Summary
Among the classes ofWorld of Warcraft, the Paladin has been both a divisive and popular choice for players across the game’s two decades. Naturally gifted with the power to call on the Holy Light to heal wounds, protect themselves and their allies from harm, and smite their foes with fierce retribution, the stalwart Paladins ofWorld of Warcraftare known for their skill in battle and their unwavering devotion to the Light that empowers them.
Though the Paladin was one of the firstclasses inWorld of Warcraft, it was once exclusive to Alliance players. Over several years and expansions, the ranks of the Paladin grew across both the Alliance and the Horde, but the light-swinging class still retained its roots in cities such as Stormwind and Ironforge. The Paladin’s unwavering conviction in the face of danger, coupled with their flexibility in their specializations, is further tempered by the rules that both Paladins andWoWplayers in general should abide by.
Embrace The Flexibility And Utility Of The Paladin
With each specialization granting the Paladin the ability to play each role in any dungeon or raid, the Paladin is among the most versatile classes inWorld of Warcraft, in bothDragonflightand all Classic modes such as Season of Discovery. Though it is often hindered by the “hybrid tax” that can hinder the raw damage output that Paladins can output, especially those that chose the Retribution damage specialization, the Paladin also has plenty of cooldowns and spells that can turn the tide of a battle. This extended further intothe specializations and the talent treesthat Paladins have across all game modes.
Historically, Paladins have had access to fewer weapons than other melee-focused classes but can wear plate armor and access a variety of swords, maces, hammers, and otherweapons that require the right skill and proficiencyto wield. However, some of the game’s most iconic weapons, such as Shadowmourne and Fyr’alath the Dreamrender, have been utilized by Paladins to augment their damage even further. While the aforementioned Legendary weapons are only obtainable at the end of their respective expansions, the sheer power they hold makes them among the best weapons a damage-focused Paladin can wield.
On the Classic side of things, the Paladin can also discover runes that can grant them spells and abilities from expansions that came long after the Classic Era. Some of theserunes and engravings grant spells that have become Paladin staples, such as Crusader Strike, Avenger’s Shield, and Beacon of Light. With the second phase of Season of Discovery now underway inWorld of Warcraft Classic, Paladins should go and seek out these runes.
The War Within Will Only Give Paladins More Opportunities
In the upcoming expansionThe War Within, the Paladin will have access to three Hero Talent trees, called the Lightsmith, the Templar, and the Herald of the Sun. While the Lightsmith has been confirmed to be available for Holy and Protection Paladins, it remains to be seen how the other two Hero Talent trees will pan out for Retribution Paladins in particular. Players who have the chance to enter the alpha or beta tests forThe War Withinare encouraged to give feedback and help shape how the Paladin could turn out inThe Worldsoul Saga.
Show Off The Brightest Mounts, Weapons, And Armor
It is no secret that the Alliance has held Paladins in high regard ever since the first Order of the Silver Hand came into being during the Second War against the Horde. With many ofWorld of Warcraft’s top paladins having ties to the Alliance, it was not until The Burning Crusade and subsequent expansions that the Horde began to explore the ways of the Light for their own sake. At the time of writing,five Alliance races and three Horde racescan take up the mantle of the Paladin, and each has its unique flavor of how the Paladin appears to them.
Some of the common overlapping themes include the color gold and a variety of weapons that are considered either sacred to some cultures or were forged by beings with ties to the Titans. Some of these relics include the shield called Truthguard and the fabled sword known as the Ashbringer. This varied taste in weapons and armor alsoextends to theirWoWmounts, as each Paladin race has a unique ground-based mount that they can summon. Humans and Blood Elves can summon their armored horses, whereas the Tauren and Draenei can summon their Light-based Kodos and Elekks to trample their foes.
In short,World of Warcraftplayers who want to fully get in the mood of playing as a Paladin should have the fashion sense to match. With over 20 years of tier sets and weapon appearances to choose from, the combinations thatWoWplayers can make are as varied as the Paladin itself.
The New Earthen Race Could Give Paladins More Ways to Show Off
A new race will soon be able to put their faith in the Light and both factions. Starting with The War Within expansion, the Earthen will be the game’s first Allied Race that can join either the Alliance or the Horde. Though the Earthen can only be certain classes, one of them is the Paladin. Given the heritage that the various dwarven clans have with the Earthen, it stands to reason why one of the first Titan-made races of Azeroth would be able to wield the Light. Only time will tellhow the Earthen will fareas Paladins compared to the other races.
Be Kind and Helpful to Other Players, Like A True Paladin
Due to how the Light responds to conviction and believing in a just cause, not all Paladins of Azeroth are considered “good” or “lawful” at all, with the Scarlet Crusade being the most overzealous of the lot. ThoughsomeWorld of Warcraftnovelsexplore the Scarlet Crusade and its zealotry further, this level of extremism should not extend to how Paladins conduct themselves in-game. Although some Paladins, such as the infamous Arthas Menethil, have long since fallen from grace, they traditionally practice kindness and patience with others.
By emulating the compassionate side of the class fantasy, Paladins can be useful mentors and guardians to newer players and be a shining example to follow, if not surpass. Though role-playing as a Paladin inWorld of Warcraftallows for some flexibility in terms of alignment, that should not stop players from making newcomers feelthatWoWis worth playingeven 20 years after its release.
Do The “Bubble Hearth” Trick At Least Once
While there’s a lot tolook forward to inWorld of Warcraftin 2024, sometimes the amount of things to do can seem overwhelming or tense. In times like that, Paladins can cut loose and have a little fun with their foes. By using their Hearthstone while under the effect of Divine Shield, which grants the caster invulnerability for a few seconds, Paladins can go back to their home point without suffering many consequences. This trick is known as the “Bubble Hearth” and can be used to get out of unwinnable battles while also frustrating enemy players.
Over the years, some abilities such as the Warrior’s Shattering Throw and the Priest’s Mass Dispel have rendered the Bubble Hearth trickier to pull off in PVP, but it can still be done with the right opportunity. Even ifWorld of Warcraftplayers call the Bubble Hearth a cowardly move that goes against the notion of being a Paladin, sometimes a tactical retreat is a necessary measure that players must take to survive.
World of Warcraft
WHERE TO PLAY
World of Warcraft is an incredibly successful MMORPG that has been going strong for almost two decades. It’s one of the highest-grossing franchises in history and is widely considered the most popular MMORPG ever made.
