Welcome to the Holy Priest Raid guide for the World of Warcraft patch 11.0! This guide covers everything you need to know to understand your character! Are you starting out and leveling up from 70? Check out the leveling guide!
Overview
Hero Talents
- Archon focuses on your constant healing output, while Oracle focuses on enhancing your big healing cooldowns and providing utility to the team.
- This Guide recommends playing Archon, and therefore only covers that Hero Talent option.
- When casting Halo you also periodically create more Halos that return to you. They are enhanced by the following nodes and grant you certain benefits:
- Power Surge
- Creates multiple Halos.
- Resonant Energy
- Applies an increased healing taken buff to any ally hit by a Halo ring.
- Energy Compression
- Massively increases the effectiveness of each Halo.
- Divine Halo
- Halos return to you after reaching max distance.
- Power Surge
- Oracle grants you a new Ability that cycles through 4 different versions after each use:
- Premonition of Insight
- Decreases the cooldown of the next 3 spells you cast by 7 seconds.
- Premonition of Piety
- Increases your healing done by a large amount and causes 70% of your overhealing to be redistributed.
- Premonition of Solace
- Your next Flash Heal, Heal, Holy Word: Serenity or Renew apply a massive absorb and a dr to your target.
- Premonition of Clairvoyance
- Gain the effects of all the other Premonitions.
- Premonition of Insight
Talents
When to use this Spec
This is the default loadout going into any boss unless specified otherwise. You have to adjust the class talent tree based on the utility needed for the encounter. To make your life easier, boss-specific talent loadouts are available in the Raids section.
Gameplay Altering Talents
Discover all talents that significantly alter your gameplay within the Spec and Class Talent trees. This section gives a concise overview of these talents and their applications but for a more detailed look check out the Rotation and Deep Dive sections below.
Spec Tree
- Miracle Worker
- This Talent allows you to prepare effectively for critical moments by granting you an additional charge of your healing Holy Words. This increases the value of the Holy Priest's core cooldown reduction mechanic, as you can now retain one charge for emergencies without losing value.
- Guardian Angel
- Enables you to use Guardian Spirit more frequently, greatly easing difficult encounters.
- Divine Image
- Rewards you for planning ahead with your Holy Words. The Naaru is empowered by each Holy Word you cast, but the empowerment only lasts for a short duration.
- Epiphany
- Increases the amount of times you can cast Prayer of Mending.
Class Tree
- Phantom Reach
- Increases the range of your spells to 46 yards, which is a very powerful tool if used correctly. This allows you to reach allies even when the Raid is spread out.
- Surge of Light
- This talent significantly helps with mana management and mobility, providing you with an additional recovery tool while on the move.
- Twins of the Sun Priestess
- You also gain the effects of Power Infusion when you cast it on an ally.
- Rhapsody
- Allows you to frequently access a strong group-wide heal if your raid is stacking.
- Protective Light
- In combination with Binding Heal and Surge of Light, this talent provides you with an easily accessible 10% damage reduction.
- Translucent Image
- Adds a new but weak defensive ability to the Priest class toolkit. However, when combined with Protective Light, it could save your life!
Hero Talent Tree
- Energy Compression
- Greatly increases the effectiveness of your Halo.
- Word of Supremacy
- Increases the effect of Power Word: Fortitude only on yourself.
Rotation
Tier Set
- 2-Set: Serendipity is 10% more effective.
- 4-Set: Heal, Flash Heal and Prayer of Healing have a 50% chance to cast again at 35% effectiveness.
Priority List
For Healing
- Cast Prayer of Mending on Cooldown.
- Cast Circle of Healing on Cooldown.
- Cast Holy Word: Sanctify on Cooldown if there is AoE healing to be done and people are stacked.
- Cast Holy Nova if you have 15 or more stacks of Rhapsody and there is AoE healing to be done and people are stacked.
- Cast Holy Word: Serenity if people require enough single target healing.
- Cast Prayer of Healing to reduce the Cooldown of Holy Word: Sanctify only if there is urgency.
- Cast Heal to reduce the Cooldown of Holy Word: Serenity.
- Cast Renew on movement globals. (Skip this if you run into mana issues)
For Damage
- Cast Holy Fire on cooldown.
- Cast Smite.
- Maintain Shadow Word: Pain on movement globals. (Skip this if you run into mana issues)
Cooldowns
Divine Hymn
- While this spell does not do the best numbers compared to other cooldowns, its real strength lies in its raid-wide increased healing taken buff that builds up during the channel. When combined with a powerful raid healing cooldown, Divine Hymn can be one of the strongest healing cooldowns there is.
Holy Word: Salvation
- This ability has a 12-minute cooldown, which can be reduced to a much lower time depending on the amount of mana you can spend. The node Perfected Form of the Archon tree also increases all healing done by 10% after casting this spell.
- You can find the optimal times to use Holy Word: Salvation for each boss in the raid section.
Halo
- With how powerful Halo becomes when picking Archon, it needs to be considered a healing cooldown and needs to be planned accordingly.
Divine Word
- In a raid setting, this is almost always used with Holy Word: Sanctify and needs to be placed where your raid is stacking. It creates a field that heals up to 5 targets within it for 15 seconds.
Symbol of Hope
- Use Symbol of Hope frequently when Desperate Prayer and your allies' major defensives are on cooldown. This helps your allies use their defensives more frequently, making your job easier. In Raids, you also use it frequently for its mana regeneration benefits.
Deep Dive
Optimising Apotheosis
- To get the most out of your Apotheosis windows triggered by Answered Prayers, you need to know that there are two ways of playing them: Either by focusing on generating Holy Words, or by focusing on reducing your mana spend by casting as many Holy Words as possible during it. Which one you should decide on heavily varies depending on the encounter.
Min maxing Power Infusion
- While Power Infusion is your spell, the optimal usage is to prioritize your teammates' benefit over your own. To do this, monitor your party members' offensive cooldowns. Use Addons or WeakAuras, as discussed in the Addon section, or communicate with your teammates so they can request it exactly when they need it.
Understanding Mechanics
Rotational min-maxing is just one aspect of mastering a specialization, but there are numerous other key mechanics that influence your performance. Use the following guides to improve them.
Nerub-Ar Palace
The following tips are mainly applicable to Heroic Bosses. Mythic tips are released after our progression finishes.
← Scroll for more Bosses →
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
- These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active when soaking Carnivorous Contest.
- Externals
- Use Guardian Spirit as a personal defensive.
- Paradox
- Other healers make better use of Spatial Paradox.
- General
- Avoid getting hit by Juggernaut Charge at ALL cost.
- Save a raid member with Leap of Faith if they get consumed during Carnivorous Contest.
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
- These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active when soaking Gruesome Disgorge.
- Externals
- Use Guardian Spirit as a personal defensive.
- Paradox
- Other healers make better use of it in this encounter.
- General
- When soaking Gruesome Disgorge use Leap of Faith on a teammate that is late for their assigned soak.
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
- These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active when targeted by Decimate.
- Externals
- Use Guardian Spirit as a personal defensive.
- Paradox
- Other healers make better use of it in this boss encounter.
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
- Defensives
- Rotate your defensives when targeted by multiple Infested Spawn.
- Externals
- Use your Guardian Spirit on people targeted by multiple Infested Spawn without their own defensive cooldown.
- Paradox
- Other healers make better use of it in this boss encounter.
- General
- When Rasha'nan repositions ask for a Rescue to then Leap of Faith the other slower classes towards the boss.
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active when targeted with Experimental Dosage.
- Externals
- Use your Guardian Spirit on people targeted with Experimental Dosage.
- Paradox
- Use it if you are assigned to Divine Hymn while the boss has Ingest Black Blood active to dodge the constant swirlies.
- General
- Always try to top the tank afflicted by Volatile Concoction when the debuff is about to run out to reduce raid damage.
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
- Defensives
- Rotate through your defensive arsenal when affected by Queensbane and ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active.
- Externals
- If an ally does not have any defensive cooldown left while affected by Queensbane use Guardian Spirit on them, otherwise keep it as a personal defensive.
- Paradox
- Ask for it when the Nether Rift drag is happening and you are assigned to use Divine Hymn.
- General
- Angle your camera so you can see the people with Shadows of Doubt to be able to dodge their orbs easily when removed.
How To Use Your Healing Cooldowns
- These cooldowns were assigned with the primary goal of defeating the boss, rather than maximizing raw HPS. They were planned based on the Beta version of the game, so if the boss timers change when the raid goes live, it also changes the cooldown assignments.
Boss Tips
Phase 1
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active and use Desperate Prayer when Reckless Eruption and Venomous Rain overlap.
- Externals
- Use your Guardian Spirit on Binding Webs targets without strong defensive cooldowns as those are the people most likely to die.
- Paradox
- Other healers make better use of it in this Phase.
- General
- The people in danger in this phase are the ones playing Binding Webs. Ensure you keep them healthy so they can fully focus on the mechanic without having to worry about other things.
Phase 2
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active when Web Vortex happens.
- Externals
- Use your Guardian Spirit on targets who accidentally received multiple stacks of Stinging Swarm.
- Paradox
- If you are assigned to Divine Hymn during Web Vortex you should request it.
- General
- In phase 2, failing the dispel mechanic Stinging Swarm is the most common wipe reason. Always keep these people healthy so they don't have to worry about anything but playing the mechanic.
- Dispel your tank as often as possible whenever he has multiple stacks of Void Bolt, as this mechanic easily kills your tank if ignored.
Intermission 2
- General
- Whenever a raid member gets Impaled, ensure you spot heal them until they are freed.
Phase 3
- Defensives
- Ensure to have Protective Light and Fade active when Web Vortex happens.
- Externals
- Use your Guardian Spirit on Binding Webs targets without strong defensive cooldowns as those are the people most likely to die.
- Paradox
- If you are assigned to Divine Hymn when Web Vortex you should request it.
- General
- The People in danger in this phase are the people playing Binding Webs. Keep them healthy so they can fully focus on the mechanic without having to worry about other things.
- Dispel your tank as often as possible whenever they have multiple stacks of Void Bolt as this mechanic easily kills your tank if ignored.
Stat Priority
Understand your secondary stat priority and the tertiary stats needed for optimal performance during Raid boss fights as a Holy Priest. For more detailed information, visit the Stats and Attributes guide.
The Conclusion here is that you want to equip the highest item level generally.
- All secondary stats are affected by diminishing returns. Click here to learn more!
Tertiary
- Avoidance - Reduces damage taken from AoE effects.
- Leech - Returns a portion of your damage and healing done as healing to you. (Excludes self healing)
- Speed - Increases movement speed. (Does stack with other movement speed abilities)
The only time you should think about picking a lower item level is if it has Leech or Avoidance. Speed is nice to have, but you shouldn't consider this stat when choosing between two items.
- Here is a showcase of how powerful Leech is for a Healer: Breakdown of Mythic Fyrakk
Gear
Due to the way stat weights work for Holy Priest, there isn't a strict best-in-slot list. Although it is theoretically possible to obtain items with all the correct Tertiaries, doing so requires extraordinary luck or several human lifespans because of the weekly reset system in World of Warcraft.
| Slot | Item | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Living Luster's Semblance | Tier/Catalyst |
| Neck | Trailspinner Pendant | Mist of Tirna Scithe |
| Shoulder | Living Luster's Dominion | Tier/Catalyst |
| Cloak | Wings of Shattered Sorrow | Rasha'nan |
| Chest | Bile-Soaked Harness | Ulgrax |
| Wrist | Consecrated Cuffs | Crafting |
| Gloves | Living Luster's Touch | Tier/Catalyst |
| Belt | Consecrated Cord | Crafting |
| Legs | Living Luster's Trousers | Tier/Catalyst |
| Boots | Membranous Slippers | Dawnbreaker |
| Ring 1 | Seal of the Poisoned Pact | Queen Ansu'rek |
| Ring 2 | Seal of the City Watch | Siege of Boralus |
| Trinket 1 | Empowering Crystal of Anub'ikkaj | Dawnbreaker |
| Trinket 2 | Unbound Changeling | Mists of Tirna Scithe |
| Weapon | Scithewood Scepter | Mists of Tirna Scithe |
| Off-Hand | Overflowing Umbral Pail | Dawnbreaker |
Authors Note:
This list shows the best items for healing in Raids from all sources. Keep in mind that getting different tier pieces with Leech / Avoidance changes which off-piece is best for you. Likewise, any other non-trinket item with Leech / Avoidance replaces the one suggested here.
Below you are presented with a good list of farmable alternatives that are obtainable outside of WoW’s weekly lockout system. While replaced in time as you progress, these offer immediate character power.
| Slot | Item | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Intertwiner's Shadowcowl | City of Threads |
| Neck | Trailspinner Pendant | The Stone Vault |
| Shoulder | Ingra Maloch's Mantle | Mists of Tirna Scithe |
| Cloak | Troggstitched Drape | Grim Batol |
| Chest | Arachnofrost Vest | City of Threads |
| Wrist | Crimsonborne Bracers | Grim batol |
| Gloves | Captain's Dustfinders | Siege of Boralus |
| Belt | Burrower's Cinch | Ara-Kara |
| Legs | E.D.N.A. Stabilizers | The Stone Vault |
| Boots | Membranous Slippers | Dawnbreaker |
| Ring 1 | Seal of the City Watch | Siege of Boralus |
| Ring 2 | Umbriss Band | Grim batol |
| Trinket 1 | Empowering Crystal of Anub'ikkaj | Dawnbreaker |
| Trinket 2 | Unbound Changeling | Mists of Tirna Scithe |
| Two-Hand Weapon | Staff of Siphoned Essences | Grim Batol |
| One-Hand Weapon | Scithewood Scepter | Mists of Tirna Scithe |
| Off-Hand | Overflowing Umbral Pail | Dawnbreaker |
Trinkets
Below you can find active and passive alternatives to our recommended trinkets. Do note that some trinkets are better than others depending on the scenario.
Active Trinket alternatives
- Spymaster's Web
- A strong On-Use Trinket that rewards precise planning. It takes 4 minutes to reach max stacks, so make sure to tie it to the important damage events instead of just using it on cooldown!
Passive Trinket alternatives
- Ovi'nax's Mercurial Egg
- Very interesting Trinket, that gives you a mix of main stat and your highest secondary. Use it when a big raid movement is happening to keep a good distribution.
Embellishments
It's recommended to hold your Spark of Omens craft and wait for further tuning.
- Dawnthread Lining 2x
- Increases your critical strike by a small amount, while above 80% HP
Remaining Sparks
- Crafted items are 636 item level and regular items are 639 on max item level, therefore, it's not beneficial to equip crafted items outside of your 2x embellishments unless you don't have access to other high item level gear on that slot.
Consumables
- Phials
- Flask of Tempered Aggression
- Food
- Feast of the Divine Day
- Combat Potion
- Algari Mana Potion -- Recommended
- Potion Bomb of Recovery
- Health Potion
- Algari Healing Potion
- Weapon Oil
- Algari Mana Oil
- Augment Rune
- Crystallized Augment Rune
- Sockets
- Masterful Ruby
- Culminating Blasphemite -- Unique, use one of each gem colour to enhance your Blasphemite.
- Deadly Onyx
- Deadly Emerald
- Deadly Sapphire
Enchantments
| Helm | Nerubian Gemweaver |
| Neck | Magnificent Jeweler's Setting 2x |
| Cloak | Enchant Cloak - Chant of Leeching Fangs |
| Chest | Enchant Chest - Council's Intellect |
| Wrist | Enchant Bracer - Whisper of Armored Leech Nerubian Gemweaver |
| Belt | Nerubian Gemweaver |
| Legs | Daybreak Spellthread |
| Boots | Enchant Boots - Scout's March |
| Ring 1 | Enchant Ring - Radiant Critical Strike Magnificent Jeweler's Setting 2x |
| Ring 2 | Enchant Ring - Radiant Critical Strike Magnificent Jeweler's Setting 2x |
| Weapon | Enchant Weapon - Authority of Fiery Resolve |
You buy Nerubian Gemweaver from the Great Vault Vendor to add sockets to your Helm, Wrists and Belt.
Races
For min-maxing a Holy Priest in Mythic Raiding, different racial traits can provide a tremendous benefit to your characters. If this is not your top goal, picking a race that fits your style works just as well.
- Rocket Jump -- Goblin
- Jump forward, can be cast while falling or being knocked.
- Spatial Rift -- Void elf
- Spawn a shadow traveling into your facing direction, and activate again to teleport to it.
- Maximum range of 100 yards.
Recommendation
It is highly recommended to play a Goblin! Priests can be pretty slow-moving, and the Goblin's extra mobility really helps in those sticky situations.
Macros
Discover recommended macros for Holy Priest during Raid encounters and watch a quick video guide on creating simple macros for your character.
Mouseover Macros
All spells in this Holy Priest Raid Guide are available as mouseover macros for your convenience!
Prayer of Mending
/cast [@mouseover, help] Prayer of Mending; Prayer of MendingCircle of Healing
/cast [@mouseover, help] Circle of Healing; Circle of HealingHoly Word: Serenity
/cast [@mouseover, help] Holy Word: Serenity; Holy Word: SerenityPrayer of Healing
/cast [@mouseover, help] Prayer of Healing; Prayer of HealingRenew
/cast [@mouseover, help] Renew; RenewFlash Heal
/cast [@mouseover, help] Flash Heal; Flash HealPower Infusion
/cast [@mouseover,exists] Power Infusion; Power InfusionLeap of Faith
/cast [@mouseover, help] Leap of Faith; Leap of FaithGuardian Spirit
/cast [@mouseover, help] Guardian Spirit; Guardian SpiritRecommended Macros
Addons
Below, you see a screenshot of the author's User Interface for their Holy Priest, outlining which addons are used and how they are utilized in Raids to make your life easier.
Addons
WeakAuras
Changes this Patch
Patch 11.0.1
Patch 11.0.2
FAQ
Q: Why do I keep dying?
Credits
Written By: Rycn
Reviewed By: Sol