[Disc Priest] 3.3.5 Tier 7 BiS List & Stat Priority
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this thread is to promote and encourage intelligent discussion regarding Disc Priest gearing on Lordaeron. I am well aware that there are quite a lot of WOTLK Disc Priest information and resources already existing out there. However, since we are playing Tier 7 content on a 3.3.5 patch as well as having raids tuned, the information from the aforementioned sources do not always offer the best advice for our current situation. Criticism and difference of opinion is welcome, however it is crucial that a civil and friendly athmosphere is maintained.
CHANGELOG:
[16/03/2016] Changed Haste soft cap from 11% to 4.68%, since Haste stacks multiplicatively and not additively. Description of Haste has been updated.
STATS:
Tier 7 Stat Priority:
Haste (<11%) > Int > SP > MP5 > Spirit > Crit > Haste (>11%)
Haste: Getting to 154 (4.68%) Haste Rating should be your first priority to reach the 1 GCD cap for http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=48066 spam. After that, the value of Haste decreases quite significantly. Regardless, it is still useful for when you are not http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=48066 spamming, especially for pumping out http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=48072 quickly enough.
Intellect: Intellect is by FAR your best regen stat. The reason for this is that it scales with a plethora of spells, buffs and items, such as http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=25898, http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=34433, http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=16190, http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=57669, http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=63652, http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=18555 & http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=25046. Intellect also has the added bonus of helping your throughput by increasing your Crit. Since bosses on Lordaeron are usually buffed (aka longer fights) I recommend stacking Intellect to be able to last the entire fight.
Spell Power: After reaching 11% Haste, Spell Power will be your best throughput stat. As a Disc, this is your main stat together with Intellect. It is important to maintain a balance between the two, making you able to keep raid alive effectively without going OOM.
MP5: MP5 is currently your second best regen stat. I say currently because as we progress into the upcoming raid content, Spirit will eventually catch up and even bypass MP5 at later gear levels, due to scaling and synergy with Intellect. However, we are not at that point yet and therefore MP5 is superior. Keep in mind that MP5 has double the value of most stats (1 MP5 = 2 SPI).
Spirit: As mentioned above, due to low gear levels, Spirit cannot be utilized to its full potential quite yet. Despite being the worst stat for regen, it is still not a bad stat to pick up. I currently rate it slightly higher than Crit & Haste (after 11%) on most fights. Keep in mind that Spirit is stronger for Holy Priests and therefore you should consider passing Spirit BiS items to him/her first.
Crit: Despite being at the bottom of the pack, Crit is definitely not a bad stat. Sure, we can't make use of it as well as a Holy Paladin, but despite the RNG nature of Crit, it benefits us quite much. First of all, it helps stack http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=47515, which, together with your http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=48066 will prevent a lot of incoming damage. Secondly, it will increase the chance for you to proc http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=15359, which should have a 100% uptime on tanks (provided by you, Holy Priests & Resto Shamans). While the crit portion of your heals can result in overhealing it can also be the difference of keeping someone alive (this applies more for 10-man raids).
Gearing:
Head:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40562 [BiS]
This helm is not such a big upgrade from the 213 ones and will be replaced rather quickly in Ulduar. Although it is technically BiS, I would pass this helm to Holy & Shadow Priests since they can make more use of it.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40287 [RECOMMENDED]
My helm of choice. Since http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40562 is not that good (low Int), this is a good place to get some Haste to reach your cap. Besides, you should have zero competition for this helm. http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40447 is also a very viable choice, with very minor stat differences.
Neck:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44662 [BiS]
This is an amazing neck for Disc. It is almost BiS throughout entire Ulduar, with http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=45443 being the only upgrade. Convince your raid leader to let you have http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44581.
Shoulder:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40555 [BiS]
Despite the lack of a gem, as well as the not-so-optimal Crit/Spi combination, these shoulders are the best ones you can get. Unlike with your Head Slot, there is not really a 213 ilvl Haste alternative that is impressive. The only option would be http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=39719, which isn't very optimal due to its low Int. You should pass this item to your Holy Priest and pick up the second pair. If you can't get ahold of this item, you should go for http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40450.
Back:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44005 [BiS]
A very good throughput cloak, no doubt. However, it is BiS for pretty much every caster and most of them can use it better than you.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40405 [RECOMMENDED]
This is the cloak of my choice. Disc is one of the two specs that can properly use this cloak (along with Holy Priests).
Chest:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40381 [BiS]
This chest is pretty damn solid. However, there is another Chest that provides a chunk of Haste which I prefer currently to reach the Haste Cap. Nonetheless, you should pick this chest up (no competition) and keep it in your bags in case you can afford to lower your Haste.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44002 [RECOMMENDED]
This chest plays a major part in obtaining your Haste Cap. If you find yourself with too much Haste while progressing in Ulduar, swap this out for Sympathy. However, until that happens, go with this one. Your only competition for this Chest will be Shadow Priests.
Wrist:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44008 [BiS]
Just as for so many others specs, this is your BiS item for the wrist slot. However, this is another item that I would rather pass to other specs that I think can make more use out of it.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40741 [RECOMMENDED]
Although it is inferior to http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44008, the difference is not that major. You will lose some stats due to the lower ilvl and lack of gem slot, but you gain MP5 instead of Spi, which is nice. Also, you are still able to pick up Haste from your Wrist Slot. If you find yourself overcapped on Haste, go for http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40198.
Hands:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40454 [BiS]
First of all, it should be noted that these are the Shadow Priest Tier 7.5 Gloves. It might feel awkward to use them, but there is a reason for it. Compared to the Disc/Holy Tier 7.5 Gloves, they will provide Haste instead of Spirit and a yellow gem slot instead of a red, which is a plus. Besides, you really want to pick up some Haste from your Gloves. Your other option is http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=39733, but they are most definitely inferior due to the Spirit and lack of a gem slot.
Waist:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40561 [BiS]
This is another item that is BiS, but where priority should be given to other specs.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40271 [RECOMMENDED]
Although http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40561is is an upgrade, it is however extremely minor. This belt is extremely solid with high Int as well as an extra gem slot. Additionally, it is easy to acquire with close to zero competition.
Legs:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40398 [BiS]
These legs are really solid. If you have a Holy Priest, pass them to him/her first. However, make sure you pick up the second ones. If you are unable to acquire them, go for http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40448.
Feet:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40326 [BiS]
At first glance, http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40558 might seem tempting. However, the lack of a gem slot, low Int and Spi combined with the excess amount of stamina make them an inferior choice.
Ring:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40399 [BiS]
This ring is exactly like http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44005. Technically your BiS, but should definitely be passed to other specs who can make better use of it.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40375 [RECOMMENDED]
This is a solid ring that will help you reach your Haste Cap. Another, slightly inferior, alternative is http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40433. The only spec you should need to compete against for these Rings is Resto Shamans.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40108 [RECOMMENDED]
With the rest of your gear, you should not need another Haste Ring. If you do, use http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40433. Otherwise, this is a solid ring with high Int that outperforms the other 213 ilvl Rings. If you have the gold, picking up a http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=45689 is useful for fights where you need to maximize your regen.
Weapon:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40395 [BiS]
The only 226 ilvl weapon you can use. Huge upgrade. Although it is not very hard to replace, since Razorscale drops http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=45147. There are quite many specs that have this one as BiS, however a Disc Priest should be one of the specs with top priority. If you can't acquire this item, I would recommend settling with http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40300.
Off Hand:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=39766 [BiS]
A really solid Off Hand that offers High Int and Haste. Sadly, you will have to compete versus a few other specs for this item, but it is definitely something you should try and acquire. If you can't get it, I would recommend using http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40192 together with a second Haste Ring.
Wand:
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40245 [BiS]
This wand is a no-brainer. Should always be given to Disc Priest first since we are the ones who benefits the most from its stats.
Trinket (regen):
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44255 [BiS]
If you don't have this trinket yet, you're missing out. Disc Priests make excellent use of Int and this trinket is amazing. Proc should have 33% uptime and it should be synergized with your http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=34433. Has extra value as Blood Elf due to http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=25046.
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=42413 [BiS]
While not as powerful as http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=44255, the passive Int + 39 Mp5 on-use effect combined with a lack of other proper regen trinkets, makes this a strong second. Another decent alternative with the added benefit of some throughput would be http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40382.
Trinket (throughput):
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40432 [BiS]
This trinket is absolutely amazing for throughput, in fact it remains one of the BiS throughput trinkets even in Tier 8 content. However, there are a lot of casters who also has this as BiS and as always, you should judge who can make the better use of it. Keep in mind that with longer fights (due to increased HP on Boss or such), you might want to focus a bit extra on maximizing your regen. If you can't acquire this trinket for throughput, you should aim for either http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=37835 or http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40258 (inferior).
http://wotlk.openwow.com/item=40685 [BiS]
Although this trinket is very easy to acquire, it remains one of your best throughput trinkets for this tier. Due to the Haste proc, it should be used when you can actually utilize the proc - not just http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=48066 spam with already capped GCD, but perhaps throwing out http://wotlk.openwow.com/spell=48072 in a dire situation.
Conlusion:
Making a BiS list for a Healer usually proves way more difficult than making one for DPS. Since we need to maintain a perfect balance of regeneration and throughput, our actual BiS gear can not really be set in stone. Additionally, it is still unknown how the upcoming Tier 8 raid content will be tuned and therefore it is impossible to make a completely accurate assessment of how much focus we should put on throughput vs regeneration. As you probably noticed, I recommend several items that are not BiS stat-wise for you and while this might differ from most BiS lists, it is to maintain a BiS list that maximizes your entire raid effectiveness rather than your individual effectiveness. Thanks for reading!
