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• Amera · 05/01/07, 2:44 PM

So it's pretty well known that many (maybe most?) people consider us the "EZ Mode" PvP class in every bracket. We are the second most represented class in 5v5 and certainly the most well represented healer in every bracket. So far there is lots of discussions in other threads about what we should be doing, who we should be doing it to, how we should be nerfed, and so on, but let's focus here on some gear/spec discussions, as well as play style options.

Paladins - Carbon Copies?
Before laying out some specific questions, I figured I'd give a bit of personal experience here. After playing hundreds of arena games and talking with other players, I've started to get a little "blah" about traditional paladin PvP - not because it isn't effective, but because it seems so...well, easy. Playing my alt warrior, for example (which I just got to 70 and started playing some arena this week), it seems like my skill/choices are hugely dependent upon the outcome of every match in every bracket. As a cleric paladin, I almost never feel this way. While it is probably largely due to the reactive nature of paladin abilities, it often seems to feel like the battle is basically unfolding around you, and your win or loss is determined largely by your teammates, some degree of luck, and whatnot.

Also, after playing some of the top teams, I've also noticed I am almost never impressed with their paladin, or paladins on any team. They all seem to be carbon-copies of each other; either you control them, kill them, or you lose, but their skill and choices seem largely irrelevant to this. Now obviously there are many poor paladins, but I guess my point is that the difference between an average paladin and a great paladin is razor-thin, whereas I see the difference between a great warrior/rogue/lock/mage etc and a good one as possibly being match-changing.

Anyway, on to some more specific questions:

Spec
A cursory glance at the top teams reveals a ridiculous similarity in specs with Paladins, more so than any other class. I believe a few weeks ago 97 of the top 100 5v5 paladins were 41/20/0.

Has anyone tried any radically different specs? Healing as prot? Going Ret for repentance?

Gear
The only current PvP gear debate I see is some paladins insisting that PvE healing gear is better than arena gear because it gives more throughput. Yet most of the top teams are packing gladiator gear. Personally I noticed that past about 1800 rating you need to have hp like anyone else or you are going to get smoked.

What types of gear do people prefer? Are you into the Dmg/Crit type, or Heal/crit type? Do you use PvE or PvP gear?

Play style
The accepted play style of paladins in every bracket is the "cleric" approach, healing/buffing/cleansing and generally outputting virtually no damage. The general wisdom is that no other class can output as much raw healing as a paladin in a PvP situations.

Have you tried alternate play styles in arena? Has anyone gone the +spell power, more "hybrid" approach (like an elemental shaman)? Has anyone gone Ret and been primarily a melee force?

05/01/07, 2:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
• Amera Jedi Knight Selaste Blood Elf Paladin <Serious Casual> Mal'Ganis	The Paladin PvP Thread So it's pretty well known that many (maybe most?) people consider us the "EZ Mode" PvP class in every bracket. We are the second most represented class in 5v5 and certainly the most well represented healer in every bracket. So far there is lots of discussions in other threads about what we should be doing, who we should be doing it to, how we should be nerfed, and so on, but let's focus here on some gear/spec discussions, as well as play style options. Paladins - Carbon Copies? Before laying out some specific questions, I figured I'd give a bit of personal experience here. After playing hundreds of arena games and talking with other players, I've started to get a little "blah" about traditional paladin PvP - not because it isn't effective, but because it seems so...well, easy. Playing my alt warrior, for example (which I just got to 70 and started playing some arena this week), it seems like my skill/choices are hugely dependent upon the outcome of every match in every bracket. As a cleric paladin, I almost never feel this way. While it is probably largely due to the reactive nature of paladin abilities, it often seems to feel like the battle is basically unfolding around you, and your win or loss is determined largely by your teammates, some degree of luck, and whatnot. Also, after playing some of the top teams, I've also noticed I am almost never impressed with their paladin, or paladins on any team. They all seem to be carbon-copies of each other; either you control them, kill them, or you lose, but their skill and choices seem largely irrelevant to this. Now obviously there are many poor paladins, but I guess my point is that the difference between an average paladin and a great paladin is razor-thin, whereas I see the difference between a great warrior/rogue/lock/mage etc and a good one as possibly being match-changing. Anyway, on to some more specific questions: Spec A cursory glance at the top teams reveals a ridiculous similarity in specs with Paladins, more so than any other class. I believe a few weeks ago 97 of the top 100 5v5 paladins were 41/20/0. Has anyone tried any radically different specs? Healing as prot? Going Ret for repentance? Gear The only current PvP gear debate I see is some paladins insisting that PvE healing gear is better than arena gear because it gives more throughput. Yet most of the top teams are packing gladiator gear. Personally I noticed that past about 1800 rating you need to have hp like anyone else or you are going to get smoked. What types of gear do people prefer? Are you into the Dmg/Crit type, or Heal/crit type? Do you use PvE or PvP gear? Play style The accepted play style of paladins in every bracket is the "cleric" approach, healing/buffing/cleansing and generally outputting virtually no damage. The general wisdom is that no other class can output as much raw healing as a paladin in a PvP situations. Have you tried alternate play styles in arena? Has anyone gone the +spell power, more "hybrid" approach (like an elemental shaman)? Has anyone gone Ret and been primarily a melee force?