1.  Wrong Talent Spec

Would you like to read more on Retribution Paladin Talents?  Click the link.

Did you know there are only 2 truly viable raiding specs?  Deviating from either of these two will almost guarantee a loss of DPS.  The most common mistake is putting more points into the Ret Tree, which basically turns it into a PvP spec.  You will want to follow one of these two specs as Ret:

• 11/5/55
• 5/11/55

The most common and utilized spec is 11/5/55 because of the increased intellect in Divine Intellect, which help with mana issues.  More mana equals more attacks, which equals more damage.  Aura Mastery is also important for boss fights, such as ones that resistance auras play a part in.

If you are not one of these specs, your DPS will be lower.

2.  Not Gemming for Pure Strength

Would you like to read more on Retribution Paladin Gems?  Click the link.

Did you know that Ret Paladins need to use Bold (+strength) red gems for just about every gem slot?  Strength is the titan that builds up our damage and DPS.  If you are gemming for haste, expertise, or stamina, you are looking at a DPS loss.  It doesn’t matter what the reasoning is, it’s still a DPS loss. 

Part of this problem is when Ret Paladins are trying to match socket bonuses.  Let me clear the issue up on this…ignore the socket bonus.  In every scenario but one, you ignore the socket bonus, plain and simple.  For the one exception to this rule, see Mistake #3.

Now, all that said, gemming for Hit rating is allowed, but only at very low gear levels.  Since reaching the hit cap at 8% is our top priority, many Rets will gem for hit until gear alone puts them above the cap. Gemming for hit is a last resort, but it is tolerated if it is necessary to help you reach the hit cap.  At gear level 232 and above, hit is so plentiful on gear, you shouldn’t be needing +Hit gems on gear any longer.

3.  Not Gemming +Strength/+Crit in Yellow Sockets with Strength Socket Bonus

Did you know that when you get two pieces of Tier 9 gear, you can use a +Strength/+Crit gem in a yellow socket where the socket bonus is additional strength?  This is a minor DPS increase, but an increase nonetheless.  The boost comes from the 2 T9 bonus, which allows your Righteous Vengeance damage to crit.  The more crit you have, the more likely it is you will see that jump in damage.

One thing to remember, the only way this works is if there is one yellow slot.  Two yellow gem slots will not work if you match both with a +Strength/+Crit gem.  That is a DPS loss. 

For example:

• Red, Red, Yellow (YES)
• Red, Yellow (YES)
• Yellow (YES)
• Red, Blue, Yellow (NO)
• Red, Yellow, Yellow (NO)
• Blue, Yellow (NO)

4.  Using PvP Gear

This is one of those sticky issues, but using PvP gear is generally a DPS loss when other PvE gear pieces are available.  Why do people use these then?  Because they believe a higher item level means it must be more DPS.  Unfortunately, this is not true.  The other reason, which is extremely unfortunate, is that players are using these PvP pieces because the higher item level gets them a higher gear score, further increasing their chance to get into a PUG raid.

In most cases, PvP gear is strength and stamina, with secondary stats of crit and resilience.  That resilience is holding the spot of another stat its PvE counterpart will have.  In PvE equivalents, the secondary stats will come in 2′s or possibly 3′s.  Such Crit and Expertise, or Crit, Hit, and Haste.

If PvP pieces are your best options, that is understandable, but look to replace them as soon as possible.  If a player is carrying 2, 3 or 4 pieces of PvP gear into a raid, it is generally frowned upon and may not get you the warm welcome your gearscore says you deserve.

5.  Glyphing Errors

Would you like to read more on Retribution Paladin Glyphs?  Click the link.

Did you know there are 2 exact sets of Glyphs Ret Paladins should have?  Straying away from either of these two set-ups is not giving you optimal DPS.  Here are your must-have glyphs as a Retribution Paladin:

• Judgement (Major)
• Consecration (Major)
• Seal of Vengeance or Exorcism (Major)
• Blessing of Might (Minor)
• Lay on Hands (Minor)
• Sense Undead (Minor)

You’ll notice that the third major glyph is either Seal of Vengeance or Exorcism.  By default, every Ret should be using Glyph of Seal of Vengeance for the added expertise.  The only way to switch this to Exorcism is to become expertise capped with gear alone.  If you are not expertise capped, don’t make this switch.

The most common glyphs I see that need not be used are Glyphs of Divine Storm and Seal of Command.  While these have their benefits for leveling purposes, they don’t hold much value for end game content.

6. Not Using the Correct FCFS Rotation for Your Gear Level

Would you like to read more on Retribution Paladin FCFS?  Click the link.

Did you know Ret Paladins use a priority system for their attacks?  FCFS means First Come First Serve, which means you use the first available attack that comes off cooldown.  If two come up at the same time, you use the one that gives more DPS, which can be found on the FCFS priority lists.

FCFS rotations change for the following gear levels:

• Under 2 T9, which means if you don’t have at least 2 T9, you use this rotation.
• Anywhere from 2 T9 to less than 2 T10.
• If you have 2 T10 and above.

Click the link I mentioned above to see the exact rotations and attacks you should be using for your appropriate gear level.  And yes, these rotations are concrete.

7.  Hit Rating is WAY Over the Hit Cap

Would you like to read more on Retribution Paladin Hit Cap?  Click the link.

Did you know the hit cap for Retribution Paladins is 8%?  You would think the common problem is Ret Pallies NOT hitting the cap, but in fact, it is quite the opposite.  I commonly see hit rating anywhere from 11% to 15%.  I have even seen a Ret with hit at 17%.  That is more than double the hit cap.

When gearing up, you want to make sure you get to 8% hit cap.  But once you get there, keep a close eye on how high it starts getting, because gear swapping may be in order if it rockets past 11%.

Hit is abundant on so much gear now, that sometimes it is hard to stay around 8%.  If you are looking for a good range, aim for 8%-10%.  Eventually, as gear progresses, things will balance out, especially when you try to get expertise capped as well.

The main cause of hit rating abundance?  Trinkets.  See Mistake #8.

8.  Using Trinkets with Hit Rating After Hit Cap is Already Reached

Did you know the most common reason Ret Paladins shoot past the hit cap is because they keep their hit trinkets equipped after the cap is reached?  It’s true.  The most common culprits are usually Mark of Supremacy and Pyrite Infuser.  Hit trinkets are very valuable when gear does not quite get you to the hit cap.  However, once all your other gear gets you to 8%, it’s time to start shopping for other DPS trinkets.

The problem is that players often struggle to find decent DPS trinket replacements.  Here are some of your options:

• Mirror of Truth
• Needle Encrusted Scorpion
• Darkmoon Card: Greatness
• Herkuml War Token

Each of these is available outside of raiding, though Herkuml War Token should only be taken after you get 2 T10.  Only then can you begin to contemplate purchasing it instead of going for 4 T10 next.

9.  Using Tank Gear to Fill Empty Slots

Did you know some Ret Paladins will use tank gear to fill empty DPS slots?  When I see tank pieces on a Ret, I often cringe because I know it’s due to a lack of options, as well as a lack of gold.  Using tank gear (meaning plate gear with defense, block, doge, etc.) is a last, last, last resort.

If you find yourself stuck with tank pieces, consider cheap BoE greens and blues.  Also, leather DPS gear is a perfectly viable option until a plate counterpart can be found.

Honestly, it’s terrible for our DPS to have tank items equipped.  If you have them, get rid of them ASAP.  Pure DPS disaster.

10.  Not Using Emblems for Tier Gear

Did you know there a good deal of Ret Paladins out there who will spend their first Emblems on non-Tier gear?  Tier gear is usually a priority due to their valuable set bonuses.  If you equip 2 pieces of the same type of raid gear, for instance the Tier 9 Turalyon’s  Helm and Legs, you get a set bonus to give your Righteous Vengeance damage a chance to crit.  If you equip 2 Tier 10 Lightsworn pieces, then you get a chance to instantly reset the cooldown on your Divine Storm.

Starting out as Ret, you will want to aim for 2 T9 first, and quite possibly 4 T9 immediately after. 

The largest mistake, however, is when spending Emblems of Frost.  When players get enough Emblems of Frost, they usually are already decently set-up with T9 and equivalent gear.  So, they try to fill their most pressing need by purchasing a cloak, belt, libram, or trinket with Emblems of Frost.  Each of these is a huge DPS error.

The first purchases should 100% be 2 T10, usually shoulders and gloves, since they are cheapest.  This is such a large DPS boost that it makes any other comparison look very small.

Spend your emblems wisely.  Aim for 2 T9 first, then 4 T9.  After that, work on 2 T10 while keeping 2 T9 intact.  You will roll with 2 T9 and 2 T10 until you get enough Frost Emblems to obtain 4 T10, which is the best current Tier scenario.