Please let Holy Paladins use 2H Int weapons (and remove the shield requirement from SotR for Holy)

[Dvalintwitch-draenor]

TL;DR: I looted a higher-ilvl 2H and it gives me better stats than my 1H+shield, but I can’t use Shield of the Righteous without a shield. Let Holy Paladins use 2H Int weapons, or let SotR work without a physical shield (for Holy only). I accept the armor loss.

Why this helps:

• Loot fairness & flexibility: Sometimes a 2H is the clear stat upgrade. Being hard-locked to 1H+shield feels bad when the 2H is clearly better.
• No balance risk for Prot: Keep Prot’s shield requirement. This request is Holy-only.
• Player choice, real tradeoff: I knowingly give up block/armor from a shield for higher primary/secondaries on a 2H. That’s a meaningful, healthy trade.

Implementation ideas (low lift):

1. Holy-only SotR exception: SotR is castable without a shield for Holy. Armor bonus scales as now; visuals could show a spectral “Aegis of Light.”
2. Itemization support: Ensure there are 2H Intellect options Paladins can equip (sword/mace/polearm), or add a passive that converts 2H Str → Int for Holy.
3. Cosmetic toggle: If visuals are a concern, give Holy a glyph/tint so SotR still reads “shielded,” even with a greatsword.

Boundaries:

• Prot remains shield-based, unchanged.
• PvP/PvE tuning can keep Holy’s survivability in line regardless of weapon type.

I don’t mind losing the shield’s armor—I just want the option to use a higher-ilvl 2H without breaking my core button. Please consider a Holy-only exception or broader 2H Int support. Thanks!

[Isthisabard-quelthalas]

I use the Legion Artifact transmog to at least have the illusion of this. Since Holy Pally has no way to make significant use of block I’d say 2h Int weapons should be available to them.

[Malysia-burning-legion]

It’s actually super strange that it’s not a thing yet, considering it was in the past (legion artifact)