by Gordon D Easingwood

Created on: April 07, 2010   Last Updated: June 23, 2010

Paladins are amongst the hybrid classes of World of Warcraft.  They can take on a variety of roles with different specialisations and equipment such as healer, damage dealer or tank.  Paladins are also renown for their “bubble” this impervious shield protects them from all harm making then invincible for a short period.

Usable weapons and armour

Paladins can use mail armour, at level forty they may learn the skill to wear plate armour.  Paladins can wield a variety of weapons and are one of the classes that can use shields.  Useable weapons include one and two handed swords, maces, axes and pole arms; some skills will have to be learnt from weapon trainers found in the major cities.  Paladins cannot use any ranged weapons instead they may equip librams, which enhance specific paladin ability

Leveling

The paladin has two main choices retribution or protection as a leveling specialisation.  Retribution deals more damage and ends a fight quicker so is probably a better option.  Paladins suffer from a lack of ranged attacks and can find it difficult to pull single mobs.  Paladins get cheap summon able mounts at levels 21 and 61 so saving a little cash always useful as you level up.

Group Role

With different equipment and specialisation the Paladin can take the role of Tank, Healer or melee damage dealer.  Regardless of their specialisation, paladins bring some good buffs and auras to any group enhancing the groups potential.  Blessing of Kings with the 10% stat increase is much sought after.  Retribution Paladins can bring crowd control with repentance.  All paladins also have shields useful for saving themselves or other party members from otherwise fatal encounters.  They also have the ever-useful lay on hands sacrificing the Paladins mana to significantly heal another party members hit points.  A good paladin will assist wherever needed regardless of their actual specialisation.

Specialisation

Like all classes, Paladins have three areas they may specialise into:

Holy is the classical healing specialisation for paladins boosting healing spells and abilities.

Protection is Paladin's tanking specialisation increasing their damage mitigation and survivability, due to their area of effect tanking Paladin tanks can be extremely good at holding groups of mobs on them.

Retribution is the paladin’s melee damage specialisation similar to arms for warriors the main abilities are crusader strike and blade storm.

Main stats

Main stats for paladins vary by specialisation.  Holy Paladins who will be healing  favour spell power, intellect and crit.  Protection paladins who will be tanking favour defence, stamina and shield block.  Retribution paladins favour melee hit, strength, attack power and crit as they will be melee damage dealers.

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