WoW Forever DB

World of Warcraft: Forever · class guide

Shadow Priest: Leveling

Client build 1.60.1.70425 · updated

Level as Shadow if you play alone: it is the fastest Priest spec, and 40–50% of your damage still comes from the wand.

How this works

In a duo with a tank, Holy or Discipline levels well enough: you heal, your partner tanks, and you add Holy Fire, Shadow Word: Pain and the wand. Smite does about half its Classic damage, so don't plan to Smite mobs down before you have spell power. The XP curve is Classic's (Blizzard), but 20 to 30 costs 331,800 XP, twice all of 1–20, and dungeon quests still pay about 2.2 times Classic's XP. The spells and ranks in each band come straight from the client's trainer data.

How Shadow fights is on its rotation page.

Level by level

Your race

Other bands: Classic routing on Forever zone levels

1–10Shield and Pain

Learn the buttons, get a wand

Smite and Lesser Heal from 1, Shadow Word: Pain at 4, Power Word: Shield at 6, Renew at 8, Mind Blast at 10. Get a wand as early as you can: Enchanting makes one from level 1 to 5. Your race's first Priest spell comes from a quest at 10.

Where
Human: Northshire Abbey, then Elwynn Forest (5–10). Robe quest Garments of the Light from Priestess Josetta in Goldshire.
Dwarf: Coldridge Valley, then Dun Morogh (4–12). Robe quest Garments of the Light from Maxan Anvol in Kharanos.
Gnome: Coldridge Valley (new Gnome Priest letter, Hallowed Memorandum), then Dun Morogh. Gnomes have no robe quest.
Night Elf: Shadowglen, then Teldrassil (5–11). Robe quest Garments of the Moon from Laurna Morninglight in Dolanaar.
Undead: Deathknell, then Tirisfal Glades (5–12). Robe quest Garments of Darkness from Dark Cleric Beryl in Brill.
Troll: Valley of Trials, then Durotar (5–10). Robe quest Garments of Spirituality from Tai'jin in Razor Hill.
New spells
Power Word: Fortitude 1 Lesser Heal 1 Smite 1 Shadow Word: Pain 4 Power Word: Shield 6 Renew 8 Fade 8 Confounding Flash 10 Starshards 10 Desperate Prayer 10 Divine Grace 10 Resurrection 10 Hex of Weakness 10 Mind Blast 10 Touch of Weakness 10
New ranks
Lesser Heal 2 4Smite 2 6Lesser Heal 3 10Shadow Word: Pain 2 10
Talents
Wand Specialization 2/2 10–11
Tips
  • Shield yourself before the pull, Shadow Word: Pain, then wand. From 4 to 9, open with Smite, then Shadow Word: Pain and Smite again.
  • DoTs tag a mob instantly in Forever, so open with Shadow Word: Pain when you compete for tags.
11–20Spirit Tap

Spirit Tap, then the level-20 toolkit

Talents start at 10: Wand Specialization, then Spirit Tap. Heal at 16, Dispel Magic at 18. Level 20 is the big one: Flash Heal, Holy Fire, Fear Ward, Devouring Plague, Shackle Undead and Mind Soothe, your second racial spell from a quest, and Mind Flay with your 11th Shadow point (22 if you took Wand Specialization).

Where
Human: Westfall (9–18) or Loch Modan (10–18); Redridge from about 15. Racial quest at 10 teaches Divine Grace (High Priestess Laurena, Stormwind Cathedral).
Dwarf: Loch Modan (10–18), then Westfall or Darkshore. Desperate Prayer at 10 and Chastise at 20 from High Priest Rohan, Ironforge.
Gnome: Loch Modan (10–18), then Westfall. Confounding Flash at 10 and Contingency Plan at 20 from High Priestess Mims, Ironforge (new quests).
Night Elf: Darkshore (11–19). Starshards at 10 (Returning Home) and Elune's Grace at 20 from Priestess Alathea, Darnassus.
Undead: Silverpine Forest (10–20). Touch of Weakness at 10 and Dark Sacrifice at 20 from Aelthalyste, Undercity.
Troll: The Barrens (10–25). Hex of Weakness at 10 and Shadowguard at 20 from Ur'kyo, Orgrimmar.
Dungeons

Alliance: Hall of Thanes 13–18 (new, under Ironforge; Deepblaze wand and Golemheart Stave) · Wailing Caverns 17–24 · Deadmines 17–26 (Staff of Westfall quest, Alliance)

Horde: Ruins of Lordaeron 15–20 (new, Undercity; Gnarled Necromancer's Staff quest) · Ragefire Chasm 13–18 · Wailing Caverns 17–24 · Deadmines 17–26 (Staff of Westfall quest, Alliance)

New spells
Inner Fire 12 Cure Disease 14 Psychic Scream 14 Heal 16 Dispel Magic 18 Contingency Plan 20 Elune's Grace 20 Feedback 20 Shackle Undead 20 Chastise 20 Fear Ward 20 Flash Heal 20 Holy Fire 20 Dark Sacrifice 20 Devouring Plague 20 Mind Soothe 20 Shadowguard 20
New ranks
Power Word: Fortitude 2 12Power Word: Shield 2 12Smite 3 14Renew 2 14Mind Blast 2 16Power Word: Shield 3 18Starshards 2 18Desperate Prayer 2 18Divine Grace 2 18Shadow Word: Pain 3 18Inner Fire 2 20Renew 3 20Fade 2 20Hex of Weakness 2 20Touch of Weakness 2 20
Talents
Wand Specialization 2/2 10–11 Spirit Tap 5/5 12–16 Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2 17–18 Shadow Focus 3/5 19–21
Tips
  • Spirit Tap only procs if you land the killing blow, so finish mobs with the wand yourself.
  • Psychic Scream at 14 fears only 2 enemies at rank 1.
21–30Beta cap

Vampiric Embrace, Penance and the beta cap

Binding Heal at 25 for Holy, Vampiric Embrace at 25–27 for Shadow, and at 30 Divine Spirit, Prayer of Healing, Mind Control, Shadow Protection and the 21-point talents: Penance, Spirit of Redemption or Silence.

Where
Human: Redridge (20–22) → Wetlands from Menethil (22–24) → Duskwood (24–28) → Ashenvale from Astranaar (28–30).
Dwarf: As Human: Redridge → Wetlands → Duskwood → Ashenvale.
Gnome: As Human: Redridge → Wetlands → Duskwood → Ashenvale.
Night Elf: Stonetalon Mountains (20–22) and Ashenvale (20–24) first, then the boat from Auberdine to Menethil for Wetlands and Duskwood.
Undead: The Barrens from Camp Taurajo (20–22) → Hillsbrad from Tarren Mill (22–24) → Ashenvale from Splintertree (24–27) → Thousand Needles (27–30).
Troll: As Undead: Barrens → Hillsbrad → Ashenvale → Thousand Needles.
Dungeons

Alliance: Shadowfang Keep · Blackfathom Deeps (Gravestone Scepter wand quest, both factions) · Stockade (Alliance) · Excavation Site: Wetlands 26–31 (new; Healer's Staff quest) · Razorfen Kraul · Gnomeregan · Razorfen Downs (25+) · Uldaman (30+)

Horde: Shadowfang Keep · Blackfathom Deeps (Gravestone Scepter wand quest, both factions) · Excavation Site: Wetlands 26–31 (new; Healer's Staff quest) · Razorfen Kraul · Gnomeregan · Razorfen Downs (25+) · Uldaman (30+)

New spells
Mind Vision 22 Mana Burn 24 Divine Spirit 30 Prayer of Healing 30 Mind Control 30 Shadow Protection 30
New ranks
Smite 4 22Resurrection 2 22Heal 2 22Mind Blast 3 22Power Word: Fortitude 3 24Power Word: Shield 4 24Holy Fire 2 24Starshards 3 26Renew 4 26Desperate Prayer 3 26Divine Grace 3 26Flash Heal 2 26Shadow Word: Pain 4 26Heal 3 28Mind Blast 4 28Psychic Scream 2 28Devouring Plague 2 28Shadowguard 2 28Power Word: Shield 5 30Inner Fire 3 30Contingency Plan 2 30Feedback 2 30Smite 5 30Chastise 2 30Holy Fire 3 30Fade 3 30Hex of Weakness 3 30Touch of Weakness 3 30Dark Sacrifice 2 30
Talents
Shadow Focus 3/5 19–21 Mind Flay 1/1 22 Improved Mind Flay 2/2 23–24 Improved Mind Blast 2/5 25–26 Vampiric Embrace 1/1 27 Improved Mind Blast 5/5 28–30
Tips
  • Respawns are raised in Hillsbrad, Ashenvale, Wetlands, Duskwood and Thousand Needles.
  • Players report that the Excavation Site's Healer's Staff quests (either faction) can't be finished: check before you farm it.
31–40Shadowform at 40–42

Thirties: Shadow Word: Death and Shadowform

Shadow Word: Death at 32, Abolish Disease at 32, Levitate at 34, then Greater Heal, Prayer of Mending (Holy) or Power Infusion (Discipline) at 40. Shadowform is the 31st Shadow point: level 40 with no points elsewhere, 42 if you took Wand Specialization. Dual specialization unlocks at 40.

Where
Arathi Highlands (30–40), Stranglethorn Vale (30–44), Desolace (30–39), Alterac (27–39), then Dustwallow Marsh, Badlands and Swamp of Sorrows (36–45). Riverglades (36–44) is a new contested zone (announced).
Dungeons
Scarlet Monastery wings · City of Dalaran 28–33 (new, later in the beta) · The Drowned City 35–40 (new) · Razorfen Downs · Uldaman
New spells
Abolish Disease 32 Shadow Word: Death 32 Levitate 34 Greater Heal 40 Lightwell 40 Lightwell Renew 40
New ranks
Mana Burn 2 32Renew 5 32Flash Heal 3 32Starshards 4 34Desperate Prayer 4 34Divine Grace 4 34Resurrection 3 34Heal 4 34Shadow Word: Pain 5 34Mind Blast 5 34Power Word: Fortitude 4 36Power Word: Shield 6 36Dispel Magic 2 36Holy Fire 4 36Devouring Plague 3 36Mind Soothe 2 36Shadowguard 3 36Smite 6 38Renew 6 38Flash Heal 4 38Inner Fire 4 40Contingency Plan 3 40Feedback 3 40Shackle Undead 2 40Mana Burn 3 40Divine Spirit 2 40Chastise 3 40Prayer of Healing 2 40Fade 4 40Hex of Weakness 4 40Mind Blast 6 40Touch of Weakness 4 40Dark Sacrifice 3 40Shadow Word: Death 2 40
Talents
Shadow Weaving 3/3 31–33 Devouring Contagion 1/2 34 Silence 1/1 35 Devouring Contagion 2/2 36 Darkness 5/5 37–41
Tips
  • From 40 a Shadow Priest has to cancel Shadowform to heal. Keep a macro for it (Shadow view).
41–50Shadowform levelling

Forties: half-cost Shadow spells

With Shadowform, Shadow spells cost half, so Mind Flay replaces the wand as filler. Prayer of Healing rank 2 at 40, Holy Nova and Renew ranks through the forties.

Where
Tanaris, Feralas, the Hinterlands, Searing Gorge, Swamp of Sorrows and Azshara.
Dungeons
Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45 (new) · Uldaman · Zul'Farrak · Maraudon · Alcaz Prison 48–53 (new)
New spells
Prayer of Fortitude 48
New ranks
Power Word: Shield 7 42Starshards 5 42Desperate Prayer 5 42Divine Grace 5 42Holy Fire 5 42Shadow Word: Pain 6 42Psychic Scream 3 42Shadow Protection 2 42Renew 7 44Flash Heal 5 44Devouring Plague 4 44Shadowguard 4 44Mind Vision 2 44Mind Control 2 44Smite 7 46Resurrection 4 46Greater Heal 2 46Mind Blast 7 46Power Word: Fortitude 5 48Power Word: Shield 8 48Mana Burn 4 48Holy Fire 6 48Shadow Word: Death 3 48Starshards 6 50Inner Fire 5 50Contingency Plan 4 50Feedback 4 50Divine Spirit 3 50Renew 8 50Desperate Prayer 6 50Divine Grace 6 50Chastise 4 50Flash Heal 6 50Prayer of Healing 3 50Lightwell 2 50Lightwell Renew 2 50Shadow Word: Pain 7 50Fade 5 50Hex of Weakness 5 50Touch of Weakness 5 50Dark Sacrifice 4 50
Talents
Darkness 5/5 37–41 Shadowform 1/1 42 Twin Disciplines 5/5 43–47 Mental Strength 3/5 48–50
51–60Prayers at 48–60

Fifties: group buffs and top ranks

Prayer of Fortitude from 48, Prayer of Shadow Protection at 56, Prayer of Spirit at 60, and the last ranks of everything at 56–60.

Where
Un'Goro Crater, Felwood, Burning Steppes, Western and Eastern Plaguelands, Winterspring and Silithus. Shackle Undead earns its keep in the Plaguelands.
Dungeons
Sunken Temple · Blackrock Depths · Dire Maul · Blackmaw Hold 55–60 (new) · Lower Blackrock Spire · Scholomance · Stratholme · Shaper's Terrace 58–60 (new)
New spells
Prayer of Shadow Protection 56 Prayer of Spirit 60
New ranks
Greater Heal 3 52Mind Blast 8 52Devouring Plague 5 52Mind Soothe 3 52Shadowguard 5 52Power Word: Shield 9 54Smite 8 54Holy Fire 7 54Mana Burn 5 56Renew 9 56Flash Heal 7 56Psychic Scream 4 56Shadow Protection 3 56Shadow Word: Death 4 56Starshards 7 58Desperate Prayer 7 58Divine Grace 7 58Resurrection 5 58Greater Heal 4 58Shadow Word: Pain 8 58Mind Blast 9 58Mind Control 3 58Power Word: Fortitude 6 60Power Word: Shield 10 60Inner Fire 6 60Contingency Plan 5 60Feedback 5 60Shackle Undead 3 60Divine Spirit 4 60Prayer of Fortitude 2 60Renew 10 60Chastise 5 60Holy Fire 8 60Prayer of Healing 4 60Prayer of Healing 5 60Greater Heal 5 60Lightwell 3 60Lightwell Renew 3 60Fade 6 60Hex of Weakness 6 60Touch of Weakness 6 60Dark Sacrifice 5 60Devouring Plague 6 60Shadowguard 6 60
Talents
Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3 51–53 Meditation 3/3 54–56 Early Demise 2/2 57–58 Shadow Focus 5/5 59–60

Talents above follow the Shadow leveling order. The 1–60 levelling order (13/3/35). Alternatively, take Twilight Focus and Shadow Reach before 30 instead of Shadow Focus and the last Improved Mind Blast points. With Wand Specialization, Shadowform comes at 42; skip it for Shadowform at 40. Or level Discipline to 39 and respec to Shadow at 40 instead. With the Talented legacy perk every step comes up to five levels sooner. Step through it in the talent trees.

Class quests and mounts

  • Level 5, robe quests: Garments of the Light (Human, Goldshire; Dwarf, Kharanos), Garments of the Moon (Night Elf, Dolanaar), Garments of Darkness (Undead, Brill), Garments of Spirituality (Troll, Razor Hill). Heal and Fortify a wounded guard for a robe. Gnomes have none. Classic
  • Level 10, racial spell: Human Divine Grace (new quest, High Priestess Laurena, Stormwind), Dwarf Desperate Prayer (High Priest Rohan, Ironforge), Gnome Confounding Flash (new, High Priestess Mims, Ironforge), Night Elf Starshards (Returning Home, Priestess Alathea, Darnassus), Troll Hex of Weakness (Ur'kyo, Orgrimmar), Undead Touch of Weakness (Aelthalyste, Undercity). All are talk-to quests. Live in beta
  • Level 20, second racial spell: Human Arcane Feedback, Dwarf Chastise (renamed from A Lack of Fear), Gnome Contingency Plan (new), Night Elf Elune's Grace, Troll Shadowguard, Undead Dark Sacrifice (renamed from the old Devouring Plague quest; its text still offers Devouring Plague). Live in beta
  • No mount quest: like every class, Priests get a mount when they train riding. Live in beta
  • Level 52, Sunken Temple: Blood of Morphaz offers a wand. Level 60: The Balance of Light and Shadow (Stratholme) gives the Splinter of Nordrassil, a step toward the Benediction staff. Both Classic chains, unchecked in Forever. Classic

Weapons on the way

  • Wands don't scale with spell damage, so a wand's own damage per second is all that counts. Wand Specialization 2/2 adds 25%. A wand needs you to stand still for 0.5 seconds before it shoots, so you can't wand while moving. Live in beta
  • 1–13, Enchanting: Novice's Practice Wand (new, from level 1), Lesser Magic Wand at 5, Greater Magic Wand (17.5 dps) at 13. Crafted common and uncommon wands sell for 1 copper, so make your own. Live in beta
  • 13–16: Deepblaze (18.5 dps) from Old Ironforge Incursion in the new Hall of Thanes (Alliance), and the Golemheart Stave (+18 spell power) from the same dungeon. Live in beta
  • 17–21: Sable Wand (16.9 dps, cut to uncommon in the level-30 build: no better than a Greater Magic Wand) from the Deadmines quest Underground Assault (Alliance); Wand of Decay from Beren's Peril in Silverpine (Horde); Staff of Westfall (+48 healing) from The Defias Brotherhood (Alliance); Gnarled Necromancer's Staff (+26 spell power) from Ruins of Lordaeron (Horde). Live in beta
  • 25–27: Gravestone Scepter (29 dps, +3 Spirit) from Blackfathom Villainy in Blackfathom Deeps, both factions, now 7,850 XP. The best quest wand before 30. Live in beta
  • 28–31: Witch's Finger (Baron Aquanis, Horde, BFD), Moonbeam Wand (Answered Questions, Alliance, Ashenvale), Consecrated Wand (Worgen in the Woods, 31). Level-30 best-in-slot wands: Thunderwood (Alliance) and Dancing Flame (Horde). Live in beta
  • 26–31, Excavation Site (new): Healer's Staff (+67 healing, +22 spell damage, 5 mana per 5 s) from Prehistoric Prism (Alliance) or Earthen Echo (Horde). Players report neither quest can be finished. Unconfirmed

How to level well

  • Wand everything that is already dying. 40–50% of your damage comes from the wand while levelling. Finish with the wand yourself so Spirit Tap procs. Stand still for half a second first.
  • Shield before the pull, then Shadow Word: Pain and Mind Blast. Power Word: Shield also stops pushback while you cast.
  • Don't downrank far: ranks far below your level get less from spell power and proc talents less often. Use your newest Renew and Heal unless a lower rank is close to your level.
  • Mana: Spirit Tap and Meditation both keep regeneration going while you cast. Drink between pulls rather than mid-fight.
  • XP extras: the Cozy Sleeping Bag (+3% for 2 hours), well-fed food with +5% kill XP, and the Well Rested and Talented legacy perks once you have legacy points.
  • Professions: Enchanting for early wands, Tailoring for Priest cloth (including Merchant's Favor recipes), or gathering for gold. Other crafting professions aren't worth much.
  • Respecs are cheap in the beta (from 1 silver to about 1 gold), so try Shadow and a healing spec; dual specialization arrives at 40.