Best In Slot Pre-Raid
Best in Slot Phase 1
Retribution Paladins get some love headed intoClassic Wrath of the Lich King. The spec was able to do respectable DPS throughoutThe Burning Crusadeand now features the capabilities to continue to dish out damage. It may not be at the top of ourDPS tier list forWrath 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 intoWrath 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 tosim your DPS.
Weapon
Libram
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’re able to find a group to go back and farm them.
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.
Honestly not worth it
Arcanum of Torment
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.
40Emblem of Heroism
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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.
Best alternative
Spaulders of the Abomination
Greater Inscription of the Axe
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.
80Emblem of Heroism
Enchant Chest - Powerful Stats
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.
Hyperspeed Accelerators
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.
Icescale Leg Armor
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.
8500 gold fromHarold Winston
Jewelcrafting craft - Bind on Equip
Enchant Ring - Assault
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
Blacksmithing craft - Bind on Equip
Not worth it
20Badge of Justice
Phase one sees the introduction of the first wave of raids in Wrath of the Lich King, they are:Naxxramas, Obsidian Sanctum, andEye of Eternity
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.
Best but contested
Multiple Naxxramas 10 bosses
King Ymiron - Heroic Utgarde Pinnacle
Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Shoulders Phase 1 WotLK
Tier is the play here. Get it and don’t look back.
Absolute best
Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Back Phase 1 WotLK
The top two options are pretty close. Hammerhead is much easier to obtain than Drape.
25Emblem of Valor
Flexweave Underlay
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.
Chestguard of the Recluse
Malygos - Eye of Eternity 25
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.
Gothik the Harvester - Naxxramas 25
Noth the Plaguebringer - Naxxramas 25
Enchant Bracers - Greater Assault
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
Heigan the Unclean - Naxxramas 25
Belt of the Tortured
Delicate Scarlet Ruby Delicate Scarlet Ruby
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.
Leggings of the Honored
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.
40Emblem of Valor
Nitro Boosts
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.
Maylgos - Eye of Eternity 10
Several Naxxramas 25 bosses
Retribution Paladin Best In Slot Trinkets Phase 1 WotLK
Unknown, needs testing
Arena Season 1 - 1930 rating
