Retribution Paladin Phase 3 BiS
Retribution gearing is highly sensitive to hit, expertise, weapon damage and maintaining strong set bonuses.
Phase 3 Gear List
This list focuses on the strongest practical T6-era setup. Keep set bonuses, hit/expertise caps and your actual raid composition in mind before replacing a strong Phase 2 item.
| Slot | Item | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Cursed Vision of Sargeras | Illidan — BT |
| Neck | Pendant of the Perilous | SSC — Trash |
| Shoulder | Shoulderpads of the Stranger | Hydross — SSC |
| Back | Cloak of Darkness | Leatherworking |
| Chest | Midnight Chestguard | Archimonde — Hyjal |
| Wrist | Bindings of Lightning Reflexes | Leatherworking |
| Hands | Gloves of the Searing Grip | Al'ar — TK |
| Waist | Belt of One-Hundred Deaths | Lady Vashj — SSC |
| Legs | Bow-Stitched Leggings | Azgalor — Hyjal |
| Feet | Shadowmaster's Boots | Mother Shahraz — BT |
| Ring 1 | Shapeshifter's Signet | Lower City — Exalted |
| Ring 2 | Unstoppable Aggressor's Ring | Gurtogg — BT |
| Trinket 1 | Dragonspine Trophy | Gruul |
| Trinket 2 | Bloodlust Brooch | Badge of Justice |
| Weapon | Torch of the Damned | Reliquary of Souls — BT |
| Off-hand | Libram of Avengement | Blood Furnace Heroic |
Retribution Paladin Stats & Caps
Use these priorities to evaluate alternatives instead of treating the BiS table as a list of mandatory replacements.
- 1Hit to cap
- 2Expertise
- 3Strength
- 4Crit
- 5Haste
Know the cap before you swap gear
Melee specials need 9% hit against raid bosses. Precision supplies 3% melee hit, leaving 6% from gear before Heroic Presence. Expertise remains valuable for reducing dodges when attacking from behind.
Best Gems & Enchants
These are strong Phase 3 defaults. Socket bonuses and cap requirements can make a hybrid gem better than a pure throughput gem.
Phase 3 Gearing Alternatives
Black Temple and Hyjal loot is contested. A strong gearing plan needs more than one path.
Weapon damage matters most
A weapon upgrade can outweigh several small armor upgrades for Arms, Fury and Retribution.
Respect expertise and hit
Do not swap out a cap-fixing piece unless the new combination keeps your attacks reliable.
Set bonuses still matter
Evaluate the complete gear set, not one item in isolation.
Gearing priorities
Retribution gearing is highly sensitive to hit, expertise, weapon damage and maintaining strong set bonuses.
Phase 3 is centered on Black Temple and Hyjal Summit, but several Phase 2, crafted and reputation pieces remain competitive. The source column makes it easy to plan upgrades boss by boss.