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The intention of this thread is to continue discussion and theory originated here: http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...ng-trees/page2
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THE SMIEST AND YOU
With the onset of Cataclysm, a new breed of DPS may arise: the Smiest. That's right, the Smite-Priest might be a viable option for Priests once again.
Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to the Smiest. Consider the Smiest a holy-based Mage with about the same utility but with a little less DPS and a lot more efficiency. Only time will tell whether or not the Smiest will be a more prominent DPS option for Priests in Cataclysm, but for now this thread will only discuss the ramifications of the tremendous leveling capabilities of the build.
The Glyphs
Major
- Glyph of Smite
- Glyph of Power Word: Shield
- Glyph of Holy Nova
Minor
- Glyph of Fading
- Glyph of Shadowfiend
- Glyph of Fortitude
The Talent Build By Level
Talent Points and Specialization
- Level 80: (36/32/03)
- Level 81: (37/32/03)
- Level 82: (38/32/03)
- Level 83: (39/32/03)
- Level 84: (40/32/03)
- Level 85: (44/32/00)
LEVEL 80 (36/32/03)
Tier 1: (D) Unbreakable Will 1/5, (D) Twin Disciplines 5/5, (H) Holy Focus 2/2, (H) Searing Light 3/3, (H) Divine Fury 5/5, (S) Spirit Tap 3/3.
Tier 2: (D) Penitence 3/3, (D) Improved Inner Fire 3/3, (H) Divine Accuracy 2/2, (H) Spell Warding 3/5.
Tier 3: (D) Inner Focus 1/1, (D) Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3, (H) Improved Renew 3/3, (H) Inspiration 3/3.
Tier 4: (D) Evangelism 2/2, (D) Mental Agility 3/3, (H) Blessed Recovery 3/3.
Tier 5: (D) Archangel 1/1, (D) Enlightenment 3/3, (D) Power Word: Barrier 1/1, (H) Holy Reach 2/2, (H) Spirit of Redemption 1/1.
Tier 6: (D) Reflective Shield 2/2, (D) Soul Warding 3/3, (H) Surge of Light 2/2.
Tier 7: (D) Divine Aegis 3/3, (D) Power Infusion 1/1, (H) Improved Holy Nova 2/2.
Tier 8: (D) Aspiration 1/2.
LEVEL 81 (37/32/03)
Tier 8: (D) Aspiration 2/2.
LEVEL 82 (38/32/03)
Tier 1: (D) Unbreakable Will 2/5 or whatever suits you.
LEVEL 83 (39/32/03)
Tier 1: (D) Unbreakable Will 3/5 or whatever suits you.
LEVEL 84 (40/32/03)
Tier 1: (D) Unbreakable Will 4/5 or whatever suits you.
LEVEL 85 (44/32/00)
Tier 1: (D) Unbreakable Will 5/5, (S) Spirit Tap -3/3.
Tier 2: (D) Martyrdom 2/2.
Tier 9: (D) Pain Suppression 1/1.
Leveling and Spell Usage
For the most part, a Smiest will either pull a large group of mobs, or will be killing them individually while leveling to 85. Regardless of mob composition, a good Smiest will always have Fear Ward, Power Word: Fortitude, Inner Fire, Shadow Protection, a food buff, a flask buff, and any quest or appropriate zone or group buffs that are available at all times without exception.
A good Smiest also never forgets that they can cast Dispel Magic and Cure Disease to remove unwanted debuffs.
Large Mob Pulls
A Smiest might want to level or do a quest easier by mounting, rounding up a group of the same mob, and then burn them down. This is a practical option for green or yellow mobs, but not advised with higher level mobs. To start the pull the Smiest should put up an active set of defensive buffs known as the "Triage", these spells are: Renew, Prayer of Mending, and Power Word: Shield. The Smiest then mounts and paths around to gather up the desired amount of mobs (usually 4-8), then dismounts, remains in one place and casts Holy Nova repeatedly until the mobs are dead. Depending on the health of the mobs, the Smiest might need to reapply the Triage. Note that pulling large groups of mobs is extremely mana-intensive, can get you killed easier, and requires more down-time between pulls and might slow your questing down depending on the situation.
Individual Pulls
What makes the Smiest so attractive is its superior efficiency when it comes to killing individual mobs. A Smiest starts out by casting his Triage, then chooses a target, casts Power Infusion, Inner Focus, Holy Fire, Smite, Smite, Smite, Smite...until the mob is dead. The Smiest will have less down time, be granted active buffs while in combat and between pulls that will increase haste, spell power, critical strike chance, damage absorption amount, and mana regeneration.
At level 85, your Smiest will be almost unstoppable every 3 minutes with 45% damage absorption reflection, -40% damage taken, +65% dispel resistance, -30% chance to be stunned, feared or silenced, -20% interrupt duration, -8% spell damage taken, a critical hit taken will grant a heal for 6 seconds, a spell critical on an enemy will grant a chance to cast a free non-critable Smite or Holy Nova, a critical heal on the Smiest will also grant an additional -10% physical damage buff as well as a divine aegis bubble to absorb more damage.
Reference
Cataclysm Priest Thread
---------- Post added 2010-07-02 at 04:25 AM ----------
* Reserved for Future Use *
---------- Post added 2010-07-02 at 04:26 AM ----------
* Reserved for Future Use *