Best In Slot Pre-Raid

Best in Slot Phase 1

There may be no better tank option than Protection Paladins forClassic Wrath of the Lich King. The spec tops ourWrath Classic PvE Tank Tier Listthanks to their impressive set of skills and utility.

Our Prot Paladin BIS guide will focus on what gear is best in slot for you as you begin your journey intoWrath 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 tosim your DPS.

Shield

Libram

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.

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 theMind Amplification Dishenchant

Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Neck Pre-Raid WotLK

The emblem neck is the easiest thing to obtain here. It’s a no-brainer.

25Emblem of Heroism

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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 thatPauldrons of PerseveranceorSpaulders of the Thalasian Defenderare more than adequate.

Pauldrons of the Colossus

Greater Inscription of the Gladiator

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.

Cloak of the Enemy

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.

80Emblem of Heroism

Bracers of the Herald

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.

60Emblem of Heroism

Grab that emblem waist and don’t look back.

40Emblem of Heroism

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.

Frosthide Leg Armor

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.

Jewelcrafting craft - Bind on Equip

Enchant Ring - Stamina

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.

Jewelcrafting craft - Bind on Pick-up

Good trinket

Seal of the Pantheon

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Weapon Pre-Raid WotLK

There’s the Red Sword of Courage, and then honestly, there’s everything else.

Enchant Weapon - Mongoose

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Shield Pre-Raid WotLK

You can pick up your best shields without ever stepping into an instance.

35Emblem of Heroism

15Emblem of Heroism

Phase one sees the introduction of the first wave of raids in Wrath of the Lich King, they are:Naxxramas, Obsidian Sanctum, andEye of Eternity

Tier is the best, bar none. This is your best option and it’s not even close.

Gothik the Harvester - Naxxramas 25

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.

Medallion of the Disgraced

Multiple enemies - Naxxramas

Judgment at the Eye of Eternity

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Shoulders Phase 1 WotLK

Your tier has anincrediblyslight edge over the Pauldrons. Burdened Shoulderplates would have usage in certain gear sets.

60Emblem of Valor, also Loatheb in Naxxramas 25

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.

25Emblem of Valor

Shadow of the Ghoul

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.

Chestguard of the Exhausted

Heigan the Unclean - Naxxramas 25

Sapphiron - Naxxramas 10

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

Gauntlets of the Disobedient

Noth the Plaguebringer - Naxxramas 25

Gauntlets of the Master

Enchant Gloves - Armsman

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Waist Phase 1 WotLK

Maexxna 25 has your best waist. Everything else offers solid alternatives.

Waistguard of the Tutor

leshless Girdle

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 may’t get the Malygos legs.

Malygos - Eye of Eternity 25

75Emblem of Valor

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Feet Phase 1 WotLK

40Emblem of Valor

Noth the Plaguebringer - Naxxramas 10

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Rings Phase 1 WotLK

There’s a lot of great options for rings. you’re able to’t really go wrong with any of em.

Signet of the Accord

Protection Paladin Best In Slot Trinkets Phase 1 WotLK

41Emblem of Heroism

Slayer of the Lifeless

Gothik the Harvester - Naxxramas 10

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.

Malygos - Eye of Eternity 10