Holy Priest leveling guide
Holy is the pure healer among Priests, and leveling it takes patience. Holy Fire, Smite and Searing Light do the damage, Surge of Light gives free instant Smites, and Holy Nova helps against groups. In return you have the strongest heals in the game at hand, and dungeon groups in Northrend will always want you.
Strengths and weaknesses
- The best healing of the Priest specs, with Circle of Healing and Guardian Spirit.
- Surge of Light and Searing Light make Smite and Holy Fire hit harder.
- Spirit of Redemption and Guardian Spirit keep you alive a while longer.
- The slowest leveling spec: enemies take long to die, and questing alone costs a lot of mana.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Holy: Healing Focus 2/2, Improved Renew 3/3, Holy Specialization 5/5, Divine Fury 5/5, Desperate Prayer, Inspiration 3/3, Holy Reach 2/2, Improved Healing 3/3 and Searing Light 2/2.
- Healing Prayers 2/2, Spirit of Redemption, Spiritual Guidance 5/5, Surge of Light 2/2, Spiritual Healing 5/5, Holy Concentration 3/3 and Body and Soul 2/2.
- Circle of Healing, Test of Faith 3/3 and Guardian Spirit, for 51 points. In Discipline: Twin Disciplines 5/5, Improved Inner Fire 3/3 and Improved Power Word: Fortitude 2/2.
Level 71 to 80
- Meditation 3/3, Inner Focus and Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3.
- Mental Agility 3/3, for 20 points in Discipline.
Rotation
One enemy
- Holy Fire from range, then Shadow Word: Pain.
- Smite until the enemy dies, and an instant Smite whenever Surge of Light lights up.
- Power Word: Shield when the enemy reaches you, so your casts are not pushed back.
Groups of enemies
- Power Word: Shield, then Holy Nova while the enemies stand around you.
- Mind Sear from level 75 on a group, and Psychic Scream when it gets too busy.
Staying alive
- Renew and Power Word: Shield before a pull, and Flash Heal or Circle of Healing on yourself.
- Guardian Spirit and Desperate Prayer when a fight goes wrong, and Fade to get away.
- Shadowfiend and Hymn of Hope when your mana runs low, and a wand to save mana on the last hits.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Power first, then Intellect, Spirit, Haste and Crit.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, and a wand with Spell Power.
- Enchants: Mighty Spellpower on the weapon, Exceptional Spellpower on the gloves and Superior Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Tailoring for caster cloth and Lightweave Embroidery, with Enchanting to disenchant what you replace.