This site makes extensive use of JavaScript.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser.
Classic Theme
Thottbot Theme
PVE Discipline Usage, Tips, & Tricks
Post Reply
Return to board index
Post by
Samanosuke
Disc priest is not about
big heals
, it is about reducing the amount of damage that is received to create a better "pace" for the main healers and to support the group.
Holy is about raw healing output and will almost always surpass a Disc Priest on heal charts.
Do not be swayed
. A Disc priest is able to more effectively
prevent
death, not by raw healing, but by precise saves through PW:S and Penance.
-Shielding party members that are about to die buys enough time for either you or the main healers to bring them back up.
-Penance can completely recover a member to full HP.
However, to say that Disc does not posess strong heals would be incorrect. Penance and Flash Heal when combined with Divine Aegis procs produces Heals that could be considered on par with Holy if not better.
-------------------------------
BUILD:
For level 80, I would personally go with:
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#bVcbuhhVRIsffRtcgzc
Healing Focus or Spell Warding are good fillers,
Divine Fury only upgrades Greater Heal and decreases cast time of smite/holy fire to make questing less painful.
------------------------------
GEAR:
***************************************************************************
*****
Please look at post later in thread for
pre-raid Gear "wishlist"
.
****
****************************************************************************
Gear should focus on....
Spellpower > Crit >=Haste>= Int > MP5 > Spirit > Stam
Patch 3.1:
Due to a series of changes for Disc, specifically,
Soul Warding
,
Enlightenment
and
Glyph of Penance
. Disc is not nearly as COOLDOWN based as it used to be. Now, the primary limiter on Disc output isnt the long recharge time of its spells (the old: 4sec on PW:S, 8 sec on Penance) but rather the speed at which these spells can be cast.
Haste
has gained favor as one of Disc's stats as it will
1) Decrease the time of your GCD (can recover from casting PW:S faster)
2) Increase your cast speed for faster casts of Penance.
Int and Crit will both help you generate more crits for penance resulting in bigger heals/divine aegis proc, and to generate glyph of PW:S crits.
Having a larger mana pool also gives more mana back because return is based on % of max. (i.e. shadowfiend and
Replenishment
). At 20k mana, you are looking at around
250MP5
from replenishment alone.
Spirit should be
avoided
because a Disc priest receives no benefit towards their spells from it and because very little time is spent outside the FSR.
For minimum entry stats for 25man Naxx, try and shoot for.
1600 Spellpower
25% crit
220 MP5 while casting
20k mana
1000 int
------------------------------
GLYPHS:
Major
1)
Glyph of Power Word Shield
It is also extremely useful so you can see how much your PW:S is contributing. PW:S does not show up on heal charts, but the glyph of PW:S heal does. If you multiply your Glyph heal amount by 5 you can judge more or less how much it is doing.
2)
Glyph of Penance
20% reduction in CD on the cheapest and most powerful heal in Disc's arsenal if not the entire game? Yes please.
3)
Glyph of Flash heal
**This is required**
Minor
1)
Glyph of Fading
Cheap is always good.
2)
Glyph of Fortitude
Cheaper is always better.
3)
Glyph of Levitate
Free is always best.
Minor glyphs are kind of up to the player, but from personal experience, my shadowfiend hardly if ever dies and +5yds for shackle is hardly noticeable.
------------------------------
FINDINGS:
1)
Power Word :Shield
and
Divine Aegis
currently DO NOT show up on heal meters/charts.
2)
Penance
can be used to refresh Grace before it actually wears off and also gives the target a full stack of 3 Grace in 1 cast.
3) The heal effect from
Glyph of PW: Shield
CAN crit.
4)The dmg reduction from
Grace
and
Blessing of Sancuary
STACK.
5)
Hymn of Hope
is unaffected by the haste gains from
Borrowed Time
and
Power Infusion
. It is stuck at a 8sec cast time.
6)
Reflective shield
also works for
Divine Aegis
shield.
-------------------------
EXCERCISE:
ALWAYS ask the raid leader to put you in the tank group. Holy Nova only affect
PARTY
members. This allows you to run in with the tanks on AoE pulls and spam HN to both heal and do dmg.
ALWAYS start spamming PW:S on the raid BEFORE AoE dmg. This will result in
1) a TON of mana return from rapture
2) Severely reduced or altogether nullified raid damage
Make sure PW:S/weaken soul is up on the tanks at all times.
Use penance on tanks unless there is a party/raid member about to keel over or the tank is already at Full HP and it would best go to someone else. Shield
ANYONE
about to die.
You are free to cast whatever other spell you deem necessary between Penance CD's:
GHeal is much too weak and slow to use as a Disc ability. For the love of god remove it from your hotkeys.
--------------------------------------
ISSUES:
Power Word:Shield and Divine Aeigis are not counted in typical heal meters.
para11ax has modified the existing recount to include PW:S and Divine Aegis.
Please check it out at
http://www.wowhead.com/?forums&topic=68238&p=723074#p723074
Download link:
http://my.curse.com/members/para11ax/files/RecountDisc.zip.aspx
With good practice in using PW:S and a decent amoutn of crit, you can expect shields to contribute ~40% to your healing done. In essence 40% of your "healing" does not show up on heal meters.
Be prepared to defend yourself. Often, about half of your "healing" is through shields which are not seen by heal meters. Your contribution may be attributed to the "omg awesome tank". But it is YOU keeping the tank from taking so much damage through your skills/talents. It just doesn't show up.
Post by
Samanosuke
Rotations
Flash heal has these characteristics; refreshes Grace, crits (procs Divine Aegis), and it's extremely cheap with the
glyph
. It provides cheap fast heals to single targets.
PW:S>Penance>>Flashheal>>Flashheal>>Penance>>flasheal>>flashheal>>PW:S>Penance on your primary target
::Repeat::
(Throw in renew, PoM, PoH as needed).
This rotation provides great flexibility.
The flash heals on the tank can be replaced by heals/shields on other party members.
------------------------------------------------------
Macros:
Power Infusion when used correctly can boost damage output of the raid significantly. The main reason I forget, is because it usually requires you to target a party/raid member and cast it. I developed this incredibly simple macro to solve this. After a few battles or a boss fight check the damage/dps meters and find the caster who would make use of it the most. Put their name in the <insert DPSer's name> and then ask them to create a macro asking you for PI. If they have a trinq. that increases damage ask them to tie it in with that for maximum effect.
Disc Priest Macro:
/target <insert top dpser's name>
/cast Power Infusion
/t <insert top dpser's name> YOU HAVE THE PPOOOOWWWWEERRRRR!
/t <insert top dpser's name> YOU HAVE THE PPOOOOWWWWEERRRRR!
Caster DPSer's macro:
/use <trinq. name>
/t <Disc Priest name> "Power Infusion Please"
/t <Disc Priest name> "Power Infusion Please"
These are Macros that make use of Inner Focus and the extra crit it gives.
This is nice for a party heal/bubble either to heal aoe damage or to prepare for it. Prayer of healing is also expensive at 1257 mana. Getting it for free is always nice.
/Cast Inner Focus
/Cast Prayer of Healing
-----------------------------------------------------
Alternative Observations: Flash Heal versus Greater Heal
I've grouped up with other Disc priests and have seen another school of Disc Healing thought floating around. This is based on the principle of scoring crits through Greater Heal to activate Divine Aegis.
Most everyone I see who use this form go for penance because they have already put many points in Disc. I don't see them use Penance nearly as much (sometimes not at all!), and instead see their top heals as Gheal and flash heal. I can quite easily tell these are Holy Priest Converts who came to disc after the patch for something new.
This is not what Disc was made for.
If you want to chain cast Greater Heal, respec Holy.
The 30% gain on
crits only
from Divine Aegis is marginal compared to the the power of a Holy priest's GHeal and the talents available to them. Also, Holy Priest's don't have to crit to receive the benefits.
The benefits of Greater Heal as Disc
Larger Heal, Larger Shield
The cons of Greater Heal as Disc
More Overheal
Slower Cast time, "entangles" Disc priest
Less spellcasts equals less crit or Divine Aegis occurances
Less chance to proc Inspiration
Slower refreshes of Grace, makes keeping it up less forgiving
The benefits of Flash Heal
Short cast gives flexibility to rotations. Also less risky of a heal
Low overheal
More chance to crit, making a Divine Aegis
More chance to proc Inspiration
Faster Grace refresh
The con of Flash Heal
Weaker heal, must be cast in succession in event of heavy damage.
------------------------------------------------
LEVELING AS DISC:
A disc priest does not gain their special talents until much later in their talent tree. If you choose to concentrate on a holy /disc priest build rather than Shadow for leveling, I suggest going into Holy first. Be forewarned, leveling as a holy priest is much harder than shadow. A shadow priest is able to heal lower level dungeons just as good so it is advised to level up as shadow.
When you reach level 60 you can respec. just in time for outlands dungeons and questing and really start to shine.
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=bVhbuhxtr0RqbMt
Post by
Samanosuke
Raid DPS Potential
I've stated in an earlier thread about the damage potential of Disc. After a bit of playing with the idea I'd like to put forward my findings.
1)
Holy Nova
does an INSANE amount of aoe dmg when you have all spellpower and crit gear.
2) It's cost is low enough to spam repeatedly, especially if you put a Power Infusion on yourself.
3) It also makes a VERY effective heal and also procs DA.
4)
No Threat
AoE heals and damage.
As a Disc priest you should always be grouped with the tanks. This allows you to run in with the tanks on AoE pulls and cause MASSIVE damage and provide TONS of heals. The glorious part is that you are still doing your main job of healing.
You would think that
Glyph of Holy Nova
would be a requirement, but I believe the damage trade off for the healing isn't worth it. Just toss a shield/renew on the tanks taking a lot of damage and Holy Nova will be able to catch up.
Disc/Holy priest lack +hit to be anywhere NEAR effective on boss fights. However, trash mobs are either at level or 1 below reducing the need for hit rating.
In conclusion, unless there is an express reason why you SHOULDN'T (I.E. mobs do cleave type moves that will kill you):
Assuming you are grouped with the tanks, always run in and spam holy nova during aoe pulls. If it looks like your mana is draining
much
faster than the enemy is dying, keep a bit of mana in reserve, stop aoeing, and revert back to pure healing.
NOTICE
:
A disc priest is NOT a dps spec, but they are capable of it. DPS should be done ONLY when it does not put the health of the raid/party in jeopardy. This is left up to the ability of the other healers and the discretion of the Disc priest.
DON'T BREAK CC WITH HOLY NOVA
Post by
140518
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Samanosuke
Gearing up for Raids
All of the following gear can be gotten before raids. They are listed in order based on how good they are, first being the best (IMO). Emphasis is made on Crit, Int, and Spellpower as a Disc priets.
I am providing caution to NOT buy items with emblems, they are a waste because they have bad Disc itemization. The only real good one is
Renewal of Life
, however you need 25 Emblems of Valor, obtainable only through 25man raids.
By time you hit raiding as Disc, you should have enough experience to know what to get and what not to get and need/roll accordingly.
Armor
Head
Visage Liquification Goggles
- Engineering
Crown of Unbridled Magic
Static Cowl
Elder Headpiece
Cowl of the Dire Troll
Frostsavage Cowl
Gaze of the Punishing Construct
Meta Gems
Insightful Earthsiege Diamond
Beaming Earthsiege Diamond
Chest
Robes of Crackling Flame
Arcane Flame Altar-Garb
Ornate Woolen Stola
Nearly identical stats as above.
Vestments of the Scholar
Embroidered Gown of Zul'Drak
Mendicant's Robe of Mendacity
Legs
Woven Bracae Leggings
Sorrowgrave's Breeches
Kilt of Deific Torment
Feet
Stone-Worn Footwraps
Slithering Slippers
Frostsavage Boots
Sandals of Chaos Resolution
Hands
Gloves of Glistening Runes
Heroes' Gloves of Faith
Giant-Hair Woven Gloves
Frostsavage Gloves
Gloves of Banished Infliction
Grips of Torrential Power
Shoulders
Toss up between the first 2
Mantle of Thwarted Evil
Frostsavage Shoulders
Shoulders of the Northern Lights
Waist
Sash of the Servant
Living Mojo Belt
Deep Frozen Cord
Frostsavage Belt
Charmed Silken Cord
Wrist
Azure Cloth Bindings
Wristguard of the Bone Witch
Cuffs of Gratitude
Shameful Cuffs
Cloak
Wispcloak
Deathchill Cloak
Shroud of Resurrection
Polished Protodrake Cloak
I place Wispcloak above Deathchill because of the extensive amount of regen that it provides. In addition, it also provides around .25% crit through its int.
Rings
Titanium Spellshock Ring
Ring of the Traitor King
Toss up between the next 2 rings, one has decreased Crit in exchange for more Int.
Ring of Temerity
Globule Signet
Necklace
Lattice Choker of Light
Titanium Spellshock Necklace
Amulet of the Spell Flinger
Choker of Binding
Trinkets
Forge Ember
Winged Talisman
Cannoneer's Fuselighter
Weapons
Two-Handed
Sempiternal Staff
One handed
Titansteel Guardian
Netherbreath Spellblade
War Mace of Unrequited Love
Gavel of the Brewing Storm
Beguiling Scepter
Screw-Sprung Fixer-Upper
---This is EXTREMELY easy to obtain from a level 75 quest. A must get for any developing Disc priest
Hammer of Wrenching Change
Off Hands
Tome of Salramm
Faces of Doom
Bonecaster's Endgame
Wands
Rod of the Fallen Monarch
Iceshrieker's Touch
Touch of Unlife
Post by
87820
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
230547
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Samanosuke
Thanks for the info :)
Here is a link to the build I have been playing around with:
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=bVhbhhxtrxoVfMkf0x
Some quick info. Spent all of my 70 life as a COH priest so alot of the rotations I have tried were more holy based.
I agree that Greater Heal should not be spammed like what a holy priest should do to a MT in a 25 man run. But I think the 5 points should be spent in Greater Heal to help bridge the gap between PW:S and Penance cd's when they are taking heavy damage. The first night I did not have this spec and lost a tank on a h shat run due to the fact that both PW:S and Pen was on cd and Gheal missed the tanks death by less then .5 seconds.
I ended up using POH way too much last nigth during a H Shat Halls run. Group had a ret pally and decided to burn thru the instance. But I have to say that mana was not an issue and when I needed to be in the 1.5k hps range, it was easily achievable.
I have not run any 10 or 25 man runs yet, but will get into that this weekend.
Initial impression is that this just might be the new mt healer. Disc priests have better damage mitigation, mana regen and the quick burst Penance. It almost feels like Blizzard is shifting the Holy Priest to be a true "Raid Healer" and kinda back filling the MT healer role with the Disc talent line.
Did you throw any renews out?
Renew should aways be on the tank and applied after penance so that it gains +6% heal bonus. It helps a TON to slow how fast the HP bar goes down.
Also, I haven't got to run any 5 mans yet. I've only been in 10-25 mans, so I make an emphasis on being able to fire and forget your spells and then moving on to heal others.
I'll get back to you on this after I get a few good heroic runs in.
Post by
230547
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
85861
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
17744
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
231030
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Korpimieli
Am I making any sense when I think that being a disciplined priest one should have a lot of intelligence and spirit? The wider your mana pool, all the more you can cast shields around. Spell Power doesn´t affect the amount shields absorb, now does it?
So Holies should concentrate on Spell Power, Discipliners somewhat more on Intelligence and Spirit...
Post by
17744
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Korpimieli
What makes you think that? PW:S has been affected by +heal for ages.
I did not know that. Hadn´t really thought about it until now.
All the more I'd be happy if you answered my question on the other threat on what to concentrate while gearing.
Post by
124900
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Lightrain
Is the benefit of 30% +healing to shield absortion affected by the new spell power system? I.E.-now showing 886 spell healing < 1668+healing? Or is it modified by the 1.88 rule?
Post by
234711
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
119838
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Samanosuke
Quote:
BUILD:
The build I currently use is...
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=bVhbuhxtr0RifMtch
And for level 80:
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=bVI0uhxtr0kVfMtcxLcc
Makes penance much more efficient and provides Inspiration. Renewed Hope is lost, but Holy Spec. somewhat takes it's place.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The spec for 70 and 80, are they viable specs to heal 5 mans? I.e. Enough dmg prevention and actual healing ot keep a tank and possibly other raid up? And if so is it just regular 5 mans, or could it be enough to heal heroic ones as well?
Yes, it provides more than enough raw healing to keep a tank up as well as party members. I was even capable of healing through an accidental pull in Heroic SV easily (pulled a second group). Throw PW: shield, penance, renew on tank, then go around shield/renewing anyone who is being hit. Cast PoM on tank buy enough time so you can recast penance and to heal through AoE dmg. Combine inner Focus + Prayer of Healing for a big aoe heal/bubble, and try to use Gheal sparring because of its long cast time and current lack of free talents points to speed it up.
Post Reply
You are not logged in. Please
log in
to post a reply or
register
if you don't already have an account.