Paladin : Do you want to level one?
(4 votes)
Hello there, and thanks for looking at my first guide! I hope this will help you learn something about whether or not you want to be a part of the Paladin community - or at the least entertain you!
The first thing that you will notice about this guide is that it's basic. I have absolutely *no* idea what I'm doing with regards formatting here - hopefully people will give me hints, tips and so on but for the time being... wall of text!
Anyway, I have decided to write this because I want to contribute to the WoWPro community, and Paladins by and large are the only class I know how to level properly. (Apart from Hunters, but who needs information about those 
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Right, so you've created a Paladin.
Oh wait...
You're stuck on the character creation screen!!! This happens to all of us, all the time. Which race to choose, I hear you say! Well, here's a quick review of them all and their pros and cons for me. I will also consider how good the racials are, with regards the Paladin class.
Horde Races
Ok, so you've gone Horde. You have one option - Blood Elf. A pretty cool race for me, a good choice if you like what is almost a Human look, but on the Horde side.
Arcane Torrent
"Silences all enemies in an 8 yard radius around the Blood Elf for 2 seconds.
Classes with mana bars (Mages, Hunters, Priests, and Warlocks) will regain 6% of their total mana."
This is a viable trait for a Paladin. The silence is useable in both PvE and PvP - more so in PvP but still extremely useful in a PvE situation (Kurzen's Compound, anyone?)
The mana regain is also very good - it could very well mean the difference between life and death!
Alliance Races
Ahh, trusty Alliance. My choice here - but only because all of my friends play it. I'd much rather be Horde to be honest! The characters are so much more badass! Anyway, I digress...
So you have chosen the noble Draenei, a good choice. A tall race, a bit octopus - looking but still...
Quite simply a fantastic racial. It is a 1.5 second cast heal over time (HOT) which heals you for a total of 7+(3x your level). Don't worry too much about this - just know that it heals for a lot, quickly! (15 seconds to be exact). I hear what you're saying - "But I'm a Paladin, I can already heal!"
Remember - you have no HOT's - and it doesn't cost mana. This is important for a Paladin (again, cover mana issues later!)
This is a really useful racial. It adds a 1% hit, which effects both spells and melee - when you get to higher levels, fighting raid bosses and so on this is a very useful percentage.
Dwarf, one of my favourite races. They just look amazing, have a look at this Dwarf Paladin in Tier 5 Armor.
Anyway, here are their racials (or the useful ones at least!)
Stoneform
Stoneform is a pretty cool racial. As in, arguably the best PvP racial in the game!!!
It increases your armor, making you get hit for less. It also removes all poisons, diseases, and bleeding - and then makes you immune to them for the next 8 seconds! Cast this and just /lol at that Rogue! Then pound his face in.
This is handy - in the Dwarven starter area you will be using a mace of some sort, and likely to use them in the future. Don't overlook this. This will remove some of those annoying "miss...dodge...miss...parry...miss" rotations I have noticed a lot with Paladins.
Last but not least, the noble Humans!
The Human is an aesthetically pleasing Race. They look - how to phrase this - normal! This isn't for everyone, but if you don't enjoy a short character, one with Octupus tentacles on his face or an Elf, this race is for you - and it's racials, some believe, are among the best in the game.
Pretty simple here. Diplomacy is a racial effect which increases the reputaion gained by 10%. Of course, you're going to be following guides from this website - all of which are the best there are
You will be doing a lot of questing, and as I'm sure you know all quests (or most!) offer Reputation as well as material rewards. This goes towards being able to buy mounts, armor, weapons and other great items - and as such is important later on. Some people even take to grinding certain enemies for days on end for pure reputaion! So, basically - an amazing racial. Useful!
Perception
A pretty handy PvP trait here, allowing you to see stealthed targets easier. It works out at about 1 level.
Every Man for Himself
A very useful PvP trait - but also for the occassional PvE encounter. This allows you to break free of any movement impairing effects - it is essentially a trinket in disguise. It sadly shares a cooldown with one, but this still remains a great trinket slot - freeing spell.
Do I really have to explain this one? Your expertise with all Swords and Maces is increased by 3. You hit more often. Enough said!!! As a Paladin this definately helps, as I mentioned earlier.
Again, I'll mention how awesome I think Dwarf Paladins look - and this is the only reason you should pick a race. Don't pick one based purely on racial abilities - if you're a hardcore raider you aren't going to be reading this guide anyway! If you're going to look at the behind of a series of pixels for 80 levels, ensure you like the look at least 
So you've made it this far, and you've created a Paladin.
OOPS, my bad...
You're stuck at the naming process!!!
This, of course, should only be a problem if you play on an RP- Role Play - server (homage here to my old server, the Sha'tar, and my favorite Guild the Stonefoot Clan. Good luck guys!)
Of course, there are many name generators you could choose, but originality feels best. Try and think of a name that suits your playing style - are you a good Paladin, or have you rejected the light? What are your reasons, as a character, for playing? What's your back story - are you from a wealthy family, or are you a 'rags to riches' type? The possibilities are endless!!
Welcome to World of Warcraft! Head on over to Irwezsh's fantastic Paladin Guide to learn everyrthing about leveling up your new class! What's that? You don't know what you're doing? Well, lucky you. You're part of a great community here, and as such you have all the help you could ever need! Here are links to the old guides, viewable on the net, for you old fasioned types -
Alliance Leveling guides, 1-80
Horde Leveling Guides, 1-80
And for you who like to be 'up and modern' - and I would strongly advise you use this - the in game leveling guides. These are amazing - they tell you where to go, what to do, how to do it and where to go back to turn everything in. What more could you possibly want?!
Alliance and Horde In-Game Leveling Guides, 1-80 (Some guides are as of yet incomplete.)
Finally, I'd like to give unrequited thanks to Jame and Snowflake, the two people who have helped me arduously level my Horde and Alliance characters through tough times. (Fantastic alliteration, I think you'll agree 
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Too funny
"This is handy - in the Dwarven starter area you will be using a mace of some sort, and likely to use them in the future. Don't overlook this. This will remove some of those annoying "miss...dodge...miss...parry...miss" rotations I have noticed a lot with Paladins."
I thought it was just me. I'd always assumed that Blizzard didn't want me to play a Paladin so they gave me a hidden -50 hit rating and -50 expertise whenever I rolled one. I can't tell you how often I stun a mob, then judge my Seal of Command on him (for the automatic crit) and get... "Miss". How do you miss a stunned mob?!?! Ah well, still a very fun class to play, imo.
Honored Member
Haha yes, I know what you
Haha yes, I know what you mean - I thought it may well have been just me as well
I remember even having a heated ...err... discussion with a friend about it haha!
It doesn't happen a lot when you think about it, but when it does you know about it!
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Race
Hi i was wondering if you could help me choose between a Dranei pally and a human pally? And Wat Talent tree d'you think i should go with [obviously depending on your choice of race] Sorry but i couldn't decide, i thout dranei probably have better mana, but i think the human mace and sword specialisation wuld help alot. Thanks alot!
Trusted Member
For race, I'd go with human.
For race, I'd go with human. Their weapon specializations are good for paladins, and their increased stealth detection and the spell Every man for himself are both good for PvP, not to mention the increase in reputation gain from Diplomacy.
As far as talent trees go, it's really up to what style of play you prefer. I recommend trying all three out, although not all are viable for questing, especially at low levels (although with dual specs coming out soon, this might not matter if they decide not to make them require you to be level 80). Retribution is the DPS spec, and the best for questing (it's also the fastest for leveling). Protection is for tanking, and is great if you prefer to AoE mobs. Holy is the healing spec, and while it's not very efficient for questing, you will be extremely welcome in instances, what with the healer shortage.
P.S
I also noticed that the author spelled "rotations" wrong. Look for "rortations".
Honored Member
I'd just like to add that
I'd just like to add that if you think Draenei look better go with them, you will find this far more important in the long run - and their leveling area from 1-20 absolutely annihalates that of the Humans.
And thanks for the spelling mistake notification
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Trusted Member
Thanks and Awesome Guide!
Thanks for the link.
I throw folks a link in my guide to this. (Making some changes at the moment.)
I would love to see similar guides to this for all the classes.
Honored Member
I'm already working on it!
I'm already working on it! Hunter one will be finished within the hour or so I think!
You're welcome for the link - after all, your guide follows on well, and thanks for your link!
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Revered Member
Hey! I checked this guide
Hey!
I checked this guide out a few days ago, WOW HAS IT CHANGED! I really love the new formatting, I think I'll sit and read it now
Excellent guide, Harper
Edit : It looks a bit odd seeing the attachments at the bottom of the guide, you can take them off by clicking edit, going to attachments, and unchecking them from the list. They don't go away, so don't worry.
Honored Member
Ahh thanks, they were a bit
Ahh thanks, they were a bit annoying
And thankyou very much, everyone, for the positive feedback! Do you think it would be worth doing this for all classes - making almost a series, or would this clutter up too much space??
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Moderator
I think it's worth it, the
I think it's worth it, the guides are fun even for experienced players who are thinking of a new class
Member
80 Pally Here - adding some comments.
As an 80 MainTankadin I must say both Prot and Ret are fantastically easy to level with. I'd stick with Ret up until you get Blessing of Sanctuary, up until that point Ret is the clear winner in terms of easy of use, mana efficiency etc.
After that point though its simply a matter of personal opinion, I chose to go Prot and haven;t ever looked back. If you do, I recommend the following...
Seal of Wisdom, Judgement of Light (get the Glyph of the Wise), and keep BoSanc up like your life depends on it.
Cycle in other attack spells when you get them, and only use consecrate when pulling more than one mob.
I've soloed every single Elite quest in the game, with the exception of Ring of Blood/Circle of Anguish and the one in Conquest Hold. I routinely go and take over Alliance Settlements because the guards can't touch me.
Prot is a wonderful thing!
Great guide tho, extremely well written with JUST the right mix of basics and advanced information that the player can make an informed decision that will help him/her NOW and down the road.
Two thumbs WAY up!
____
Warlock spells are actually powered by love!
Everytime I cast Shadowbolt there's a little bit less Love in the universe
-Kez
(Armory me - Tessian on Blood Furnace)
Revered Member
I'm amazed.
This is very good written, well formatted but absolutely fantastic to read! Big congratulations to you, Harper! The only thing I feel it's missing is some advice on the char's name. I know, you have told to search for some generators -- I'd like instead some personal opinions about that TERRIBLE choice. And yes, Dwarves rule!
Honored Member
Thankyou very much,
Thankyou very much, appreciated
Yeah, I think it would be nice to add in a small not to prevent (hopefully) names like Smashisteve appearing on RP servers
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Honored Member
By the way, I am eventually
By the way, I am eventually going to add a section covering the Paladin class essentials - as in, why you would really choose one in the first place. It's coming!
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Nice start. Maybe add what
Nice start. Maybe add what buttons to click for which levels (I know its only a couple of buttons until 50+ but its nice info). Maybe want to make sure people level as ret
If its their first time with a pally then its handy info.
Post 30-40 pallys are like stupid easy to level so nice choice of starter guide tbh
Tag.
Moderator
First off, I think Prot is
First off, I think Prot is also a viable leveling spec and may even be better for first time players because it's more survivable.
Second, he did direct them to an excellent Pally leveling guide, I'm glad he gave it some love!
Third, this is an interesting idea for a guide. I would almost more suggest rolling this all into one guide about each class and why you might chose one or the other, but this is still nice and it will show up in the pally section for those browsing.
Honored Member
I'm not sure I agree about
I'm not sure I agree about prot being easier but hey - that's what makes World of Warcraft the game it is! Perhaps I'll consider the options in another guide some time in the future
And yes, I'm going to eventually do this for every class. Hunter, Warlock, Priest are the ones I'm strongest on - so they'll be next, followed by the others. I'm confident I could make a great series of guides for new players but it will mean 10 times the amount seen in here, so they will be a while I think!!!
Thanks for the input, everything helps. Keep it coming!
"Wise is the man who knows he does not know"...
...Or who knows why my mother keeps calling me.
Honored Member
Yeah I know what you mean -
Yeah I know what you mean - but I didn't want to step on Irwezsh's toes. He's already got a great Paladin Guide available, and I didn't want to repeat anything from his Guide. As I said at some point in the beginning, this is almost like a prequel to his guide - and others, who rarely cover this side of the game. I plan to do this for other classes in the coming month or so
-Harper