Basic Fighting

Combat
In the next section I’ve covered how a shadow priest should engage in combat in various situations.  Holy priests are not covered because they should not be fighting, though I will devote a section to staying alive as a holy priest.
Shadow Attack Order
Shadow Priests have a very specific, almost macro’able attack order when killing mobs.
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At maximum range:

  1. Mind Blast
  2. Shadow Word: Pain (backing up)
  3. Vamperic Embrace (if you have it)
  4. Mind Flay
  5. Mind Flay
  6. Psychic Scream
  7. Mind Blast
  8. Flay
  9. Power Word Shield
  10. Flay
  11. Flay
  12. Psychic Scream
  13. Mind Blast
  14. Rinse repeat.

Most of the time mobs will be dead by Step 8. Player Characters are more challenging

PvE damage dealing for a non shadow priest varies depending on their talent points.

If the priest has Holy Fire, they should start with that, then follow with Pain, Blast, Smite, Smite, Fear, Smite, Blast, etc.  This is not a very effective means of combat, and the priest is much better off to run with a group.
AVWin