Priest specialization

Shadow Priest in WoW Forever

Shadow spells and lingering damage.

  • Your role: Ranged spell damage
  • Advice for every level to 60
  • Class notes checked

Your character

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Your gear Use my character
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Choose the level you are playing now. The playbook and gear rankings update to match.

Level 45 · Damage in a group

How to play dungeons at level 45

Your combat loop

Press the first one that is ready.

Shadow’s own loop, from level 20. Before that every Priest plays the same loop.

Own loop from: Shadow level 20

Use Mind Flay. It does 29% more than Smite.

  1. Shadow Word: Pain Rank 6 Keep on target · 24 sec

    Keep it on the target; it lasts 24 sec.

    18% of your damage
  2. Devouring Plague Rank 4 Every 24 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 24 sec.

    13% of your damage
  3. Mind Blast Rank 6 Every 5.5 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 5.5 sec.

    30% of your damage
  4. Mind Flay Rank 4 Filler

    Cast it whenever nothing above is ready.

    38% of your damage

The first 30 seconds

When to press each one from the pull. The blue line under a press is the global cooldown (1.5 sec) or cast it holds: nothing else on the global cooldown can go until it ends, so of two that are ready together the higher one goes first.

In the gaps
Mind Flay

How MaxDPS works this out

Talents at level 45

36 points at level 45: the first at level 10, then one every level.

The MaxDPS build at this level, in the game’s talent frame. Click a talent to learn it and right click to unlearn it, as in the game.

Talents
Unspent Talents
Point order: when each point goes in
  1. Spirit Tap 5/5 · levels 10–14 +0.4% damage
  2. Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2 · levels 15–16 +1.6% damage
  3. Shadow Focus 5/5 · levels 17–19 and 23–24 +5.3% damage
  4. Mind Flay 1/1 · level 20 +31.1% damage
  5. Improved Mind Flay 2/2 · levels 21–22 +6.9% damage
  6. Shadow Weaving 3/3 · levels 25–27 +10% damage
  7. Vampiric Embrace 1/1 · level 28 not counted here
  8. Improved Mind Blast 5/5 · levels 29, 32–33 and 41–42 +4.1% damage
  9. Devouring Contagion 2/2 · levels 30–31 +9.9% damage
  10. Dark Inspiration 1/5 · level 34 not counted here
  11. Darkness 5/5 · levels 35–39 +10% damage
  12. Shadowform 1/1 · level 40 +26% damage
  13. Twin Disciplines 3/5 · levels 43–45 +2.1% damage

Every Priest talent

Preliminary item rankings · Dungeons

Shadow Priest gear rankings

Shadow damage · Level 45 · Calculated defaults

Hunt list
Show gear for

One-hand 195 items · Updating…

Where it comes from
Auction prices from

Materials: . Each reagent counts at the lower of a vendor’s price and its lowest buyout.

Key stats show the stats behind the three largest score contributions, as the game tooltip states them; open an item’s details for every value and source.

One-hand items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank Item Score (pts) Where to get it Actions
1 in this filtered list
Kris of Orgrimmar Dagger · iLvl 18 · Req. 13* · Quest · Horde only · Weapon training · Spell power seen in game Key stats: 11 Spell damage4 Stamina
11.87
Hidden EnemiesQuest choice · Orgrimmar

Score breakdown

  • Spell power: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Stamina: 4 × 0.2166 = 0.87 pts

Rare · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

Hidden EnemiesQuest choice · Orgrimmar
2 in this filtered list
Foulmountain Family Hammer Mace · iLvl 29 · Req. 24 · Other drop Key stats: 4 Spell power2 Stamina
4.43
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Spell power: 4 × 1 = 4.00 pts
  • Stamina: 2 × 0.2166 = 0.43 pts

Uncommon

Source

3 in this filtered list
Small Green Dagger Dagger · iLvl 12 · Req. 7 · Other drop · Weapon training Key stats: 4 Spell power1 Stamina
4.22
MuadNPC drop · 23% · Tirisfal Glades
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Spell power: 4 × 1 = 4.00 pts
  • Stamina: 1 × 0.2166 = 0.22 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

MuadNPC drop · 23% · Tirisfal Glades
4 in this filtered list
Slavecrusher Scepter Mace · iLvl 44 · Req. 39 · Other drop Key stats: 9 Stamina
1.95
Slavecrusher GroxNPC drop · 31%

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 9 × 0.2166 = 1.95 pts

Rare

Source

Slavecrusher GroxNPC drop · 31%
5 in this filtered list
Searing Golden Blade Dagger · iLvl 39 · Req. 34 · Crafted · Weapon training Key stats: 7 Intellect
1.89
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 7 × 0.2695 = 1.89 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

6 in this filtered list
Runed Mithril Hammer Mace · iLvl 49 · Req. 44 · Crafted Key stats: 7 Stamina
1.52
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 7 × 0.2166 = 1.52 pts

Uncommon

Source

7 in this filtered list
Mauler's Mutton Mace · iLvl 44 · Req. 39* · Quest Key stats: 5 Stamina6 Spirit
1.32

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 5 × 0.2166 = 1.08 pts
  • Spirit: 6 × 0.0401 = 0.24 pts

Uncommon

8 in this filtered list
Bludgeon of Betrayed Virtues Mace · iLvl 42 · Req. 35 · Quest Key stats: 6 Stamina
1.30
Khan JehnQuest choice · Desolace

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 6 × 0.2166 = 1.30 pts

Rare

Source

Khan JehnQuest choice · Desolace
9 in this filtered list
Snarling Fang Dagger · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Other drop · Weapon training Key stats: 6 Stamina
1.30
SnarlerNPC drop · 0.8% · Feralas
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 6 × 0.2166 = 1.30 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

SnarlerNPC drop · 0.8% · Feralas
10 in this filtered list
Broad Bladed Knife Dagger · iLvl 32 · Req. 27 · Vendor · Weapon training Key stats: 5 Stamina
1.08
Gavin GnarltreeVendor · 2g 83s 72c · Duskwood
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 5 × 0.2166 = 1.08 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training — check item requirements

3 sources

Gavin GnarltreeVendor · 2g 83s 72c · Duskwood
OttVendor · 2g 98s 65c · Hillsbrad Foothills
TurianVendor · 2g 98s 65c · Darnassus
11 in this filtered list
Meathook Slicer Dagger · iLvl 20 · Req. 15 · Dungeon drop · Weapon training Key stats: 5 Stamina
1.08
The BaronNPC drop · 29% · Ruins of Lordaeron

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 5 × 0.2166 = 1.08 pts

Rare · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

The BaronNPC drop · 29% · Ruins of Lordaeron
12 in this filtered list
Darkmist Dirk Dagger · iLvl 42 · Req. 37 · Other drop · Weapon training Key stats: 5 Stamina
1.08
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 5 × 0.2166 = 1.08 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

13 in this filtered list
Toofbreaker Mace · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Other drop Key stats: 5 Stamina
1.08
Bossman ToofNPC drop · 20%

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 5 × 0.2166 = 1.08 pts

Rare

Source

Bossman ToofNPC drop · 20%
14 in this filtered list
Diamond Hammer Mace · iLvl 25 · Req. 20 · Other drop Key stats: 4 Stamina
0.87
Ornate Bronze LockboxContainer loot · 4.3%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 4 × 0.2166 = 0.87 pts

Rare

71 sources

Ornate Bronze LockboxContainer loot · 4.3%
Large Iron Bound ChestObject loot · 0.1%
Splinter Fist OgreNPC drop · <0.1% · Duskwood
Razorfen QuilguardNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Splinter Fist Fire WeaverNPC drop · <0.1% · Duskwood
Irradiated PillagerNPC drop · <0.1% · Gnomeregan
UrsangousNPC drop · <0.1% · Ashenvale
All 71 sources
15 in this filtered list
Fight Club Mace · iLvl 39 · Req. 34 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 4 Stamina
0.87
Scarlet EvokerNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 4 × 0.2166 = 0.87 pts

Rare

10 sources

Scarlet EvokerNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Scarlet MonkNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Scarlet DefenderNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Scarlet WizardNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Scarlet MyrmidonNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Scarlet SorcererNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
Scarlet SoldierNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery
16 in this filtered list
Southsea Lamp Mace · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Other drop Key stats: 4 Stamina
0.87
Cuergo's Hidden TreasureContainer loot · 2.4%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 4 × 0.2166 = 0.87 pts

Rare

3 sources

Cuergo's Hidden TreasureContainer loot · 2.4%
Captain's ChestObject loot · 2.1% · Tanaris
Pirate's FootlockerContainer loot · 1.1%
17 in this filtered list
Dunston's Ogre Duster Mace · iLvl 44 · Req. 39* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 4 Stamina
0.87

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 4 × 0.2166 = 0.87 pts

Rare

Source

18 in this filtered list
Uthil's Cudgel Mace · iLvl 32 · Req. 27* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 3 Stamina3 Spirit
0.77
Insane DruidsQuest choice · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2166 = 0.65 pts
  • Spirit: 3 × 0.0401 = 0.12 pts

Uncommon

Source

Insane DruidsQuest choice · Ashenvale
19 in this filtered list
Face Smasher Mace · iLvl 21 · Req. 16 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 3 Stamina
0.65
Son of ArugalNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2166 = 0.65 pts

Rare

17 sources

Son of ArugalNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
Sorcerer AshcrombeNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
Wailing GuardsmanNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
Lupine HorrorNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
Tormented OfficerNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
Haunted ServitorNPC drop · <0.1% · Shadowfang Keep
All 17 sources
20 in this filtered list
Bronze Mace Mace · iLvl 22 · Req. 17 · Crafted Key stats: 3 Stamina
0.65
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2166 = 0.65 pts

Uncommon

Source

Item stats from the WoW Forever game files; sources from data collected from the live game. Auction prices are the lowest buyout on the Americas · Normal auction houses, read from Blizzard every hour; pick another region or ruleset under Filters. Which house is which ruleset is matched by size and still being confirmed in game.

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