Shadow Priest guide image

Shadow Priest PvP Guide For 3v3

Priest class icon Shadow Priest specialization icon
Shadow Priest
Season 4
50 characters
1927 - 2456

Welcome to Murlok.io's Shadow Priest PvP guide for 3v3 in World of Warcraft. This guide lists the best stats, races, talents, gear, embellishments, enchantments, and gems for patch 10.2.6, based on the character builds of the Top 50 Shadow Priests from Dragonflight Season 4 across the US, EU, KR, and TW regions. This includes Ñerv (Twisting Nether EU) , who is currently the highest-ranked with a rating of 2456.

Updated every 12 hours with the latest data from the Battle.net API , the guide also examines each character's last time played, specialization usage frequency, and equipment type to ensure greater accuracy.

Top Shadow Priests

  1. 1
    Ñerv's character icon
    Ñerv
    Twisting Nether (EU)
    459 ilvl
    2456
  2. 2
    Mmrassassin's character icon
    Mmrassassin
    Stormrage (US)
    487 ilvl
    2452
  3. 3
    Nazzáretha's character icon
    Nazzáretha
    Bleeding Hollow (US)
    470 ilvl
    2248
  4. 4
    Envyion's character icon
    Envyion
    Sargeras (US)
    472 ilvl
    2219
  5. 5
    Freepokemons's character icon
    Freepokemons
    Area 52 (US)
    467 ilvl
    2212

Stat Priority

Stats are crucial attributes that directly influence a character's power in World of Warcraft. They not only determine the character's strength but also define the overall feel and playstyle. Stat bonuses can be found on various pieces of equipment, in consumables created by the Alchemy profession, certain foods, some enchantments , and gems .

It's important to note that each stat experiences diminishing returns once its equipped bonus reaches +20%. This means that optimizing a character's performance involves more than just maximizing each stat; it's about finding a balanced distribution. Here is the optimal way to balance Shadow Priest Secondary and Minor stats for 3v3.

Secondary Stats
+537
8% Critical Strike
+6258
36% Haste
+884
6% Mastery
+6422
31% Versatility
  1. Versatility
  2. Haste
  3. Mastery
  4. Critical Strike
Minor Stats
+32
0% Avoidance
+45
0% Leech
+392
8% Speed
  1. Speed
  2. Leech
  3. Avoidance

Races

In World of Warcraft, each race comes with unique traits that enhance character abilities or improve in-game quality of life. Although these racial traits typically offer minor advantages, they can still provide a competitive edge in certain scenarios.

With Night Elf currently being the top race for Shadow Priests in 3v3, here are the other races that also stand out due to their advantageous traits.

  1. Night Elf race icon
    Night Elf
    21
  2. Human race icon
    Human
    7
  3. Void Elf race icon
    Void Elf
    5
  4. Undead race icon
    Undead
    4
  5. Pandaren race icon
    Pandaren
    4

Class Talents

Talents are the main element defining a character's build, significantly influencing the playstyle by adding, modifying, and enhancing character abilities and behaviors. They are crucial in shaping how a character functions in battle.

Class talents represent a common tree shared across all Priest specializations. These talents provide foundational skills and enhancements that are essential and universal to the Priest class. They offer a range of abilities that lay the groundwork for a Priest's overall capabilities, regardless of the chosen specialization.

The following tree reproduces the in-game class talents disposition as a heatmap. Each color represents the usage frequency and general recommendation level of the talents:

  • Legendary : Represents the most frequently used talents. These are highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Epic : Indicates talents that are widely used but offer flexibility for alternative choices. Useful in specific scenarios or personal preference.
  • Talents without color: Talents less commonly selected. They are typically chosen to fill necessary slots for advancing to the next tier and may not offer significant value in most situations.
Renew
1
Dispel Magic
50
Shadowfiend
50
Prayer of Mending
0
Improved Flash Heal
50
Purify Disease
2
Psychic Voice
50
Shadow Word: Death
50
Focused Mending
0
Holy Nova
21
Protective Light
45
Angelic Feather
41
Phantasm
50
Death and Madness
30
Spell Warding
17
Rhapsody
1
Leap of Faith
48
Shackle Undead
0
Sheer Terror
36
Mind Control
18
Words of the Pious
0
Mass Dispel
49
Move with Grace
30
Power Infusion
50
Vampiric Embrace
49
Tithe Evasion
8
Inspiration
0
Mental Agility
35
Body and Soul
17
Twins of the Sun Priestess
50
Void Shield
2
San'layn
50
Apathy
1
Unwavering Will
14
Twist of Fate
49
Throes of Pain
50
Angel's Mercy
12
Divine Star
24
Translucent Image
48
Mindgames
46
Surge of Light
3
Light's Inspiration
35
Crystalline Reflection
15
Improved Fade
50
Manipulation
17
Power Word: Life
12
Angelic Bulwark
47
Void Shift
49
Shattered Perceptions
15

Specialization Talents

Specialization talents constitute a specialized tree, providing Shadow Priests with unique abilities and enhancements tailored to their combat style.

The following tree reproduces the in-game specialization talents disposition as a heatmap. Each color represents the usage frequency and general recommendation level of the talents:

  • Legendary : Represents the most frequently used talents. These are highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Epic : Indicates talents that are widely used but offer flexibility for alternative choices. Useful in specific scenarios or personal preference.
  • Talents without color: Talents less commonly selected. They are typically chosen to fill necessary slots for advancing to the next tier and may not offer significant value in most situations.
Devouring Plague
50
Dispersion
50
Shadowy Apparitions
50
Silence
50
Intangibility
43
Misery
50
Psychic Horror
50
Thought Harvester
50
Psychic Link
48
Surge of Insanity
50
Shadow Crash
21
Unfurling Darkness
48
Void Eruption
39
Mental Decay
25
Mind Spike
36
Whispering Shadows
21
Shadowy Insight
50
Ancient Madness
10
Voidtouched
50
Mind Melt
1
Maddening Touch
50
Dark Evangelism
36
Mind Devourer
4
Phantasmal Pathogen
8
Mind's Eye
42
Mindbender
1
Deathspeaker
11
Auspicious Spirits
42
Void Torrent
50
Inescapable Torment
0
Mastermind
5
Screams of the Void
49
Tormented Spirits
36
Insidious Ire
11
Malediction
48
Idol of Y'Shaarj
0
Idol of N'Zoth
33
Idol of Yogg-Saron
25
Idol of C'Thun
48

PvP Talents

PvP talents are specifically tailored for player-versus-player combat scenarios. Activated in arenas, battlegrounds, and the open world with war mode enabled, these talents are designed to optimize a Shadow Priest's performance in PvP encounters. They provide specialized enhancements and strategies that give players an edge in combat against other players, reflecting the unique demands of PvP gameplay.

The following tree reproduces the in-game pvp talents disposition as a heatmap. Each color represents the usage frequency and general recommendation level of the talents:

  • Legendary : Represents the most frequently used talents. These are highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Epic : Indicates talents that are widely used but offer flexibility for alternative choices. Useful in specific scenarios or personal preference.
  • Talents without color: Talents less commonly selected. They are typically chosen to fill necessary slots for advancing to the next tier and may not offer significant value in most situations.
Driven to Madness
16
Mind Trauma
31
Psyfiend
26
Thoughtsteal
0
Void Volley
6
Absolute Faith
0
Catharsis
37
Phase Shift
33
Improved Mass Dispel
1

Best In Slot And Gear

Gear consists of items that directly determine a character's power level. It can be acquired from diverse sources: dungeon, raid, world drops, crafted through various professions, obtained from PvP vendors, or chosen as rewards from the Great Vault.

Each piece of gear significantly boosts a character's overall strength and capabilities. Here are the top items for Shadow Priests in 3v3, tailored for each equipment slot.

Head

  1. Mask of the Furnace Seraph item set icon
    set
    Mask of the Furnace Seraph
    39
  2. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Cover item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Cover
    5
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Guise item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Guise
    3
  4. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Hood item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Hood
    1
  5. Draconic Warmonger's Crown item set icon
    set
    Draconic Warmonger's Crown
    1

Neck

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Necklace item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Necklace
    39
  2. Draconic Combatant's Jeweled Amulet item icon
    Draconic Combatant's Jeweled Amulet
    6
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Necklace item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Necklace
    3
  4. Draconic Gladiator's Amulet item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Amulet
    1
  5. Torc of Passed Time item icon
    Torc of Passed Time
    1

Shoulders

  1. Devotion of the Furnace Seraph item set icon
    set
    Devotion of the Furnace Seraph
    37
  2. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Mantle item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Mantle
    7
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Mantle item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Mantle
    6

Back

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Drape item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Drape
    40
  2. Draconic Warmonger's Cloak item icon
    Draconic Warmonger's Cloak
    6
  3. Draconic Aspirant's Greatcloak item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Greatcloak
    1
  4. Draconic Gladiator's Drape item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Drape
    1
  5. Draconic Warmonger's Cape item icon
    Draconic Warmonger's Cape
    1

Chest

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Robe item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Robe
    22
  2. Vibrant Wildercloth Vestments item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Vestments
    15
  3. Command of the Furnace Seraph item set icon
    set
    Command of the Furnace Seraph
    8
  4. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Tunic item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Tunic
    5

Wrist

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Bindings item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Bindings
    31
  2. Draconic Warmonger's Bindings item set icon
    set
    Draconic Warmonger's Bindings
    13
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Armbands item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Armbands
    5
  4. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Wristwraps item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Wristwraps
    1

Hands

  1. Grasp of the Furnace Seraph item set icon
    set
    Grasp of the Furnace Seraph
    33
  2. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Gloves item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Gloves
    9
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Gloves item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Gloves
    7
  4. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Handwraps item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Handwraps
    1

Waist

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Cord item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Cord
    35
  2. Infurious Binding of Gesticulation item icon
    Infurious Binding of Gesticulation
    6
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Girdle item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Girdle
    3
  4. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Belt item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Belt
    2
  5. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Cord item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Cord
    2

Legs

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Leggings item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Leggings
    26
  2. Breeches of the Furnace Seraph item set icon
    set
    Breeches of the Furnace Seraph
    17
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Leggings item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Leggings
    4
  4. Vibrant Wildercloth Slacks item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Slacks
    2
  5. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Trousers item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Trousers
    1

Feet

  1. Vibrant Wildercloth Slippers item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Slippers
    27
  2. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Footwraps item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Footwraps
    10
  3. Draconic Warmonger's Slippers item set icon
    set
    Draconic Warmonger's Slippers
    10
  4. Draconic Gladiator's Silk Treads item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Silk Treads
    2
  5. Draconic Aspirant's Silk Treads item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Silk Treads
    1

Rings

  1. Draconic Combatant's Jeweled Signet item icon
    Draconic Combatant's Jeweled Signet
    40
  2. Draconic Aspirant's Ring item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Ring
    35
  3. Signet of Titanic Insight item icon
    Signet of Titanic Insight
    11
  4. Draconic Aspirant's Signet item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Signet
    7
  5. Draconic Gladiator's Ring item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Ring
    5

Trinkets

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Medallion item set icon
    set
    Draconic Aspirant's Medallion
    47
  2. Draconic Aspirant's Insignia of Alacrity item set icon
    set
    Draconic Aspirant's Insignia of Alacrity
    43
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity item set icon
    set
    Draconic Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity
    5
  4. Draconic Aspirant's Badge of Ferocity item set icon
    set
    Draconic Aspirant's Badge of Ferocity
    3
  5. Draconic Aspirant's Sigil of Adaptation item set icon
    set
    Draconic Aspirant's Sigil of Adaptation
    1

Main Hand

  1. Draconic Aspirant's Staff item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Staff
    16
  2. Draconic Warmonger's Spire item icon
    Draconic Warmonger's Spire
    16
  3. Draconic Gladiator's Staff item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Staff
    11
  4. Draconic Aspirant's Wand item icon
    Draconic Aspirant's Wand
    3
  5. Draconic Gladiator's Greatstaff item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Greatstaff
    2

Off Hand

  1. Draconic Warmonger's Branch item icon
    Draconic Warmonger's Branch
    4
  2. Draconic Gladiator's Censer item icon
    Draconic Gladiator's Censer
    1

Embellishments

Embellishments are unique effects that can be added to crafted items, either as predefined elements in recipes or through an optional embellishment reagent, creating embellished gear. These enhancements diversify and amplify characters' capabilities.

Given that only a maximum of 2 embellished items can be equipped at a time, here are the best embellishments for Shadow Priests in 3v3.

  1. Vibrant Wildercloth Slippers embellishment item icon
    Precognition
    47
  2. Infurious Binding of Gesticulation embellishment item icon
    Mettle
    6
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Girdle embellishment item icon
    Blue Silken Lining
    4
  4. Vibrant Wildercloth Girdle embellishment item icon
    Verdant Conduit
    2

Enchantments

Enchantments provide minor yet valuable enhancements to various items, including Head, Back, Chest, Wrist, Waist, Legs, Rings, Feet, Main Hand, and Off Hand.

Most enchantments are crafted via the Enchanting profession. However, Waist enchantments specifically require Blacksmithing, Legs enhancements are crafted by Leatherworkers, and Head enchantments come from the Incandescent Essence , a reward obtained through a quest in the Amirdrassil raid.

Enchantments are usually available at the auction house, making them accessible for upgrades. Here is a list of the top enchantments for Shadow Priests in 3v3, essential for optimizing combat effectiveness.

Head

  1. Incandescent Essence enchantment icon
    Incandescent Essence
    2

Waist

  1. Shadowed Belt Clasp enchantment icon
    Shadowed Belt Clasp
    7

Legs

  1. Frozen Spellthread enchantment icon
    Frozen Spellthread
    17
  2. Temporal Spellthread enchantment icon
    Temporal Spellthread
    16
  3. Temporal Spellthread enchantment icon
    Temporal Spellthread
    5

Gems

Gems are crafted stones from the Jewelcrafting profession, typically offering stat bonuses to enhance your gear. These gems can be socketed into specific items such as Head, Neck, Wrist, Waist, and Rings. The presence of sockets on items is usually random upon their drop.

Notably, Neck items can be uniquely modified to have up to three sockets by using 3 Tiered Medallion Setting . Additionally, a single socket can be added to other eligible items with a Nature's Cradle , which requires 6 Aspects' Tokens of Merit obtained from the Great Vault.

Available through both the auction house and the crafting order system, the following are the top gem choices for Shadow Priests in 3v3.

  1. Energized Ysemerald gem icon
    Energized Ysemerald
    169
  2. Keen Neltharite gem icon
    Keen Neltharite
    10
  3. Quick Ysemerald gem icon
    Quick Ysemerald
    7
  4. Fierce Illimited Diamond gem icon
    Fierce Illimited Diamond
    5
  5. Energized Malygite gem icon
    Energized Malygite
    4