Shadow Priest DPS Easy Mode

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 7.3.2 Changes for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Patch 7.3 Changes for Shadow Priest
  • 4. Patch 7.2.5 Changes for Shadow Priest
  • 5. Shadow Priest Strengths
  • 6. Shadow Priest Weaknesses
  • 7. Shadow Priest Viability in the Current Patch
  • 8. Contents
  • 9. ChangeLog
• ×Easy Mode
  • 1. The Basics for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Talent Choice for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Stat Choice for Shadow Priest
  • 4. Basic Rotation for Shadow Priest
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Shadow Priest Spell Summary
  • 2. Main Resource for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Basic Abilities for Shadow Priest
  • 4. DPS Cooldowns for Shadow Priest
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices
  • 2. Talent Cheat Sheets for Shadow Priest
    • 2.1. Raid Encounters
      • 2.1.1. Single Target & Light Cleave
      • 2.1.2. Surrender to Madness
      • 2.1.3. Mythic+
    • 2.2. For General Use
  • 3. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 4. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 5. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 6. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 7. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 8. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 9. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents for Shadow Priest
  • 10. ChangeLog
• +Artifact Traits and Relics
  • 1. Artifact Progression for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Relic Priority for Shadow Priest
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths
  • 1. General Optimization Advice for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Tier 2 Upgrade Priority for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Tier 3 Upgrade Priority for Shadow Priest
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Shadow Priest Rotational Primer
    • 1.1. Shadowform
  • 2. Single Target Priority for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Multiple Target Rotation for Shadow Priest
    • 3.1. Persistent Enemies
      • 3.1.1. Against 2-3 Targets
      • 3.1.2. Against 4 or More Targets
    • 3.2. Short Lasting Enemies
  • 4. DPS Cooldowns for Shadow Priest
  • 5. Important Notes for Shadow Priest
    • 5.1. Insanity
      • 5.1.1. Generating Insanity
      • 5.1.2. Insanity Generation Modifiers
      • 5.1.3. Insanity Drain
    • 5.2. Voidform and Lingering Insanity
    • 5.3. Void Bolt
    • 5.4. Talent Synergies
      • 5.4.1. Lingering Insanity + Legacy of the Void
      • 5.4.2. Surrender to Madness + Reaper of Souls + Twist of Fate
    • 5.5. Void Eruption and DoTs
      • 5.5.1. Single Target
      • 5.5.2. Multiple Targets
    • 5.6. More on Cooldowns
      • 5.6.1. Shadowfiend
      • 5.6.2. Dispersion
      • 5.6.3. Void Torrent
    • 5.7. More on Talents
      • 5.7.1. Tier 6 Talents
      • 5.7.2. Tier 7 Talents
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Shadow Priest Boss Advice: Antorus, the Burning Throne
    • 1.1. Garothi Worldbreaker
    • 1.2. Felhounds of Sargeras
    • 1.3. Antoran High Command
    • 1.4. Eonar the Life-Binder
    • 1.5. Portal Keeper Hasabel
    • 1.6. Imonar the Soulhunter
    • 1.7. Kin'garoth
    • 1.8. Varimathras
    • 1.9. The Coven of Shivarra
    • 1.10. Aggramar
    • 1.11. Argus the Unmaker
  • 2. ChangeLog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. Stat Priority for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Shadow Priest: Getting a Better Understanding
    • 2.1. Statistics Explanations
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Enchants for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Consumables for Shadow Priest
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Macros
    • 1.1. Generic Macros for Priests
    • 1.2. Specific Macros for Shadow Priests
      • 1.2.1. Dispersion Cancelaura Macro
      • 1.2.2. Mind Flay Camera Spin
  • 2. Addons for Shadow Priest
    • 2.1. Generic Addons for Priests
      • 2.1.1. ElvUI
      • 2.1.2. Boss Mods: Deadly Boss Mods or Bigwigs
      • 2.1.3. GTFO
      • 2.1.4. Parrot or Mik's Scrolling Battle Text
      • 2.1.5. Weak Auras
      • 2.1.6. Recount / Skada / Details!
    • 2.2. Specific Addons for Shadow Priests
      • 2.2.1. WeakAuras Thread
      • 2.2.2. SPTimers
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Tier 21 Set Bonuses for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Tier 20 Set Bonuses for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Legendary Items for Shadow Priest
    • 3.1. Explanations
      • 3.1.1. Sephuz's Secret (Finger)
      • 3.1.2. Mangaza's Madness (Waist)
      • 3.1.3. Heart of the Void (Chest)
      • 3.1.4. Soul of the High Priest (Ring)
      • 3.1.5. Zek's Exterminatus (Back)
      • 3.1.6. The Twins' Painful Touch (Finger)
      • 3.1.7. Mother Shahraz's Seduction (Shoulder)
      • 3.1.8. Anund's Seared Shackles (Wrist)
      • 3.1.9. Kil'jaeden's Burning Wish (Trinket)
      • 3.1.10. Zenk'aram, Iridi's Anadem (Head)
  • 4. Loot Competition for Shadow Priest
  • 5. ChangeLog

This section is intended for players who are new to the game or class, have no intentions of raiding Mythic difficulty, or simply want a more straightforward way to play their specialization without being overwhelmed by the numerous priorities and active abilities that need to be taken into consideration for optimal play.

1. The Basics for Shadow Priest

The current version of Shadow Priest is easily the most demanding and often punishing specialization in World of Warcraft. While ludicrous levels of damage output are possible, the specialization requires picture perfect play and imposes the harshest of penalties (death!) if you fail to play immaculately. It is possible to put out fantastic damage without the risk, however, and this page will furnish you with a talent build that aims to reduce the demands of the specialization and reactivity required without unduly compromising the damage output.

2. Talent Choice for Shadow Priest

These choices are optimized for ease of use. Although some talents might offer marginally higher gains when played perfectly, these same talents often result in damage losses when utilized by many players. These talents aim to present the best setup that has very little punishment for unfamiliarity or mistakes.

• Level 15: Twist of Fate
• Level 30: Mania
• Level 45: Mind Bomb
• Level 60: Lingering Insanity
• Level 75: Auspicious Spirits
• Level 90: Mindbender
• Level 100: Legacy of the Void

3. Stat Choice for Shadow Priest

Currently, you will want to prioritize secondary stats as follows:

1. Haste;
2. Critical Strike;
3. Mastery;
4. Versatility;
5. Intellect.

4. Basic Rotation for Shadow Priest

1. Keep Shadow Word: Pain and Vampiric Touch applied to all targets.
2. Cast Mind Blast whenever available to generate Insanity.
3. Cast Mind Flay to generate Insanity.
4. Cast Void Eruption at 100 Insanity.
5. Cast Void Bolt whenever available in Voidform.
6. Cast Shadow Word: Death whenever available and Void Bolt is on cooldown in Voidform.
7. Cast Mind Blast whenever available and Void Bolt is on cooldown in Voidform.
8. Cast Void Torrent whenever available in Voidform.
9. Cast Mindbender whenever available in Voidform.
10. Cast Shadowfiend whenever available in Voidform.
11. Cast Mind Flay on when there is nothing else to cast in Voidform.

About Our Author and Reviewer

This guide has been written by Furty, who has an illustrious history in the World of Warcraft raiding scene and race for World First. He has been a member of guilds such as Serenity, Midwinter, and many more, and is currently raiding in Future. He plays most classes at the highest level. You can follow him on Twitter and watch him play on Twitch.

This guide has been reviewed by Atroxe, a Shadow Priest who plays in Encore, and by DjRiff, a theorycrafter at HowToPriest. You can watch Atroxe play on YouTube and Twitch, and you can watch DjRiff stream on Twitch.

5. ChangeLog

• 14 Jun. 2017: Swapped Body and Soul/San'layn/Power Infusion for Mania/Auspicious Spirits/Mindbender.
• 12 Jun. 2017: Updated stat priority.
• 01 May 2017: Removed mention of Auspicious Spirits.
• 10 Jan. 2017: Small update to easy mode talents for Patch 7.1.5.
• 09 Dec. 2016: Added easy mode for Shadow Priest.

+ show all entries - show only 10 entries