If you are planning on joining the World of Warcraft Classic adventure make sure to check out our other related Guides below:

• World of Warcraft Classic Beginner's guide
• Best Gold Farming locations in WoW Classic
• Most Profitable Professions in Wow Classic guide

And Starter builds/Leveling Guides for all other character classes:

Odealo is a secure gamer-driven marketplace for WoW Classic Gold, Items, and Power Leveling.

1. Spirit - This is Priest's most important statistic by far. Spirit increases Mana and Health regeneration in and out of Combat. It synergizes with the Spirit Tap Talent that doubles the Spirit for 15s after Priest deals a killing blow, which allows him to regenerate Mana quickly without ever stopping for a Drink.

2. Intellect - Increases total mana pool and raises Spell Critical Hit chance. It also increases the rate at which a character learns Weapon Skills. Very important stat for a Priest, as stacking it increases maximum mana, which further improves his leveling efficiency.

3. Stamina - Improves your survivability by increasing your total Health pool. This is an important statistic, but it shouldn't be prioritized over Intellect and Spirit. Stamina loses some of its value for a Priest because of his ability to Shield and Heal himself very efficiently.

4. Agility -  Increases Armor, provides additional Dodge chance and a Weapon Critical Strike chance. Agility will improve your defenses by a little bit, which means that it is not as useless as Strength, but it should be avoided if possible, nevertheless.

5. Strength - Increases Melee Attack Power and the amount of Damage that a Shield can block (a Physical Off-Hand Shield wielded by Tanks, not Priest's Spell - yes, everyone knows that but it is still better to clarify, it is the Internet, after all). Priests can't use Off-Hand Shields and they do not rely on bashing mob's heads with their Staves and Maces, so this statistic is literally useless to them.

Leveling stat priority:

Spirit ⇒ Intellect ⇒ Stamina ⇒ ⇒ Agility ⇒ ⇒ Strength

Note:  Items with "Of the Owl" Suffix are ideal for Priests, as they provide both Spirit and Intellect. "Of the Whale" (Stamina and Spirit) and "Of the Eagle" (Stamina and Intellect) are strong second choices and you should Need on those, while in a group, as well.

For both PvP Healing and DPS Dwarf comes out on top quite easily, thanks to his Fear Ward and Stoneform abilities. Human's Spirit Racial is also quite good, but it can't really compare, Perception comes in handy against Rogues, but it is less useful than Stoneform and both Dwarf and Human get the Desperate Prayer, so it is not a real factor here. Night Elf falls quite far behind when it comes to PvP, sadly.

Recommended choice: Dwarf

Second choice: Human

If you are a PvE Player and want to choose the best PvE race, you have to decide if you want to Heal or to DPS (Shadow Priests are not too popular among Raid leaders, so you will have a much easier time finding a Raiding Guild if you roll as a Healer). The reasoning here is exactly the same as it was for the PvP part. Fear Ward's utility carries Dwarf to the front. Human follows suit with his Spirit increasing Racial, and Night Elf lags behind with his rather underwhelming Elune's Grace and Star Shards.

Recommended choice for Healing: Dwarf

Second choice for Healing: Human

Recommended choice for DPS: Dwarf

Second choice for DPS: Human

Undead is the best race for a PvP Shadow Priest, thanks to his Devouring Plague and Will of The Forsaken, however, Troll's Hex of Weakness shines in PvP as well, and Berserking is great if you decide to PvP as a Healer. Moreover, Troll's Shadowguard, while rather lackluster, can be hilarious when combined with the Blackout Talent, giving you a shield that can randomly Stun attackers for 3 seconds. All in all, Undead is a better Shadow Priest and Troll is a better Healer.

Recommended choice for PvP Healing: Troll

Second choice for PvP Healing: Undead

Recommended choice for PvP DPS: Undead

Second choice for PvP DPS: Troll

If you are a PvE Player and want to choose the best PvE race, you have to decide if you want to Heal or to DPS (Shadow Priests are not too popular among Raid leaders, so you will have a much easier time finding a Raiding Guild if you roll as a Healer). Horde Priest's Racials do not have too much of an impact on the PvE Healer gameplay (we assume that every Raid has a Warrior who uses Mortal Strike, so Troll's Hex of Weakness is not that useful), so "standard" racials will be the deciding factor here. Troll's Berserking allows him to lower his Cast times, which might be Raid-saving in close call situations, while Undead's Will of the Forsaken is irreplaceable in some encounters (like Onyxia, for example). Both of these Racials are very strong in their own ways and the best choice greatly depends on the encounter type, so there is no clear winner here. When it comes to DPS, Troll comes out on Top with his Berserking. Undead's Devouring Plague is powerful, but it is a 3-minute Cooldown, and the Debuff Limit is a thing.

Recommended choice for Healing: Troll or Undead

Recommended choice for DPS: Troll

Second choice for DPS: Undead

Talent allocation for Early Levels (10-39)

1. Levels 10-14 ⇒ 5/5 Wand Specialization - Alternatively, you can start with 5/5 Spirit Tap if you don't want to get Ench+Tailo and are not planning on getting a Wand below level 15 for some reason.
2. Levels 15-19 ⇒ 5/5 Spirit Tap - This Talent will solve all your Mana problems; if you obey the 5-second rule, that is.
3. Levels 20-21 ⇒ 2/2 Improved Shadow Word: Pain.
4. Levels 22-24 ⇒ 3/5 Shadow Focus - This gives you Shadow Spell Hit Cap against enemies 2 levels higher than you.
5. Levels 25-27 ⇒ 3/3 Improved Power Word: Shield.
6. Levels 28-29 ⇒ 2/2 Improved Power Word: Fortitude.
7. Level 30 ⇒ 1/1 Inner Focus - great mana-preservation and emergency tool.
8. Levels 31-33 ⇒ 3/3 Meditation.
9. Level 34 ⇒ 1/2 Martyrdom.
10. Levels 35-39 ⇒ 5/5 Mental Agility.

Talent allocation for Levels 40-59

1. You will have 31 Talent points after resetting, you should allocate all of them into the Shadow Tree:
   • 5/5 Spirit Tap.
   • 2/5 Blackout.
   • 2/2 Improved Shadow Word: Pain.
   • 3/5 Shadow Focus.
   • 2/2 Improved Psychic Scream.
   • 1/1 Mind Flay - channeled Offensive Spell that also slows the Target, good for both PvP and PvE.
   • 3/3 Shadow Reach.
   • 5/5 Shadow Weaving.
   • 1/1 Silence - very strong PvP spell, definitely worth getting.
   • 1/1 Vampiric Embrace - a solid tool that allows you to Heal while in the Shadowform.
   • 5/5 Darkness.
   • 1/1 Shadowform - this increases your Shadow Damage by 15% and reduces your Damage Taken by 15%, but prevents you from casting Holy Spells.
2. Levels 41-45 ⇒ 5/5 Wand Specialization. 
3. Levels 46-48 ⇒ 3/3 Improved Power Word: Shield.
4. Levels 49-50 ⇒ 2/2 Improved Power Word: Fortitude.
5. Level 51 ⇒ ⇒ 3/5 Shadow Focus.
6. Levels 52-54 ⇒ 3/3 Meditation.
7. Level 55 - 1/2 Martyrdom.
8. Levels 56-59 - 4/5 Mental Agility.

Note: At this point, you pretty much are done leveling; you can do some mount Gold farming at this point, or switch into Raiding spec immediately (if you are going for an Eng-Game Healer build, we advise you to farm in your old spec, as it will be more efficient).

• Factions:  
• Source: Enchanting (Requires Skill-Level 10 to create). 
• Level Required: 5
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.50, 12-22 Damage, 11.3 DPS
• Damage Type: Arcane. 

• Factions: 
• Source: "The People's Militia" Quest available from level 9 from NPC Gryan Stoutmantle, Sentinel Hill, Westfall.
• Level Required: It is a level 17 Quest reward that can be acquired earlier easily, when in a group.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.80, 16-30 Damage, 12.8 DPS
• Damage Type: Arcane. 

• Factions:  
• Source: Enchanting (Requires Skill-Level 70 to create). 
• Level Required: 13
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.80, 22-41 Damage, 17.5 DPS
• Damage Type: Arcane. 

• Factions:  
• Source: Wand Vendors in Capital Cities of both Factions. 
• Level Required: 15.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.60, 15-28 Damage, 13.4 DPS
• Damage Type: Fire. 

• Factions: 
• Source: Dungeon Quest "Deviate Eradication", Wailing Caverns. NPC Ebru, Above the Wailing Caverns entrance. 
• Level Required: This is a reward from Level 21 Dungeon Quest that can be completed around Level 18.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.70, 21-39 Damage, 17.6 DPS
• Damage Type: Fire. 

• Factions:  
• Source: Wand Vendors in Capital Cities of both Factions. 
• Level Required: 20.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.70, 21-39 Damage, 17.6 DPS
• Damage Type: Shadow. 

• Factions: 
• Source: "Omer's Revenge" Quest available from level 22 from NPC Omer Ironbraid, above the Whelgar's Excavation Site, Wetlands.
• Level Required: This is a Level 29 Quest Reward that can be acquired around level 25, or earlier when in a group.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.90, 32-60 Damage, 24.2 DPS
• Damage Type: Fire. 

• Factions:  
• Source: Dungeon Quest "Blackfathom Villainy", Wailing Caverns. NPC Argent Guard Thaelrid, near the Blackfathom Deeps entrance. 
• Level Required: It is a level 27 Dungeon Quest reward that can be acquired around level 23.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.50, 30-57 Damage, 29.0 DPS
• Damage Type: Shadow.

• Factions:  
• Source: Wand Vendors in Capital Cities of both Factions. 
• Level Required: 41.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.60, 39-74 Damage, 35.3 DPS
• Damage Type: Shadow. 

• Factions: 
• Source: "The Morrow Stone" Quest available from level 42 from NPC Equinex Monolith, located in the north-western part of Feralas.
• Level Required: This is a Level 50 Quest Reward that can be acquired quite easily around level 46.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.80, 52-97 Damage, 41.4 DPS
• Damage Type: Arcane. 

• Factions: 
• Source: "Dark Vessels"  Group Quest available from level 46 from NPC Primal Torntusk, located in the south-eastern part of the Hinterlands - Revantusk Village.
• Level Required: This is a Level 50 Group Quest Reward that can be acquired quite easily at level 46 when in a strong group.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.40, 40-75 Damage, 41.1 DPS
• Damage Type: Nature. 

• Factions:  
• Source: "When Smokey Sings, I Get Violent" Group Quest available from level 54 from NPC Smokey LaRue, Light's Hope Chapel, Eastern Plaguelands.
• Level Required: This is a Level 58 Group Quest Reward that can be acquired around level 55 with the help of a group. It is also soloable around level 58 by a Priest with clever use of the Shackle Undead ability.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.90, 70-132 Damage, 53.2 DPS
• Damage Type: Fire. 

• Factions:  
• Source: Shade of Eranikus Boss in the Sunken Temple. Entrance: Lake in the middle of Swamp of Sorrows. Drop Chance: ~31%.
• Level Required: Weapon requires level 51 to wield and the Boss is a level 55 Elite.
• Wand Stats: Speed 1.30, 50-93 Damage, 55.0 DPS
• Damage Type: Nature. 

At the beginning of your journey, your rotation will change rapidly as you will gain access to new abilities very quickly. You should try to implement every new ability to your rotation:

• At first, you will have Smite, Power Word: Fortitude and a Lesser Heal. You should maintain the Power Word: Fortitude, spam Smite, use your melee Weapon when low on Mana and cast Lesser Heal when needed.
• At level 4 you get Shadow Word: Pain. From now on you should start all fights with the following sequence: Smite ⇒ Shadow Word: Pain ⇒ Smite.
• At level 6 you get Power Word: Shield; pre-cast it before each combat to avoid taking too much Damage.
• At level 8 you get Renew; use it before Combat to top yourself out on Health.

At this point, you should already have your Wand. You will use it to finish off mobs in order to maximize resource gain from the Spirit Tap Talent.

Before Combat Starts:

Make sure, you have all buffs active (Inner Fire especially, as it has only 20 charges), and pre-cast Power Word: Shield and Renew (if needed).

Single Target Rotation:

Smite/Holy Fire (chose the one that currently deals more Damage) ⇒ Shadow Word: Pain ⇒ Mind Blast ⇒ Wand Attack until a mob is dead

Multi-Target Rotation:

Smite/Holy Fire/Mind Blast (chose the one that currently deals more Damage; skip this part if you didn't have a chance to hard-cast a spell before combat) ⇒ Shadow Word: Pain  on all Targets ⇒ Appropriate Rank of the Psychic Scream ⇒Wand Attack

Note: It is very important that you do not cast any spells after the initial sequence unless you really have to. This is because of the 5-second rule ⇒ your Mana will only regenerate 5 seconds after your last spell-cast. Obeying this rule will allow you to chain-kill mobs without any Downtime.

After your level 40 re-spec, you will have access to the Shadowform ability that will increase your Shadow Damage dealt but prevent you from using Holy spells so, from now on, you will rely on your Power Word: Shield, to keep you healthy, almost exclusively. You will also get the Mind Flay and the Vampiric Embrace that will provide you with some additional Healing without the need to leave Shadowform.

Before Combat Starts:

Make sure, you have all buffs active (Inner Fire especially, as it has only 20 charges), and pre-cast Power Word: Shield.

Single Target Rotation:

Mind Blast ⇒ Vampiric Embrace (if needed) ⇒ Shadow Word: Pain ⇒ Mind Flay ⇒ Mind Flay ⇒ Wand Attack until a mob is dead

Multi-Target Rotation:

Mind Blast ⇒ Vampiric Embrace (if needed) ⇒ Shadow Word: Pain on all targets ⇒ Appropriate Rank of the Psychic Scream ⇒Wand Attack

Note: Weave in additional Power Word: Shield Cast to your rotation if you are taking heavy Damage (Weakened Soul Debuff should not be a problem if you pre-cast PW: S before the start of each combat).

If you want to know more about all professions available in WoW Classic, please check out our WoW Classic Professions Guide.

1. Take advantage of your Spirit Tap Talent and obey the 5-second rule (Mana starts to regenerate 5 seconds after your last Spellcast). Always try to finish mobs off with your Wand (do not cast any spells when doing that) to maximize your in and out of combat Mana Regeneration.

2. Spirit is your most important stat by far - STACK IT. This is the key to smooth leveling and quick mana regeneration.

3. Preserve your Gold. Ideally, you should be able to progress through levels without any Auction House purchases (if you spot a great Wand upgrade, do not hesitate if it is cheap, however). When it comes to Skills - you should learn just the essentials from Class Trainers.

4. Maintain your buffs. Don't forget about your Inner Fire and Power Word: Fortitude, these spells make your character much more resilient and allow you to save mana that would be otherwise used on Heals.

5. Downrank your Spells. If you don't need a full heal, do not use the most powerful Healing Ability you currently have, as it is an overkill and it costs too much mana (keep lower rank abilities on your action bars, they come in handy). Moreover, always use the appropriate level of your Psychic Scream - 2 mobs ⇒ Rank 1, 3 mobs ⇒ Rank 2, and so on.

6. Keep your Wand up to Date. Try to follow the Wand Progression route and remember that a lot of your Damage comes directly from your Wand (better Wand = faster kill times = faster leveling).

Buying WoW Classic Gold with real money is a hassle-free way to get all the items you need for your character.

END NOTE

Leveling process in the Classic World of Warcraft is different from leveling in the current game versions. This Guide should help you to prepare yourself for that legendary Vanilla Experience and allow you to progress through levels efficiently and with a good amount of fun.

We hope that you have found this Guide useful and informative.  If we have missed a piece of information that is important to you, please let us know! 

Please do note that this is an early version of our guide, and we will be happy to receive constructive criticism, that will help us improve it, so leave your suggestions in the comments section below.