Each time the target takes damage they gain a Sacred Shield, absorbing 500 damage and increasing the Paladin's chance to critically hit with Flash of Light by 50% for up to 6 sec. They cannot gain this effect more than once every 6 sec. Lasts 30 sec.
Each time the target takes damage they gain a Sacred Shield, absorbing 500 damage and increasing the paladin's chance to critically hit with Flash of Light by 50%.
Sacred Shield is a Paladin ability learned at level 80. This powerful defensive utility is used to prevent damage and increase Paladin's healing effectiveness on the target. It provides two buffs. One is the Sacred Shield buff which lasts 30/45/60 seconds. When the target takes damage, this buff allows for the activation of a 6/9/12 seconds shield which absorbs damage and increases the casting Paladin's [Flash of Light] crit chance by 50%.
The damage absorption of Sacred Shield is relative: the shield will activate only after the target takes damage, and its protection will then last for 6/9/12 seconds. Therefore, to maximize its effect, Sacred Shield is best used on a target that often takes damage.
Since patch 3.1, one Paladin can affect only one target with his/her Sacred Shield at any given time.
Since patch 3.1, Sacred Shield CAN stack several times on a single target.
The additional 50% [Flash of Light] crit chance will last only as long as the 6/9/12 seconds Sacred Shield buff. When the 6/9/12 seconds duration expires OR the shield absorbs the maximum amount of damage, the additional [Flash of Light] crit chance will fade as well.
The additional [Flash of Light] crit chance affects only the heals of the Paladin who casts the shield.
If the [Divine Guardian] talent is used, the duration of Sacred Shield buff will increase to 9/12 seconds while the buff will still be able to refresh every 6 seconds.
The Sacred Shield recieves approximately 75% of the casting Paladin's spell power.
Damage over time effects will proc the Sacred Shield buff.
An important note for ret Paladins is that casting Sacred Shield resets weapon swing timer.
Environmental damage (e.g. fall damage, lava) is not absorbed.
Talent improvements
[Divine Guardian]: increases the duration of Sacred Shield by 50/100% and the amount absorbed by 10/20%. This includes the increase of duration in both the main Sacred Shield buff, to 45/60 seconds, and the damage absorbing buff, to 9/12 seconds. The Sacred Shield will still be able to proc every 6 seconds.
Tips and tactics
Because patch 3.1 allows for several Sacred Shield buffs to stack on a single target while one Paladin can keep only one Sacred Shield active, every Paladin in the raid should make sure to have their Sacred Shield constantly in effect, preferably on the main tank. To this end, it is recommended to use the [Divine Guardian] talent which can double the Shield's duration.
Damage over time effects trigger the Shield's buff making this ability is very useful in pvp combat. It is a viable tactic to intentionaly suffer a less harmful DoT spell on yourself in order to have it constantly proc the Sacred Shield buff.
Ret paladins should time their The Art of War instant Flash of Light casts with the buff from the Sacred Shield.
Paired with [Illumination] and [Beacon of Light] talents, the additional 50% [Flash of Light] crit chance will greatly increase the mana effectivenes of paladin's healing. Thus, a Holy paladin's main target should be protected by the Sacred Shield buff whenever possible.
[Divine Guardian]
[Flash of Light] crit chance by 50%.
The damage absorption of Sacred Shield is relative: the shield will activate only after the target takes damage, and its protection will then last for 6/9/12 seconds. Therefore, to maximize its effect, Sacred Shield is best used on a target that often takes damage.
[Seal of Blood], Judgement of Blood will not trigger the Sacred Shield buff, but their feedback damage will be absorbed by it.
