Between the stun locks, being locked out of shadow’s school, and our primary CC being broken almost instantly I feel like a punching bag.
As soon as I’m targeted I feel as if there’s nothing I can really do to stave them off. It feels as if there was an arms race (when it comes to cc) and we lost considerably. I stay locked out and locked down, but there’s nothing I can really do to return the pressure.
Please help shadow!
I know this is a PvP post, but shadow has the same issues in PvE. It’s super squishy and doesn’t bring much meaningful utility for M+ anymore with all the interrupts and stops needed.
The spec is in dire need of more damage reduction and CC options. Or other classes need to be toned way down.
Need some context here, what type of PvP we talking about? SS / BgB standard arenas?
What type of specs are you having issues with.
Are you playing archon or voidweaver?
right now i am trying it. but i did fine now. i spec it. i went voidweaver on this alt as hero talent. seems i did a wise decision. i just spec it as shadow priest. give it a try.
i will be back. bedtime now. i will explain more later in the morning. peace.
I primarily play battlegrounds. I use voidweaver. The specs I’m having issues with, pretty much all melee. Hunters can be tough too.
Alright so I’ve done a rough run over of you and first things first.
You need to prioritize getting yourself a cognitive bloodstone and socket it into a piece of gear that you have no intent on ever changing out. Ex:(Haste/ verse ring @ conquest ilvl).
I’m placing a build here that I would recommend you run:
ht tps://www.wowhead.com/ptr-2/talent-calc/priest/shadow/voidweaver/DAREEQVREURQBEKFSJFQDARUOVVVVVSFBIBQJEBCEAEFVVUCRADhjvthfiBhXVP
As you get comfortable with sp you can see where talents are changeable.
My build will be slightly controversial but I did just recently run this so 2400 in SS. It leans more into DoT’s which most people don’t like the strength of but I’ll say this.
SW:P is spawning apparitions.
VT is generating insanity
Screams of the Void is increasing their tick rate.
More damage in your burst window.
Your burst window should look like: (assuming you have SW:P + VT on target)
Halo > Dark Ascension > On use trinket if equipped > Power Infusion > Void Torrent(cancel it if you could potentially be interrupted> DP spam > Void blast if able > Void Volley before Rift collapses.
Halo: is only used for insanity generation, that plus DA will give you enough insanity to cast a DP.
You should aim to be getting out 4+ DP’s during your rift windows. And pooling insanity otherwise waiting for your next VoiT. (But don’t overcap on insanity) - you want ~100 insanity going into your Void Torrent.
(You also don’t need to fully channel void torrent if you think you’re going to get shadow locked. The damage isn’t worth the potential to getting locked out on your burst. Most people self interrupt the channel ~ .5 seconds in. That being said if you can fully channel, its entirely worth to do so.)
Other than this applying DoT’s to multiple targets.
Using your Mind Flay: Insanity’s for when you need on demand damage outside of your torrent window.
I usually save 1 charge of shadow crash going into my burst. In the event my kill target gets dispel I can easily reapply my dots to them.
I’m also pretty much never untalenting catharsis and Phase Shift
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Okay moving on from damage.
Getting the cognitive bloodstone I think will be your biggest asset going forward. This will give you 4 seconds of CC immunity and learning to get the most out of this is hands down your biggest gain in freedom.
Fearing people on their CDs is generally going to be your best self peel. Ex: havoc eye beams, WW clones, or spamming fear when rogues parenting to stunlock you, if they mess it up you’re going to break their CC chain.
Usually they will trinket the fear right away which is a good time to instantly psychic horror them afterwords.
DK’s and warriors are your hardest counters and for them using fade to walk out of spear or right when the charge you (they pretty much always storm bolt at the same time and you might avoid it). There’s pretty much no avoiding a DK if they don’t want to get off you unless you’re in dispersion.
Void tendrils will work on all melee just to buy you a moment of time to feather + fade and gain distance. But it’s super good VS BM hunters when you have the Zoo on you.
Don’t be afraid to trade dispersion early it’s a 1 1/2 min CD which is relatively short and can be used while stunned.
When your kicked is a good time to flash heal (for 10% damage reduction) or Dispel magic to remove their buffs + insanity generation.
Also the PvP talent Cascading horrors can help with getting some breathing room.
Ultimately your best bet in improving survival is to:
Thank you for your reply. I read everything you had to say and am taking it all in. I’m a bit nervous to focus on dots, given how little damage they do, but I’m willing to give it a try. Once again, thank you.
Don’t feel forced to try my build. I can go through the thought process of it if need be but you may very well find that leaning into torrent / blast will be better for you.
You are also about to fish around on Drustvar and see what other SP’s are playing by in BgB and RBGs
Knowing shadow priest has had its utility and survivability dismantled little by little over the last 4-5 years all in the name of PVP fairness… all these Spriest need help in PVP posts are making me extra sad.