Priest spec guide

Shadow Magic Priest

Everything for Shadow Magic Priest on one page: role, talent order by level, Shadow Magic abilities and recommended gear for each level range. Talent and gear picks are calculated from the tooltip values in official game data plus the assumptions Forever Tool states below.

All Priest abilities Open the level 60 build in the calculator

Gear focus: Spell DPS
Talent calculation: Shadow Magic
Level 60 build: 16/0/35
Estimated DPS: +62.2%

Shadow Magic Priest at a glance

Summarized from Blizzard's class deep-dive articles. They were published during the beta, so live numbers and talents may differ.

Priest as the developers describe it

Priests keep their role as versatile spellcasters while Discipline, Holy and Shadow become more flexible. Key tools are available to every Priest, and refreshed racial abilities and talents add new options for support, healing and damage.[1]

Priests are the most versatile healers: they use both heal-over-time and direct heals and can also cast damage-absorbing shields. But cloth armor and few ways to escape mean they rely on their allies for protection.

Shadow Magic talents in Forever

Vampiric Embrace moves up to the 16-point gold medal. It now lasts 30 seconds with a 1-minute cooldown.
Shadowform now lets you cast all non-healing spells and reduces the mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%.
Devouring Contagion (new row 5 talent): when a target dies with Devouring Plague on it, the Plague jumps to a new enemy within 5 yards. It also lowers the Plague's mana cost.
Early Demise (new row 6 talent): increases the critical strike chance of Shadow Word: Death on targets below 20% health.

Shadow Magic talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Shadow Magic tree is filled to 31 points first, and the remaining points go where they raise estimated DPS the most in the other trees.

The level 60 build uses the same method as the calculator's "Recommended build" (estimated DPS from tooltip values + judgment weights for talents the math can't capture, such as rage, energy and mana talents), with the extra rule "Shadow Magic tree to 31 points first". The order picks, one point at a time, the talent that raises the score the most on the way to that build. Estimated DPS is a rough "compared with no talents" figure and leaves out the damage of newly learned abilities. Talent point rules (starting at level 10) follow classic, since nothing has been announced officially.

Builds by level

Level	Points	Tree split	Est. DPS	Calculator
Level 20	11 points	0/0/11	+8.8%	Open
Level 30	21 points	0/0/21	+29.0%	Open
Level 40	31 points	0/0/31	+58.6%	Open
Level 50	41 points	6/0/35	+61.6%	Open
Level 60	51 points	16/0/35	+62.2%	Open

Talent order by level

Consecutive levels spent on the same talent are grouped on one line.

Levels 10–14Shadow Focus1→5/5
Levels 15–16Improved Shadow Word: Pain1→2/2
Levels 17–19Improved Mind Blast1→3/5
Level 20Mind Flay1/1
Levels 21–22Improved Mind Flay1→2/2
Levels 23–24Improved Mind Blast4→5/5
Level 25Shadow Weaving1/3
Level 26Vampiric Embrace1/1
Levels 27–31Spirit Tap1→5/5
Levels 32–34Dark Inspiration1→3/5
Levels 35–39Darkness1→5/5
Level 40Shadowform1/1
Levels 41–45Twin DisciplinesDiscipline1→5/5
Levels 46–47Dark Inspiration4→5/5
Level 48Shadow Reach1/2
Level 49Devouring Contagion1/2
Levels 50–54Mental StrengthDiscipline1→5/5
Levels 55–57Mental AgilityDiscipline1→3/3
Levels 58–60MeditationDiscipline1→3/3

Key talents of the level 60 build

Talents with a large share of estimated DPS, plus talents that grant abilities or handle resources. Descriptions are the tooltip at the rank taken.

Twin Disciplines5/5 · Discipline
Est. DPS +1.8%
Increases the damage and healing of your instant cast spells by 5%.
Mental Strength5/5 · Discipline
Est. DPS +0.5%
Increases your total Intellect by 10%.
Shadow Focus5/5 · Shadow Magic
Est. DPS +6.0%
Improves your chance to hit with Shadow spells by 5%.
Improved Mind Blast5/5 · Shadow Magic
Est. DPS +4.4%
Reduces the cooldown of your Mind Blast spell by 2.5 sec.
Improved Shadow Word: Pain2/2 · Shadow Magic
Resource / utility
Increases the duration of your Shadow Word: Pain spell by 6 sec.
Mind Flay1/1 · Shadow Magic
Ability
Assault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 159 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.
Improved Mind Flay2/2 · Shadow Magic
Est. DPS +6.5%
Each instance of damage of Mind Flay deals 20% more damage than its previous instance of damage.
Vampiric Embrace1/1 · Shadow Magic
Ability
Afflicts your target with Shadow energy that causes all party members to be healed for 20% of any Shadow spell damage you deal for 30 sec.
Shadow Weaving1/3 · Shadow Magic
Est. DPS +9.0%
Your Shadow damage spells have a 33% chance to increase the Shadow damage the target takes from you by 2% for 15 sec, stacking up to 5 times.
Darkness5/5 · Shadow Magic
Est. DPS +10.0%
Increases your Shadow damage done by 10%.
Shadowform1/1 · Shadow Magic
Est. DPS +11.8%Ability
Assume Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 10%, reducing the Mana cost of all Shadow spells by 50%, increasing the critical strike damage bonus of your Shadow spells by 100%, and reducing Physical damage taken by you by 15%. However, you may not cast healing spells while in this form.

Shadow Magic abilities

Shadow Magic abilities in the order you first learn them. The numbers are the levels at which each rank is learned; the description is rank 1 without gear or stats.

Shadow Magic Priest gear by level

The 3 highest-scoring items for each slot in every level range. Only items whose required level falls inside the range are compared.

How were these picked?

The score is the sum of the item's tooltip lines from official game data (Strength, Stamina, Spell Power, damage per second and so on) multiplied by the weights below. There is no official formula, so the weights are Forever Tool's rough estimates (assumptions). Compare scores only within the same slot.
Equip, use and chance-on-hit effects, set bonuses and resistances are not scored. Items without fixed stats (only armor in the tooltip) are left out.
Only Uncommon and Rare items, plus craftable Epic items, of item level 65 or lower are included (no raid loot). Items that require a profession to use and crafts that need raid materials are left out.
Items without a required level count as item level minus 5. Only armor types a Priest wears are included, with mail and plate counted from level 40 (classic rules, since nothing has been announced).
Sources list only crafting (professions) and quest rewards. Dungeon drops are being collected from player reports; check the item page.

Shadow Magic weights (assumed)

Stat	Score per point
Wand damage per second	2
Spell Power	1
Spell Damage	1
Shadow Damage	0.9
Hit	0.8
Critical Strike	0.6
Haste	0.5
Mana Regeneration per 5 sec	0.5
Intellect	0.4
Stamina	0.2
Spirit	0.2
Spell Piercing	0.2

Levels 1–20

Hall of Thanes 13–18 Ruins of Lordaeron 15–20 Level 1–10 quest zones Level 11–20 quest zones

Head

Shadow CircletScore 11.9
Req. 20 · Shadow Damage +11 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine CircletScore 8.0
Req. 20 · Spell Damage +6 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Tailoring
Silky CircletScore 2.0
Req. 20 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Tailoring

Neck

Scholarly PendantScore 1.0
Item level 23 · Stamina +3 · Spirit +2
Erudite's AmuletScore 0.6
Item level 23 · Stamina +3
Roadwatcher's ConfidenceScore 0.6
Item level 20 · Spirit +3
Quest: Watching the Roads (Silverpine Forest)

Shoulder

Reinforced Woolen ShouldersScore 6.6
Req. 19 · Spell Power +5 · Intellect +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Double-Stitched Woolen ShouldersScore 4.8
Req. 17 · Spell Power +4 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring

Back

Heavy Woolen CloakScore 4.8
Req. 16 · Spell Power +4 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Battle Healer's CloakScore 4.2
Req. 18 · Spell Damage +3 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +2
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Pearl-clasped CloakScore 3.2
Req. 14 · Spell Power +2 · Intellect +3
Crafted: Tailoring

Chest

Filigreed Shadow GownScore 11.5
Req. 15 · Shadow Damage +9 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +3
Crafted: Tailoring
High Robe of the AdjudicatorScore 8.8
Item level 24 · Spell Power +8 · Intellect +2
Quest: Assault on Fenris Isle (Silverpine Forest)
Filigreed Pristine GownScore 8.4
Req. 15 · Spell Damage +5 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +3
Crafted: Tailoring

Wrist

Tabitha's CuffsScore 3.8
Item level 24 · Spell Power +3 · Stamina +4
Quest: A Frightened Request (Ruins of Lordaeron)
Owlbeard BracersScore 2.0
Item level 20 · Spell Power +1 · Intellect +2 · Stamina +1
Quest: Earthen Arise (Stonetalon Mountains)
Repurposed Hair BandScore 1.2
Item level 20 · Intellect +2 · Spirit +2

Hands

Shadow GlovesScore 8.3
Req. 15 · Shadow Damage +7 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine GlovesScore 6.0
Req. 15 · Spell Damage +4 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Heavy Woolen GlovesScore 2.8
Req. 12 · Spell Power +2 · Intellect +2
Crafted: Tailoring

Waist

Shadow SashScore 8.9
Req. 17 · Shadow Damage +7 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine SashScore 6.6
Req. 17 · Spell Damage +4 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Tailoring
Novice Arcanist's SashScore 5.8
Req. 10 · Spell Power +4 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +3
Crafted: Tailoring

Legs

Filigreed Shadow LeggingsScore 14.1
Req. 20 · Shadow Damage +11 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Filigreed Pristine LeggingsScore 10.2
Req. 20 · Spell Damage +6 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Rumpled KiltScore 6.4
Req. 20 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +7
Reputation required

Feet

Spidersilk BootsScore 9.4
Req. 20 · Spell Power +7 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Shadow BootsScore 7.4
Req. 12 · Shadow Damage +6 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Red Woolen BootsScore 5.0
Req. 15 · Spell Power +4 · Spirit +5
Crafted: Tailoring

Finger

Advisor's RingScore 6.4
Req. 18 · Spell Power +5 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +2 · Stamina +2
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Ring
Minor Channeling RingScore 5.8
Item level 24 · Spell Power +5 · Intellect +2
Quest: WANTED: Chok'sul (Loch Modan)
Sacred BandScore 2.8
Item level 25 · Spell Power +2 · Spirit +4
Quest: The Den (Stonetalon Mountains)

Trinket

Rune of PerfectionScore 0.8
Req. 20 · Stamina +4
Same stats: Rune of Duty

Two-hand

Advisor's Gnarled StaffScore 4.7
Req. 18 · Damage per second 19.7 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +8 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +3
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Staff
Polished Walking StaffScore 3.4
Item level 24 · Damage per second 11.7 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +3
Quest: Torek's Assault (Ashenvale)
Clear Crystal RodScore 2.8
Item level 21 · Damage per second 10.2 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4
Quest: Arachnophobia (Stonetalon Mountains)

Main hand

Royal DaggerScore 1.6
Item level 25 · Damage per second 8.5 · Intellect +4
Quest: A Friend of the Family (Stormwind City)
Quilboar ToothpickScore 1.2
Item level 24 · Damage per second 8.1 · Intellect +2 · Spirit +2
Quest: Chol'aruk the Ravener (The Barrens), Quest: Chol'aruk the Ravener (The Barrens)
Barrens BasherScore 1.0
Req. 20 · Damage per second 16 · Stamina +5
Reputation required

Held in off-hand

Defective SamophlangeScore 3.0
Req. 20 · Intellect +5 · Spirit +5
Reputation required
Mathystra Channeling OrbScore 2.6
Item level 21 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +3
Quest: Baron Marinous (Darkshore)
Expended Apothecary VialScore 1.8
Item level 25 · Intellect +3 · Spirit +3
Quest: Valuable Vantages (Hillsbrad Foothills)

Wand

Restored WandScore 89.4
Item level 1 · Damage per second 44.7
Greater Magic WandScore 37.0
Req. 13 · Damage per second 17.5 · Spell Power +2
Crafted: Enchanting
Torchlight WandScore 33.6
Item level 21 · Damage per second 15.8 · Spell Power +2
Quest: The Coastal Menace (Westfall)

Levels 21–40

Excavation Site 24–29 City of Dalaran 28–33 The Drowned City 35–40 Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45 Level 21–30 quest zones Level 31–40 quest zones

Head

Twilight Mine LightScore 15.4
Item level 45 · Spell Power +13 · Stamina +12
Quest: A Miner Problem (Riverglades)
Filigreed Shadow CircletScore 15.0
Req. 25 · Shadow Damage +14 · Stamina +12
Crafted: Tailoring
Blackwater CapScore 12.8
Item level 45 · Intellect +17 · Spell Power +6
Quest: The Bloodsail Buccaneers (Stranglethorn Vale)

Neck

Scorn's Icy ChokerScore 10.4
Req. 30 · Spell Power +7 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5
Amulet of ForgivenessScore 5.4
Item level 43 · Spell Damage +4 · Spirit +7
Quest: Forlorn Necklace (Shen'dralas)
Seal of the ExpeditionScore 5.0
Req. 38 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +11
Reputation required
Same stats: Darkspear Warding Pendant