In this article, we explain what the best statistics are for Protection Paladins (WoW 4.3), how the class benefits from each of them, and what your reforging strategy should be. We also detail what the various caps are and why they should be attained. The statistics priority is important as it influences reforging strategies as well as itemisation choices (gear, enchants, and gems).

Make sure to check our Gear Optimisation Guide, which serves as a support guide for this article. The other articles of our Protection Paladin guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

1. Basics↑top

The statistic priority for a Protection Paladin is:

1. Stamina (until you have about 10,000);
2. Mastery Rating (until the 102.4% avoidance cap);
3. Dodge Rating and Parry Rating OR Stamina;
4. Expertise Rating;
5. Hit Rating.

If you are unsure what the optimal reforging strategy is for this priority, please refer to the reforging section of our Gear Optimisation Guide.

2. Getting a Better Understanding↑top

2.1. Statistics Explanations

You should have enough Stamina to allow you to survive any unavoidable and unmitigatable attacks (mostly magic attacks). Before any raid buffs or consumables, 10,000 Stamina is sufficient for this, in most cases. Normally, you will have the needed amount just by having gear that is appropriate for the content you are progressing on, as well as the Stamina enchants (which have no other viable alternative).

Additionally, Stamina provides you with a small threat increase, as the amount of attack power that you gain from Vengeance is capped at 10% of your health.

Mastery Rating is your best statistic, after reaching the minimum amount of Stamina. Thanks to Divine Bulwark, Mastery Rating increases your chance to block attacks, resulting in a smoother damage intake. You will want to do everything possible in order to maximise your Mastery Rating, until you reach the 102.4% avoidance cap (covered in more detail below). After this point, any additional Mastery Rating has no value.

Dodge Rating and Parry Rating are equally viable and should be kept at very similar values. If you have less of one than you have of the other, then you should aim at balancing them. Note that, even if you have reached the "avoidance cap", increasing your Dodge and Parry Ratings will increase your survivability. This is because blocked attacks (from your Mastery) only partially reduce damage, whereas dodged or parried attacks avoid the damage entirely.

Expertise Rating and Hit Rating are threat statistics. They are your lowest priority (you should have no problems keeping aggro without them).

2.1.1. Avoidance Versus Stamina

Although we recommend prioritising Dodge and Parry Rating after reaching the 102.4% avoidance cap, it is possible and viable to simply stack Stamina after this point.

2.2. The 102.4% Avoidance Cap

The "avoidance cap", "combat table coverage cap", or simply the state of "being unhittable" is reached when your combined chance to parry, dodge, block or be missed by an attack is great enough that no attacks will reach you unmitigated. The combined chance that you need to reach is 102.4%.

As a Protection Paladin, this cap is easily reachable by prioritising Mastery Rating in your gearing. Reaching the cap is extremely beneficial to your tanking, and it is the greatest survivability boost that you can obtain.

Once you have reached the desired cap, any additional Mastery Rating will not provide you with any benefits whatsoever. Therefore, the value of the statistic drops to zero.