WotLK Classic Protection Paladin Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities (2024)

Last updated on Sep 24, 2023 at 12:00by Sellin7 comments

On this page, you will learn how to optimize the rotation of yourProtection Paladin Tank, in order to survive damage and build up threat whiledoing PvE content in WotLK Classic. We also have advanced sections aboutcooldowns, procs, etc. in order to maximize your survivability andDPS.

If you have not already, please read the Spell Summary page.Knowing how each spell and ability works in detail will greatly increase your understandingof the topics discussed on this page.

Protection Paladins are extremely powerful tanks but require you to be readyand know how to handle the various situations you will find yourself in as a tankin order to be able to maximize your threat and survivability. There is fairlylittle improvising as a Prot Paladin because of their main resource, Mana, beingquite limited at times, so it is crucial you have a plan going into each and everyfight.

This guide assumes you are using the talent build that can be found atTalents page and are playing a max levelcharacter. If you are looking for leveling based help please refer to Leveling pagefor a leveling-specific rotation.

Protection Paladins are known to have very strong AoE/multitarget threat, whenproperly utilizing all of your tools Prot Paladin is one of the best tanks forholding threat on 4+ targets. In Wrath of the Lich King gearing is much more straightforwardand you will not have to sacrifice survivability for threat in most cases.

Similar to other Paladin specs, Protection largely follows anorder of priorities as opposed to a rotation. Following such order will lead toyour maximum possible single-target threat output.

1. Apply Seal of Vengeance to the target;
2. Apply Holy Shield before pulling;
3. Cast Exorcism and Avenger's Shield on pull if the boss fightdoes not start in melee:
   • DO NOT cast Exorcism if you risk being melee attacked duringits cast;
   • Use Avenger's Shield only for snap threat if you are not able to castExorcism without being hit during its cast;
   • Hand of Reckoning can also be used for a bit of additional damage asit will cause a small amount of damage if you are not actively holding threat onthe target;
4. Hammer of the Righteous;
5. Judgement of Wisdom;
6. Consecration;
7. Holy Shield.

Similar to single-target as a Protection Paladin, you will beusing a list of priorities when AoEing as opposed to a rotation. The AoErotation is extremely similar except with an emphasis on gettingConsecration down.

1. Apply Seal of Command;
2. Cast Exorcism and Avenger's Shield on pull if the boss fightdoes not start in melee:
   • DO NOT cast Exorcism if you risk being melee attacked duringits cast;
   • Use Avenger's Shield only for snap threat if you are not able to castExorcism without being hit during its cast;
   • Hand of Reckoning can also be used for a bit of additional damage asit will cause a small amount of damage if you are not actively holding threat onthe target;
4. Holy Wrath should only used when you are fighting an Undeador Demon mob type.
5. Hammer of the Righteous;
6. Consecration;
7. Judgement of Wisdom;
8. Shield of Righteousness;
9. Holy Shield.

Protection Paladin has one of the strongest personal DPS cooldowns in the gamein Avenging Wrath, but also some of the strongest group utility toolsthat can greatly help your group or possibly even avoid a wipe. In addition totheir amazing threat output and utility Protection Paladin also has one ofthe strongest personal defensive cooldowns in the game in Divine Protection.

• Hand of Freedom — Makes the target immune to roots and other movementimpairing effects for 10 seconds.
• Divine Protection — Reduces all incoming damage by 50% for12 seconds but causes Forbearance.
• Hand of Protection — A shield that causes your target to be immuneto all Physical attacks for 10 seconds, but they cannot attack during that time.This also procs a 1-minute debuff that makes you unable to cast your otherimmunities during that time.
• Divine Intervention — You sacrifice yourself to place a 2-minute shieldon a target, making them invulnerable, but unable to move or use abilities whileinside the shield. This is mainly used as a wipe recovery tool in raids to ensuresomeone will stay alive.
• Divine Sacrifice — A powerful raid cooldown that will redirecta percentage of the group's incoming damage to the Paladin. This effect will automaticallycancel if the Paladin goes below 20% health, but it can kill you.
• Divine Shield — A shield that causes you to be immune to allattacks and spells for 12 seconds and slows your attack speed drastically while the shield is active.This also procs a 1-minute debuff that makes you unable to cast your other immunities during that time.
• Lay on Hands — Instantly heals your target for a massive amount and givesthem some Mana, but drains all of your Mana.
• Hand of Sacrifice — A 30-second buff that transfers some of the damagetaken by the target to you while active.
• Avenging Wrath — A 20-second buff that increases the damagedealt by the Paladin by 30% for 20 seconds. This also procs a 1-minute debuff that makes youunable to cast you other immunities during that time.