If we’re talking AOE tanks inWorld of Warcraft: Dragonflight, the conversation starts withProtection Paladins. They’re a solid option in ourtank tier listdue to a combination of utility and effectiveness. Our best in slot guide will help you obtain the best gear Dragonflight has to offer and do the most damage you can.

Weapons / Shield

Prot Paladin Best in Slot Stat Priority

The most important factor to consider when obtaining new gear is your stat priority. In general, you should follow a rule like this:

As a tank, there are things that matter more than the damage you do. While this is generally a good guideline to follow in terms of important secondary stats, we recommend that you use the gear that makes your life as a tank easy and efficient. For example, sometimes you’ll take a higher ilvl item with Crit because it’s that good.

simc example

Important Notes For BiS Lists

It is important to note that any jump in ilvl by more than 10 points almost always results in the higher ilvl item being better. If you have an upgrade of 5 ilvl or less, compare the stats based on the stat priorities to decide the better item.

When weighing options of other items not listed below, refer to the stat priority of the class and spec. Keep in mind that stats eventually have diminishing returns, so it is not required to have absolutely every slot stack the same 2 stats. For simplicity, we offer the best per slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

The calculations for diminishing returns are as follows:

In the case where you have reached 30% in a secondary stat, an item that has a secondary stat that is lower on priority may in fact be a better upgrade. This is why it is always important tosim your gear. For simplicity, we offer the best item in that slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

Prot Paladin BiS Gear

The items appearing in these lists may come fromMythic+, Raids, or The Vault. Their item level will depend on the instance’s level of difficulty (Normal, Heroic, Mythic, Mythic+ 1-20). This list does not include Renown or Crafting items as it is meant as a guide on what dungeons or raids to attend to get your best gear from these sources.

Item tooltips will show theMythic 9or theNormal Raiddifficulty item level version.

Best Head

This is a perfect example of the earlier point regarding picking up “poor” secondary stats. Vers and Crit aren’t “ideal,” but tier is tier. Sim to ensure its the best item over the Mythic+ piece.

Vault of the Incarnates

Back to Item Menu

Best Neck

Theorycrafting and data show that the Elemental Lariat is almost always your best neck piece. We recommend getting this crafted ASAP. Anything else is honestly not worth mentioning. Use a missive to ensure your desired stats.

Best Shoulders

There are a couple of decent options in raid, while the Mythic+ shoulders are better optimized stat wise.

Pauldrons of the All-Father

Best Back

Both cloaks have the same secondary stats, but come from different places. On paper, they’re your best options. As always, sim your cloak upgrades.

Best Chest

Tier chest has your best stats. This should be an easy decision on what to target.

Best Hands

Mythic+ gear is a good stop-gap until you’re able to pick up tier.

Best Waist

Every Mythic+ piece has crit, which isn’t ideal. We recommend simming all belts to ensure you’re equipping the best one.

Best Legs

There are two ideally statted options in Mythic+ that compete with tier legs.

Best Rings

We recommend crafting the JC ring as it’s the best way to ensure you get your two best stats.

Good on single-target and AOE

Better on single-target

Best Weapons / Shield

You’re a tank that can wear a shield, so we’ll include those as well.

Maul of the Earthshaper

Best Gems For Prot Paladins

Here we list the best gems you can socket your gear with for Prot Paladins. As always, it is best to sim to ensure you’re using the best options available. These gems are chosen given consideration to your best stats.

Best Enchants For Prot Paladins

Here are the best enchants available for Prot Paladins in Dragonflight.

How To Simulate To Determine Your Best Gear

Raidbots is a tool that World of Warcraft players can use to figure out if the gear they just looted is an upgrade. As mentioned earlier, there are so many nuances and diminishing returns as certain points in the game, that determining an exact set of bis gear is impossible. With the ilvl scaling of Mythic+ loot on higher keys and utility different gear has for different fights, there just isn’t a pure “this is the absolute best for the entire Season” list. It’s even something that certain classes have come across inClassic Wrath!

Don’t worry, because we’re still here to help. Wehighlyrecommend usingraidbotsto determine if an item you just acquired is an upgrade. Here’s a quick guide to help you run simulations to see if your new item is an upgrade: