1.9 Paladin build

[Kevin]

So with this information: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.a...mp=1#post744419

I spoke with the developers about a few things today, and I wanted to update you accordingly.

I primarily approached them regarding the endgame role of the Paladin. I mentioned that many members of the Paladin community are dissatisfied with the role they play in raids, and expounded upon the many points you've brought up concerning your class in the endgame content.

Regarding raids, it's a simple social fact that if a class has a heal spell, they'll be asked to heal in a raid. Every class which can heal others effectively thus does so in endgame content. You're not alone in this switch of "role"; it happens to other classes that play far differently when levelling up. Healing trumps all in the minds of many.

Just because you're not the only class that can heal, however, does not mean you -- as a Paladin -- are not a valuable asset in raids. Paladin heals generate far less threat by design (Shaman do not have this luxury), allowing you to heal and keep healing. While the sheer numbers of an individual heal in your arsenal may not be impressive, combined with the mana efficiency, threat reduction both passive and applied, and survivability, you're a long-lasting, invaluable healer. Your auras are stronger than the Horde equivalents. Your buffs can be applied with surgical precision to give players precisely the edge they need. The Tranquil Air Totem has got nothing on Salvation. You can easily pick and choose who gets the threat reduction and who doesn't -- the Shaman has to be exceedingly careful to place it nowhere near the tank. The breadth of blessings used increases with every Paladin added, thus increasing the benefit significantly. You're not just there to augment others -- you're keeping your fellows alive while being low maintenance. No, you're not up there in the thick of it, but neither are a lot of classes that normally do so outside of raids.

I asked about Holy Shield as well, and why +holy or +spell damage didn't apply to it while applying to other abilities. The response I received is that, under certain easily achieveable conditions and combinations, Holy Shield was devastating with + spell damage applied. Rather than decrease the effectiveness of the base ability and still have the problem later on, they changed it so + spell damage no longer applies to it. I'm aware this is unpopular -- as is any reduction in power -- but please understand that we don't make such calls unless they're absolutely necessary. They tested these changes time and again and the results with Holy Shield were unbalanced. I realize this sort of change is particularly unpopular with Holy Shield's move to a 31-point talent, but I do want to stress that the talent trees are primarily about giving players more options as they go deeper into a tree rather than becoming more powerful.

I apologize if you were seeking large changes from the way Paladins are in 1.9 -- they will not be coming, to my knowledge. The developers consider their work on the talent review complete. Good daycycle, Citizen!
The Computer is your friend.

I figure it's time to just give up and go full on buffbot. I was expecting this to happen, it was part of the reason that I changed Taranna to feral. Gnolack tanks, Taranna does my DPS and now Balador will be my healer.

It almost seems like they want you to do a build like this:
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classe...500000000000000

for full on buffbot goodness. Get all the improved blessing and improve one of your auras too. GoGo BuffBot power!

But I was thinking that I still wanted to be able to solo a little so I was looking at a different build:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classe...052033500000000

Gets me a little bit more damage with the one hander from Righteousness. Lets me judge the seals a little better and gives me a bit more defensive capabilities (vindication seemed to proc a fair bit on the PTR).

Not having lasting judgement though means I won't be judging seals on the bosses in MC, which is what that talent is for since you don't need it too badly in solo play.

Any other thoughts for a paladin that is fine with being a healer (hence the deep holy build) but would still like to be able to do a little bit more than just heal and buff in a small group?

Just trying to figure out what I want to do after they decided that paladins need to be a single role class. Unlike druids who can and do still tank, do DPS, and heal in Molten Core and shaman who still do DPS and heal in Molten Core. They want paladins to heal and buff only. Don't tank, don't heal. We still won't be able to off tank or play save the healer like a shaman can because we have no aggro control still, and while I didn't get a chance to test it like I did the lowered DPS, I hear it got worse than it is now too, but oh well.