IMO, smite priest is the way to go. Stack spirit on every item as high as you can + spirit tap + spiritual guidance does a lot more damage than shadow. It doesn't really come online until 40ish, when you get spiritual guidance, but neither does shadow and it hits like a truck. As an added bonus, you can heal far better than a shadow priest
First time ever playing Priest and it has been so smooth and fun so far. Only 36 but I have hit 60 on a few other classes in HC and Priest is incredibly OP.
There are definitely some selection biases and effects at play. The safest class to get to 60 is to play a mage single target frostbolt spec, but you won't see that in any basic statistics because of all the mages trying to aoe farm and die. Warlocks die the most but honestly I think it's because their power causes people to get in trouble (e.g. pulling 3-4 mobs on a regular basis and eventually fear pathing or mob abilities like chain stuns get them in trouble). It's not because the class is "hard" per say, it's because the class enables unsafe behaviors.
I would say you need to relook at your skill progression and blackout. I would skip it unless you are going troll, because it is on spell cast and not on damage, meanin if you cast SWP, it wont cause blackout on a damage tick. Your 40 shadow respec is wack btw.
honestly i'm surprised, i thought it would be more popular, be the easiest. I went with warrior, for the challenge. Would you recommend for SoD going 5 in disc 5 in that shadow talent, for the leveling? then respec at 25?
Not saying you are wrong. just saying you're not right. Go shadow. ive played a priest since launch. quit game and accounts many times after Cata. when playing in shadow you can pull 2 and 3 mobs at the same time after lvl 21. dot, mind blast and wand.. gg and c u at 60
You won't be able to craft the Greater Magic Wand because you won't be able to buy a Silver Rod from a blacksmith and subsequently won't be able to craft the Runed Silver rod that is i required in order to craft the wand itself.
