Tank Rotation & Cooldowns

This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Protection Paladin, along with additional details on important cooldowns at the bottom. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.0.5).

Single Target

Ensure Consecration is active before the encounter begins.

• Avenging Wrath
• Eye Of TyrView detailsIf you have 0-2 Holy Power
• Hammer Of LightView detailsIf you have any Blessing Of Dawn stacks
• Bastion Of Light
• ConsecrationView detailsIf you are not standing in it
• Shield Of The RighteousView detailsWhen at 3-5 Holy Power to prevent overcapping.
• Hammer Of Wrath
• Judgment
• Hammer Of The Righteous / Blessed HammerView detailsIf Shake The Heavens is active
• Word Of GloryView detailsIf you have Shining Light and are below 50% health
• Shield Of The RighteousView detailsIf everything else is on cooldown to refresh the duration

Start with Avenging Wrath, then use Eye Of Tyr if low on Holy Power. Follow up with Hammer Of Light and Bastion Of Light. Maintain Consecration and use Shield Of The Righteous to manage Holy Power.

AoE

Ensure Consecration is active before engaging multiple enemies.

• Avenging Wrath
• Eye Of TyrView detailsIf you have 0-2 Holy Power
• Hammer Of LightView detailsIf you have any Blessing Of Dawn stacks
• Bastion Of Light
• ConsecrationView detailsIf you are not standing in it
• Shield Of The RighteousView detailsWhen at 3-5 Holy Power to prevent overcapping.
• Avengers ShieldView detailsTo gain Bulwark Of Righteous Fury stacks
• Hammer Of Wrath
• Judgment
• Hammer Of The Righteous / Blessed HammerView detailsIf Shake The Heavens is active
• Word Of GloryView detailsIf you have Shining Light and are below 50% health
• Divine TollView detailsWhen you have 0 Holy Power
• Hammer Of The Righteous / Blessed HammerView detailsIf Shake The Heavens is not active
• Word Of GloryView detailsIf you have a charge of Shining Light and are below 50% health
• ConsecrationView detailsIf everything else is on cooldown to refresh the duration

For AoE, start with Avenging Wrath, then use Eye Of Tyr if low on Holy Power. Follow with Hammer Of Light and Bastion Of Light. Maintain Consecration and use Shield Of The Righteous to manage Holy Power.

Cooldowns

Plan cooldowns for high damage phases.

• Guardian Of Ancient KingsView detailsUse before large damage periods.
• Ardent DefenderView detailsBest for bypassing deadly mechanics.
• Avenging WrathView detailsIncreases damage and healing done.
• Lay On HandsView detailsUse as an emergency heal.
• Divine ShieldView detailsUse to avoid fatal mechanics.

Utilize Guardian Of Ancient Kings for damage reduction, Ardent Defender for critical moments, and Avenging Wrath for increased output. Save Lay On Hands for emergencies and Divine Shield to negate damage.