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30 posts
i just made a dwarf priest who's lvl 7 atm... i'm used to playing a dwarf hunter so im new to the whole priest thing. but i was hoping to make my priest a full on shadow priest and i dont know what kind of stats i want to have more of and/or what to get rid of stat wise to get more of another. i know when i get a higher lvl i want plus shadow dmg but at about what lvl should i start looking for all of that and before then what should i look for more. also i dont really know how to use my talent points when i get to them. i'm hoping to figure that out in the next day or two so that when i hit lvl 10 i already know what to do. any kind of advice would be most helpful and greatly appreciated.
Most priests level as shadow, and are still able to heal instances at least up to level 60. The shadow priest FAQ lists the order in which to choose your shadow talents up to shadowform at level 40 and gives the most important stats, at low levels this will be +damage and +intellect.
Helluna has already directed you to the FAQ. Do read it. You'll find your build there.
I'll just add my 5 point "shadow priests for dummies" - you should not take this to indicate that you are a dummy. ;)
1. From level 14 on (that's when you've filled out the Spirit Tap talent), you want Spirit and more Spirit. After that it's intellect and stamina, about equally. Of the Whale and Of the Owl are your low level friends.
2. After about level 50 you'll start seeing more +damage gear. At that point damage becomes your most important stat, followed by spirit, then intellect and stamina. Spell hit will matter later. Spell crit really won't, but that seems likely to change since Mind Flay will be able to crit after the next patch (huzzah!).
3. Buy a better wand.
4. When soloing, always always always wand for the last 5 seconds of every fight. Keep Vampiric Embrace up all the time.
5. There is no perfect cast rotation for every situation. Keep Shadow Word:Pain and Mind Blast on cooldown. If you're in a group, keep Vampiric Touch on cooldown too. Mind Flay the rest of the time.
I'll just add my 5 point "shadow priests for dummies" - you should not take this to indicate that you are a dummy. ;)
1. From level 14 on (that's when you've filled out the Spirit Tap talent), you want Spirit and more Spirit. After that it's intellect and stamina, about equally. Of the Whale and Of the Owl are your low level friends.
2. After about level 50 you'll start seeing more +damage gear. At that point damage becomes your most important stat, followed by spirit, then intellect and stamina. Spell hit will matter later. Spell crit really won't, but that seems likely to change since Mind Flay will be able to crit after the next patch (huzzah!).
3. Buy a better wand.
4. When soloing, always always always wand for the last 5 seconds of every fight. Keep Vampiric Embrace up all the time.
5. There is no perfect cast rotation for every situation. Keep Shadow Word:Pain and Mind Blast on cooldown. If you're in a group, keep Vampiric Touch on cooldown too. Mind Flay the rest of the time.
The above posts are really great and have mentioned pretty much everything you need to know.
I just wanted to add that
is REALLY important. You can get your first wand at level 5 from the AH, Lesser Magic Wand. It's not expensive. Get it. Now.
I just wanted to add that
Teacake wrote:
Buy a better wand
is REALLY important. You can get your first wand at level 5 from the AH, Lesser Magic Wand. It's not expensive. Get it. Now.
teacake wrote:
4. When soloing, always always always wand for the last 5 seconds of every fight. Keep Vampiric Embrace up all the time.
Ummm, no.
You'll note that I said while soloing. In that situation I find constant use of VE very efficient. I like finishing fights with full health (and mana).
YMMV of course. Everything I say should always be read as my 2 cents, not The Law.
YMMV of course. Everything I say should always be read as my 2 cents, not The Law.
teacake wrote:
You'll note that I said while soloing. In that situation I find constant use of VE very efficient. I like finishing fights with full health (and mana).
YMMV of course. Everything I say should always be read as my 2 cents, not The Law.
YMMV of course. Everything I say should always be read as my 2 cents, not The Law.
I use VE less when soloing.
Im sorry but i must agree with teacake here. for overal efficiency while soloing. a 25 or 50 mana cast of VE. to regen 20 or 25 percent of spell damage back in healing is utterly efficient and will lower downtime.
Downtime for the priest is the real time killer. if you eliminate down time you will save time. VE is a great source for that.
Downtime for the priest is the real time killer. if you eliminate down time you will save time. VE is a great source for that.
When leveling I used VE all the time. That extra health saved me a bunch of times.
But now I don't bother with the global CD when doing dailies. Is more efficient to VT -> SW:P -> MB -> MF. Don't usually have to MF a second time anymore. Keeping shield up I almost never take any damage so VE is pointless.
But now I don't bother with the global CD when doing dailies. Is more efficient to VT -> SW:P -> MB -> MF. Don't usually have to MF a second time anymore. Keeping shield up I almost never take any damage so VE is pointless.
AnotherSquirrel wrote:
Keeping shield up I almost never take any damage so VE is pointless.
I kind of had the opposite experience - when keeping VE up shield is pointless. :) Mind you, the last time I was specced shadow was for SSO dailies, I am not a full time shadow priest, so again, grain of salt and all that. But in any case I suspect we're using PW:S and VE for the same function, to keep health topped off at all times. VE costs less mana but PW:S can last through more than one fight, so maybe it's 6 of one half dozen of the other in terms of efficiency.
teacake wrote:
AnotherSquirrel wrote:
Keeping shield up I almost never take any damage so VE is pointless.
I kind of had the opposite experience - when keeping VE up shield is pointless. :) Mind you, the last time I was specced shadow was for SSO dailies, I am not a full time shadow priest, so again, grain of salt and all that. But in any case I suspect we're using PW:S and VE for the same function, to keep health topped off at all times. VE costs less mana but PW:S can last through more than one fight, so maybe it's 6 of one half dozen of the other in terms of efficiency.
We're not. I use PW:S even less than VE. It's no wonder you see VE as more efficient because it is when it compares to PW:S.
The problem I have with VE is that it draws agro as soon as it's cast. If it isn't the first spell cast then it isn't bringing in as much hp. I open with MB and MF and then MB and then SW:D. When soloing I usually don't use VE and even less of SW:S. I only use those in situations where I would need to, like adds or tougher mobs etc. I've can and have been soloing non-stop without any down time. With my cast sequence the mobs hardly get any hits in. I'm not 100% topped off in health all the time but that's wasting mana to try and do so. Wasted mana means more down time. Instead I cast a renew after a few fights once in a while. Low mana and it doesn't touch my CDs while in battle. That's efficiency.
I only use VE when I'm already getting low on health - below 30% if I'm alone, below 60% if there's opposite faction.
Normal rotation: VT->Blast->Flay->Flay/Death
Low-on-health: VT->VE->Blast->Flay->Flay/Death
It will require more Flaying while leveling, and you'll end up using VE more often. Depending, you might throw SWP in there as well, but I kill mobs so fast that it's nothing but a waste. For pre-50, I believe I usually used Blast->Pain->VE->Flay->Flay->Blast.
However, I'm currently at the point where it's more time-efficient to just drop shadowform when I'm low and cast Gheal/Renew and keep grinding. Mana is of zero concern when you're pulling so fast you never let Spirit Tap drop, that's a ton of regen.
Normal rotation: VT->Blast->Flay->Flay/Death
Low-on-health: VT->VE->Blast->Flay->Flay/Death
It will require more Flaying while leveling, and you'll end up using VE more often. Depending, you might throw SWP in there as well, but I kill mobs so fast that it's nothing but a waste. For pre-50, I believe I usually used Blast->Pain->VE->Flay->Flay->Blast.
However, I'm currently at the point where it's more time-efficient to just drop shadowform when I'm low and cast Gheal/Renew and keep grinding. Mana is of zero concern when you're pulling so fast you never let Spirit Tap drop, that's a ton of regen.
MentalFrog wrote:
We're not. I use PW:S even less than VE. It's no wonder you see VE as more efficient because it is when it compares to PW:S.
No no, I wasn't talking to you, I was addressing a specific quote from someone else who said he doesn't use VE because PW:S makes it pointless for him to do so. I was comparing the two in that context only.
I'm not trying to make you like VE if you don't. I'm sure you're very efficient.
I started a new priest (on a different sever that my 70 shadow priest). I decided to try out the balance tree. Take a look at it, although at 40 its always tempting to go shadow, for now I'm sticking with balance.
poppybeatrix wrote:
I started a new priest (on a different sever that my 70 shadow priest). I decided to try out the balance tree. Take a look at it, although at 40 its always tempting to go shadow, for now I'm sticking with balance.
Obviously he's playing a balance-specced priest =P
30 posts
ok, so i want to get gear with +spirit most of all, then also look for +int second and +stam last. then when i'm high enough i should look for +dmg and +shadow dmg. is there anything else i should look for? such as specific weapons and/or armor's? also does anyone have an example shadow priest build for pre-70 and an example build for 70 i could look at?? pre-70 i'm going to be raiding and solo-ing a lot, mostly raiding once i get to DM. after i get to 70 i'm going to be mostly going to PVP and i know there are recomended builds for both that work better for each setting of play. and lastly are there any specific non-priest quests i should look at doing as i lvl??
As Teacake mentioned you'll be wanting a good wand. The Gravestone Scepter is a quest reward from a Black fathom deeps quest and is worth getting at that level.
I just hit 51 last night, this is my current set-up: http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Ner%27zhul&n=Binya
I had to synth the Shadoweave head/shoulders/robe/hands/feet myself, since nothing but the legs were ever on the Auction House.
Just upgraded the neck piece last night- prior to that I was using this: Citrine Pendant of Golden Healing
Last night I flagged the level 50 Priest quest for the Woestave. The next thing I plan to do is raise my Tailoring to 300 so I can synth the Felcloth set for myself, which should tide me over til the Shadow's Embrace set.
Edited, Sep 25th 2008 12:42pm by Etain
I had to synth the Shadoweave head/shoulders/robe/hands/feet myself, since nothing but the legs were ever on the Auction House.
Just upgraded the neck piece last night- prior to that I was using this: Citrine Pendant of Golden Healing
Last night I flagged the level 50 Priest quest for the Woestave. The next thing I plan to do is raise my Tailoring to 300 so I can synth the Felcloth set for myself, which should tide me over til the Shadow's Embrace set.
Edited, Sep 25th 2008 12:42pm by Etain
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