Our Prot Paladin BIS guide will focus on what gear is best in slot for you as you begin your journey into Wrath of the Lich King Classic. Currently, we’ll go over both pre-raid and Phase One best in slot lists. As additional phases are released, we’ll update the list accordingly.
Special thanks to the theorycrafting communities for their work discussing items and working on simulations to find the best gear available for players. As always, the best thing to do to determine gear upgrades is to sim your DPS.
Prot Paladin Pre-Raid Best in Slot
Pre-Raid Best-In-Slot gear includes everything that can be obtained without stepping inside the first raids of WotLK. This includes gear obtained via Quests, Reputation Vendors, Professions, Dungeons, and Heroic Dungeons. There may also be a few pieces of gear from The Burning Crusade, namely Sunwell Plateau, that are still viable alternatives if you can find a group to go back and farm them.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Head Pre-Raid WotLK
If you’re a Blacksmith, putting the work in for Tempered Titansteel Helm is worth it. If you’re an Engineer, the googles are a solid choice. If for some reason you’re neither, there are still solid options out there.
Engineers - use the Mind Amplification Dish enchant
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Neck Pre-Raid WotLK
The emblem neck is the easiest thing to obtain here. It’s a no-brainer.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Shoulders Pre-Raid WotLK
There are a couple of options here that can all get the job done, all with varying degrees of difficulty to obtain.
Do note that Pauldrons of Perseverance or Spaulders of the Thalasian Defender are more than adequate.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Back Pre-Raid WotLK
Get the crafted cloak regardless of the cost. It’s that good.
Your enchant options are honestly dependent on the stats you need most.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Chest Pre-Raid WotLK
Whenever you have the option to get tier piece without stepping into raid, you should 100% do that.
Your enchant option will depend on the stats you need most.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Wrist Pre-Raid WotLK
There’s nothing too exciting going on here, sadly.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Hands Pre-Raid WotLK
Fireproven Gauntlets are the unquestioned best choice, but they also require the commitment to get it. In the meantime, everything else listed here will get the job done.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Waist Pre-Raid WotLK
Grab that emblem waist and don’t look back.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Legs Pre-Raid WotLK
Bolstered Legplates are far and away your bis, but the rep legs are a good stop-gap.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Feet Pre-Raid WotLK
Having a bis item be available through reputation is a dream come true.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Rings Pre-Raid WotLK
If you’re rocking the Sunwell ring, you’re in a great spot.
Reminder that only enchanters can enchant rings.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Trinkets Pre-Raid WotLK
These trinkets will be less about what’s “bis” and more about what kind of tanking set you need. Both JC trinkets are BOP, so keep that in mind.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Weapon Pre-Raid WotLK
There’s the Red Sword of Courage, and then honestly, there’s everything else.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Shield Pre-Raid WotLK
You can pick up your best shields without ever stepping into an instance.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Libram Pre-Raid WotLK
Welp. One option. Beggers can’t be choosers, I guess.
Prot Paladin Phase 1 Best in Slot
Phase one sees the introduction of the first wave of raids in Wrath of the Lich King, they are: Naxxramas, Obsidian Sanctum, and Eye of Eternity
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Head Phase 1 WotLK
Tier is the best, bar none. This is your best option and it’s not even close.
Engineers - use the Mind Amplification Dish enchant
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Neck Phase 1 WotLK
Sadly, none of your pre-raid bis items carry over here.
The Nexus War Champion Beads is a dream come true for stats and having a red socket.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Shoulders Phase 1 WotLK
Your tier has an incredibly slight edge over the Pauldrons. Burdened Shoulderplates would have usage in certain gear sets.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Back Phase 1 WotLK
There’s nothing that really stands out as an obvious choice here. Everything in this table will be viable.
Your enchant options are honestly dependent on the stats you need most.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Chest Phase 1 WotLK
Your desired chest will depend on what kind of set you want between mitigation and avoidance.
Your enchant option will depend on the stats you need most.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Wrist Phase 1 WotLK
More exciting things happening on the raid list! All three of these items are super solid.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Hands Phase 1 WotLK
Fireproven Gauntlets are the unquestioned best choice, but they also require the commitment to get it. In the meantime, everything else listed here will get the job done.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Waist Phase 1 WotLK
Maexxna 25 has your best waist. Everything else offers solid alternatives.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Legs Phase 1 WotLK
The Malygos legs offer everything you could want. Other options are good for mitigation; The Sartharion legs are another solid option if you can’t get the Malygos legs.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Feet Phase 1 WotLK
Having a bis item be available through reputation is a dream come true.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Rings Phase 1 WotLK
There’s a lot of great options for rings. You can’t really go wrong with any of em.
Reminder that only enchanters can enchant rings.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Trinkets Phase 1 WotLK
These trinkets will be less about what’s “bis” and more about what kind of tanking set you need. Both JC trinkets are BOP, so keep that in mind.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Weapon Phase 1 WotLK
Your top two choices are essentially the same thing.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Shield Phase 1 WotLK
Nine times out of ten, Wall of Terror is the preferred option. There are times when Skull of Ruin will be good when you need mitigation.
Protection Paladin Best In Slot Libram Phase 1 WotLK
Welp. One option. Beggers can’t be choosers, I guess.
Yes, this is the same one as the pre-raid option.
