DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

A general priority guide for Retribution Paladin abilities and cooldowns. Helpful for understanding the spec's fundamentals and getting comfortable with core synergies. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: Midnight (12.0.1).

Single Target

Ensure you have 5 Holy Power before starting.

• Avenging WrathView detailsUse on cooldown for a damage boost.
• Execution SentenceView detailsUse to maximize damage within its window.
• Hammer Of LightView detailsUse when available.
• Final VerdictView detailsUse with 5 Holy Power.
• Wake Of AshesView detailsUse to generate Holy Power.
• Divine TollView detailsUse on cooldown.
• Blade Of JusticeView detailsUse with Art Of War proc.
• Hammer Of WrathView detailsUse when available.
• JudgmentView detailsUse to apply debuff.
• Templar Strike / Templar SlashView detailsUse as filler.

Start with Avenging Wrath and Execution Sentence for burst. Use Final Verdict with 5 Holy Power and Wake Of Ashes to generate more. Fill with Blade Of Justice, Hammer Of Wrath, and Judgment as needed.

AoE

Switch to AoE priority with 2+ targets.

• Avenging WrathView detailsUse on cooldown for AoE burst.
• Execution SentenceView detailsUse to funnel AoE damage.
• Hammer Of LightView detailsUse when available.
• Divine StormView detailsUse with 5 Holy Power.
• Wake Of AshesView detailsUse to generate Holy Power.
• Divine TollView detailsUse on cooldown.
• Blade Of JusticeView detailsUse with Art Of War proc.
• Hammer Of WrathView detailsUse when available.
• JudgmentView detailsUse to apply debuff.
• Templar Strike / Templar SlashView detailsUse as filler.

For AoE, prioritize Divine Storm with 5 Holy Power and Wake Of Ashes for generation. Use Avenging Wrath and Execution Sentence for burst, and fill with Blade Of Justice and Judgment.

Cooldowns

• Execution SentenceView detailsFit as much damage as possible within its window.
• Avenging WrathView detailsUse before other cooldowns for maximum effect.
• Radiant GloryView detailsAutomatically applies Avenging Wrath with Wake Of Ashes.
• Hammer Of LightView detailsUse after Wake Of Ashes or when free proc occurs.

Use Execution Sentence to maximize burst windows, and Avenging Wrath before other cooldowns. Align Radiant Glory and Hammer Of Light with key abilities for optimal damage.

New to Class? Try Assisted Rotation

Patch 11.1.7 introduced new features that make it eaiser to pick and play new characters. These new settings can be enabled from settings » gameplay enhancements:

• Single-Button Assistant
• Assisted Highlight
• Cooldown Manager

If you are new to World of Warcraft or a certain class, enabling Assisted Highlight and Cooldown Manager can help you learn which abilities to prioritize and use.

While the Single-Button Assistant can be a much easier and more accessible way to play the game, it does come with a slight performance hit due to a small GCD penalty, as you will have to wait 25% longer in between spells and abilities.

To see which specs are best with the Single-Button Assistant feature, you can check out our DPS Rankings which uses SimC to sim every class using this feature.