Do you want to inflict holy havoc on your foes by allowing yourself to embrace shades? You are at the right place. It is a handy guide for all things Priest DPS. We will take a look at the recent updates, viability, strengths & weaknesses including best specs, gear, races, professions or consumables that can help you reach your divine potential.

 

• What's New With Priest DPS?
• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Best Specialization
• Playstyle
• Stat Priority
• Skill Books
• Talents
• Runes 
• Rotation 
• Professions
• Best Consumables
• Pre-Raid BiS Gear 
• BiS Gear 
• Best Races 

↖ What's New With Priest DPS?

In Phase 2 though there were some buffs like Shadowform supercharging your dps and mana-efficient tools which include Shadowfiend and Dispersion; goodbye Mind Flay hello Mind Spike! Moreover it could crash (not literally) their game if they ever make use of contentious Shadow Word: Death .

 

Phase 2 hasn't stopped shadow priests from being powerful. Despite some nerfs they still rank highest among dps classes. Don't worry about mana—just watch your threat!

 

↖ Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros:

• + The best in class DPS
• + High AoE damage
• + Long living class
• + Group healing via Vampiric Embrace
• + Multirole versatility
• + Unique debuff through Shadow Weaving

 

Cons:

• - Damage over time speels need ramp-up
• - Shadow Word: Death can be a double-edged blade
• - Racial abilities largely affect effectiveness

 

↖ Best Specialization

In phase 2 the shadow tree is where you should focus on. Put all your talent points into Shadowform, Darkness and Shadow Weaving to maximize damage.

 

↖ Playstyle

It's easy, play it cool shadow priests! This means keep up Void Plague and Shadow Word: Pain, use Shadow Word: Death every time it comes off cooldown, stack Mind Spike three times and then Mind Blast. But when using Shadow Word: Death remember this thing Timing is everything or else it will end up killing yours.

 

↖ Stat Priority

Here are our stat priorities before we plunge into the abyss. You may wonder about spell hit - but you'll only need about 1% which you get naturally from your gear. However, we'll be taking talents that reduce enemy resistances by 4%, essentially making hit still significant but not our top focus. The following is the order of importance:

1. Spell Crit – Your bread and butter for big damage spikes.
2. Int/Shadow damage - Aim for a balance, but prioritize Shadow-specific boosts when possible.
3. Intellect – For that sweet mana pool and critical strike chance.
4. Spirit/MP5 – A controversial issue, yet essential during prolonged fights through which to restore mana.

 

↖ Skill Books

• Shadow Fiend - A must-have! It is a little creature that gives out mana like there's no tomorrow!
• Increased Fortitude - Half price; twice as long; what's not to like?

 

↖ Talents

Your talent build is essential in maximizing your DPS numbers.Here's a streamlined path to power:

Spirit Tap (5/5)
Shadow Affinity (3/3)	Essential for mana sustainability.
Improved Shadow Word: Pain (2/2	Crowd Control for days, baby.
Shadow Focus (2/2)	Increase those painful dots.
Improved Mind Blast (3/5)	Adds hit and reduces resistances.
Shadow Weaving (5/5)	The shorter cooldown means more blasts.
Shadow Reach (2/2)	Pump up that shadow damage.
Vampiric Embrace (1/1)	The longer the better.
Improved Vampiric Embrace (2/2)	A little healing can go a long way.
Darkness (5/5)	Increase that healing even further.

And do not forget about your pièce de résistance; Shadowform, that turns you into a true avatar of shadowy destruction.

 

↖ Runes 

Phase 2 has runestones as a hidden weapon. Here's what to slot in:

• Chest: Void Plague – This is an intense dot to stack with your spells.
• Legs: Haman'zuli – Call in the mini-mes for some extra damage.
• Hands: Shadow Word: Death – Risky damage burst with big rewards.
• Feet: Dispersion Rune – Just when I need to pause and take quick breath while also replenishing mana.

 

↖ Rotation 

Your rotation entails balancing DoTs and direct damage. Start off by using Mind Blast  so it can go on cool down, then apply Void Plague and Shadow word pain. Meanwhile wait till Mind blast cools down then cast three mind spikes, which will build up the crit bonus before another mind blast hits them all at once. Keep repeating this process while ensuring that those DoTs are always there.

 

↖ Professions

To keep your mana up and your damage high, stock up on consumables like Greater Mana Potions  and Elixirs of Shadow Power . As for professions:

	Tailoring is invaluable for crafting key gear pieces like the Robe of the Void.
	Alchemy can also be beneficial for creating your own consumables.

 

↖ Best Consumables

• Lesser Arcane Elixir: Very useful to increase your DPS in a pinch.
• Nature Protection Potion: With all the green damage coming from Gnomeregan, you should have this on at all times.
• Greater Mana Potion: These are very important especially when you just need that extra mana refill very quickly.
• Swiftness Potion: For those moments where you cannot move fast enough.
• Free Action Potion: Some boss mechanics won't be able to touch you if you drink this.

 

↖ Pre-Raid BiS Gear 

Ensure that proper preparation has been done before going into this raid. Here are a few items to aim for:

• Head: Lunar Coronet of Shadow Wrath
• Shoulders: Mantle of Shadow Wrath
• Chest: Robe of the Void
• Hands: Shadoweave Gloves
• Legs: Shadoweave Pants
• Feet: Omnicast Boots
• Rings & Trinkets: Keep what you had in Phase 1.

 

↖ BiS Gear 

These are your upgrades once raiding begins:

• Head: Spellweaver's Turban
• Neck: Choker of the Fire Lord
• Shoulders: Felcloth Shoulders
• Chest: Robe of Volatile Power
• Hands: Ebony Flame Gloves
• Legs: Leggings of Transcendence
• Feet: Boots of Pure Thought

 

↖ Best Races 

Priest racial abilities can tip the scales in your favor. Here's the lowdown:

 

Best Alliance Races:

• Dwarves – Dwarves were once popular because they had Fear Ward but now that Paladins have Inspiration Exemplar, nobody wants them anymore.
• Night Elves – Starshards is pretty cool but Mind Spike covers that.
• Humans – People are so sorry; they just don't cut it in this season.

 

Best Horde Races:

• Trolls – Shadowguard and Berserking are a pretty good combination for the ambitious Shadow Priest.
• Undead – The mana consuming Devouring Plague and quick Will of the Forsaken make Undead a wise selection.

 

Related: Season of Discovery Warrior DPS Guide

 

So, there you have it—a complete rundown of everything you need to know to make your mark as a Priest DPS in WoW Classic's Season of Discovery. May your spells be potent and your crits many!