Shadow Priest PvE Guide
The War WithinPatch 11.0.2
Rotation and Cooldowns
This rotation guide should help give a basic understanding of what to do, what's most important, and how to prioritize Shadow Priest abilities and cooldowns.
Single Target
Ensure Shadowform and Power Word Fortitude are active before the encounter begins.
- Apply to the target.
- Apply to the target.
- Use to refresh DoTs if available.
- Use to generate Insanity.
- Enter Voidform.
- Use if Insanity is not capped.
- Spend Insanity if not active or about to expire.
- Use as a filler.
- Use if you have 3+ stacks of Surge Of Insanity.
Start with Vampiric Touch and Shadow Word Pain. Use Shadow Crash to refresh DoTs, followed by Mind Blast and Void Eruption to enter Voidform. Spend Insanity on Devouring Plague and use Void Bolt to maintain damage.
AoE
Ensure Shadowform and Power Word Fortitude are active before the encounter begins.
- Apply to multiple targets as they are grouped.
- Use to apply DoTs to all targets.
- Use to generate Insanity.
- Enter Voidform.
- Use for burst damage.
- Use for AoE damage if available.
- Spread to priority targets.
- Use as a filler.
- Use if you have 3+ stacks of Surge Of Insanity.
In AoE, start with Vampiric Touch and Shadow Crash to apply DoTs. Use Mind Blast to generate Insanity, then Void Eruption to enter Voidform. Spread Devouring Plague and use Void Torrent for burst.
Cooldowns
Use cooldowns strategically during burst phases.
- Use to increase damage output.
- Use to generate Insanity.
- Use to generate Insanity.
- Use for burst damage.
- Use to boost damage.
Prioritize Dark Ascension and Power Infusion during burst phases. Use Mindbender and Shadowfiend to generate Insanity, and Void Torrent for AoE damage.