Paladin • Protection • PVE
Protection Paladin (PVE)
A spell-powered tank with unmatched AoE threat and strong mitigation, excelling in multi-target encounters with proper gearing and support.
Aldor vs Scryer
When you first reach Shattrath City at level 60 or higher, you are given a choice between two factions: The Aldor and the Scryers. This decision affects which rewards you can purchase, which quest lines you can pursue, and which faction strongholds you can access in Shadowmoon Valley. While it is possible to switch later, it is best to avoid making a haphazard choice. For Protection Paladins, the differences between Aldor and Scryer are most noticeable early on, particularly when gearing up for Heroic dungeons and Phase 1 raids.
Before you choose
Here are the only things you need to know before picking a side.
Early gearing versus long-term value
Scryer offers faster early access to enchants and strong threat items, while Aldor pulls ahead as your gear improves over time.
Defense cap changes the equation
Once you are comfortably Defense capped, the Aldor shoulder enchant becomes more attractive and scales better into later phases.
Threat matters early
Early on, threat can be a real concern for Protection Paladins. Scryer items help smooth this out during Heroic and early raid progression.
Switching is possible
You can change factions later, but doing so costs time and gold. Most players benefit from choosing based on their long-term goals.
Aldor vs Scryer
Side-by-side comparison of early highlights, pros, and cons.
Neither choice is permanent, but your early gearing experience can feel very different depending on which faction you choose
- Greater Inscription of Warding becomes stronger once you comfortably reach the Defense cap
- Provides a very solid early tank chest that helps with initial gearing
- Scales better into later phases as gear improves
- Reputation can be slower or more expensive to push early compared to Scryer
- Early Aldor rewards are more easily replaced than some Scryer options
- Greater Inscription of the Knight offers slightly more crit reduction and avoidance early on
- Scryers tend to be easier to gain reputation with, allowing faster access to shoulder enchants
- Access to strong early threat items such as Scryer's Bloodgem and Seer's Signet
- Provides Thalodien's Charm, a strong tank necklace that can last longer than Aldor’s chest reward
- Provides less long-term value once you are comfortably Defense capped
- Early advantages diminish as gear improves and later phase items replace them
Recommendation for Protection Paladin PvE
We recommend choosing Aldor as a Protection Paladin in TBC Classic. - Greater Inscription of Warding scales better in the long term once you reach the Defense cap more easily. - Aldor remains the more consistent choice as you progress deeper into later phases. Scryer offers excellent early-game advantages, particularly for fast Heroic gearing and early threat, but these benefits fade as stronger gear becomes available.