Retribution questing with mana and movement choices
Updated October 22, 2026. Talent reference 1.60.1.70338.
Quick summary
- Specialization
- Retribution
- Weapon
- Slow two-handed weapon
- Talents at level 30
- 21 points in Retribution (0/0/21)
- Key talents
- Seal of Command (level 20) · Repentance (level 30)
- Stats
- Strength > Stamina > Intellect
- Recommended race
- Alliance: Human · Horde: Undead
From level 1 to 60
Your Paladin from 1 to 60: race, route, profession and loot
Races that can be a Paladin
Bar = share of all beta characters that picked that race with Paladin. Rarest: Dwarf (1.4%).
UndeadRecovery and control removal · leveling tier S5.8 %
HumanVersatility and control · leveling tier A4.5 %
DwarfPhysical defense and exploration · leveling tier B1.4 %
Census: ClassicPlus.io, 1,003,125 beta characters. Racials and conditions: race guide.
Route by level: zones, dungeons, gathering and loot
- 1–10Quest in
Your race’s starting zone, then the nearby capital.
Your race’s starting zone, then the nearby capital.
Gather at the same timeSkill 1–75 · Apprentice: train it at level 5
⛏ Copper
🌿 Peacebloom, Silverleaf, Earthroot
🔪 Skinning: up to 50 on the beasts of your zone - 10–20Quest in
Westfall · Loch Modan · Darkshore · Redridge
The Barrens · Silverpine Forest · Stonetalon
Gather at the same timeSkill 50–125 · Journeyman from level 10 (cap 150)
⛏ Copper → Tin from 65
🌿 Mageroyal, Briarthorn, Bruiseweed
🔪 Skinning: up to 100 on the beasts of your zoneHall of Thanes13–18New Ironforge: descend from the left corridor of the throne room into Old Ironforge.
Loot is listed but its stats are not in our data yet: check the dungeon page.
The Deadmines18–23 Westfall, through the mines at Moonbrook.
Smite's ReaverOne-hand · lvl 17 · Str / Spi / StaMr. Smite
Smite's Mighty HammerTwo-hand · lvl 18 · Str / AgiMr. Smite
Taskmaster AxeTwo-hand · lvl 18 · Spi / StaSneed
Blackened Defias ArmorChest · lvl 19 · Sta / Agi / StrEdwin VanCleef
Ragefire Chasm13–18 Orgrimmar, Cleft of Shadow.
Cavedweller BracersWrist · lvl 13 · Str / StaJergosh the Invoker
Subterranean CapeBack · lvl 13 · Agi / StrTaragaman the Hungerer
Robe of EvocationChest · lvl 13 · Int / StaJergosh the Invoker
Wailing Caverns15–25 The Barrens, southwest of the Crossroads.
Stormbringer BeltWaist · lvl 15 · Sta / StrLord Pythas
Mutant Scale BreastplateChest · lvl 23 · Str / StaMutanus the Devourer
Deep Fathom RingRing · lvl 21 · Spi / Sta / IntMutanus the Devourer
Cobrahn's GraspWaist · lvl 19 · Str / AgiLord Cobrahn
Ruins of Lordaeron15–20New Undercity / Ruins of Lordaeron: entrance to the left as you enter the ruins.
Loot is listed but its stats are not in our data yet: check the dungeon page.
- 20–30Quest in
Wetlands · Duskwood · Redridge · Ashenvale
Southern Barrens · Stonetalon · Hillsbrad · Ashenvale · Thousand Needles
Gather at the same timeSkill 125–175 · Expert from level 20 (cap 225)
⛏ Tin, Silver, Iron from 125
🌿 Wild Steelbloom, Kingsblood, Grave Moss
🔪 Skinning: up to 150 on the beasts of your zoneThe Stockade22–30 Stormwind, Mage Quarter.
Lambent Scale BreastplateChest · lvl 22 · Sta / SpiDextren Ward
Blackfathom Deeps24–32 Ashenvale, Zoram Strand.
Axe of the EnforcerOne-hand · lvl 22 · Str / StaOld Serra'kis
Glowing Thresher CapeBack · lvl 24 · Spi / StrOld Serra'kis
Naga Battle GlovesHands · lvl 22 · Spi / Sta / StrLady Sarevess
Leech PantsLegs · lvl 26 · Int / Spi / StaAku'mai
Excavation Site: Wetlands26–31New Wetlands: follow the path starting south of Thelgen Rock cavern, according to Icy Veins.
Lambent Scale GlovesHands · lvl 22 · Str / AgiHighland Horror
Emblazoned CloakBack · lvl 22 · Sta / SpiHighland Horror
Gnomeregan29–38 Dun Morogh, west of Ironforge.
Caverndeep TrudgersFeet · lvl 27 · Agi / Str / StaElectrocutioner 6000
Thermaplugg's Left ArmTwo-hand · lvl 32 · Str / StaMekgineer Thermaplugg
Grubbis PawsHands · lvl 29 · Agi / Str / SpiGrubbis
Manual Crowd PummelerTwo-hand · lvl 29 · Str / AgiCrowd Pummeler 9-60
Shadowfang Keep22–30 Silverpine Forest, above Pyrewood Village.
Commander's CrestShield · lvl 23 · Spi / Sta / StrCommander Springvale
Butcher's SlicerOne-hand · lvl 18 · Str / StaRazorclaw the Butcher
Arced War AxeTwo-hand · lvl 21 · Str / StaCommander Springvale
Robes of ArugalChest · lvl 24 · Spi / Int / Sta / AgiArchmage Arugal
Blackfathom Deeps24–32 Ashenvale, Zoram Strand.
- Axe of the EnforcerOne-hand · lvl 22 · Str / StaOld Serra'kis
- Glowing Thresher CapeBack · lvl 24 · Spi / StrOld Serra'kis
- Naga Battle GlovesHands · lvl 22 · Spi / Sta / StrLady Sarevess
- Leech PantsLegs · lvl 26 · Int / Spi / StaAku'mai
City of Dalaran28–33New Dalaran, Hillsbrad region. Exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
- 30–40Quest in
Stranglethorn Vale · Arathi Highlands · Desolace · Riverglades
Stranglethorn Vale · Arathi Highlands · Desolace · Riverglades
Gather at the same timeSkill 175–225 · Artisan from level 35 (cap 300)
⛏ Iron, Gold, Mithril from 175
🌿 Liferoot, Fadeleaf, Goldthorn
🔪 Skinning: up to 200 on the beasts of your zoneGnomeregan29–38 Dun Morogh, west of Ironforge.
- Caverndeep TrudgersFeet · lvl 27 · Agi / Str / StaElectrocutioner 6000
- Thermaplugg's Left ArmTwo-hand · lvl 32 · Str / StaMekgineer Thermaplugg
- Grubbis PawsHands · lvl 29 · Agi / Str / SpiGrubbis
- Manual Crowd PummelerTwo-hand · lvl 29 · Str / AgiCrowd Pummeler 9-60
Razorfen Kraul30–40 Southern Barrens.
CorpsemakerTwo-hand · lvl 29 · Str / StaOverlord Ramtusk
Avenger's ArmorChest · lvl 26 · Str / StaCharlga Razorflank
SlaghammerTwo-hand · lvl 24 · Sta / StrCharlga Razorflank
Pronged ReaverOne-hand · lvl 31 · Spi / StrCharlga Razorflank
Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard28–38 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Graveyard portal.
Nothing here for a Paladin at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Library29–39 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Library portal.
- Mark of KernRing · lvl 31 · StaHoundmaster Loksey
- Mark of KernRing · lvl 31 · StaArcanist Doan
Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard28–38 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Graveyard portal.
Nothing here for a Paladin at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Library29–39 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Library portal.
- Mark of KernRing · lvl 31 · StaHoundmaster Loksey
- Mark of KernRing · lvl 31 · StaArcanist Doan
Razorfen Kraul30–40 Southern Barrens.
- CorpsemakerTwo-hand · lvl 29 · Str / StaOverlord Ramtusk
- Avenger's ArmorChest · lvl 26 · Str / StaCharlga Razorflank
- SlaghammerTwo-hand · lvl 24 · Sta / StrCharlga Razorflank
- Pronged ReaverOne-hand · lvl 31 · Spi / StrCharlga Razorflank
Scarlet Monastery: Armory32–42 Scarlet Monastery, northeastern Tirisfal Glades; Armory portal.
Herod's ShoulderShoulder · lvl 37 · Str / StaHerod
Raging Berserker's HelmHead · lvl 37 · Sta / StrHerod
Scarlet LeggingsLegs · lvl 38 · Str / StaHerod
- 40–50Quest in
Tanaris · Feralas · The Hinterlands · Searing Gorge
Tanaris · Feralas · The Hinterlands · Searing Gorge
Gather at the same timeSkill 225–265 · Artisan: keep gathering in your zone
⛏ Mithril, Truesilver
🌿 Khadgar’s Whisker, Sungrass, Purple Lotus
🔪 Skinning: up to 250 on the beasts of your zoneScarlet Monastery: Cathedral35–45 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Cathedral portal.
Triune AmuletNeck · lvl 39 · Int / Spi / StaHigh Inquisitor Whitemane
Whitemane's ChapeauHead · lvl 39 · Spi / Int / StaHigh Inquisitor Whitemane
Dusty Mail BootsFeet · lvl 36 · StaHigh Inquisitor Fairbanks
Branded Leather BracersWrist · lvl 36 · StaHigh Inquisitor Fairbanks
Uldaman42–52 Badlands, northern excavation.
Revelosh's BootsFeet · lvl 40 · Str / StaRevelosh
Grimlok's ChargeTwo-hand · lvl 42 · Agi / Str / StaGrimlok
The RockpounderTwo-hand · lvl 44 · StrArchaedas
Stoneweaver LeggingsLegs · lvl 35 · Spi / Sta / IntIronaya
Razorfen Downs40–50 Southern Barrens.
Icemetal BarbuteHead · lvl 40 · Str / Spi / StaAmnennar the Coldbringer- Carapace of Tuten'kashChest · lvl 40 · Sta / Str / AgiTuten'kash
Savage Boar's GuardShield · lvl 37 · Str / StaRagglesnout (rare)
Boar Champion's BeltWaist · lvl 37 · Str / StaRagglesnout (rare)
Krol’dok Stronghold40–45New Riverglades; exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Scarlet Monastery: Cathedral35–45 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Cathedral portal.
- Triune AmuletNeck · lvl 39 · Int / Spi / StaHigh Inquisitor Whitemane
- Whitemane's ChapeauHead · lvl 39 · Spi / Int / StaHigh Inquisitor Whitemane
- Dusty Mail BootsFeet · lvl 36 · StaHigh Inquisitor Fairbanks
- Branded Leather BracersWrist · lvl 36 · StaHigh Inquisitor Fairbanks
Razorfen Downs40–50 Southern Barrens.
- Icemetal BarbuteHead · lvl 40 · Str / Spi / StaAmnennar the Coldbringer
- Carapace of Tuten'kashChest · lvl 40 · Sta / Str / AgiTuten'kash
- Savage Boar's GuardShield · lvl 37 · Str / StaRagglesnout (rare)
- Boar Champion's BeltWaist · lvl 37 · Str / StaRagglesnout (rare)
Uldaman42–52 Badlands, northern excavation.
- Revelosh's BootsFeet · lvl 40 · Str / StaRevelosh
- Grimlok's ChargeTwo-hand · lvl 42 · Agi / Str / StaGrimlok
- The RockpounderTwo-hand · lvl 44 · StrArchaedas
- Stoneweaver LeggingsLegs · lvl 35 · Spi / Sta / IntIronaya
Krol’dok Stronghold40–45New Riverglades; exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
- 50–60Quest in
Un’Goro Crater · Felwood · Winterspring · Plaguelands
Un’Goro Crater · Felwood · Winterspring · Plaguelands
Gather at the same timeSkill 265–300 · Artisan: reach 300 before 60
⛏ Thorium
🌿 Dreamfoil, Mountain Silversage, Plaguebloom
🔪 Skinning: up to 300 on the beasts of your zoneMaraudon: Earth Song Falls48–57 Desolace, Valley of Spears; inner Maraudon route.
Gizlock's Hypertech BucklerShield · lvl 48 · Int / StaTinkerer Gizlock- Soothsayer's HeaddressHead · lvl 47 · Int / Spi / StaCelebras the Cursed
Grovekeeper's DrapeBack · lvl 47 · StaCelebras the Cursed
Blackstone RingRing · lvl 49 · StaPrincess Theradras
Alcaz Prison48–53New Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Sunken Temple50–60 Swamp of Sorrows, Pool of Tears.
Crest of SupremacyShield · lvl 51 · Agi / Int / Spi / Sta / StrShade of Eranikus- Atal'alarion's Tusk RingWaist · lvl 46 · Str / StaAtal'alarion
HeadspikeTwo-hand · lvl 46 · Sta / StrAtal'alarion
Featherskin CapeBack · lvl 49 · Sta / Spi / IntAvatar of Hakkar
Blackrock Depths52–60 Blackrock Mountain, through the central chain route to Blackrock Depths.
Earthslag ShouldersShoulder · lvl 47 · Str / Int / StaLord Roccor
Stoneshell GuardShield · lvl 47 · Str / StaLord Roccor
Lavacrest LeggingsLegs · lvl 53 · Str / StaBael'Gar
Angerforge's Battle AxeTwo-hand · lvl 51 · Str / StaGeneral Angerforge
Lower Blackrock Spire55–60 Blackrock Mountain, inside Blackrock Spire; lower route.
Fist of OmokkTwo-hand · lvl 55 · Str / StaHighlord Omokk
Slamshot ShouldersShoulder · lvl 55 · StaHighlord Omokk
Tressermane LeggingsLegs · lvl 55 · Spi / Sta / IntHighlord Omokk
Wildheart BootsFeet · lvl 54 · Spi / Sta / IntMother Smolderweb
Maraudon: Earth Song Falls48–57 Desolace, Valley of Spears; inner Maraudon route.
- Gizlock's Hypertech BucklerShield · lvl 48 · Int / StaTinkerer Gizlock
- Soothsayer's HeaddressHead · lvl 47 · Int / Spi / StaCelebras the Cursed
- Grovekeeper's DrapeBack · lvl 47 · StaCelebras the Cursed
- Blackstone RingRing · lvl 49 · StaPrincess Theradras
Alcaz Prison48–53New Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Sunken Temple50–60 Swamp of Sorrows, Pool of Tears.
- Crest of SupremacyShield · lvl 51 · Agi / Int / Spi / Sta / StrShade of Eranikus
- Atal'alarion's Tusk RingWaist · lvl 46 · Str / StaAtal'alarion
- HeadspikeTwo-hand · lvl 46 · Sta / StrAtal'alarion
- Featherskin CapeBack · lvl 49 · Sta / Spi / IntAvatar of Hakkar
Blackrock Depths52–60 Blackrock Mountain, through the central chain route to Blackrock Depths.
- Earthslag ShouldersShoulder · lvl 47 · Str / Int / StaLord Roccor
- Stoneshell GuardShield · lvl 47 · Str / StaLord Roccor
- Lavacrest LeggingsLegs · lvl 53 · Str / StaBael'Gar
- Angerforge's Battle AxeTwo-hand · lvl 51 · Str / StaGeneral Angerforge
Lower Blackrock Spire55–60 Blackrock Mountain, inside Blackrock Spire; lower route.
- Fist of OmokkTwo-hand · lvl 55 · Str / StaHighlord Omokk
- Slamshot ShouldersShoulder · lvl 55 · StaHighlord Omokk
- Tressermane LeggingsLegs · lvl 55 · Spi / Sta / IntHighlord Omokk
- Wildheart BootsFeet · lvl 54 · Spi / Sta / IntMother Smolderweb
Loot filtered for what a Paladin can equip (armor type, weapons, useful stats). Zones and gathering tiers follow the Classic route; skill caps by trainer rank are Classic rules pending confirmation in Forever. Trinkets: no Forever dungeon trinket list has been published yet.
What changes in Forever
Blizzard announced that Judgement no longer consumes seals and that Consecration is baseline at level 20. This means you should check trainer abilities before copying the point requirements of an older Classic guide.
Read Blizzard’s announcementPaladin specializations
Retribution
A questing option built around melee attacks and seals. The route below prioritizes resource economy and travel utility before its control milestone.
Protection
Check your shield, threat tools and mana budget before a dungeon. Having a baseline area spell does not by itself make a complete tanking setup.
Holy
Prepare healing gear and useful trained ranks for group play. Agree on the role before the pull; a melee talent route does not explain how much healing your equipment can support.
Starter leveling build: levels 10 to 30
Retribution questing with mana and movement choices. An editorial questing proposal with 21 ordinary points. Its order satisfies ranks and prerequisites in our reference; it is not a measured optimal in-game build. It excludes early Legacy points and makes no level-60 performance claim.
- Level 10–14
Benediction +5Lower the cost of instant spells and abilities used throughout questing.
- Level 15–19
Conviction +5Support melee critical hits and reach the next tier.
- Level 20
Seal of Command +1Unlock the seal around which this two-handed proposal is organized.
- Level 21–22
Pursuit of Justice +2Add movement utility; check non-stacking conditions before combining speed bonuses.
- Level 23–25
Sanctified Judgement +3Support mana recovery through Judgement as described by the reference.
- Level 26
Sacred Arbiter +1Connect Holy Strike with maintaining Judgement effects in this reference.
- Level 27–28
Holy Conduit +2Reduce costs of the listed Holy spells; lower cost does not mean an area spell is needed on every pull.
- Level 29
Improved Judgement +1Begin reducing the cooldown while reaching twenty invested points.
- Level 30
Repentance +1Add control against eligible Humanoids. Damage breaks it, so coordinate targets.
Opening loads this proposal. Drafts for other classes remain separate. Talent names retain the reference’s original English.
Paladin leveling rotation
The order we use in a normal questing fight. In brackets, the level each ability is learned.
- Keep an aura up: Devotion Aura (level 1) early on and Retribution Aura (level 16) while questing, since it damages whoever hits you.
- Cast Blessing of Might (level 4) on yourself and keep it up: it lasts one hour.
- Activate a seal: Seal of Righteousness (level 1) until 20, then Seal of Command (talent, level 20) with a slow two-handed weapon. Seals last 30 seconds.
- Use Judgement (level 4) every time it is available. In WoW Forever it does not consume the seal, so you do not need to reapply it. Sanctified Judgement returns 60% of the judged seal's mana.
- Use Holy Strike (level 6) every 10 seconds. With Sacred Arbiter (level 26) it deals 20% more damage and refreshes Judgement effects on the target.
- Against Undead and Demons, cast Exorcism (level 20). Against several enemies, Consecration (level 20); Holy Conduit cuts the cost of both by 40%.
- If an enemy runs or casts, stun it with Hammer of Justice (level 8). At 30, Repentance takes a second Humanoid out of the fight.
- If you are in trouble: Divine Protection (level 6) and heal with Holy Light or Flash of Light (level 20). Lay on Hands (level 10) is your last resort: it heals your full health but drains all your mana.
Stat priority
- StrengthMore attack power and more damage on every hit and seal proc.
- StaminaMore health to fight in melee without stopping to heal.
- IntellectMore mana for seals, Judgement and emergency heals.
Abilities and early decisions
Mana before another pull
Keep your chosen seal active and evaluate Judgement alongside healing needs. Avoid automatically using every area spell against one enemy; reserve enough mana to recover when a second enemy joins.
A role needs equipment
Before agreeing to heal or tank, check your trained abilities and equipment. Carry the relevant shield or healing pieces and tell the group what you can do at your current level. Use the spellbook instead of assuming an endgame button is already available.
Best race for your Paladin
Alliance
HumanAll-rounder
Ruthless gives +1% crit, The Human Spirit +10% Spirit and Will to Survive breaks stuns in PvP.
DwarfLeveling and PvE
Big Game Hunter gives +5% damage against Beasts, which you fight a lot while leveling, and Stoneform reduces physical damage by 10%.
Horde
UndeadThe only Horde option
In WoW Forever the Horde Paladin is Undead. Touch of the Grave drains health with your attacks, Cannibalize heals you between fights and Will of the Forsaken removes fear and sleep.
Our picks based on beta racials. Any available race works for leveling.
Compare availability and racialsTips to level faster
- Look for a slow two-handed weapon: Seal of Command hits harder the slower the weapon.
- Carry a shield in your bags. To tank dungeons: Righteous Fury (level 16) and Seal of Fury (level 10), which grants an absorb shield while a shield is equipped.
- Benediction makes all your instant abilities cheaper: do not spend mana topping yourself off.
- Level First Aid to heal with bandages and save your mana for combat.
Common mistakes
- Letting your seal expire: it lasts 30 seconds and without it you lose most of your damage.
- Using Consecration on a single enemy: it costs a lot of mana for little damage.
- Burning Divine Protection and Lay on Hands together: save them for different emergencies.
Professions for your route
Mining and Blacksmithing
Consider this pair when you want to gather for crafted equipment. Check a recipe’s actual requirements and expected upgrade before diverting from your quest route.
Recovery and group supplies
Cooking and First Aid can supplement preparation between fights. They do not replace keeping mana available for the role you agreed to perform.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Paladin be Horde in WoW Forever?
Yes, as an Undead. On the Alliance side it can be Human or Dwarf.
Which seal should I level with?
Seal of Righteousness until level 20, then Seal of Command with a slow two-handed weapon.
Do I need to reapply my seal after Judgement?
No. In WoW Forever Judgement unleashes the seal's energy without consuming it, so you only refresh it when its 30 seconds run out.
Can I tank or heal with this build?
In low-level dungeons, yes, with the right gear: a shield, Righteous Fury and Seal of Fury to tank; Holy Light and Flash of Light to heal. To do it seriously, switch to a Protection or Holy build.
What to review after level 30
Before extending this route, review later talents, your equipment, your intended role and beta changes. The calculator supports exploring 51 ordinary points at level 60; a valid distribution alone does not establish the best setup for an activity.
Open the general leveling guideSources and editorial approach
Prepared by Road to 60 Forever. Announced changes are attributed to Blizzard; the point order and advice are our interpretation of the community dataset. We do not claim to have measured this build in game.