The Light and How to Swing It: The Retribution solution
by Zach Yonzon 
May 21st 2009 at 4:00PM
Despite the statement that there'll be fewer changes to classes in the foreseeable future, Ghostcrawler did say "there will be some (changes)" in addition to "tweak(ing) numbers up and down as needed". So don't despair, Fury Warriors, you'll be swinging those two-handers once again in glory one of these days. I'm also dead certain that Paladin tweaks aren't quite done. For one thing, we know that Crusader Strike is in line for some coolification. Another is that Exorcism was quickly hotfixed not to work on player targets as precursor to what Ghostcrawler calls "a little more tweaking" to the class. So while I asked the community to share their thoughts on how to improve Retribution, it's taken me much, much longer to ruminate. Humor me for today as I go share my own thoughts on the matter.
First of all, I don't think the spec needs major changes. It has improved vastly since 3.0 and was fine tuned in 3.1. It plays nicely -- if a bit too simply -- and can dish out competitive damage in raids and in PvP. Its shortcomings, if any, as far as DPS output is concerned can easily be "tweaked" through numbers, and that's not what I'm interested in. Through my first weeks in Ulduar, I haven't put out enough consistent numbers for anything conclusive -- sometimes I'm right on top, and sometimes I drop down as far as 10th in a 25-man raid. More thoughts on Retribution in Ulduar in another column, but for now we'll take a look at what I think are the most glaring deficiencies of the spec.
Seal of Command
The Problem
Since the launch of Wrath of the Lich King, Seal of Command has been something of a lame duck talent. Subject to repeated nerfs, the Seal was neutered to the point of being inferior to Seal of Blood in every respect including PvP. This isn't just a matter of numbers anymore but a question of mechanic. Seal of Blood provides the most consistent source of damage and crits for a considerable amount. Despite the potential for huge burst, Seal of Casino reintroduces the concept of RNG into PvP. Blizzard has methodically been weeding out RNG stuns from the game, and RNG burst damage isn't too different.
The bottom line is that Seal of Command is a talent that has outlived its usefulness. Aside from the numbers being significantly lower compared to Seal of Blood, its PPM-based proc is actually bad for the game. As much as PvP is about burst damage, it's about controlled burst and the bonus of an automatic crit on stunned targets isn't quite enough when everything else about the Seal is RNG. Right now, it's a waste of a talent point and not even PvP players -- whom the talent seems to be designed for -- pick it up. In fact, the only time it makes sense to pick up Seal of Command is while you're leveling as Ret... then you respec at Level 80 to put that talent point somewhere else.
The Crazy Idea
Seal of Blood/Seal of the Martyr is pretty much the only Seal a Retribution Paladin needs, so do the proper thing: remove Seal of Command from the game and make Seal of Blood trainable at Level 20. Making it trainable should solve the problem of Retribution leveling. It also teaches players to use the proper Seal considering Seal of Command isn't optimal for dungeons and raids, anyway. It makes absolutely no sense for players to level using one Seal and then adapt to the use of another Seal for the endgame.
Of course, this leaves us with a vacuum at the fabled 11-point spot.
Vindictive Command
Requires 10 points in Retribution
Instant, 2 minute cooldown
Seal of Blood has an additional 20% chance to critically strike against stunned or incapacitated targets. Unleashing Seal of Blood's energy will judge an opponent, and has a 100% chance to critically strike against stunned or incapacitated targets. Lasts 10 seconds.
This eliminates the complexity of having two different Seals for PvP and PvE. It provides a window of controlled burst for PvP while being a relative DPS boost in PvE. Stuns and incapacitate effects don't work on bosses, so it's still more of a PvP-oriented talent (as Seal of Command was) while providing raiders with an additional activated ability to make things interesting -- it actually encourages the use of Hammer of Justice or Repentance in PvE. The Seal bonus crit numbers may need some more fine tuning, but you get the idea. Let's take a look at a few more perceived holes next.
Filed under: Paladin, Analysis / Opinion, Classes, (Paladin) The Light and How to Swing It
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
BiggusGeekus May 21st 2009 4:07PM
I just gotta say that, as a warlock that regularly gets his butt kicked in the battlegrounds (yeah, yeah, I suck); I think Exorcism not working on demon pets is just plain dumb.
nufemasta May 21st 2009 4:09PM
as fun as this might sound, the reality of blizzard implementing even more burst into the ret paladin bag of tricks is very very unlikely, especially when you consider that next to all pvp'ers in the wow community agree that ret pallys need a little mellowing out in that area.
the trainable SoB at 20 sounds great though.
Faulken S Wulf May 21st 2009 8:48PM
Again, this is why they should use the GuildWars philosophy-- Make a PVP version and a PVE version. Simply make a "Player" creature type that allows spells to deal damage / proc different. Simple and elegant it balances BG's, Arenas, and World-PVP-- All without nerfing PVE play into the ground. Why Blizzard doesn't support this idea is beyond me.
theRaptor May 22nd 2009 1:19AM
@Faulken S Wulf
For the simple reason that they don't want their to be two completely different ways to play your class. WoW is a mass market MMo and most players already struggle with the idea of two different specs for PVP, let alone two different play styles with the same spec.
And to be honest it is a cop out.
Robert M May 21st 2009 4:11PM
Arthas is the face of the LOLRet. In CoT, he runs around with a big 2 hander and devotion aura. I, for one, am happy he decided to make a DK his new main, since it gave us paladins some credibility back.
http://fatchickstank.blogspot.com/
GnomesScareMe May 21st 2009 4:36PM
what? In CoT Strat, arthas uses a 1h mace and is more like a lolprot who left his shield in the bank.
Robert M May 21st 2009 4:50PM
It looks awfully big to be a one hander.
Here are some screenshots.
http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=26499
It looks stikingly similar to the Grand Marshal's Battle Hammer
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=18867
Clbull May 21st 2009 4:28PM
Heres some other ideas I have
Improve or possibly remove Seal of Righteousness. The damage is very low when compared to other Seals like Seal of Blood or Seal of Vengeance. Maybe make the Seal itself do a lot more damage, and slightly buff the Judgement.
As for Exorcism. I think it should be a high damaging DoT that does more damage than it would normally, but over 15 seconds (in this way, it still does a lot of damage, but its not burst damage) You could also make each tick crit on Undead or Demon mobs.
I do agree with the changes to Seal of Command and Blood though, although I think that Vengeance should also be pushed back to a lower level (if SoR is removed then maybe SoV could replace it)
Blajemy May 21st 2009 4:32PM
Seriously, how about this:
Any dps class/spec that has Judgement of Light doing 2700 HPS while doing 5000 DPS should not be doing much more damage than PROT currently does. Which may seem harsh, but it's just obscene that you have to kill a Ret Pally twice and they hit like mack trucks if they get close to you.
Plate wearing healer classes shouldn't do much damage in their damage spec. Sorry. If you want to be truly viable, ask for Ret form that prevents you from Judging Light or casting Heals. It should probably also give you Forebearance the entire time you have damage causing seals up.
Oh look, you're a warrior now......There's only two other builds that can do damage and heal without any real penalty: Enhancement and Elemental, and they are both waaaaay more of a joke in a BG than a Ret Pally. Which means Ret is OP. However, most of the Pally player base are the same people that were locks in BC and rogues in Vanilla....meaning bad.
Zach, your suggestions are OP.
Mattimus May 21st 2009 4:38PM
So because Shamans are underpowered compared to other classes, that makes Retribution Paladins overpowered?
I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the state of Ret Paladins, but I have to say, your argument kinda sucks.
Naughton May 21st 2009 4:58PM
@BLajemy
LOL good troll post brah.
Swear to god some of the things ppl will say to justify why Ret is so crazy OP just amaze me sometimes.
Saff May 21st 2009 4:38PM
I agree that Seal of Command(Casino lol) is inferior to Seal of the Martyr, however I really enjoy the 100% critical when the target is stunned or incapacitated it gives a nice start on your burst damage. Another thing, the libram from the Emblems of Heroism vendor is based on judgement of Seal of Command(http://www.wowhead.com/?item=40706) which gives a nice boost of Crit rating. This libram made me use Seal of command quite often and regretting that choice :/..I wish it were SoB Judgement :(
I'm with you on losing Seal of Command, pretty uesless now :(
Naughton May 21st 2009 5:01PM
SoC is still so far inferior to SoB/M, its not even remotely comparable. And as far as using that libram, HA. Just pick up the Deadly one form arena points. BiS atm, and easy as hell to get.
paul.marsico May 21st 2009 4:43PM
I would point out that you have to compare a hybrid to a hybrid. And no, Shaman aren't underpowered. They only have one viable tree for PVP, really. I see no issue doing the same with a Pally.
That's my point. They aren't UP. They are how they should be. It's like the Shadow Priest.
You're not PVP viable? OK, go discipline. That's all.
IncubusHead May 21st 2009 4:45PM
I agree with almost everything you said here except the last part about the Retribution Aura.
I wont talk about PvP because i don't engage in any PvP so i wont pretend to know anything about its nuances, but from a PvE standpoint that talent is completely useless, which might be your point i don't know. The part where you talk about the ability proccing off of Ret Aura dealing damage is counter-intuitive to everything you want in a raid. The Ret paladin should not be taking direct hits from anything in a raid environment. We all know theres a lot of raid damage to go around these days but that doesnt trigger Ret Aura.
Jibbly May 21st 2009 5:05PM
I think what he means by having Retribution Aura dealing damage is by any player that has the Ret Aura on them at any one time. So, in theory, when your tank is getting hit and because he has your Ret Aura on him, and it deals damage, this could proc so /you're/ Crusader Strike is off cool down. It's an interesting idea, because just as you said in PVE the Tank should be the only one taking damage, and so this would proc only when the Boss hits him, and in Arena it would only proc when either you or your partner(s) get hit.
I think perhaps the only problem is when your doing PVP in say Battlegrounds or 3v3, 5v5. With all those players under your Ret Aura affect, this proc would be going off way too often. Perhaps a simple internal cool down on it?
Or maybe I'm just imagining things, and being stupid. I have no idea.
Aedilhild May 21st 2009 4:46PM
Good ideas all around (including Ghostcrawler's conjecture). The interplay of, by contrast, a warrior's abilities remains complex, reasonably open-ended and fun to engage. Right now, a retribution paladin's cooldowns too closely resemble pancakes waiting to be flipped.
Menta May 21st 2009 5:18PM
I love pancakes
Ecks May 21st 2009 4:50PM
Most of these suggestions just make a bursty, OP class more OP. You can faceroll LOLRET to victory.
kozom May 21st 2009 4:57PM
Sorry, but don't solutions require PROBLEMS?