Discipline Priest PvP Guide — The War Within (11.1.0)

Last updated on Feb 24, 2025 at 21:57 by Mysticall 23 comments
General Information

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play Discipline Priest in a PvP environment. The guide will cover everything from talent choices, PvP talents, gameplay and rotation, and useful racial bonuses. It is most applicable to Arena content, but most talents and racial bonuses will work in Rated Battlegrounds and skirmishes.

If you were looking for TBC Classic content, please refer to our TBC Priest PvP guide.

1.

Discipline Priests in the Current Meta

Discipline Priests are one of a kind. In order to heal their team effectively, they need to combine traditional healing and absorption spells and damaging spells on the enemy to heal through Atonement Icon Atonement. That makes Discipline Priests excellent offensive healers able to support their DPS with damage while healing with it. They also bring an offensive purge to the team for even more offensive pressure. However, they are not very mobile and run out of Mana quickly.

2.

Discipline Priest Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths icon Strengths
  • +Powerful defensive abilities.
  • +Significant damage.
  • +Offensive purge.
  • +Strong cooldowns to rotate.
Weaknesses icon Weaknesses
  • -Very little mobility.
  • -High Mana consumption when hard-casting heals.
  • -Reliant on teammates to land CC.
3.

Notable 11.1 Changes to Discipline Priest

  • Archangel Icon Archangel has been redesigned – Now a passive spell that upgrades Evangelism Icon Evangelism, causing it heal for 30% more and increase your healing and absorption by 20% for 15 seconds.
  • Dark Archangel Icon Dark Archangel has been redesigned – Now triggers automatically when you cast Shadowfiend Icon Shadowfiend or Mindbender Icon Mindbender and increases damage done by 10% (was 15%).
  • Shadow Word: Pain Icon Shadow Word: Pain damage no longer increased by 15% in PvP combat.
  • New Talent: Divine Procession Icon Divine ProcessionSmite Icon Smite extends the duration of an active Atonement Icon Atonementby 3 seconds.
  • New Talent: Inner Focus Icon Inner FocusFlash Heal Icon Flash Heal, Power Word: Shield Icon Power Word: Shield, Penance Icon Penance, Power Word: Radiance Icon Power Word: Radiance, and Power Word: Life Icon Power Word: Life have a 20% increased chance to critically heal.
  • Purge the Wicked Icon Purge the Wicked renamed to Encroaching Shadows Icon Encroaching Shadows and has been updated – Now causes Shadow Word: Pain Icon Shadow Word: Pain to spread instead of overriding Shadow Word: Pain Icon Shadow Word: Pain with a new spell.
  • Evangelism Icon Evangelism now heals all targets affected by Atonement Icon Atonement for 4200% spell power, split amongst targets healed. Evangelism Icon Evangelism continues to extend Atonement Icon Atonement by 6 seconds and its visual has been updated.
  • Contrition Icon Contrition has been made baseline, and now logs as Penance Icon Penance healing.
  • Penance Icon Penance healing now triggers Divine Aegis Icon Divine Aegis.
  • Power Word: Shield Icon Power Word: Shield absorption increased by 15%.
  • Power Word: Radiance Icon Power Word: Radiance healing radius increased to 40 yards.
  • Luminous Barrier Icon Luminous Barrier healing increased by 20%.
  • Indemnity Icon Indemnity increases the duration of Atonement Icon Atonement applied by Power Word: Shield Icon Power Word: Shield by 4 seconds (was 3 seconds).
  • Ultimate Penitence Icon Ultimate Penitence now shields the Priest for 100% of their health (was 50%).
  • Smite Icon Smite damage increased by 25%.
  • Shadow Word: Pain Icon Shadow Word: Pain damage increased by 25%.
  • Pain and Suffering Icon Pain and Suffering increases the damage of Shadow Word: Pain Icon Shadow Word: Pain by 15/30% (was 7/15%).
  • Void Summoner Icon Void Summoner now only triggers from Mind Blast Icon Mind Blast and Penance Icon Penance casts. Void Summoner Icon Void Summoner reduces the cooldown of Shadowfiend Icon Shadowfiend by 8 seconds or Mindbender Icon Mindbender by 4 seconds (was 4 seconds and 2 seconds).
  • Divine Aegis Icon Divine Aegis no longer triggers from periodic healing or Atonement Icon Atonement or causes Power Word: Shield Icon Power Word: Shield critical heals to be stronger. Absorption increased to 30% (was 5%).
  • The following talents have been removed: Heaven's Wrath Icon Heaven's Wrath, Rapture Icon Rapture, and Train of Thought Icon Train of Thought.
4.

Changelog

  • 24 Feb. 2025 (races): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (playstyle): Updated for Patch 11.1.
    • Updated all healing rotations.
    • Updated defensives section.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (blitz): Updated for Patch 11.1.
    • Updated recommended talents.
    • Updated recommended PvP talents.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 11.1.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (talents): Updated for Patch 11.1.
    • Updated recommended 3v3 talents.
    • Updated recommended 2v2 talents.
    • Updated talent descriptions.
    • Updated PvP talents.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (this page): Updated for Patch 11.1.
  • 24 Feb. 2025 (this page): Updated for Patch 11.1.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (blitz): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Dec. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 15 Nov. 2024 (playstyle): Updated all Healing Rotations.
    • Updated Burst Healing rotation.
    • Updated Damage Rotation.
  • 15 Nov. 2024 (blitz): Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 15 Nov. 2024 (gear): Updated Recommended Gear.
    • Updated Recommended Enchants.
    • Updated Recommended Gems.
  • 15 Nov. 2024 (talents): Updated Recommended 2v2 Talents.
  • 15 Nov. 2024 (this page): Updated Strengths and Weaknesses.
  • 15 Nov. 2024 (this page): Updated Strengths and Weaknesses.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (blitz): Updated For Patch 11.0.5.
    • Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (gear): Updated for Patch 11.0.5.
    • Updated Recommended Gear.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (talents): Updated for Patch 11.0.5.
    • Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (this page): Updated for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 21 Oct. 2024 (this page): Updated for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 16 Sep. 2024 (gear): Updated Recommended Gear.
    • Updated Recommended Enchants.
    • Updated Recommended Gems.
  • 16 Sep. 2024 (talents): Updated 2v2 Talents.
  • 15 Sep. 2024 (blitz): Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 12 Sep. 2024 (talents): Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (races): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (blitz): Updated for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 09 Sep. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 29 Aug. 2024 (blitz): Page added.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (races): Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (gear): Updated for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (talents): Updated for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 21 Aug. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 26 Jul. 2024 (talents): Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (races): Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (playstyle): Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (comps): Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (talents): Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 23 Jul. 2024 (this page): Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 04 Jul. 2024 (gear): Updated Recommended Gear.
  • 04 Jul. 2024 (talents): Updated Recommended Talents.
  • 07 May 2024 (races): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (macros): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (comps): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (gear): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (talents): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (this page): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 07 May 2024 (this page): Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (gear): Updated Recommended Gear for Patch 10.2.6.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Apr. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Mar. 2024 (talents): Updated Talents for Patch 10.2.6.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 15 Jan. 2024 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (gear): Updated for Patch 10.2.
    • Updated Recommended Gear.
    • Added Tier Set section.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
  • 06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (races): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (macros): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (playstyle): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (comps): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (gear): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (talents): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
  • 22 Aug. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for class tuning, minor buff.
  • 22 Aug. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for class tuning, minor buff.
  • 07 Aug. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for class tuning, minor buff.
  • 07 Aug. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for class tuning, minor buff.
  • 25 Jul. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5 Tuning, minor buff.
  • 25 Jul. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5 Tuning, minor buff.
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (talents): Updated for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5
  • 09 May 2023 (races): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (macros): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (playstyle): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (comps): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (talents): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 09 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Patch 10.1.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 21 Mar. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (races): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (gear): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (talents): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 30 Jan. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 21 Dec. 2022 (gear): Added the 2nd crafted item in the recommended gear.
  • 14 Dec. 2022 (gear): Corrected an error in the "Enchants" section.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (races): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (macros): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (playstyle): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (comps): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (talents): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (races): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (macros): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (playstyle): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (comps): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (gear): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (talents): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 22 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (races): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (playstyle): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (comps): Updated for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (gear): Updated for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (talents): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 28 Jul. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Shadowlands Season 4.
  • 04 Jul. 2022 (macros): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 04 Jul. 2022 (comps): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 04 Jul. 2022 (gear): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 03 Jul. 2022 (playstyle): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 03 Jul. 2022 (talents): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 02 Jul. 2022 (races): Updated Horde races.
  • 01 Jul. 2022 (this page): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 01 Jul. 2022 (this page): Rewritten and further updated for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 31 May 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.5.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.2.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (playstyle): Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Updated Healing rotations.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (comps): Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Updated Best 2v2 Compositions.
    • Updated Best 3v3 Compositions.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (gear): Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Updated Recommended Gear.
    • Added Tier-Set section.
    • Removed Shard of Domination section.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (talents): Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Updated PvP Talents.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Added Notable Changes section.
  • 28 Feb. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.2.
    • Added Notable Changes section.
  • 04 Jan. 2022 (gear): Updated Enchants.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (gear): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (talents): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (this page): Page reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 23 Nov. 2021 (this page): Page reviewed for Patch 9.1.5.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.1.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (playstyle): Updated all Healing rotations.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (comps): Updated Best 2v2 Compositions.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (gear): Updated Recommended Gear.
    • Added Shards of Domination section.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (talents): Updated PvP Talents.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
  • 02 Jul. 2021 (this page): Updated for Patch 9.1.
  • 25 Apr. 2021 (playstyle): Removed outdated ability (Memory of Lucid Dreams).
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (races): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (macros): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (playstyle): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (comps): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (gear): Updated Stat Priority.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (talents): Updated PvP Talents.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 08 Mar. 2021 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
  • 06 Dec. 2020 (gear): Added BiS gear list for Shadowlands.
  • 05 Dec. 2020 (playstyle): Updated Rotations to include Covenant Ability.
  • 05 Dec. 2020 (talents): Updated PvP Talents.
    • Updated Talent Table.
    • Updated Tier 1 Regular Talent.
  • 30 Nov. 2020 (playstyle): Removed outdated Traits and Essences.
  • 30 Nov. 2020 (gear): Removed outdated Traits and Essences.
    • Removed outdated gear.
    • Added gems section.
  • 30 Nov. 2020 (this page): Added Covenant page, removed Azerite mentions, and updated gear section.
  • 30 Nov. 2020 (this page): Added Covenant page, removed Azerite mentions, and updated gear section.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (races): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (macros): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (playstyle): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (comps): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (gear): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (talents): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (this page): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
  • 14 Oct. 2020 (this page): Updated for Shadowlands pre-patch.
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