Bug Fixes That Act as Nerfs

1. Judgement Damage Stacking Fixed

One of the biggest offenders was Judgement. Before Patch 2.6.0, Judgement damage was stacking far beyond Blizzard's internal calculations. This allowed Paladins to Diablo 4 Items reach absurd damage numbers with minimal investment, especially when paired with optimized Diablo 4 Items and endgame affixes.

In the 2.6.0 PTR, this stacking behavior has been corrected. While this technically counts as a bug fix, the real-world result is a noticeable damage reduction, especially in optimized endgame builds that relied heavily on Judgement scaling.

2. Holy Light Aura Interaction Corrected

Previously, friendly NPCs standing inside the aura were dealing far more damage than intended. This turned Paladins into unintended force multipliers for allies, making certain encounters trivial and undermining encounter balance.

Season 12 corrects this interaction, bringing Holy Light Aura back in line with its intended supportive role rather than a hidden damage amplifier.

Pronouncement of Heaven Rework Explained

One of the most interesting Paladin changes in Season 12 affects the Pronouncement of Heaven enhancement for Spear of the Heavens.

In Patch 2.6.0, the mechanic has been reworked entirely. It now spawns three spears that deal damage over 12 seconds.
These spears can also be marked with Judgement, introducing more active decision-making into the build.
In exchange, players gain more control and synergy opportunities, especially when combining spear placement with Judgement timing.

This shift aligns with Blizzard's broader goal of d4 mats for sale rewarding active gameplay rather than passive damage stacking.