Highmaul Bosses (Mythic) for Healing Priests

[Gwenymph 414]

Prior to any Mythic tips or techniques for Discipline, I suggested that using Archangel prior to 5 stacks is preferable just to make sure you are getting that Empowered Archangel (EAA) Prayer of Healing out there in time.  As you start Mythic, the opportunity and your timing has improved to the point where you should be able to build max stacks and continue to benefit from EAA and the 25% increased healing, instead of 5-20%.  No reason to gimp yourself, or your team, of the increased buff if the only thing holding you back is self-discipline (pun intended). There are, again, exceptions to every rule.  If your back is up against the wall and there was an ill timed CD or poor ability handling, absolutely jump on your premature EAA to get caught up.

 

Kargath Bladefist (Mythic):

 

Pre-Pull:   Make sure your UI has Iron Bomb debuffs added.  If you are using CoW make sure you have it pre-stacked on your main tank and be mindful of the Ranged DPS that will be soaking his Fixate.  If you are not using the BoP method they will need max CoW stacks along with their damage reduction talent/skill.

 

Discipline:   The basics from the Heroic version carry over here as they apply to our toolkit.  Iron Bomb stacks should be PWS'd, the higher the stacks>1stack> duration.  Spreading out for Blade Dance is still preferable and Mana friendly if you stay 7yds apart.  Use your EAA PoH on the Chain Hurl group along with PWS coverage as they are going up.  Hit the fixate target of Berserker Rush with PWS to assist w/ their CD rotation for soaking prior to knocking down the Fire Pillars, same with On the Hunt from the Ravenous Bloodmaw.  A new damage mechanic is Flame Gout from the Fire Pillars.  The tooltip says it does 100k dmg but it is either not corrected in a patch note or I missed it.  Because on average our group only takes 47k per hit from these, so if you have a PWS up on yourself the damage is totally negated.  That being said, I keep PWS up on myself for the duration of the fight and choose to ignore this mechanic. Like Heroic, Cascade can again be used on CD.

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

 

Twin Ogron (Mythic):

 

This encounter is only proportionally more difficult on healers based on the quality of your firestanders.  The better your teams awareness the less likely you will see an increase in difficulty. I kept the same approach as the Heroic version except for swapping out the Fade Glyph just for insurance when firedancing during Empowered Whirlwind or to keep a Tank in range.  The handling of the healing duties does not differ to the point where the playstyle changes. Instead it just cemented the timestamps when I used my CDs.  Make sure your UI has the Blaze, Injured, and Arcane Volatility debuffs added.

 

Discipline:   On pull, build to max stacks of Evangelism, Power Infusion > Empowered Archangel PoH > Power Word: Shield coverage for ranged DPS.  This serves two purposes.  1) Hitting the ranged DPS professional firestanders first, you know who they are.  Chances are if the Quake lands on them they won't notice it until they already have 2 stacks of Blaze.  2)  It will be an initial buffer for Quake damage and allow healers to focus on the "I didn't see fire on my screen" or "I'm lagging" carriers of Blaze.  Continue to buffer the Blaze damage throughout the fight, hitting anyone that has the debuff with PWS.  Weave in Atonement to max stacks in preparation of Enfeebling Roar.  As you prep for Roar PWS priority Arcane Volatility > Tank > Melee then as you are positioned, EAA PoH on Tank/Melee group timed out so that it goes off within a second of Roar.  As Weakened Soul falls off the Tank/Melee, reapply PWS in preparation for Pulverize as well as the new Arcane Volatility targets.  In my experience, the melee groups have a more difficult time with damage as the first Volatility expires then followed immediately by Pulverize.  Power Word: Barrier will again be assigned by your Healing/Raid lead for one of your Enfeebling Roar stack points, your prep for this stack will remain the same w/ EAA PoH and PWS coverage.  PI can be used on CD for the remainder of the fight. Cascade lines up really well, use as the damage begins, not as a catch up tool.

 

There really shouldn't be any need to mention handling Arcane Charge for Healers but I heard somewhere that everyone makes mistakes and gets hit by Charge at least once.  For those people that are in the wake of the Charge and not killed by the impact, they will carry the debuff, Injured.  PWS and then yell at them.  Without a personal CD they will also need a Penance when PWS is depleted, if your tank does not require it.  Handle the unfortunate 3 stacks of Blaze club members the same way.

 

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

Brackenspore (Mythic):

 

Prior to any Mythic tips or techniques for Discipline, I suggested that using AA prior to 5 stacks is preferable just to make sure you are getting that Empowered Archangel (EAA) Prayer of Healing out there in time.  As you start Mythic, the opportunity and your timing has improved to the point where you should be able to build max stacks and continue to benefit from EAA and the 25% increased healing, instead of 5-20%.  No reason to gimp yourself, or your team, of the increased buff if the only thing holding you back is self-discipline (pun intended). There are, again, exceptions to every rule.  If your back is up against the wall and there was an ill timed CD or poor ability handling, absolutely jump on your premature Archangel to get caught up.

 

Pre-Pull:  As we worked on this boss I started with Clarity of Will to keep the tanks up through Necrotic Breath and to help protect the Living Mushroom (Green) prior to the Raid Leaders call to activate it. By time we pushed Brackenspore over 50% I was using CoW half as much as I was while initially learning the fight, so I switched to WoM for our kill. That being said CoW is definitely the go to standard L100 selection for this fight, especially for Tank protection. Words of Mending is an alternative based on your healing make up (especially if you have a Pally for Tank heals), using the 3 Tank strategy, or nice cushioning Blood Tank. 

 

Disc:  Assuming most reading this are working on killing him for the first time or searching for a more productive healing approach, we will assume you are taking CoW for L100. Build CoW pre-pull, Power Word: Shield and Prayer of Mending. Build Evangelism until your PWS breaks then restack CoW > Penance until Weakened Soul has fallen off to reapply PWS. Finish your Evangelism stacks then proc Empowered Archangel for Prayer of Healing on Necrotic Breath Tank within the 15sec Divine Aegis window. You will want to get that EAA proc off as soon as you get it maxed out so that it is up again for the first Infesting Spores.  Keep PWS and CoW up on both Tanks and make sure the one taking Necrotic Breath has CoW maxed out and PWS. With the recent buff to CoW in January to 75% of your health combined with PWS, Necrotic Breath with proper preparation is a non-factor @60k/sec for 5sec. Make sure you are still Holy Fire/Power Word: Solace on CD to keep up AA for the 14sec mark prior to Spores going out. At 14sec Power Infusion > EAA > PWS blanket (including Living Mushroom) > PoH(EAA) > Penance Living Mushroom if needed. You don’t want to spend too many (if any) Flash Heal on the first Living Mushroom unless you are assigned to do so. Just make sure it doesn’t die before everyone’s debuff falls off. After Spores, rebuild CoW, prep for Necrotic Breath, and rebuild Evangelism. The next Living Mushroom will pop before Rejuvenating Mushroom will. Include Living Mushroom in your PWS coverage to prevent accidental death before needing it for Spores, CoW it as well if you are still waiting for Rejuvenating Mushroom to spawn and Tanks have Necrotic Breath coverage. When it spawns, assuming it is in a position the raid will benefit PWS > Penance and do your part to keep it up heading into Spores. Hopefully your positioning allows you to benefit from both Shrooms so when it’s called, fill up the Living Mushroom (it will also heal Rejuvenating Mushroom as long as it’s in range) PWS Coverage and EAA PoH then back to keeping up the shrooms. As the Spores debuff is about to fall, ignore Living Mushroom and focus on keeping Rejuvenating Mushroom up as long as possible, not neglecting Necrotic Breath preparation. As positioning allows add Flamethrower to your PWS coverage as well. Half the guilds, as of the time of writing this, are 4 healing this encounter in Mythic. So priority healing as it applies to your decision making and awareness is very important. The priority changes based on the encounter timers, the good news is that the timers give you plenty of time to adjust.

Tanks > Necrotic Breath Prep (depending on team make up and Tanks CD) > Living Mushroom (prior to Spores and until 1sec of debuff falling off)> Rejuvenating Mushroom > Flamethrowers > PWS Coverage for Spores > EAAPoH for Spores. Necrotic Breath and the Shrooms will be the moving pieces to your healing puzzle.

 

Your Power Word: Barrier will be used as a Raid CD during one of the Infesting Spores called out by your Raid/Healing Lead. Pain Suppression will be called out for by a Tank for Necrotic Breath.

 

This kill vid that is attached, as I mentioned, was after I switched off of Necrotic Breath/CoW duty and went to WoM as my L100.  The prep for all other aspects of the fight are the same except the CoW for Necrotic Breath and stacking it on Living Mushroom when the tanks were covered.  The priorities are the same as if you had CoW as it relates to what abilities are coming next except you will provide only a PWS for Breath.  

 

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

 

Tectus (Mythic):

 

Pre-Pull:   My guild used a couple different healing teams for this encounter and I was able to try both L100 WoMPoM and CoW.  Ultimately, I feel CoW works in better synergy with 3 healing and WoMPoM better with 4.  If you are designated as Tank healer and relied less for raid coverage then take CoW no matter the healing make-up.  CoW specific notes are added beneath the main body.

 

Disc:   Build Evangelism as your opener, while using Penance on your Tank. Refresh Power Word: Shield on both Tanks and at max Evangelism stacks proc Empowered Archangel Prayer of Healing on the Tank and Melee mixed group. It serves two purposes, puts a Divine Aegis on the Tanks and gives you a cushion, albeit a very small in comparison, to an out of place Melee when Crystalline Barrage goes out. Hit the Barrage target w/ a PWS and rebuild Evan stacks while still targeting Tanks w/ Penance. While you are in the early progress stages you may choose to PWS the Melee as Barrage CD approaches for no other reason as insurance to buy them one second to get out of it. Eventually, they need to be held accountable as well as the kiters to not kill themselves. At max Evan stacks, proc EAA PoH again on the Tank mixed group. You will be able to fit in one more EAAPoH with properly timed Evan building prior to Tectonic Upheaval. Use the third one as Tectonic Upheaval goes off, even if he is going to split immediately. Same with PWS coverage; at 75 energy Power Infusion > PWS coverage > make sure you are at max Evan stacks when he hits 100 > EAAPoH. Using PI here will allow it to be back up later during the max Shard phase.

After the split, be prepared to kite the Barrage if you are targeted and not using the BoP method. Secondly, be prepared to PWS the Barrage kiters. Keep both Shards energy in view to be prepared for the same 75 Energy rotation for PWS coverage and 5 stack EAAPoH. More than likely this will also be the point where the Raid/Heal Lead will call for your Power Word: Barrier. When Upheaval expires and the Shards are pushed over make sure the Tanks are topped off. All Healers will more than likely be moving at the same time so it’s easy for them to get gibbed here. Suggest Pain Suppression if you are experiencing Tank deaths as the range group begins their kite. Throw out PWS and Penance while you are on the run for your life, top the Tanks off and be on the move again for Pillars. When the shards split for the last time, pop PI, spam and pray for your DPS to put an end to the madness!

 

Taking Clarity of Will for this encounter is very strong because of the constant beating the Tanks are taking. Here are some note changes if you are taking it as your L100.

 

This approach will not allow you to buffer the Melee with PWS as Barrage approaches. Build CoW on the main tank on the pull and add both tanks to the rotation after the first Barrage goes out to prepare for the Adds. Still prep for the first Tectonic Upheaval with 5 stacks of Evan and EAAPoH the Tank mixed group and get some PWS out on yourself and lower health raiders as Tectus reaches 100 Energy. Rebuild CoW on both tanks when applicable for the rest of the fight. After the first split one or both will continue to have 2 or more Shards/Adds beating on them prior to the expiration of a single CoW cast, so precasting will not be wasted. Be more mindful of Pillars and Barrage using CoW because unlike spamming PWS and waiting for EAAPoH, you will need to move midcast no matter how close you are to finishing it.  Like previously menitoned, if you are experiencing tank deaths as you kite, prioritize the squishy tank with PS and maximum CoW stacks.  The new buff to CoW (as of writing this) lets you stack it up to 75% of your health.

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

 

Butcher (Mythic):

 

Prior to any Mythic tips or techniques for Discipline, I suggested that using AA prior to 5 stacks is preferable just to make sure you are getting that Empowered Archangel (EAA) Prayer of Healing out there in time.  As you start Mythic, the opportunity and your timing has improved to the point where you should be able to build max stacks and continue to benefit from EAA and the 25% increased healing, instead of 5-20%.  No reason to gimp yourself, or your team, of the increased buff if the only thing holding you back is self-discipline (pun intended). There are, again, exceptions to every rule.  If your back is up against the wall and there was an ill timed CD or poor ability handling, absolutely jump on your premature Archangel to get caught up.

 

Disc: This encounter is a pure DPS check and am guessing will be the shortest notes section for any Mythic boss in this post. Both Tanks will eat through every shield you put on them with no overhealing, so make sure you are keeping Power Word: Shield up on both of them 100% of the time. Hit Empowered Archangel every time it comes up for Prayer of Healing on Cleave groups or when it lines up, on the Bounding Cleave group if he has just hit them. As much as your mana can handle, PWS the group taking Cleave. If you are oom during the last 10% you are not helping the cause and need to dial it back earlier in the fight with less PWS coverage, possibly just focus on the Tanks and one Cleave group while EAAPoH the other. If you stick with a one group + Tanks focus make sure the rest of your healing team is aware that they will need to be more aggressive with the other Cleave team. Cascade on CD as well as Penance your tanks on CD, they will always find it useful. Using Glyph of Reflective Shield while in a Cleave group or in the Bounding Cleave group will help out DPS as well. If you are in the Cleave Group, keep yourself shielded 100% right behind the tanks. If you are in the Bounding Cleave group, make sure you are applying PWS to yourself with 10sec left til the knockback then again when the DoT is applied. Pop Power Infusion early enough so that it is off CD again for the last 20% of the fight.  Your Power Word: Barrier will again be at the discretion of your Raid/Heal Lead.  They may want to hold it for the first set of Frenzied Cleaves or maybe want you to use it early and again at the end of the fight. That is it folks, it is a super spamming fight and the stronger your healing team the more you will be able to help out with DPS, if needed. PWS Harder!

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

 

Ko'ragh (Mythic):

 

 

 

 

Imperator Mar'gok (Mythic):

[Gwenymph 414]

*RESERVERD* for Holy.

 

Kargath Bladefist (Mythic):

 

Pre-Pull:   Place a Lightwell down as close to 2min in advance of the pull as possible.  If you are with a well oiled group that will not need much, or any, setup; place the Lightwell/Spring down as soon as the last trash mob dies.  This will allow you to cast it again during the encounter getting the opportunity to get double or triple the charges.  Have Prayer of Mending ready on the Tank pulling and pre-charge Words of Mending to 8 stacks to be ready to replace the initial PoM bounce w/o losing GCDs for a full PoM cast.

 

Holy:   The majority of the approach you used with the Heroic version of this encounter can be applied to the Mythic iteration.  I will admit that the thing I missed the most between Holy and Discipline for the Kargath encounter was the ability to Power Word: Shield all of the Iron Bomb targets, especially the raiders carrying multiple stacks, and the ability to ignore Flame Gout.  On the pull you can use the opportunity to stance dance and either DPS in Holy Word: Chastise or focus Tanks with Chakra: Serenity.  Just make sure you switched in enough time to get into Chakra: Sanctuary when more than Blade Dance damage starts to go out. All Iron Bomb targets can be prioritized with Renew and WoMPoM if the tank does already has an active Prayer of Mending. Circle of Healing is a great tool to counter the continual Bladedance but if there is healing to be done, do not hold off on using it on CD.  As Chain Hurl begins to be channeled hit the Tank going up with PoM on its next CD, in the mean time, start a Renew coverage for the team going up as well as a WoMPoM on a DPS headed to the stands.  I preferred to use Power Infusion closer to the pull but if you are falling behind while part of your team is in the stands, for whatever reason, hold PI for the end of the Chain Hurl and use it for Renew coverage and some Flash Heal/ Glyphed Binding Heal to stay ahead of the damage while you are down a healer.  Like Heoric, Cascade can almost used on CD, starting during the early phases of Bladedance.  Lightwell/Spring should be coming off CD as the team is finishing up in the stands, make sure you put it down again.  Holy Word: Sanctuary, even in it's currently weak state, should also be placed in the general area that Kargath is being tanked to help soak the incidental damage during the encounters duration.  As previously mentioned, if you do not have a Disc for this encounter, ignoring Flame Gout is less of an option because of the increased strain on Healer's Mana.  Renew will help alleviate some of the damage and your continuing CoH on CD will pick up the rest.  Be ready with a Flash/Binding for unlucky high stacks of Iron Bomb and Berserker Rush targets.  Players with the On the Hunt debuff can be hit with a Power Word: Shield in the absence of a Disc and are also candidates for a Flash Heal as they maneuver the Ravenous Bloodmaw around and through the Flame Pillars.

 

**Video Place Holder**

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

Twin Ogron (Mythic):

 

Pre-Pull:   This encounter is only proportionally more difficult on healers based on the quality of your firestanders.  The better your teams awareness the less likely you will see an increase in difficulty. I kept the same approach as the Heroic version except for swapping out the Fade Glyph just for insurance when firedancing during Empowered Whirlwind or to keep a Tank in range.  The handling of the healing duties does not differ to the point where the playstyle changes. Instead it just cemented the timestamps when I used my CDs.  Make sure your UI has the Blaze, Injured, and Arcane Volatility debuffs added.

 

Holy:   Roll Renew on both Tanks, and have your Prayer of Mending on CD when the pull goes out.  Quake will happen very quickly so roll Renew on as many Ranged DPS as you can.  Circle of Healing and Cascade on damage for Quake then continue to Renew Tanks and any raid members that pick up a stack of Blaze.  Continue to CoH on CD and PoM Tanks or Blaze targets.  After avoiding Shield Charge, roll Renews on any raid members that picked up the Injured debuff.  Keep maximum number of Renews and PoMs up as Enfeebling Roar approachs.  Drop a Holy Word: Sanctuary down at the stack point and cast Cascade as Roar is going off.  Make sure that you hold CoH to be available right after Cascade to recover from Roar, unless you are in danger of losing someone during the ability.  In which case keep it on CD to increase your chances of keeping everyone up through.  Arcane Volatility target will require Renews and lining up CoH with their detonation will also help accidental deaths.  As you spread for Pulverize, keep Renews on Tank > Arcane Volatility and Cascade >  CoH as it goes off.   Your Lightwell should be off of CD soon if not already, make sure you are replacing it.  With all of your instant casts there is minimal danger of Interrupting Shout effecting your rotation but it’s still worth mentioning in regards to using PoM, Cascade, and Divine Hymn.  DH will more than likely be called for by your Raid/Heal Lead.  If you are gaming meters then use it during the first pulse of Quake when you are safe from picking up Blaze, then again when it is up later in the fight to recover from Enfeebling Roar or another Quake.  Sanc, again, at this moment is still very weak.  So dropping during Enfeebling Roar stack is the best use, otherwise leaving it at the feet of the boss to help the fire dancing Melee works slightly better than leaving it for the Ranged DPS.  Both will be subject to being wasted w/ Fire RNG.  Power Infusion can be used with the first Quake then again on CD for the rest of the encounter.

 

There are other Priest approaches to this encounter based on Healing Comp, Raid DPS, and Strategy to name a few.  When there is something that works better for your team please share it.  Conversely, if there is something mentioned here that does not work with your make up please share it so people do not unnecessarily bang their heads against a wall.

 

Brackenspore (Mythic):

 

 

 

 

Tectus (Mythic):

 

 

 

 

Butcher (Mythic):

 

 

 

 

Ko'ragh (Mythic):

 

 

 

 

Imperator Mar'gok (Mythic):

[Gwenymph 414]

EDIT:

 

Added Twin Ogron Kill Vid

[Gwenymph 414]

Being productive today.

 

Added Kargath 

[Gwenymph 414]

Updated Mythic Kargath for Holy Priests

[Espiee 161]

Spectral Guise removes any stacks of Infesting spores you have on you.

 

CoW is amazing on Brackenspore. It isn't affected by necrotic breath and works really well supplementing direct healing on the mushrooms.

 

If you're fast, SG can also stop the frost orb on Ko'ragh from spawning.

 

Glyph of Reflective Shield contributes a lot of damage on Butcher and Twins(Arcane volatility is the only one that can't be reflected)

[Gwenymph 414]

Added Brackenspore notes and kill vid.

 

And want to reiterate what Espiee said:

 

 

Spectral Guise removes any stacks of Infesting spores you have on you.

 

CoW is amazing on Brackenspore. It isn't affected by necrotic breath and works really well supplementing direct healing on the mushrooms.

 

 

[djriff 5]

Glyph of Reflective Shield contributes a lot of damage on Butcher and Twins(Arcane volatility is the only one that can't be reflected)

According to the hotfix on Jan 8.Pries

• Glyphs
  • Glyph of Reflective Shield should now correctly only reflect damage on self-cast Power Word: Shields and not when it's cast on other players.

[Gwenymph 414]

 

According to the hotfix on Jan 8.Pries

• Glyphs
  • Glyph of Reflective Shield should now correctly only reflect damage on self-cast Power Word: Shields and not when it's cast on other players.

 

 

Still worth picking up this glyph if your pushing enrage. I tested it tonight on Mythic Butcher to make sure it still does enough dmg to warrant a spot.

[djriff 5]

Still worth picking up this glyph if your pushing enrage. I tested it tonight on Mythic Butcher to make sure it still does enough dmg to warrant a spot.

I assume you're standing in the cleave group then?

[Espiee 161]

I assume you're standing in the cleave group then?

It's free damage. You're going to bubble whoever is soaking the cleaves anyhow, but if you do it, you're doing extra damage with no added cost.

 

For Tectus if you can't reliably get Angelic feather on yourself for the pillars, consider switching to Body and Soul and use the following macro a second before it spawns:

#showtooltip
/stopcasting
/use [@player] Power Word: Shield

It'll automatically cast PWS on yourself and give you a 60% speed boost for 4 seconds.

Edited January 14, 2015 by Espiee

[Brutalpriest 60]

Espiee, when you drop a feather on top of yourself, it always targets you. 

[Espiee 161]

Espiee, when you drop a feather on top of yourself, it always targets you. 

Angelic feathers prioritize the caster, but when you're running on the pillar I've not always been successful getting it on me. Nevertheless I've since grown used to that macro. There's no targeting involved and you can use it as soon as you hear/see your WA for barrage/pillar.

 

Ever since the nerf, the speed boost is the same it's ultimately what you find better. I have feathers as default, but use SnB occasionally.

[Gwenymph 414]

Added Butcher notes

[Gwenymph 414]

Added Twin Ogron notes for Holy

[Gwenymph 414]

Added Tectus notes for Disc as well as updated the CoW sections for Mythic encounters