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 seconds. They cannot gain this effect more than once every 6 sec. Lasts 30 seconds. This spell cannot be on more than one target at any one time.
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 was a former Paladin spell learned at level 80. This powerful defensive utility was used to prevent damage and increase the Paladin's healing effectiveness on the target. It provided two buffs. One was the Sacred Shield buff which lasted 30/45/60 seconds. When the target took damage, this buff allowed for the activation of a 6/9/12 second shield which absorbed damage and increased the casting Paladin's [Flash of Light] crit chance by 50%.
The damage absorption of Sacred Shield was relative: the shield would activate only after the target takes damage, and its protection would then last for 6/9/12 seconds. Therefore, to maximize its effect, Sacred Shield was best used on a target that often took damage.
After patch 3.2, Sacred Shield would not stack several times on a single target.
If the [Divine Guardian] talent was used, the duration of Sacred Shield buff would increase to 9/12 seconds while the buff would still be able to refresh every 6 seconds.
The Sacred Shield received approximately 75% of the casting Paladin's spell power.
Damage over time effects would proc the Sacred Shield buff.
An important note for ret Paladins was that casting Sacred Shield reseted the weapon swing timer.
Environmental damage (e.g. fall damage, lava) was not absorbed.
Talent improvements
Holy
[Infusion of Light](changed in 4.0.1) caused your Flash of Light to heal targets with Sacred Shield for an additional 50/100% over 12 sec.
Protection
[Stoicism](removed in 4.0.1) reduced the chance that your spells was be dispelled by an additional 10/20/30%.
[Divine Guardian](changed in 4.0.1) increased the duration of Sacred Shield by 50/100% and the amount absorbed by 10/20%. This included 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 would still be able to proc every 6 seconds.
Retribution
[Benediction](removed in 4.0.1) reduced the mana cost of instant spells by 1/2/3/4/5%.
Tips and tactics
Damage over time effects triggered the Shield's buff making this ability very useful in pvp combat. It was a viable tactic to intentionally 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 the [Illumination] and [Beacon of Light] talents, the additional 50% [Flash of Light] crit chance would greatly increase the mana effectiveness of Paladin's healing. Thus, the holy Paladin's main target should be protected by the Sacred Shield buff whenever possible.
This buff will no longer have any effect if the target is another player engaged in a duel. In addition, the heal from this buff will no longer cause the paladin to stand, and it is no longer possible for two paladins to both have the spell active on one target.
When a paladin casts [Flash of Light] on a target with this buff, they also now place a heal over time effect on the target, healing that target for 100% of the Flash of Light amount over 12 seconds.