Spiritual Guidance: Shadow priest Pandaren and the new MoP talent tree
by Fox Van Allen 
Oct 26th 2011 at 8:00PM
Cataclysm was a great expansion to play a shadow priest in, but if what we learned at BlizzCon 2011 is any clue, playing a shadow priest in Mists of Pandaria is going to be a whole lot better.
I know those are big words, but when we start delving into the new-for-MoP talent trees, I feel these new talents will back those words up. We're getting a new playmate for our Shadowfiend, a whole new talent tree with spectacular new abilities, and a new, RNG-free mechanism for Shadow Orbs and Mind Blast. And, oh yeah: Pandaren can be shadow priests.
Excited? You should be.
A whole new talent system
One of the biggest bombshells of BlizzCon 2011 -- aside from all that Pokemon panda business, of course -- was the fact that talent trees are undergoing their second overhaul in so many expansions. For those of you who may have missed the announcement, here are the key bullet points:
- We're only making six talent choices on the way to level 90, one per 15 levels. Each choice will be between three options. Once you choose one of the three, you can't go back and choose between the two others.
- These talents will be handled similar to the way glyphs are now. You won't have to visit a trainer to change them. You'll simply need some readily available reagent.
- There's now only one priest talent tree, though we all still choose a specialization at level 10.
- All "boring" talents have been removed. Say goodbye to Darkness and Improved Devouring Plague. Spells like Vampiric Touch and Silence are being removed from the talent tree, too; as a shadow priest, you should be given these spells as you level up automatically.
- All talent trees have been merged. This means that disc priests can choose a souped-up version of Vampiric Embrace; shadow priests can choose Power Infusion.
Level 15: Crowd control
The first choice priests of all stripes will have to make is at level 15, and all three choices are shadow-themed options for crowd control.
Already, you can see the new Blizzard philosophy of tough choices at work. All three have their own pros and cons, and overall, it's hard to single one out as the best. Obviously, Void Tendrils has a vastly different use being a snare (instead of a fear); Psyfiend is more powerful than Psychic Scream, but the former has a longer cooldown.
I think I'm going to have to take the Psyfiend. He'll look so cute munching on Tyler's skull.
Level 30: Mobility
If the first set of talent choices is about limiting your foes' movement, the second set of priest talent choices is all about boosting our own mobility.
Level 45: Your first DPS choice
At level 45, you'll finally have a choice between three damage-dealing talents -- well ... two damage-dealing talents and a bizarre new healing/damage hybrid.
I really don't like this tier, but that's just because I don't think I'll ever be able to choose anything but Dark Archangel. After all, the "shadow priest with dark wings" look feels just so iconic now that I can't bring myself to do without.
Level 60: Self-healing/shielding
Again, those of you who cheat on the shadows with the discipline and holy trees will recognize some familiar talents:
Another one of those hard choices? You bet. Power Word: Shielding yourself is incredibly useful tactic in heroics and raids alike, and an extra 30% worth of damage absorption is no small benefit. Then again, if you've got disc priests in your raid already, Final Prayer might be a better choice.
Level 75: More powerful talents cometh ...
In case you haven't noticed the general trend, these talents get more and more desirable as you level. Case in point, your level 75 talents:
Level 90: The ultimate in talents!
If there's one thing I know you guys all have on your wish lists, it's this: "Please, Blizzard, make it so Dispersion isn't the ultimate shadow priest talent anymore." That wish has been granted:
And here's where those hard choices kick in again -- taking Vampiric Dominance requires us to pass on Void Shift, an incredibly powerful talent in its own right. It's a healing cooldown that's just as powerful in a DPS priest's hands as a healing priest's. One quick button press, and your health percentage is swapped with the tank's -- an absolutely invaluable trick to any of you who have experience healing. And better yet, you get a quick +25% health back right after the swap.
The third choice at level 90 is clearly a healing talent, though we shadow priests could find use for it as well. Consider this scenario: You're healing through an encounter like Nefarian, and you know a big burst of damage (Electrocute) is coming. You could use Vow of Unity on a tank and then immediately go into Dispersion. Though Electrocute would break the Vow, you'll still absorb a good portion of the tank's damage, and only a small fraction of it at that. Of course, there's no telling if that would be allowed under the proposed mechanic ... at this point, we're all just speculating. Which brings up a very good point ...
Disclaimer
Those of you who remember my Cataclysm coverage will find these words familiar: All this stuff is subject to change. This is Blizzard's first attempt at a new talent tree, and we can expect lots of stuff to change between now and then. (One thing you should definitely expect to change: A requirement on Void Shift that you have more health than the target before casting it, to prevent griefing.)
Also, try to remember that some of these percentages given here are likely just placeholders. None of this has been balanced against other classes' abilities -- a final step that Blizzard will take before launching Mists of Pandaria in late 2012.
Lastly: A change to Shadow Orbs
If a new talent tree wasn't news enough, we caught one more tidbit of information during BlizzCon 2011 that'll set the shadow priesting world on its head. The change was hinted at by our level 45 abilities, but thanks to a man I've lovingly nicknamed "Paradigm," we have confirmation: In Mists of Pandaria, Shadow Orbs are becoming a resource.
What does that mean? Simply put, this: Mind Blast will no longer cost mana to cast. Instead, casting Mind Blast will require a Shadow Orb. Have an Orb? You can cast Mind Blast. Have two? You can cast it twice in a row. Beyond this, there's even more exciting news: Game developers stated they want to make these Orbs less RNG dependent.
I'm not sure how they're going to do that or even if it's possible -- frankly, I think that the RNG factor is pretty inescapable and integral to the gameplay. But given how well the developers have delivered on my own personal wish list in the past ... I can't wait to see what they come up with.
Are you more interested in watching health bars go down than watching them bounce back up? We've got more for shadow priests, from Shadow Priest 101 to a list of every monster worth mind controlling and strategies for raiding Blackwing Descent.Filed under: Priest, BlizzCon, (Priest) Spiritual Guidance, Mists of Pandaria
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
hamsammich Oct 26th 2011 8:28PM
Soooo...am I just missing something, or are there less talents overall? Isn't this going to bore the shit out of everybody while leveling to 90 (also, I may add, while NOT being able to fly until that time, if I understand correctly)?
sean Oct 26th 2011 8:40PM
uh you realize there will be story-driven quests right? and less talents just means you get those abilities automatically as you level.
Chris Oct 26th 2011 8:47PM
No flying in Pandaria, the zone, until max level. You'll be able to fly everywhere else. Think back to BC where you couldn't fly until level 70.
Lizenz Oct 26th 2011 8:50PM
So many people have been misinterpretting the "no flying until level cap". That rule applies to Pandaria ONLY. It's just like in Wrath of the Lich King where you could fly in Outlands, but had to wait until level 80 (or was it 78?) to buy Cold Weather Flying in Northrend. So we're going to get a Cold Weather Flying-esque mount training at level 90 (I liked the Foggy Flying ability mused by someone in the comments of another blog on here).
That aside, yes you get MANY fewer talents, but how often does adding a talent point ever really affect your gameplay in the current system anyway? Every 10-20 levels when you get a cool new ability? You'll still get spec-specific perks as you level just now they aren't going to let you pretend you have a choice in what you get like they do now. So really think as the new talent system as an extra perk ON TOP of what you already have now.
Mr. Crow Oct 26th 2011 8:52PM
I can track down the proof if it's necessary, but my understanding is that you won't be able to fly IN PANDARIA until 90. Flying everywhere else in Azeroth should be A-OK.
When it comes to the Talents 2.0 issue... take a look at your Shadow tree and tell me how many choices you ACTUALLY have.
I'll wait.
Udderpowered Oct 26th 2011 8:53PM
Clicking on the same old mandatory talents was a source of fun while leveling? I don't think 5 extra levels of not flying is going to break the game, you managed the first 60 well enough.
(Also, the article incorrectly says scream is currently a talent, you can just learn it from a trainer at level 12.)
quasarsglow Oct 26th 2011 8:56PM
You are gonna get bored by waiting 5 levels for a talent? Doesn't take much, does it?
I'm thinking that with having all priest spells available and probably one or two more between 85 and 90, that there will be plenty to learn so you aren't lamenting that you can't fly to a mob, drop and annihilate, mount, fly to the next mob, drop and annihilate then after killing your ten rats going back to the quest giver. THAT actually sounds boring to me. Like going back to finish lore master at 80 was.
I mean, if your just in the game for landing on mobs, that's your thing. I kinda like having to watch and plan my path so i don't end up with 5 mobs on me, then realizing that I'm pretty bad ass and can wipe the floor with them anyway.
I think the changes sound fun and like its gonna be a bit of a treat to learn to play well with the new toys.
Marius W. Oct 26th 2011 9:08PM
Since everyone else is trying to convince you of your illogical thinking, Im going to as well.
Really, how much fun is getting a talent point, opening up your talents, clicking a box and getting a 2% increase in some stat? So 20 seconds of time you now have to keep questing. To stop and just appreciate that you leveled. Take in the scenery. Read all the cool new things you just got for leveling. Whoa.. whats that? You mean I just got a stat buff talent/or a talent spell without having to click into talents and click in a box as well as getting 18 different new toys to play with in our new talent tool box.
Take those 20 seconds to write a quick thank you note to Blizzard for doing this.
LynMars Oct 26th 2011 9:27PM
The talent trees aren't going to exist in their current form. You will choose a spec at lvl 10. Say, Shadow Priest. You will get all the abilities integral to Shadow automatically as you level.
The six talents you get every 15 levels are utilities, as outlined above. Some are better for PvP, some in raids, some for soloing. Some heal, some damage, some crowd control, etc. They will be as easily interchangeable as glyphs. Which has been spelled out in not only this post, but multiple others about the new MoP talent system.
And as for flying, this isn't a new concept either, but there are people new to the game with Cataclysm. We couldn't fly until lvl 70, and even then only in Outland, not in Classic zones. When we got to Northrend, we couldn't fly there until lvl 78, and still couldn't fly in Classic zones. Partway through Wrath they fixed it so lvl 60s could fly in Outland right away, alts could get a consumable heirloom book that let them fly in Northrend...and still no flight in Classic (due to graphic limits and how the world was built). Flying in Classic was adding at the beginning of Cata with the changes and updates to the world.
Being able to fly right away in Cataclysm zones? Eh. it wasn't that challenging, honestly. I mean, my lvl 60 Hunter has explored most of Cata's zones now and earned a ton of experience (and candy) from that, just flying over everything. Exploration has little to no meaning, and quests are easily cheesed at level.
So not being able to fly in Pandaria until lvl 90? I don't mind. I can fly everywhere else, and I have a ton of ground mounts that will love to get out of the stable, anyway.
Hih Oct 26th 2011 9:54PM
It will be a little sad only looking forward to one talent point every 15 levels instead of one every other level, but keep in mind, there's a lot more things you'll be getting "free" from choosing a spec now, so you'll basically be looking forward to those. Perhaps as a way to spice leveling up a little more, they could let you pick which of the free abilities you want at specific levels instead of having them be predetermined?
Also, I don't think you'll really feel the "talent drought" until after 75. You'll get all but 1 of your talents in the first two areas of the game, all but 2 pre-BC. Once you get your 75 one, you get no talent points for at all for all of Wrath AND Cata. While I would prefer to get my talent points sooner rather than later, it's probably something the Devs will change in the MoP beta.
Regarding flying, you'll still be able to fly in Outland at level 60, Northrend at 68? Or is it 70? They probably still require the tome too, so first characters wont fly in Northrend (I think? Someone correct me on that if I'm wrong), and then flying is absolutely required for a lot of Cata zones, so you'll still fly from 80-85. I also fully expect that they'll put in a "Tome of Panda Flying" so that you'll only need to do the Panda zones grounded once, similar to Wrath.
honclfibr Oct 26th 2011 10:02PM
Fright master's ricense?
Swallowcraft Oct 26th 2011 11:56PM
@Honclfibr I don't think that applies to Chinese since they don't have problem with the 'L' pronunciation. Maybe you can try harder next time. Just a tip, that's all.
Moanique Oct 27th 2011 3:03AM
@Marius W.
Not only that but the extra points you have left over after leveling generally go into talents that are just that....left over.
I think the new system is pretty interesting. I'll withhold judgment about all of it until I see the spells we get while leveling.
It's nice that Fox assumes that it's a given that we'll get Silence, and we may, but it's not a 100% sure thing. Psychic Horror as well; I can see one or two of our current talent spells being dropped altogether.
babybalrog Oct 26th 2011 8:39PM
Personally I do NOT look forward to the Mind Blast changes. I don't think SP need a secondary resource, especially not tied to our biggest spell.
Marius W. Oct 26th 2011 9:01PM
Orbs are already tied into Mind Blast so whats the big deal?
I ithink mind flay is really our biggest spell. We use it far more often than mind blast and if done right, does more damage than mind blast does over the course of a run. They kinda switch places throughout a fight and a run. Sometimes MF is on top. Sometimes MB is on top. I love both and I love that the orbs are going to make the relationship between them and MB a lot more awesome.
Mitch_b_666 Oct 26th 2011 9:53PM
I used to be special. I just feel more like a Paladin now.
Unless this turns out to be a buff, in which case screw uniqueness.
Erebos Oct 26th 2011 11:47PM
I actually have to agree with babybalrog on this one. I don't play shadow much, but I guess now that they want to give it a secondary resource in the form of Shadow Orbs, I realize that I like that it's one class without another resource system. Makes things less complicated. Not to mention I'd like to be able to cast MB, our main nuke, when I want to, not just when it's available and only because it's available.
Hih Oct 27th 2011 2:23AM
@Erebos: The devil's advocate to your "I want to cast MB when I want to" is that you'll be able to save up MBs and use more on those "+100% damage taken" phases because the spell wont have a cooldown.
Marius W. Oct 26th 2011 8:57PM
I don't know why people are so down on the changes. Indeed, Shadow Priests turned into the awesome for Cata. Ive never been happier playing my shadowpriest than I am right now. Ive been with him since the start and have gone through a lot of years of feeling neglected and ignored. But I like my shadow priest. I don't really do alts, so we have been through thick and thin together.
When I saw and heard the changed for MoP, I fell in love ever more. These talents are not only awesome but fun!! Tendrils coming from the ground to root enemies? Awesome!!
Another little ugly spawned pet that will now fear away my enemies.. can my shadowfiend and psyfiend play together? Can't wait to find out.
All the way down, its just fun and very useful talents. I don't feel neglected anymore. Im starting to feel like the favorite child now.. well not so much compared to mages but to make myself feel better I just pretend mages don't really exist.
The the orb changes are right on. Its not all that different so it won't feel foreign but its just enough to feel the change and feel a lot more powerful in the world of pandas. Im excited and I cannot wait. My shadow priest will get that much more awesome in MoP and Ill be there with him!!
I do have to say that a Panda as a shadow is gonna look kinda weird. A tubby roly poly bear in shadow?? That just sounds silly. :P
Teth Oct 26th 2011 9:08PM
I see what you did there....
" a final step that Blizzard will take before launching Mists of Pandaria in late 2012."
I am one of those folks who thinks we'll see beta by the first of the year and a mid year release. I think this expansion is far more along than cata was at the announcement 2 years ago.
That said I feel like the priest talents are a little meh compared to other classes, but I do agree we do get some fun hybrid things to play with that have been sorely lacking.