WoW Classic: Season Of Discovery - The Reckoning Paladin Guide

by Jhon Lennon 63 views

Hey everyone, and welcome! Are you ready to dive deep into the Season of Discovery (SoD) in World of Warcraft Classic? Specifically, are you hyped to become a righteous force of nature as a Reckoning Paladin? Well, you've come to the right place, because we're about to break down everything you need to know about this powerful and exhilarating build. We'll cover everything from the best builds for both PvE (Player vs. Environment) and PvP (Player vs. Player), to the talents you should prioritize, and the gameplay strategies that will have you dominating in the arena or crushing bosses in raids. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on an epic journey to master the art of the Reckoning Paladin.

What is a Reckoning Paladin?

First things first, let's get acquainted. The Reckoning Paladin is a unique and incredibly fun build that capitalizes on the Paladin's ability to take a beating, then unleash a devastating counter-attack. Think of it as a walking, plate-armored explosion! At the heart of this build lies the Reckoning talent which is found in the Protection talent tree. This talent gives the Paladin a chance to store extra attacks every time they are hit, which can then be unleashed in a massive burst of damage. When combined with the right gear, talents, and play style, the Reckoning Paladin can be a force to be reckoned with (pun intended!) in both PvP and PvE environments. It’s a bit different from other Paladin specializations, offering a more aggressive and proactive playstyle, rather than the typical support and healing role. So, get ready to get your hands dirty, and dish out some serious punishment!

As the Season of Discovery continues to unfold, expect to see the Reckoning Paladin rise in popularity. People are starting to learn how to play it, and how effective it can be, especially at lower level brackets. A well-played Reckoning Paladin can often surprise opponents, as the burst potential can take people down quickly. Mastering this build takes a bit of practice, but with the right knowledge and guidance, you'll be well on your way to becoming a champion.

The Reckoning Paladin: PvP Build & Strategy

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of the PvP Reckoning Paladin build. If you are looking to become a true menace in the battlefield, this is the build you'll want to master. This build focuses on maximizing the damage output from Reckoning while maintaining a decent level of survivability. Remember, you're the juggernaut, the unyielding wall that smashes its foes. The main goal here is to get hit, store up those extra attacks, and then unleash them at the most opportune moment to obliterate your enemies. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

Talent Build

For PvP, your talent build should prioritize the Protection and Retribution trees. You'll want to aim for a build that looks something like this (remember, you'll want to adjust it based on your specific level and the talents available in SoD): Primarily, the talent build should focus on taking talents that increase survivability and damage. Start by putting points into Improved Seal of the Crusader and Improved Blessing of Might to increase your damage output and buffing capabilities. Next, you will want to get Deflection, for the chance to parry, which can help your survival. From there, you want to get Reckoning. After that, take talents like Divine Strength and Toughness, to get a boost to your health pool. Now, head over to the Retribution tree to grab talents like Vindication and Conviction, which gives you more damage and hit chance. Ensure you put a single point into Blessing of Kings, for more stats. Remember, the exact distribution will depend on the level cap and the runes available in SoD, but the core idea is to balance damage, and survivability.

Runes and Abilities

  • Runes: This is where you get to decide how your Paladin will play, and the Runes will determine the playstyle. The key runes for PvP include:

    • Chest: Exorcist - Allows you to deal more damage.
    • Gloves: Reckoning - The cornerstone of your build. This rune is crucial for enabling the core Reckoning playstyle.
    • Legs: Avenging Wrath - This rune is amazing for when you want to burst your enemies, it greatly increases your damage.

  • Abilities:

    • Seal of Command: This is your go-to seal for dealing damage.
    • Blessing of Might: Buff yourself and your group with this.
    • Hammer of Justice: Use this to stun your opponents and set up your burst.
    • Holy Shield: Increases your block chance.
    • Lay on Hands: Use in emergencies.

PvP Strategy

  • Engage Strategically: Don't just charge in blindly. Assess the situation, identify your target, and plan your approach. Isolate your targets when possible.
  • Stack Reckoning: Get hit, let those attacks build up. The more attacks you store, the more devastating your burst will be.
  • Burst Phase: Once you have stored enough attacks, and your target is ready to be taken down, activate Avenging Wrath and use your stored attacks in conjunction with Seal of Command and Hammer of Justice to unleash your damage. Use this phase to quickly eliminate enemies.
  • Use Utilities: Use Hammer of Justice at key moments to stun your opponents and prevent them from escaping. Use Blessing of Freedom to remove movement-impairing effects on yourself.
  • Survivability is Key: While damage is important, don't neglect your survivability. Use Holy Shield to increase your block chance and mitigate damage. Use Lay on Hands as a last resort, and always have bandages and potions ready to keep you alive.

Mastering the PvP Reckoning Paladin is all about patience, timing, and knowing when to strike. With the right build and strategy, you can become a formidable opponent in any battleground or arena. Now go forth and smite your foes, champion!

The Reckoning Paladin: PvE Build & Strategy

Alright, time to shift gears and talk about the PvE Reckoning Paladin. While the Reckoning build is most known for PvP, it can also be quite effective in PvE, especially in certain situations. The goal here is to maximize your damage output while maintaining enough survivability to withstand the hits from bosses and mobs. Keep in mind that, this build is not the best for tanking, and it is more useful as a damage-dealing build. The play style is slightly different, but the core principles remain the same: take hits, and dish out huge amounts of damage with Reckoning. Let's break it down:

Talent Build

In PvE, your talent build should focus on a balance of damage and survivability, with a touch of support. It might look something like this. You will start with the protection talent tree, to take talents like Deflection and Toughness. Focus on talents that increase your armor and health pool. Invest in talents that improve threat generation like Improved Righteous Fury. Then, get Reckoning. After that, take Divine Strength to further boost health and mana. Head over to the Retribution tree to get talents like Conviction and Vindication. To help your group you may want to put a single point in Blessing of Kings. The exact talent build may vary, but the main idea here is the balance of damage and survival.

Runes and Abilities

  • Runes: Here are the key runes for PvE:

    • Chest: Exorcist - Allows you to deal more damage.
    • Gloves: Reckoning - Again, this is the cornerstone of the build.
    • Legs: Avenging Wrath - This rune is amazing for when you want to burst your enemies, it greatly increases your damage.

  • Abilities:

    • Seal of Command: Your main damage source.
    • Blessing of Might: Increase your party's attack power.
    • Consecration: Helps with threat generation and damage.
    • Hammer of Justice: To stun the boss in certain situations.

PvE Strategy

  • Tanking Responsibilities: Even though you're a DPS, you may be required to tank some encounters, so make sure you understand the mechanics of the fight.
  • Threat Management: Use your abilities and talents to generate threat. Use Consecration often and keep up your buffs.
  • Damage Output: Keep Seal of Command up at all times. Use your stored Reckoning attacks at every opportunity to do maximum damage.
  • Positioning: Position yourself carefully. Avoid standing in front of the boss unless you have to tank.
  • Support Your Group: Buff your group and use utility abilities as needed.

With the correct strategy and a little bit of practice, you can transform the Reckoning Paladin into a valuable asset in any PvE situation. Be patient, pay attention to the boss mechanics, and always remember to support your group. Now, go forth and bring the light to the dark corners of Azeroth!

Gear and Stats for Reckoning Paladins

Alright, let's talk about the gear. Having the right gear and stats is vital to making the most out of your Reckoning Paladin build, whether you are in PvP or PvE. Here are some of the stats and gear priorities:

Stat Priority

  • Strength: Strength is your primary stat. It increases your attack power, which boosts your damage.
  • Stamina: Stamina increases your health pool, which helps you survive, especially in PvP. Always try to balance damage with survivability.
  • Agility: Agility is a secondary stat that increases your chance to dodge and critical hit chance. This is more useful in PvP than PvE.
  • Intellect: Intellect increases your mana pool, which is helpful to the Paladin. It also increases the critical strike chance with spells. It is very useful, as the Reckoning Paladin can often run out of mana in long fights.
  • Armor: Armor increases your physical damage mitigation. Very helpful in both PvP and PvE.
  • Hit Chance: You’ll want to aim for a reasonable hit chance to ensure your attacks land. The more you miss, the less effective the build is.
  • Critical Strike Chance: Critical Strikes are extremely valuable for Reckoning Paladins. They amplify the damage of your attacks. The higher the critical strike chance, the higher the damage, and the faster you can take out opponents.

Gear Priorities

  • Weapons: Weapons with high damage per second (DPS) are critical to success. Look for a one-handed weapon with a good attack speed, or a good two-handed weapon. The higher the damage, the more the build's effectiveness increases. Weapons with critical strike chance are highly desirable.
  • Armor: Focus on gear that provides Strength, Stamina, and Armor. Plate armor is your best bet, as it provides the most armor. Try to balance offense and defense.
  • Enchants: Always use enchants to optimize your stats. Look for enchants that boost Strength, Stamina, and Critical Strike Chance.
  • Consumables: Consumables can provide a significant boost to your stats and survivability. Stock up on potions, elixirs, and other helpful items to give you an edge.

Gameplay Tips and Tricks

Alright, let's get into some tips and tricks to master the Reckoning Paladin. These will help you optimize your gameplay and maximize your effectiveness in both PvP and PvE:

  • Practice, Practice, Practice: The Reckoning Paladin has a unique playstyle, so it will take a bit of practice to get used to it. The more you play, the better you will become.
  • Keybinds: Set up keybinds that work for you. Make sure you can easily access all your abilities, so you can react quickly in combat.
  • Use Macros: Macros can greatly streamline your gameplay. Create macros to quickly cast different abilities, such as blessing, and seals.
  • Communication is Key: Communicate with your team, especially in PvP. Coordinate your attacks and focus on the most important targets.
  • Learn Your Enemy: Understand the abilities of your opponents. Knowing what to expect will help you react more effectively.
  • Situational Awareness: Pay attention to the surroundings. Know where to position yourself, and be aware of any potential threats.
  • Adapt Your Build: As you play, you may want to modify your build and strategy based on your experiences and the needs of the situation. Don't be afraid to experiment.
  • Resource Management: Watch your mana. It’s easy to run out of mana, so manage it effectively. Use mana potions and food to regenerate mana.
  • Have Fun: Remember, at the end of the day, gaming is about having fun! Enjoy the unique and explosive playstyle of the Reckoning Paladin and have a blast smiting your foes!

Conclusion

There you have it, the complete guide to the Reckoning Paladin in World of Warcraft Classic: Season of Discovery! We've covered everything from the build, talent, and rune selection to the PvP and PvE strategies, gear, and gameplay tips. I truly hope this guide helps you in your journey to become a master of the Reckoning Paladin. This is a build that can be rewarding if you know how to master it. Remember to always prioritize your health, stay aware, and don't be afraid to experiment. With a little practice, patience, and the right approach, you will be smiting foes in no time. Now go out there and unleash the righteous fury of the Reckoning Paladin! Good luck, and have fun in Azeroth, guys! Let me know if you need any help, or want me to create content on other builds.