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Shadow Priest

PvE Guide Patch 11.0.5
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DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Shadow Priest, along with additional details on important cooldowns at the bottom. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.0.5).

Single Target

Ensure Shadowform and Power Word Fortitude are active before the encounter begins.

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.

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.

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.