Now I know pre-patch is probably more or less just around the corner, but I wanted to hear if anyone has some knowledge as to how you are supposed to exist in any form of pvp as Spriest currently, be that world pvp, bg’s or Epic bg’s.
To me at least it feels a lot like I have no means of escaping any melee(Unless of course there happens to be a cliff nearby that I can MC them down) even with Psychic horror, they get back on top of me in seconds, which then leads to more or less having to use every defensive CD back to back, in what seems to be a futile attempt at getting away.
Now alternatively you could, but i can’t recommend it, try to face tank whatever is going against you. It is then that you will quickly realize that if you try to cast anything there is a high likely hood that its going either interrupted or pseudo interrupted, at which point you will notice that the only spells you have that aren’t in the shadow school is PW:S, LoF and Mass Dispel, probably some other ones as well, but the point is when silenced you have no offensive capabilities, heck you can’t even use your own defensives if you are interrupted(With the exception of Dispersion I believe).
Now pair all this with our virtually nonexistent mobility(you can of course talent into Body and Soul, but baseline there is nothing), what exactly are we supposed to do ? at least positively we have the potential for good damage I think, we just sorta lack the means to do it.
TL:DR I feel like a target dummy labeled with quick easy kill, what do ?
Current Shadow Priest feels like a PvE spec, and is a struggle in WPvP, duels (1v1) and arena. You can use it in BGs, but only if other teammates are there to “help you get Void Form up”.
The current way we use Void Form by getting ‘insanity’ resources and then maintaining it, is just not good in PvP. And the enemy can EASILY shut us down when we FINALLY get Void Form. It is predictable and frustrating in PvP.
Why is this an issue? Because most of current Shadow dmg is done in Void Form.
I personally enjoy Shadow in BGs, but mostly because I like the “assist” mindset you need to have in this spec.
At least that is my current experience with Shadow and what most people I speak to agree with me on.
It’s just “one of those specs” that you will struggle with, but you also can “make work” through practice.
The new Shadow Priest in Shadowlands seems to address these issues though. Our dmg is getting spread out to our “non-void form” spells, and we now get FULL control over WHEN we burst with Void Form because it is a CD instead.
I was SO sure that I would play Mage as my new main, but when I tried these changes out on the PTR I immediately decided on Priest.
My best advice as BFA Shadow Priest is to rotate your CC to get Void form up (psyfiend PvP talent I like for kiting), and then overwhelm your opponent. I usually win if I manage to get into Void Form. Same thing goes with your defensives, rotate through them. And use Mind Control to buy time for CDs to be up again.
What about in regards to interrupts, as far as I am aware the only casted spell we have that isn’t in the Shadow School is Mass Dispel, which to the somewhat aware will be very obvious if you try to fake cast it, not that I am particularly good at fake casting anyways.
Fake casting is a skill that should be practiced in PvP, in the same sense as new players need to learn how to interrupt.
That being said you are right, we mostly have Shadow spells. So if we get interrupted we loose most of our spells.
There are 2 spells I usually keep in mind when talking about “getting interrupted”. Mass Dispel and Mind Control, since these are both Magic type.
You mentioned using Mass Dispel to provoke a failed interrupt from your opponent, but I think Mind Control is better (in most cases).
It appears less obvious in terms of “fake casting”, since it is a spell that we actually use as part of our combat rotation from time to time. And I often even don’t “fake cast” it, and just let it fully cast since it buys me time for CDs to get back up.
So it is a win/win.
If he interrupts
I just made him spend his interrupt, and all my dmg spells remains usable.
If he doesn’t interrupt
He gets hit and I buy time to get CDs back. I can also create distance between us by running him away. As a bonus, if he is an idiot he will waste his Gladiator’s Medallion to get out of it.
Dunno how others handle getting interrupted as Shadow Priest, but this is how I go about it.
Youre aware that getting kicked on mind control lock you on shadow school right? You cannot use anything.
Btw op. Dispersion aswell as Fade are on shadow school too. Just practice fakecasting. Its anoying af but you will get laughed at on forums when you ask about it by these melee super-human players that doesnt know what is it like to be locked down 24/7 since disarm is almost remowed from the game.
Take for example warrior…reflect pummel stormbolt intimidating shout. All except fear low cd…rotate them properly and you wont play the game…
My tactic is just focusing on positioning. Use your teammates as meatshield. Dont push withiut healer. Youre support cc/rot damage bot…not a 1v1 class. Ofc you can kill nubs and low geared guys…but it needs gear and practice.
Even with the new Shadow Priest in Shadowlands the question remains:
What options do you have to outplay an oponent? The damage might be better and most importantly when you want it but you still have no speed, one fear and one stun. And as far as I can see that’s it.
The reason I’m asking is I’m on the fence between mage and priest. I don’t mind healing every now and then but would definitely also play shadow. As a mage you do have control in various ways and also damage. For me the question arises if a mage (and warlock for that matter) can’t do all a Shadow can does but better?
Mage and Warlock are they way to go if you wanna top the dmg meters in PvP yes. They also have better CC and arguable better utilities (for dmg).
But that said, Shadow Priest does have more than just those CC abilities.
SP has… Psychic Horror (stun) Psychic Scream (fear) Psyfiend (slow) Mind Flay (slow) Mind Control (dunno… stun?) Fade (reduces opponent attack range in Shadowlands)
You would only pick Priest in my opinion if you wanna “assist the team”, or you love playing healer from time to time. That’s why Priest has dispels, buffs, heals… If you are just looking to play offensively and deal max dmg, then Mage or Lock is better.
I like to be just that bit better at being ‘dps’ in PvP situations. Plus the way you describe it mage appears to be the better duelist and ‘world pvp’ char.
On the other hand I have tanked for years and like to have 2 different roles. So as to strengthen my earlier post; I like to heal in dungeons (rather then ‘I don’t mind’).
Their damage is actually really formidable in Shadowlands. You’ll still have the problem of not being able to shake melee off you, but with the increased healing and damage, they’re probably going to run to the nearest obstacle to hide behind.
If you enjoy SP now, chances are you’ll love it more next expac.
Oh yeah forgot about the much improved self healing in Shadowlands. Fair to say that with the new changes we get the playstyle that Shadow Priest were meant to have all along.
Sure, we won’t top the Mage or Lock in utility or their spam able CCs, but we have other tools instead they don’t have.
Can’t wait to be placing dots on them that leeches their health, and with our new “outside void form dmg”, I could imagine us being the type of class people run from. Like when a Pally pulls out their wings.
The Warlock “Entrenched in Flame” PvP talent is being removed so Warlocks won’t be able to root those pesky melee from distance while they go to town on them anymore.
Mages are also losing Temporal Shield and while it is being replaced with Alter Time (higher skillcap), I don’t think it’s doing to be utilized well by the majority of players.
Just mentioning these because these two casters are arguably slightly worse off because of it (debatably) and as Mawlight mentioned above we have a lot of CC options including a no-CD castable interrupt/stun in Mind Control.
We’re also getting a “Rallying Cry” + instaheal back in Desperate Prayer, which increases max health for 25% and heals for that amount, which can also be improved by a conduit.
Devouring Plague also hits like a truck and heals you for the damage dealt, as well as it now working like ignite does for Mages, meaning that if you re-apply Devouring Plague when it’s already on your target the remaining damage will be added to the new ones tick damage making for a very very large DoT.
In my opinion, as it stands, we’re looking very good.
Power Word: Shield is not a Shadow spell so can be used when locked out of Shadow school.
I would pick up Greater Fade as a PvP talent alongside picking the Intangibilty talent instead of Body and Soul. Greater Fade causes most abilities and spells to miss you as well as giving you a speed increase so you can get away. You can also use it in a pinch to heal yourself as healing spells don’t break the effect.
Another tip: if you’re playing random Bg’s and you’re being trained, pull one of your team mates in range with Leap of Faith. They’ll most often switch targets and help you if they’re not a complete potato.
Made up my mind. Priest it is. I’ll see what happens. I like healing to much (never done it thats why) and like the idea behind shadow and it’s play style. No hardcore player anyway, so might as well have fun.
I am already running with Greater Fade and Intangibility, but it is an interesting tip about the Lifegrip trick, and very devious as well like a “Hello friend why don’t you give your life for my cause”. That said you still end up running out of options quick with Greater Fade and Intangibility, at least I feel so
