My second Paladin just hit level 80 over the weekend, so it’s time to start itemizing for a fresh level 80 Holy Paladin. As with my Death Knight gear checklists, I will be targeting pre-raid gear sources in this series. You could also classify these as “non-raid” or even (gasp!) “casual” upgrade lists. I didn’t say “welfare” though.

Like most players these days, you’ll find very significant upgrades in the regular and heroic version of the Trial of the Champion dungeons. For your head slot, you’re in luck as the best pre-raid helm is available in the regular version of ToC. If you prefer to farm Battlegrounds rather than instances, the Deadly Gladiator helm is a nice pickup, even for PvE.

1. Helm of the Bested Gallant
   Trial of the Champion - Champion’s Cache
2. Deadly Gladiator’s Ornamented Headcover
   PvP - 49,600 Honor
3. Helm of Purified Thoughts
   Argent Crusade - Exalted
4. Brilliant Titansteel Helm
   Blacksmith - 540 Gold
5. Titan-Forged Plate Headcover of Salvation
   PvP - 40 Wintergrasp Marks of Honor
6. Helmet of the Constructor
   Heroic Utgarde Keep - Skarvald the Constructor
7. Faceguard of the Hammer Clan
   Heroic Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Jedoga Shadowseeker

Current prices obtained from Wowecon as of this post.

Here is a general progression of plate item helms for a DPS Death Knight in Northrend for World of Warcraft.

Prices and links provided by Wowhead. Gear score provided by Loot Rank (based on the PvE Death Knight template).

1. Level 68 – Mightstone Helm (1457)
   Obtained by: Quest Reward – Trophies of Gammoth (Borean Tundra)
2. Level 69 – Helm of the Crimson Drakonid (1476)
   Obtained by: Quest Reward – Drake Hunt (Borean Tundra)
3. Level 73 – Thought-Purifying Protector (1708)
   Obtained by: Quest Reward – Ruuna’s Request (Grizzly Hills)
4. Level 75 – Horned Cobalt Helm (2050)
   Obtained by: BoE (Blacksmith or 15 gold)
5. Level 77 – Skullcage of Eternal Terror (2323)
   Obtained by: BoE (World Drop or 30 gold)
6. Level 77 – Helm of Towering Rage (2353)
   Obtained by: Quest Reward – Reclamation (Sholazar Basin)
7. Level 77 – Bloodstained Helmet (2391)
   Obtained by: Quest Reward – The Hunter and the Prince (Icecrown)
8. Level 77 – Brann’s Lost Mining Helmet (2356)
   Obtained by: Krystallus (Halls of Stone)
9. Level 78 – Helm of Command (2659)
   Obtained by: BoE (Blacksmith or 71 gold)
10. Level 80 – Spiked Titansteel Helm (3753)
    Obtained by: BoE (Blacksmith or 650 gold)