Best in Slot for Retribution Paladin in WoW Midnight (Patch 12.1.0)

Patch 12.1.0 · Updated Sep 27, 2026

Best cleave weapon for Retribution Paladin on patch 12.1.0.69933: Backdraft Cleaver from Kyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein. 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: 13
Item level: 334
From the raid: 8
From dungeons: 5
Crafted: 0
Top players checked: 10

Best in slot by equipment slot

effect not modelledhas a proc or on-use effect the weights cannot seetierset piece, pinned for the 4-setworn by N/10how many of the top 10 Mythic+ players wear it

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
Head of 7
1	Warhelm of the Consecrated Flametierworn by 10/10189 Strength / 141 Critical Strike / 60 Mastery	RaidThe Venomous Abyss	334	97.1% of best
	Pinned for the 4-set. Top players agree: 10 of 10 wear this.
2	Skullguard of the Risen Sacrifice189 Strength / 140 Haste / 61 Critical Strike	RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss	334	100.0% of best
3	Aetherlume Sun Guardcrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Haste	CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.0% of best
4	Spellbreaker's Covercrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.0% of best
5	Visor of the Predator189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery	DungeonAtroxus, Voidscar Arena	334	97.0% of best
Neck of 10
1	Sentinel's Vitriolic Chaineffect not modelled310 Haste / 95 Critical Strike	RaidEntombed Sentinels, The Venomous Abyss	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree8 of 10 top players wear Aqirbane Reliquary instead, which ranks only #5 on stat weights. It has an effect the weights cannot value, so trust the players here until it is simmed.
2	Yoke of the Charging Bear266 Haste / 139 Critical Strike	DungeonNalorakk, Den of Nalorakk	334	99.2% of best
3	Strand of Warding Fangs230 Critical Strike / 175 Haste	DungeonThe Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs	334	97.7% of best
4	Masterwork Sin'dorei Amuletcrafted, your stats199 Critical Strike / 199 Haste	CraftedJewelcrafting, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	96.5% of best
5	Aqirbane Reliquaryeffect not modelledworn by 8/10405 Critical Strike	RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss	334	94.7% of best
Shoulder of 6
1	Pauldrons of the Consecrated Flametierworn by 9/10141 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 46 Mastery	RaidThe Venomous Abyss	334	97.1% of best
	Pinned for the 4-set. Top players agree: 9 of 10 wear this.
2	C'thraxxi Binders Pauldrons141 Strength / 101 Haste / 50 Critical Strike	DungeonAvatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss	334	100.0% of best
3	Cinderfury Shoulderguards141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery	DungeonLithiel Cinderfury, Murder Row	334	98.9% of best
4	Spellbreaker's Mantlecrafted, your statsworn by 1/10138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.4% of best
5	Swelling Sea Spaulders141 Strength / 107 Critical Strike / 44 Mastery	RaidNymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto	334	97.2% of best
Back of 7
1	Fireproof Drape106 Strength / 71 Haste / 42 Critical Strike	DungeonKokia Blazehoof, Ruby Life Pools	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree5 of 10 top players wear Silken Voodoo Drape instead, which ranks only #4 on stat weights.
2	Bloodthorn Burnousworn by 1/10106 Strength / 73 Haste / 40 Mastery	DungeonIkuzz the Light Hunter, The Blinding Vale	334	99.1% of best
3	Adherent's Silken Shroudcrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Haste	CraftedTailoring, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.6% of best
4	Silken Voodoo Drapeworn by 5/10106 Strength / 80 Mastery / 33 Haste	RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss	334	97.1% of best
5	Speakeasy Shroudworn by 1/10106 Strength / 66 Critical Strike / 47 Mastery	DungeonZaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row	334	97.0% of best
Chest of 8
1	Bulwark of the Consecrated Flametierworn by 10/10189 Strength / 137 Mastery / 64 Haste	RaidThe Venomous Abyss	334	97.7% of best
	Pinned for the 4-set. Top players agree: 10 of 10 wear this.
2	Reckless Spirit Breastplate189 Strength / 143 Haste / 58 Mastery	RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss	334	100.0% of best
3	Taproot Ribs189 Strength / 126 Haste / 75 Versatility	DungeonLightwarden Ruia, The Blinding Vale	334	98.3% of best
4	Breastplate of Soaring Terror189 Strength / 126 Mastery / 75 Haste	DungeonKyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein, Ruby Life Pools	334	98.0% of best
5	Spellbreaker's Sheltercrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.7% of best
Wrist of 6
1	Overseer's Vambraces106 Strength / 69 Haste / 44 Critical Strike	DungeonZaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree7 of 10 top players wear Spellbreaker's Bracers instead, which ranks only #4 on stat weights.
2	Embalmer's Steadying Bracers106 Strength / 69 Critical Strike / 44 Haste	DungeonMchimba the Embalmer, Kings' Rest	334	99.3% of best
3	Aetherlume Guardscrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Haste	CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.7% of best
4	Spellbreaker's Bracerscrafted, your statsworn by 7/10103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.7% of best
5	Shellbound Bracersworn by 3/10106 Strength / 79 Mastery / 34 Critical Strike	RaidThe Lost Explorers, The Venomous Abyss	334	96.2% of best
Hands of 8
1	Gauntlets of the Consecrated Flametierworn by 7/10141 Strength / 101 Mastery / 49 Critical Strike	RaidThe Venomous Abyss	334	96.3% of best
	Pinned for the 4-set. Top players agree: 7 of 10 wear this.
2	Bonds of the Hash'ura141 Strength / 91 Haste / 59 Critical Strike	DungeonNalorakk, Den of Nalorakk	334	100.0% of best
3	Scaleplate Strangulators141 Strength / 100 Critical Strike / 50 Haste	RaidThe Twin Fangs, The Venomous Abyss	334	99.2% of best
4	Fangproof Gauntlets141 Strength / 91 Haste / 59 Mastery	DungeonMerektha, Temple of Sethraliss	334	98.9% of best
5	Spellbreaker's Resolvecrafted, your statsworn by 2/10138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.9% of best
Waist of 6
1	Girdle of Pestilent Purificationworn by 1/10141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery	DungeonThe Council of Tribes, Kings' Rest	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree5 of 10 top players wear Girdle of Toxic Regret instead, which ranks only #4 on stat weights.
2	Forgotten Grotto Girdle141 Strength / 106 Haste / 44 Versatility	RaidNymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto	334	99.2% of best
3	Spellbreaker's Girdlecrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	98.5% of best
4	Girdle of Toxic Regretworn by 5/10141 Strength / 106 Critical Strike / 45 Mastery	RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss	334	98.3% of best
5	Autumn's Boon Belt141 Strength / 91 Mastery / 59 Versatility	DungeonThe Hoardmonger, Den of Nalorakk	334	94.8% of best
Legs of 7
1	Greaves of the Consecrated Flametierworn by 9/10189 Strength / 134 Haste / 67 Critical Strike	RaidThe Venomous Abyss	334	100.0% of best
	Pinned for the 4-set. Top players agree: 9 of 10 wear this.
2	Ancient General's Obsidian Pillars189 Strength / 108 Critical Strike / 93 Haste	DungeonZul'jan, Altar of Fangs	334	99.4% of best
3	Venom Warden's Greaves189 Strength / 136 Haste / 65 Mastery	RaidEntombed Sentinels, The Venomous Abyss	334	99.2% of best
4	Spellbreaker's Legguardscrafted, your stats183 Strength / 99 Critical Strike / 99 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.1% of best
5	Bedrock Breeches189 Strength / 122 Critical Strike / 79 Versatility	DungeonLightblossom Trinity, The Blinding Vale	334	95.6% of best
Feet of 8
1	Entombed Cultist's Sabatonsworn by 1/10141 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 46 Haste	RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree4 of 10 top players wear Scaled Fiend's Warboots instead, which ranks only #5 on stat weights.
2	Aetherlume Stomperscrafted, your stats138 Strength / 75 Critical Strike / 75 Haste	CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	98.8% of best
3	Murder Row Fleet Feeteffect not modelledcrafted, your stats138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	98.5% of best
4	Spellbreaker's Marchcrafted, your statsworn by 2/10138 Strength / 74 Critical Strike / 74 Haste	CraftedBlacksmithing, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	98.5% of best
5	Scaled Fiend's Warbootsworn by 4/10141 Strength / 104 Mastery / 47 Haste	RaidVashnik the Malignant, The Venomous Abyss	334	98.1% of best
Ringswear two of 14
1	Band of the Amani Warlord258 Haste / 147 Critical Strike	DungeonZul'jan, Altar of Fangs	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree10 of 10 top players wear Loa Worshiper's Band instead, which ranks only #9 on stat weights. It has an effect the weights cannot value, so trust the players here until it is simmed.
2	Sickening Signet of Atroxusworn by 6/10278 Haste / 127 Mastery	DungeonAtroxus, Voidscar Arena	334	98.4% of best
3	Alluring Bubbleband316 Haste / 89 Versatility	RaidNymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto	334	98.0% of best
4	Masterwork Sin'dorei Bandcrafted, your stats199 Critical Strike / 199 Haste	CraftedJewelcrafting, Midnight Crafted Gear	331	97.3% of best
5	Apex Brute's Claw Ringeffect not modelled338 Critical Strike / 67 Haste	RaidSszorak, The Venomous Abyss	334	96.7% of best
Trinketswear two of 66
1	Zul'jin's Guillotine Techniqueworn by 10/10179 Strength	RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss	334	+25,993 DPS gain
	Top players agree: 10 of 10 wear this.
2	Voracious Heart of Ula'tekworn by 9/10143 Critical Strike	RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss	334	+22,077 DPS gain
3	Coiled Fangstone179 Strength	DungeonRav'i, Altar of Fangs	334	+19,892 DPS gain
4	Sszorak's Ferocity179 Strength	RaidSszorak, The Venomous Abyss	334	+19,137 DPS gain
5	Keeper's Seething Core179 Strength	RaidEntombed Sentinels, The Venomous Abyss	334	+18,188 DPS gain
Main hand of 13
1	Backdraft Cleaver189 Strength / 126 Haste / 75 Critical Strike	DungeonKyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein, Ruby Life Pools	334	100.0% of best
	players disagree9 of 10 top players wear Maze-roa, Warlord's Fury instead, which ranks only #7 on stat weights. It has an effect the weights cannot value, so trust the players here until it is simmed.
2	Xathuux's Cleave189 Strength / 118 Critical Strike / 83 Haste	DungeonXathuux the Annihilator, Murder Row	334	99.4% of best
3	Vile Writhefang Glaive189 Strength / 110 Critical Strike / 90 Haste	DungeonThe Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs	334	99.3% of best
4	Caustic Keeper-Crusherworn by 1/10189 Strength / 137 Critical Strike / 64 Haste	RaidEntombed Sentinels, The Venomous Abyss	334	99.1% of best
5	Malignant Toothed Edge189 Strength / 133 Haste / 67 Mastery	RaidVashnik the Malignant, The Venomous Abyss	334	99.0% of best

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Methodology

Stat weights

Each item's stats are multiplied by the Retribution Paladin stat weights from the weekly scale-factor sim (normalized: Strength 1.00, Haste 0.73, Critical Strike 0.68, Mastery 0.64, Versatility 0.58). 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

Each slot is compared with what the top 10 Mythic+ players for the spec wear, read from their armory gear on Sep 27, 2026. Usage never reorders the list; it flags slots where the players disagree with the weights (5 here), which is where unmodelled effects or last season's gear show up. Top Retribution 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 Retribution Paladin in Patch 12.1.0.69933?

For Retribution Paladin on cleave: Head: Warhelm of the Consecrated Flame; Neck: Sentinel's Vitriolic Chain; Shoulder: Pauldrons of the Consecrated Flame; Back: Fireproof Drape; Chest: Bulwark of the Consecrated Flame; Wrist: Overseer's Vambraces; Hands: Gauntlets of the Consecrated Flame; Waist: Girdle of Pestilent Purification; Legs: Greaves of the Consecrated Flame; Feet: Entombed Cultist's Sabatons; Rings: Band of the Amani Warlord; Trinkets: Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique; Main hand: Backdraft Cleaver. Stat items are ranked by the spec's simmed stat weights and trinkets by their simmed DPS gain.

What is the best weapon for Retribution Paladin?

Backdraft Cleaver, from Kyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein, scores highest against the Retribution 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 Retribution best-in-slot gear come from?

Of the 13 best-in-slot picks, 8 come from the raid, 5 from Mythic+ dungeons and 0 from crafted gear. Open the best dungeons page for a per-dungeon breakdown.

Does this match what top Retribution Paladin players actually wear?

Mostly. The players agree with the weight top three in 6 of 13 slots. They disagree on Neck: Aqirbane Reliquary (8/10); Back: Silken Voodoo Drape (5/10); Wrist: Spellbreaker's Bracers (7/10); Waist: Girdle of Toxic Regret (5/10); Feet: Scaled Fiend's Warboots (4/10); Rings: Loa Worshiper's Band (10/10); Main hand: Maze-roa, Warlord's Fury (9/10). Where the item they wear has a proc or on-use effect, the weights can't value it, so go with the players until it's simmed.

How is this ranked without simming every item?

Each item's stats at the season ceiling are multiplied by the Retribution 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.

Best in Slot for Retribution Paladin in WoW Midnight (Patch 12.1.0)

Head

Neck

Shoulder

Back

Chest

Wrist

Hands

Waist

Legs

Feet

Ringswear two

Trinketswear two

Main hand