Best in Slot for Protection Paladin in WoW Midnight (Patch 12.1.0)
Patch 12.1.0 · Updated Sep 27, 2026
Best cleave weapon for Protection Paladin on patch 12.1.0.69933: Resonating Crystal Scimitar from Avatar of Sethraliss. Wear Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique and Voracious Heart of Ula'tek as your trinkets. Every item is compared at item level 334.
- Slots ranked
- 14
- Item level
- 334
- From the raid
- 11
- From dungeons
- 3
- Crafted
- 0
Best in slot by equipment slot
effect not modelledhas a proc or on-use effect the weights cannot seetierset piece, pinned for the 4-set
The best item for every slot plus up to four alternatives, ranked by this spec's simmed stat weights. Trinkets are ranked by simmed DPS.
| # | Item | Source | ilvl | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Headof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Warhelm of the Consecrated Flametier189 Strength / 141 Critical Strike / 60 Mastery | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Visor of the Predator189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery | Dungeon Atroxus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 3 |  Greathelm of Temptation189 Strength / 126 Mastery / 75 Critical Strike | Dungeon Kystia Manaheart, Murder Row | 334 | 99.1% of best |
| 4 |  Skullguard of the Risen Sacrifice189 Strength / 140 Haste / 61 Critical Strike | Raid Nek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.1% of best |
| 5 |  Helm of the Raptor King189 Strength / 118 Versatility / 83 Haste | Dungeon Dazar, The First King, Kings' Rest | 334 | 98.6% of best |
Neckof 10 | ||||
| 1 |  Aqirbane Reliquaryeffect not modelled405 Critical Strike | Raid Ula'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Graft of the Domanaar261 Critical Strike / 145 Mastery | Dungeon Charonus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 97.9% of best |
| 3 |  Strand of Warding Fangs230 Critical Strike / 175 Haste | Dungeon The Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 97.4% of best |
| 4 |  Yoke of the Charging Bear266 Haste / 139 Critical Strike | Dungeon Nalorakk, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 96.1% of best |
| 5 |  Masterwork Sin'dorei Amuletcrafted, your stats199 Critical Strike / 199 Versatility | CraftedJewelcrafting, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 96.0% of best |
Shoulderof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Pauldrons of the Consecrated Flametier141 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 46 Mastery | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 | Swelling Sea Spaulders141 Strength / 107 Critical Strike / 44 Mastery | Raid Nymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  C'thraxxi Binders Pauldrons141 Strength / 101 Haste / 50 Critical Strike | Dungeon Avatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.1% of best |
| 4 | Pauldrons of the Great Unifier141 Strength / 85 Versatility / 66 Mastery | DungeonDazar, The First King, Kings' Rest | 334 | 98.5% of best |
| 5 |  Cinderfury Shoulderguards141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery | Dungeon Lithiel Cinderfury, Murder Row | 334 | 98.2% of best |
Backof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Amani Summoning Shawl106 Strength / 78 Critical Strike / 35 Versatility | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Speakeasy Shroud106 Strength / 66 Critical Strike / 47 Mastery | Dungeon Zaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 3 |  Fireproof Drape106 Strength / 71 Haste / 42 Critical Strike | Dungeon Kokia Blazehoof, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 99.0% of best |
| 4 |  Cloak of the Restless Tribeseffect not modelled106 Strength / 61 Versatility / 52 Mastery | Dungeon The Council of Tribes, Kings' Rest | 334 | 98.3% of best |
| 5 |  Bloodthorn Burnous106 Strength / 73 Haste / 40 Mastery | Dungeon Ikuzz the Light Hunter, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 98.0% of best |
Chestof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Bulwark of the Consecrated Flametier189 Strength / 137 Mastery / 64 Haste | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 98.3% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Aged Interwoven Scaleplate189 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 96 Versatility | DungeonThe Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Sentinel Challenger's Prize189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery | Dungeon Sentinel of Winter, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 4 |  Desert Guardian's Breastplate189 Strength / 122 Mastery / 79 Critical Strike | DungeonAvatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 5 | Taproot Ribs189 Strength / 126 Haste / 75 Versatility | Dungeon Lightwarden Ruia, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 98.6% of best |
Wristof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Embalmer's Steadying Bracers106 Strength / 69 Critical Strike / 44 Haste | Dungeon Mchimba the Embalmer, Kings' Rest | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Overseer's Vambraces106 Strength / 69 Haste / 44 Critical Strike | DungeonZaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row | 334 | 99.4% of best |
| 3 |  Shellbound Bracers106 Strength / 79 Mastery / 34 Critical Strike | Raid The Lost Explorers, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.1% of best |
| 4 | Shard-Tipped Vambraces106 Strength / 66 Versatility / 47 Haste | Dungeon Adderis and Aspix, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 98.8% of best |
| 5 |  Aetherlume Guardscrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Versatility | CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.0% of best |
Handsof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Gauntlets of the Consecrated Flametier141 Strength / 101 Mastery / 49 Critical Strike | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.0% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 | Scaleplate Strangulators141 Strength / 100 Critical Strike / 50 Haste | Raid The Twin Fangs, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Bonds of the Hash'ura141 Strength / 91 Haste / 59 Critical Strike | DungeonNalorakk, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 4 |  Gauntlets of the Avian Sentinel141 Strength / 101 Mastery / 50 Critical Strike | Dungeon The Golden Serpent, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 5 | Thornspike Gauntlets141 Strength / 98 Mastery / 53 Versatility | Dungeon Ziekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 98.6% of best |
Waistof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Girdle of Toxic Regret141 Strength / 106 Critical Strike / 45 Mastery | Raid The Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Sand-Scoured Greatbelt141 Strength / 95 Versatility / 56 Mastery | Dungeon Galvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 98.6% of best |
| 3 | Girdle of Pestilent Purification141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery | DungeonThe Council of Tribes, Kings' Rest | 334 | 98.2% of best |
| 4 |  Forgotten Grotto Girdle141 Strength / 106 Haste / 44 Versatility | RaidNymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto | 334 | 98.2% of best |
| 5 |  Autumn's Boon Belt141 Strength / 91 Mastery / 59 Versatility | Dungeon The Hoardmonger, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 98.1% of best |
Legsof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Greaves of the Consecrated Flametier189 Strength / 134 Haste / 67 Critical Strike | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.1% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Bedrock Breeches189 Strength / 122 Critical Strike / 79 Versatility | Dungeon Lightblossom Trinity, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Ancient General's Obsidian Pillars189 Strength / 108 Critical Strike / 93 Haste | Dungeon Zul'jan, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 4 |  Legplates of Charged Duality189 Strength / 126 Versatility / 75 Critical Strike | DungeonAdderis and Aspix, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 5 |  Venom Warden's Greaves189 Strength / 136 Haste / 65 Mastery | Raid Entombed Sentinels, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 98.2% of best |
Feetof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Entombed Cultist's Sabatons141 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 46 Haste | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Auric Puddle Stompers141 Strength / 88 Versatility / 62 Critical Strike | DungeonThe Golden Serpent, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 3 |  Scaleguard's Stalwart Greatboots141 Strength / 98 Versatility / 53 Mastery | Dungeon Melidrussa Chillworn, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 98.5% of best |
| 4 |  Poison-Proof Stompers141 Strength / 79 Haste / 72 Versatility | Dungeon Rav'i, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 98.5% of best |
| 5 |  Scaled Fiend's Warboots141 Strength / 104 Mastery / 47 Haste | Raid Vashnik the Malignant, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 98.1% of best |
Ringswear twoof 14 | ||||
| 1 |  Apex Brute's Claw Ringeffect not modelled338 Critical Strike / 67 Haste | Raid Sszorak, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Signet of Snarling Servitude249 Critical Strike / 156 Mastery | Dungeon Xathuux the Annihilator, Murder Row | 334 | 98.5% of best |
| 3 |  Charged Sandstone Band232 Critical Strike / 174 Mastery | DungeonGalvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 98.4% of best |
| 4 |  Pilfered Precious Band243 Versatility / 162 Critical Strike | DungeonThe Hoardmonger, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 98.1% of best |
| 5 |  Band of the Amani Warlord258 Haste / 147 Critical Strike | DungeonZul'jan, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 97.2% of best |
Trinketswear twoof 66 | ||||
| 1 |  Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique179 Strength | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +17,821 DPS gain |
| 2 |  Voracious Heart of Ula'tek143 Critical Strike | RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +15,328 DPS gain |
| 3 |  Coiled Fangstone179 Strength | DungeonRav'i, Altar of Fangs | 334 | +13,847 DPS gain |
| 4 |  Tumor of the Swarm179 Strength | DungeonAtroxus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | +13,264 DPS gain |
| 5 |  Sszorak's Ferocity179 Strength | RaidSszorak, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +13,078 DPS gain |
Main handof 9 | ||||
| 1 |  Resonating Crystal Scimitar94 Strength / 57 Critical Strike / 44 Haste | DungeonAvatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Thorned Reply94 Strength / 59 Haste / 42 Critical Strike | DungeonZiekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 3 |  Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver94 Strength / 66 Mastery / 35 Critical Strike | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 4 |  Taz'Rah's Cosmic Edge94 Strength / 59 Haste / 42 Mastery | Dungeon Taz'Rah, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 98.5% of best |
| 5 |  Farstrider's Choppercrafted, your stats92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.4% of best |
Off handof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Bulwark of Brimming Potential289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 55 Versatility / 46 Critical Strike | DungeonGalvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Teldrassil's Sacrifice289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 61 Critical Strike / 39 Versatility | DungeonZiekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 3 |  Venom-Slashed Scuteward289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 67 Haste / 33 Critical Strike | RaidThe Lost Explorers, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.0% of best |
| 4 |  Knight-Commander's Palisadeeffect not modelledcrafted, your stats281 Intellect / 92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.4% of best |
| 5 | Spellbreaker's Rebukecrafted, your stats281 Intellect / 92 Strength / 50 Critical Strike / 50 Versatility | CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 98.4% of best |
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Methodology
Stat weights
Each item's stats are multiplied by the Protection Paladin stat weights from the weekly scale-factor sim (normalized: Strength 1.00, Critical Strike 0.67, Versatility 0.64, Haste 0.63, Mastery 0.63). Full stat priority.
Trinkets
Taken from the weekly simmed trinket leaderboard, 50,000 iterations per trinket on the canonical baseline profile, since trinket value is mostly effect. Trinket leaderboard.
Item level
Raid and Mythic+ drops at the Myth 6/6 ceiling (334), crafted gear at the crafted cap, everything else at its fixed item level. Stats scaled with SimulationCraft's item scaling from the game's DB2 tables.
Tier pieces and crafted gear
Tier pieces are pinned to rank one of their slot for the set bonus. Crafted gear is priced with its two crafter-chosen secondaries set to the spec's two best stats at an even split.
Top-player check
No top-player sample for this spec yet. The check shows up once the top players board has data. Top Protection players.
Not included
On-use and proc effects outside the trinket slot (flagged), embellishments, set-bonus interactions between slots, and the combined value of a full set.
Source and patch
SimulationCraft 4c7c73621e596419b5bd6faa5d68940a9c640379, client build 12.1.0.69933, generated Sep 27, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-in-slot gear for Protection Paladin in Patch 12.1.0.69933?
For Protection Paladin on cleave: Head: Warhelm of the Consecrated Flame; Neck: Aqirbane Reliquary; Shoulder: Pauldrons of the Consecrated Flame; Back: Amani Summoning Shawl; Chest: Bulwark of the Consecrated Flame; Wrist: Embalmer's Steadying Bracers; Hands: Gauntlets of the Consecrated Flame; Waist: Girdle of Toxic Regret; Legs: Greaves of the Consecrated Flame; Feet: Entombed Cultist's Sabatons; Rings: Apex Brute's Claw Ring; Trinkets: Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique; Main hand: Resonating Crystal Scimitar; Off hand: Bulwark of Brimming Potential. Stat items are ranked by the spec's simmed stat weights and trinkets by their simmed DPS gain.
What is the best weapon for Protection Paladin?
Resonating Crystal Scimitar, from Avatar of Sethraliss, scores highest against the Protection Paladin stat weights at the season ceiling. Weapons with a proc or on-use effect are flagged on the board, since the score leaves the effect out.
Where does Protection best-in-slot gear come from?
Of the 14 best-in-slot picks, 11 come from the raid, 3 from Mythic+ dungeons and 0 from crafted gear. Open the best dungeons page for a per-dungeon breakdown.
Does this match what top Protection Paladin players actually wear?
There's no top-player sample for Protection Paladin yet. The check appears once the top players board has data.
How is this ranked without simming every item?
Each item's stats at the season ceiling are multiplied by the Protection Paladin stat weights (DPS per point, from the weekly scale-factor sim). Trinkets come from the simmed trinket leaderboard. Items with effects outside the trinket slot are flagged because a weight cannot value an effect.
Why is the tier piece ranked first even when another item has better stats?
The 4-set bonus is worth more than a stat difference, so tier pieces are pinned. The alternatives are what to wear before the set is complete or in the fifth tier slot.
How often is this updated?
Every Sunday after the weekly SimulationCraft update, when the stat weights and trinket boards are re-simmed. The methodology section shows the SimC build used.