Unveiling the Power: Top Shadow Priest Runes in WoW Season of Discovery

In Phase One of WoW Season of Discovery, Shadow Priests (the Priest DPS spec) were struggling with low damage output. However, patient players knew to wait for Phase Two when abilities like Shadowform would be unlocked.

Now in Phase Two, with a max level of 40 attainable, Shadow Priests are excelling. With Shadowform and buffs to the best Priest SoD Runes, they are consistently topping DPS charts in Gnomeregan. Movement is not a problem as the spec relies heavily on DoT spells. This guide will discuss the best SoD Priest Runes for each slot and explain why they are crucial for a successful Shadow Priest build.

Homunculi

Best Priest Legs Rune

WoW SoD Best Priest Runes Homunculi Season of Discovery Priests Rune - Best Priest Legs Rune

Homunculi is a unique Priest Rune in the Season of Discovery. When activated, it creates three small copies of yourself known as "my children" or "the mini-mes." These Homunculi will attack your target and reduce their AP, Armor, and Attack Speed.

Although the Homunculi have low HP, their effect is quite useful for all endgame content in SoD. Not only is it one of the funniest Runes, especially when the Homunculi die, but it also provides great debuffs for both PvP and PvE.

Void Plague

Best Priest Chest Rune

WoW SoD Best Priest Runes Void Plague Season of Discovery Priests Rune - Best Priest Chest Rune

Void Plague has received numerous improvements in Strength of Desolation, making it a potent Damage over Time (DoT) spell. This instant ability applies a DoT on the target, causing Shadow Damage every three seconds for 18 seconds. Initially, its damage in Phase One was weak, but with updates, it has become a formidable force.

As a Shadow Priest, it is essential to include Void Plague in your damage rotation. This spell can unleash significant damage on a six-second cooldown, allowing you to maintain the DoT on multiple targets efficiently.

Shadow Word: Death

Best Priest Hands Rune

WoW SoD Best Priest Runes Shadow Word Death Season of Discovery Priests Rune - Best Priest Hands Rune - Shadow Word: Death

Shadow Word: Death is the signature Execute ability of the Shadow Priest in SoD. It inflicts a large amount of instant Shadow damage on the target. However, if the target is not defeated by Shadow Word: Death, the caster will suffer some damage in return.

With a cooldown of 10 seconds and the ability of Shadow Priests to recover HP (such as with Vampiric Embrace), Shadow Word: Death is not guaranteed to cause harm to the caster. While it is useful for quickly ending minor battles, it can also be used towards the end of a Boss fight to increase DPS, as long as the player can survive.

Mind Spike

Best Priest Belt Rune

WoW SoD Best Priest Runes Mind Spike Season of Discovery Priests Rune - Best Priest Belt Rune

Mind Spike is essentially an upgraded version of Mind Flay. Unlike Mind Flay, which can be interrupted, Mind Spike is instant-cast. Additionally, instead of slowing the target, it boosts the Critical Hit chance of Mind Blast by 30% and can stack up to three times. Furthermore, Mind Spike deals both Shadow and Frost damage, making it more versatile.

It's hard to justify choosing any other Rune over Mind Spike in a Shadow Priest's rotation. Mind Blast is already a potent skill for the spec, and Mind Spike enhances it while also introducing a new Instant Cast mechanic. In a fast-paced environment like Gnomeregan, where constant movement is necessary, Instant Cast abilities are far more practical than Channeled ones.

Dispersion

Best Priest Boots Rune

WoW SoD Best Priest Runes Dispersion Season of Discovery Priests Rune - Best Priest Boots Rune

The Dispersion Rune is highly recommended for Shadow Priests as it is a valuable Boots Rune that allows for easy Mana regeneration in SoD. When activated, Dispersion reduces incoming damage significantly and grants immunity to movement-impairing effects. This also enables casting during such effects, negating them and providing freedom of movement, although spells or attacks cannot be used.

During its six-second duration, Dispersion allows for 6% mana regeneration per second, totaling 36% base Mana. Although there may be a decrease in DPS uptime, the benefits of Mana restoration make it worthwhile to quickly return to combat. To maximize its effectiveness, consider using Dispersion during encounters requiring movement, such as the Electrocutioner 6000 in Gnomeregan.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the best SoD Priest Runes for Shadow Priests. It highlights the unique abilities and benefits of each Rune, explaining why they are crucial for maximizing the spec's potential in Phase Two. The guide effectively conveys the importance of Shadowform and the buffs to Priest SoD Runes, which have transformed Shadow Priests into top performers in Gnomeregan.

The article's clear organization and detailed descriptions make it an invaluable resource for Shadow Priests seeking to optimize their builds. The tables and placeholders for images enhance the readability and accessibility of the information, making it easy to compare Runes and understand their effects. Overall, the article is well-written and effectively communicates the essential information for Shadow Priests looking to excel in Phase Two of WoW Season of Discovery.