My toon has terrible mana problems compared to every other DPS caster I have ever played and I think I have played them all. I am having to drink after almost every little bitty combat and its irritating. As far as gearing is concerned I am running dailies for Tol Barad and Firelands also ready to start running some normals and as soon as geared, heroics. Its the 5 man stuff I have qualms about. Having run 1,000's of 5-mans I can not imagine folks putting up with a toon that is always running out of mana. But maybe I'm wrong and I'm being over sensitive. Am I? If not should I reforge to add spirit? Here are some current stats;
Item Level: 319
Mana: 73.9 k
Mana Regen: 1744
Combat Regen: 1029
Spell Power: 5519 self buffed
Spirit 715
Spell Hit: 7.53%
Thanks.
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Shadow Priest and Mana at 85Follow
No, shadow does have mana issues when you're first gearing up. What rotation do you use? Are you actively using Dispersion? Are you using glyph of spirit tap? Using SWD on CD after the bosses are under 25% health? Using Mind Spike x3 and MB on mobs with low health? A link to your armory would help as well.
Until you start raiding you only need 6% hit to be capped, just as an fyi. And I don't think spirit helps combat MP5 unless you're disc or holy.
Until you start raiding you only need 6% hit to be capped, just as an fyi. And I don't think spirit helps combat MP5 unless you're disc or holy.
PigtailsOfDoom wrote:
No, shadow does have mana issues when you're first gearing up. What rotation do you use? Are you actively using Dispersion? Are you using glyph of spirit tap? Using SWD on CD after the bosses are under 25% health? Using Mind Spike x3 and MB on mobs with low health? A link to your armory would help as well.
Until you start raiding you only need 6% hit to be capped, just as an fyi. And I don't think spirit helps combat MP5 unless you're disc or holy.
Until you start raiding you only need 6% hit to be capped, just as an fyi. And I don't think spirit helps combat MP5 unless you're disc or holy.
I have run no 5 mans on this toon as yet so I can't really comment as to boss fights. With 4 pieces of BOA gear and a fair amount of rested XP I hit 85 with not nearly as much actual game time as I did on my first 80.
I am properly glyphed per EJ but I have not been using dispersion dagnabbit. I had that firmly in mind as an O.S. item. Thanks for pointing that out. As to proper SWD usage I do cast it as much as possible but tbh I sometimes miss the window. And since you brought it up I am thinking this ties into rotation. I have been playing around with 2. a) MSx3, MB, repeat until SWD can be used. b) SWP,DP,MB,MFx3+, with dot renewal as needed until SWD can be used. This is for run of the mill single mobs. I hadn't thought about it but I'll bet its trickier hitting the 25% window when using dots. And fwiw Vampiric Touch will get added in 5 mans.
Edited, Sep 14th 2011 1:22pm by JDLKY
How are spells an OS item when they're in your talent tree? =x
Do you use power auras by any chance? I could export my auras for you if you like. I've got a set that tracks when your target is under 25% health and the CD on SWD is up. I've also got ones that track the three DoTs, Shadowfiend CD, AA CD and only lights up when you have 5 stacks of Evangelism.
As far as which rotation to go with, use the 15 second rule. If a mob is going to be alive for 15 seconds or longer, DoT away. However, I would suggest using Vampiric Touch instead of Devouring Plague. DP uses more mana, and VT is the DoT that gives replenishment, so that's probably a big part of why you're having mana issues. You aren't giving yourself replenishment. Now, if a mob isn't going to live for 15 seconds, use MSx3 and then MB.
You're 85 and you haven't done any 5 mans at all? O.o Why not? At least run some of the normals, it'll help with gearing up so you can get into heroics faster.
Do you use power auras by any chance? I could export my auras for you if you like. I've got a set that tracks when your target is under 25% health and the CD on SWD is up. I've also got ones that track the three DoTs, Shadowfiend CD, AA CD and only lights up when you have 5 stacks of Evangelism.
As far as which rotation to go with, use the 15 second rule. If a mob is going to be alive for 15 seconds or longer, DoT away. However, I would suggest using Vampiric Touch instead of Devouring Plague. DP uses more mana, and VT is the DoT that gives replenishment, so that's probably a big part of why you're having mana issues. You aren't giving yourself replenishment. Now, if a mob isn't going to live for 15 seconds, use MSx3 and then MB.
You're 85 and you haven't done any 5 mans at all? O.o Why not? At least run some of the normals, it'll help with gearing up so you can get into heroics faster.
PigtailsOfDoom wrote:
How are spells an OS item when they're in your talent tree? =x
A fair question. It was because when I added the talent at level 69 (iirc) I was not having mana problems and concentrated on the OS part of the spell.
PigtailsOfDoom wrote:
Do you use power auras by any chance? I could export my auras for you if you like. I've got a set that tracks when your target is under 25% health and the CD on SWD is up. I've also got ones that track the three DoTs, Shadowfiend CD, AA CD and only lights up when you have 5 stacks of Evangelism.
Not as yet. Sounds like an excellent idea.
PigtailsOfDoom wrote:
As far as which rotation to go with, use the 15 second rule. If a mob is going to be alive for 15 seconds or longer, DoT away. However, I would suggest using Vampiric Touch instead of Devouring Plague. DP uses more mana, and VT is the DoT that gives replenishment, so that's probably a big part of why you're having mana issues. You aren't giving yourself replenishment. Now, if a mob isn't going to live for 15 seconds, use MSx3 and then MB.
Thank you. That was clear & concise
PigtailsOfDoom wrote:
You're 85 and you haven't done any 5 mans at all? O.o Why not? At least run some of the normals, it'll help with gearing up so you can get into heroics faster.
I was slightly misleading here. Its Cata 5 mans I have not run. The mana problems showed up in Cata when I started questing. I ran a lot of LK 5 mans leveling up with no mana issues. Before LK material I leveled this character with Archaelogy and Herbing. (this was my 9th 85, 8 classes, and I was a bit blase). I guess I was hoping the mana problems would get better when I hit 85 and they didn't.
I do plan to run a bunch of normals fwiw. It's just that I don't want to be a drag because of the mana. Thanks for the feedback.
Don't worry about being a drag, really. You're going to have small mana issues until you get better gear. It's just the nature of the beast.
But most of the time people in dungeons will understand. Or not even notice. The healer will likely be having to stop to drink as well.
But most of the time people in dungeons will understand. Or not even notice. The healer will likely be having to stop to drink as well.
Well yeah, I assumed you meant Cata 5-mans. I still don't get why you wouldn't, but whatever works for you I guess. 
Power auras is definitely a great tool. It's just a matter of figuring out how to get it set up at first. It does use a fair amount of of memory, but not anything too crazy. I think 2-3 MB on average. Plus once you figure out how to set things up, you can use it for any class.
Power auras is definitely a great tool. It's just a matter of figuring out how to get it set up at first. It does use a fair amount of of memory, but not anything too crazy. I think 2-3 MB on average. Plus once you figure out how to set things up, you can use it for any class.
OK I have tweaked a bit and I can see better results in the dailies. Not spectacular but promising. But I went back to Wowpedia and checked out Combat Regen because of something that was said above and it does not work like I thought it did. I have been going with too much gear where spirit was emphasized. :(
Yeah, I told you in my first post that spirit only works for combat regen if you're disc or holy. 
Quote:
I could export my auras for you if you like. I've got a set that tracks when your target is under 25% health and the CD on SWD is up. I've also got ones that track the three DoTs, Shadowfiend CD, AA CD and only lights up when you have 5 stacks of Evangelism.
Any chance I could get that to? All this time i've played I just recently downloaded power auras and this would save me setting it up on my priest.
Sure thing. I'll try to organize it as best I can, but the export strings can get a bit messy.
Auras 1-6 are for tracking the three DoTs. Two auras each: one with a timer, and another aura that bounces when there's only 3 seconds left to the DoT. Aura 7 shows when Shadowfiend is off CD. Aura 8 is paired with aura 12, to show a flamey skull when SWD is off CD and when the target has 24% health or less. Aura 9 shows when MB is off CD. Auras 10 and 11 show when AA is off CD and when you have 5 stacks of Evangelism. Aura 13 is a low mana aura. Aura 14 shows when Dispersion is off CD but I really only use this for eating crystals on Baleroc (it's off the rest of the time). Auras 15 and 16 show shadow orb stacks, and 17 tracks the Empowered Shadow buff.
The last three I don't actually use, but I threw them together real quick for you guys. I use Ice HUD for health bars, and I have it set up to track my orbs and ES buffs. I'll be adding this stuff to the sticky too, when I get there.
Quote:
Set=Shadow@
Aura[1]=Version:4.22; b:0.9961; anim1:3; target:true; icon:Spell_Holy_Stoicism; buffname:Vampiric Touch; r:0.898; x:-2; customname:touch.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; threshold:25; aurastextfont:18; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:3; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER@
Aura[2]=Version:4.22; InvertAuraBelow:3; b:0.9961; target:true; icon:Spell_Holy_Stoicism; buffname:Vampiric Touch; r:0.898; begin:12; x:-2; customname:touch.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; alpha:1; aurastext:vt; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; aurastextfont:18; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[3]=Version:4.22; anim1:3; g:0.9765; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_ShadowWordPain; buffname:shadow word; r:0.9216; x:-60; customname:swp.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:3; timer.Texture:Original; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER@
Aura[4]=Version:4.22; InvertAuraBelow:2; g:0.9765; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_ShadowWordPain; buffname:shadow word; r:0.9216; begin:12; x:-60; customname:swp.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[5]=Version:4.22; anim1:3; g:0.9647; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_DevouringPlague; buffname:devouring plague; r:0.9373; x:60; customname:pla.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:3; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER@
Aura[6]=Version:4.22; InvertAuraBelow:2; g:0.9647; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_DevouringPlague; buffname:devouring plague; r:0.9373; begin:12; x:60; customname:pla.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[7]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Shadow_Shadowfiend; buffname:Shadowfiend; begin:6; x:-110; bufftype:7; alpha:1; aurastext:vt; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.2; y:180; texmode:2; anim2:1@
Aura[8]=Version:4.22; target:true; icon:inv_alchemy_elixir_05; bufftype:8; texture:4; alpha:0.1; threshold:24; size:0.02; texmode:2@
Aura[9]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Shadow_UnholyFrenzy; buffname:Mind Blast; begin:6; bufftype:7; alpha:1; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.18; y:250; texmode:2; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[10]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Holy_DivineIllumination; buffname:Evangelism; stacks:5; alpha:0.1; owntex:true; stacksOperator:=; size:0.02; texmode:2@
Aura[11]=Version:4.22; icon:ability_priest_archangel; buffname:Archangel; begin:6; x:110; bufftype:7; owntex:true; multiids:10; size:0.2; y:180; texmode:2; anim2:1@
Aura[12]=Version:4.22; b:0.149; anim1:8; g:0.6275; icon:Spell_Shadow_DemonicFortitude; buffname:Shadow Word: Death; begin:2; x:23; bufftype:7; texture:143; alpha:1; multiids:8; speed:2; exact:true; combat:true; size:0.65; y:175; anim2:1@
Aura[13]=Version:4.22; icon:inv_alchemy_elixir_02; bufftype:9; texture:70; PowerType:0; threshold:30@
Aura[14]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Shadow_Dispersion; buffname:Dispersion; begin:6; x:100; bufftype:7; alpha:1; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.18; y:250; texmode:2; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[15]=Version:4.22; anim1:3; icon:spell_priest_shadoworbs; buffname:Shadow Orb; begin:2; x:-2; stacks:3; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; sound:1; stacksOperator:<; exact:true; size:0.2; y:-156; texmode:2; anim2:1; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.Transparent:true; stacks.enabled:true; stacks.y:-112; stacks.x:-2; stacks.Transparent:true@
Aura[16]=Version:4.22; anim1:8; icon:spell_priest_shadoworbs; buffname:Shadow Orb; begin:2; x:-2; stacks:3; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; speed:2; sound:1; exact:true; size:0.25; y:-156; texmode:2; anim2:1; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.Transparent:true; stacks.enabled:true; stacks.y:-112; stacks.x:-2; stacks.Transparent:true@
Aura[17]=Version:4.22; icon:inv_chaos_orb; buffname:Empowered Shadow; x:400; alpha:1; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.2; texmode:2; timer.Texture:AccidentalPresidency; timer.enabled:true; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.Transparent:true@
Aura[1]=Version:4.22; b:0.9961; anim1:3; target:true; icon:Spell_Holy_Stoicism; buffname:Vampiric Touch; r:0.898; x:-2; customname:touch.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; threshold:25; aurastextfont:18; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:3; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER@
Aura[2]=Version:4.22; InvertAuraBelow:3; b:0.9961; target:true; icon:Spell_Holy_Stoicism; buffname:Vampiric Touch; r:0.898; begin:12; x:-2; customname:touch.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; alpha:1; aurastext:vt; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; aurastextfont:18; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[3]=Version:4.22; anim1:3; g:0.9765; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_ShadowWordPain; buffname:shadow word; r:0.9216; x:-60; customname:swp.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:3; timer.Texture:Original; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER@
Aura[4]=Version:4.22; InvertAuraBelow:2; g:0.9765; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_ShadowWordPain; buffname:shadow word; r:0.9216; begin:12; x:-60; customname:swp.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[5]=Version:4.22; anim1:3; g:0.9647; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_DevouringPlague; buffname:devouring plague; r:0.9373; x:60; customname:pla.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; speed:1.45; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:3; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER@
Aura[6]=Version:4.22; InvertAuraBelow:2; g:0.9647; target:true; icon:Spell_Shadow_DevouringPlague; buffname:devouring plague; r:0.9373; begin:12; x:60; customname:pla.tga; unitn:Only for raid/group.; bufftype:2; texture:43; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; inVehicle:0; stacksOperator:=; size:0.16; y:-175; texmode:2; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[7]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Shadow_Shadowfiend; buffname:Shadowfiend; begin:6; x:-110; bufftype:7; alpha:1; aurastext:vt; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.2; y:180; texmode:2; anim2:1@
Aura[8]=Version:4.22; target:true; icon:inv_alchemy_elixir_05; bufftype:8; texture:4; alpha:0.1; threshold:24; size:0.02; texmode:2@
Aura[9]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Shadow_UnholyFrenzy; buffname:Mind Blast; begin:6; bufftype:7; alpha:1; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.18; y:250; texmode:2; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[10]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Holy_DivineIllumination; buffname:Evangelism; stacks:5; alpha:0.1; owntex:true; stacksOperator:=; size:0.02; texmode:2@
Aura[11]=Version:4.22; icon:ability_priest_archangel; buffname:Archangel; begin:6; x:110; bufftype:7; owntex:true; multiids:10; size:0.2; y:180; texmode:2; anim2:1@
Aura[12]=Version:4.22; b:0.149; anim1:8; g:0.6275; icon:Spell_Shadow_DemonicFortitude; buffname:Shadow Word: Death; begin:2; x:23; bufftype:7; texture:143; alpha:1; multiids:8; speed:2; exact:true; combat:true; size:0.65; y:175; anim2:1@
Aura[13]=Version:4.22; icon:inv_alchemy_elixir_02; bufftype:9; texture:70; PowerType:0; threshold:30@
Aura[14]=Version:4.22; icon:Spell_Shadow_Dispersion; buffname:Dispersion; begin:6; x:100; bufftype:7; alpha:1; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.18; y:250; texmode:2; anim2:1; finish:0@
Aura[15]=Version:4.22; anim1:3; icon:spell_priest_shadoworbs; buffname:Shadow Orb; begin:2; x:-2; stacks:3; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; sound:1; stacksOperator:<; exact:true; size:0.2; y:-156; texmode:2; anim2:1; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.Transparent:true; stacks.enabled:true; stacks.y:-112; stacks.x:-2; stacks.Transparent:true@
Aura[16]=Version:4.22; anim1:8; icon:spell_priest_shadoworbs; buffname:Shadow Orb; begin:2; x:-2; stacks:3; alpha:1; owntex:true; mine:true; speed:2; sound:1; exact:true; size:0.25; y:-156; texmode:2; anim2:1; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.Transparent:true; stacks.enabled:true; stacks.y:-112; stacks.x:-2; stacks.Transparent:true@
Aura[17]=Version:4.22; icon:inv_chaos_orb; buffname:Empowered Shadow; x:400; alpha:1; owntex:true; combat:true; size:0.2; texmode:2; timer.Texture:AccidentalPresidency; timer.enabled:true; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.Transparent:true@
Auras 1-6 are for tracking the three DoTs. Two auras each: one with a timer, and another aura that bounces when there's only 3 seconds left to the DoT. Aura 7 shows when Shadowfiend is off CD. Aura 8 is paired with aura 12, to show a flamey skull when SWD is off CD and when the target has 24% health or less. Aura 9 shows when MB is off CD. Auras 10 and 11 show when AA is off CD and when you have 5 stacks of Evangelism. Aura 13 is a low mana aura. Aura 14 shows when Dispersion is off CD but I really only use this for eating crystals on Baleroc (it's off the rest of the time). Auras 15 and 16 show shadow orb stacks, and 17 tracks the Empowered Shadow buff.
The last three I don't actually use, but I threw them together real quick for you guys. I use Ice HUD for health bars, and I have it set up to track my orbs and ES buffs. I'll be adding this stuff to the sticky too, when I get there.
Oddly, this post is discussing exactly why I came here just now. I've been experiencing the same issues with my shadow priest and was wondering if it was going to clear up at some point. (Lvl. 83 atm) I have leveled so far quite a bit through dungeons and have found mana effeciency to be horrible all along and also that my dps at no point has been outstanding by any means. Compared to my other 3 85's the priest has been the most difficult in these areas.
T.y. to the o.p. and replys for the input.
T.y. to the o.p. and replys for the input.
The power auras are very useful especially the SW:D timer. About half the time my eyeball tells me to pull the SW:D trigger its wrong. I am starting to think that the health bar is displaying wrong. In any case not wasting my SW:D helps my mana so thanks again.
Glad to be of help.
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