Holy Power

Empty Holy Power bar.

A paladin with 5 Holy Power.

For the former paladin talent, see [Holy Power].

Holy Power is a paladin resource mechanic, which works similar to the rogue's and druid's cat form's combo points. Holy Power can be gained through certain spell and talents, and is used for casting other spells.

When fighting, Retribution paladins will generally want to build up Holy Power by using their abilities. Once Holy Power has been built up, it can be consumed to augment specific Holy Power-based spells. For example, the starting ability [Templar's Verdict] is a powerful melee attack. Protection uses it to increase their damage mitigation, while Holy uses it to supplement their Holy Shocks.

Notes

• Holy Power becomes available at level 10.
• It is possible to have 5 Holy Power at a time.
• Unlike a rogue's combo points, Holy Power appears in a "Holy bar" below the paladin's portrait (see picture). This makes it similar to a death knight's rune system.
• The spells using Holy Power doesn't need to be used on the same target the spells generating it were used on.
• Holy Power decays over time when not in combat. It must therefore be spent quickly before it's wasted. It decays approximately 10 seconds after leaving combat, one Holy Power at a time. This means that a paladin with 3 Holy Power will lose 1 Holy Power after 10 seconds, another Holy Power after 20 seconds, and the last Holy Power after 30 seconds.

Generated by

Abilities

• [Avenger's Shield] generates 1 Holy Power.
• [Crusader Strike] generates 1 Holy Power.
• [Blade of Justice] generates 2 Holy Power.
• [Holy Shock] generates 1 Holy Power.
• [Hammer of the Righteous] generates 1 Holy Power.
• [Judgment] (Rank 3, Protection and Retribution) generates 1 Holy Power.
• [Wake of Ashes] generates 3 Holy Power.

Talents

• [Blade of Wrath] replaces [Blade of Justice] and generates 2 Holy Power.
• [Divine Hammer] replaces [Blade of Justice] and generates 2 Holy Power.
• [Divine Purpose] doesn't generate Holy Power, but gives abilities that cost Holy Power a 20% chance to make the next Holy Power spending ability free.
• [Holy Avenger] doesn't directly generate Holy Power, but triples all Holy Power generation.
• Zeal (paladin ability) replaces [Crusader Strike] and generates 1 Holy Power.

Consumed by

Abilities

• [Divine Storm] consumes 3 Holy Power.
• [Light of Dawn] consumes 3 Holy Power.
• [Shield of the Righteous] consumes 3 Holy Power.
• [Templar's Verdict] consumes 3 Holy Power.
• [Word of Glory] consumes 3 Holy Power.

Talents

• [Justicar's Vengeance] consumes 5 Holy Power.
• [Execution Sentence] consumes 3 Holy Power.
• [Seraphim] consumes 3 Holy Power.

Gallery

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  One holy power (during Cata)

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  Two holy power (during Cata)

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  Three holy power (during Cata)

Patch changes

• Patch 9.0.1 (2020-10-13): Holy and Protection Paladins now use Holy Power as a resource.
  
• Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Now used only by Retribution and can use 5 Holy Power from the start.
  
• Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): Divine Storm now consumes Holy Power.
  
• Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Light of Dawn now consumes Holy Power, while Divine Storm no longer does. Divine Plea now generates Holy Power via Shield of the Templar, the same goes for Hammer of Wrath via Divine Purpose.
  
• Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): Added for all specializations.