MoP Classic Retribution Paladin DPS: A Veteran’s Complete Guide to Wielding the Light

If you're here, you're probably either looking to finally unlock your true potential as a Retribution Paladin in Mists of Pandaria Classic or you're wondering if it’s even worth rolling this spec in the current phase. Let me save you some time: Ret Pala is not just viable — it’s deadly in the right hands.

Sure, you might not top the DPS meters in every raid, but with the right build, smart gameplay, and a solid understanding of your tools, Retribution Paladin is one of the most rewarding specs to master in MoP Classic. Whether you're a fresh 90 or a returning veteran looking to refine your burst sequences, this guide has you covered.

What Makes Retribution Paladin Stand Out in MoP Classic?

In Mists of Pandaria Classic, Ret Paladins have undergone some big changes. You’re no longer just the guy spamming Crusader Strike while hoping for procs. Thanks to the revamped Holy Power system, new talents, and a smooth rotation toolkit, you’ve got more options — and more impact — than ever before.

Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t Wrath or Cataclysm. You now generate up to 5 Holy Power thanks to Boundless Conviction, but your key abilities still consume a max of three. That gives you a tactical buffer to line up damage, time your defensives, and execute with precision.

So why play Ret Paladin?

Strong burst damage for bosses and Challenge Modes
Excellent survivability with personal and raid-wide cooldowns
Tons of utility: Blessings, Hands, Auras (well, sorta), and more
Smooth, dynamic gameplay that evolves as your gear improves

MoP Classic Retribution Paladin Talents & Builds

Blizzard made talent trees more modular in MoP, so the best build can vary depending on the fight — but there’s still a core cookie-cutter build for most single-target encounters.

Core PvE DPS Build:

Speed of Light – Mobility matters. Great for dodging mechanics.
Fist of Justice – 30-yard ranged stun every 30s. Solid utility.
Eternal Flame – Replaces Word of Glory, adds a HoT. Good for self-healing.
Unbreakable Spirit – Reduces CD of Divine Shield, Lay on Hands. Great for survivability.
Holy Avenger – Supercharges Holy Power generation. Excellent for burst phases.
Execution Sentence – Massive single-target DoT with a deadly final tick.

Switch out Light’s Hammer or Holy Prism if the encounter leans more into AoE or cleave. Talent flexibility is real in MoP Classic, and good players tailor their build to the content.

Rotation & Holy Power Management

Let’s break down your core Ret Paladin rotation. You’re juggling generators and spenders while managing your cooldowns. It’s a familiar rhythm, but MoP made it more refined.

Rotation Basics:

Judgment → Generates Holy Power
Crusader Strike or Hammer of the Righteous → Generator (use Hammer for AoE)
Exorcism (instant via Art of War) → Generator
Templar’s Verdict (3 HP) → Main damage spender
Divine Storm (3 HP) → AoE spender
Inquisition (3 HP) → Buffs crit and holy damage. Maintain it!
Avenging Wrath / Holy Avenger → Cooldown phase

Burst Phase:

Pop Holy Avenger and Avenging Wrath
Generate Holy Power rapidly
Drop back-to-back Templar’s Verdicts
Keep Inquisition up

Don’t just mindlessly spam. Watch procs like Art of War, use Divine Purpose effectively if talented, and time your CDs around boss mechanics.

MoP Classic Retribution Paladin Stat Priority

Stats in MoP shift as your gear improves. Early on, some stats are more impactful than others.

Stat Priority:

Hit Cap – 7.5%
Expertise Cap – 7.5%
Haste – Speeds up everything; core stat for smooth gameplay
Mastery – Adds Holy damage to key abilities
Strength – Directly boosts AP and scales with item level
Crit – Meh, low interaction in this expansion

TL;DR:

Cap Hit and Expertise, then stack Haste like crazy.

Gems, Enchants, and Consumables

Your gemming and enchanting choices should reflect your current gear and stat needs. At lower gear levels, prioritize Hit/Expertise until capped, then dive into Haste and Strength.

Recommended Gems:

Red: Bold Primordial Ruby (+160 Strength)
Yellow: Quick Sun's Radiance (+320 Haste)
Blue: Glinting Imperial Amethyst (Hit + Agility) until capped

Enchants:

Shoulders: Greater Tiger Claw Inscription
Back: Superior Strength
Chest: Glorious Stats
Gloves: Superior Mastery
Legs: Ironscale Leg Armor
Weapon: Dancing Steel

Consumables:

Flask: Flask of Winter's Bite
Food: Mogu Fish Stew (Strength)
Potion: Potion of Mogu Power (Strength burst)

Pre-Raid and Phase 1 BiS Gear

Early gearing is key to smooth DPS ramp-up. Your best bet is to target gear with Haste + Strength, with some Hit/Expertise to help reach caps without reforging too much.

Make sure you check updated Pre-Raid BiS and Phase 1 BiS lists from trusted community sources. Use Wowhead and in-game logs to compare setups and get inspiration from top players.

Professions for Retribution Paladin

Not all professions are created equal — especially for Ret.

Best PvE Professions:

Engineering – Synapse Springs + Nitro Boosts = unmatched utility and DPS
Tailoring – Swordguard Embroidery = high burst with proc
Blacksmithing – Extra gem sockets for Haste/Strength
Herbalism – Lifeblood gives a decent Haste cooldown

If you're chasing parses or prepping for Challenge Modes, Engineering is hands down the top pick. Don’t sleep on it.

You may also like MoP Classic Healer Tier List

Useful Macros and Addons

You’re not going to reach your full potential without some quality of life help.

Recommended Addons:

WeakAuras – Track Holy Power, procs, buffs
TellMeWhen – Cooldown tracking
Details – DPS breakdown
OmniCC – Cooldown timers on abilities

Useful Macros:

Burst Macro: Tie Avenging Wrath, Holy Avenger, and trinket together
Hand Macros: Cast Hands on mouseover targets
Focus Judgment: Keep pressure on focus in PvP

Retribution Paladin PvE Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

Reliable burst and consistent damage
Incredible group utility
Strong defensive cooldowns
Flexible builds and playstyles
Scales well with gear (especially Haste)

Weaknesses:

Not beginner friendly despite reputation
Weak cleave (2-3 targets)
Lower sustained DPS than pure DPS specs
Gear dependent early on
Easily silenced or interrupted in PvP

Races for Retribution Paladin in MoP Classic

While racials aren’t as game-breaking as they were in older expansions, there are still some winners.

Best Races:

Horde:

Tauren – Extra health and AoE stun
Blood Elf – Arcane Torrent for mana regen and silence

Alliance:

Human – Expertise bonus with swords/maces, Will to Survive
Draenei – Hit bonus and Gift of the Naaru

Pick what fits your aesthetic, but if you’re serious about min-maxing, Human (PvE) and Blood Elf (PvP) are top picks.

Making Gold as a Ret Paladin

Ret might not be your first thought for a farming class, but you'd be surprised. With strong burst and healing, you're great for:

Soloing rares
AoE grinding mobs
Running dungeons for raw gold or transmog

Looking to convert power into profits? Sites like MoPClassicGold can give you a head start. Or if you're looking for game currency the easy way, MoP Classic gold is also available at trusted trading platforms (just do your research!).

Final Thoughts from a Ret Paladin Main

Look, I’ve played Ret since TBC. I’ve seen every buff, nerf, and rework. MoP Classic might be one of the most balanced and fun versions of Retribution we’ve had in years.

You’ve got burst, tools, freedom to customize builds, and a smooth learning curve — once you master the basics. Retribution Paladin is the perfect mix of power and utility, and when played right, you’re not just contributing — you’re dominating.

So spec in, grab your weapon, and go show them what it means to be a Paladin.