Paladin – Ret: Gearlist (Level 80)

Introduction

In the context of this thread, “Best in Slot” means the best items assuming you had access to all 25 man items. Note the point of these lists is not that you only should only equip these items; you should use any upgrade even if it is not listed here. There are many different gear variations that are marginally less dps.
The first two lists are based on all Heroic Mode items and whether you are allowed to use only Plate (Strength based but you can use agility items from quests and vendors) Items or All Items and then the final list uses Normal Mode items only. For people interested in how these lists were determined, the bottom of this post lists the FAQ and the settings that were used in Rawr 2.3.19. Post in this thread or use a private message for further questions and explanations.

Heroic Plate Priority List

Heroic All Items Priority List

Normal Plate Priority Items List

For an All Items Normal List, use the Heroic list downgrading to the item level 264 version and 264 Bloodfall.

Ruby Sanctum Patch 3.3.5 Plate Priority BiS

Neck: [Ahn’kahar Onyx Neckguard] =>[Penumbra Pendant]
Boots: [Blood-Soaked Saronite Stompers] => [Apocalypse’s Advance]
Wrist (Alliance): [Taiga Bindings] => [Bracers of the Heir]
Trinket: [Death’s Choice]=> [Sharpened Twilight Scale]

Ruby Sanctum Patch 3.3.5 All Item BiS

Wrist: [Polar Bear Claw Bracers] => [Umbrage Armbands]
Ring: [Band of the Bone Colossus] => [Signet of Twilight]
Trinket: [Death’s Choice]=> [Sharpened Twilight Scale]
Boots: [Frostbitten Fur Boots] => [Apocalypse’s Advance]
Neck: [Sindragosa’s Cruel Claw] => [Penumbra Pendant]

Ruby Sanctum Patch 3.3.5 Normal Mode Plate Priority BiS

Neck: [Ahn’kahar Onyx Neckguard] =>[Penumbra Pendant]
Boots: [Blood-Soaked Saronite Stompers] => [Apocalypse’s Advance]

Frequently Asked Questions

When I load your Rawr file, I get a different result. Why is that happening?
Check all settings to ensure they match the ones listed here such as the delay/wait setting are set to 0.2 seconds. It may also help to download the particular list’s zip file so you get the exact gems/enchants I used. Rawr’s modeling of TAJ and Shadowmourne do not need to be tweaked. If you have Shadowmourne, use this mod FreeMe.zip for more dps.

What is the general trinket ranking?
Tiny Abomination in a Jar(Heroic)>Tiny Abomination in a Jar>Sharpened Twilight Scale (heroic)>Death’s Choice (heroic)>Whispering Fanged Skull (heroic)>Death’s Choice>Sharpened Twilight Scale>Whispering Fanged Skull>Herkuml War Token>Deathbringer’s Will(heroic)>Deathbringer’s Will>DMC:Greatness (Strength)>Needle-Encrusted Scorpion>Banner of Victory

What is the general weapon ranking? This compares all weapons and uses the lists above (so hit/expertise is wasted)
Shadowmourne – > Oathbinder, Charge of the Ranger-General – > Glorenzelg, High-Blade of the Silver Hand – > Bloodfall – > Bryntroll, the Bone Arbiter – > Warmace of Menethil – > Cryptmaker – > Oathbinder, Charge of the Ranger-General – > Glorenzelg, High-Blade of the Silver Hand – > Shadow’s Edge – > Wrathful Gladiator’s Claymore – > Oxheart – > Ramaladni’s Blade of Culling – > Bloodfall –> Hersir’s Greatspear – > Bryntroll, the Bone Arbitert

When do I swap from 2T9 to 4T10?
Using the BiS list with two 258 pieces of T9 (Helm and Gloves), generally it is a dps gain to swap to using the four piece with at one 264 T10 (with the other three 251) in those slots. Using two 245 T9 (Helm and Gloves), it is a dps gain to swap to T10 using four 251 pieces.

How does the ICC raid damage buff affect paladin damage (referred to as Strength of Wrynn for the Alliance and Hellscream’s Warsong for the Horde)?
If affects all damage you deal by 5% to 30% depending on the current buff in ICC (25% in July). It works just like Sanctified Retribution. Rawr has an option to add the various levels of this buff.

What is the best libram?
Libram of the Three Truths is better than Libram of Valiance on a single target if attacking more than 45 seconds and Three Truths is always better for AoE. However due to badge costs combined with a small upgrade, you should not pick it up until you have your 4 piece Tier set first.

Where are the Alliance Lists utilizing the 1% Hit Aura?
If you normally have Heroic Presence, swap out Polar Bear Claw Bracers for [Taiga Bindings] or another bracer without hit rating. Alternatively, you could swap out the neck slot to one without hit rating (such as [Collar of Haughty Disdain]). Note that you may not see any dps increase swapping out your hit items even past the cap (if you do not have a similar item level replacement).

Should I use leather gear since in 4.0 it will be weaker than plate gear?
If you are able to get the good leather, I would go ahead and use it. It is a good idea to pickup strength-based items to help your leveling slightly.

What is happening to ArP in 4.0?
Armor Penetration is changing to Haste or Crit, depending if the item had Crit, then it gets Haste, otherwise you get Crit.

Will I be able to keep my ICC items at level 85?
As you are leveling in Cataclysm you likely will want some of the new Mastery items. It may be the most powerful stat (until a certain point) in 4.0. Other than the Mastery items, your gear with enchants and gems likely means you should keep it until level 83-84.

Assumptions used in Rawr

Professions: Blacksmith/Jewelcrafting (Engineering is slightly higher dps than either of these most of the time, but Rawr does not model it correctly resulting in lower dps in Rawr so it is ignored).
Glyphs: Judgement, Seal of Vengeance, and Consecration
Enchants
Head: [Arcanum of Torment] Shoulders: [Greater Inscription of the Axe]
Chest: +10 stats Back: +22 Agility Wrist: +50 AP Gloves: +44 AP
Legs: [Icescale Leg Armor] Boots: Icewalker or Greater Assault depending on the hit rating of the set.
Weapon Enchant: [Formula: Enchant Weapon – Berserking]
Gems
Normally use [Bold Cardinal Ruby], one [Nightmare Tear], and [Inscribed Ametrine] in yellow sockets that activate a 4 strength bonus (check Rawr for other bonuses to see if it is worth it).
Buffs
These lists use all buffs except for Focus Magic and Heroic Presence; for consumables use Flask of Endless Rage and +40 Strength Food.
Options used:
Fight Length – 60 minutes Mob Type – Undead Seal: Vengeance Target Level: 83
Below 20% time – 18% Stacked Trinket Reset: 1 Target: 1 Time in front of the mob: 0
Consecrate Effectiveness: 100% Bloodlust is checked Target Switches/HoR effectiveness: 0
Priority List:
Use the FCFS priority of Judgement>Crusader Strike>Divine Storm>Hammer of Wrath>Consecration>Exorcism>Holy Wrath (if a valid target). Use the mod clcret to help you follow this priority.
Addressing server/human lag:
Delay and Wait are set to 0.2 seconds to simulate in-game lag and keypress lag (SnowfallKeyPress and G15/Autohotkey will help with these delays).