PvE GuideShadow Priest
The War Within(Patch 11.0.5)
Rotation and Cooldowns
This rotation guide should help give a basic understanding of what to do, what's most important, and how to prioritize Shadow Priest abilities and cooldowns.
Single Target
Ensure Shadowform and Power Word Fortitude are active before the encounter begins.
- Maintain on target at all times.
- Maintain on target at all times.
- Use to refresh DoTs if available.
- Use on cooldown to generate Insanity.
- Use to enter Voidform and maximize damage.
- Spend Insanity to maintain damage.
- Use if Insanity allows and not capped.
- Use as filler when no other abilities are available.
Focus on maintaining Vampiric Touch and Shadow Word Pain while using Shadow Crash to refresh them. Use Mind Blast and Void Eruption to generate Insanity and maximize damage, spending Insanity on Devouring Plague and using Void Bolt as available.
AoE
Ensure Shadowform and Power Word Fortitude are active before the encounter begins.
- Apply to multiple targets as they are grouped.
- Apply to multiple targets as they are grouped.
- Use to apply DoTs to multiple targets.
- Use on cooldown to generate Insanity.
- Use to enter Voidform and maximize damage.
- Spread to multiple targets or funnel into priority target.
- Use if Insanity allows and not capped.
- Use as filler when no other abilities are available.
In AoE, maintain Vampiric Touch and Shadow Word Pain on multiple targets. Use Shadow Crash to apply DoTs, and prioritize Mind Blast and Void Eruption for Insanity generation. Spread Devouring Plague or funnel into priority targets as needed.
Cooldowns
Use cooldowns strategically during burst phases.
- Use to enter Voidform for a major damage boost.
- Use to increase damage of non-periodic spells.
- Use to boost Haste for yourself or an ally.
- Use for burst damage and Insanity generation.
- Use for sustained damage and Insanity generation.
- Use to generate Insanity and damage.
Prioritize Void Eruption and Dark Ascension during burst phases. Use Power Infusion to boost Haste, and Halo for additional damage. Maintain Void Torrent and Shadowfiend for Insanity generation.