4. 1-60 Priest Leveling Guide by Kargoz

1-60 Priest Leveling Guide by Kargoz


  • 1-60 Priest Leveling Guide

    Class Overview, Talents, Rotation, Wand Progression, Tips & Tricks.
    A World of Warcraft 1.13 Guide by Kargoz

    Video

    Youtube Video

    Introduction

    Greetings prospective Priest, my name is Kargoz and I’ve been playing World of Warcraft for a long time. Starting my journey in 2004, I’ve since leveled multiple classes to 60 on various Vanilla realms, including Nostalrius, Anathema, Zeth’kur, Lightbringer, and most recently on Northdale. I’ve learned through the years that leveling is probably my favorite aspect of the game, particularly speed leveling. The amazing thing about World of Warcraft: Classic is that leveling is a huge part of the overall experience!
    In order to make this guide as accurate as possible I consulted multiple reputable Priests including Enslin, Dzreams, Takanashi, Garfunkel, Defcamp, and Hrishi! My sincerest thanks to everyone who contributed something to this project, your collective understanding of all things about Priests proved invaluable. I am thrilled to present for your viewing pleasure this Comprehensive Priest Leveling Guide for World of Warcraft 1.13!

    Class Overview

    Priests are efficient, consistent, strong levelers offering one of the smoothest rides to 60 out of all the classes. If played optimally a Priest should have next to 0 downtime as they have a hyper efficient damage rotation cycle. Their talents Imp Wand Specialization (+25% Wand Damage) and Spirit Tap carry them hard allowing them to front load a couple spells then comfortably wand mobs to death. Priests suffer from a lack of mobility having 0 talents or abilities that can reduce their travel time. This alongside their average ST kill speeds put them right in the middle of the pack as far as leveling speed goes. Priests are highly desired in groups as they have outstanding healing capabilities, excellent group utility (Buffs, Mind Control, Resurrection), and solid damage. Priests have one of the higher skill ceilings in Classic as you will have to have multiple ranks of multiple spells on your action bars (Heals, Psychic Scream, Power Word: Shield, Shadow Word: Pain etc.) which offer you an additional level of finesse to your character.

    Priest Leveling

    Pros
    Tier 2 Leveling Speed
    Mana Efficient Solo Grinding
    0 Downtime
    Flexible Talents Pre-40/45
    Desired in Groups
    Can Heal or DPS.
    Mind Control
    Unique Priest Racials

    Cons
    Mediocre ST Kill Speed
    Low Mobility
    Limited Crowd Control
    Wand Dependance
    Limited Escape Tools

    Best Priest Race?

    Alliance Races:
    Humans: 20 Strength, 20 Agility, 20 Stamina, 22 Intellect, 24 Spirit Perception (Stealth Detect), Human Spirit (+5% Spirit), Diplomacy
    Dwarves: 22 Strength, 16 Agility, 23 Stamina, 21 Intellect, 22 Spirit
    Stoneform (Immune to Bleed, Poison, Disease, +Armor CD) +5 Guns, 10 Frost Resist
    Night Elves: 17 Strength, 25 Agility, 19 Stamina, 22 Intellect, 23 Spirit
    Shadowmeld, 1% Dodge, Wisp Spirit, 10 Nature Resist

    Horde Races:
    Undead: 19 Strength, 18 Agility, 21 Stamina, 20 Intellect, 28 Spirit - WOTF (Active immune to Fear, Sleep, Charm), Cannibalize (Active HP Regen 200%)
    Trolls: 21 Strength, 22 Agility, 21 Stamina, 18 Intellect, 24 Spirit - Berserking (Burst on CD Spell Haste), Bonus HP Regen), Beastslaying (+5% Beast Dmg)

    About Spell Hit

    As a Spellcaster you will always have a 1% chance to miss with your spells.

    Against a Target of the Same Level: You have a 4% chance to miss. 3% Hit is needed for cap.
    Against a Target 1 Level Higher Than You: You have a 5% chance to miss. 4% Hit is needed for cap.
    Against a Target 2 Levels Higher Than You: You have a 6% chance to miss. 5% Hit is needed for cap.
    Against a Target 3 Levels Higher Than You: You have a 17% chance to miss. 16% Hit is needed for cap.

    Talent Build #1: Balanced Higher Sustain Build

    This build has you go Shadow + Disc which offers more sustain but slightly less damage than a Shadow Holy hybrid Pre 40. You will follow this hybrid build until 40 or 45 if you want to keep Wand Spec then respec to get Shadowform.
    Use this Build to Lvl 40 then respec
    Start into Discipline Tree: 5/5 Wand Specialization
    Proceed into Shadow Tree:
    5/5 Spirit Tap -> 2/2 Imp. Pain -> 3/5 Shadow Focus -> 1/1 Mind Flay
    Proceed back into Discipline Tree: 2/2 Martyrdom -> 3/3 Imp. Shield -> 1/1 Inner Focus -> 3/3 Meditation -> 1/2 Imp. Fort -> 4/5 Mental Agility
    Respec at 40 to Shadow:

    5/5 Spirit Tap -> 2/2 Imp. Pain -> 3/5 Shadow Focus -> 1/1 Mind Flay -> 2/2 Imp. Psychic Scream -> 2/5 Blackout -> 5/5 Shadow Weaving -> 1/1 Silence -> 1/1 Vampiric Embrace -> 3/3 Shadow Reach -> 5/5 Darkness -> 1/1 Shadowform
    Proceed into Discipline Tree:
    5/5 Wand Spec -> 2/2 Martyrdom -> 3/3 Imp. Shield -> 1/1 Inner Focus -> 3/3 Meditation -> 1/2 Imp. Fort -> 5/5 Mental Agility

    Talent Build #2: Speed Leveling Build (1-40)

    This build has you go Shadow + Holy which offers maximum damage pre level 40 at the cost of some sustain compared to a hybrid Shadow Disc build.
    Use This Build to Lvl 40
    Start into Discipline Tree: 5/5 Wand Specialization
    Proceed into Shadow Tree:
    5/5 Spirit Tap -> 2/2 Imp. Pain -> 3/5 Shadow Focus -> 1/1 Mind Flay
    Proceed back into Discipline Tree: 2/2 Martyrdom
    Proceed into Holy Tree: 5/5 Holy Specialization -> 5/5 Divine Fury
    Proceed back into Discipline Tree: 3/3 Imp. Shield
    Respec at 40 to Shadow:
    5/5 Spirit Tap -> 2/2 Imp. Pain -> 3/5 Shadow Focus -> 1/1 Mind Flay -> 2/2 Imp. Psychic Scream -> 2/5 Blackout -> 5/5 Shadow Weaving -> 1/1 Silence -> 1/1 Vampiric Embrace -> 3/3 Shadow Reach -> 5/5 Darkness -> 1/1 Shadowform
    Proceed into Discipline Tree:
    5/5 Wand Spec -> 2/2 Martyrdom -> 3/3 Imp. Shield -> 1/1 Inner Focus -> 3/3 Meditation -> 1/2 Imp. Fort -> 5/5 Mental Agility

    Talent Build #3: Smite Spec

    This build is stronger when healing group content comparatively to a full Shadow and potentially offers the higher pre 39 DPS comparatively to a Shadow Disc hybrid. The Shadow / Disc build pre 39 would offer better sustain

    Start into Discipline Tree: 5/5 Wand Specialization
    Proceed into Shadow Tree: 5/5 Spirit Tap
    Proceed back into Discipline Tree: 2/2 Martyrdom
    Proceed into Holy Tree:
    5/5 Holy Specialization -> 5/5 Divine Fury -> 3/3 Renew -> 2/3 Blessed Recovery -> 2/2 Searing Light -> 3/3 Improved Healing -> 5/5 Spiritual Guidance
    Proceed back into Discipline Tree:
    3/3 Imp. Shield -> 1/1 Inner Focus -> 3/3 Meditation -> 1/2 Imp. Fort -> 5/5 Mental Agility -> 1/1 Divine Spirit

    Stat Priority:

    Spirit > Intellect > Stamina > Agility > Strength

    Gear to Look For:

    Of the Owl > Of the Whale > Of the Eagle

    Alliance Wand Progression

    Lesser Magic Wand - 11.3 DPS - Requires lvl 5 Crafted Green from Enchanting
    Spark of the People’s Militia - 12.8 DPS - Quest Reward “The People’s Militia” Westfall
    Greater Magic Wand - 17.5 DPS - Requires lvl 13 Crafted Green from Enchanting
    Dusk Wand - 17.6 DPS - Wand Vendor sells this white wand in all capital cities
    Spellcrafter Wand - 20.3 DPS - Quest Reward “Retrieval for Mauren” in Stonetalon Mountains
    Cookie’s Stirring Rod - 22.3 DPS - Drops off Cookie in Deadmines 35%
    Consecrated Wand - 24.2 DPS - Quest Reward “Worgen in the Woods” Duskwood
    Excavation Rod - 24.2 DPS - Quest Reward “Ormer’s Revenge” Wetlands
    Gravestone Sceptre - 29.0 DPS - Quest Reward “Blackfathom Villainy” Blackfathom Deeps
    Rod of Sorrow - 31.8 DPS - Quest Reward “Wanted Otto and Falconcrest” Arathi Highlands
    Burning Sliver - 32.7 DPS - Quest Reward “Crushridge Warmongers” Alterac Mountains
    Blackbone Wand - 35.3 DPS - Wand Vendor sells this white wand in all capital cities
    Cairnstone Silver - 41.4 DPS - Quest Reward “The Morrow Stone” Feralas
    Noxious Shooter - 50.0 DPS - Drops from Noxxion in Maraudon at 20%
    Smokey’s Fireshooter - 53.2 DPS - Quest Reward “When Smokey Sings, I get Violent” EPL
    Rod of Corrosion - 55.0 DPS - Drops from Shade of Eranikus in Sunken Temple 32%
    Mana Channeling Wand - 60.9 DPS - Drops from Cho’Rush the Observer in Dire Maul 25%

    Horde Wand Progression

    Lesser Magic Wand - 11.3 DPS - Requires lvl 5 Crafted Green from Enchanting
    Smoldering Wand - 13.4 DPS - Wand Vendor sells this white wand in all capital cities
    Greater Magic Wand - 17.5 DPS - Requires lvl 13 Crafted Green from Enchanting
    Dusk Wand - 17.6 DPS - Wand Vendor sells this white wand in all capital cities
    Excavation Rod - 24.2 DPS - Quest Reward “Ormer’s Revenge” Wetlands
    Gravestone Sceptre - 29.0 DPS - Quest Reward “Blackfathom Villainy” Blackfathom Deeps
    Gnomish Zapper - 32.7 DPS - Quest Reward “Sunken Treasure” Arathi Highlands
    Dancing Flame - 32.9 DPS - Quest Reward “Final Passage” Thousand Needles
    Blackbone Wand - 35.3 DPS - Wand Vendor sells this white wand in all capital cities
    Cairnstone Silver - 41.4 DPS - Quest Reward “The Morrow Stone” Feralas
    Noxious Shooter - 50.0 DPS - Drops from Noxxion in Maraudon at 20%
    Smokey’s Fireshooter - 53.2 DPS - Quest Reward “When Smokey Sings, I get Violent” EPL
    Rod of Corrosion - 55.0 DPS - Drops from Shade of Eranikus in Sunken Temple 32%
    Mana Channeling Wand - 60.9 DPS - Drops from Cho’Rush the Observer in Dire Maul 25%

    Closing Thoughts

    Thank you so much for your time - I hope this guide was of some help!
    If you have further questions you can contact me in our community discord:
    discord.gg/r9cVrzJ

    About the Author

    I am an entrepreneur, U.S. Army soldier, and lifelong gamer from NYC and currently living in San Francisco. I stream and make video content on YouTube primarily for WoW Classic. I hope to continue to build my channel and this project and to become a positive influence in the Classic WoW community. I hope that more people can enjoy the same life changing experience I had when I stepped into Azeroth for the first time at age 13.

    4
  • Initiate

    Great guide and lots of helpful hints I've forgotten over the years, just glad yall made a site where all the info we need is in one spot keep up the good work thanks.

    0
  • R
    Initiate

    Great guide Kargoz thank you!

    0
  • Initiate

    A good addition to my Priest notes. Thanks for sharing this with us Kargoz!

    0
    L
     1 Reply
  • Initiate

    Just noticed something about the wand progression you are suggesting, Kargoz.
    You added Mana Channeling Wand, which drops in Dire Maul (Phase 2).
    But what about Stormrager? https://classic.wowhead.com/item=16997/stormrager
    Wasn't it released in 1.3 patch and wouldn't it also be available in Phase 2?
    Might aswell add it to the Wand Progression list aswell.

    0
  • Priest Horde

    Also with the wand progression:
    I believe https://classic.wowhead.com/item=5246/excavation-rod - 24.2 DPS - Quest Reward “Ormer’s Revenge” Wetlands is alliance only but is included on the Horde progression.

    0
  • Priest Horde

    I'd probably recommend: https://classic.wowhead.com/item=15465/stingshot-wand - 22.2 DPS - Quest Reward "Arikara" Thousand Needles

    0
  • L
    Initiate

    consider also adding this classic priest guide to your collection @Klawuard,
    found it helpful once upon a time 😄

    1
    K
     1 Reply
  • K
    Initiate

    @LordofMMO I already did that 😄 Nice and clearly written guide

    0
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