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Comment by Incendium

I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist.

Shadow priests melt/mend faces in PvP.

Comment by 7991

Shadowform, while offering decent damage reduction and spell damage increase, can be a gimp in PvP.
I often find myself avoiding entering Shadowform in pvp so that I can heal myself after fights or even use Desperate Prayer during.

For grinding, however, this is perfect. Heals are replaced with Vampiric Embrace, which is increased by the shadow damage increase provided by Shadowform.

Comment by 8153

As stated before, this ability is only really useful during grinding by yourself in areas to defeat large chains of enemies. Your experience per hour can easily jump 30% with this ability alone. The problem lies in the fact that no healing can be used making this form worthless in PvP and annoying your party members while in an instance or raid.

The sad truth on most servers is a Shadow Priest can be the downfall of a party that relies on them to be an effective healer as they tend to be more interested in damage output than healing. If you're looking for a group as a Shadow Priest, your best bet is to stay out of this form to avoid tempation.

Comment by 9074

I think Shadowform lends the wrong perspective to aspiring shadowpriests. A priest is never and will never be a main damage class. Just like your group members' job is to keep you safe in PvP/PvE, your job is to keep the ones worth healing (not everyone, as the last comment mentions) up and doing the damage they can dish out. For those people that play a shadowpriest as a main dpser in raids, 5mans, and PvP, you'll probably quickly find that your dmg abilities leave you standing in the same spot too much for PvP and produce too much threat/dmg in PvE.

Consider going only partway into the Shadow talent tree to pick up some gems like Silence, Spirit Tap, Shadowweaving, and Mind Flay. Then... take a look at some of the amazing talents in Holy. Don't be stuck with the thought that Shadow == Damage, Holy == Healing, Discipline == Confused. It's simply untrue.

A well-played priest, not nessecarily a full shadow priest, will be the strongest and most well rounded for PvP and Leveling. For the good of your PvP and PvE group members, experiment away from Shadowform. ;-)

Comment by 9545

Going shadow you have to have this. Melting faces to the max!

Comment by 9250

Support and healing win fights, but damage is uber fun. Basically, if you want to win the battle, go shadowform. If you want to win the war, go heal.

Comment by Mikezila

I don't know what Shadowform the above posters are talking about, but if I'm in the battlegrounds as my Priest (I like the level 49 bracket, personally), nobody can stop me while I'm in Shadowform. You do crazy dps. Your Pain drains health bars like water through a strainer, and your Mind Blasts hit like Mac trucks.

Sure I lose the ability to heal myself, but Mages and Warlocks can't heal themselves, and they manage. So do I. So what if I have to stand still a lot? Mages can't through Fireballs while they're running. Warlocks cant dish out Searing Pain or Shadow Bolt while they're running. Just use bandages and potions like everybody else, and let everyone else know that you're not there to be their healing bitch. I'm not saying don't heal, just drop the idea that that should be your primary job. By all means right-click that buff icon and save people that need saving, but make sure everyone knows that you're not there to follow them around and keep their green bars full.

If you just drop the mindset that you have to win fights by healing yourself, your outlook on the deep Shadow tree gets a whole lot better.

I'm not saying that Shadow/Disc/whatever builds don't have their own merit, but full Shadow, including "how I'm not everyones health nanny"-form, has it's own allure.

What I'm saying is that you should at least try Shadowform and see if the altered play style is to your liking. Don't be discouraged by the comments on this page.

Comment by triviumtyrant

I was kind of going outside my opinion when I referred to using items and such as pathetic, so my fault on that part. I have always been able to clearly see the point that Merowlin was making, it's just that I see the same situation over and over again. Some person says that they can own someone else, and then they'll use a potion or a bandage or some other type of item, but if they didn't use that item they would've lost. I once dueled a 69 rogue when i was level 61 with about 3 or 4 outland items. It was about a 1 and 1/2 minute duel and I almost won but then the rogue bandaged and ended up just barely beating me. It's primarily based around perspective and opinion. I'm not on a "White Knight kick" or anything like that. It's just that from my perspective, I don't see how a person that uses items to help them win has more skill than people that don't use items to win. But just so I don't stray away from the Shadowform topic, I still don't like shadowform much at all. It's sounds/looks pretty good for pve from the technical facts that I've heard about it. As for pvp, I've seen and heard of better, but I still plan on testing that out with my priest.

Comment by 53431

Shadowform is basically what is gonna push you up and over on the DPS charts.

Stack on the INT and SPI gear and get your Mind Blast fingers ready because faces will be melted.

And ignore the mages and rogues who complain, saying you should be Healer and not DPS. The charts don't lie.

Comment by 10067

"Sure I lose the ability to heal myself, but Mages and Warlocks can't heal themselves, and they manage."

Well, that might be true for mages, but warlocks have Drain Life, Healthstones, and Siphon Life, so we can hold our own pretty well.

However, my advice for any Shadow priest is this: you're still a priest. There's a quest that priests can do in Brill in which the NPC reminds players that even though they have chosen the darker side of priesthood, they can still heal and buff their allies. That's excellent advice. If you want to play a Shadow priest, don't be stupid. Carry two sets of gear, a damage set and a healing set. Make sure your party knows you want to do damage, but don't be adverse to changing your role in the group and being a healer when the situation calls for it.

Comment by 91023

Being a Shadow Priest and healing is all about situational awareness IMO, for example WSG is a personal favourite BG of mine and Spriests are very powerful there. We can kill the FC of the other faction in Shadow Form and support our FC out of Shadow. PoM, shield, renew, dispel, fear are all very helpful for keeping the flag moving towards your base.

Dropping Shadow and saving the game is worth it.

Comment by 99860

Hai2u, Btw Bandage in duel is wrong Imo. Is the warr born with Bandage? No, but pallys are Born with healing, using pots and Bandage in duel is just wrong and stupid. in BG and Arena ofc use it, but Duel is for fun and skill not For whos best to bandage. Arena and BG main priority is to stay alive soo use ur bandage.

Btw u tards saying Shadow is wrong, i dunno what to say as far as i kno They rock. Lock and Priest ruin every singel Arena match i have so can't tell me It suxxz.

leveling a Priest atm and really looking forward to hit the higher lvls and get Shadowform.

Really liked your Comment mikezila;)

Comment by 15977

Shodowform is not all about PvP.

One reasonably geared shadow Priest played half decently can return on boss fights 200 mp5 to the 4 casters grouped with them.

Shadow Priests hunt best in packs.

Warriors are the staple diet of a Shadow Priest in PvP.

Shadow Priests mana regeneration is the reason all other healing classes haven't been replaced by Paladins in PvE raiding.

Shadow Priests are by definition 15% sexier than a holy/disc priest.

If you grouped with a Shadow Priest, and you see a mob running round with your Shadow Priest's dots on it, leave it alone, it is already dead, it just doesn't know it.

Shadow Priests melt faces.

Comment by 130053

silly rabbit dot's r to be used in shadow form, don't switch out! also, it would be so so stupid to switch outta shadow form after dps'in someone. u wanna melt faces, so to speak, with some time casts too! so there u have it.

Comment by 125904

you may cast discipline buffs and that tree while in shadowform.

Comment by 51941

Ansver to your question funwithfire28 is yes, they do get that 15% plus damage if u leave shadowform, and yeah, warriors pwn spriests easily with the same gear level.
And pond... druids heal more efficiently than a paladin in raiding, paladins wouldnt be the only healer in pve if spriests wouldnt exist.

Comment by 27986

Does the 15% physical damage reduction trigger before or after the damage is absorbed by PW:S?

Comment by 120774

I really dont like how I almost never see any priests without shadow form. I get the fact it has obvious benefits, but COME ON, theres more to being a priest than lookin like a shadow.

Comment by 152119

If u cast any holy spell while u are in shadowform u lose all your buffs.

Comment by 131914

I agree that Shadowform does indeed melt faces.
The Main reason I like it is because it makes any gear look BADASS.
I hate it when my character looks bad. (early 60s *groan*)

Comment by Zeuter

Shadowform also increases damage done by wands that deal shadow damage.

Comment by 174750

I'm BE Priest, and in dungs like HFR I was supposed to be something like 2nd tank cuz I had always the highest agro, ofcourse only if we had enough good heal.

Comment by 182033

Join the Dark side young one, we have cookies.

Comment by 96180

Now comes with a fantastic 30% threat reduction in Wrath of the Lich King.

Comment by Vorselia

Slap a Salvation on that Priest and let Him/Her go to town!

Mmm Not happening. Salvation isn't going to be 30% threat reduction anymore in WotLK.
Instead its this https://www.wowhead.com/mop-classic/spell=1038

And in terms of your talents, they stack additively, but extra threat reduction sources stack multiplicity.

Comment by 276649

i havent read past when themuffinman talked earlier( i will) but "your a shadow PRIEST" since when has the word priest been typed as a healer they made shadow for a reason so they can kick @ss! Y'all can just go get some holy priest to heal you dude it's not our problem if were in shadowform dont even ask

Comment by 276649

LOL J/K! i am still saying that preists have their own pov idc if ya wanna drop it and heal cool a helpful person YAY! Lol isn't it fun pretending to be senile?

Comment by 81181

Surprised no one mentioned this, Shadowform looks also affects your mount.

Wich in my opinion is aweful....

Comment by 305357

"Shadow Priests are by definition 15% sexier than a holy/disc priest"

This made me laugh out loud. Thanks!

Holy priest versus Shadow priest relies on one question and one alone. Is your team filled with dumb****s?

You know who I mean. The guys who think that your responsibility is keeping everyone alive regardless of how much of a dumb**** they've been. There's ALWAYS a hunter, a rogue, a mage, running like **** from a slavering pack of hell-beasts, who thinks you're some kind of god in heaven that's going to make everything into sweet candy pie.

These are the same guys who later make snide remarks whenever you roll on loot and tell you that they'd be better off with a druid. Also, any lack of success is your fault and any actual success is somehow in spite of your best efforts at sabotage.

If you've got a team like that, you're better off with a shadow priest and the macro, "/yell Go **** yourself."

Comment by 178494

When I started playing a priest about 6 months ago with initial goal to spec holy at lvl 70, I just leveled as shadow since other people said that leveling as shadow is just faster than leveling as holy. I never bothered to check if its true or not, but somehow when I got to lvl 70 I didn't want to respec into holy at all.

Shadowform at lvl 40 is one of the reasons people spec into shadow. 15% melee damage reduction sounds good for a squishy priest who can only use cloth armor. I never checked math behind that reduction, but now I see that shadowform has to have different tooltip. It must say "You're awesome".

15% melee (and spell since 3.1.0) damage reduction while leveling which applies even to your shield is just great. 15% more shadow damage (spells and shadow based wands) just for using shadowform is a very nice bonus. Vampiric Embrace as free (no mana cost, no FSR) healing for doing damage.

In PvP shadow priest might be not the best choice for a spec, but in PvE they're just great.

Comment by Benegesserit

I don't think the description on this spell is long enough.

edit: they've since shortened the description for the expansion

Comment by 345133

No ones mentioned yet it makes your mount shadowformed too. it has an amazing effect on the spectral tiger :P

Comment by 111622

This DOES reduce Fall Damage, I've confirmed from several height tests.

Comment by 78700

From Wrath of the lich king available cast it while fly on mount.

Comment by Maelchav

This is a n00b question, and for that I apologize. I've not played a priest long enough to get Shadowform before, and I was wondering... the tooltip says that you can't cast Holy spells (with some exceptions). Is that spells from the Holy tree of priest abilities, or spells of the Holy school of magic? In other words, can you can Discipline spells while in Shadowform?

Thanks for any info.

Comment by 287504

shadow form is amazing for leveling.

Stack spellpower as much as you can and once you can use VT, just VT SW:P a mob then move on, i didnt even worry about looting mobs unless they were for a quest and just steam rolled to 80.
also, dont fight orange and red mobs, stick to yellow and green they die in 2 dots, you wont miss, and it speeds things up drasticaly.

i did use smite spam spec untill i was able to get shadow form though.

Comment by 201510

http://db.mmo-champion.com/s/15473/ sooooon :D

Comment by 207552

Shadowform's Wall of Text hits you for 6412 damage (8825 Overkill)
You die.

Comment by 205761

Turns you purple, same exact look for both alliance and horde

Comment by qaccy

Don't see this mentioned anywhere, but it's worth noting that at some point the 15% physical damage reduction got changed to reduce ALL damage taken by 15% while in shadowform. How much better can this thing get?

(It does say this in the tooltip, but I didn't notice it myself until recently haha)

Comment by dreadblood

This is also a big "NO" priests get to anyone who tells them to heal, simply cast this and say "I cant" :P

Comment by 598786

You now look like a shadow priest.

Comment by 621739

If no one has noticed yet, sometimes your mount is purple and transparent, and other times its just a purple, so you see through your character onto your mount.
Kind of weird, it seems random, but I haven't been able to figure that out yet.

Comment by astralol

Do you remember cheat codes like ABBA left right = godmode? Check this out. Shadowform -> mount -> dispersion -> drop off shadowform = Invisibility
srsly ^^

Comment by 631991

Mind Flay, apply directly to the forehead.

Comment by Shadez

After Cataclysm Beta Build 12694 Shadowform also increases all nearby friendly targets spell haste by 5%.

Comment by 114960

You can activate/deactivate this while on a flight path (much like a Warrior's stances and a Paladins' auras).

Comment by 579648

Shadowform now no longer grants an exception to Cure Disease in its barring of the Holy tab of the spellbook.

Cast it and you drop out of Shadowform. On the other hand, the +5% spell haste aura is gravy.

Comment by 493392

Shadowform becomes available at level 29 in patch 4.0.1

Comment by 145425

As of 4.0.1 this no longer makes the signature "hissing" sound effect when you transform. It randomly makes one of several new unique sounds, different with each cast.

Comment by Zarac

Buffs that share the same effect: +5% haste

Death Knight Frost | Unholy
Unholy Aura

Druid Balance
Moonkin Form/Moonkin Aura

Priest Shadow
Shadowform/Mind Quickening

Rogue
Swiftblade's Cunning

Shaman Elemental | Enhancement
Elemental Oath | Unleashed Rage

Hunter
Sporebat - Wasp - Wasp

See all Warlords of Draenor Buffs and Debuffs here.

Comment by KyorraWindblade

Rest in piece, Wall of Text.

Comment by 340673

I'm surprised nobody else has noted this yet. If you use Dispersion, and pop into Shadowform while dispersed, your mounts turn a more solid/darker color than Shadowforming normally.

Comment by 884217

Always stay in as a shadow priest because most fear these in pvp and also cause alot for DPS also can lay a ffew DoTs

Comment by 748840

One of the important things to remember about shadowform is that you can still cast discipline spells. So while you're melting faces, you don't even have to take damage :D

Comment by 750641

There's now a Glyph of Shadow which will make your Shadowform not as noticeable, allowing your equipment to be a little more visible. A must-have for showing off your transmog choices.

Comment by Proleex

My man since the genesis of WoW!

Comment by WyvernVJ

Buffs and debuffs map (5.4.2)

Buffs

Stats
Effect: +5% Strength, Agility, and Intellect
Brought by: Any Druid (Mark of the Wild), any Monk (Legacy of the Emperor), and any Paladin (Blessing of Kings).

Stamina
Effect: +10% Stamina
Brought by: Any Priest (Power Word: Fortitude), any Warlock (Dark Intent), and any Warrior (Commanding Shout).

Attack Power
Effect: +10% melee and ranged attack power
Brought by: Any Death Knight (Horn of Winter), any Hunter (Trueshot Aura), and any Warrior (Battle Shout).

Spell Power
Effect: +10% spell power
Brought by: Any Mage (Arcane Brilliance/Dalaran Brilliance), any Shaman (Burning Wrath), and any Warlock (Dark Intent).

Haste
Effect: +10% melee and ranged haste
Brought by: Frost and Unholy Death Knights (Unholy Aura), any Rogue (Swiftblade's Cunning), and Enhancement Shamans (Unleashed Rage).

Spell Haste
Effect: +5% spell haste
Brought by: Balance Druids (Moonkin Aura), Shadow Priest (Shadowform), and Elemental Shamans (Elemental Oath).

Critical Strike
Effect: +5% ranged, melee, and spell critical chance
Brought by: Guardian and Feral Druids (Leader of the Pack), windwalker Monks (Legacy of the White Tiger) and any Mage (Arcane Brilliance/Dalaran Brilliance).

Mastery
Effect: +3000 mastery
Brought by: Any Paladin (Blessing of Might), and any Shaman (Grace of Air).

Debuffs

Weakened Armor
Effect: -12% armor
Brought by: Any Druid (Faerie Fire), any Rogue (Expose Armor), and any Warrior (Sunder Armor).

Physical Vulnerability
Effect: +4% physical damage taken
Brought by: Frost and Unholy Death Knights (Brittle Bones and Ebon Plaguebringer), Retribution Paladins (Judgments of the Bold), and Arms and Fury Warriors (Colossus Smash).

Magic Vulnerability
Effect: +5% spell damage taken
Brought by: Any Rogue (Master Poisoner), and any Warlock (Curse of the Elements).

Weakened Blows
Effect: -10% physical damage done.
Brought by: Blood Death Knights (Scarlet Fever), Feral and Guardian Druids (Thrash and Thrash), Brewmaster Monks (Keg Smash), Protection or Retribution Paladins (Hammer of the Righteous), any Shaman (Earth Shock), any Warlock (Curse of Enfeeblement), and any Warrior (Thunder Clap).

Slow Casting
Effect: -50% casting speed (-25% on players)
Brought by: Any Death Knight (Necrotic Strike), Arcane Mages (Slow), any Rogue (Mind-numbing Poison), and any Warlock (Curse of Enfeeblement).

Mortal Wounds
Effect: -25% healing received
Brought by: Arms or Fury Warriors (Mortal Strike and Wild Strike), any Rogue (Wound Poison), any Hunter (Widow Venom), and Windwalker Monks (Rising Sun Kick).

Note: Buffs and debuffs provided by pets, profession perks, items and any other NPC are left out on purpose.

Comment by theyas

This spell is 100% why I started playing a priest in the first place. Beyond cool.

Comment by Cassonberry

Modifies the spell graphic of Riptide when cast on you to purple - very cool.

Also changes the ice block for ICC teleporters.

Comment by 950815

Is now learnt at level 24, still by Shadow Priests only.

Comment by 319936

enter Shadowform increase Shadow damage by 25%, and increases Priest's Armor by 60%.
Shadowform also provide a 5% spell haste raid buff Mind Quickening, which does NOT stack with:

Moonkin Aura (provide by Moonkin Form)
Elemental Oath (provide by Elemental Shaman)
Energizing Spores (provide by Hunter Pet Sporebat)

enter Inner Will reduce mana cost of Shadowform by 15%.

some of Priest's Holy damage Talent spells replaced by a Shadow damage version by enter Shadowform (NOT by choose Shadow Specialization), and can be changed back by cancel Shadowform:

these spells can NOT be cast without cancel Shadowform:

Glyph of Shadow change the look of Shadowform to be less "shadowy". allow others to see wtf Priest are wearing.
Glyph of Shadowy Friends change Priest's non-combat pets to look "shadowy" when in Shadowform. "shadowy" mounts will never be enough!

Hearthstone: Shadowform

Comment by RealTalk

Does anyone know if this buff is supposed to make all the spells in your lower actions bar disappear? I know that you can't holy spells while it is active, but it's clearing everything down there including other shadow spells. Is this a glitch?

Comment by Ztrikes

In the next patch (5.4) the 15% damage reduction will be removed.

:(

Comment by 1163539

A great minor glyph for Shadowform is Glyph of Dark Archangel, as it gives you some incredibly badass wings. Go on, try it!

Comment by 821283

Only reason I play a Shadow Priest.

Comment by Tokva

As of patch 5.4.2 Hotfix - 8th. of January Shadowform now increase armor by 100%. Up from 60%.

Comment by 874940

For anyone using Raven addon, note that this spell is a buff & not a stance, although appears on the stance bar with Bartender4 addon. (not sure about other bar addons or the default action bars?)

This threw me when trying to set up a notification that I was not in shadowform. When setting your condition make sure you choose 'Any Buff' option & insert Shadowform, as opposed to choosing the 'Stance' option.
Now works a treat.

Hope this helps anyone else who uses Raven, who may have come here to check.

Comment by 1064648

Armor of Shadow Priests in full Tyranical Gear: ~14261
Shadow Form Armor: Additional 100%
Glyphed Inner Fire Armor: Additional 90%
14261 x 2.0 x 1.9 = 54192
Enjoy your ~53.9% physical damage mitigation with cloth, and that doesn't even account for PvP resilience.

Comment by Thottbot

When you get to 60, yeah you could change from shadow form, but when lvling up shadow form is the best because it allows the priest to solo exceptionally well. So if you find a priest for an instance around 1-55, expect it to be shadow in most cases. Now I'm not saying everyone is shadow spec when it comes to priest, but you'll find alot of them at thoughs lvls.

Comment by Thottbot

As a Shadow priest you will melt faces in PvP.

Comment by Thottbot

I think I have just heard the stupidest thing ever. when my priest was 40 he took shadow form and I leveled faster than ne one in my guild not only that never lost a single pvp match. When we ran instances just took it off....healed no problem.

there is no reason not to do it. being specked in holy comes in handy now that I am doing mc and onxyia runs but to lvl to 60 anyone who dosent go in shadow form is a fool.

Comment by Thottbot

This skill is the reason of thousands face meltings all over the world ^-^

Comment by Thottbot

This ability transforms the priest into the highest damage dealer for lvl 40. Add VE and you have a pretty good group healer and secondary tank. A shadowform priest with a little shadow gear on can easily solo elites of equal lvl. And i don't have to mention the PWNing in PvP. This makes more than faces melt.

Comment by Thottbot

sorry to add another comment to the greatest ability in the game, but at lvl 40, i can go to Swamp of sorrows and SOLO 42 elite green scale guys, and wyrmkin......priest.....

Comment by Thottbot

Considering that you already had to level your other shadow talents on the way up (dmg +10%, improved sw pain), the damage bonus from Shadowform makes the priest world a better place. No more complaining that this form sucks because priests should heal... they turn it off and return to healing and buffing in an instant.

Comment by Thottbot

I am a shadow priest. I run instances. but guess what I do NOT I repeat NOT main heal.

OMG GASP SHOCK

I off heal for the main healer if need be but I am pure damage pure ownage shadow preist. I do as much damage as a warlock. and with my talents I GET NO AGRO. 45% reduction to agro with shadowspells. I can do as much damage as a mage or warlock with out worrying about getting agro. I can also off heal for the main healer and I can res. for all you people that say Preists have to main heal I am out there to prove you wrong.

Comment by Thottbot

'Shadow Form' is fantastic. +15% to Shadow DMG and -15% to physical DMG, it's a dream come true for a cloth wearing class! I bet Mage's wouldn't say no to such a form.

Using 'Vampiric Embrace' does allow for a slight amount of healing, but it is only a small percentage (20%), yet it also heals everyone in the party which makes up for lack of healing it does. With other shadow spells being cast upon the "embraced" target, such as 'Mind Flay' and 'Mind Blast' (don't forget the 'Shadow Word: Pain' DoT) then that 20% soon adds up.

As already pointed out several times, the Priest can come out of 'Shadow Form' at any given time to allow the Priest to heal themselves or others around them.

'Shadow Form' does help greatly in PvP and allows the Priest to deal a good amount of DMG, especially when paired with other spells such as 'Fear' and 'Power Word: Shield.' However, because of a Priest's healing abilities, they are targetted almost right away on the battle field and so do have a hard time. Please remember this, Warriors/Tanks ;)

Well that's just my two-cents on the subject. Hope this clears things up a little in one simple, easy to understand post.

- Olin

Comment by Thottbot

15% does indeed help alot.

For example, my 'Mind Blast' (at level 40) on average hits for say (let's round it off) 350. 15% of 350 is 47.5, so I'll hit for 397.5 instead. This helps alot, and could be the extra damage needed to bring down that Tauren Warrior that's charing at you ;)

PVP? Never done it really. I'm not bothering with it too much, plus I heal in PVP.

Yes, Shadow wands should indeed be amplified by Shadow Form. This is a good point and maybe should be answered by a more experienced Priest player.

Hope this helps.

Comment by Thottbot

Wand (shadow) damage does NOT recieve a boost from shadowform nor any other priest talent besides "Wand Specialization".

Comment by Thottbot

I cant belive it - someone is actually asking if this talent is worth it? :P

Well, do the numbercrunching. While going down towards shadowform you get (or should/can get) the following:

Improves SW:P
Improved Mind Blast
Mind Flay
Shadow Weaving
Darkness
And then Shadowform

And thats just the damage talents! With all this added together, it suddenly becomes VERY likable :)

Comment by Thottbot

In addition to my post above, i wanted to show you guys some number crunching, so that there is no arguing that shadowform is indeed worth it.

In order to get shadowform, you would of course have to spend talents in there. You'd be a fool if you at least didn't get these:

# Shadow Weaving - 5/5 points
Your Shadow damage spells have a 100% chance to cause your target to be vulnerable to Shadow damage. This vulnerability increases the Shadow damage dealt to your target by 3% and lasts 15 seconds. Stacks up to 5 times.

Total voulnability = 15%

# Darkness - 5/5 points
Increases your Shadow spell damage by 10%

And then theres shadowform itself = 15%

Level 40 mind blast does an averege of 288 damage. With these 40% extra, it would do an avarege of 403,2, and thats just for a 1.5 cast. You get 115,2 more damage! Now think about SW:P and mind flay also, and whatever you feel like throwing at them - your damage will GREATLY improve :)

Comment by Thottbot

does this work like the druid's shapeshifts (it is a shapeshift afterall) and grant u immunity to polymorph? it's unlikely, but it would be cool
and on more thing:
can u cast holy based spell in the discipline tab? it doesn't say "u can only cast discipline and shadow" but u "u can't cast holy" and many discipline spells are in the holy school

Comment by Thottbot

what about stop whining and learn to play?

Comment by Thottbot

In a raid, stick four Locks and a shadowpriest together in one group. The Priest's Vampiric Embrace means they can pretty much do without needing a healer's attention, Shadow Weaving basically gives you five Locks' DPS for the price of four, plus you've got Curse Of Shadows from the locks for even more damage. Couple that with the fact that Priests have about the best DOT in the game (Shadow Word: Pain) and one of the most mana-efficient damage spells (Mind Flay) and the damage potential of your "Shadow Crew" can be absolutely insane.

Only problem is when you then get five people arguing over +shadow drops ^_^

Comment by Thottbot

Which race is best for this? Or that probably doesnt matter so...which looks coolest :D

Comment by Thottbot

Shadowform also makes you take 15% less damage. Combine this with improved Inner Fire and you got a platewearing (well, almost :p)self-healing dps machine that also gives health and mana to his party.

About looks, it makes you all dark with a nice aura and all :D very very evil >:D I think it looks coolest on male blood elves, male undeads and humans.

Comment by Thottbot

You get it when you have 30 points in the shadow talent tree, so the earliest you can get it is level 40

Comment by Thottbot

yes it does switch your main action bar like a stance or shapeshift form. So you can fill it however you like, or make it the same as your normal action bar.

btw, dps shadow mages are well loved in high lvl dungeons. Leave the healing for pallies my brothers...and sisters!

Comment by Thottbot

edit: I meant shadow priest, not shadow mage haha, but u will drop bombs like Hiroshima in this form.

Comment by Thottbot

1. A mount's color effects the way you appear in shadowform. Darker mounts make you appear more black while lightly colored mounts edge more toward violet. The brown gryphon mount takes on a maroon color.

2. Shadowform is transparent! Try riding through different zones to see how the shade changes (this is especially fun if you have a lighter colored mount). In some zones or at certain times of day shadowform may look almost blue.

3. Shadowform leaves a trail of purple and green dust. When you walk it comes from your feet, when you ride it comes out your mount's butt!

4. If you target yourself in shadowform your body glows white.

5. No matter how mismatched and goofy your armor is, you're always fashionable in black.

Comment by Thottbot

Q - Can shadowform be dispelled?
A - No. Shadowform is considered a stance, just like a warrior's stances. The buff it applies to you has no type.

Q - Does the buff for shadowform ever run out?
A - No. The shadowform stance is infinite.

Q - What spell can't I cast while in shadowform?
A - Any spell in the holy tree is uncastable. However, things in the discipline tree are still castable despite being of the holy school. I'll try to be as comprehensive here as possible:

List of spells you can't cast: (Lesser)(Greater)Heal, Renew, Smite, Holy Fire, Chastise, Prayer of Healing, Prayer of Mending, Holy Nova, Desperate Prayer, Cure/Abolish disease, Resurrection, Circle of Healing (not that its possible to get it and shadow form).

List of spells you can still cast that are in the holy school: Shackle Undead, Dispel, PW:Fortitude, Divine Spirit, Inner Focus, PW:Shield, Mass Dispel, Fear Ward (finally), Elune's Grace (not sure what school this one is).

Q - Is the physical damage reduction noticeable?
A - If you respec and get shadowform at level 40, it is the second most noticeable benefit from the stance. You will take much less physical damage. In PvP at much later levels, the reduction is not as noticeable but it still helps a lot.

Q - Does your mount change color?
A - Your mount gains the shadowform visible effect while you are riding it. It has the same deep purple transparency effect that is applied to your character. Personally, I think this is a bug that they decided to leave in (lets face it: it looks cool!).

Q - Does switching to shadowform invoke any cooldown?
A - Casting shadowform invokes the 1.5s (or lower, depending on haste) global cooldown. No other cooldowns are required to start casting spells.

Q - Does cancelling shadowform invoke the global cooldown?
A - Not anymore. It used to behave this way, but now cancelling shadowform does nothing to the global cooldown.

Q - What happens if I try to cast a holy tree spell while in shadowform?
A - You will lose the shadowform stance and start casting the holy spell. If this is not the behavior that you want, there is an option buried in the UI somewhere to prevent this from happening.

Q - Should I worry about rearranging my action/hotkey bars so that I can switch to shadowform and have abilities ready right away?
A - There is no need for this anymore. With a recent patch, shadowform gained a special action bar that pops up when you enter shadowform. It functions exactly the same as a rogue's stealth bar, a druid's form bars, etc.

Q - Is entering shadowform mana intensive?
A - Personally, I hadn't really noticed the mana cost of shadowform until about level 68. At 70, the cost to enter shadowform is, well, a lot.

Q - Can I reduce the mana cost of entering shadowform at all?
A - The only way that I know to reduce the mana cost of entering shadowform is the discipline talent that reduces the mana cost of all instant cast spells.

Q - Can enemies tell that I am in shadowform?
A - A legit question. Apart from the transparent purply glow eminating from you, the shadowform buff is visible to your opponents. This is in contrast to warriors: their current stance is unknown to the enemy until they use some giveaway ability.

Q - Should I respec and get shadowform at level 40?
A - This is a matter of personal preference. Myself, I found that the added DPS made soloing stuff a lot more fun than it was just one level earlier. There are many ways to level a priest, though, so do whatever you think is most fun.

Q - Can I enter shadowform while on a mount/flight path, like how warriors can change stances?
A - This is not currently possible, as shadowform is a spell. If you try this and you are on a ground mount, you will automatically dismount. Note that you can cancel shadowform while riding a mount or flight path and you will not automatically be dismounted. You and your mount return to your normal-looking state.

Q - Can I enter shadowform while silenced?
A - No.

Q - Can I enter shadowform when I am counterspelled?
A - If the shadow school has been counterspelled or kicked, no. If any other school was counterspelled, then of course.

Q - When is the +15% to shadow spell damage buff applied?
A - The +15% is applied at a very late time when calculating how much damage you do to something. It is applied after standard spellpower boosts that you have via +spelldamage gear. Therefore, the +15% at level 40 with +10 spelldamage is just as effective at increasing your overall DPS as the +15% is at level 70 with 900 spelldamage.

Q - Does the shadowform damage amplification stack with other amplifiers?
A - Shadowform's shadow damage amplification stacks with every single damage amplifier in the game. +10% darkness, +10% shadow weaving, +5% misery, +15% shadowform, +1/2% improved sanctity aura, +xx% curse of shadows, +20% improved shadowbolt -- all of these stack together, and none of them cancel another one out.

Q - How often do you typically need to exit shadowform while soloing?
A - With a good amount of spirit, I never exited shadowform while soloing. If I needed to cast a utility spell, like resurrection, or cure a disease, then I left the stance.

Q - How often do you typically need to exit shadowform while instancing?
A - Same answer as above. Generally, if you are the only resurrecting class in the group prepare to exit frequenty.

Q - How often do you typically need to exit shadowform while pvp-ing?
A - Prior to level 61, you never need to exit shadowform while PvP-ing. After that, resillience and other class buffs will make fights last a lot longer than they used to. I found shadowform to be less fun than it used to be at level 60, but your results may vary.

Q - Can I still heal if I spec for shadowform?
A - Yes, but not nearly as well as in other specs. Expect your healing numbers to plummet, and expect everyone in PvP to complain about how greedy you are if you stay in shadowform all the time.

Q - Is it possible to instance with a priest who likes to use shadowform?
A - It is not only possible, but highly desired! Shadowform priests (aka shadow priests) provide a great deal of group health and mana regeneration utility. Up until level 70 or so, shadowform priests doing DPS stay right alongside most other classes when it comes to sheer damage output. Late in the raid game at 70, shadowform priest damage levels off to keep them from generating too much threat.

Q - If I get shadowform, does that mean I no longer have to heal in groups?
A - It depends what you are doing. If you are before level 60, absolutely not. If you are doing a heroic instance, you should never be healing if you have a point in shadowform. Adjust to the groups needs, and be prepared to revert to a healing role if needed. If you are seriously having trouble keeping the group alive, don't bury your problem! Tell your group to slow things down, or that you aren't up to the task. They will thank you for it in the end.

Comment by Thottbot

Does Gift of the Naaru and Symbol of Hope both work in Shadowform? And, if I'm planning on being a Shadow Priest, which race is better by looking at race racials and priest racials: Night Elf, Draenei, Human or Dwarf(I think it's between Draenei and Night Elf)

Comment by Thottbot

no gift of the naaru does not work in shadow form

Comment by Thottbot

the SHADOW MAGE!

(like said above)

except you can emergency heal when you HAVE TO

Comment by Thottbot

making a blood elf priest , what spec should i be? i dont no what dis is for , but my brother is making a ferral druid and we are going to power - lvl to 80 - he will not change specs , what spec should i be?

i was thanking shadow - because we can kill faster ---- because they have good DPS and i dont thing he will ever get too low HP wwhile questing --- and if he does i can DE- shadow and heal ... and i wanna make the game fun for myself --- tell me if you disagree!

=)

Comment by Thottbot

Well, i just got shadowform not too long ago! and BY GOSH!, this is one of the best "Spells" in the entire game! if you do NOT have a Priest, MAKE ONE NOW!. and get it to 40!, sure it may be hard/challenging but it is WORTH IT!, Your damage goes up by a Lump sum... Exmpl. My Mind flay USE to tick at around 60.. now, it ticks for around 75!, IT IS sooooo awesome!, Cant wait until VT.. and Eventually outlands! =).. ~ Zinara, Level 41 Shadowpriest, Of Dalaran, xD

Comment by Thottbot

I have recently hit level 40 with my shadow priest, unlocked shadowform, and I have to say... it's awesome!

While i felt i could take down enemies quickly using the right spells while not in shadowform, I would either be low on health, or low on mana by the end of battles.
In shadowform, along with Vampiric embrace, I find i finish most battles with over 75% health.

The extra damage and the extra armor is very handy.

My question is...
Does Shadow Weaving stack on each tick of SW:P and DP?

When i was level 42, came across a level 39 Alliance Night Elf Hunter ( I am Horde ). Cast SW:P and DP as he tried running on his horse. I mounted up and trotted along after him, watching his health deplete! He died before i had chance to cast anything else! And who says priests arent good at handing out damage :)

Comment by Allakhazam

cool.. its good.. I have shadow specc, but i dont use it in PvP.. I need my heals too much

Comment by Allakhazam

HAH, priest dosn't have fire macemanvivid.

Comment by Allakhazam

When I get it, i'll only use it in ballegrounds and mass oudoor PvP, as healing is ghey there =P

Comment by Allakhazam

Sounds like Shadow spec. Priest is the best class for me... I play as a LvL 34 Arcane Spec. Mage which is cool but being a shadow priest and having ALL that shadow damage power to harm people with spells that what I wanted from an arcane mage! so I dont know...
I guess its alt time! :)

Comment by Allakhazam

Soon you will all realize that shadowpriests are hated by all members in a guild. it barely worth having in battlegrounds.

Healing priest is helping the group better in all situations. so shadowpriset = noguild or friends to play with.

Comment by Allakhazam

Being a Shadowpriest just rocks. I use it for everything and with having every spec in Shadow, except for the 5 points in Discipline (Wand specialization), As Shadowpriest love anything with Spirit (currently 277 Spirit at level 49, but could be much more) the Shadowpriest doesn't need much healing and/or mana potions at all.

I have been a tank in several instances and amazed warriors (damn good experienced ones) as I defeat mobs and enemy NPC's faster than them and without hardly any damage (Thanks to PW Shield).

Comment by akmarizam

Grants the periodic damage from your Shadow Word: Pain, Devouring Plague, and Vampiric Touch spells the ability to critically hit for 100% increased damage and grants Devouring Plague and Vampiric Touch the ability to benefit from haste.

OK, this may be obvious, but, do you still get those bonus even when not in Shadowform?

because, in Resto Druid Tree of Life, you do get the 20% HoT mana reduction while not in tree form.

Links

Shadowform

Shadowform
2.6% of base mana
Instant

Shadow (Hotfix Passive)
Assume a Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 32%, increasing your armor by 100%, and increasing all party and raid members spell haste by 5%. However, you may not cast Holy spells except for Renew, Prayer of Mending, and Leap of Faith while in this form.

Assume a Shadowform, increasing your Shadow damage by 25%, increasing your armor by 100%, and increasing all party and raid members spell haste by 5%. However, you may not cast Holy spells except for Renew, Prayer of Mending, and Leap of Faith while in this form.

Buff

Shadowform

Shadow (Hotfix Passive)
Shadow damage you deal increased by 32%.
Armor increased by 100%.

Shadow damage you deal increased by 25%.
Armor increased by 100%.

Spell Details

Duration

n/a

School

Shadow

Mechanic

n/a

Dispel type

n/a

GCD category

Normal

Cost

2.6% of base mana

Range

0 yards (Self)

Cast time

Instant

Cooldown

n/a

GCD

1.5 seconds

Effect #1

Apply Aura: Shapeshift (Shadowform)
PVP Multiplier: 1

Effect #2

Apply Aura: Mod Damage Done % (Shadow)
Value: 25%
PVP Multiplier: 1

Effect #3

Apply Aura: Overrides Actionbar Spell

	Halo

PVP Multiplier: 1
Affected Spells:

	Halo

Effect #4

Apply Aura: Overrides Actionbar Spell

	Divine Star

PVP Multiplier: 1
Affected Spells:

	Divine Star

Effect #5

Apply Aura: Overrides Actionbar Spell

	Cascade

PVP Multiplier: 1
Affected Spells:

	Cascade

Effect #6

Dummy
Value: 129249
PVP Multiplier: 1
Server-side script
Affected Spells:

	Power Word: Solace

Effect #7

Apply Aura: Mod Resistance % (Physical)
Value: 100%
PVP Multiplier: 1

Flags

Cannot be used while shapeshifted
Do Not Sheath
Can be used while mounted
Starts cooldown after aura fades
Can be used while sitting
Generates no threat
No AutoCast (AI)
Allow Proc While Sitting
Allow Entering Arena
Aura Points On Client
Spellcast Override In Spellbook

Shadowform

Buff

Spell Details

Related

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