AoE tank powerhouse with unmatched threat and survivability. Covers Classic, TBC, and WotLK Protection paths for dungeon spam and safe open-world pulls.
Shield tanks with Consecration and Holy Shield can grind huge packs once geared. Dungeon spam is extremely fast XP; solo AoE farming is viable with careful pulls.
Strengths
Massive AoE threat with Consecration + Holy Shield.
Strong mitigation with plate, shield block, and bubbles.
Highly desirable dungeon tank; instant groups.
Weaknesses
Mana hungry without gear; needs spell power and mana per 5.
Requires careful pull sizes; stuns/knockbacks can be dangerous.
Solo bossing slower than Retribution.
Talents by Level (Classic 1-60)
Early (10-29)
Improved Righteous Fury 3/3 for damage reduction/threat.
Toughness 5/5; Anticipation for defense.
Consecration (Holy) for AoE threat.
Mid (30-44)
Holy Shield for block and reflective threat.
Redoubt/Shield Specialization; Blessing of Sanctuary.
Precision (Ret) if hit is low; Improved Judgement for uptime.
Late (45-60)
One-Handed Weapon Spec (Ret tree) for damage.
Improved BoK optional; Deflection for parry.
Fill Holy with Spiritual Focus for pull stability.
Stack spell power, stamina, and defense. Use Seal/Judgement of Wisdom to sustain; drink between mega-pulls. Keep Righteous Fury active at all times.
Rotation & Pull Pattern
AoE Pull
Blessing of Sanctuary + Righteous Fury up; pull with Consecration.
Holy Shield on cooldown; Judge Wisdom; re-Consecrate as needed.
Use Hammer of Justice on casters; line-of-sight to stack mobs.
Single Target
Seal/Judge of Righteousness; Shield Slam not available in Classic.
Keep Holy Shield active; Consecrate if mana allows.
Exorcism vs undead/demons; Hammer of Wrath execute.
Survival
Divine Protection/Shield to reset; Lay on Hands as panic button.
Use potions and Demonic Runes/Dark Runes to keep mana up.
First Aid between pulls; maintain defense cap for dungeons.
Zone Route (Classic)
Bracket
Zones
Notes
1-20
Starter → Westfall/Barrens
Get Consecration early; use small pulls.
20-35
Stockades/Blackfathom/SM
Dungeon spam for fast XP and gear; train Holy Shield at 40.
35-50
SM Cath / ZF / Mara
Large pulls with BoSanc; bring mana pots.
50-60
BRD / Strat / Scholo
AoE farm undead; collect defense/spell power pieces.
Why Protection in TBC?
AoE tank king. Spiritual Attunement + Holy Shield + Consecration makes dungeon cleaving the fastest leveling path. Excellent threat, great mitigation, and easy group finder.
Spec: Improved Righteous Fury, Holy Shield, Avenger’s Shield, Blessing of Sanctuary. Off-tree: Benediction/Improved Judgement in Ret for uptime.
Talents by Level (TBC 60-70)
Early (60-63)
Improved Righteous Fury, Anticipation, Toughness.
Holy Shield at 62 for block threat.
Improved Judgement/Precision (Ret) for hit/uptime.
Mid (64-67)
Blessing of Sanctuary; Reckoning optional (if you like extra swings).
Avenger’s Shield for ranged pulls and caster silence (brief).
Spell Warding to reduce magic damage on caster packs.
Late (68-70)
One-Handed Weapon Spec in Ret tree.
Ardent Defender for safety; Sacred Duty for stamina and reduced cooldown on Divine Protection.
Optional: Improved BoK if group lacks Kings.
Rotation (TBC)
AoE Tanking
Pull with Avenger’s Shield → Consecration → Holy Shield.
Judge Wisdom/Light based on mana vs healing needs.
Maintain BoSanc; LOS casters; use Exorcism on demons/undead.
Single Target
Seal/Judge of Righteousness; Consecration on cooldown.
Shield Slam not available—rely on Holy Shield + SoR.
Hammer of Justice to stop dangerous casts.
Survival
Divine Protection (shorter CD via Sacred Duty) for bosses.
Use trinkets and potions to sustain mana; Spiritual Attunement from damage taken.
Keep Holy Shield up to reduce crushes (pre-2.3) and increase threat.
Zone & Dungeon Path (TBC)
Level
Zone/Dungeon
Notes
60-62
Ramps / BF
Gather spell power plate; practice LOS pulls.
62-65
SP / UB
Great caster packs; BoSanc sustains block value.
65-68
Sethekk / SLabs
Avenger’s Shield to silence casters; bring mana pots.
68-70
Shattered Halls / Mech
Shattered Halls shines for AoE; be mindful of stuns.
Why Protection in WotLK?
Shield of Righteousness and Hammer of the Righteous give enormous snap threat. Incredible AoE with Consecration/Hammer; smooth leveling via dungeons or large quest pulls.
Spec: Hammer of the Righteous, Shield of Righteousness, Ardent Defender, Guarded by the Light, and Touched by the Light for spell power from Strength. Off-tree: Benediction/Improved Judgement for uptime.
Hammer of the Righteous; Sacred Duty + Ardent Defender.
Improved Righteous Fury for mitigation.
Mid (74-77)
Shield of Righteousness; Touched by the Light (SP from Strength).
Guarded by the Light for mana retention; Spiritual Attunement baseline.
One-Handed Weapon Spec; Benediction/Imp Judgement in Ret.
Late (78-80)
Vindication for AP debuff; Divine Guardian for raid utility.
Crusade for damage; Pursuit of Justice for movement speed.
Optional: Improved Hammer of Justice for extra control.
Rotation (WotLK)
Standard 969
Maintain the 969 rotation: 9-sec abilities (Judgement, Holy Shield, Consecration) alternating with 6-sec abilities (Hammer of the Righteous, Shield of Righteousness).
Keep Righteous Fury, Sacred Shield, and a Hand buff active.
Judge Wisdom for mana; Light if healer needs help.
AoE
Hammer of the Righteous cleaves 3; Consecration for floor threat.
Avenger’s Shield to pull casters; Holy Wrath on undead in ICC zones.
Use Divine Protection on big pulls; Ardent Defender safety net.
Survival/Utility
Hand of Sacrifice + Divine Protection to smooth spikes.
Hand of Freedom on snared allies; Hand of Reckoning for taunts.
Divine Plea on cooldown; cancels on melee swing—keep attacking.
Zone & Dungeon Path (WotLK)
Level
Zone/Dungeon
Notes
70-72
Howling Fjord / Borean Tundra
Utgarde Keep/Nexus for starter tank gear.
72-75
Dragonblight / AN/OK
Great AoE pulls; practice 969 rotation.
75-77
Grizzly Hills / Zul'Drak
Drak'Tharon for badge gear; Hammer cleave excels.
77-80
Sholazar / Storm Peaks / Icecrown
Heroics for badges; Holy Wrath vs undead packs in ICC zones.
Gear, Stats, and Enchants (All Versions)
Stat Priority
Classic/TBC: Defense cap > Stamina > Spell Power > Block Value > Intellect/mp5.