Discipline Priest PvE Guide - Cataclysm Classic

These guides are based on simulation data, tools, and theorycrafting from original Cataclysm. We'll be sure to update them when modern sims are finished. Rotations are likely to get optimized via sims, but it should already give you a very strong starting point.

Introduction

    Discipline Priests don't bring any raid buff specific to their specialization, but all Priests bring a Stamina buff with
    Power Word: Fortitude
    and
    Shadow Protection
    .

Cataclysm Classic Discipline Priest Rotation

    Discipline Priests gain the ability to heal while doing damage with
    Holy Fire
    and
    Smite
    thanks to
    Atonement
    , as well as other important talents such as
    Evangelism
    and
    Archangel
    . Although they gain this new way to heal, you will still need to cast your other traditional healing spells depending on the situation. They also have an abundance of cooldowns at their disposal that allows them to have an answer for nearly every situation.

Priority

  1. Use
    Inner Fire
    . You can switch to
    Inner Will
    during heavy movement.
  2. Cast
    Archangel
    when at 5 stacks of
    Evangelism
    . This can be delayed if you will be mainly casting
    Smite
    and
    Holy Fire
    for the time being.
  3. Cast
    Inner Focus
    . This cooldown will get reduced by
    Greater Heal
    thanks to
    Train of Thought
    .
  4. Maintain 3 stacks of
    Grace
    on the Main Tank.
  5. Cast
    Power Word: Shield
    . Do your best to re-apply it when
    Rapture
    is off cooldown.
  6. Cast
    Penance
    . Ideally cast this right after
    Power Word: Shield
    as it won't consume
    Borrowed Time
    but will still gain the Haste effect. This will also quickly apply 3 stacks of
    Grace
    , and
    Inspiration
    if it crits.
  7. Cast
    Prayer of Mending
    .
  8. Maintain 5 stacks of
    Evangelism
    .
  9. Cast
    Holy Fire
    and
    Smite
    during low periods of damage. Prioritize
    Smite
    on targets afflicted with
    Holy Fire
    because of
    Glyph of SmiteGlyph of Smite
    .
  10. Cast
    Flash Heal
    /
    Binding Heal
    for a quick emergency heal.
  11. Cast
    Greater Heal
    for a large single target heal.
  12. Cast
    Prayer of Healing
    for AoE healing which stacks
    Divine Aegis
    .
  13. Cast
    Heal
    in all other situations.

Cooldowns

  1. Pain Suppression
    .
  2. Divine Hymn
    .
  3. Power Word: Barrier
    .
  4. Hymn of Hope
    .
  5. Shadowfiend
    .
  6. Power Infusion
    .

Cataclysm Classic Discipline Priest Talents

Standard Build

0
Discipline
0
Holy
0
Shadow

Cataclysm Classic Discipline Priest Glyphs

  1. Prime:
    PenancePenance
    ,
    Power Word: BarrierPower Word: Barrier
    ,
    Power Word: ShieldPower Word: Shield
  2. Optional: Replace
    Power Word: ShieldPower Word: Shield
    with
    Prayer of HealingPrayer of Healing
    for AoE.
  3. Major:
    Divine Accuracy-cataDivine Accuracy
    ,
    SmiteSmite
    ,
    Prayer of MendingPrayer of Mending
  4. Minor:
    ShadowfiendShadowfiend
    ,
    LevitateLevitate
    ,
    FortitudeFortitude

Cataclysm Classic Discipline Priest Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

    Best:
  • Flask of the Draconic Mind

Food

    Best:
  • Seafood Magnifique Feast
    ,
  • Severed Sagefish Head
    ,
  • Fortune Cookie
    Alternatives:
  • Broiled Dragon Feast
    ,
  • Pickled Guppy

Potions

    Best:
  • Mythical Mana Potion
    Alternatives:
  • Potion of Concentration

Cataclysm Classic Discipline Priest Best Races

Alliance

  1. Gnome:
    Expansive Mind
  2. Worgen:
    Viciousness
    and
    Darkflight
  3. Human:
    The Human Spirit
  4. Draenei:
    Gift of the Naaru

Horde

  1. Goblin:
    Time is Money
    and
    Rocket Jump
  2. Troll:
    Berserking
  3. Blood Elf:
    Arcane Torrent

Cataclysm Classic Discipline Priest Best Professions

  1. Engineering:
    Synapse Springs
    .
  2. The rest of the Crafting Professions provide nearly identical benefits.