Leveling as a Protection Paladin

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I’d like to interrupt our regularly scheduled "Best Leveling Spots" programming for a Paladin Leveling Guide special:

Leveling as a Protection Paladin

Now available in technicolor!

OK, I know a lot of people get sick of the whole "Grab a big 2 hander and make with the smashy smashy" thing. I get that. I personally think that ye who scorn the smashy need to get your gray matter checked out, but that’s as may be. What it comes down to is that I’ve seen a lot of people leveling their Paladins as Protection spec, and I know for a fact they’ve been getting some bad advice on the forums and in-game.

Since my goal is to reduce the level of Paladin suckitude by 1000% while simultaneously increasing the fun factor by a similar amount, I decided to lay bare what you will need, in terms of both gear and spec, to succeed while leveling as a Protection Paladin.

Gear

Make sure you have a blue-quality shield and weapon. Update them whenever you can, within reason. I personally would not start until I had Aegis of the Scarlet Commander and Hand of Righteousness as their awesomeness will carry you until the later talents kick in and really make you into a beast. Focus on Block Value, Strength, Stamina, and Defense in your gear. When you start pulling camps of 10 mobs that run out to get their friends, trust me, you’d rather drink after than run out of health.

Also, very important… GET A SHIELD SPIKE. The best one you can afford. Seriously, it makes a huge difference.

Talent Build and Strategy

In my estimation, this is the best Protection Paladin leveling build possible. I skipped the group talents, for the most part. Why? Because I’m assuming you’ll be grinding it out. Do yourself a favor and don’t touch the Protection tree until you hit level 40. The build revolves around Reckoning, Holy Shield, and Blessing of Sanctuary. Without all 3 of those, it’s pretty weak.

Keep Retribution Aura up, round up a camp of melee mobs (the faster they hit, the better) on your mount, drop a Consecration, Seal and Judge as needed, and pop Holy Shield. Now it’s just a matter of hoping all of the little numbers don’t crash your computer. Since you’ll be dodging, blocking, and parrying like crazy, Blessing of Sanctuary should keep your mana pretty decent. Between Retribution Aura, Consecration, Holy Shield, and your shield spike you’ve got crazy reflective damage. Keep Seal of Light and Judgment of Light up and you’re good to go!

And we’ll be back to the whole "Best Leveling Spots" deal with the next installment of my Paladin Leveling Guide. Happy tanking!

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