World of Warcraft: Forever · class guide

Shadow Priest: Talents

Client build 1.60.1.70425 · updated 2026-10-16

Every Shadow build and leveling order, on all three Priest trees from the Forever beta client (build 1.60.1.70425). Pick a build and move the level slider to see where its points are at that level.

You get one talent point per level from 10. A tier opens after 5 points in the tiers above it in the same tree, and a talent joined by a line to one above it needs that one maxed first.

Build Your level60 Talented perk (+5 points)

51 points spent

Shown: Shadow leveling order at level 60.

Discipline 16

0/5
Power in LightRank 0/5
Discipline talent, tier 1, level 10+
New New. Smite and Penance do 10% more to a target burning with your Holy Fire.
2/2
Wand SpecializationRank 2/2
Discipline talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Only 2 ranks now (Classic 5), for the same 25%. Wands don't scale with spell damage since 24 Sep, so this is the cheap way to raise your wand.
5/5
Twin DisciplinesRank 5/5
Discipline talent, tier 1, level 10+
New New. +5% damage and healing for instant spells such as Shadow Word: Pain, Renew, Power Word: Shield, Holy Nova and Devouring Plague.
0/3
Silent ResolveRank 0/3
Requires 5 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed Now also shortens stuns, fears and silences on you by 15%.
0/3
Holy PrecisionRank 0/3
Requires 5 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 2, level 15+
New New. +18% hit with Holy spells: Smite Discipline needs no hit gear.
3/5
Mental StrengthRank 3/5
Requires 5 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed +2/4/6/8/10% Intellect (Classic: +10% maximum mana), moved to row 2.
0/2
MartyrdomRank 0/2
Requires 5 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed
0/3
Mental AgilityRank 0/3
Requires 10 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Only 3 ranks now (Classic: 5), moved from tier 4 to tier 3. At 3/3 it cuts the Mana cost of Smite, Holy Fire and instant cast spells by 10%. Most builds take 1 rank.
0/1
Inner FocusRank 0/1
Instant3 min cooldown
Requires 10 points in Discipline Talents
When activated, reduces the Mana cost of your next spell by 100% and increases its critical effect chance by 25% if it is a non-periodic spell and capable of a critical effect.
Discipline talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Its crit bonus skips periodic effects.
3/3
Improved Power Word: ShieldRank 3/3
Requires 10 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed The tooltip was reworded; the effect is as in Classic. Power Word: Shield absorbs 20% more at 3/3. Both Discipline builds, Holy (60) and the levelling order take it.
3/3
MeditationRank 3/3
Requires 10 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed 50% of mana regeneration continues while casting at 3/3 (Classic 15%). The core mana talent for every healer.
0/3
Improved Inner FireRank 0/3
Requires 15 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed
0/2
Improved Mana BurnRank 0/2
Requires 15 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed
0/1
Soul WardingRank 0/1
Requires 15 points in Discipline Talents
Requires 3 points in Improved Power Word: Shield
Reduces the cooldown on your Power Word: Shield spell by 4 sec and reduces its mana cost by 15%.
Discipline talent, tier 4, level 25+
New New 16-point milestone (25): Power Word: Shield loses its 4 s cooldown and costs 15% less.
0/1
PenanceRank 0/1
385 Mana36 yd range
Channeled12 sec cooldown
Requires 20 points in Discipline Talents
Launches a volley of holy light at the target, causing 92 Holy damage to an enemy, or 425 healing to an ally, instantly and every 1 sec for 2 sec.
Discipline talent, tier 5, level 30+
New New in Forever. A volley of holy light dealing 45 Holy damage to an enemy or 134 healing to an ally, instantly and every 1 sec for 2 sec (150 mana). Both Discipline builds and Smite (30) take it.
0/5
Renewed HopeRank 0/5
Requires 20 points in Discipline Talents
Requires 1 point in Soul Warding
Discipline talent, tier 5, level 30+
New New. Direct heals and Penance on a Weakened Soul target gain crit and shorten Weakened Soul by 5 s, so you shield again sooner.
0/3
Divine AegisRank 0/3
Requires 25 points in Discipline Talents
Discipline talent, tier 6, level 35+
New New. Crit heals leave a shield worth 15% of the heal; Blizzard: it doesn't stack.
0/1
Power InfusionRank 0/1
20% of base mana30 yd range
Instant3 min cooldown
Requires 30 points in Discipline Talents
Requires 1 point in Penance
Infuses the target with power, increasing their spell damage and healing done by 20% for 15 sec.
Discipline talent, tier 7, level 40+
Changed Now requires Penance (Classic: Mental Strength).

Holy 0

0/3
Twilight FocusRank 0/3
Holy talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Renamed Healing Focus: 70% pushback protection for every spell, Shadow included.
0/3
Improved RenewRank 0/3
Holy talent, tier 1, level 10+
0/5
Holy SpecializationRank 0/5
Holy talent, tier 1, level 10+
0/5
Spell WardingRank 0/5
Requires 5 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 2, level 15+
0/5
Divine FuryRank 0/5
Requires 5 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 2, level 15+
0/1
Holy NovaRank 0/1
750 Mana
Instant
Requires 10 points in Holy Talents
Causes an explosion of holy light around the caster, causing 174 to 200 Holy damage to all enemy targets within 10 yards and healing all party members within 10 yards for 288 to 334. These effects cause no threat.

Each time Holy Fire deals damage, you have a 5% chance for your next Holy Nova to cost no Mana.
Holy talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed The tooltip was reworded; the effect is as in Classic. An explosion dealing 26 to 30 Holy damage to enemies and healing party members for 50 to 57 within 10 yards, with no threat. Holy (30) takes it.
0/3
Blessed RecoveryRank 0/3
Requires 10 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Also triggers from any hit over 30% of your health.
0/3
InspirationRank 0/3
Requires 10 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Now from every non-periodic crit heal.
0/2
Holy ReachRank 0/2
Requires 15 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 4, level 25+
0/3
Improved HealingRank 0/3
Requires 15 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed The tooltip was reworded and now lists Penance and Prayer of Mending. At 3/3 it cuts the Mana cost of Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal, Penance and Prayer of Mending by 15%. Disc (60), Holy (30) and Holy (60) take it.
0/2
Searing LightRank 0/2
Requires 15 points in Holy Talents
Requires 5 points in Divine Fury
Holy talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed Redesigned: +5% Holy damage, and Holy Fire ticks can make Holy Nova free.
0/1
Binding HealRank 0/1
380 Mana40 yd range
1.5 sec cast
Requires 15 points in Holy Talents
Heal yourself and a friendly target for 774 to 910. This causes low threat.
Holy talent, tier 4, level 25+
New New 16-point milestone (25).
0/2
Litany of LightRank 0/2
Requires 20 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 5, level 30+
New New. Alternate heal spells (Flash Heal, Renew, Heal…) and each switch refunds 10% of the base cost.
0/1
Spirit of RedemptionRank 0/1
Requires 20 points in Holy Talents
Upon death, the priest becomes the Spirit of Redemption for 15 sec. The Spirit of Redemption cannot move, attack, be attacked or targeted by any spells or effects. While in this form the priest can cast any healing spell free of cost. When the effect ends, the priest dies.
Holy talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed 21-point milestone (30): 15 s of free healing after death (Classic 10 s). Required for Prayer of Mending.
0/5
Spiritual GuidanceRank 0/5
Requires 20 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed Spirit adds up to 25% to healing but only 8% to spell damage now.
0/3
Spiritual HealingRank 0/3
Requires 25 points in Holy Talents
Holy talent, tier 6, level 35+
Changed Only 3 ranks now (Classic: 5). At 3/3 it adds 10% to your healing. Holy (60) takes all three ranks.
0/1
Prayer of MendingRank 0/1
390 Mana40 yd range
Instant10 sec cooldown
Requires 30 points in Holy Talents
Requires 1 point in Spirit of Redemption
Places a spell on the target that heals them for 413 the next time they take damage or receive non-periodic healing. When the heal occurs, Prayer of Mending jumps to a party or raid member within 20 yds. Jumps up to 5 times and lasts 30 sec after each jump. This spell can only be placed on one target at a time per caster.
Holy talent, tier 7, level 40+
New New in Forever. It heals the target for 172 the next time they take damage or get non-periodic healing, then jumps to a party or raid member within 20 yards, up to 5 jumps. Holy (60) takes it.

Shadow Magic 35

5/5
Shadow FocusRank 5/5
Shadow Magic talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Moved to the first row: +5% Shadow hit.
0/5
BlackoutRank 0/5
Shadow Magic talent, tier 1, level 10+
Moved
5/5
Spirit TapRank 5/5
Shadow Magic talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed A 100% chance at 5/5 (Classic 20% per rank): +100% Spirit for 15 s after a kill, and 50% of your regeneration keeps going while you cast. Vampiric Embrace kills trigger it too.
5/5
Improved Mind BlastRank 5/5
Requires 5 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 2, level 15+
Moved Moved from column 2 to column 1. At 5/5 it shortens Mind Blast's cooldown by 2.5 sec. Shadow (60) takes all five ranks; Shadow (30) and the levelling order take less.
2/2
Improved Shadow Word: PainRank 2/2
Requires 5 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 2, level 15+
Moved Moved from column 2 to column 3. At 2/2 it adds 6 sec to Shadow Word: Pain. Both Shadow builds and the levelling order take it.
0/2
Shadow ReachRank 0/2
Requires 5 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed 2 ranks (Classic 3), moved up to the second row.
0/2
Improved Psychic ScreamRank 0/2
Requires 10 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Requires 5 points in Blackout
Shadow Magic talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Now requires Blackout.
1/1
Mind FlayRank 1/1
205 Mana20 yd range
Channeled
Requires 10 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Assault the target's mind with Shadow energy, causing 390 Shadow damage over 3 sec and slowing their movement speed by 50%.
Shadow Magic talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed The tooltip was reworded; the effect is as in Classic. 63 Shadow damage over 3 sec and a 50% slow. Both Shadow builds and the levelling order take it.
2/2
Improved Mind FlayRank 2/2
Requires 10 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Requires 1 point in Mind Flay
Shadow Magic talent, tier 3, level 20+
New New. Each tick of Mind Flay deals 10/20% more damage than the tick before it (whether the earlier +10 yards range and the slow cut to 20% remain is unconfirmed).
0/5
Dark InspirationRank 0/5
Requires 15 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 4, level 25+
New New (row 4, replaces Shadow Affinity): Mind Blast and a fully channelled Mind Flay raise your and your party's Spirit by 3/6/9/12/15% for 10 seconds. Shadow (60) takes 1 of its 5 ranks.
1/1
Vampiric EmbraceRank 1/1
40 Mana30 yd range
Instant30 sec cooldown
Requires 15 points in Shadow Magic Talents
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 Magic talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed 16-point milestone (25). Improved Vampiric Embrace was folded in and removed.
3/3
Shadow WeavingRank 3/3
Requires 15 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed Personal now: +2% Shadow damage per stack, 5 stacks, only for you (Classic: +3% per stack on the target for every caster). Can't fail to apply.
1/1
SilenceRank 1/1
225 Mana20 yd range
Instant45 sec cooldown
Requires 20 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Silences the target, preventing them from casting spells for 5 sec and interrupting their spellcasts for 3 sec.
Shadow Magic talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed 21-point milestone (30); no longer needs Improved Psychic Scream.
2/2
Devouring ContagionRank 2/2
Requires 20 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 5, level 30+
New New. Devouring Plague costs half and jumps to a nearby enemy when its target dies.
2/2
Early DemiseRank 2/2
Requires 25 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 6, level 35+
New New. +30% Shadow Word: Death crit at or below 20% health.
5/5
DarknessRank 5/5
Requires 25 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Shadow Magic talent, tier 6, level 35+
Changed The tooltip was reworded; the effect is as in Classic. +10% Shadow damage at 5/5. Shadow (60) and the levelling order take all five ranks.
1/1
ShadowformRank 1/1
40% of base mana
Instant1.5 sec cooldown
Requires 30 points in Shadow Magic Talents
Requires 1 point in Vampiric Embrace
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 talent, tier 7, level 40+
Changed 31-point milestone (40).

Shadow builds and leveling order

Shadow leveling order 16/0/35

Discipline: Wand Specialization 2, Twin Disciplines 5, Mental Strength 3, Improved Power Word: Shield 3, Meditation 3

Shadow Magic: Shadow Focus 5, Spirit Tap 5, Improved Mind Blast 5, Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2, Mind Flay 1, Improved Mind Flay 2, Vampiric Embrace 1, Shadow Weaving 3, Silence 1, Devouring Contagion 2, Early Demise 2, Darkness 5, Shadowform 1

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.

Shadow, level 30 2/3/16 Tested in beta

Discipline: Wand Specialization 2

Holy: Twilight Focus 3

Shadow Magic: Shadow Focus 1, Spirit Tap 5, Improved Mind Blast 2, Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2, Shadow Reach 2, Mind Flay 1, Improved Mind Flay 2, Vampiric Embrace 1

The "Deep Shadow" levelling build (level 30): Wand Specialization, Twilight Focus for pushback, Spirit Tap, Mind Flay and Vampiric Embrace at 30. Alternatively, go 0/0/21 with Shadow Focus 5, Improved Mind Blast and Shadow Weaving instead, but no Spirit Tap or Vampiric Embrace. Order: Wand Specialization, Spirit Tap and Twilight Focus first, then the Shadow talents in the levelling order's sequence.

Shadow, level 60 (projected) 18/0/33 Guide's pick, untested

Discipline: Wand Specialization 2, Twin Disciplines 5, Silent Resolve 3, Mental Strength 3, Mental Agility 1, Inner Focus 1, Meditation 3

Shadow Magic: Shadow Focus 5, Improved Mind Blast 5, Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2, Shadow Reach 2, Mind Flay 1, Improved Mind Flay 2, Dark Inspiration 1, Vampiric Embrace 1, Shadow Weaving 3, Silence 1, Devouring Contagion 2, Early Demise 2, Darkness 5, Shadowform 1

The "Standard" 18/0/33 build: deep Shadow to Shadowform with Early Demise and Silence, and Meditation and Inner Focus from Discipline. Beta theorycraft: nobody can test above 30. Order: derived from the Shadow levelling order, dropping Spirit Tap (not in this build): Shadow first to Shadowform, then the Discipline mana talents.

How the trees work

Tier 1: 0 points in the tree, level 10
Tier 2: 5 points in the tree, level 15
Tier 3: 10 points in the tree, level 20
Tier 4: 15 points in the tree, level 25
Tier 5: 20 points in the tree, level 30
Tier 6: 25 points in the tree, level 35
Tier 7: 30 points in the tree, level 40