Best in slot gear for Protection Paladin at level 30 (PvE)

The best item for each slot for a level 30 Protection Paladin in PvE, with the next two picks, where each comes from and how easy it is. Change the level (1 to 60) and switch PvE or PvP on the page; filters leave out dungeon drops, crafted items, world drops or PvP rewards, or keep only items players have seen in Forever.

Every slot

• Head: Protector's Chain Helm, score 39.9: 177 armor, +8 defense, +11 Stamina. Crafted: Blacksmithing (Forever client). Learn it at skill 1. Easy: craft it or buy it from a crafter. Next best: Tusken Helm, Protector's Silvered Chain Helm.
• Neck: Souvenir Sea Shell, score 13: +13 Stamina. Needs Honored with Booty Bay (Forever client: who sells it isn't known yet). Some effort: Honored with Booty Bay. Next best: Scorn's Icy Choker, River Pride Choker.
• Shoulder: Sparkleshell Mantle, score 26.1: 161 armor, +10 Stamina. Inside Heavy Bronze Lockbox (Classic data). Some effort: open the container. Next best: Golden Scale Shoulders, Green Iron Shoulders.
• Back: Sergeant's Cape (Horde: Sergeant's Cloak), score 15.6: +9 Stamina, 66 armor. PvP rank 3 (Sergeant / Sergeant): the rank requirement is in the Forever client (Speculation: Blizzard hasn't said how PvP ranks work in Forever). Some effort: PvP rank 3. Next best: Cloak of the Divine Storm, Golem War Cloak.
• Chest: Protector's Silvered Chain Shirt, score 44.8: 208 armor, +10 Stamina, +7 defense. Crafted: Blacksmithing (Forever client). Learn it at skill 1. Easy: craft it or buy it from a crafter. Next best: Guard's Silvered Chain Shirt, Double Link Tunic.
• Wrist: Jimmied Handcuffs, score 18.4: 92 armor, +8 Stamina, +3 Strength. Drops from trash in Stormwind Stockade, 33.3% (Classic data). Easy: about 3 runs. Next best: Beetle Clasps, Green Iron Bracers.
• Hands: Ogre Grips, score 25.2: 136 armor, +10 Stamina, +4 Strength. Drops from Stormwind Stockade (Clue, unconfirmed). Some effort: a dungeon drop, chance not known yet. Next best: Protector's Gloves, Guard's Gloves.
• Waist: Warder's Belt, score 37.2: 132 armor, +10 Stamina, +7 defense. Crafted: Blacksmithing (Forever client). Learn it at skill 1. Easy: craft it or buy it from a crafter. Next best: Sentinel's Belt, Justicar's Belt.
• Legs: Protector's Silvered Chain Leggings, score 46.1: 191 armor, +8 defense, +11 Stamina. Crafted: Blacksmithing (Forever client). Learn it at skill 1. Easy: craft it or buy it from a crafter. Next best: Guard's Silvered Chain Leggings, Protector's Chain Leggings.
• Feet: Ravasaur Scale Boots, score 28.3: 161 armor, +11 Stamina, +3 Strength. Inside Iron Lockbox (Classic data). Some effort: open the container. Next best: Protector's Boots, Guard's Boots.
• Finger: Curl of Life, score 10: +7 Stamina, +5 spell power. Where it comes from isn't known yet: the Companion and Helper addons record it when players get one. Not known: where it comes from isn't known yet. Next best: Dark Horde Band, Malignant Root.
• Finger: Rune-Etched Ring, score 10: +10 Stamina. Where it comes from isn't known yet: the Companion and Helper addons record it when players get one. Not known: where it comes from isn't known yet.
• Trinket: Talisman of Arathor (Horde: Defiler's Talisman), score 6: +6 Stamina. Sold by Samuel Hawke in Arathi Highlands (46, 45.2) for 72s 30c (Classic data). Easy: buy it. Next best: Rune of Duty.
• Trinket: Rune of Perfection, score 4: +4 Stamina. Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze in Ashenvale (61.5, 83.9) for 2g (Classic data). Easy: buy it.
• Main hand: Hornbeam Heft, score 7.2: +6 Stamina, +3 Strength. Where it comes from isn't known yet: the Companion and Helper addons record it when players get one. Not known: where it comes from isn't known yet. Next best: Guerrilla's Jagged Mace, Crested Scepter.
• Off hand: Painwalker Buckler, score 79.8: 738 armor, +6 Stamina. Where it comes from isn't known yet: the Companion and Helper addons record it when players get one. Not known: where it comes from isn't known yet. Next best: Crest of Darkshire, Shield of Thorsen.
• Ranged or relic: nothing with these stats at level 30

A one-hander and an off-hand beat the best two-hander here.

Stat weights (PvE)

defense 1.4, Stamina 1, dodge 0.9, hit 0.8, parry 0.8, block 0.6, spell power 0.6, block value 0.5, Holy Damage Done 0.5, Strength 0.4, Intellect 0.3, Bonus Armor 0.1, armor 0.1.

Every item is scored with the spec's stat weights, for what the class can wear at that level (armour and weapon skills come from the Forever client, so Hunters and Shamans get mail at 40 and Warriors and Paladins plate at 40). Untouched Season of Discovery leftovers are left out.

Protection Paladin best in slot for PvP · Paladin guide · Gear planner