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 (11.1).

Single Target

Ensure Consecration is active before engaging the enemy.

• Avenging Wrath
• Sacred WeaponView detailsIf Avenging Wrath is not active
• Moment Of Glory
• 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 detailsAt 3-5 Holy Power to avoid capping
• Divine TollView detailsIf you are not at 5 Holy Power
• Avengers ShieldView detailsIf Moment Of Glory is active
• 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 Shake The Heavens active
• Divine Toll
• Holy BulwarkView detailsIf you have 2 charges available
• Avengers Shield
• Holy BulwarkView detailsIf you have 1 charge available
• Hammer Of The Righteous / Blessed HammerView detailsIf Shake The Heavens is not active
• Hammer Of The Righteous / Blessed Hammer
• Arcane Torrent
• 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 duration

Start with Avenging Wrath, then use Sacred Weapon if needed. Follow with Moment Of Glory and Eye Of Tyr at low Holy Power. Maintain Consecration and use Shield Of The Righteous to manage Holy Power effectively.

AoE

Ensure Consecration is active before engaging multiple enemies.

• Avenging Wrath
• Sacred WeaponView detailsIf Avenging Wrath is not active
• Moment Of Glory
• 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 detailsAt 3-5 Holy Power to avoid capping
• Avengers ShieldView detailsTo gain Bulwark Of Righteous Fury stacks
• Hammer Of Wrath
• Judgment
• Divine TollView detailsWhen you have 0 Holy Power
• Hammer Of The Righteous / Blessed HammerView detailsIf Shake The Heavens is active
• Word Of GloryView detailsIf you have Shining Light and Shake The Heavens active
• Holy Bulwark
• 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 duration

For AoE, start with Avenging Wrath, then use Sacred Weapon if needed. Maintain Consecration and use Shield Of The Righteous to manage Holy Power effectively.

Cooldowns

• Guardian Of Ancient KingsView detailsUse before large damage phases.
• Ardent DefenderView detailsBest for critical moments to reduce damage.
• Avenging WrathView detailsIncreases damage and healing done.
• Lay On HandsView detailsEmergency heal for yourself or allies.
• Divine ShieldView detailsUse to avoid fatal mechanics.

Plan cooldowns around heavy damage phases. Use Guardian Of Ancient Kings and Ardent Defender for survivability, and Divine Shield to negate damage.