DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Retribution 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

Start with generating Holy Power before cooldowns.

• Blade Of JusticeView detailsTo apply Expurgation.
• JudgmentView detailsGenerate Holy Power.
• Divine TollView detailsGenerate Holy Power.
• Execution Sentence
• Avenging Wrath
• CrusadeView detailsIf >= 3 Holy Power.
• Final ReckoningView detailsIf >= 3 Holy Power and Wake Of Ashes is on cooldown.
• Hammer Of Light
• Divine StormView detailsIf Final Verdict is not active.
• Final VerdictView detailsIf 5 Holy Power.
• Wake Of Ashes
• Divine TollView detailsIf 3 or less Holy Power.
• Hammer Of WrathView detailsIf target < 35% health.
• Templar StrikesView detailsIf it will expire within a GCD.
• JudgmentView detailsIf 3 or less Holy Power.
• Blade Of JusticeView detailsIf Expurgation is not active.
• Crusader StrikeView detailsIf 2 charges off cooldown.

Generate Holy Power with Blade Of Justice and Judgment, then spend it on Execution Sentence and Final Verdict. Use cooldowns like Avenging Wrath and Crusade to maximize damage.

AoE

Switch to AoE rotation at 2+ targets.

• Avenging Wrath
• CrusadeView detailsIf >= 3 Holy Power.
• Execution Sentence
• Final ReckoningView detailsIf >= 3 Holy Power and Wake Of Ashes is on cooldown.
• Hammer Of Light
• Divine Hammer
• Final VerdictView detailsIf 5 Holy Power and Divine Arbiter is active.
• Divine StormView detailsIf 5 Holy Power.
• Wake Of Ashes
• Divine TollView detailsIf 1 or less Holy Power.
• Blade Of JusticeView detailsIf 3 or less Holy Power.
• Crusader StrikeView detailsIf 2 charges off cooldown.

In AoE, prioritize Avenging Wrath and Crusade for burst, followed by Execution Sentence and Final Reckoning. Use Divine Storm for AoE damage.

Cooldowns

• Avenging WrathView detailsUse for increased damage.
• CrusadeView detailsUse when you have >= 3 Holy Power.
• Final ReckoningView detailsUse when you have >= 3 Holy Power.
• Divine TollView detailsUse to generate Holy Power.
• Execution SentenceView detailsUse as a primary spender.

Utilize Avenging Wrath and Crusade during burst phases, and Final Reckoning for additional damage. Use Divine Toll to generate Holy Power.