish out damage. It may not be at the top of our DPS tier list for Wrath of the Lich King, but the class' play style and damage output will still make it a popular choice among players.

Our Ret Paladin BIS guide will focus on what gear is best in slot for you as you begin your journey into Wrath of the Lich King Classic. Currently, we'll go over both pre-raid and Phase One best in slot lists. As additional phases are released, we'll update the list accordingly.

Special thanks to the theorycrafting communities for their work discussing items and working on simulations to find the best gear available for players. As always, the best thing to do to determine gear upgrades is to sim your DPS.

Ret Paladin Pre-Raid Best in Slot

Pre-Raid Best-In-Slot gear includes everything that can be obtained without stepping inside the first raids of WotLK. This includes gear obtained via Quests, Reputation Vendors, Professions, Dungeons, and Heroic Dungeons. There may also be a few pieces of gear from The Burning Crusade, namely Sunwell Plateau, that are still viable alternatives if you can find a group to go back and farm them.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Head Pre-Raid WotLK

There's no contest on this one. The Spiked Titansteel Helm is just that good. Even if you're not a Blacksmith, you need to get this.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Neck Pre-Raid WotLK

The emblem neck is not only a better option than heroic drops but also easier to get.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Shoulders Pre-Raid WotLK

The Trollwoven Spaulders is a BOE craft, but if for some reason you aren't able to obtain them, the Sunwell shoulders are viable as well.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Back Pre-Raid WotLK

Good news: Cloak of Bloodied Waters is really good for ret. Bad news: It's really good for everybody. Worst-case scenario, all of these options are solid.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Chest Pre-Raid WotLK

Whenever you have the option to get tier piece without stepping into raid, you should 100% do that.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Wrist Pre-Raid WotLK

No contest here. Run, don't walk, to get your Vengeance Bindings. If you have your Sunwell wrists, you can use those in the meantime.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Hands Pre-Raid WotLK

Just like the chest, grab those tier gloves as soon as you can.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Waist Pre-Raid WotLK

There's a lot of options available for the belt slot. It all depends on the stat you need between hit, expertise, or haste.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Legs Pre-Raid WotLK

Staggering Legplates have an insane amount of hit.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Feet Pre-Raid WotLK

Once again, Boots of the Neverending Path have an insane amount of hit.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Rings Pre-Raid WotLK

Ultimately, rings depend on what stats you need at a given time. It's best to use a DPS simulation to figure out what's best available.

Reminder that only enchanters can enchant rings.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Trinkets Pre-Raid WotLK

The Darkmoon deck is really, really, really good. Like multi-phase good.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Weapon Pre-Raid WotLK

Once again, Boots of the Neverending Path have an insane amount of hit.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Libram Pre-Raid WotLK

Honestly, there's nothing really much available for pre-raid Librams.

Ret Paladin Phase 1 Best in Slot

Phase one sees the introduction of the first wave of raids in Wrath of the Lich King, they are: Naxxramas, Obsidian Sanctum, and Eye of Eternity

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Head Phase 1 WotLK

You have two solid options here, it just depends on if you need your 2-piece from tier or not. The Sartharion gear is a better ilvl, so there's that.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Neck Phase 1 WotLK

To call Favor of the Dragon Queen a contested item is an understatement. Any of the top options are pretty solid if you can't pick it up.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Shoulders Phase 1 WotLK

Tier is the play here. Get it and don't look back.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Back Phase 1 WotLK

The top two options are pretty close. Hammerhead is much easier to obtain than Drape.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Chest Phase 1 WotLK

Tier is your unquestioned best bet. Sadly, you can't just ride your pre-raid bis tier. If you are running Naxx 25, the chest is the play.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Wrist Phase 1 WotLK

Unlike your pre-raid options, there's a lot of choices to make here. It honestly depends on which item you can get first.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Hands Phase 1 WotLK

The Frosted Handguards are your best bet, but you'll have competition. As a hunter main, for example, it's one of my first soft reserves.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Waist Phase 1 WotLK

There's a lot of options available for the belt slot. It all depends on the stat you need between hit, expertise, or haste.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Legs Phase 1 WotLK

If you're going for your 4 piece set bonus, get the tier. If you're just wanting 2 piece, get the Leggings.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Feet Phase 1 WotLK

Like a lot of other item slots, there are some solid choices all around. It all ultimately depends on what your gear currently is and what the sims say.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Rings Phase 1 WotLK

Everyone is going to be gunning for Surge Needle Ring. Your other two options are pretty solid as well.

Reminder that only enchanters can enchant rings.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Trinkets Phase 1 WotLK

The Darkmoon deck is really, really, really good. Like multi-phase good.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Weapon Phase 1 WotLK

Betrayer of Humanity is your best option, no questions asked.

Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Libram Phase 1 WotLK

The options for Librams aren't really the best.

DO NOT GET LIBRAM OF RADIANCE IT IS AWFUL.