Hey guys! If you're diving into Wrath of the Lich King as a Holy Paladin and aiming to dominate in PvP, you've come to the right place. Gearing up properly is absolutely crucial for your success in arenas and battlegrounds. This guide will walk you through the best gear choices, enchants, and gems to make you a formidable force on the battlefield. Let's get started!

    Understanding Holy Paladin PvP Gearing

    Before we jump into specific gear pieces, let's understand what stats we're prioritizing. As a Holy Paladin in PvP, your primary focus is on survivability and mana sustain. You can't heal if you're dead or out of mana, right? Here’s a breakdown of the key stats:

    • Resilience: This is your bread and butter. Resilience reduces damage taken from players and their pets, as well as reducing the chance you'll be critically hit. Aim for as much Resilience as you can get without sacrificing too much of other important stats. In Wrath, a good starting point is around 800 Resilience, but pushing for more is always beneficial.

    • Intellect: Intellect increases your mana pool and your spell power. More mana means you can heal for longer, and more spell power means your heals are more effective. It's a win-win! Don't neglect Intellect in your gearing strategy.

    • Spell Power: While not your top priority, spell power still plays a significant role in the strength of your heals. Balancing spell power with mana sustain and survivability is key. Look for gear that provides a good mix of Intellect and Spell Power.

    • Haste: Haste reduces your cast time, allowing you to get heals out faster. This can be a lifesaver in tight situations. However, don't overdo it on Haste. It's more important to have a solid foundation of Resilience, Intellect, and Spell Power.

    • Critical Strike: Crit isn't as vital as the other stats, but it can still be useful. Critical heals can provide a burst of healing when you need it most. Don't actively seek out Crit, but if it comes on a piece of gear you need, it's a nice bonus.

    • Mana per 5 Seconds (MP5): Mana regen is super important in long fights, that's where MP5 comes in. The more MP5, the better for mana sustain.

    Now that we know what stats to look for, let's dive into the gear!

    Best in Slot (BiS) Gear

    Okay, let's talk about the absolute best gear you can get your hands on. Keep in mind that obtaining a full BiS setup can take time and effort, but it's well worth it for the competitive edge. Remember that depending on your server and arena bracket, some pieces might be harder to come by or more contested.

    Head

    • Sanctified Lightsworn Helmet: This is the top-tier choice. You get it from 25-man Icecrown Citadel (ICC). It offers a great mix of Intellect, Spell Power, and Crit. Socket it with a Runed Cardinal Ruby for extra Spell Power and a Nightmare Tear if needed to activate meta gem.

    Shoulders

    • Sanctified Lightsworn Shoulderpads: Also from 25-man ICC, these shoulders provide excellent stats, including Intellect, Spell Power, and Resilience. Enchant with Greater Inscription of the Gladiator if you're aiming for a more offensive setup, or Greater Inscription of the Crag for extra Resilience.

    Chest

    • Sanctified Lightsworn Battleplate: Another piece from ICC 25-man. This chest is loaded with Intellect, Spell Power, and Resilience. Socket it with two Runed Cardinal Rubies.

    Gloves

    • Sanctified Lightsworn Gauntlets: Yes, you guessed it, from ICC 25-man! These gloves offer a solid chunk of Intellect, Spell Power, and Haste. Enchant with Hyperspeed Accelerators for a Haste boost or Greater Spellpower for more raw healing power.

    Legs

    • Sanctified Lightsworn Greaves: More ICC 25-man gear! These legs provide a great mix of Intellect, Spell Power, and Resilience. Socket with two Runed Cardinal Rubies. Add a Master's Spellthread enchant for even more Spell Power and Spirit.

    Boots

    • Greaves of পরিশোধ: Found in Trial of the Grand Crusader, these boots offer a good balance of stats including hit rating. Enchant with Tuskarr's Vitality for a Stamina and movement speed boost.

    Belt

    • Belt of the Twilight Queen: This belt from Icecrown Citadel gives you that much needed resilience. Throw in a Nightmare Tear for that extra stat boost.

    Bracers

    • Bracers of Dark Reckoning: Obtained from 25-man ICC, these bracers provide Intellect, Spell Power, and some Haste. Enchant with Superior Spellpower.

    Cloak

    • Cloak of Icy Barbs: A solid cloak from 25-man ICC, offering Intellect and Resilience. Enchant with Greater Speed or Spell Piercing depending on your preference.

    Rings

    • Ashen Band of Endless Wisdom: Reputation ring from Ashen Verdict. This ring provides a great mix of stats. Work on getting this one ASAP!
    • Sealed Icecrown Ring: Obtained from Icecrown Citadel.

    Trinkets

    • Purified Lunar Dust: This trinket is amazing for mana regen and is obtained from Icecrown Citadel. A must have.
    • Medallion of the Horde/Alliance: A must-have for breaking out of crowd control effects. This trinket can save your life in many situations.

    Weapon

    • Royal Scepter of Terenas II: This weapon from 25-man ICC is a top choice. It provides a significant boost to Spell Power and Intellect. Enchant with Mighty Spellpower.

    Shield

    • Shield of the Lightbringer: Found in 25-man ICC, this shield provides great stats for survivability. Enchant with Greater Intellect.

    Alternative Gear Options

    Not everyone can jump straight into ICC and grab all the BiS gear. Here are some excellent alternatives you can obtain from other sources:

    • PvP Gear: The Wrathful Gladiator set is a great starting point. You can buy it with honor points and arena points. It provides a solid foundation of Resilience, Intellect, and Spell Power.

    • Heroic Dungeon Gear: Heroic dungeons can drop some surprisingly good pieces. Keep an eye out for items with Intellect, Spell Power, and Haste.

    • Reputation Gear: Several factions offer valuable gear rewards for reaching Exalted status. Check out the Argent Crusade and the Kirin Tor for some useful items.

    Gems and Enchants

    Okay, so you have the gear, but now it's time to optimize it with gems and enchants! This can make a huge difference in your performance. Here’s what you should be aiming for:

    Gems

    • Meta Gem: Revitalizing Skyflare Diamond is generally the best choice for Holy Paladins. It provides mana regen and reduces the chance you'll be silenced or interrupted.
    • Red Sockets: Runed Cardinal Ruby for Spell Power.
    • Yellow Sockets: Reckless Ametrine for Spell Power and Haste or Potent Ametrine for Spell Power and Intellect, depending on your stat balance.
    • Blue Sockets: Sparkling Azure Queen's Garnet for Intellect and Mana per 5 or Nightmare Tear if you need it to activate your meta gem.

    Enchants

    • Head: Arcanum of Blissful Deeds (Kirin Tor Exalted)
    • Shoulders: Greater Inscription of the Gladiator (The Sons of Hodir Exalted) or Greater Inscription of the Crag (for more resilience)
    • Cloak: Greater Speed or Spell Piercing
    • Chest: Powerful Stats
    • Bracers: Superior Spellpower
    • Gloves: Hyperspeed Accelerators or Greater Spellpower
    • Legs: Master's Spellthread
    • Boots: Tuskarr's Vitality
    • Weapon: Mighty Spellpower
    • Shield: Greater Intellect

    Reforging

    Reforging allows you to convert unwanted stats on your gear into more desirable ones. As a Holy Paladin, you'll typically want to reforge:

    • Hit Rating: If you're over the spell hit cap (4% or 164 hit rating), reforge excess Hit into Haste or Intellect.
    • Spirit: If you have Spirit on your gear (which isn't ideal), reforge it into Haste or Intellect.
    • Dodge/Parry: Reforge these stats into more useful stats like Haste, Intellect, or Crit.

    Gearing Strategies

    Here are a few gearing strategies to consider:

    • Resilience First: Focus on obtaining as much Resilience as possible early on. This will greatly improve your survivability and allow you to stay alive long enough to heal your teammates.
    • Balance Stats: Don't stack one stat at the expense of others. Aim for a good balance of Resilience, Intellect, Spell Power, and Haste.
    • Adapt to Your Playstyle: Experiment with different gear setups to find what works best for you. Some players prefer more Haste for faster casting, while others prefer more Intellect for better mana sustain.
    • Consider Your Team Composition: If you're playing with a very aggressive team, you may need to prioritize survivability over raw healing output. If you're playing with a more defensive team, you may be able to focus more on Spell Power and Haste.

    Final Thoughts

    Gearing your Holy Paladin for PvP in Wrath of the Lich King can seem overwhelming, but by following this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a formidable healer. Remember to prioritize Resilience, Intellect, and Spell Power, and don't be afraid to experiment with different gear setups to find what works best for you. Good luck in the arenas, and have fun healing! Remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and hone your skills. With the right gear and a solid understanding of your class, you'll be topping the healing charts in no time. Keep your team alive, manage your mana wisely, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with in any PvP environment. Happy healing, and may the Light be with you!