You kind of rely on mitigation, especially block, if you’re running around as a Prot Paladin. This is because you triple dip with Ret Aura, Holy Shield, and BoSanctuary to damage the mob. Literally, the mobs kill themselves by attacking you.
How I level one up is as follows:
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Rush to Consecration. I take Divine Intellect (more Blue Rage) and Spiritual Focus but your mileage may vary to get to Consecration.
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Understand that you kind of want shield blocks and go down Protection to maximize those blocks. This means Redoubt and Shield Spec. Skip Improved HoJ and Conc Aura on your way to Holy Shield. As long as you skip Imp HoJ and Conc Aura, you almost can’t go wrong.
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Spend the remaining points how you want. Go down Holy to grab Illumination or go down Ret for 4/5 Deflection.