Holy Priest Healing Castle Nathria Raid Guide — Shadowlands 9.0.2

For the Holy Priest Boss Advice we got together with Shelanne, moderator for Warcraft Priests and author of their popular Holy Priest guide.

In this section, you will find information and guidance for healing Castle Nathria as a Holy Priest. These are not complete encounter guides, but rather provide specific tips for healing as a Holy Priest.

Holy Priest heading into Castle Nathria should expect very competitive healing throughput in both Mythic and Heroic raiding. The raiding toolkit and playstyle is almost the same as it was in Battle for Azeroth. That said, there were a number of Talent changes which give you multiple viable options depending on your playstyle and the encounter at hand. In addition to healing, Holy has had an increase in Shadowlands to its mana-efficient damage dealing toolkit as well, with Shadow Word: Pain in particular being a great spell to dish out additional damage.

Legendary disclaimer: X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus is a great all-purpose legendary which can provide excellent targeted healing in most fights. It does require understanding the best moments to use the effect, either as a pseudo-immunity to soak a boss ability, or to intentionally die for the period of free healing. As we discover good timings to use Xanshi in specific fights they will be added in the more detailed guide for each boss below.

We advise you to use the following talents against Shriekwing.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Shriekwing.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Priority healing will be required for allies targeted with Echolocation. If you are the target of Echolocation, use Angelic Feather to move out quickly and consider using Desperate Prayer if you drop low.

Aim to have tanks topped up prior to them being hit with Exsanguinating Bite as it prevents them from receiving healing for a short period of time.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: Avoid using Boon of the Ascended during the intermission and it is difficult to properly build stacks.
• Necrolord: If you use Unholy Transfusion during intermission, cast it on the stacked raid group for the immediate heal, as people won't be attacking the boss enough to gain healing from Unholy Transfusion.
• Night Fae: Guardian Faerie can be useful for a tank with Exsanguinating Bite. Soulshape is great for quickly moving in and then out with Echolocation.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible.

For more information, please refer to our Shriekwing guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Huntsman Altimor.

• Level 15: Enlightenment or Trail of Light (or Renewed Faith, situationally)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation (or Apotheosis, situationally)

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Huntsman Altimor.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Aim to have Holy Word: Sanctify and Circle of Healing ready for the Vicious Lunge — having two instant cast abilities you can cast to top up the soaking group while you are moving will make healing this easier.

Prioritise healing the Rip Souls as they spawn during the Bargast Phase. Guardian Spirit, coupled with the Guardian Angel talent, works well to increase the speed your raid can heal these to full. If your raid is having trouble reliably healing these to full, you can also talent into Apotheosis to substantially improve your single target output.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: Try to time your Ascended Eruption for a time when your raid is stacked up for Vicious Lunge.
• Necrolord: Primarily use this on the target the DPS are focusing. This will heal the Melee and provide Unholy Transfusion healing to all DPS.
• Night Fae: Your tank may call for damage reduction from Guardian Faerie during some of the harder-hitting abilities that the "hounds" on this fight use, such as Jagged Claws by Margore. Otherwise, you can use this ability early and often to make use of the extra cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn, and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible.

For more information, please refer to our Huntsman Altimor guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Hungering Destroyer.

• Level 15: Enlightenment or Trail of Light (or Renewed Faith, situationally)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation (or Apotheosis, situationally)

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Hungering Destroyer.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Be sure to have the raid at full health for both Consume and Desolate, as these abilities are the most dangerous sources of raid-wide damage.

Spot heal the players having their health leeched during Gluttonous Miasma. If only 1 or 2 players are leeching, prioritise them with Heal and Holy Word: Serenity. If up to 5 players are stacked up, prioritise Holy Word: Sanctify, Circle of Healing, and Prayer of Healing. Regardless of the number of targets, Prayer of Mending works well when cast on any leeching player.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: Aim to trigger Ascended Eruption near players stacked for Gluttonous Miasma, or when the raid is moving for Consume.
• Necrolord: Fleshcraft is great for when you are targeted with Gluttonous Miasma to reduce your damage taken.
• Night Fae: Your tank may call for damage reduction for Overwhelm, which will deal heavy physical damage. Otherwise, you can use this ability early and often to make use of the extra cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn, and the mana return.
• Venthyr: Door of Shadows can be saved for Consume to move further away. Use Mindgames as often as possible.

For more information, please refer to our Hungering Destroyer guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Artificer Xy'Mox.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Artificer Xy'Mox.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

This fight is very movement heavy. Be sure to make the most of your instant-cast abilities such as Holy Word: Sanctify, Holy Word: Serenity, Prayer of Mending, and Circle of Healing to continue healing while moving around the arena.

There is also a lot of spot healing required throughout the encounter, particularly from Withering Touch and Hyperlight Spark. Pay special attention to players who were recently broken out of Possession when there is upcoming raid damage, a well timed Guardian Spirit can be a life-saver.

Raid cooldowns will be used for Soul Singe, which is the perfect time for Holy Word: Salvation. Divine Hymn can be tricky to use as you might need to cancel your cast if targeted by a Fleeting Spirit.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: Time your Boon of the Ascended usage around having it available for Edge of Annihilation in phase 3. The movement speed increase and instant-cast spells will while the wormhole is active, and the raid is stacked up providing good benefit for Ascended Eruption.
• Necrolord: No specific tips. Use Unholy Nova as often as possible.
• Night Fae: Your tank may call for damage reduction from Guardian Faerie to help with Glyph of Destruction which is a heavy DoT that the tanks will need to take out of the raid, limiting the healing they can receive. Otherwise, you can use this ability early and often to make use of the extra cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn, and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible.

For more information, please refer to our Artificer Xy'Mox guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Sun King's Salvation.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Sun King's Salvation.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Most of this encounter revolves around healing multiple targets as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are multiple priority targets part of this fight you need to be aware of that need healing, not just your fellow raid members.

Soul Pedestal — Spot heal these raid members that are channelling their health into the Soul Pedestals. They take increasing damage as they channel so continued priority healing is required.

Essence Font — You will need to spot heal the Essence Fonts as they drop, as they will heal Kael'thas.

Kael'thas — If you do not need to heal either of the above targets, and if the raid health is stable, you will be healing Kael'thas, which is the entire goal of this encounter.

Mythic: Kael'thas will occasionally cast Unleashed Pyroclasm. The only way to interrupt this is by healing a significant amount of damage from his Cloak of Flames shield. Guardian Spirit with the Guardian Angel talent is perfect for helping all healers break this shield as quickly as possible.

• Kyrian: It is difficult to get full use out of Boon of the Ascended because the raid group needs to stay spread out during the encounter, meaning you will not be able to get good value out of the Ascended Eruption or Ascended Nova. The Ascended Blast will be a very good way to efficiently spot heal your raid however, since efficiency is very important in this encounter.
• Necrolord: Make sure you are casting Unholy Nova on the priority target to maximise healing from Unholy Transfusion.
• Night Fae: Your tank may call for damage reduction from Guardian Faerie during Vanquishing Strike from the Rockbound Vanquisher. Otherwise, you can use this ability early and often to make use of the extra cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn, and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible on the priority target.

For more information, please refer to our Sun King's Salvation guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Lady Inerva Darkvein.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Lady Inerva Darkvein.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Spot healing is required for targets affected by Shared Suffering and Shared Cognition.

Be prepared to heal the raid with Holy Word: Salvation or Divine Hymn if a vial of Bottled Anima shatters, causing Unleashed Volatility.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: No specific tips. Use Boon of the Ascended as often as possible.
• Necrolord: No specific tips. Use Unholy Nova as often as possible on the priority target.
• Night Fae: There are not currently any heavy-hitting abilities where a tank may require external damage reduction. Use Fae Guardians early and often to make use of the extra cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn, and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible on the priority target.

For more information, please refer to our Lady Inerva Darkvein guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against The Council of Blood.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against The Council of Blood.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

This fight has a ton of ticking raid-wide damage. First, the raid will have a constant Oppressive Atmosphere, which can get overwhelming and may require a healing cooldown such as Holy Word: Salvation or Divine Hymn.

Spot healing will be required for raid members targeted with Drain Essence, these are perfect Holy Word: Serenity targets.

Mythic: Dancing Fever is a new mechanic which can be dealt with in two different ways. If your raid team chooses to stagger the jumping so the damage is spread out, then you will prefer Prayer of Healing, Circle of Healing, and Holy Word: Sanctify. If your raid team chooses to jump at once then you can deal with this damage using Holy Word: Salvation and Divine Hymn.

• Kyrian: Boon of the Ascended can be used to either help deal with the increased stacks of Oppressive Atmosphere, or on Mythic difficulty, it can be used to help counter Dancing Fever.
• Necrolord: Unholy Nova can be used to either help deal with the increased stacks of Oppressive Atmosphere, or on Mythic difficulty, it can be used to help counter Dancing Fever.
• Night Fae: Damage reduction will be helpful for Duelist's Riposte and Evasive Lunge, the tank swap mechanics that will deal more damage each time they are cast and require a tank swap. Otherwise, use this ability on cooldown to make use of the cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible on the priority target.

For more information, please refer to our The Council of Blood guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Sludgefist.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Sludgefist.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Every 30 seconds, Colossal Roar is cast and deals raid wide damage. You are unlikely to use raid cooldowns for most of these, making them perfect times for Prayer of Healing, Circle of Healing, and Holy Word: Sanctify.

Mythic: After Sludgefist charges using Hateful Gaze, Destructive Impact will deal raid-wide damage. During this time, it is very important that the entire raid soaks the falling debris, which will do even more damage. You can use Holy Word: Salvation right after the damage starts and still be able to move and soak, or you can use Divine Hymn after everyone has soaked and you can stand still and channel.

• Kyrian: Timing a Boon of the Ascended cast with Destructive Impact will help maximise its healing.
• Necrolord: No specific tips. Use Unholy Nova as often as possible on the boss.
• Night Fae: No specific tips. Use Fae Guardians as often as possible on the boss.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible on the boss.

For more information, please refer to our Sludgefist guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Stone Legion Generals.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Stone Legion Generals.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

You will need to use Purify on targets afflicted with Heart Rend. Once dispelled, Heart Rend will turn into Heart Hemorrhage, requiring spot healing for the player that had Heart Rend and, on Mythic difficulty, the player that dispelled it. You can use Heal on this or Flash Heal if emergency triage is necessary.

There will be a lot of ticking damage from multiple bleeds such as Serrated Tear or Wicked Laceration, which will require consistent damage to the majority of the raid. While most of the time, you can heal through this using our general rotation, you may need to use a cooldown. Damage will also spike when the raid needs to soak a Pulverizing Meteor and may require a cooldown like Holy Word: Salvation and Divine Hymn well.

Mythic: You will need to deal with the Stonegale Effigy, a pushback that has the opportunity to knock you off of the platform and kill you. This is a great opportunity to use Leap of Faith on any raid members that need help dealing with the pushback.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: Boon of the Ascended can be used here when the Ascended Eruption will happen during the Pulverizing Meteor, or just when damage is high via the many bleeds in this fight. On Mythic difficulty, there is a chance a Pulverizing Meteor will happen during Stonegale Effigy, and the movement speed increase that Boon provides is very helpful during that pushback.
• Necrolord: No specific tips. Use Unholy Nova as often as possible on the priority target.
• Night Fae: Tanks may need damage reduction for a few abilities throughout this encounter, including Serrated Swipe and Stone Fist. If they do not, then you can use this ability early and often to make use of the cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible on the priority target.

For more information, please refer to our Stone Legion Generals guide.

We advise you to use the following talents against Sire Denathrius.

• Level 15: Enlightenment (situational options: Trail of Light or Renewed Faith)
• Level 25: Angelic Feather
• Level 30: Guardian Angel (situational options: Cosmic Ripple or Afterlife)
• Level 35: No specific recommendation
• Level 40: Surge of Light or Prayer Circle
• Level 45: Benediction or Halo
• Level 50: Holy Word: Salvation

We advise you to use the following Legendaries against Sire Denathrius.

• Use with the Trail of Light and Surge of Light talents — Flash Concentration
• No specific talent synergy — Harmonious Apparatus
• Use with the Afterlife talent — X'anshi, Return of Archbishop Benedictus

Normal and Heroic: In the first phase, you will need to heal the raid as they take damage from Cleansing Pain so that they can drop their Burden of Sin stacks. The raid will be split up into groups for Cleansing Pain, so you will be able to easily heal them up via Prayer of Healing and Holy Word: Sanctify.

In phase two you will need to spot heal with Heal and possibly Flash Heal when players are hit with Impale. You will also need to heal the raid after Hand of Destruction, though that damage will decrease if you take a mirror portal away from the boss.

In the last phase, there will be a lot of raid-wide damage when Ravage is cast, which will be a great time for Divine Hymn or Holy Word: Salvation. If you are using Divine Hymn, make sure you position and time your cast well so you will not be knocked back by Shattering Pain or hit by the Massacre swords.

Mythic-specific tips will be out with the release of the Mythic raid encounters.

• Kyrian: No specific tips. Use Boon of the Ascended as often as possible.
• Necrolord: No specific tips. Use Unholy Nova as often as possible on the priority target.
• Night Fae: Tanks may need damage reduction for Shattering Pain during this encounter. If they do not, then you can use this ability early and often to make use of the cooldown reduction on Divine Hymn and the mana return.
• Venthyr: No specific tips. Use Mindgames as often as possible on the priority target.

For more information, please refer to our Sire Denathrius guide.