How much a profession helps this spec, leveling 1 to 60 and then in level-60 dungeons and raids. Gear the spec never wears and consumables it never uses count for nothing.
The subjects are all twelve professions: six crafting, three gathering and three secondary.
Each entry names its best partner: the primary profession that does the most for this spec beside it. The spec's best pair is its best-ranked primary and that entry's partner.
A forecast. Forever's item stats aren't public yet, so gear scores rest on what each item binds to and on Classic's values; raid gear counts from 9 Dec, when raids open.
Forever moved the healing potions from 
Alchemy to 
First Aid, and its camp items' buffs don't stack with the matching class buffs: both change the Classic answer for many specs.
Each criterion is scored against fixed anchors, then rescaled within this spec's twelve so the best scores 5 and the worst 1. A criterion whose twelve scores span one point or less keeps them as scored.
The rubric: each criterion scored 1 to 5| Criterion | Weight | What it measures |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | Measured against these anchors, then rescaled so the best of the twelve scores 5 and the worst 1. It makes bind-on-pickup gear or items this spec wears or uses in raids and can't get any other way, or consumables it uses every raid night that would cost real gold to buy: 5. Useful self-made items it could also buy on the auction house, or one bind-on-pickup piece that is a modest upgrade: 3. Nothing this spec wears or uses at 60: 1. |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | Measured against these anchors, then rescaled so the best of the twelve scores 5 and the worst 1. Upgrades this spec's gear or kill speed throughout 1–60, or turns its own kills and travel into income or supplies as it levels: 5. Helps for part of the climb, or saves some gold and downtime: 3. Takes time and gold while leveling and gives this spec nothing back until 60: 1. |
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| Gold | 20 | Not scored here: the profession's score on the Professions for Gold: Settled list, rounded half up, then rescaled with the other criteria. It is the same on every spec's list. |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | Measured against these anchors, then rescaled so the best of the twelve scores 5 and the worst 1. Something no other profession gives this spec, used often: Jumper Cables, transmutes, a camp item it relies on: 5. An occasional convenience: 3. None: 1. |
|---|
An entry’s tier comes from its weighted score. A tier set by hand instead says why in its write-up. Within a tier,
the best score comes first.
- S 4.25 or more
- The best choice for this purpose. Strong on the criteria that count most, with no real weakness.
- A 3.75 or more
- Very strong. A little behind S, or one clear weakness.
- B 3.25 or more
- Good. Does the job well without special effort.
- C 2.75 or more
- Workable. About average on the rubric; nothing stands out either way.
- D 2.25 or more
- Weak. It works, but you will feel the gap; pick it for other reasons.
- F below 2.25
- Poor for this purpose. Avoid it unless something else decides for you.
- The game rules of the stated build. The list is re-rated on a patch that moves a score.
- A character that levels 1 to 60 and then runs dungeons and raids as this spec; raids count from 9 Dec.
- The profession is leveled alongside the character, reaching 300 at or soon after 60.
- No Legacy perks.
- Gathering, crafting, the auction house and vendors only.
Rated from the client data and our research, before anyone has played it at this level on this build. Where the data stops, the write-up says what it assumed.
Choose a profession on the chart to see why it sits where it does.
Two-handed weapon plans and plate that 
Retribution 
Paladin upgrades with, plus gear all the way through leveling.
Best partner: Mining
Scores for 
Blacksmithing| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 4.05, which is A tier.
Self-use at 60, 5 of 5: 2H plans (Arcanite Reaper 53.8 dps, Hammer of the Titans, Sulfuron Hammer) and Lionheart/Titanic plate are BoE upgrades: buyable but costly.
Leveling help, 5 of 5: Plate-heavy 416-recipe chain, Sharpening Wheel at 20 and yellows 25 skill earlier give gear throughout 1-60.
Utility, 4 of 5: Sharpening Wheel (Str 34) and Master Forge are occasional; the wheel overlaps Strength of Earth.
Gold, 1 of 5: 2.05 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why 
Mining beside it: Mining supplies the bars for plate and weapon plans.
It is not S: it scores 1 of 5 on gold, and its 4.05 is 0.20 short of S.
Strengths
- Self-use at 60, 5 of 5
- Leveling help, 5 of 5
- Utility, 4 of 5
What would move it: Its gold score follows the Professions for Gold: Settled list; a better reading there would lift it.
Read the Blacksmithing guide · Back to the chart
Healing potions are First Aid's alone and cost gold, though 
Lay on Hands and other heals cover some need.
Best partner: Herbalism
Scores for First Aid| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.55, which is B tier.
Self-use at 60, 4 of 5: Healing potions are First Aid only and cost gold; Lay on Hands and 
Holy Light cover some of the need.
Leveling help, 3 of 5: Bandages from cloth save some downtime, but a Paladin can heal itself.
Utility, 4 of 5: Anti-Venom, poultices and tourniquets are cures only First Aid makes; Paladin 
Cleanse covers some.
Gold, 3 of 5: 2.65 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why 
Herbalism beside it: Herbalism supplies the herbs for healing potions.
It is not A: it scores 3 of 5 on leveling help, and its 3.55 is 0.20 short of A.
Strengths
- Self-use at 60, 4 of 5
- Utility, 4 of 5
What would move it: Better leveling help for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the First Aid guide · Back to the chart
Buyable Mongoose and Brute Force elixirs for Retribution Paladin; transmutes are occasional and leveling gains little.
Best partner: Herbalism
Scores for Alchemy| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.40, which is B tier.
Self-use at 60, 4 of 5: Mongoose and Brute Force elixirs used each raid are buyable, not BoP; no rage potion for a Paladin.
Leveling help, 2 of 5: Potions sell a little while leveling but need herbs and give Retribution Paladin no gear or kill speed.
Utility, 2 of 5: Transmutes (Arcanite 275) and Free Action are occasional; the Mana Well camp item is of little use to a melee Paladin.
Gold, 5 of 5: 4.15 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Herbalism beside it: Herbalism supplies the herbs for its potions and elixirs.
It is not A: it scores 2 of 5 on leveling help, and its 3.40 is 0.35 short of A.
Strengths
- Self-use at 60, 4 of 5
- Gold, 5 of 5
Weaknesses
- Leveling help, 2 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Better leveling help for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Alchemy guide · Back to the chart
Dented Goggles and the stun bombs and Net-o-Matic that fill Retribution Paladin's missing ranged tools.
Best partner: Mining
Scores for 
Engineering| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●●●● 5 |
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Weighted score 3.30, which is B tier.
Self-use at 60, 4 of 5: Dented Goggles are BoP plate headgear, but no Thrown skill means no satchels; other gadgets are BoE.
Leveling help, 3 of 5: Grenades and Rocket Boots (245) help kill speed mid-climb; goggles only from req 40.
Utility, 5 of 5: Net-o-Matic and stun bombs fill Paladin's missing ranged tools (shared cooldown), plus Jumper Cables XL and Repair Bot.
Gold, 1 of 5: 1.95 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Mining beside it: Mining supplies the metal for gadgets and bombs.
It is not A: it scores 1 of 5 on gold, and its 3.30 is 0.45 short of A.
Strengths
- Self-use at 60, 4 of 5
- Utility, 5 of 5
What would move it: Its gold score follows the Professions for Gold: Settled list; a better reading there would lift it.
Read the Engineering guide · Back to the chart
Ore sells and feeds crafts while leveling, but Lodestone duplicates a Blessing Retribution Paladin brings.
Best partner: Blacksmithing
Scores for Mining| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.10, which is C tier.
Self-use at 60, 2 of 5: Makes nothing worn; Lodestone (AP) only duplicates 
Blessing of Might for a Paladin.
Leveling help, 4 of 5: Ore on route sells or feeds Blacksmithing/Engineering; starter copper veins were reduced.
Utility, 2 of 5: Lodestone attack power does not stack with Blessing of Might, which a Paladin brings itself.
Gold, 5 of 5: 3.75 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Blacksmithing beside it: Blacksmithing turns the ore into gear.
It is not B: it scores 2 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 3.10 is 0.15 short of B.
Strengths
- Leveling help, 4 of 5
- Gold, 5 of 5
Weaknesses
- Self-use at 60, 2 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Mining guide · Back to the chart
Any enchanter sells the enchants Retribution Paladin wants, so learning 
Enchanting adds little.
Best partner: Blacksmithing
Scores for Enchanting| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 3.00, which is C tier.
Self-use at 60, 4 of 5: Strength/Agility/Crusader enchants need the plan but any enchanter sells them; its BoP staves/orbs are of no use to Retribution Paladin.
Leveling help, 2 of 5: Practice Wand and disenchanting do nothing for a melee while leveling; materials cost gold.
Utility, 2 of 5: Lute camp buff overlaps 
Mark of the Wild; Arcane Salvager is an occasional convenience.
Gold, 3 of 5: 2.55 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Blacksmithing beside it: Blacksmithing adds the best plate and weapon to enchant.
It is not B: it scores 2 of 5 on leveling help, and its 3.00 is 0.25 short of B.
Weaknesses
- Leveling help, 2 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Better leveling help for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Enchanting guide · Back to the chart
Raid stat food is cheap to buy, so cooking saves Retribution Paladin only a moderate amount.
Best partner: Blacksmithing
Scores for 
Cooking| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.85, which is C tier.
Self-use at 60, 4 of 5: Stat food with a small XP buff is eaten every raid; cheap to buy, so a moderate saving.
Leveling help, 3 of 5: Food plus roughly +5% kill XP for 15 min saves downtime and gold (fan-sourced XP figure).
Utility, 2 of 5: Campfires hold 3 to 10 items; an occasional convenience.
Gold, 1 of 5: 1.80 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Blacksmithing beside it: Blacksmithing is the gear profession it pairs with, and Cooking adds food.
It is not B: it scores 1 of 5 on gold, and its 2.85 is 0.40 short of B.
Weaknesses
- Gold, 1 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Its gold score follows the Professions for Gold: Settled list; a better reading there would lift it.
Read the Cooking guide · Back to the chart
Herbs make nothing Retribution Paladin wears or uses, and only feed potions it could buy.
Best partner: Alchemy
Scores for Herbalism| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●●●●● 5 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
Weighted score 2.05, which is F tier.
Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Makes nothing Retribution Paladin wears or uses; herbs only feed potions it could buy.
Leveling help, 2 of 5: Herb nodes sell for gold while leveling but cost travel and kill time.
Utility, 1 of 5: Incense Candle (Int) does nothing for Retribution Paladin; Greenhouse is a minor convenience.
Gold, 5 of 5: 4.00 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Alchemy beside it: Alchemy turns the herbs into potions and flasks it uses.
It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 2.05 is 0.20 short of D.
Weaknesses
- Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
- Leveling help, 2 of 5
- Utility, 1 of 5
What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Herbalism guide · Back to the chart
Skins are leveling income and the Camp Chair helps raids, but nothing it makes is worn by Retribution Paladin.
Best partner: Blacksmithing
Scores for 
Skinning| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●●○○ 3 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●●●○ 4 |
|---|
Weighted score 1.95, which is F tier.
Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Makes nothing Retribution Paladin wears; Pristine Leather is Scarce loot, not self-use.
Leveling help, 3 of 5: A Paladin kills beasts and skins them for income, though it has no leather use itself.
Utility, 4 of 5: Camp Chair (+2% crit on all attacks) is unique and used each raid; it only clashes with Moonkin aura.
Gold, 1 of 5: 2.05 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Blacksmithing beside it: Blacksmithing is the gear profession it pairs with; Skinning adds leather income.
It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.95 is 0.30 short of D.
Weaknesses
- Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
- Gold, 1 of 5
What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Skinning guide · Back to the chart
Armor kits are the only gain, and the Devilsaur set is leather a Retribution Paladin should not wear.
Best partner: Skinning
Scores for 
Leatherworking| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 1.40, which is F tier.
Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Plate wearers gain only armor kits; Devilsaur set is leather a Paladin should not wear.
Leveling help, 2 of 5: Camp Tent rested XP and cheap kits help a little; no plate for Retribution Paladin.
Utility, 2 of 5: Camp Tent (rested XP) and Light Leather reagent bag are occasional conveniences.
Gold, 1 of 5: 1.65 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Skinning beside it: Skinning supplies the leather it crafts from.
It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.40 is 0.85 short of D.
Weaknesses
- Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
- Leveling help, 2 of 5
- Gold, 1 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Leatherworking guide · Back to the chart
Cloth gear is no use to a Retribution Paladin in plate; bags give a small return.
Best partner: Blacksmithing
Scores for 
Tailoring| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 1.40, which is F tier.
Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Retribution Paladin wears plate; cloth robes, Mooncloth and Archmage gear are of no use.
Leveling help, 2 of 5: Bags (Linen to Bottomless) and humanoid cloth help a little; no kill-speed gear.
Utility, 2 of 5: Reagent bags matter little to a melee; Faction Banner (Spirit) does nothing for Retribution Paladin.
Gold, 1 of 5: 1.85 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Blacksmithing beside it: Blacksmithing is the gear profession it pairs with; Tailoring adds bags.
It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.40 is 0.85 short of D.
Weaknesses
- Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
- Leveling help, 2 of 5
- Gold, 1 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Tailoring guide · Back to the chart
Fishing makes nothing Retribution Paladin wears and gives no gear or XP while leveling.
Best partner: Blacksmithing
Scores for Fishing| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|
| Self-use at 60 | 40 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Leveling help | 25 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Gold | 20 | ●○○○○ 1 |
|---|
| Utility | 15 | ●●○○○ 2 |
|---|
Weighted score 1.15, which is F tier.
Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Fish Bowl (+8% all stats) overlaps 
Blessing of Kings; it makes nothing worn.
Leveling help, 1 of 5: Fishing gives Retribution Paladin no gear or XP while leveling.
Utility, 2 of 5: Fish Bowl and Fishing Rack are occasional; Find Fish passive.
Gold, 1 of 5: 2.25 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.
Why Blacksmithing beside it: Blacksmithing is the gear profession it pairs with, and Fishing adds fish for food.
It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.15 is 1.10 short of D.
Weaknesses
- Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
- Leveling help, 1 of 5
- Gold, 1 of 5
- Utility, 2 of 5
What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.
Read the Fishing guide · Back to the chart