Shadow Priest DPS Gear and Best in Slot in Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.0.1

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 8.0.1 Changes for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Shadow Priest Strengths
  • 4. Shadow Priest Weaknesses
  • 5. Shadow Priest Viability in the Current Patch
  • 6. Contents
  • 7. ChangeLog
• +Easy Mode
  • 1. Foreword
  • 2. The Basics for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Talent Choice for Shadow Priest
  • 4. Stat Choice for Shadow Priest
  • 5. Basic Rotation for Shadow Priest
  • 6. Azerite Traits
  • 7. 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. Utility Spells for Shadow Priest
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Talent Cheat Sheets for Shadow Priest
    • 2.1. Raid Encounters
      • 2.1.1. Single Target
      • 2.1.2. Cleave
      • 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. PvP Talents (War Mode) for Shadow Priest
    • 10.1. Shadow Priest War Mode Talents
      • 10.1.1. General PvP Talents
      • 10.1.2. Shadow Priest PvP Talents
  • 11. ChangeLog
• +Azerite Traits and Armor
  • 1. Outer Ring Traits for Shadow Priest
  • 2. Middle Ring Traits for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Inner Ring Traits for Shadow Priest
  • 4. Current Strength of Notable DPS Traits for Shadow Priest
    • 4.1. Shadow Priest Trait Rankings
  • 5. Find Azerite Armor By Trait/Power
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Shadow Priest Rotational Primer
    • 1.1. Shadowform
  • 2. Single-Target Rotation for Shadow Priest
  • 3. Multiple Target Priority for Shadow Priest
    • 3.1. 2-5 Target Priority
    • 3.2. 5-10 Target Priority
    • 3.3. 10+ Target Priority
  • 4. The Multiple Target Priority Further Explained
  • 5. Important Notes for Shadow Priest
    • 5.1. Insanity Drain
    • 5.2. Regarding Dispersion/Void Torrent
    • 5.3. Optimizing Insanity Generation
    • 5.4. Dark Void Usage
    • 5.5. Dark Ascension Cycling & General Usage
    • 5.6. Optimizing Mindbender/Shadowfiend Usage
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Mythic+ Tips
  • 1. Shadow Priest in Mythic+
    • 1.1. Shadow Priest Mythic+ Rotation
    • 1.2. Shadow Priest Utility
  • 2. Mythic+ Talents for Shadow Priests
  • 3. Mythic+ Affixes
    • 3.1. Tier One Affixes
    • 3.2. Tier Two Affixes
    • 3.3. Tier Three Affixes
    • 3.4. Seasonal Affix
  • 4. Mythic+ Azerite Traits
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Common and Worst Mistakes
  • 1. Not Pressing Buttons Fast Enough
  • 2. Dealing With Movement Properly
  • 3. Not Knowing How To Sim Yourself
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. Battle for Azeroth Frequently Asked Questions
    • 1.1. Do I Use Misery or Dark Void For Dungeons?
    • 1.2. Do I Use Legacy of the Void or Dark Ascension For Dungeons?
    • 1.3. Do I Want To Intentionally Drop Out Of Voidform To Void Eruption Sooner?
    • 1.4. When Do I Use Mind Sear In Dungeons?
    • 1.5. Should I Always Finish a Mind Flay Cast?
    • 1.6. When Should I Refresh My DoTs?
    • 1.7. Should I Use Dispersion As a DPS Cooldown?
  • 2. ChangeLog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Shadow Priest in Uldir
    • 1.1. Talent Cheatsheet
  • 2. Taloc
    • 2.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on Taloc
      • 2.1.1. Taloc Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 2.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on Taloc
  • 3. M.O.T.H.E.R.
    • 3.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on M.O.T.H.E.R.
      • 3.1.1. M.O.T.H.E.R. Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 3.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on M.O.T.H.E.R.
  • 4. Fetid Devourer
    • 4.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on Fetid Devourer
      • 4.1.1. Fetid Devourer Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 4.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on Fetid Devourer
  • 5. Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
    • 5.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
      • 5.1.1. Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 5.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
  • 6. Vectis
    • 6.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on Vectis
      • 6.1.1. Vectis Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 6.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on Vectis
  • 7. Zul, Reborn
    • 7.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on Zul, Reborn
      • 7.1.1. Zul, Reborn Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 7.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on Zul, Reborn
  • 8. Mythrax the Unraveler
    • 8.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on Mythrax the Unraveler
      • 8.1.1. Mythrax the Unraveler Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 8.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on Mythrax the Unraveler
  • 9. G'huun
    • 9.1. Suggested Talents for Shadow Priest on G'huun
      • 9.1.1. G'huun Shadow Priest Talent Notes
    • 9.2. Shadow Priest Playstyle on G'huun
  • 10. ChangeLog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. The Basics of Stats 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. Shadow Crash Cursor Macro
      • 1.2.3. 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. Twintop's Insanity Bar
      • 2.2.2. SPTimers
• ×Gear and Best in Slot
  • 1. General Gearing Strategy
  • 2. Dungeon Gear to Look Out for
  • 3. World Quests
  • 4. Gearing Spreadsheet
  • 5. Reputation Gear
    • 5.1. Horde Factions
      • 5.1.1. Talanji's Expedition
      • 5.1.2. The Honorbound
      • 5.1.3. Voldunai
      • 5.1.4. Zandalari Empire
    • 5.2. Alliance Factions
      • 5.2.1. Proudmoore Admiralty
      • 5.2.2. 7th Legion
      • 5.2.3. Storm's Wake
      • 5.2.4. Order of Embers
    • 5.3. Neutral Factions
      • 5.3.1. Champions of Azeroth
      • 5.3.2. Tortollan Seekers
  • 6. Crafting Gear
    • 6.1. Tailoring
    • 6.2. Engineering
    • 6.3. Outer Ring Traits
    • 6.4. Inner Ring Traits
  • 7. Trinket Rankings
    • 7.1. Trinket Rankings for Single-Target
    • 7.2. Trinket Rankings for AoE
  • 8. ChangeLog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Disclaimer Page
  • 2. Magicsim
  • 3. ChangeLog

General Information

This page is a gear reference for Shadow Priests. It lists your best items, with an emphasis on trinkets, and gives you gearing advice.

The other pages of our Shadow Priest guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

About Our Author

This guide has been written by Isentropy, top Shadow Priest and one of the main theorycrafters of the spec over at Warcraft Priests. He currently raids in Echoes.

1. General Gearing Strategy

With Titanforging existing, it is extremely difficult to provide one specific list of gear that will not change in any situation. Instead, it is more valuable to explain how you may want to choose what pieces of gear to wear.

Item level is rather important in Battle for Azeroth, mainly due to the relative value increase of primary stats. In the case of Shadow, this means we want to prioritize Intellect first over any other stat; in other words, item level of gear will generally be the most important factor when looking at replacing something. Secondary stats are still important as well, however, and currently Shadow wants to focus on acquiring as much Critical Strike and Haste as it can. Mastery and Versatility are both low in value and there is not really a way to have too much of Haste or Critical Strike. If it is not an obvious choice, sim your own character to find out. For a more detailed explanation, you can read the Simulations page.

2. Dungeon Gear to Look Out for

There are rather large differences in power between some of the Azerite traits. Below you will find Azerite gear dropping from the dungeons throughout Zandalar and Kul'tiras that possess some of the strongest traits. This will give you a general idea of the pieces you may want to seek out with a higher priority. For a more detailed explanation of the strength of each individual trait, you can take a look at the Azerite Traits and Gear page.

• Grasping Crown of the Deep — This piece has both Dagger in the Back or Death Throes to choose from.
• Inmate's Straight Robe — This piece has Dagger in the Back to pick from.
• Amice of the Returned — This piece has Death Throes to pick from.
• Blood-Drenched Robes — This piece has Death Throes or Filthy Transfusion to pick from.
• Soulfuel Headdress — This piece has Blightborne Infusion to pick from.
• Robes of the Reborn Serpent — This piece has Thunderous Blast to pick from.
• Headdress of the First Empire — This piece has Rezan's Fury to pick from.
• Loa Betrayer's Vestments — This piece has Rezan's Fury to pick from.
• Stormlurker's Cowl — This piece has Tidal Surge to pick from.
• Brood Cleanser's Amice — This piece has Swirling Sands to pick from.
• Exquisitely Aerodynamic Shoulderpads — This piece has Unstable Catalyst to pick from.

3. World Quests

World Quests can give you a bunch of different rewards, including valuable Azerite gear, weapons, or trinkets. While the gear possibilities are too great to list here, always try to do the World Quests that reward gear, as you might get lucky with Titanforging or Warforging. Do bear in mind that Azerite gear has no chance of getting upgraded in any way, either through Warforging, Titanforging, or getting a socket. Weapons are not able to Titanforge either, but they can Warforge up to 10 extra item levels.

4. Gearing Spreadsheet

For a more comprehensive overview of the gear that drops in Battle for Azeroth, I recommend taking a look at this sheet made by Imoral. This spreadsheet singles out items with Critical Strike and Haste and shows which Azerite gear has which traits.

5. Reputation Gear

In Battle for Azeroth, there is a lot of gear you can get through gaining Reputation with the numerous factions. Below you will find the rewards from these factions, separated between Horde and Alliance factions. There are also two neutral factions that both the Alliance and the Horde can gain reputation with: Tortollan Seekers and Champions of Azeroth. These will be covered in their own paragraph as well.

5.1. Horde Factions

5.1.1. Talanji's Expedition

• Swamp Medic's Leggings — Item level 335 Legs that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Zo'bal Spirit Gloves — Item level 350 Hands that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Drape of the Blood Purge — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.1.2. The Honorbound

• Wristwraps of the Dutiful Apothecary — Item level 335 Wrist that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Witch Doctor's Slippers — Item level 350 Feet that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Drape of the Horde's Fury — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.1.3. Voldunai

• Alpaca Wool Gloves — Item level 335 Hands that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Sash of the Scaled Devoted — Item level 350 Waist that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Dune Shroud — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.1.4. Zandalari Empire

• Cord of the Loa Worshippers — Item level 335 Waist that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Shadraspun Legwraps — Item level 350 Legs that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Dinomancer's Cloak — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.2. Alliance Factions

5.2.1. Proudmoore Admiralty

• Sailing Master's Sash — Item level 335 Waist that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Maritime Spellweaver's Leggings — Item level 350 Legs that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Navy Blue Boat Cloak — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.2.2. 7th Legion

• Warmage's Flame-Brimming Wristcords — Item level 335 Wrists that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Medical Corps Slippers — Item level 350 Feet that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• 7th Legionnaire's Cloak — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.2.3. Storm's Wake

• Handwraps of Deep Faith — Item level 335 Hands that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Sea Priest's Waistcord — Item level 350 Waist that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Cape of the Divine Depths — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.2.4. Order of Embers

• Leggings of Devout Opposition — Item level 335 Legs that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Eternal Flamekeeper's Handwraps — Item level 350 Hands that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Witch Hunter's Cape — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.3. Neutral Factions

5.3.1. Champions of Azeroth

• Azerothian Champion's Crown — Item level 355 Head that requires Exalted reputation to buy. Note that this Head is Azerite gear.
• Drape of the Azerothian Champion — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

5.3.2. Tortollan Seekers

• Sea-Treated Footwraps — Item level 335 Feet that requires Revered reputation to buy.
• Wristwraps of Scrollbinding — Item level 350 Wrists that requires Exalted reputation to buy.
• Cape of the Scroll Keepers — Item level 320 Cloak that requires Honored reputation to buy.

6. Crafting Gear

There are two professions that give you the opportunity to craft gear as a Shadow Priest: Engineering and Tailoring. Below, you can find the pieces of gear that you can obtain through crafting.

6.1. Tailoring

Tailoring offers you two pieces of gear to craft that are Bind on Pickup when you make them. This means that you can not sell these to other players, nor can you buy them from other players.

Embroidered Deep Sea Gloves are item level 355 Hands, the Pattern for which you can buy from Pin'jin the Patient, as Horde, or Daniel Brineweaver, as Alliance. Once you have learned this Pattern, crafting it gives you a chance to discover how to make the item level 370 version of these Hands: Imbued Deep Sea Gloves. Finally, crafting Imbued Deep Sea Gloves gives you a chance to discover how to make Emblazoned Deep Sea Gloves, the final upgrade which has an item level of 385.

Embroidered Deep Sea Breeches are item level 355 Legs, the Pattern for which you can buy from Pin'jin the Patient, as Horde, or Daniel Brineweaver, as Alliance. Once you have learned this Pattern, crafting it gives you a chance to discover how to make the item level 370 version of these Legs: Imbued Deep Sea Breeches. Finally, crafting Imbued Deep Sea Breeches gives you a chance to discover how to make Emblazoned Deep Sea Breeches, the final upgrade which has an item level of 385.

6.2. Engineering

AZ3-R1-T3 Synthetic Specs is a craftable Head that also has several unique Azerite traits to pick from that are exclusive to players with Zandalari, or Kul Tiran, Engineering, depending on your faction. This Head has an item level of 340 and can not be upgraded any further. These are the Azerite traits you can pick from:

6.3. Outer Ring Traits

• Barrage Of Many Bombs gives you a chance to fire a clusterbomb at your current target. When the bomb gets close, it explodes into smaller bombs which do AoE damage when they hit the ground.
• Relational Normalization Gizmo causes your spells to have a chance to grant you a primary stat and maximum health buff or Haste and 50% movement speed for 10 seconds. This trait is only obtainable through crafting Engineering goggles ( AZ3-R1-T3 Gearspun Goggles) that cannot be upgraded past item level 340.
• Ricocheting Inflatable Pyrosaw causes your spells to have a chance to heal up to 4 allies for a large amount. This trait is only obtainable through crafting Engineering goggles ( AZ3-R1-T3 Gearspun Goggles) that cannot be upgraded past item level 340.
• Synaptic Spark Capacitor gives your abilities a chance to put a debuff on your target. This debuff will deal damage to enemies within 8 yards of the target with the debuff, and causes them to do 5% less damage to you. This trait is only obtainable through crafting Engineering goggles ( AZ3-R1-T3 Gearspun Goggles) that cannot be upgraded past item level 340.

6.4. Inner Ring Traits

• Auto-Self-Cauterizer grants you a chance, when taking damage, to self-heal for a large amount and remove most bleed effects as well as slowing nearby enemies by 30% for 5 seconds. This trait is only obtainable through crafting Engineering goggles ( AZ3-R1-T3 Gearspun Goggles) that cannot be upgraded past item level 340 .
• Personal Absorb-o-Tron grants you a chance, when taking damage, to gain a large absorb shield for up to 1 minute. This trait is only obtainable through crafting Engineering goggles ( AZ3-R1-T3 Gearspun Goggles) that cannot be upgraded past item level 340.

7. Trinket Rankings

Below you will find a ranking of the trinkets in Battle for Azeroth, provided by Bloodmallet.

7.1. Trinket Rankings for Single-Target

7.2. Trinket Rankings for AoE

8. ChangeLog

• 15 Aug. 2018: Updated links to Bloodmallet's sims.
• 13 Aug. 2018: Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
• 19 Jul. 2018: Description of Anund's Seared Shackles updated.
• 18 Jul. 2018: Updated to include recommended legendaries.

+ show all entries - show only 10 entries