Updated Nov 11, 2026
Retribution Paladin
PvE guide, updated for Patch 12.1.5
DPS Rotation & Cooldowns
How to play Retribution Paladin in each rotation style: the full rotation SimulationCraft sims play by default, and the game’s Assisted Highlight and One Button rotations beside it.
Rotation style comparison
How Retribution Paladin’s DPS compares when using the game’s assisted modes instead of the full rotation, based on Single Target simulations.
- Full rotationBaseline
- Assisted Highlight-22.9%
- One Button-32.0%
The full rotation is the one SimulationCraft’s sims play by default. Its priority list is SimC’s own for the spec, read here for one build and one kind of fight.
Rotation
Beta15 abilitiesBeta. This view is new. Some specs’ steps still read as long chains of conditions, and we’re working on making them simpler to follow.
- 1RebukeWhen ready
- 2Racial abilityWhen ready
- 3Execution Sentence
- 4Avenging Wrath
- 5Hammer of Light
- 6Divine Storm
- 7Templar's VerdictWhen ready
- 8Wake of Ashes
- 9Divine Toll
- 10Blade of JusticeWhen ready
- 11Hammer of WrathWhen ready
- 12JudgmentWhen ready
- 13Templar StrikeWhen ready
- 14Templar SlashWhen ready
- 15Crusader StrikeWhen ready
Every step also needs the ability off cooldown and affordable. Range checks are left out. A blank Targets cell means any number of targets.
Cooldowns
When each cooldown was used across the sample fight, so you can see how often each comes back and which ones line up.
Sample opener
One simulated fight from the start, played by this list on the profile in the Gear section with the guide’s Single target build, whichever build the list above is read for. Procs and timing change the order from fight to fight, so use it to get a feel for the start rather than as a script.
Time
Ability
New
Gone
Up
Pull
The full priority list
simc@de11f57Everything above is read from this SimulationCraft list, including the steps the page hides (the potion and on-use items) and the branches your build and fight leave out.
paladin_retribution.simc, 54 lines
# This default action priority list is automatically created based on your character. # It is a attempt to provide you with a action list that is both simple and practicable, # while resulting in a meaningful and good simulation. It may not result in the absolutely highest possible dps. # Feel free to edit, adapt and improve it to your own needs. # SimulationCraft is always looking for updates and improvements to the default action lists. # Executed before combat begins. Accepts non-harmful actions only. # Snapshot raid buffed stats before combat begins and pre-potting is done. actions.precombat=snapshot_stats actions.precombat+=/variable,name=trinket_1_buffs,value=trinket.1.has_buff.strength|trinket.1.has_buff.mastery|trinket.1.has_buff.versatility|trinket.1.has_buff.haste|trinket.1.has_buff.crit actions.precombat+=/variable,name=trinket_2_buffs,value=trinket.2.has_buff.strength|trinket.2.has_buff.mastery|trinket.2.has_buff.versatility|trinket.2.has_buff.haste|trinket.2.has_buff.crit actions.precombat+=/variable,name=trinket_1_sync,op=setif,value=1,value_else=0.5,condition=variable.trinket_1_buffs&(trinket.1.cooldown.duration%%cooldown.avenging_wrath.duration=0|cooldown.avenging_wrath.duration%%trinket.1.cooldown.duration=0) actions.precombat+=/variable,name=trinket_2_sync,op=setif,value=1,value_else=0.5,condition=variable.trinket_2_buffs&(trinket.2.cooldown.duration%%cooldown.avenging_wrath.duration=0|cooldown.avenging_wrath.duration%%trinket.2.cooldown.duration=0) actions.precombat+=/variable,name=trinket_priority,op=setif,value=2,value_else=1,condition=!variable.trinket_1_buffs&variable.trinket_2_buffs|variable.trinket_2_buffs&((trinket.2.cooldown.duration%trinket.2.proc.any_dps.duration)*(1.5+trinket.2.has_buff.strength)*(variable.trinket_2_sync))>((trinket.1.cooldown.duration%trinket.1.proc.any_dps.duration)*(1.5+trinket.1.has_buff.strength)*(variable.trinket_1_sync)) actions.precombat+=/use_item,name=algethar_puzzle_box,if=(trinket.1.is.algethar_puzzle_box|trinket.2.is.algethar_puzzle_box) actions.precombat+=/variable,name=pre_es_wake,op=reset,default=0 # Executed every time the actor is available. actions=auto_attack actions+=/rebuke actions+=/call_action_list,name=cooldowns actions+=/call_action_list,name=generators actions.cooldowns=use_item,name=algethar_puzzle_box,if=(cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains=0&!talent.radiant_glory|(!talent.execution_sentence&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0|cooldown.execution_sentence.remains=0)&talent.radiant_glory) actions.cooldowns+=/potion,if=buff.avenging_wrath.up|fight_remains<30|talent.radiant_glory&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0&(!talent.holy_flames|dot.expurgation.ticking) actions.cooldowns+=/use_item,slot=trinket1,if=((buff.avenging_wrath.up&cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>40)&!talent.radiant_glory|talent.radiant_glory&(!talent.execution_sentence&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0|debuff.execution_sentence_debuff.up))&(!trinket.2.has_cooldown|trinket.2.cooldown.remains|variable.trinket_priority=1)|trinket.1.proc.any_dps.duration>=fight_remains actions.cooldowns+=/use_item,slot=trinket2,if=((buff.avenging_wrath.up&cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>40)&!talent.radiant_glory|talent.radiant_glory&(!talent.execution_sentence&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0|debuff.execution_sentence_debuff.up))&(!trinket.1.has_cooldown|trinket.1.cooldown.remains|variable.trinket_priority=2)|trinket.2.proc.any_dps.duration>=fight_remains actions.cooldowns+=/use_item,slot=trinket1,if=!variable.trinket_1_buffs&(trinket.2.cooldown.remains|!variable.trinket_2_buffs|!buff.avenging_wrath.up&cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>20) actions.cooldowns+=/use_item,slot=trinket2,if=!variable.trinket_2_buffs&(trinket.1.cooldown.remains|!variable.trinket_1_buffs|!buff.avenging_wrath.up&cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>20) actions.cooldowns+=/invoke_external_buff,name=power_infusion,if=buff.avenging_wrath.up|talent.radiant_glory&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0&(!talent.holy_flames|dot.expurgation.ticking) actions.cooldowns+=/lights_judgment,if=!raid_event.adds.exists|raid_event.adds.in>75|raid_event.adds.up actions.cooldowns+=/fireblood,if=buff.avenging_wrath.up|talent.radiant_glory&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0&(!talent.holy_flames|dot.expurgation.ticking) actions.cooldowns+=/execution_sentence,if=(cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>15|talent.radiant_glory)&(target.time_to_die>10)&(cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains<gcd|variable.pre_es_wake=1)&(!talent.holy_flames|dot.expurgation.ticking)&(!talent.crusade|buff.avenging_wrath.stack>=7|variable.pre_es_wake=0) actions.cooldowns+=/avenging_wrath,if=(!raid_event.adds.up|target.time_to_die>10)&(!talent.holy_flames|dot.expurgation.ticking)&(!equipped.algethar_puzzle_box|trinket.1.is.algethar_puzzle_box&trinket.1.cooldown.remains>5|trinket.2.is.algethar_puzzle_box&trinket.2.cooldown.remains>5) actions.finishers=variable,name=ds_castable,value=(active_enemies>=2|buff.divine_arbiter_verdict.up)&!buff.empyrean_legacy.up&!buff.divine_arbiter_divine_storm.up actions.finishers+=/hammer_of_light,if=!buff.hammer_of_light_free.up|buff.hammer_of_light_free.up&(buff.undisputed_ruling.remains<gcd*1.5&(talent.radiant_glory|cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>4)|buff.avenging_wrath.up&(buff.avenging_wrath.remains<gcd*2|cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains=0)|buff.hammer_of_light_free.remains<gcd*2|target.time_to_die<gcd*2) actions.finishers+=/divine_storm,if=variable.ds_castable actions.finishers+=/templars_verdict actions.generators=call_action_list,name=finishers,if=holy_power=5&cooldown.wake_of_ashes.remains|buff.hammer_of_light_free.remains<gcd*2 actions.generators+=/wake_of_ashes,if=(cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>6|talent.radiant_glory)&(!talent.execution_sentence|cooldown.execution_sentence.remains>4|target.time_to_die<10|variable.pre_es_wake=1)&(!raid_event.adds.exists|raid_event.adds.in>10|raid_event.adds.up) actions.generators+=/divine_toll,if=(!raid_event.adds.exists|raid_event.adds.in>10|raid_event.adds.up)&(cooldown.avenging_wrath.remains>15|talent.radiant_glory|fight_remains<8) actions.generators+=/blade_of_justice,if=(buff.art_of_war.stack=2|buff.righteous_cause.stack=2)&(!talent.walk_into_light|!buff.avenging_wrath.up) actions.generators+=/hammer_of_wrath,if=talent.walk_into_light&cooldown.hammer_of_wrath.charges=2 actions.generators+=/call_action_list,name=finishers actions.generators+=/hammer_of_wrath,if=talent.walk_into_light actions.generators+=/blade_of_justice actions.generators+=/hammer_of_wrath actions.generators+=/judgment actions.generators+=/templar_strike actions.generators+=/templar_slash actions.generators+=/crusader_strike actions.generators+=/arcane_torrent
Is this rotation built for your talents?
The rotation follows your talent build. Sim your highest-DPS build on your own gear, for the mode and rotation style you play.