In this guide we’ll be covering Retribution stat priorities, and best in slot pre-raid gear before Uldir opens.
Stat Priority
All else being equal, this is how Ret Paladins value secondary stats:
Strength > Haste > Critical Strike = Versatility > Mastery
Keep in mind that all of Retribution’s secondary stats are extremely close in value. Increasing your item level in a slot is almost always an upgrade regardless of the item’s stats.
Haste Breakpoints and Caps
There are no meaningful haste breakpoints in Battle for Azeroth. You just stack as much haste as you can get your mitts on.
Best in Slot BfA Pre-Raid Gear
Slot |
Item Name |
Drop Location |
Stats |
| Head | Sea-Brawler’s Greathelm | Freehold | Azerite Gear |
| Neck | Heart of Azeroth | Quest | Azerite Gear |
| Shoulders | Pauldrons of the Great Unifier | Kings’ Rest | Azerite Gear |
| Back | Cloak of Questionable Intent | The MOTHERLODE!! | Haste / Critical Strike |
| Chest | Harpooner’s Plate Cuirass | Siege of Boralus | Azerite Gear |
| Wrists | Embalmer’s Steadying Bracers | Kings’ Rest | Critical Strike / Haste |
| Hands | Gauntlets of Total Subservience | Shrine of the Storm | Haste / Versatility |
| Waist | Sharkbait Harness Girdle | Freehold | Haste / Versatility |
| Legs | Legplates of Profane Sacrifice | The Underrot | Haste / Critical Strike |
| Feet | Sabatons of Rampaging Elements | The MOTHERLODE!! | Critical Strike / Haste |
| Finger 1 | Seal of Questionable Loyalties | Freehold | Haste / Critical Strike |
| Finger 2 | Band of the Ancient Dredger | Siege of Boralus | Critical Strike / Haste |
| Main Hand | Geti’ikku, Cut of Death | Kings’ Rest | Proc |
Attentive readers will notice that this equipment list is the same as the pre-raid sample profile in SimulationCraft. Several members of the Hammer of Wrath community independently simulated pre-raid gear for Ret, and all arrived at nearly identical conclusions. The profiles in SimC are the result of
Other Gear Worth Considering
You’d have to get very lucky to get all of the pieces on our best in slot list before Uldir opens up. Thankfully, there are a lot of reputation pieces available at a high item level, so you aren’t going to have to raid in the nude even if you’re unlucky.
- Helm of the Azerothian Champion – Champions of Azeroth Exalted
- Gonk Adherents Vambraces / Boarding Action Vambraces – Zandalari Empire / Proudmoore Admiralty Exalted
- Gauntlets of the Scorched Sands / Tidecrest Gauntlets – Voldunai / Storm’s Wake Exalted
- Shellbuckle Girdle – Tortollan Seekers Exalted
- Lustful Warbringer’s Legplates / Elite Footman’s Legplates – The Honorbound / 7th Legion Exalted
If you happen to be a Blacksmith, Stormsteel Legguards are also available to you using only pre-raid materials.
Update Info
Guide Last Updated: August 13, 2018
Simulationcraft Version: SimulationCraft 801-01