Hit 40 last night. I've played other toons to 80. Trying to rush through Vanilla WoW. Question:
What's the deal with Shadow Form?
Without S.Form I've been doing this:
Shield, MB, SWP, SWD, then (Depending on lvl) I'll wand or cast a holy spell while MB is on CD.
If I went against a big mob or had adds - I'd toss in VT and, situationally, a fear...
Suddenly I get this S.Form.
I'm really not sure how to use it. Do I suddenly become a Lock/drain tanker? I can't cast shield - and I like my shield.
Advise plz.
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New 40 - What's the deal with Shadow form?Follow
You can cast shield. The only things you can't cast, are Holy spells (healing, for the most part). Read the stickies.
You shouldn't need Shield or Renew with VE. Pop that on your target after opening with a Mind Blast, then Mind Flay x2 while backing up. They'll probably be dead by the time they reach you, but if not, wand, another Mind Blast if necessary.
Eh, no? You can't back up while channeling MF, and the bubble is still a very useful tool for Shadowpriests to avoid channeling/casting pushbacks. Until Imp Shadowform, the bubble is still a mainstay while soloing.
NorthAI the Hand wrote:
Eh, no? You can't back up while channeling MF,
No no, you're supposed to read what I meant, not what I wrote. Back up while casting VE and SW:P. Then stand there and Mind Flay. :)
Sorry if that was bad advice. When I was leveling I only ever shielded when I had multiple mobs. VE was plenty for single mobs. But then I never tried to fight elites.
In any case, North knows about a bajillion times more about Shadow than I do!
Ah, must have misunderstood you. Yes, back up when casting instants, as that gives you a tiny bit more time before the mob hits you.
NorthAI the Hand wrote:
Ah, must have misunderstood you.
Indeed. Shame on you for not properly interpreting something that I wrote completely wrong.
I know. Bad bad North. Everyone knows you need to be an adept at mindreading here. For shame...
Quote:
Shield, MB, SWP, SWD, then (Depending on lvl) I'll wand or cast a holy spell while MB is on CD.
If I went against a big mob or had adds - I'd toss in VT and, situationally, a fear...
If I went against a big mob or had adds - I'd toss in VT and, situationally, a fear...
How do you have SWD and VT at 40, unless you mean VE and also something else by SWD? Also try to get into the habit of opening with SW:P then mind blasting as you will get more damage out of your mindblast that way once you get some of the later talents.
Once you get VT you should open with that, then SWP, MB, MF, wand.
Getting **** about having SW:P on the target before a MB is cast is not an issue until level 55+. But you're right, as soon as you get VT, that becomes the first cast, and then you might as well throw SW:P afterwards to make sure the DoTs get as many ticks as possible. Then MB and the rest of the fun stuff.
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Getting **** about having SW:P on the target before a MB is cast is not an issue until level 55+. But you're right, as soon as you get VT, that becomes the first cast, and then you might as well throw SW:P afterwards to make sure the DoTs get as many ticks as possible. Then MB and the rest of the fun stuff.
Agreed that it is not necessary at those levels, but grinding rotations become habitual. If you get into the habit of dropping the SW:P first now it will be less of a task to retrain yourself later.
I don't quite agree. No reason to sacrifice the optimal rotation for the level, just to avoid having to use a tiny bit of brainmatter a few levels later. Before VT, you open with MB, SW:P and so on. Once you get VT, you open with that followed by SW:P, then MB. It's that easy, really. Adjusting casting priorities is something all caster classes do as they level up, and if nothing else it helps keeping up the optimal rotation (for your level) while allowing you to use your brain a little bit.
Nothing creates clueless players as telling them "do this, and just keep doing it" without letting them try things out for themselves and learning why things work as they do, and what happens when you try something else. Most efficient spell priority is all well and good, but keeping an understanding behind it is even better.
Nothing creates clueless players as telling them "do this, and just keep doing it" without letting them try things out for themselves and learning why things work as they do, and what happens when you try something else. Most efficient spell priority is all well and good, but keeping an understanding behind it is even better.
NorthAI the Hand wrote:
Before VT, you open with MB, SW:P and so on. Once you get VT, you open with that followed by SW:P, then MB. It's that easy, really.
Didn't even involve much brain use for me. I just moved the buttons around, so most fights were still 0,1,2,3, same as always.
you are right - NOT SW:D - Dev. Plague
OK new to shadow (leveled a priest holy to 72 on another server). Here is what I do (advice appreciated).
At level 37 I usually start with a [optional smite], MB, hit attack (I know, I know, but it is not on cool down, it gets a few wacks and my staff skill levels up), VE, DP, SW: P, wand until they are low and then MF them to finish them off (in case they are a runner).
If I am low on health or fighting multiple mobs I will shield before the fight or right before I use the wand. If I am a little low on health I might VE before the MB.
If it is a long fight I hit attack re up PW: P
Before I start I make sure Inner Fire is up enough and then try not to cast a spell until Spirit Taps is off.
At level 37 I usually start with a [optional smite], MB, hit attack (I know, I know, but it is not on cool down, it gets a few wacks and my staff skill levels up), VE, DP, SW: P, wand until they are low and then MF them to finish them off (in case they are a runner).
If I am low on health or fighting multiple mobs I will shield before the fight or right before I use the wand. If I am a little low on health I might VE before the MB.
If it is a long fight I hit attack re up PW: P
Before I start I make sure Inner Fire is up enough and then try not to cast a spell until Spirit Taps is off.
NCJim,
I sort-of do that.
Step 1: First I shield.
I open with a cast spell because the cast time doesn't matter. The mob isn't attacking me and if I wanted to I could open with a 10-sec cast... So I usually open with MB. Because SWP is an instant cast it is immediately ready for cast when MB is over, so I apply it ASAP. I then wait for the CD and put up D.Plague. Proceed to Step 2 or 2a
Step 2: So - at this point I've hit them with a nice damage spell and applied 2 DoT spells. Depending on the mob, I MAY wand it to death here. I NEVER use my actual weapon. I've lvl'd a mage and I know that even at the highest lvl, I'm lucky to TWO shot trash in VC with my 80 mage's staff... So I never ever use a weapon. I'll wand... This gets you back on full mana regen prior to the end of the fight. Which is good for down time.
Step 2a: IF the mob needs an extra spell on him, I'll drop Holy fire. It applies a weak DoT, but usually does great damage even though I'm Shadow Spec. You could mind flay, but I found that prior to 40, it wasn't doing great damage AND please note I didn't apply VE. With the shield up, I never needed it.
At 40, as this post originally started, I got Shadow Form. Since then, I've been doing this.
1. Shadow form
2. VE
3. SWP
4. Dev. Plague
5. MB
6. MF or wand
I don't open with VE then MB, because the big heal from MB is wasted as the mob usually has not yet hit me.
Occasionally, if I want to open big, I'll Open with MB, then VE, SWP, Dev Plague, MF (Cause MB is on CD), then MB.... But that's only if I think I need two MB to down the mob safely. 9/10 times I don't.
I sort-of do that.
Step 1: First I shield.
I open with a cast spell because the cast time doesn't matter. The mob isn't attacking me and if I wanted to I could open with a 10-sec cast... So I usually open with MB. Because SWP is an instant cast it is immediately ready for cast when MB is over, so I apply it ASAP. I then wait for the CD and put up D.Plague. Proceed to Step 2 or 2a
Step 2: So - at this point I've hit them with a nice damage spell and applied 2 DoT spells. Depending on the mob, I MAY wand it to death here. I NEVER use my actual weapon. I've lvl'd a mage and I know that even at the highest lvl, I'm lucky to TWO shot trash in VC with my 80 mage's staff... So I never ever use a weapon. I'll wand... This gets you back on full mana regen prior to the end of the fight. Which is good for down time.
Step 2a: IF the mob needs an extra spell on him, I'll drop Holy fire. It applies a weak DoT, but usually does great damage even though I'm Shadow Spec. You could mind flay, but I found that prior to 40, it wasn't doing great damage AND please note I didn't apply VE. With the shield up, I never needed it.
At 40, as this post originally started, I got Shadow Form. Since then, I've been doing this.
1. Shadow form
2. VE
3. SWP
4. Dev. Plague
5. MB
6. MF or wand
I don't open with VE then MB, because the big heal from MB is wasted as the mob usually has not yet hit me.
Occasionally, if I want to open big, I'll Open with MB, then VE, SWP, Dev Plague, MF (Cause MB is on CD), then MB.... But that's only if I think I need two MB to down the mob safely. 9/10 times I don't.
Quote:
if I wanted to I could open with a 10-sec cast...
Wait, priests get a spell takes 10 seconds to cast?
What class have I been playing all this time?
Well I just reached 40, WOW. I geared up nice:
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Medivh&n=Docman&ST=US-1126870-bIrbboiYYQBrm1ZlnAdTMOxf6bkzgVdfVKF
(Well I don't do AH for gear while leveling)
But Shadow Form is wonderful. Man I was slicing through level 45 mobs like they were butter, and mobs at my level didn't even make me sweat (mana).
Nice. Do MB, SW: P, VE, MF (maybe 2x), wand and finish off with a MF.
Shield if I aggro extra mobs or am fighting those level 45 mobs.
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Medivh&n=Docman&ST=US-1126870-bIrbboiYYQBrm1ZlnAdTMOxf6bkzgVdfVKF
(Well I don't do AH for gear while leveling)
But Shadow Form is wonderful. Man I was slicing through level 45 mobs like they were butter, and mobs at my level didn't even make me sweat (mana).
Nice. Do MB, SW: P, VE, MF (maybe 2x), wand and finish off with a MF.
Shield if I aggro extra mobs or am fighting those level 45 mobs.
Quote:
Quote:
if I wanted to I could open with a 10-sec cast...
if I wanted to I could open with a 10-sec cast...
Quote:
Wait, priests get a spell takes 10 seconds to cast?
What class have I been playing all this time?
Sorry - just an example. Could have said 10 minute cast... Just saying that I open with a cast. Not an instant
My priest turned 40 a little while ago,Naieth, and the only difference I have had to adjust to is the slight lower damage after not being able to pull with Holy Fire
So now I always open with MB(if I havn't body pulled or am fighting more than one mob), Then back up while applying DoTs, spam MF, and MB when ever on CD and ofc try to keep up PW:S at all times.
Being a flower picker I hardly ever come out of SF to heal myself.
So now I always open with MB(if I havn't body pulled or am fighting more than one mob), Then back up while applying DoTs, spam MF, and MB when ever on CD and ofc try to keep up PW:S at all times.
Being a flower picker I hardly ever come out of SF to heal myself.
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