The shining heroes of Azeroth call upon the forces of light to heal allies and banish evil.
Although the Holy Paladin has lost some ground as a healer with Shadowlands, you can still rely on its solid healing spells. If you’d rather play as a tank instead, go with the Protection Paladin. The Retribution Paladin, on the other hand, focuses on damage.
The most important changes
You now have the Dispel Evil, Hammer of Wrath, Shield of the Righteous, and Sense the Undead abilities. The system of permanent auras is back. One aura can be active per paladin.
The following auras are available: Aura of the Crusader (level 21, increases riding speed by 20%), Aura of Devotion (level 28, damage taken reduced by 3%), Aura of Retribution (level 38, you receive Wrathful Retribution when a nearby ally dies), and Aura of Concentration (level 52, shorter interrupt and silence effects).
You now use Holy Power as a resource. Holy Shock, Flame of Faith, Hammer of Wrath, Crusader’s Strike, Lend Confidence, and Beacon of Virtue each generate one Holy Power. Light of Dawn, Word of Glory, Shield of the Righteous, and Seraphim each consume three Holy Power.
Aura Mastery has been reworked to boost your current aura for eight seconds. Flame of Faith now heals 50% instead of 40% of healing on another ally. Light Infusion now reduces the cost of Flash of Light by 30% and increases the healing of Holy Light by 30%.
At level 25, you have a new talent, Saved by Light. When your target’s health from Flame of Faith drops below 30%, a portion of the next damage is absorbed. The level 40 talent Seraphim temporarily increases speed, critical strike chance, versatility, and mastery when used with three Holy Power. At level 50, Shimmer of Light is a new addition. Holy Shock temporarily leaves a glow of light on targets. When you use Holy Shock, targets receive damage or healing from Shimmer of Light.
To play the Holy Paladin
Set the following attribute priority with the Holy Paladin:
- Intelligence
- Speed
- Mastery
- Critical Hit Rating
- Versatility
| Stage | Talent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Crusader’s Might | Crusader Strike reduces the cooldown of Holy Shock by 1.5 seconds. |
| 25 | Saved by the Light | When the health of an ally covered by your Flame of Faith drops below 30%, they absorb the next 4,695 damage. You cannot protect the same person twice in this way within one minute. |
| 30 | Blinding Light | Emits blinding light in all directions, blinding enemies within ten meters and causing them to wander around disoriented for six seconds. Damage other than Holy damage interrupts the disorientation effect. |
| 35 | Unbreakable Spirit | Reduces the cooldown of your God Shield, Divine Protection, and Lay on of Hands spells by 30%. |
| 40 | Divine Purpose | Your Holy Power consuming abilities have a 15% chance to make your next use of a Holy Power consuming ability free and increase their damage done and healing caused by 20%. |
| 45 | Sanctified Wrath | Angry Retribution lasts 25% longer and reduces the cooldown of Holy Shock by 50%. |
| 50 | Glimmer of the Light | Holy Shock leaves a glow of light on the target for 30 seconds. When you use Holy Shock, all targets covered by Shimmer of Light take 188 damage or are healed for 493 health. You can cast Shimmer of Light on up to eight targets. |
Be careful not to waste Holy Power. So use up some of your Holy Power no later than five stacks of it with powerful heals like Light of Dawn and Word of Glory. Always put your Flame of Faith on an ally.
Always use Holy Shock on that ally when it is available. When Light Infusion is active, use Light Bolt. Cast Holy Light for low and moderate damage, and switch to Flash of Light when the damage is more severe.
Always be mindful of your mana. You have the Cooldown abilities Lay on of Hands, Blessing of Sacrifice, Aura Mastery, Blessing of Protection, and Blessing of Freedom to assist you.
