The following compares the current state of Feral Druids to Retribution Paladins using the latest SimulationCraft data for end-game PvE in World of Warcraft The War Within patch 11.0.2.
Comparison
Category
Winner
Retribution Paladin
+2.25%
When simulating boss fight encounters, Retribution Paladins averaged 2.25% more DPS than Feral Druids (+30K DPS).
Retribution Paladin
+12.47%
When simulating AoE DPS, Retribution Paladins averaged 12.47% more DPS than Feral Druids (+126K DPS).
Retribution Paladin
+13.49%
Retribution Paladins have higher spike damage potential, achieving +839.7K more DPS than Feral Druids.
Spike damage is the peak DPS achieved in any given moment and is not sustained DPS.
Feral Druid
+1.07%
When upgrading the gear for both specs by +44 ilvl, Feral Druid DPS improved the most, +1.07% more than Retribution Paladin. In total, Feral Druids DPS increased by 66.8% and Retribution Paladins by 65.73%.
Retribution Paladin
+2.25%
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 3.18% for Retribution Paladins.
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 5.43% for Feral Druids.
When introducing occasional movement and real-world latency, Retribution Paladins performed better, as Feral Druids suffered a +2.25% DPS loss.
Feral Druid
When evaluating abilities used during boss encounters, Feral Druids had fewer damaging abilities in total, indicating a potentially less complex rotation.
The comparisons above highlight some of the key differences between Feral Druid and Retribution Paladin in the current meta, which can hopefully help you determine which spec to play or group up with.
Retribution Paladin
Feral Druid