The paladin in World of Warcraft is being nerfed into the ground. For three days, he was unbeatable in PvP – now Blizzard is pulling the emergency brake.
What happened to paladins? The Patch 10.0.7 brought a small rework of the retribution paladins. They received new abilities and talents and were supposed to feel more rounded overall, especially in PvE. A small “side effect” was that paladins were completely overpowered in PvP. Massive self-healing and much more damage ensured that retribution paladins could take out their enemies in arenas and battlegrounds within 3 seconds.
The outcry in the community was huge. Normally, Blizzard makes adjustments only by the next Wednesday – but in the case of the paladin, they are making an exception and have already rolled out the nerfs last night. This was a reaction to the “overwhelming feedback”.
What was changed about the paladin? The short version is probably “a whole lot.” The nerfs mainly affect abilities that directly impact the damage of the retribution paladin. However, a few healing effects were also weakened. The entire list of nerfs is:
- Paladin (general)
- The healing of Crusader’s Reckoning is reduced by 50% in PvP.
- Protection
- Judgment of Light heals 35% less in PvP battles.
- Retribution
- Judgment of Light heals 35% less in PvP battles.
- Wrath of the Inquisitor is 40% weaker in PvP.
- Fading Light is 75% weaker for retribution paladins in PvP.
- Vengeance of the Justicar now deals 15% additional damage to stunned targets in PvP.
- Vengeance of the Justicar heals 50% less in PvP.
- Blessing of Twilight is 25% less effective in PvP.
- Divine Judge deals 25% less direct damage in PvP.
- Vanguard of Justice is 25% less effective in PvP.
- Celestial Legacy increases the damage of Divine Storm by 15% in PvP (previously 25%).
- Luminescence (PvP talent) now increases damage and healing by 2% (previously 4%).
- Avenger (PvP talent) now deals 2% of total HP as damage (previously 4%).
- A bug was fixed that caused the reduction of the effectiveness of Wrathful Retribution to 75% in PvP for retribution paladins not to count.
Community is excited about the quick reaction: Although many players are wondering how the paladin could be released into PvP so “broken,” the reaction to these nerfs has been overwhelmingly positive from everyone (except paladins). People praise that Blizzard acts very quickly and precisely in PvP balancing in Dragonflight and regularly adjusts particularly strong classes.
Did you enjoy the three days of terror reign of the paladins in PvP? Or did that pass you by?
