How to Level a Priest in WoW Forever
Shadow is the smoothest way to level a Priest. Early on you fight with damage over time and a wand, and Spirit Tap refills your Mana after each kill. Mind Flay arrives at 24 and Shadowform at 42 halves the cost of every Shadow spell. The last points go to Discipline for a stronger shield and Meditation, so the plan never needs a respec.
Priest Leveling Milestones
- Lv 4
Shadow Word: Pain, your main damage spell.
- Lv 6
Power Word: Shield.
- Lv 8
Renew and Fade.
- Lv 10
Mind Blast, a set of new Priest spells, and your first talent point.
- Lv 14
Psychic Scream, your escape.
- Lv 20
Devouring Plague, Flash Heal, and Holy Fire.
- Lv 24
Mind Flay, the Shadow filler.
- Lv 27
Vampiric Embrace.
- Lv 32
Shadow Word: Death.
- Lv 42
Shadowform: Shadow spells cost half as much and deal 10% more damage.
Priest Shadow Leveling Build
Wand Specialization, Spirit Tap, and a longer Shadow Word: Pain carry the early levels, Mind Flay and Shadow Weaving build the middle, and Shadowform at 42 halves the Mana cost of every Shadow spell. The last 20 points go to Discipline and Holy for instant-spell damage, a stronger shield, Meditation, and pushback protection.
How the Shadow Leveling Plan Works
Discipline17
2/2
5/5
3/5
3/3
3/3
1/1
Holy3
3/3
Shadow Magic31
5/5
5/5
1/52/2
2/2
1/1
2/2
1/1
3/3
1/1
2/2
5/5
1/1A leveling Priest does not need long casts. Low-level Priest damage comes from the wand and damage over time, and the first three talents all work without casting: Wand Specialization adds 25% wand damage, Spirit Tap doubles your Spirit for 15 seconds after each kill so you regenerate between fights, and Improved Shadow Word: Pain adds 6 seconds to your main damage spell.
Through the twenties and thirties the Shadow tree adds Mind Flay, Vampiric Embrace, Shadow Weaving, and Silence, and Devouring Contagion makes Devouring Plague jump to nearby enemies when its target dies. Shadowform at 42 is the turning point: Shadow spells cost half as much Mana, deal 10% more damage, critical strike for much more, and you take 15% less Physical damage.
The plan never respecs. After 42, the points go to Discipline for Twin Disciplines, Mental Strength, Improved Power Word: Shield, Meditation, and Soul Warding, and three points to Holy for Twilight Focus so monsters hitting you do not push your casts back.
Shadow Leveling: Point Order by Level
| Level | Spend the point on | Tree points | Show in the calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 10–18Three points that decide this stretch Wand Specialization 2/2 at 10–11 for 25% wand damage, Spirit Tap 5/5 at 12–16 to double your Spirit after kills, and Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2 at 17–18 for 6 more seconds of your main damage spell. | |||
| 10–11 | Wand Specialization 2/2 · Discipline | 2 / 0 / 0 | Open |
| 12–16 | Spirit Tap 5/5 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 5 | Open |
| 17–18 | Improved Shadow Word: Pain 2/2 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 7 | Open |
| Levels 19–30Mind Flay and Shadow Weaving Shadow Focus 3/5 at 19–21 and Shadow Reach 2/2 at 22–23. Mind Flay at 24, Improved Mind Flay 2/2 at 25–26, Vampiric Embrace at 27, and Shadow Weaving 3/3 at 28–30 so your Shadow spells stack up to 10% more damage on the target. | |||
| 19–21 | Shadow Focus 3/5 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 10 | Open |
| 22–23 | Shadow Reach 2/2 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 12 | Open |
| 24 | Mind Flay 1/1 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 13 | Open |
| 25–26 | Improved Mind Flay 2/2 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 15 | Open |
| 27 | Vampiric Embrace 1/1 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 16 | Open |
| 28–30 | Shadow Weaving 3/3 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 19 | Open |
| Levels 31–41Silence, Contagion, and Darkness Shadow Focus 4/5 at 31, Silence at 32 for casters, Devouring Contagion 2/2 at 33–34, Shadow Focus 5/5 at 35, Improved Mind Blast 1/5 at 36, and Darkness 5/5 at 37–41 for 10% more Shadow damage. | |||
| 31 | Shadow Focus 4/5 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 20 | Open |
| 32 | Silence 1/1 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 21 | Open |
| 33–34 | Devouring Contagion 2/2 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 23 | Open |
| 35 | Shadow Focus 5/5 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 24 | Open |
| 36 | Improved Mind Blast 1/5 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 25 | Open |
| 37–41 | Darkness 5/5 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 30 | Open |
| Level 42Shadowform Shadowform: Shadow spells cost 50% less Mana and deal 10% more damage, Shadow critical strikes deal far more, and you take 15% less Physical damage. From here Mind Blast and Mind Flay take over from the wand. | |||
| 42 | Shadowform 1/1 · Shadow Magic | 2 / 0 / 31 | Open |
| Levels 43–60Discipline and Holy for sustain Twin Disciplines 5/5 at 43–47, Mental Strength 3/5 at 48–50, Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3 at 51–53, Meditation 3/3 at 54–56, Twilight Focus 3/3 in Holy at 57–59, and Soul Warding at 60. | |||
| 43–47 | Twin Disciplines 5/5 · Discipline | 7 / 0 / 31 | Open |
| 48–50 | Mental Strength 3/5 · Discipline | 10 / 0 / 31 | Open |
| 51–53 | Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3 · Discipline | 13 / 0 / 31 | Open |
| 54–56 | Meditation 3/3 · Discipline | 16 / 0 / 31 | Open |
| 57–59 | Twilight Focus 3/3 · Holy | 16 / 3 / 31 | Open |
| 60 | Soul Warding 1/1 · Discipline | 17 / 3 / 31 | Open |
Shadow Leveling: Rotation and How to Play
Levels 1–24: three things
Before a pull, use spare Mana on Power Word: Shield and Renew. Open with Shadow Word: Pain on as many monsters as you can safely handle. Then wand them down: casting Smite at this stage is a waste, while the wand costs no Mana and does not interrupt your regeneration.
From 25: several targets are faster
Put Shadow Word: Pain on two or three monsters and Devouring Plague and Vampiric Embrace on the toughest one. Every kill triggers Spirit Tap and refills your Mana, so fighting several monsters is faster than fighting one at a time. If you are surrounded, use Psychic Scream before you try to heal.
Avoid the long heal
When your health drops to half, shield, Renew, and keep fighting. A long heal breaks your Mana regeneration, and from 42 it also drops you out of Shadowform.
Priest Talents, Spells, and Gear by Level
Each range shows the talent points of the recommended plan, the spells to train, and the best gear for your faction. Switch faction in the site header to see the other side's gear.
Priest Levels 1–10
Shield yourself, apply Shadow Word: Pain, and finish with Smite or your wand. Pick up a wand as early as you can: it is your best damage for many levels.
- 1 talent point
- 15 new spells
- 4 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Spells to Train
- 1Power Word: Fortitude
1Lesser Heal
1Smite- 4Shadow Word: Pain
- 6Power Word: Shield
- 8Renew
8Fade
10Confounding Flash
10Starshards
10Desperate Prayer
10Divine Grace
10Resurrection
10Hex of Weakness- 10Mind Blast
10Touch of Weakness
Plus 4 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →- 1 talent point
- 15 new spells
- 4 rank-ups
- 13 gear upgrades
Spells to Train
- 1Power Word: Fortitude
- 1Lesser Heal
- 1Smite
- 4Shadow Word: Pain
- 6Power Word: Shield
- 8Renew
- 8Fade
- 10Confounding Flash
- 10Starshards
- 10Desperate Prayer
- 10Divine Grace
- 10Resurrection
- 10Hex of Weakness
- 10Mind Blast
- 10Touch of Weakness
Plus 4 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Priest Levels 10–20
Wand Specialization and Spirit Tap are the core: your wand hits harder and you regenerate quickly after every kill. Mind Blast at 10 opens fights.
- 10 talent points
- 17 new spells
- 15 rank-ups
- 16 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/2Wand SpecializationLv 11
- 5/5Spirit TapLv 12–16
- 2/2Improved Shadow Word: PainLv 17–18
- 2/5Shadow FocusLv 19–20
Spells to Train
- 12Inner Fire
14Cure Disease- 14Psychic Scream
- 16Heal
18Dispel Magic
20Contingency Plan
20Elune's Grace
20Feedback
20Shackle Undead
20Chastise
20Fear Ward
20Flash Heal- 20Holy Fire
20Dark Sacrifice
20Devouring Plague
20Mind Soothe
20Shadowguard
Plus 15 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand
Ranged
Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring
Ring
Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 17 new spells
- 15 rank-ups
- 16 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/2Wand SpecializationLv 11
- 5/5Spirit TapLv 12–16
- 2/2Improved Shadow Word: PainLv 17–18
- 2/5Shadow FocusLv 19–20
Spells to Train
- 12Inner Fire
- 14Cure Disease
- 14Psychic Scream
- 16Heal
- 18Dispel Magic
- 20Contingency Plan
- 20Elune's Grace
- 20Feedback
- 20Shackle Undead
- 20Chastise
- 20Fear Ward
- 20Flash Heal
- 20Holy Fire
- 20Dark Sacrifice
- 20Devouring Plague
- 20Mind Soothe
- 20Shadowguard
Plus 15 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
Wrist- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
Ring- Trinket
Priest Levels 20–30
Devouring Plague at 20 and Mind Flay at 24. Shadow Weaving at 28–30 makes your Shadow spells stack extra damage on the target.
- 10 talent points
- 6 new spells
- 29 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/5Shadow FocusLv 21
- 2/2Shadow ReachLv 22–23
- 1/1Mind FlayLv 24
- 2/2Improved Mind FlayLv 25–26
- 1/1Vampiric EmbraceLv 27
- 3/3Shadow WeavingLv 28–30
Spells to Train
22Mind Vision- 24Mana Burn
30Divine Spirit
30Prayer of Healing
30Mind Control
30Shadow Protection
Plus 29 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand
Ranged- Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist- Legs
Feet- Ring
Ring
Trinket- Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 6 new spells
- 29 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/5Shadow FocusLv 21
- 2/2Shadow ReachLv 22–23
- 1/1Mind FlayLv 24
- 2/2Improved Mind FlayLv 25–26
- 1/1Vampiric EmbraceLv 27
- 3/3Shadow WeavingLv 28–30
Spells to Train
- 22Mind Vision
- 24Mana Burn
- 30Divine Spirit
- 30Prayer of Healing
- 30Mind Control
- 30Shadow Protection
Plus 29 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
Back- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
Waist- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
Ring- Trinket
- Trinket
Priest Levels 30–40
Silence for casters, Devouring Contagion to spread Plague, and Darkness for 10% more Shadow damage.
- 10 talent points
- 4 new spells
- 34 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 4/5Shadow FocusLv 31
- 1/1SilenceLv 32
- 2/2Devouring ContagionLv 33–34
- 5/5Shadow FocusLv 35
- 1/5Improved Mind BlastLv 36
- 4/5DarknessLv 37–40
Spells to Train
32Abolish Disease- 32Shadow Word: Death
- 34Levitate
40Greater Heal
Plus 34 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand- Ranged
Head
Neck- Shoulder
- Back
Chest- Wrist
Hands
Waist- Legs
Feet- Ring
- Ring
Trinket- Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 4 new spells
- 34 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 4/5Shadow FocusLv 31
- 1/1SilenceLv 32
- 2/2Devouring ContagionLv 33–34
- 5/5Shadow FocusLv 35
- 1/5Improved Mind BlastLv 36
- 4/5DarknessLv 37–40
Spells to Train
- 32Abolish Disease
- 32Shadow Word: Death
- 34Levitate
- 40Greater Heal
Plus 34 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- Trinket
- Trinket
Priest Levels 40–50
Shadowform at 42 is the turning point: Mind Blast and Mind Flay take over from the wand. Twin Disciplines follows for stronger instant spells.
- 10 talent points
- 1 new spells
- 39 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5DarknessLv 41
- 1/1ShadowformLv 42
- 5/5Twin DisciplinesLv 43–47
- 3/5Mental StrengthLv 48–50
Spells to Train
48Prayer of Fortitude
Plus 39 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand
Ranged- Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back- Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
Trinket
Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 1 new spells
- 39 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5DarknessLv 41
- 1/1ShadowformLv 42
- 5/5Twin DisciplinesLv 43–47
- 3/5Mental StrengthLv 48–50
Spells to Train
- 48Prayer of Fortitude
Plus 39 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
Back- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- Trinket
Trinket
Priest Levels 50–60
Discipline and Holy for sustain: Improved Power Word: Shield, Meditation, Twilight Focus, and Soul Warding at 60.
- 10 talent points
- 2 new spells
- 42 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3Improved Power Word: ShieldLv 51–53
- 3/3MeditationLv 54–56
- 3/3Twilight FocusLv 57–59
- 1/1Soul WardingLv 60
Spells to Train
56Prayer of Shadow Protection
60Prayer of Spirit
Plus 42 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
Ranged- Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back- Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist- Legs
- Feet
Ring
Ring- Trinket
- Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 2 new spells
- 42 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3Improved Power Word: ShieldLv 51–53
- 3/3MeditationLv 54–56
- 3/3Twilight FocusLv 57–59
- 1/1Soul WardingLv 60
Spells to Train
- 56Prayer of Shadow Protection
- 60Prayer of Spirit
Plus 42 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Priest spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- Trinket
- Trinket
Priest Leveling Gear and Stats
Wand first
Until Shadowform your wand is a large part of your damage, so upgrade it whenever you can. After 42, spell damage matters more.
Stats
Spirit and Intellect while leveling: Spirit Tap doubles your Spirit after kills, and Meditation keeps half your regeneration going while casting. Spell damage and Stamina next.
Armor
Priests wear cloth the whole way; Stamina on cloth keeps you alive when a pull goes wrong.
Priest Leveling Questions
What is the best Priest leveling spec in WoW Forever?
Shadow with a wand. The plan on this page ends at 31 Shadow, 17 Discipline, and 3 Holy, reaches Shadowform at 42, and never needs a respec.
When does a Priest get Shadowform?
Shadowform is the last Shadow talent, so the earliest you can take it is level 42.
When does a Priest get Mind Flay?
Mind Flay is a Shadow talent; this plan takes it at level 24.
Should a Priest level with a wand?
Yes. Wand Specialization makes your wand hit 25% harder, it costs no Mana, and it does not interrupt your Mana regeneration. It is your main damage until Shadowform.
Can a Shadow Priest heal dungeons while leveling?
In normal leveling dungeons, yes, with Flash Heal and Renew. You have to leave Shadowform to heal from 42, so a dedicated healer is better served by a Discipline or Holy build.
How do I stop running out of Mana as Shadow?
Let Spirit Tap trigger: kill monsters with your wand, and fight several at once so each kill refills your Mana. From 42, Shadowform halves the cost of every Shadow spell.