New to Paladin? Start here
You choose Paladin on the character screen. Retribution is a damage-focused talent path you develop later, as you level.
SECTION 01
Log in & create a character
Log in to WoW Forever and choose your realm. If you are playing with friends, check which realm and faction they are joining. From the character screen, choose Create Character.
Next, choose a faction and race that can play Paladin. You will choose the class, customise your character and enter the world in the steps below.
SECTION 02
Choose your faction & race
Alliance: Human or Dwarf.
Horde: Undead.
Your faction helps determine where your journey starts and who you will play alongside. Choose it with your friends in mind. Your race adds its own abilities and appearance.
There is no need to chase a small damage advantage before you have played the class. Pick a character you want to spend time with, and read the racial descriptions on the creation screen.
Sources: Paladin race options
SECTION 03
Choose Paladin & enter the world
Select Paladin from the available classes. Customise the appearance, choose a name and create the character. Select your new Paladin on the character screen, then enter the world.
Before your first fight: open your spellbook with P, your bags with B and your quest log with L. These are the default bindings; check the Keybinds menu if yours are different.
Put your attacks and healing on keys you can reach comfortably. In Options → Interface, showing health and mana values makes it easier to see how much you have left.
Sources: Interface and keybinds
SECTION 04
Your first quests & abilities
Accept the nearby starter quests, read the objectives and begin with one enemy at a time. Loot what you defeat, return to complete your quests and check your trainer as you gain levels.
Early training milestones
Lv. 1
Seal of Righteousness
Adds Holy damage to your attacks.
Lv. 2
Holy Light
Your first healing spell.
Lv. 4
Judgement & Blessing of Might
An attack and an attack-power buff.
Lv. 6
Holy Strike
A direct melee attack.
Keep your seal active. Add the new attacks as you learn them, and heal before starting another fight if you need to. Watch your mana: a fight is only one part of the journey, and stopping to recover takes time too.
Sources: Ability training milestones
SECTION 05
Talents, gear & your first group
New abilities as you level:
• Level 8 — Hammer of Justice gives you a stun.
• Level 14 — Blessing of Wisdom helps your mana recovery.
• Level 20 — Consecration gives you an attack that damages enemies around you.
Talents: a Retribution route can start with Benediction to make your instant spells cheaper. Holy-first damage routes are also an option. The class guide explains the difference.
Equipment: look for weapon upgrades while questing. Compare weapon damage, speed and spell power, then check that you meet the equip requirement. Use the gear guide for places to look.
Professions: Mining supplies materials for Blacksmithing, which can make Paladin equipment. Choose professions you enjoy using alongside your quests.
Dungeons: tell the group you are joining as damage. Stay with the tank, watch your mana and help allies with the support spells you have learned.
Sources: Retribution progression · Other talent routes and professions
SECTION 06
What to do next
Once the first quests feel comfortable, use the Retribution class guide to learn your combat priorities and the gear guide to plan useful upgrades.
Sources:
Wowhead — early Paladin combat and equipment
Method — abilities, talents and professions
Mobalytics — Retribution levelling
This guide covers WoW Forever beta. Check your current in-game tooltips when an update changes an ability or talent.