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Paladin: Draenei with glowing eyes, a large shield and golden armorPriest: Priestess with braided hair in white and gold armor

Paladin vs. Priest

First class

Paladin

Second class

Priest

Key differences

  • Only the Paladin can tank.
  • The Paladin fights in melee.
  • The Priest fights at range.
  • The Paladin wears plate, the Priest cloth.
  • The Paladin is more beginner friendly.
  • The Paladin does better solo.
  • More races can play the Priest (26 instead of 9).

At a glance

At a glancePaladinPriest
RolesTank, Healer, DPSHealer, DPS
ArmorPlateCloth
Combat styleMeleeRanged
Playable races926
SpecializationsHoly (Healer), Protection (Tank), Retribution (DPS)Discipline (Healer), Holy (Healer), Shadow (DPS)
Beginner friendly4/53/5
Solo play5/52/5

These ratings help you pick a class. They are not a DPS ranking, and balance shifts with every patch. How we rate ›

The classes in short

Paladin

The Paladin is a plate wearer wielding holy Light and, alongside Druid and Monk, can play all three roles: Holy heals, Protection tanks, Retribution deals damage. Plenty of emergency abilities make it very beginner friendly.

Learn more about the Paladin ›

Priest

The Priest is the classic healing class with two healing specs (Discipline, Holy) and Shadow as a ranged damage spec. In cloth it is strong in groups but vulnerable solo.

Learn more about the Priest ›
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Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Paladin or Priest?

Neither class is better in general. The Paladin is more beginner friendly. The Paladin does better solo. In the end, what matters is which playstyle you enjoy more.

What is the difference between Paladin and Priest?

Only the Paladin can tank. The Paladin fights in melee. The Priest fights at range. The Paladin wears plate, the Priest cloth.

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