Protection Paladin leveling guide
Protection is the best tank in TBC Anniversary for holding many enemies at once, and it can level by pulling groups. Avenger’s Shield pulls and silences three enemies, Holy Shield and Consecration damage everything around you, and Blessing of Sanctuary adds damage whenever you block. Righteous Defense gives the Paladin a taunt in this expansion.
Strengths and weaknesses
- The strongest tank against groups, which makes dungeon invitations easy to find.
- Kills several weaker enemies at once while you quest.
- Very hard to kill with a shield, plate, Ardent Defender and your own heals.
- Slow against a single strong enemy, and pulling too much drains your mana.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Protection: Improved Devotion Aura 5/5, Precision 3/3, Toughness 5/5, Guardian’s Favor 2/2, Blessing of Kings, Improved Righteous Fury 3/3, Shield Specialization 3/3 and Stoicism 2/2.
- Blessing of Sanctuary, One-Handed Weapon Specialization 5/5, Holy Shield, Ardent Defender 4/5, Combat Expertise 5/5 and Avenger’s Shield, for 41 points.
- In Retribution: Benediction 5/5, Improved Judgement 2/2 and Deflection 3/5.
Level 61 to 70
- Conviction 5/5 and Pursuit of Justice 2/2.
- Vindication 3/3, for 20 points in Retribution.
Rotation
One enemy
- Blessing of Sanctuary, Righteous Fury and Seal of Righteousness, then Avenger’s Shield to pull.
- Holy Shield, Judgement and a new seal, and Consecration when your mana allows it.
- From level 64, Seal of Blood for the Horde or Seal of Vengeance for the Alliance.
Groups of enemies
- Pull four or five enemies a few levels below you with Avenger’s Shield and gather them around you.
- Holy Shield and Consecration, then Judgement and Exorcism against Undead and Demons.
- Righteous Defense on a friendly player to pull enemies back to you in a dungeon.
Staying alive
- Keep Holy Shield up, and use Holy Light after Hammer of Justice.
- Divine Shield and Lay on Hands when it goes wrong, and Avenging Wrath from level 70.
- Seal of Wisdom or Blessing of Wisdom when your mana runs low between pulls.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 | Hellfire Peninsula (Honor Hold) | Hellfire Peninsula (Thrallmar) |
| 62-64 | Zangarmarsh (Telredor) | Zangarmarsh (Zabra’jin) |
| 64-65 | Terokkar Forest (Allerian Stronghold) | Terokkar Forest (Stonebreaker Hold) |
| 65-67 | Nagrand (Telaar) | Nagrand (Garadar) |
| 67-68 | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Sylvanaar) | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Thunderlord Stronghold) |
| 68-70 | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Wildhammer Stronghold) | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Shadowmoon Village) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Hellfire Ramparts and The Blood Furnace from level 60, The Slave Pens and The Underbog around 62, and Mana-Tombs and Auchenai Crypts from 64.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Stamina and Defense first, until 490 Defense in heroic dungeons, then Spell Damage for threat and Block Value.
- A one-handed weapon with Spell Damage and a shield with plenty of armor.
- Enchants: Major Spellpower on the weapon, Exceptional Health on the chest, Fortitude on the bracers and Major Stamina on the shield.
- Tradeskills: Mining with Blacksmithing for plate and shields, or Mining with Jewelcrafting for Stamina gems.