Shadow Magic Priest guide

Rotation and opener

Enter Shadowform when learned. Use Vampiric Embrace when its group healing is useful, then establish your damage-over-time effects.

Combat priority

1. 
   Shadowform

   Use once available for the later-level damage setup. Prepare Fortitude and Inner Fire before the pull; do not write a beta opener that assumes an unlearned form.

2. 
   Shadow Word: Pain

   Maintain on a durable target. Apply it while moving when possible so a positioning change does not remove every damage global.

3. 
   Devouring Plague

   Use for its supported damage cycle. In Forever it is part of the Priest toolkit rather than an automatic assumption based on the old Undead-only spell.

4. 
   Shadow Word: Death

   Use the execute opportunity with Early Demise when the enemy is sufficiently low. Keep your own Health in mind before choosing a damaging finishing action.

5. 
   Mind Blast

   Cast when available after keeping the important periodic damage active. Pair Inner Focus with a meaningful Mind Blast in the later hybrid build.

6. 
   Mind Flay

   Use as the filler channel. Let useful ticks land and stop the channel only for movement, an urgent priority or a target that is already dying.

Multiple targets and dungeon pulls

On a small durable pack, spread Shadow Word: Pain to valuable targets while focusing your main kill target. Do not spend the entire pull applying DoTs to enemies the group already finished.

Shadow lacks a reason to copy a Retail Mind Sear rotation into this dataset. Use the supported spells and your control, with the group's priority target first.

Use Psychic Scream carefully in confined dungeons. A frightened enemy reaching another pack can cost far more time than the control originally saved.

Resources and cooldowns

Do not refresh a long-duration effect just before the target dies. Spirit Tap rewards a successful kill while leveling. Channel only when you can remain safely stationary and reserve mana for control or emergency recovery.

• Use Vampiric Embrace during party damage when your continued damage will make the healing useful. Keep dealing damage rather than activating it and then stopping.
• Use Silence to stop a dangerous cast when allocated. Its value is not confined to PvP; a prevented enemy spell can protect the healer's Mana and the tank's Health.
• Reserve Inner Focus for a worthwhile cast in builds that reach it. Do not delay essential survival or movement merely to line up a minor offensive gain.

Specialization mechanics and group play

Shadowform in the supplied Forever data substantially changes Shadow Mana costs, but it is a later-tree tool. Early questing still needs a wand and deliberate recovery intervals.

Spirit Tap rewards a killing blow. In a dungeon you cannot assume every dying enemy provides the same reliable regeneration as a solo pull.

Early Demise changes the use of Shadow Word: Death at low target Health. Follow the allocated talent rather than importing a Retail execute rotation with unrelated proc rules.

In PvP, maintain your damage-over-time spells on the agreed target, use Silence to stop an important heal or crowd-control cast, and leave controlled enemies free of damage-over-time spells.

PvE talent choices

Standard Build 51 points · 18 / 0 / 33

Discipline

0/5Power in Light0/5 · PassiveYour Smite and Penance spells deal 2% increased damage to targets afflicted with your Holy Fire.2/2Wand Specialization2/2 · PassiveIncreases your damage with Wands by 13%.5/5Twin Disciplines5/5 · PassiveIncreases the damage and healing of your instant cast spells by 1%.3/3Silent Resolve3/3 · PassiveReduces the threat generated by your Holy spells by 10% and reduces the duration of Stun, Fear, and Silence effects inflicted on you by 5%.0/3Holy Precision0/3 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with Holy spells by 6%.0/3Improved Power Word: Shield0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage absorbed by your Power Word: Shield by 7%.0/2Martyrdom0/2 · PassiveGives you a 50% chance to gain Focused Casting for 6 sec after being the victim of a melee or ranged critical strike. The Focused Casting effect prevents you from losing casting time when taking damage and increases your resistance to Interrupt effects by 20%.1/3Mental Agility1/3 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Smite, Holy Fire, and Instant cast spells by 3%.1/1Inner Focus1/1 · ActiveWhen activated, reduces the Mana cost of your next spell by 100% and increases its critical effect chance by 25% if it is capable of a critical effect.3/3Meditation3/3 · PassiveAllows 17% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.0/3Improved Inner Fire0/3 · PassiveIncreases the Armor bonus of your Inner Fire spell by 15% and increases its total charges by 4.3/5Mental Strength3/5 · PassiveIncreases your total Intellect by 3%.0/1Soul Warding0/1 · PassiveReduces the cooldown on your Power Word: Shield spell by 4 sec and reduces its mana cost by 15%.Requires Improved Power Word: Shield0/2Improved Mana Burn0/2 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Mana Burn spell by 0.5 sec.0/1Penance0/1 · ActiveLaunches a volley of holy light at the target, causing 96 Holy damage to an enemy, or 233 healing to an ally. Instantly and every 1 sec for 2 sec.0/5Renewed Hope0/5 · PassiveYour heals from Flash Heal, Binding Heal, Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, and Penance gain 2% increased critical strike chance when cast on targets with Weakened Soul, and reduce the remaining duration of Weakened Soul on their target by 1 sec.Requires Soul Warding0/3Divine Aegis0/3 · PassiveYour critical heals create a protective shield on the target, absorbing 5% of the amount healed. Lasts 12 sec.0/1Power Infusion0/1 · ActiveInfuses the target with power, increasing their spell damage and healing done by 20% for 15 sec.Requires Penance

Wand Specialization 2/2Twin Disciplines 5/5Silent Resolve 3/3Mental Agility 1/3Inner Focus 1/1Meditation 3/3Mental Strength 3/5

Holy

0/3Twilight Focus0/3 · PassiveGives you a 23% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while casting any spell.0/3Improved Renew0/3 · PassiveIncreases the amount healed by your Renew spell by 5%.0/5Holy Specialization0/5 · PassiveIncreases the critical effect chance of your Holy spells by 1%.0/5Spell Warding0/5 · PassiveReduces all spell damage taken by 2%.0/5Divine Fury0/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Smite, Holy Fire, Heal and Greater Heal spells by 0.1 sec.0/1Holy Nova0/1 · ActiveCauses an explosion of holy light around the caster, causing 31 to 36 Holy damage to all enemy targets within 10 yards and healing all party members within 10 yards for 68 to 77. These effects cause no threat.0/3Blessed Recovery0/3 · PassiveAfter being struck by a melee or ranged critical hit, or suffering more than 30% of your maximum Health from a single attack, heal 8% of the damage taken over 6 sec. Refreshing this effect carries over any remaining healing.0/3Inspiration0/3 · PassiveYour non-periodic critical heals increase your target's Armor by 8% for 15 sec.0/2Holy Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Smite and Holy Fire spells and the radius of your Prayer of Healing and Holy Nova spells by 10%.0/3Improved Healing0/3 · PassiveReduces the Mana cost of your Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, Penance, and Prayer of Mending spells by 5%.0/2Searing Light0/2 · PassiveIncreases your Holy damage done by 2%, and gives a 5% chance each time your Holy Fire spell deals periodic damage for your next Holy Nova to cost no Mana.Requires Divine Fury0/1Binding Heal0/1 · ActiveHeals a friendly target and the caster for 346 to 403. Low threat.0/2Litany of Light0/2 · PassiveWhen you cast a healing spell, gain Mana equal to 5% of the base cost of the spell if your previous heal was a different spell.0/1Spirit of Redemption0/1 · PassiveUpon death, the priest becomes the Spirit of Redemption for 15 sec. The Spirit of Redemption cannot move, attack, be attacked or targeted by any spells or effects. While in this form the priest can cast any healing spell free of cost. When the effect ends, the priest dies.0/5Spiritual Guidance0/5 · PassiveIncreases your spell healing by up to 5% of your total Spirit and your spell damage by up to 1% of your total Spirit.0/3Spiritual Healing0/3 · PassiveIncreases the amount healed by your spells by 3%.0/1Prayer of Mending0/1 · ActivePlaces a spell on the target that heals them for 247 the next time they take damage or receive non-periodic healing. When the heal occurs, Prayer of Mending jumps to a party or raid member within 20 yards. Jumps up to 5 times and lasts 30 sec after each jump. This spell can only be placed on one target at a time per caster.Requires Spirit of Redemption

Shadow Magic

5/5Shadow Focus5/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with your Shadow spells by 1%.0/5Blackout0/5 · PassiveGives your Shadow damage spells a 2% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.0/5Spirit Tap0/5 · PassiveGives you a 20% chance to gain a 100% bonus to your Spirit for 15 sec after killing a non-trivial target. For the duration, your Mana will regenerate at a 50% of normal rate while casting.1/3Shadow Affinity1/3 · PassiveReduces the threat generated by your Shadow spells by 10%.2/2Improved Shadow Word: Pain2/2 · PassiveIncreases the duration of your Shadow Word: Pain spell by 6 sec.2/2Shadow Reach2/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your offensive Shadow spells by 10%.5/5Improved Mind Blast5/5 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Mind Blast spell by 2.5 sec.0/2Improved Psychic Scream0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Psychic Scream spell by 2 sec.Requires Blackout1/1Mind Flay1/1 · ActiveAssault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 104 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.2/2Improved Mind Flay2/2 · PassiveYour Mind Flay now deals 20% more damage, gains 10 yards increased range, but slows the target's movement speed by 20%.Requires Mind Flay0/2Improved Fade0/2 · PassiveDecreases the cooldown of your Fade ability by 3 sec.1/1Vampiric Embrace1/1 · ActiveAfflicts your target with Shadow energy that causes all party members to be healed for 20% of any Shadow spell damage you deal for 30 sec. Vampiric Embrace also grants a chance for your Spirit Tap talent to trigger when enemies afflicted by it die.3/3Shadow Weaving3/3 · PassiveYour Shadow damage spells have a 33% chance to increase the Shadow damage you deal by 2% for 15 sec, stacking up to 5 times.1/1Silence1/1 · ActiveSilences the target, preventing them from casting spells for 5 sec and interrupting their spellcasts for 3 sec.2/2Devouring Contagion2/2 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Devouring Plague by 50%. Targets that die while Devouring Plague it is active spreads it, jumping to a nearby enemy within 10 yards for the remaining duration.2/2Early Demise2/2 · PassiveIncreases Shadow Word: Death's critical strike chance on targets at or below 20% health by 15%.5/5Darkness5/5 · PassiveIncreases your Shadow damage done by 2%.1/1Shadowform1/1 · ActiveAssume Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 10%, reducing the Mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%, increasing the critical strike damage bonus of your Shadow spells by 100%, and reducing Physical damage taken by you by 15%. However, you may not cast healing spells while in this form.Requires Vampiric Embrace

Shadow Focus 5/5Shadow Affinity 1/3Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2Shadow Reach 2/2Improved Mind Blast 5/5Mind Flay 1/1Improved Mind Flay 2/2Vampiric Embrace 1/1Shadow Weaving 3/3Silence 1/1Devouring Contagion 2/2Early Demise 2/2Darkness 5/5Shadowform 1/1

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Build reference · Level-60 allocations are beta plans, not final launch performance rankings.

Level 30 (Beta) 21 points · 0 / 0 / 21

Discipline

0/5Power in Light0/5 · PassiveYour Smite and Penance spells deal 2% increased damage to targets afflicted with your Holy Fire.0/2Wand Specialization0/2 · PassiveIncreases your damage with Wands by 13%.0/5Twin Disciplines0/5 · PassiveIncreases the damage and healing of your instant cast spells by 1%.0/3Silent Resolve0/3 · PassiveReduces the threat generated by your Holy spells by 10% and reduces the duration of Stun, Fear, and Silence effects inflicted on you by 5%.0/3Holy Precision0/3 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with Holy spells by 6%.0/3Improved Power Word: Shield0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage absorbed by your Power Word: Shield by 7%.0/2Martyrdom0/2 · PassiveGives you a 50% chance to gain Focused Casting for 6 sec after being the victim of a melee or ranged critical strike. The Focused Casting effect prevents you from losing casting time when taking damage and increases your resistance to Interrupt effects by 20%.0/3Mental Agility0/3 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Smite, Holy Fire, and Instant cast spells by 3%.0/1Inner Focus0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, reduces the Mana cost of your next spell by 100% and increases its critical effect chance by 25% if it is capable of a critical effect.0/3Meditation0/3 · PassiveAllows 17% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.0/3Improved Inner Fire0/3 · PassiveIncreases the Armor bonus of your Inner Fire spell by 15% and increases its total charges by 4.0/5Mental Strength0/5 · PassiveIncreases your total Intellect by 3%.0/1Soul Warding0/1 · PassiveReduces the cooldown on your Power Word: Shield spell by 4 sec and reduces its mana cost by 15%.Requires Improved Power Word: Shield0/2Improved Mana Burn0/2 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Mana Burn spell by 0.5 sec.0/1Penance0/1 · ActiveLaunches a volley of holy light at the target, causing 96 Holy damage to an enemy, or 233 healing to an ally. Instantly and every 1 sec for 2 sec.0/5Renewed Hope0/5 · PassiveYour heals from Flash Heal, Binding Heal, Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, and Penance gain 2% increased critical strike chance when cast on targets with Weakened Soul, and reduce the remaining duration of Weakened Soul on their target by 1 sec.Requires Soul Warding0/3Divine Aegis0/3 · PassiveYour critical heals create a protective shield on the target, absorbing 5% of the amount healed. Lasts 12 sec.0/1Power Infusion0/1 · ActiveInfuses the target with power, increasing their spell damage and healing done by 20% for 15 sec.Requires Penance

Holy

0/3Twilight Focus0/3 · PassiveGives you a 23% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while casting any spell.0/3Improved Renew0/3 · PassiveIncreases the amount healed by your Renew spell by 5%.0/5Holy Specialization0/5 · PassiveIncreases the critical effect chance of your Holy spells by 1%.0/5Spell Warding0/5 · PassiveReduces all spell damage taken by 2%.0/5Divine Fury0/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Smite, Holy Fire, Heal and Greater Heal spells by 0.1 sec.0/1Holy Nova0/1 · ActiveCauses an explosion of holy light around the caster, causing 31 to 36 Holy damage to all enemy targets within 10 yards and healing all party members within 10 yards for 68 to 77. These effects cause no threat.0/3Blessed Recovery0/3 · PassiveAfter being struck by a melee or ranged critical hit, or suffering more than 30% of your maximum Health from a single attack, heal 8% of the damage taken over 6 sec. Refreshing this effect carries over any remaining healing.0/3Inspiration0/3 · PassiveYour non-periodic critical heals increase your target's Armor by 8% for 15 sec.0/2Holy Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Smite and Holy Fire spells and the radius of your Prayer of Healing and Holy Nova spells by 10%.0/3Improved Healing0/3 · PassiveReduces the Mana cost of your Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, Penance, and Prayer of Mending spells by 5%.0/2Searing Light0/2 · PassiveIncreases your Holy damage done by 2%, and gives a 5% chance each time your Holy Fire spell deals periodic damage for your next Holy Nova to cost no Mana.Requires Divine Fury0/1Binding Heal0/1 · ActiveHeals a friendly target and the caster for 346 to 403. Low threat.0/2Litany of Light0/2 · PassiveWhen you cast a healing spell, gain Mana equal to 5% of the base cost of the spell if your previous heal was a different spell.0/1Spirit of Redemption0/1 · PassiveUpon death, the priest becomes the Spirit of Redemption for 15 sec. The Spirit of Redemption cannot move, attack, be attacked or targeted by any spells or effects. While in this form the priest can cast any healing spell free of cost. When the effect ends, the priest dies.0/5Spiritual Guidance0/5 · PassiveIncreases your spell healing by up to 5% of your total Spirit and your spell damage by up to 1% of your total Spirit.0/3Spiritual Healing0/3 · PassiveIncreases the amount healed by your spells by 3%.0/1Prayer of Mending0/1 · ActivePlaces a spell on the target that heals them for 247 the next time they take damage or receive non-periodic healing. When the heal occurs, Prayer of Mending jumps to a party or raid member within 20 yards. Jumps up to 5 times and lasts 30 sec after each jump. This spell can only be placed on one target at a time per caster.Requires Spirit of Redemption

Shadow Magic

5/5Shadow Focus5/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with your Shadow spells by 1%.0/5Blackout0/5 · PassiveGives your Shadow damage spells a 2% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.0/5Spirit Tap0/5 · PassiveGives you a 20% chance to gain a 100% bonus to your Spirit for 15 sec after killing a non-trivial target. For the duration, your Mana will regenerate at a 50% of normal rate while casting.1/3Shadow Affinity1/3 · PassiveReduces the threat generated by your Shadow spells by 10%.2/2Improved Shadow Word: Pain2/2 · PassiveIncreases the duration of your Shadow Word: Pain spell by 6 sec.2/2Shadow Reach2/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your offensive Shadow spells by 10%.4/5Improved Mind Blast4/5 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Mind Blast spell by 2 sec.0/2Improved Psychic Scream0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Psychic Scream spell by 2 sec.Requires Blackout1/1Mind Flay1/1 · ActiveAssault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 104 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.2/2Improved Mind Flay2/2 · PassiveYour Mind Flay now deals 20% more damage, gains 10 yards increased range, but slows the target's movement speed by 20%.Requires Mind Flay0/2Improved Fade0/2 · PassiveDecreases the cooldown of your Fade ability by 3 sec.0/1Vampiric Embrace0/1 · ActiveAfflicts your target with Shadow energy that causes all party members to be healed for 20% of any Shadow spell damage you deal for 30 sec. Vampiric Embrace also grants a chance for your Spirit Tap talent to trigger when enemies afflicted by it die.3/3Shadow Weaving3/3 · PassiveYour Shadow damage spells have a 33% chance to increase the Shadow damage you deal by 2% for 15 sec, stacking up to 5 times.0/1Silence0/1 · ActiveSilences the target, preventing them from casting spells for 5 sec and interrupting their spellcasts for 3 sec.1/2Devouring Contagion1/2 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Devouring Plague by 25%. Targets that die while Devouring Plague is active spreads it, jumping to a nearby enemy within 5 yards for the remaining duration.0/2Early Demise0/2 · PassiveIncreases Shadow Word: Death's critical strike chance on targets at or below 20% health by 15%.0/5Darkness0/5 · PassiveIncreases your Shadow damage done by 2%.0/1Shadowform0/1 · ActiveAssume Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 10%, reducing the Mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%, increasing the critical strike damage bonus of your Shadow spells by 100%, and reducing Physical damage taken by you by 15%. However, you may not cast healing spells while in this form.Requires Vampiric Embrace

Shadow Focus 5/5Shadow Affinity 1/3Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2Shadow Reach 2/2Improved Mind Blast 4/5Mind Flay 1/1Improved Mind Flay 2/2Shadow Weaving 3/3Devouring Contagion 1/2

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Build reference · Level-60 allocations are beta plans, not final launch performance rankings.

Leveling 1-60 51 points · 13 / 3 / 35

Discipline

0/5Power in Light0/5 · PassiveYour Smite and Penance spells deal 2% increased damage to targets afflicted with your Holy Fire.2/2Wand Specialization2/2 · PassiveIncreases your damage with Wands by 13%.5/5Twin Disciplines5/5 · PassiveIncreases the damage and healing of your instant cast spells by 1%.0/3Silent Resolve0/3 · PassiveReduces the threat generated by your Holy spells by 10% and reduces the duration of Stun, Fear, and Silence effects inflicted on you by 5%.0/3Holy Precision0/3 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with Holy spells by 6%.3/3Improved Power Word: Shield3/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage absorbed by your Power Word: Shield by 7%.0/2Martyrdom0/2 · PassiveGives you a 50% chance to gain Focused Casting for 6 sec after being the victim of a melee or ranged critical strike. The Focused Casting effect prevents you from losing casting time when taking damage and increases your resistance to Interrupt effects by 20%.0/3Mental Agility0/3 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Smite, Holy Fire, and Instant cast spells by 3%.0/1Inner Focus0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, reduces the Mana cost of your next spell by 100% and increases its critical effect chance by 25% if it is capable of a critical effect.3/3Meditation3/3 · PassiveAllows 17% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.0/3Improved Inner Fire0/3 · PassiveIncreases the Armor bonus of your Inner Fire spell by 15% and increases its total charges by 4.0/5Mental Strength0/5 · PassiveIncreases your total Intellect by 3%.0/1Soul Warding0/1 · PassiveReduces the cooldown on your Power Word: Shield spell by 4 sec and reduces its mana cost by 15%.Requires Improved Power Word: Shield0/2Improved Mana Burn0/2 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Mana Burn spell by 0.5 sec.0/1Penance0/1 · ActiveLaunches a volley of holy light at the target, causing 96 Holy damage to an enemy, or 233 healing to an ally. Instantly and every 1 sec for 2 sec.0/5Renewed Hope0/5 · PassiveYour heals from Flash Heal, Binding Heal, Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, and Penance gain 2% increased critical strike chance when cast on targets with Weakened Soul, and reduce the remaining duration of Weakened Soul on their target by 1 sec.Requires Soul Warding0/3Divine Aegis0/3 · PassiveYour critical heals create a protective shield on the target, absorbing 5% of the amount healed. Lasts 12 sec.0/1Power Infusion0/1 · ActiveInfuses the target with power, increasing their spell damage and healing done by 20% for 15 sec.Requires Penance

Wand Specialization 2/2Twin Disciplines 5/5Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3Meditation 3/3

Holy

3/3Twilight Focus3/3 · PassiveGives you a 23% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while casting any spell.0/3Improved Renew0/3 · PassiveIncreases the amount healed by your Renew spell by 5%.0/5Holy Specialization0/5 · PassiveIncreases the critical effect chance of your Holy spells by 1%.0/5Spell Warding0/5 · PassiveReduces all spell damage taken by 2%.0/5Divine Fury0/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Smite, Holy Fire, Heal and Greater Heal spells by 0.1 sec.0/1Holy Nova0/1 · ActiveCauses an explosion of holy light around the caster, causing 31 to 36 Holy damage to all enemy targets within 10 yards and healing all party members within 10 yards for 68 to 77. These effects cause no threat.0/3Blessed Recovery0/3 · PassiveAfter being struck by a melee or ranged critical hit, or suffering more than 30% of your maximum Health from a single attack, heal 8% of the damage taken over 6 sec. Refreshing this effect carries over any remaining healing.0/3Inspiration0/3 · PassiveYour non-periodic critical heals increase your target's Armor by 8% for 15 sec.0/2Holy Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Smite and Holy Fire spells and the radius of your Prayer of Healing and Holy Nova spells by 10%.0/3Improved Healing0/3 · PassiveReduces the Mana cost of your Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, Penance, and Prayer of Mending spells by 5%.0/2Searing Light0/2 · PassiveIncreases your Holy damage done by 2%, and gives a 5% chance each time your Holy Fire spell deals periodic damage for your next Holy Nova to cost no Mana.Requires Divine Fury0/1Binding Heal0/1 · ActiveHeals a friendly target and the caster for 346 to 403. Low threat.0/2Litany of Light0/2 · PassiveWhen you cast a healing spell, gain Mana equal to 5% of the base cost of the spell if your previous heal was a different spell.0/1Spirit of Redemption0/1 · PassiveUpon death, the priest becomes the Spirit of Redemption for 15 sec. The Spirit of Redemption cannot move, attack, be attacked or targeted by any spells or effects. While in this form the priest can cast any healing spell free of cost. When the effect ends, the priest dies.0/5Spiritual Guidance0/5 · PassiveIncreases your spell healing by up to 5% of your total Spirit and your spell damage by up to 1% of your total Spirit.0/3Spiritual Healing0/3 · PassiveIncreases the amount healed by your spells by 3%.0/1Prayer of Mending0/1 · ActivePlaces a spell on the target that heals them for 247 the next time they take damage or receive non-periodic healing. When the heal occurs, Prayer of Mending jumps to a party or raid member within 20 yards. Jumps up to 5 times and lasts 30 sec after each jump. This spell can only be placed on one target at a time per caster.Requires Spirit of Redemption

Twilight Focus 3/3

Shadow Magic

5/5Shadow Focus5/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with your Shadow spells by 1%.0/5Blackout0/5 · PassiveGives your Shadow damage spells a 2% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.5/5Spirit Tap5/5 · PassiveGives you a 20% chance to gain a 100% bonus to your Spirit for 15 sec after killing a non-trivial target. For the duration, your Mana will regenerate at a 50% of normal rate while casting.0/3Shadow Affinity0/3 · PassiveReduces the threat generated by your Shadow spells by 10%.2/2Improved Shadow Word: Pain2/2 · PassiveIncreases the duration of your Shadow Word: Pain spell by 6 sec.0/2Shadow Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your offensive Shadow spells by 10%.5/5Improved Mind Blast5/5 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Mind Blast spell by 2.5 sec.0/2Improved Psychic Scream0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Psychic Scream spell by 2 sec.Requires Blackout1/1Mind Flay1/1 · ActiveAssault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 104 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.2/2Improved Mind Flay2/2 · PassiveYour Mind Flay now deals 20% more damage, gains 10 yards increased range, but slows the target's movement speed by 20%.Requires Mind Flay0/2Improved Fade0/2 · PassiveDecreases the cooldown of your Fade ability by 3 sec.1/1Vampiric Embrace1/1 · ActiveAfflicts your target with Shadow energy that causes all party members to be healed for 20% of any Shadow spell damage you deal for 30 sec. Vampiric Embrace also grants a chance for your Spirit Tap talent to trigger when enemies afflicted by it die.3/3Shadow Weaving3/3 · PassiveYour Shadow damage spells have a 33% chance to increase the Shadow damage you deal by 2% for 15 sec, stacking up to 5 times.1/1Silence1/1 · ActiveSilences the target, preventing them from casting spells for 5 sec and interrupting their spellcasts for 3 sec.2/2Devouring Contagion2/2 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Devouring Plague by 50%. Targets that die while Devouring Plague it is active spreads it, jumping to a nearby enemy within 10 yards for the remaining duration.2/2Early Demise2/2 · PassiveIncreases Shadow Word: Death's critical strike chance on targets at or below 20% health by 15%.5/5Darkness5/5 · PassiveIncreases your Shadow damage done by 2%.1/1Shadowform1/1 · ActiveAssume Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 10%, reducing the Mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%, increasing the critical strike damage bonus of your Shadow spells by 100%, and reducing Physical damage taken by you by 15%. However, you may not cast healing spells while in this form.Requires Vampiric Embrace

Shadow Focus 5/5Spirit Tap 5/5Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2Improved Mind Blast 5/5Mind Flay 1/1Improved Mind Flay 2/2Vampiric Embrace 1/1Shadow Weaving 3/3Silence 1/1Devouring Contagion 2/2Early Demise 2/2Darkness 5/5Shadowform 1/1

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Build reference · Level-60 allocations are beta plans, not final launch performance rankings.

Important talent effects

Spirit Tap

Gives you a 20% chance to gain a 100% bonus to your Spirit for 15 sec after killing a non-trivial target. For the duration, your Mana will regenerate at a 50% of normal rate while casting.

5 ranks

Improved Mind Blast

Reduces the cooldown of your Mind Blast spell by 0.5 sec.

5 ranks

Mind Flay

Assault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 104 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.

1 rank

Devouring Contagion

Reduces the mana cost of your Devouring Plague by 25%. Targets that die while Devouring Plague is active spreads it, jumping to a nearby enemy within 5 yards for the remaining duration.

2 ranks

Early Demise

Increases Shadow Word: Death's critical strike chance on targets at or below 20% health by 15%.

2 ranks

Shadowform

Assume Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 10%, reducing the Mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%, increasing the critical strike damage bonus of your Shadow spells by 100%, and reducing Physical damage taken by you by 15%. However, you may not cast healing spells while in this form.

1 rank · Requires Vampiric Embrace

PvP talent choices and play

Silence can stop a key heal or spell, and Improved Psychic Scream creates breathing room. Use both with a plan: simultaneous control wastes time that could have been used to maintain pressure or escape.

Recommended gear & upgrades

Forever beta equipment options. Compare level requirements and sources; these are not final launch rankings.

Head

Source / location

Embalmed Shroudcloth · Level 30

Fallen ChampionScarlet Monastery

Enchanter's Cowlcloth · Level 28

TailoringCrafted

Filigreed Pristine Circletcloth · Level 25

TailoringCrafted

Filigreed Shadow Circletcloth · Level 25

TailoringCrafted

Holy Shroudcloth · Level 27

World drop

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Chest

Source / location

Beguiler Robescloth · Level 29

Trash dropScarlet Monastery

Bristle Hills Mystic Robecloth

Ceremonial Gowncloth

Dro'zem's Tuniccloth · Level 20

Green Silk Armorcloth · Level 28

TailoringCrafted

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Main Hand

Source / location

Clever Expeditionary's Spellbladedagger · Level 28

Theramore Expeditionary Force - ReveredReputation

Darkspear Insurgent's Spellbladedagger · Level 28

Darkspear Raiders - ReveredReputation

Fallen Dragon's Scepterstaff

Stopping the CycleQuest (Alliance)

Glimmering Staffstaff · Level 25

EnchantingCrafted

Mindslicerdagger

Call to ArmsQuest (Horde)

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Off Hand

Source / location

A Lesson in Destruction

Cursed Eye of PalethLevel 26

Insurgent's ManifestoLevel 28

Theramore Expeditionary Force - ReveredReputation

Omega Orb

Compendium of the FallenQuest (Horde)

Orb of MistmantleLevel 23

World drop

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View equipment for every slot

Stats and equipment decisions

Enchanting equipment

For inexpensive leveling preparation, Enchant Bracer - Inferior Stamina and Enchant Chest - Inferior Stamina add survival to equipment you expect to keep. Prioritize an important weapon or role-specific item upgrade before spending heavily on temporary armor.

Consumables and preparation

Lesser Arcane Elixir

Use this sustained Spell Power buff for a dungeon run; short trash pulls rarely justify an expensive burst potion.

Lesser Spellblasting Potion

Save the temporary Spell Power increase for a boss damage window when you can stand still and cast.

Minor Wizard Oil

Apply the temporary weapon enhancement before the run. It supplies Spell Power without requiring a different weapon.

Healing Potion

Reserve for damage that would otherwise kill you. A dead caster loses every remaining cast in the fight.

Lesser Mageblood Elixir

Use for passive Mana recovery on a sustained damage session.

Briny Seafood Stew

Prepare the Spell Power food buff before a dungeon or difficult quest pull.

Useful profession pairings

Tailoring supplies cloth gear, while Enchanting turns unneeded drops into materials and improves the equipment you keep. This is a practical self-sufficient caster pairing.

Alchemy with Herbalism supplies your own elixirs and recovery consumables. It is particularly useful when repeated healing or quest pulls consume expensive Mana supplies.

Learn Cooking and First Aid as well. A bandage can recover Health without spending Mana when you have a safe window; do not channel it while damage is repeatedly interrupting it.

Tailoring · Enchanting · Herbalism · Alchemy · Recipe database · Camping buffs

Races and racial abilities

Undead offers Will of the Forsaken and the Forever recovery utility of Cannibalize; for Shadow, Touch of the Grave adds another damage interaction. These are specific benefits rather than an unsupported universal racial ranking.

Priest race choice also affects the race-specific spell toolkit. Compare the spells relevant to your healing or damage role alongside the faction you intend to play.

Use the available Forever race combinations, including Skyborne traditions where applicable. Do not add a TBC-only race because an older Priest guide recommended it.

Leveling and solo play

1. Open with useful spell damage, maintain Shadow Word: Pain on enemies that will live long enough, then wand a nearly dead target to avoid another unnecessary Mana cost.
2. Upgrade the wand early and retain a recovery interval between pulls. Casting an expensive spell to remove the final few Health points repeatedly turns a fast route into a drinking route.
3. Use the complete beta allocation and then the displayed later build as the destination. Shadowform and deeper Mana talents do not belong in an early-level checklist before their prerequisites are met.
4. Keep the healing toolkit available even while leveling for damage. Supporting a group member with an emergency heal can rescue the pull, but account for the form and the cast you need to use.

Leveling routes and preparation · Dungeon entrances and level ranges

Useful macros

#showtooltip Flash Heal
/cast [@mouseover,help,nodead][help,nodead][@player] Flash Heal

#showtooltip Dispel Magic
/cast [@mouseover,help,nodead][help,nodead][@player] Dispel Magic

Strengths and weaknesses

Common mistakes

• Reapplying effects on a nearly dead enemy
• Finishing a channel while standing in damage
• Using Silence on an unimportant cast

Full Shadow Magic talent reference

Exact rank text and prerequisites from the calculator’s existing talent data. Use the interactive tooltip for additional ranks.

View every Shadow Magic talent

Shadow Focus

Passive · Tier 1 · 5 ranks

Increases your chance to hit with your Shadow spells by 1%.

Blackout

Passive · Tier 1 · 5 ranks

Gives your Shadow damage spells a 2% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.

Spirit Tap

Passive · Tier 1 · 5 ranks

Gives you a 20% chance to gain a 100% bonus to your Spirit for 15 sec after killing a non-trivial target. For the duration, your Mana will regenerate at a 50% of normal rate while casting.

Shadow Affinity

Passive · Tier 2 · 3 ranks

Reduces the threat generated by your Shadow spells by 10%.

Improved Shadow Word: Pain

Passive · Tier 2 · 2 ranks

Increases the duration of your Shadow Word: Pain spell by 3 sec.

Shadow Reach

Passive · Tier 2 · 2 ranks

Increases the range of your offensive Shadow spells by 10%.

Improved Mind Blast

Passive · Tier 3 · 5 ranks

Reduces the cooldown of your Mind Blast spell by 0.5 sec.

Improved Psychic Scream

Passive · Tier 3 · 2 ranks

Reduces the cooldown of your Psychic Scream spell by 2 sec.

Requires Blackout

Mind Flay

Active · Tier 3 · 1 ranks

45 Mana | 20 yd range | Channeled

Assault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 104 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.

Improved Mind Flay

Passive · Tier 3 · 2 ranks

Your Mind Flay now deals 10% more damage, gains 5 yards increased range, but slows the target's movement speed by 35%.

Requires Mind Flay

Improved Fade

Passive · Tier 4 · 2 ranks

Decreases the cooldown of your Fade ability by 3 sec.

Vampiric Embrace

Active · Tier 4 · 1 ranks

40 Mana | 30 yd range | Instant | 1 min cooldown

Afflicts your target with Shadow energy that causes all party members to be healed for 20% of any Shadow spell damage you deal for 30 sec. Vampiric Embrace also grants a chance for your Spirit Tap talent to trigger when enemies afflicted by it die.

Shadow Weaving

Passive · Tier 4 · 3 ranks

Your Shadow damage spells have a 33% chance to increase the Shadow damage you deal by 2% for 15 sec, stacking up to 5 times.

Silence

Active · Tier 5 · 1 ranks

225 Mana | 20 yd range | Instant | 45 sec cooldown

Silences the target, preventing them from casting spells for 5 sec and interrupting their spellcasts for 3 sec.

Devouring Contagion

Passive · Tier 5 · 2 ranks

Reduces the mana cost of your Devouring Plague by 25%. Targets that die while Devouring Plague is active spreads it, jumping to a nearby enemy within 5 yards for the remaining duration.

Early Demise

Passive · Tier 6 · 2 ranks

Increases Shadow Word: Death's critical strike chance on targets at or below 20% health by 15%.

Darkness

Passive · Tier 6 · 5 ranks

Increases your Shadow damage done by 2%.

Shadowform

Active · Tier 7 · 1 ranks

345 Mana | Instant | 1.5 sec cooldown

Assume Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 10%, reducing the Mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%, increasing the critical strike damage bonus of your Shadow spells by 100%, and reducing Physical damage taken by you by 15%. However, you may not cast healing spells while in this form.

Requires Vampiric Embrace

Changes from Classic