In this article, we explain what the best statistics are for Retribution 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 Retribution Paladin guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

1. Basics↑top

The stat priority for Retribution Paladins is:

1. Strength;
2. Hit Rating (until 8% chance to hit);
3. Expertise Rating (until 26);
4. Mastery Rating;
5. Critical Strike Rating;
6. Haste 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 Priority

Strength is your most important stat, which provides the most benefit; you should look for this stat in all of your upgrades, as point for point it surpasses any other stat. It provides you with Attack Power.

Hit Rating and Expertise Rating, until their respective caps, are your next best stats. They ensure that your attacks will always land and that you will not waste any resources.

Mastery Rating causes three of your important abilities to deal extra damage, as Holy damage. Mastery Rating is your best secondary statistic, after you have reached the Hit and Expertise caps.

Critical Strike Rating increases your chance to critically hit with all spells and abilities.

Haste Rating will increase your attack speed and lower the cooldown of Crusader Strike and Divine Storm (thanks to your Sanctity of Battle talent), but it is not very valuable to you.

2.2. Hit Cap and Expertise Cap

As with most other melee classes, you will want to reach the Hit and Expertise caps. They are:

• 8% chance to hit
  • 841 Hit Rating for Draenei;
  • 961 Hit Rating for other races;
• 26 expertise.

The value of extra Hit Rating and Expertise Rating after reaching the caps is zero. As such, any excess ratings present on your gear have a very low priority and should be reforged out of. This is most likely to be the case with Expertise Rating, due to Glyph of Seal of Truth.