New build, no changes, so let’s write another post about the top issues (for me):
Searing Nightmare
Searing Nightmare is not fun to use as an AoE ability. It nullifies practically all other spec mechanics in favor of Mind Sear → Searing Nightmare. See this thread.
Utility abilities in the Shadow
The shadow spec tree has 9 nodes and 10 utility talents. These talents are in direct competition with damage talents and will therefore, outside of PvP, never be picked. In this interview it’s stated that the spec trees are exactly not supposed to place utility against dps choices, because it doesn’t work.
Mind Flay talents
Dark Thoughts was removed because “it placed a large emphasis on Mind Flay and made it feel mandatory to roll for procs”. Yet in the new shadow there are five talents that buff Mind Flay: Monomania, Void Touched, Abyssal Knowledge, Rot and Wither and Fortress of the Mind. There is a real danger that Void Bolt and Mind Blast are not worth casting (outside of movement or for Living Shadow)
Left side of the class tree
The left side of the class tree is effectively dead for Shadow, and also offers little options for Disc. Talent selection for shadow will have you pick up Shadowflame Prism and Twins of the Sun Priestess. Afterwards, the most damage/utility pick is Mind Games, locking in the final points.
Forced gameplay and button bloat
With the above Shadow is forced into the Shadowflame playstyle. There is no alternative to it. Shadow is also forced to pick up Mindgames. If you then want to pick up any Idols talents in the spec tree, you are further forced into using Shadow Crash or Void Torrent. Buttons and mechanics that currently are optional, are now bloating your standard rotation.