If you’re a WoW main paladin, I feel your pain (rhymes, apparently). Although World of Warcraft’s holiest class isn’t at the bottom of WoW Dragonflight’s tier list, it’s been unappreciated for a while. Luckily, Blizzard seems to have noticed, and a new set of datamined spells could help the class dominate the MMO once again.
When the WoW Dragonflight 10.0.7 PTR kicked off, we knew Ret Paladins was ripe for the buff, but it looks like there’s a whole host of potential new spells on the way as well.
It should be noted that when Wowhead data miners discovered the spells, they clarified that they are not currently tied to any talent trees, so they are subject to change. So while I say you should get excited, maybe not. Also excited.
There’s a whole collection of new spells, including Adjudication, which increases auto-attack damage by 10% and extends your range to three meters; Consecrated Blade, which synergizes with Blade of Judgment, gives a 33% chance to cast Consecration at a target location; and some new aura effects for existing spells.
The highlight, however, is Wings of Liberty. For all intents and purposes, it’s a carbon copy of Warrior’s Heroic Leap at this point, as Wowhead points out that the body text of the ability is exactly the same. It’s also the name of a new Demon Hunter ability with the same text and a Priest spell with a different text.
One of the Retribution builds has a Taunt reset, while the other specs don’t, but the second iteration of Retribution’s ability is completely different again. Confused? Me too.
WoW Paladin Wings of Liberty suggested abilities are listed below.
- Retribution Paladin Version 1: Leaps into the air towards a target location, striking with destructive force to deal (23.5% of attack power) physical damage to all enemies within eight yards and reset the time of cooldown remaining on Taunt.
- Retribution Paladin Version 2: Consecrates the ground below you, dealing ((5% of Attack power) * ceil12) Holy damage over 12 seconds to enemies who enter the area.
Consecrated ground and reducing their movement speed by 50% - Sacred Paladin and Protection – Leaps into the air to a target location and strikes with destructive force to deal (23.5% of attack power) physical damage to all enemies within 8 yards.
It’s no secret that Paladins have fallen into the tanky and DPS tier charts entering Dragonflight, eclipsed by the various warrior classes due to their tanky defensive stats, high damage, and most importantly, their mobility. Wings of Liberty seems like the perfect way to match paladins more closely to warriors on the high keys, but will the spell actually come to live servers? We’ll have to wait and see, but Blizzard, maybe the next buff priests? Not because he’s a shadow priest or anything like that; I just think they look very nice.
If you haven’t yet delved into the mysterious world of Dragonflight, be sure to check out our WoW Dragonflight. review, as well as our WoW Dragonflight professions roundup. However, if you’d rather explore other fantasy worlds while waiting for Paladin’s perks, we’ve got a list of the best new MMOs you should be playing right now.