Shadow Priest or Arcane Mage

[Winnithil-argent-dawn]

Hi everyone!

For a while now, I have been struggling trying to figure out if I should just stick to my Priest, or try to gear both a Priest and a Mage at the same time.

My main dilemma is that I currently play Pally and Priest, so adding a third character to my weekly and daily “chores”, is something I don’t wanna do unless it’s worth it.

The reason I am considering a Mage as well, is because I feel like Shadow Priest is a spec that gets schooled around as soon as a opponent player gets close to me.

Everywhere I look online, people say that SP is S tier in PvP (duels, WPvP, BGs). However to me, it feels like the SP playstyle is about standing still, and survive for long enough through healing until my opponent dies… Basically trying to outlive my enemy by applying DoTs and healing myself, until the DoTs kill them.

On the other hand when I play Arcane Mage (I don’t care about the meta, it’s my favorite Mage spec), I feel like winning takes careful manipulation of my opponent through CCs and utility. A Mage has close to no self healing, but controls the fight and toys with his opponent by not allowing them to get close and get a hit in.

Of course there is a big difference in their playstyles… They are different classes after all… And I am aware that Priest IS seen more as a “healer/utility” type role, even when playing Shadow.

I can tell I’m getting off topic, so basically what I’m asking is…

Is Shadow Priest supposed to feel like a, “Oh crap! I gotta keep my DoTs up and hope I stay alive for long enough until he dies” type of spec when I do duels, WPvP or 1v1 in BGs…

Or does SP just FEEL weaker than Mage, because it’s more in melee range of your opponents, giving it the illusion of being “less good in duels”? Or do I just need more practice with SP hehe?

Thanks!

[Triip-argent-dawn]

Depends what your focus is. If you want a ranged spec for bgs that is somewhat capable 1vX then moonkin is probably your best option. Both mage and spriest are too easy to lock down. If your main focus is 1v1 and 1v2 (and still want a ranged spec) then bm hunter might be better.

Considering the gear of your main char I wouldnt even attempt to gear more characters at 60 atm. You’re much better off just trying out specs in low lvl bgs. If you find something you enjoy and eventually hit 60 you can still queue with lower lvl friends and keep doing low bgs.

[Duzurîx-burning-blade (Duzurîx)]

@Winnithil-argent-dawn

A Mage has close to no self healing

Bruh.
They heal way more than hybrids trough shields.

[Winnithil-argent-dawn]

@Triip-argent-dawn

Depends what your focus is. If you want a ranged spec for bgs that is somewhat capable 1vX then moonkin is probably your best option. Both mage and spriest are too easy to lock down. If your main focus is 1v1 and 1v2 (and still want a ranged spec) then bm hunter might be better.

Thanks for the answer, but I wasn’t looking to hear about other classes hehe.

Let me just clarify, I’m not looking for “the perfect class this patch”. It’s only Priest and Mage I’m looking to get feedback on, even if there is another class that might be better suited.

@Triip-argent-dawn

Considering the gear of your main char I wouldnt even attempt to gear more characters at 60 atm.

I’m not making a short term decision for ONLY the current patch. This is a decision that I carry with me into the next many expansions. Even if it was a decision for just this patch, I wouldn’t let that stop me from enjoying playing a new class

@Triip-argent-dawn

You’re much better off just trying out specs in low lvl bgs. If you find something you enjoy and eventually hit 60 you can still queue with lower lvl friends and keep doing low bgs.

I just came back a week or so ago from taking a break from WoW since mid last patch, so ALL of my characters are at the same ilvl as this Pally I’m writing from.

That includes a Pally, Priest, Mage, Druid, Hunter, Shammy, DK, Warrior, and Monk. All lvl 60 and around ilvl 170 - 210.

Now I’m back again and I have decided to take things at my own pace, and find JUST 2 or 3 chars to focus on.

I have it narrowed down to Pally and Priest, and then maybe Mage. and that’s really all I’m interested in.

@Duzurîx-burning-blade

Bruh.
They heal way more than hybrids trough shields.

That didn’t answer anything I asked about hehe. And even so, I’m pretty sure Mage doesn’t heal through shields, their shields prevent dmg.

But that is completely irrelevant to what I’m asking about

[Brilho-frostmane]

@Winnithil-argent-dawn

I’m pretty sure Mage doesn’t heal through shields, their shields prevent dmg.

There was a controversy some years ago when Holinka said that blink was basically a heal. Preventing damage was the same as healing according to his logic.

[Winnithil-argent-dawn]

Haha love how some minor irrelevant thing I said, has taken over my topic. Guess I won’t get an answer.

I think I’ll just stick to Priest then. I don’t wanna gear a 3rd char if Shadow Priest apparently is “a strong dueling spec” atm. Even if I don’t see how it can be when melee stick to you like glue, compared to Mage that has amazing movement and CC abilities…

Maybe I’ll get an epiphany at some point and go “aaahhhh so THAT’S why people say it’s good in duels/1v1”

[Brodanyo-burning-legion (Brodanyo)]

@Winnithil-argent-dawn

The reason I am considering a Mage as well, is because I feel like Shadow Priest is a spec that gets schooled around as soon as a opponent player gets close to me.

I would argue about it. I also play SP mate and it actually feels the tankiest from all casters. It depends what covenant do you play. Overall SP is S tier spec imo. And the best or second best caster.

There are overall 3 viable covenants for SP:

-Venthyr - if you have caster friend to play 3s with (for example Warlock or Mage)
-Necrolords - if you have more meele friends
-Night Fae - it’s more niche pick but it’s good with Mage and Kyrian Boomy. You can reduce Combustion CD and with Boomy you just dot everything and win with passive damage.

For BGs all these covenants are viable and there isn’t much difference besides the fact that Necrolords doesn’t require you to cast that much while having overall higher damage. The other benefit of Necrolords is that you can make Haste/Versa legendary on boots and go deep Haste.

https://www.wowhead.com/talent-calc/priest/shadow/mStM/0/zAIV/zAIf/Zsv

This should be your talent build. You basically dot first person with Damnation and then you have instant Vampric touch for second. Then you use Surrender to Madness with PI on the guy followed with Psyfiend and Unholy Nova and then you just spam your instant damage. It’s ton of damage and you don’t really have to cast a lot.

Venthyr on the other hand needs you to land Mind Games so you have to cast more.

NF is more support version of SP and it’s rather arena version of SP.

Imo mate try Necro SP and you will love it.

[Eilein-argent-dawn (Eilein)]

To your topic question: Shadow priest. Arcane mage is a meme.

[Winnithil-argent-dawn]

Thanks! A lot of really good tips and information. I will try giving that a go then.