So, as you should know, i am a Discipline / Shadow priest and i mainly heal in my raids, and im always asked "so what can a disc priest do that a holy priest cannot", so my aim is to explain to the people that don't know the benefits / disadvantages for Disc priest compared to Holy priests.
Power Word: ShieldThis is the biggest spell for a disc priest as it will absorb about 4k damage with around 2k spell power. To buff up the amount absorbed there are two talents: Improved PW:S (at 3/3) Increases the damage absorbed by PW:S by 5 / 10 / 15%, which on the basic 2230 absorbtion amount is rougly 334 added onto the shield, which makes the absorbtion amount up to 2564.
The Second talent increase is Borrowed time - (At 5/5) Grants 25% Spell haste for your next spell after casting PW:S and increases the amount absorbed by your PW:S equal to 40% of your spell power. So at around 2.1k Spell power which is what i have just standard buff that is a massive 840 absorb damage, which ontop of 2564 is 3404, could save a tank at this point.
Power InfusionInfuses the target with power, increasing spell casting speed by 20% and reducing the mana cost of all spells by 20%. Lasts 15 seconds.
This is by far the greatest buff for a caster DPS bar Heroism (and Icy Veins for mages). I always tend to syncronise this buff with me friendly arcane mage, maldaror, after he's used Icy Veins to let him pump out some more DPS after IV has gone.
Renewed HopeIncreases the critical effect chance of your Flash Heal, Greater Heal and Penance (Heal) spells by 4% on targets afflicted by the Weakened Soul effect, and you have a 100% chance to reduce all damage taken by 3% for 20 sec to all friendly party and raid targets when you cast PW:S
a 3% damage taken reduction for 20 second when PW:S is casted. This is great for tanks but also for fights where the whole group is taking damage so it's a massive plus to the raid group.
RaptureWhen your PW:S is completely absorbed or dispelled you are instantly energized with 2.5% of your total mana, and you have a 100% chance to energize your shielded target with 2% total mana, 8 rage, 16 energy or 32 runic power. This effect can only occur once every 12 sec.
The first part is just great for mana return as its about 500 for me, and im always casting PW:S but the return to the shielded target is huge. 2% mana to Tankadins, 8 rage to warriors + dr00ds and 32 for DK tanks is a massive bonus to their threat generation / dump.
Pain suppresionInstantly reduces a friendly targets threat by 5%, reduces all damage taken by 40% and increases resistance to Dispel mechanics by 65% for 8 sec.
Ignoring the 5% threat reduction and 65% resistance to dispels lets break it down. Reduces all damage taken by 40% for 8 sec. That is great for those "OH SHIT!" situations where a tank is gonna suffer heavy damage, on top of Renewed hope its 43% damage reduction!. The 5% threat shouldnt be a problem as your tank should be pulling out alot of TPS for it not to be a problem, and the dispel is just for PVP.
Divine AegisCritical heals create a protective shield on the target, absorbing 30% of the amount healed. Lasts 12 sec.
This... is... FANTASTIC!. as with my 30% Holy crit chance i crit all the time. This also includes Overheal and it Stacks! The only annoying thing is that it won't Stack with the absorbtion of PW:S so it'll be before / after PW:S is gone.
Finally,
PenanceLaunches a volley of holy light at the target, causing 252 holy damage to an enemy, or 670 to 756 healing to an ally instantly and every 0.95 sec for 1.90 sec.
In raids, roughly heals for 3k normal and 5k crits and its cheaper than Flash heal, and when glyphed + spec'd you can reduce the time down to a 6.4 sec Cooldown!
So that is the basic positives to disc healing, and as my friends are getting annoyed of sitting on me mammoth in Zangarmarsh im gonna call it and finish it off tomorrow
Enjoy the read!
chow, Jim
Aww my lovely druid, Level 65, in a guild with me best mates, PvPing when i feel like it... its Lovely!
