Introduction
Hi, I’m Grafe. I’m a Method Analyst and have mained Healer Priest for the past 7 years. I’ve raided at different levels during that time, including Hall of Fame, but I especially enjoy teaching and helping players.
Overview
In essence, Discipline is all about keeping your team alive by applying Atonement with spells like Power Word: Shield, Flash Heal, and Power Word: Radiance. You then heal all of those targets through the damage you deal.
In raid, your goal is to cover as many people as possible with the Atonement buff. This is done through "ramps", where you apply as many Atonements as possible right before the damage hits. Once your ramp is set, you use that small window to deal as much damage as possible to fully utilize your healing potential.
In dungeons, a single Power Word: Radiance will cover the whole group. This means your normal damage rotation handles most of the passive damage, but you still have great single-target options like Power Word: Shield or a defensive Penance if someone needs extra help.
Strengths:
- Capable of massive AoE burst healing to counter heavy damage phases.
- Access to top-tier damage reduction with Power Word: Barrier and Pain Suppression.
- In addition to Power Infusion, it also contributes decent DPS naturally since the spec heals through dealing damage.
Weaknesses:
- Very weak burst mobility, making it easy to get caught out by mechanics.
- One of the squishiest specs in the game. You have to be proactive with your own defensives to stay alive.
- Bad "emergency" healing. If you don't prepare your ramp ahead of time, you won't put out meaningful healing.
What has changed
Disc Priest Midnight Pre-Patch Changes
Discipline received a massive overhaul in the pre-patch. Here are the most important changes you need to know:
- Evangelism: It no longer extends Atonements. Instead, it casts a free Radiance and makes your next two Radiances instant. This makes the 20-person ramp way faster than before.
Plus, with Archangel, your Evangelism ramp is now 15% stronger. - Atonement: It starts at a much stronger 50% healing conversion but now scales down based on how many you have out (starting at 5). Combined with Penance now applying Atonement, your healing outside of ramp windows is a lot better.
- Choice Node: Barrier and Ultimate Penitence are now a choice node. Ultimate Penitence is currently a huge cooldown for throughput, but keep in mind it doesn’t apply 10 Atonements anymore.
- Oracle: Premonition is gone. It’s been replaced by passive talents that provide more constant value, like: Prompt Prognosis, Guiding Light, Piety and Prophet's Insight.
Notable removed Spells and Talents:
- Luminous Barrier
- Renew (Replaced by Plea)
- Halo & Divine Star
- Power Word: Life
- Schism & Shadow Covenant
- Shadowfiend (Now procs from Shadow Word: Death if talented)