4.0.1 Shadow Rotation

[Deleted]

So, why VT, DP, SWP, Mind Flay, MB etc etc, instead of SWP, DP, VT, Mind Flay, MB etc etc?

Since SWP gives also 18% change for a Shadow Orb?

[robzgod]

So, why VT, DP, SWP, Mind Flay, MB etc etc, instead of SWP, DP, VT, Mind Flay, MB etc etc?

Since SWP gives also 18% change for a Shadow Orb?

I dont think the order of the dots matter after SWP first

SWP > VT > DP > fiend > MB > MFx3 > MB > VT > etc

[Thmsbkr3]

VT is one of the few DoTs that requires us to cast.

Typically my rotation is VT, SwP, DP, MB, Mind Flay til MB is back up, etc...

That's from what I understand a very typical rotation with DP/SwP being interchangeable. Again the reason VT is first is generally because you want all your DoTs on the target and VT requires a cast time. Otherwise it really doesn't matter as long as you're rolling DoTs

[Solfire]

Any order will work fine. In a fight that is 3-5 minutes long there are a million other things that can cause a more minute decrease/increase in damage other than how we start our priority. The only reason we've had a starting rotation in the past was due to shadow weaving and that's now gone. o.o

[robzgod]

I just tested VT vs SWP first and I was getting 1k more dps with VT first.

[harky]

I just tested VT vs SWP first and I was getting 1k more dps with VT first.

That sounds like a very strange test. How long was the test? If you're using a Dummy you should be DPSing for at least 3 minutes and the difference between VT, or SWP first should be minuscule, if there's a difference at all.

[jonish]

its fairly obvious you would cast the highest dps dot first and continue down the list from there.

Long term it is obviously no so relevant but theres no reason not to cast the dots by highest damage to lowest damage. Just make sure you have SWPain up before you mflay or mblast and your good.

[Evaangelina]

lead with vt (because you can lead with it before combat and it will land right as the tank makes contact)that saves cast time in combat.
Follow it with a shadow word pain. This is effectively like getting 2 free spells at the start of the fight
gcd wise then follow that with devouring plauge.

Then keep mind blast on cooldown and flay when not mindblasting.. never let your dots fall off. its pretty hard to screw it up... its retard proof now.

but leading with vt gives you the strongest opener because you dont have to waste the cast time while in combat. your precasting before combat so by the time combat starts you have 2 dots ticking pretty much straight away.

[TheWishman]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a Shadow rotation for dungeon leveling between levels 40-60. I just dual specced but I do not have VT yet. Just DoT up and Mind Flay or Mind Blast?

I know its probably 6 half dozen or the other but I would rather do it correct and get used to a rotation that is most efficient

[Zorbak]

So ya.. enjoy the shadow priest rotation you have had to endure for like ever now. im moving onto something that is not nerfed at the slightest sign of power.

And by that you mean Overpower.

[Aeriel]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a Shadow rotation for dungeon leveling between levels 40-60. I just dual specced but I do not have VT yet. Just DoT up and Mind Flay or Mind Blast?

I know its probably 6 half dozen or the other but I would rather do it correct and get used to a rotation that is most efficient

Always SW:P before MF because of the glyph. MB is your highest DPCT and should be cast on cooldown. So it's basically the same as the end-game except that you have to reapply SW:P.

[Deleted]

Do we not even cast swd at execute now? Such a shame they had to nerf it so far into oblivion that we dont use it at all again.

[Naxcis]

Oh how i'd love it if it actually benifited us to wait for the 3 stacks of shadow orbs before MindBlasting, sadly its not to be

[Solfire]

Do we not even cast swd at execute now? Such a shame they had to nerf it so far into oblivion that we dont use it at all again.

SW: D retains it's full strength once a mob is at 25%, use it as much as you can at that point.

[TheWishman]

Well I am just running my first dungeons as shadow, first off, most things die before i can apply DoT's anyway. Second, it seems like it is very mana intensive to DoT multiple mobs.

Should I just focus on one mob then SW:P, MF, and then MB and SW ? or should I be SW:P multiple enemies?

Sorry for the dumb questions, just want to make sure I get this spec down sooner rather than later.Thanks!

[jonish]

SW: D retains it's full strength once a mob is at 25%, use it as much as you can at that point.

no , it retains 75% of its pre-nerf damage

[Solfire]

Is this your first dungeons for shadow as 80? or a lower level? For me at 80 I just SW: P everything and run in circles....because I can, and it makes me giggle. I Don't take them that seriously since everything dies so quickly. >_> At lower levels when I was feeling competitive, I'd dot everything up and MF what I could and drink between every pull. (Kept lots of water on me) But really when things die so quickly, any damage is good damage. How you apply it doesn't really matter as long as the job gets done. (Raiding is of course a whole different barrel of fish)

When it comes to leveling and learning to deal damage, getting that muscle memory for your keybinds is what will really help you later on. Multi-doting is also great practice!

no , it retains 75% of its pre-nerf damage

I'll try to dig up the quote from GC that said the nerf was only to the pre execute phase. I swear I saw it the other night. Brb!

Edit:

Okay try this link: http://blue.mmo-champion.com/t/27187...f-oct-13-2010/

Shadow Priests – we lowered the damage of Shadow Word: Death, except when the target is at the 20% wounded state, at which point it will do full damage. We also fixed a bug where the energize from Masochism was causing too much threat. (This is just a clarification on the above note -- we have not nerfed it twice.)

Keep in mind the 20% was a typo on his part, and it has been shown by other's it is still at 25% it regains it's full strength. I believe Boubouille said, the changes he posted were in fact just the official releases of the previous hotfixes and not additional nerfs.

[TheWishman]

Is this your first dungeons for shadow as 80? or a lower level? For me at 80 I just SW: P everything and run in circles....because I can, and it makes me giggle. I Don't take them that seriously since everything dies so quickly. >_> At lower levels when I was feeling competitive, I'd dot everything up and MF what I could and drink between every pull. (Kept lots of water on me) But really when things die so quickly, any damage is good damage. How you apply it doesn't really matter as long as the job gets done. (Raiding is of course a whole different barrel of fish)

When it comes to leveling and learning to deal damage, getting that muscle memory for your keybinds is what will really help you later on. Multi-doting is also great practice!

These are my first at level 40, i just dual specced and wanted to try it out. After another run, the lack of aoe just has the pallys and druids destroying trash.

My single target damage does trump theirs when I apply both SW P and DP (against bosses is the only time i am topping the melees)

The rotation I have been doing has been SWP/DP/MB/MF MF and then SW D ...that is about as long as bosses are lasting nowadays

[DeltrusDisc]

I think one of the best reasons to start with VT is because it is a cast, whether on a boss fight or not, you can start casting it before the fight has really started, and save yourself.. oh say, about one GCD. Which could mean a bit more dps, sure it's a small amount but hey. Also, there is what someone already said about shadow weaving being gone, so it definitely does not matter so much anymore what you start with.

[Solfire]

These are my first at level 40, i just dual specced and wanted to try it out. After another run, the lack of aoe just has the pallys and druids destroying trash.

My single target damage does trump theirs when I apply both SW P and DP (against bosses is the only time i am topping the melees)

The rotation I have been doing has been SWP/DP/MB/MF MF and then SW D ...that is about as long as bosses are lasting nowadays

Sounds lovely! I'd say for multiple mobs just practice tab>SWP>tab>SWP>tab>SWP>DP>MB>MF. When leveling my Warlock I remember a few shadow priests out doing my one button rain of fire with that. Also, back in the day when Mind Sear was a heavy hitter I'd tab>VT>tab>VT>tab>VT a few mobs while the tank was pulling, before laying in on the AoE button. Once you get VT you should be able to do that as well while the tank pulls (agro allowing) since the first dots shouldn't tick until he gets initial agro. :3