World of Warcraft: Discipline Priest PvP Post 3.1

Priests have always been one of two things in World of Warcraft. They're either healers or Shadow spec. Shadow being the damage spec. Discipline Priests have been shunned by WoW players for a long time because basically, people only saw the Priest as a two tree spec class. You were either Shadow or Holy. Not anymore. People are starting to realize that the efficiency and the sheer amount of tricks you can pull off while being spec'd discipline make it well worth it. Today, let's take a look at Discipline Priests in the modern World of Warcraft world, talent by talent.

Tier 1

Unbreakable Will is the best talent for the Tier 1 Discipline Priest. Right out of the gate, Blizzard has blessed us with some great spells. Taking this talent and maxing it out decreases the effects of some crowd control on you by 30%. That's quite a bit. Think about how often a few seconds can make a difference when engaging in PvP, and how you might have won that match if the Warlock's fear lasted just a bit shorter. Well now you have the pleasure of being able to break their spells a little earlier, thus giving you the ability to win matches in nuance.

Tier 2

Improved Inner Fire is awesome here. Priests wear cloth. This means they're automatically vulnerable to melee classes. Inner Fire helps here, but it doesn't do a really good job until you get the improved Inner Fire. You're not going to regret it. It increases the armor bonus of Inner Fire by 45%, which is to say a lot. Just like taking Unbreakable will will give you a few extra seconds, Improved Inner Fire is going to give you a lot more time by making those melee classes eat through this extra armor. As for the other two points. Martyrdom is going to win you battles by giving you the ability to enter a clearcasting state when somebody crits you. Very very good in a pinch.

Tier 3

This one is pretty much up to you since all of these talents are good. One thing is for sure though, get Inner Focus. It can either be used to save you some mana or launch off that final spell you need to finish your opponent. A free spell is always good. Improved Power Word: Shield is going to be great because PWS if your bread and butter for defense. Meditation is going to give you more longevity for those long heated battles. Choose wisely, and tailor it to your own needs.

Tier 4

Mental Agility is going to save you a bunch on mana, especially if you didn't take Meditation earlier. You're going to save on all your instants, which is to say: Shadow Word Pain, Power Word Shield, Power Word Fortitude, Power Word: Death, etc. This is a really good spell and can lend itself to you whenever you need it. It'll often win you battles because of your ability to outlast and outplay your opponent.

Other Notable Talents

There are many other talents in the Discipline tree that are worth getting. Power Infusion is great for busting out some massive damage or just making your caster friends into killing machines. Whatever the use, your opponent won't see it coming since all of the other priests are shadow. You'll have them saying "OMG, what was that glowy lightning?" while they're sitting, waiting to be respawned. Pain Supression makes you pretty much invulnerable for a short while. If people kill you while you're using this, they must be reaaallllly good, especially if you also have the improved Inner Fire. You basically have platemail on when you're under the effects of this spell. Finally, Borrowed Time adds to your absorption of the Power Word: Sheild. With both of these sheild talents, that thing is going to be able to take a beating. With this talent, I've had a shield last until my debuff timer turned off, so I could follow it with another shield before they broke through. It's truly sick.

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