Shadow Priest guide image

Shadow Priest PvP Guide For 3v3

Priest class icon Shadow Priest specialization icon
Shadow Priest
Season 3
50 characters
2518 - 2934

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 3 across the US, EU, KR, and TW regions. This includes Xvfxsvfxdsds (Stormrage US) , who is currently the highest-ranked with a rating of 2934.

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
    Xvfxsvfxdsds's character icon
    Xvfxsvfxdsds
    Stormrage (US)
    456 ilvl
    2934
  2. 2
    Mmrassassin's character icon
    Mmrassassin
    Stormrage (US)
    482 ilvl
    2932
  3. 3
    Stunsilence's character icon
    Stunsilence
    Sargeras (US)
    461 ilvl
    2926
  4. 4
    Envyion's character icon
    Envyion
    Sargeras (US)
    461 ilvl
    2921
  5. 5
    Classenvy's character icon
    Classenvy
    Tichondrius (US)
    461 ilvl
    2868

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
+673
9% Critical Strike
+5834
34% Haste
+1731
9% Mastery
+5674
28% Versatility
  1. Haste
  2. Versatility
  3. Mastery
  4. Critical Strike
Minor Stats
+20
0% Avoidance
+49
0% Leech
+466
9% 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
    25
  2. Human race icon
    Human
    8
  3. Orc race icon
    Orc
    4
  4. Pandaren race icon
    Pandaren
    3
  5. Gnome race icon
    Gnome
    2

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
0
Dispel Magic
50
Shadowfiend
50
Prayer of Mending
0
Improved Flash Heal
49
Purify Disease
1
Psychic Voice
49
Shadow Word: Death
50
Focused Mending
0
Holy Nova
15
Protective Light
45
Angelic Feather
48
Phantasm
48
Death and Madness
45
Spell Warding
9
Rhapsody
0
Leap of Faith
49
Shackle Undead
0
Sheer Terror
37
Mind Control
23
Words of the Pious
0
Mass Dispel
49
Move with Grace
28
Power Infusion
50
Vampiric Embrace
50
Tithe Evasion
43
Inspiration
0
Mental Agility
26
Body and Soul
17
Twins of the Sun Priestess
50
Void Shield
2
San'layn
50
Apathy
0
Unwavering Will
8
Twist of Fate
49
Throes of Pain
50
Angel's Mercy
8
Divine Star
37
Translucent Image
47
Mindgames
48
Surge of Light
2
Light's Inspiration
43
Crystalline Reflection
5
Improved Fade
50
Manipulation
15
Power Word: Life
10
Angelic Bulwark
40
Void Shift
47
Shattered Perceptions
14

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
47
Misery
50
Psychic Horror
48
Thought Harvester
50
Psychic Link
49
Surge of Insanity
49
Shadow Crash
17
Unfurling Darkness
48
Dark Ascension
37
Mental Decay
41
Mind Spike
39
Whispering Shadows
17
Shadowy Insight
50
Ancient Madness
28
Voidtouched
48
Mind Melt
2
Maddening Touch
49
Dark Evangelism
30
Mind Devourer
2
Phantasmal Pathogen
2
Mind's Eye
47
Mindbender
5
Deathspeaker
44
Auspicious Spirits
11
Void Torrent
49
Inescapable Torment
4
Mastermind
34
Screams of the Void
48
Tormented Spirits
8
Insidious Ire
23
Malediction
46
Idol of Y'Shaarj
1
Idol of N'Zoth
21
Idol of Yogg-Saron
6
Idol of C'Thun
47

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
7
Mind Trauma
36
Psyfiend
13
Thoughtsteal
0
Void Volley
5
Absolute Faith
0
Catharsis
48
Phase Shift
41
Improved Mass Dispel
0

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. Crest of Lunar Communion item set icon
    set
    Crest of Lunar Communion
    27
  2. Vibrant Wildercloth Headcover item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Headcover
    14
  3. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Guise item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Guise
    9

Neck

  1. Torc of Passed Time item icon
    Torc of Passed Time
    34
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Necklace item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Necklace
    16

Shoulders

  1. Shoulderguardians of Lunar Communion item set icon
    set
    Shoulderguardians of Lunar Communion
    25
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Mantle item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Mantle
    11
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Shoulderspikes item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Shoulderspikes
    11
  4. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Amice item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Amice
    3

Back

  1. Verdant Gladiator's Drape item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Drape
    40
  2. Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl
    6
  3. Undulating Sporecloak item icon
    Undulating Sporecloak
    2
  4. Hellbloom Cloak item icon
    Hellbloom Cloak
    1
  5. Verdant Gladiator's Shawl item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Shawl
    1

Chest

  1. Cassock of Lunar Communion item set icon
    set
    Cassock of Lunar Communion
    42
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Tunic item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Tunic
    8

Wrist

  1. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Armbands item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Armbands
    42
  2. Vibrant Wildercloth Wristwraps item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Wristwraps
    6
  3. Hellbloom Bindings item set icon
    set
    Hellbloom Bindings
    1
  4. Wristwraps of Lunar Communion item icon
    Wristwraps of Lunar Communion
    1

Hands

  1. Touch of Lunar Communion item set icon
    set
    Touch of Lunar Communion
    48
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Gloves item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Gloves
    2

Waist

  1. Infurious Binding of Gesticulation item icon
    Infurious Binding of Gesticulation
    35
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Cord item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Cord
    11
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Girdle item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Girdle
    4

Legs

  1. Leggings of Lunar Communion item set icon
    set
    Leggings of Lunar Communion
    47
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Leggings item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Leggings
    2
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Slacks item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Slacks
    1

Feet

  1. Vibrant Wildercloth Slippers item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Slippers
    49
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Silk Treads item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Silk Treads
    1

Rings

  1. Signet of Titanic Insight item icon
    Signet of Titanic Insight
    49
  2. Ring-Bound Hourglass item icon
    Ring-Bound Hourglass
    42
  3. Verdant Gladiator's Ring item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Ring
    9

Trinkets

  1. Verdant Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity item set icon
    set
    Verdant Gladiator's Insignia of Alacrity
    50
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Medallion item set icon
    set
    Verdant Gladiator's Medallion
    45
  3. Verdant Gladiator's Badge of Ferocity item set icon
    set
    Verdant Gladiator's Badge of Ferocity
    4
  4. Verdant Aspirant's Badge of Ferocity item set icon
    set
    Verdant Aspirant's Badge of Ferocity
    1

Main Hand

  1. Verdant Gladiator's Staff item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Staff
    45
  2. Verdant Gladiator's Greatstaff item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Greatstaff
    3
  3. Iridal, the Earth's Master item icon
    Iridal, the Earth's Master
    1
  4. Verdant Gladiator's Scepter item icon
    Verdant Gladiator's Scepter
    1

Off Hand

  1. Verdant Gladiator's Censer item icon
    Verdant 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
    50
  2. Infurious Binding of Gesticulation embellishment item icon
    Mettle
    35
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Headcover embellishment item icon
    Verdant Conduit
    8
  4. Signet of Titanic Insight embellishment item icon
    Blue Silken Lining
    2
  5. Undulating Sporecloak embellishment item icon
    Undulating Sporecloak
    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
    3

Back

  1. Homebound Speed enchantment icon
    Homebound Speed
    41
  2. Regenerative Leech enchantment icon
    Regenerative Leech
    5
  3. Graceful Avoidance enchantment icon
    Graceful Avoidance
    3

Chest

  1. Waking Stats enchantment icon
    Waking Stats
    30
  2. Reserve of Intellect enchantment icon
    Reserve of Intellect
    18

Wrist

  1. +200 Speed enchantment icon
    +200 Speed
    41
  2. +200 Leech enchantment icon
    +200 Leech
    6
  3. +200 Avoidance enchantment icon
    +200 Avoidance
    3

Waist

  1. Shadowed Belt Clasp enchantment icon
    Shadowed Belt Clasp
    36

Legs

  1. Temporal Spellthread enchantment icon
    Temporal Spellthread
    28
  2. Frozen Spellthread enchantment icon
    Frozen Spellthread
    21

Feet

  1. Plainsrunner's Breeze enchantment icon
    Plainsrunner's Breeze
    36
  2. Watcher's Loam enchantment icon
    Watcher's Loam
    12

Rings

  1. +82 Haste enchantment icon
    +82 Haste
    63
  2. +82 Versatility enchantment icon
    +82 Versatility
    27
  3. +82 Mastery enchantment icon
    +82 Mastery
    10

Main Hand

  1. Sophic Devotion enchantment icon
    Sophic Devotion
    45
  2. Wafting Devotion enchantment icon
    Wafting Devotion
    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
    200
  2. Energized Malygite gem icon
    Energized Malygite
    75
  3. Fierce Illimited Diamond gem icon
    Fierce Illimited Diamond
    22
  4. Keen Neltharite gem icon
    Keen Neltharite
    16
  5. Zen Malygite gem icon
    Zen Malygite
    16