The latest beta changes in Build 9138 have been a kick in the balls to the Paladin class. Not only did it affected Retribution paladins, Holy and Protection paladins would also feel the nerf due to the reduction on seal damage.

The mood around paladin forums have been of anger and disappointment, being brought to cloud 9 before being thrown back to the ground.

However, Ghostcrawler has looked to be more interactive and open to ideas of the paladin community. I look at this as an opportunity to offer our input, hopefully this paladin class can still be saved.

I am appealing for all paladin players, especially beta testers, to submit any posts, articles and media on Paladin mechanics. Theorycrafts, WoWWebStats reports, videos and forum discussions that touch on the state of the Paladin class are needed. Of course these posts must be of intelligent discussion preferably backed by evidence such as WWS or videos, we need to bring valid data and arguments to Blizzard.

If Blizzard states our mana is fine, we need to present data that says otherwise.
If Blizzard states our DPS cycle is fine, we need to present media, articles, beta test posts that shows mana hinder our DPS.
If Blizzard states our DPS is comparable with other classes, we need to present WWS reports, beta test articles to prove them wrong.

If there are no such posts, then I concur we’re “working as intended”. But are we?

The submitted information will be posted on US forums for Ghostcrawler to see. We need to present a intelligent case to the Devs, not just whining posts smeared with vulgarities.

Just simply leave a comment under this post and submit the link of your theorycraft, WWS report, forum discussion post, videos etc. Of course do write some of your thoughts along with your link.

Patch 3.0 is coming and it brings great changes to the Paladin class. While the patch notes details all the changes, the wall of text might be overwhelming for one to read. New seal system, Judgement is now divided into three spells, etc. This is getting confusing…

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone made a video on it?

Thus Invisusira, a prot paladin made a video explaining the 3.0 changes in his/her beta account. Many thanks to Invisusira, watch his/her other videos too.

When 2.3 patch notes announced the absence of threat reduction, paladins all over Azeroth rioted on the forums. Blizzard responded by asking for Retribution data on the test realms to consider the issue. And Behold! Eyonix has announced Threat Reduction for Retribution paladins!

Click here for the Post by Eyonix

Embedded in Fanaticism, Retribution paladins will receive up to 30% threat reduction. Great news for all paladins out there as we move closer to raid viability.

After weeks of speculation and rumors, official patch 2.3 notes are out and IT HAS BEEN A DAMN DISAPPOINTMENT. Once again Blizzard has screwed us and the issue of threat reduction remains unsolved.

• Blessing of Light: Lower ranks of Flash of Light and Holy Light are now properly penalized when used with this Blessing.

• Cleanse and Purify range increased to 40 yards.

• Crusader Strike (Retribution) cooldown reduced from 10 to 6 seconds.

• Exorcism mana cost reduced.

• Hammer of Wrath mana cost reduced.

• Holy Wrath mana cost reduced.

• Improved Seal of the Crusader (Retribution) benefits folded into the base spell. This talent now gives the benefits of the Sanctified Crusader talent instead.

• Judgement of Light: The combat log will now show the mana gained from rank 5 of this ability as Judgement of Light instead of Seal of Light.

• Pursuit of Justice (Retribution) is now 3 ranks and increases movement speed by 5/10/15% and also reduces the chance you’ll be hit by spells by 1/2/3%.

• Sanctified Crusader (Retribution) renamed Sanctified Seals, which now increases your chance to critically hit with all spells and melee attacks by 1/2/3% and reduces the chance your Seals will be dispelled by 33/66/100%.

• Vengeance (Retribution) duration increased from 15 to 30 seconds.

• Vindication (Retribution) frequency and duration increased and now reduces all attributes by 5/10/15%, not just Strength and Agility.

• Weapon Expertise (Protection) renamed Combat Expertise, now increases expertise by 1/2/3/4/5 and total Stamina by 2/4/6/8/10%.

The following was apparently taken from a EU Forums Blue post which was soon deleted,

• The Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6 and all Gladiator Sets have had their Spell Damage removed and the points have been reinvested in other stats, such as Strength and Critical Strike Rating.
• Exorcism mana cost reduced.
• Holy Wrath mana cost reduced.
• Hammer of Wrath mana cost reduced.
• Pursuit of Justice (Retribution) is now 3 ranks and increases movement speed by 5/10/15% and also reduces the chance you’ll be hit by spells by 1/2/3%.
• The benefits of Improved Seal of the Crusader (Retribution) have now been implemented in the base spell. This talent now gives the benefits of the Sanctified Crusader talent instead.
• Sanctified Crusader (Retribution) is renamed to Sanctified Seals, and now increases your chance to critically hit with all spells and melee attacks by 1/2/3% and reduces the chance your Seals will be dispelled by 33/66/100%.
• Two-Handed Weapon Specialization (Retribution) now also reduces threat caused while wielding a Two-Handed Weapon by 8/16/25%.
• Vengeance (Retribution) duration increased from 15 to 30 seconds and now increases Healing done as well.
• Seal of Command (Retribution) now does 85% Weapon Damage, but is no longer affected by Spell damage.
• Judgement of Command (Retribution) now does holy damage equal to 25% of your Attack Power and 50% when the target is stunned or disoriented and is no longer affected by Spell Damage.
• Crusader Strike (Retribution) cooldown reduced from 10 to 6 seconds and does 110% weapon damage instead of weapon damage plus 40% of your Holy Spell damage.
• Vindication (Retribution) frequency and duration increased and now reduces all attributes by 5/10/15%.

Threat reduction issue is resolved here with Two-Handed Weapon Specialization. A little raid utility with Vengeance increasing Healing done. Raid viability is definitely improved here.

Note that this is just a rumor and not confirmed, so keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, I’m going to get me some Retribution gear.

Since patch 2.2 went live, tons of information about patch 2.3 have been added in the forums by blues. Patch 2.3 is going to be BIG, arena season 3, new 10-man raid Zul’ Aman, engineering flying mounts and of course, class changes will be implemented. To see known changes for patch 2.3, click here.

Now let’s take a look at Paladin changes,

• Exorcism’s mana cost has been lowered.
• Holy Wrath’s mana cost has been lowered.
• Hammer of Wrath’s mana cost has been lowered.
• Vengeance has been increased to 30 seconds.
• Improved Seal of the Crusader effect added to base abilitiy.
• Improved Seal of the Crusader now gives the effects of Sanctified Crusader.
• New Talent - Sanctified Seals: Increases your chance to critically hit with all spells and melee by 1/2/3%, and reduces the chance your Seals can be dispelled by 33/66/100%.
• Crusader Strike cooldown is being reduced to 6 seconds

UPDATE

• Pursuit of Justice (Retribution) is now 3 ranks and increases movement speed by 5/10/15% and also reduces the chance you’ll be hit by spells by 1/2/3%.
• Vindication (Retribution) frequency and duration increased and now reduces all attributes by 5/10/15%, not just Strength and Agility.

Somehow this is as much information that can be mined, little compared to other class changes. Overall it looks good but it still does not solve the problems Retribution Paladins are facing. Paladins all over the forums are crying for Thread Reduction, which is a major issue, as well as Raid Utility. For PvP though, the improved Vindication looks more threatening, can’t say the same for Pursuit of Justice. More is needed to be done to push the Paladin to the frontline of the raid.

Hopefully upcoming updates on patch 2.3 we will see better changes to make the Retribution paladin a viable raider.

On a sidenote, hope to see changes to other talent tree such as Protection, or new itemizations.