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The subject of this article was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 7.0.3.
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- For the Warcraft III item, see Shadow Orb.
| Shadow Orbs | |
|---|---|
| |
| Properties | |
| Class | Priest |
| Other information | |
| Level learned | 21 |
| Affects |
 [Mind Blast],  [Shadow Word: Death],  [Devouring Plague],  [Psychic Horror] |
The Shadow Orbs resource mechanic as it appears in the user interface
Shadow Orbs are a unique Shadow priest resource displayed in the user interface beneath the player's health and mana bars. They become available to Shadow priests at level 21.
Shadow Orbs are generated by [Mind Blast] and [Shadow Word: Death]. They are used to cast [Devouring Plague] and [Psychic Horror].
Priests can have a maximum of 3 Shadow Orbs at a time, or 5 once 
[Enhanced Shadow Orbs] has been acquired. Psychic Horror will consume up to 3 Shadow Orbs, empowering the spell according to the number consumed, requiring a minimum of 1 Shadow Orb; while Devouring Plague always consumes 3 Shadow Orbs, and cannot be cast with fewer.
Shadow Orbs do not decay or disappear over time; they can be stored indefinitely until they are needed. However, events such as dying or logging out will reset the priest's Shadow Orbs.
Improvements[]
- Glyph of Shadow Ravens
- Minor Glyph
- Use: Permanently teaches you this glyph.
Your Shadow Orbs now appear as Shadow Ravens. - Classes: Priest
- Requires Level 25
- Sell Price: 1
Talents, abilities and glyphs that increase the availability of abilities that generate Shadow Orbs can in turn lead to increased Shadow Orb generation. Examples include 
[Divine Insight] and 
[Glyph of Shadow Word: Death].
Tips[]
Any Orbs generated while at the maximum will be wasted. Priests with full Orbs should generally therefore try to make use of an ability to consume them, before using abilities that will generate further Orbs.
A simple tactic to provide an edge when facing a tough opponent is for the priest to first generate 3-5 Shadow Orbs from fighting other, usually weaker, foes, before engaging the more challenging target. As Shadow Orbs can take some time to accumulate (especially in single combat), this tactic can substantially increase DPS in short encounters.
Patch changes[]
- Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Removed, replaced by Insanity system.
- Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): Redesigned into a resource mechanic for Shadow priests.
- Patch 4.0.6 (2011-02-08): The benefit from mastery has been increased by approximately 16%.
- Hotfix (2010-11-24): The Empowered Shadow buff is no longer granted when a player cancels the Shadow Orb buff. Mind Blast correctly removes the Shadow Orb buff and grants Empowered Shadow.
- Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): Added.
External links[]
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