Best in Slot for Protection Paladin in WoW Midnight (Patch 12.1.0)
Patch 12.1.0 · Updated Oct 11, 2026
Best single target weapon for Protection Paladin on patch 12.1.0.69933: Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver from Nek'zali the Soulcoiler. Wear Voracious Heart of Ula'tek and Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique as your trinkets. Every item is compared at item level 334.
- Slots ranked
- 14
- Item level
- 334
- From the raid
- 11
- From dungeons
- 3
- Crafted
- 0
Best in slot by equipment slot
effect not modelledhas a proc or on-use effect the weights cannot seetierset piece, pinned for the 4-set
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Headof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Warhelm of the Consecrated Flametier189 Strength / 141 Critical Strike / 60 Mastery | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.9% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Greathelm of Temptation189 Strength / 126 Mastery / 75 Critical Strike | Dungeon Kystia Manaheart, Murder Row | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Visor of the Predator189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery | Dungeon Atroxus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 4 |  Skullguard of the Risen Sacrifice189 Strength / 140 Haste / 61 Critical Strike | Raid Nek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 5 |  Helm of the Raptor King189 Strength / 118 Versatility / 83 Haste | Dungeon Dazar, The First King, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.1% of best |
Neckof 10 | ||||
| 1 |  Graft of the Domanaar261 Critical Strike / 145 Mastery | Dungeon Charonus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Amulet of the Twin Fangseffect not modelled344 Mastery / 61 Haste | Raid The Twin Fangs, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.8% of best |
| 3 |  Aqirbane Reliquaryeffect not modelled405 Critical Strike | Raid Ula'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 4 |  Pendant of Malefic Fury278 Mastery / 127 Haste | Dungeon Lithiel Cinderfury, Murder Row | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 5 |  Strand of Warding Fangs230 Critical Strike / 175 Haste | Dungeon The Writhing Coil, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 98.9% of best |
Shoulderof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Pauldrons of the Consecrated Flametier141 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 46 Mastery | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 | Swelling Sea Spaulders141 Strength / 107 Critical Strike / 44 Mastery | Raid Nymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Cinderfury Shoulderguards141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery | DungeonLithiel Cinderfury, Murder Row | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 4 |  C'thraxxi Binders Pauldrons141 Strength / 101 Haste / 50 Critical Strike | Dungeon Avatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 5 | Pauldrons of the Great Unifier141 Strength / 85 Versatility / 66 Mastery | DungeonDazar, The First King, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.5% of best |
Backof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Speakeasy Shroud106 Strength / 66 Critical Strike / 47 Mastery | Dungeon Zaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Silken Voodoo Drape106 Strength / 80 Mastery / 33 Haste | Raid The Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 3 |  Amani Summoning Shawl106 Strength / 78 Critical Strike / 35 Versatility | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 4 |  Bloodthorn Burnous106 Strength / 73 Haste / 40 Mastery | Dungeon Ikuzz the Light Hunter, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 5 |  Fireproof Drape106 Strength / 71 Haste / 42 Critical Strike | Dungeon Kokia Blazehoof, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 99.5% of best |
Chestof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Bulwark of the Consecrated Flametier189 Strength / 137 Mastery / 64 Haste | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.8% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Desert Guardian's Breastplate189 Strength / 122 Mastery / 79 Critical Strike | DungeonAvatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Sentinel Challenger's Prize189 Strength / 131 Critical Strike / 70 Mastery | Dungeon Sentinel of Winter, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 4 |  Breastplate of Soaring Terror189 Strength / 126 Mastery / 75 Haste | Dungeon Kyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 99.8% of best |
| 5 |  Reckless Spirit Breastplate189 Strength / 143 Haste / 58 Mastery | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.5% of best |
Wristof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Shellbound Bracers106 Strength / 79 Mastery / 34 Critical Strike | Raid The Lost Explorers, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Embalmer's Steadying Bracers106 Strength / 69 Critical Strike / 44 Haste | Dungeon Mchimba the Embalmer, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 3 |  Overseer's Vambraces106 Strength / 69 Haste / 44 Critical Strike | DungeonZaen Bladesorrow, Murder Row | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 4 | Shard-Tipped Vambraces106 Strength / 66 Versatility / 47 Haste | Dungeon Adderis and Aspix, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.0% of best |
| 5 |  Aetherlume Guardscrafted, your stats103 Strength / 56 Critical Strike / 56 Mastery | CraftedEngineering, Midnight Crafted Gear | 331 | 97.9% of best |
Handsof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Gauntlets of the Consecrated Flametier141 Strength / 101 Mastery / 49 Critical Strike | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.7% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Gauntlets of the Avian Sentinel141 Strength / 101 Mastery / 50 Critical Strike | Dungeon The Golden Serpent, Kings' Rest | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Thornspike Gauntlets141 Strength / 98 Mastery / 53 Versatility | Dungeon Ziekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.7% of best |
| 4 | Scaleplate Strangulators141 Strength / 100 Critical Strike / 50 Haste | RaidThe Twin Fangs, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.4% of best |
| 5 | Fangproof Gauntlets141 Strength / 91 Haste / 59 Mastery | Dungeon Merektha, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.3% of best |
Waistof 6 | ||||
| 1 |  Girdle of Toxic Regret141 Strength / 106 Critical Strike / 45 Mastery | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Girdle of Pestilent Purification141 Strength / 95 Haste / 56 Mastery | Dungeon The Council of Tribes, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 3 |  Autumn's Boon Belt141 Strength / 91 Mastery / 59 Versatility | Dungeon The Hoardmonger, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 99.4% of best |
| 4 | Sand-Scoured Greatbelt141 Strength / 95 Versatility / 56 Mastery | Dungeon Galvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.4% of best |
| 5 |  Forgotten Grotto Girdle141 Strength / 106 Haste / 44 Versatility | RaidNymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto | 334 | 99.0% of best |
Legsof 7 | ||||
| 1 |  Greaves of the Consecrated Flametier189 Strength / 134 Haste / 67 Critical Strike | RaidThe Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.4% of best |
Pinned for the 4-set. | ||||
| 2 |  Chausses of Unbound Rancor201 Mastery / 189 Strength | RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Ancient General's Obsidian Pillars189 Strength / 108 Critical Strike / 93 Haste | Dungeon Zul'jan, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 4 |  Venom Warden's Greaves189 Strength / 136 Haste / 65 Mastery | Raid Entombed Sentinels, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 5 |  Bedrock Breeches189 Strength / 122 Critical Strike / 79 Versatility | Dungeon Lightblossom Trinity, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.4% of best |
Feetof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Scaled Fiend's Warboots141 Strength / 104 Mastery / 47 Haste | Raid Vashnik the Malignant, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Entombed Cultist's Sabatons141 Strength / 105 Critical Strike / 46 Haste | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 3 |  Scaleguard's Stalwart Greatboots141 Strength / 98 Versatility / 53 Mastery | Dungeon Melidrussa Chillworn, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 4 |  Poison-Proof Stompers141 Strength / 79 Haste / 72 Versatility | Dungeon Rav'i, Altar of Fangs | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 5 |  Auric Puddle Stompers141 Strength / 88 Versatility / 62 Critical Strike | DungeonThe Golden Serpent, Kings' Rest | 334 | 99.2% of best |
Ringswear twoof 14 | ||||
| 1 |  Charged Sandstone Band232 Critical Strike / 174 Mastery | DungeonGalvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Vile Alchemist's Bandeffect not modelled332 Mastery / 73 Critical Strike | RaidVashnik the Malignant, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 3 |  Signet of Snarling Servitude249 Critical Strike / 156 Mastery | Dungeon Xathuux the Annihilator, Murder Row | 334 | 99.7% of best |
| 4 |  Apex Brute's Claw Ringeffect not modelled338 Critical Strike / 67 Haste | Raid Sszorak, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.3% of best |
| 5 |  Jade Ophidian Band255 Mastery / 151 Versatility | DungeonMerektha, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.2% of best |
Trinketswear twoof 66 | ||||
| 1 |  Voracious Heart of Ula'tek143 Critical Strike | RaidUla'tek, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +14,554 DPS gain |
| 2 |  Zul'jin's Guillotine Technique179 Strength | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | +13,850 DPS gain |
| 3 |  Blazebinder's Hoof143 Haste | DungeonKokia Blazehoof, Ruby Life Pools | 334 | +12,292 DPS gain |
| 4 |  Tumor of the Swarm179 Strength | DungeonAtroxus, Voidscar Arena | 334 | +12,212 DPS gain |
| 5 |  Vile Vial of Volatile Venom179 Strength | DungeonRav'i, Altar of Fangs | 334 | +12,181 DPS gain |
Main handof 9 | ||||
| 1 |  Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver94 Strength / 66 Mastery / 35 Critical Strike | RaidNek'zali the Soulcoiler, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Taz'Rah's Cosmic Edge94 Strength / 59 Haste / 42 Mastery | Dungeon Taz'Rah, Voidscar Arena | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 3 |  Resonating Crystal Scimitar94 Strength / 57 Critical Strike / 44 Haste | DungeonAvatar of Sethraliss, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.6% of best |
| 4 |  Thorned Reply94 Strength / 59 Haste / 42 Critical Strike | DungeonZiekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.5% of best |
| 5 | Aman'muso, Warlord's Vengeanceeffect not modelled94 Strength / 70 Mastery / 30 Haste | RaidThe Coiled Altar, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.4% of best |
Off handof 8 | ||||
| 1 |  Bubblefin Splash Guard289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 67 Mastery / 33 Haste | RaidNymrissa Wavecaller, The Tidebound Grotto | 334 | 100.0% of best |
| 2 |  Bulwark of Brimming Potential289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 55 Versatility / 46 Critical Strike | DungeonGalvazzt, Temple of Sethraliss | 334 | 99.9% of best |
| 3 |  Tempest's Shelter289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 63 Haste / 37 Mastery | DungeonSentinel of Winter, Den of Nalorakk | 334 | 99.8% of best |
| 4 |  Teldrassil's Sacrifice289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 61 Critical Strike / 39 Versatility | DungeonZiekket, The Blinding Vale | 334 | 99.7% of best |
| 5 | Venom-Slashed Scuteward289 Intellect / 94 Strength / 67 Haste / 33 Critical Strike | RaidThe Lost Explorers, The Venomous Abyss | 334 | 99.7% of best |
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Methodology
Stat weights
Each item's stats are multiplied by the Protection Paladin stat weights from the weekly scale-factor sim (normalized: Strength 1.00, Mastery 0.63, Critical Strike 0.62, Haste 0.62, Versatility 0.61). 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
No top-player sample for this spec yet. The check shows up once the top players board has data. Top Protection 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 af05b9e2e1e50ad5b50f255d7189161dcc058554, client build 12.1.0.69933, generated Oct 11, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-in-slot gear for Protection Paladin in Patch 12.1.0.69933?
For Protection Paladin on single target: Head: Warhelm of the Consecrated Flame; Neck: Graft of the Domanaar; Shoulder: Pauldrons of the Consecrated Flame; Back: Speakeasy Shroud; Chest: Bulwark of the Consecrated Flame; Wrist: Shellbound Bracers; Hands: Gauntlets of the Consecrated Flame; Waist: Girdle of Toxic Regret; Legs: Greaves of the Consecrated Flame; Feet: Scaled Fiend's Warboots; Rings: Charged Sandstone Band; Trinkets: Voracious Heart of Ula'tek; Main hand: Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver; Off hand: Bubblefin Splash Guard. Stat items are ranked by the spec's simmed stat weights and trinkets by their simmed DPS gain.
What is the best weapon for Protection Paladin?
Strongblood's Ceremonial Cleaver, from Nek'zali the Soulcoiler, scores highest against the Protection 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 Protection best-in-slot gear come from?
Of the 14 best-in-slot picks, 11 come from the raid, 3 from Mythic+ dungeons and 0 from crafted gear. Open the best dungeons page for a per-dungeon breakdown.
Does this match what top Protection Paladin players actually wear?
There's no top-player sample for Protection Paladin yet. The check appears once the top players board has data.
How is this ranked without simming every item?
Each item's stats at the season ceiling are multiplied by the Protection 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.