Wowpedia

We have moved to Warcraft Wiki. Click here for information and the new URL.

READ MORE

Wowpedia
mNo edit summary
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
<onlyinclude>{{Infobox ability
−
{{npcbox
 
−
|name=Parrot
+
| name = Power Word: Shield
  +
| image = Spell_Holy_PowerWordShield
−
|image=parrot.png
 
  +
| description = Draws on the soul of the friendly target to shield them, absorbing (((($SP * 0.418) + 136) * 1 * 1 * 1 * 1)) damage. Lasts 30 sec. While the shield holds, spellcasting will not be interrupted by damage. Once shielded, the target cannot be shielded again for 15 sec.
−
|level=1
 
  +
| class = [[Priest]]
−
|race=Critter
 
  +
| type = Defensive
−
|location=[[Un'Goro Crater]]
 
  +
| school = [[Holy]]
−
}}
 
  +
| target = Friendly
  +
| cost = 34%
  +
| costunit = Base mana
  +
| range = 40
  +
| rangeunit = yd
  +
| cast_time = Instant
  +
| cooldown = 3 seconds
  +
| improvement = [[Improved Power Word: Shield]], [[Twin Disciplines]], [[Mental Agility]], [[Soul Warding]], [[Renewed Hope]], [[Rapture]], [[Borrowed Time]], [[Reflective Shield]]<!-- [[Inner Focus]], but not worth listing) -->
  +
| ranks = 14
  +
| requirements = Target must not have Weakened Soul debuff.
  +
| buff_type = Magic
  +
| buff_desc = Absorbs X damage.
  +
| buff_dur = 30 seconds
  +
| debuff_name = Weakened Soul
  +
| debuff_image = Spell_Holy_AshesToAshes
  +
| debuff_desc = Cannot be affected by Power Word: Shield.
  +
| debuff_dur = 15 seconds
  +
}}</onlyinclude>
   
  +
'''Power Word: Shield''' (abbr. ''PW:S'') is a defensive [[priest]] [[Power Word]] available at level 6. It creates a protective shield around a friendly target which absorbs a set amount of damage. Power Word: Shield also gives the target the ''Weakened Soul'' debuff, preventing the target from being shielded again for 15 seconds.
−
'''Parrots''' are {{neutral}} level 1 [[critter]]s commonly found roaming wild in the [[Un'Goro Crater]]. Some [[Defias]] pirates are fond of using their pet parrots to attack invaders. Parrots come in a rainbow of colors. Several different types of parrots can be found as [[small pet]]s.
 
   
  +
While Power Word: Shield is a valuable spell for any priest, Discipline priests have the opportunity to improve it far beyond its base effect, using it to restore mana, grant haste and even reflect damage back upon the attacker. Power Word: Shield is undoubtedly one of the signature spells of the Discipline priest, protecting the target with a powerful shield that can seem unbreakable.
−
==Other parrots==
 
  +
−
* [[Cockatiel]] - From [[vendor]] [[NPC]] [[Narkk]] (Pirate Supplies) in [[Booty Bay]] for {{cost||40}}.
 
  +
== Notes ==
−
* [[Senegal]] - From [[vendor]] [[NPC]] [[Narkk]] (Pirate Supplies) in [[Booty Bay]] for {{cost||40}}.
 
  +
* Absorb effects apply after damage reduction effects, including armor. If the damage of an attack is partially resisted or reduced by another effect, this will lower the amount of damage remaining to be absorbed and allow a shield to last longer.
−
* [[Green Wing Macaw]] - [[Drop]] (''Found in [[Deadmines]]'').
 
  +
* Power Word: Shield absorbs damage only. Most other effects attached to a damaging attack, such as a debuff that the attack applies or a spell interrupt will ignore the shield even if the attack deals no damage. Exceptions are [[Daze]] effects from being attacked from behind and spell pushback, which are both prevented.
−
* [[Hyacinth Macaw]] - [[Drop]] (''off the [[Bloodsail Buccaneers|Bloodsail pirates]] around [[Booty Bay]]'').
 
  +
* Environmental damage (fall, fatigue, drowning) is not absorbed.
−
* [[Blood Parrot]] - Summoned using a [[Bloodsail Admiral's Hat]]
 
  +
* Receives a 80.68% bonus from spell power (30% of +healing in Patch 2.3; 20% as of Patch 2.0.10, previously 10%)
  +
* Generates about half the threat of normal healing spells.
  +
* The shield cannot absorb health paid to pay the cost of an ability such a [[Life Tap]] or [[Blood Tap]]. Such health lost ignores the shield.
  +
* Warriors and druids are still able to generate rage from damage absorbed while shielded.
  +
  +
== Improvements ==
  +
=== Talents and spells ===
  +
[[File:Power Word Shield.jpg|thumb|In the [[World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game]].]]
  +
Discipline Tree Talents:
  +
* [[Improved Power Word: Shield]] increases the amount of damage absorbed by 10/20%.
  +
* [[Twin Disciplines]] increases all your Shadow and Holy spell damage and healing by 2/4/6%.
  +
* [[Mental Agility]] reduces the mana cost of all your instant cast spells by 4/7/10%.
  +
* [[Soul Warding]] reduces the cooldown of your Power Word: Shield ability by 1/2 sec.
  +
* [[Renewed Hope]] increases the critical effect chance of your [[Flash Heal]], [[Greater Heal]], [[Heal]] and [[Penance]] (Heal) on targets afflicted by the Weakened Soul effect, or blessed with your Grace effect.
  +
* [[Rapture]]: When your Power Word: Shield is completely absorbed or dispelled you are instantly energized with 2/4/6% of your total mana. This effect can only occur once every 12 seconds.
  +
* [[Borrowed Time]] grants 7/14% spell haste for your next spell after casting Power Word: Shield.
  +
* [[Reflective Shield]] causes 22/45% of the damage you absorb with Power Word: Shield to reflect back at the attacker. This damage causes no threat. '''Please note, this talent will only reflect damage that YOU absorb using PW:S. It will not reflect damage absorbed by any PW:S you have cast upon others.'''
  +
* [[Strength of Soul]]: When you heal a target with Flash Heal, Greater Heal or Heal, you reduce the duration of any Weakened Soul debuff on the target by 2/4 sec. While this talent does not improve Power Word: Shield itself, multiple procs of this effect may effectively reduce the cooldown of your PW:S upon that target considerably.
  +
Holy Tree Talents:
  +
* [[Spiritual Healing]] (Holy specialisation ability) increases healing by 15%.
  +
* [[Body and Soul]]: When you cast Power Word: Shield, you increase the target's movement speed by 30/60% for 4 sec.
  +
  +
=== Glyphs ===
  +
{{lootbox||Glyph of Power Word: Shield}}
  +
  +
=== Items ===
  +
* Tier 8, {{loot|enchant|Conqueror's Sanctification Regalia}} or {{loot|enchant|Valorous Sanctification Regalia}}: Four piece set bonus grants 250 spell power for 5 seconds upon casting Power Word: Shield.
  +
* [[The All-Seeing Eye of Zuldazar]]: On equip, increases the amount of damage absorbed by Power Word: Shield by 35.
  +
  +
== Tips and tactics ==
  +
* Casting it before combat does not cause any threat and reduces the time until the target can be shielded again.
  +
* A major disadvantage of the shield is that it is not a true healing spell, so it may wear off without having any impact. If the shield is cast on a player who will not be taking damage in the next 30 seconds, it is a waste of mana.
  +
* There was a time when Power Word: Shield would only be used in case of emergency because of its large mana cost and cooldown. Now it is a mainstay of healing for priests and is actually one of their most mana efficient heals.
  +
* Paladins want to be healed rather than shielded, even though they are perfectly capable of using [[Divine Plea]] and [[Judgement of Wisdom]]. They receive mana from heals, but not from Power Word: Shield. Paladin tanks have tiny mana pools and rely on healing or will go [[oom]].
  +
* Due to changes in rage/mana generation (especially with [[Blessing of Sanctuary]]), Power Word: Shield is more acceptable to place on tanks since 3.0.2.
  +
* Power Word: Shield can also be seen as a way of pushing a tank's health beyond its normal limit. It is effective to Power Word: Shield before major attacks that will destroy the shield in one blow. Using it before [[Patchwerk]]'s Hateful Strike or similar devastating attacks reduces the chance that a tank will die to a possible critical hit after such an attack.
  +
* The effectiveness of Power Word: Shield is not altered by [[Mortal Strike]] and similar healing-reducing debuffs; in these situations it can sometimes be more effective to shield a tank first, rather than spam heals right away.
  +
* This is useful for casters who are receiving damage, as it prevents spell interruption from damage, especially while they are channeling, and even the priest himself can benefit from this (especially in solo combat).
  +
* The Weakened Soul debuff can be shortened to 13 seconds with the 4 piece bonus from [[Gladiator's Investiture]].
  +
* In PvP, this spell can be a huge boon to bestow on Rogues and Feral Druids. Any damage taken will unstealth a character. However, if you Power Word: Shield a Rogue, AoE damage that doesn't get through the shield is absorbed, which greatly increases the difficulty of finding a Rogue by laying down an AoE. Power Word: Shield will also absorb the damage from DoT's, allowing DoT'd Rogues to Vanish safely. Just know that if the AoE or DoT damage is greater than the shield will take, then the actual character will take damage and stealth will become undone.
  +
  +
== Bugs ==
  +
* The bonus given by [[Twin Disciplines]] and [[Focused Power]] do not apply correctly to the amount absorbed by the shield; the bonuses are added instead of multiplied. Thus, when fully talented, the size of the shield is multiplied by 1.09 rather than 1.092. (4% & 5% = 1.04*1.05 = 1.092)
  +
* [[Glyph of Power Word: Shield]] does not take into account the bonus from [[Improved Power Word: Shield]] when calculating the healing amount
  +
* The amount healed by [[Glyph of Power Word: Shield]] is increased by any talents or effects the ''target'' has that increase healing done. For example, if the effect is used on a Restoration Shaman, the heal will be increased by 10% because of [[Purification]]. This bug created the commonly held misconception that [[Focused Power]] applies twice to [[Glyph of Power Word: Shield]]. When a priest tests the effect on herself, [[Focused Power]] does apply twice; once correctly and once because of this bug. On any other target the caster's [[Focused Power]] will apply only once.
  +
  +
== Formula ==
  +
{{ood}}
  +
Current formula for working out Power Word: Shield (Patch 3.2)
  +
  +
(base_absorb+(0.8068+0.08*BT)*sp)*(1+0.05*IMP)*(1+ 0.02*FP)*(1+0.01*TD)
  +
  +
* base_absorb is the base absorb given the PW:S which is 2230 at the moment
  +
* BT is your [[Borrowed Time]] level
  +
* SP is your Spell Power
  +
* IMP is your [[Improved Power Word: Shield]] level
  +
* FP is your [[Focused Power]] level
  +
* TD is your [[Twin Disciplines]] level
  +
  +
e.g. (2230+(0.8068+0.08*5)*2500)*(1+0.05*3)*(1+ 0.02*2)*(1+0.01*5) = 6589
  +
  +
''It should be noted here that PW:S will only absorb damage after all other damage reduction including the target's armor. This means that while the amount absorbed here is 6589 the character will most likely be taking more than 6589 damage before the shield has absorbed all it can.''
  +
  +
== Patch changes ==
  +
* {{Hotfix|date=2011-02-16|bluenote=Power Word: Shield now costs roughly 34% of base mana, up from 25%. This is not reflected in the tooltip, but is reflected in the amount of mana used when the spell is cast. The tooltip update will require a client-side patch.|link=http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/2259389}}
  +
* {{Patch 4.0.6|note=The mana cost of Power Word: Shield has been increased by approximately 31%, but its effect has been increased by 208%.}}
  +
* {{Patched|date=2010-02-05|bluenote=The amount of damage being absorbed by [[Sacred Shield]] and Power Word: Shield is being reduced by 10% correctly in only battlegrounds, Arenas, and Wintergrasp.|link=http://blue.mmo-champion.com/23/22748763261-recent-ingame-fixes--february-2010--23.html}}
  +
* {{Patch 3.3.0|note=This spell can now be cast on non-raid/party friendly targets. }}
  +
* {{Patch 2.4.0|note=Using low ranks of this spell will now be penalized the same way healing spells are penalized.}}
  +
* {{Patch 2.3.0|note=Now gains additional benefit from spell damage and healing bonuses. Base absorb values of ranks 10, 11 and 12 have been reduced.}}
  +
* {{Patch 2.1.0|note=The Weakened Soul effect will no longer sometimes be re-applied while zoning with this buff on.}}
  +
* {{Patch 2.0.10|note=The damage absorption of "Power Word: Shield" added by the caster's bonus healing has been increased to 20%.}}
  +
* {{Patch 1.10.0|note=This spell will now get a small bonus from items and effects which increase your healing.}}
  +
* {{Patch 1.7.0|note=Fixed a bug where [[Soul Link]] and Power Word: Shield, when used together, would heal the Warlock instead of splitting or absorbing damage.}}
  +
* {{Patch 1.6.0|note=Damage absorption now absorbs damage from mana burn effects like Lava Shield.}}
  +
* {{Patch 1.3.0|note=Now castable on all raid targets.}}
  +
* {{Patch 1.2.0|note=Now usable on party members only.}}
   
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
  +
<!-- Read http://www.wowpedia.org/Wowpedia:External_links before posting your links here.
−
{{elinks-NPC|9600|tb=5553}}
 
  +
Links that do not conform to the rules will be DELETED.
  +
Repeat violations may result in a BAN.
  +
Have a nice day. :) -->
  +
{{Elinks-spell|17}}
  +
   
  +
{{classfooter|Priest}}
−
[[Category:Parrots| ]]
 
−
[[Category:Creatures]]
+
[[Category:Priest abilities]]
−
[[Category:Critters]]
+
[[Category:Holy spells]]
−
[[Category:Birds]]
+
[[Category:Magic buffs]]

Revision as of 10:38, 7 March 2011

Power Word: Shield
Spell holy powerwordshield
  • Power Word: Shield (14 ranks)
  • Priest ability
  • 40 yd range
  • 34% Base mana
  • 3 sec cooldown
  • Instant
  • Draws on the soul of the friendly target to shield them, absorbing (((($SP * 0.418) + 136) * 1 * 1 * 1 * 1)) damage. Lasts 30 sec. While the shield holds, spellcasting will not be interrupted by damage. Once shielded, the target cannot be shielded again for 15 sec.
Properties
Class Priest
School Holy
Cooldown 3 seconds
Other information
Requirements Target must not have Weakened Soul debuff.
Improvements Spell holy powerwordshield [Improved Power Word: Shield], Spell holy sealofvengeance [Twin Disciplines], Spell holy dispelmagic [Mental Agility], Ability priest soulwarding [Soul Warding], Spell holy powerwordshield [Renewed Hope], Spell holy rapture [Rapture], Spell holy borrowedtime [Borrowed Time], Ability priest reflectiveshield [Reflective Shield]
Related buff
Spell holy powerwordshield
  • Magic
  • Power Word: Shield
  • Absorbs X damage.
  • Duration: 30 seconds
Related debuff
Spell holy ashestoashes
  • Magic
  • Weakened Soul
  • Cannot be affected by Power Word: Shield.
  • Duration: 15 seconds

[[Category:priest abilities]][[Category:priest abilities]]

Power Word: Shield (abbr. PW:S) is a defensive priest Power Word available at level 6. It creates a protective shield around a friendly target which absorbs a set amount of damage. Power Word: Shield also gives the target the Weakened Soul debuff, preventing the target from being shielded again for 15 seconds.

While Power Word: Shield is a valuable spell for any priest, Discipline priests have the opportunity to improve it far beyond its base effect, using it to restore mana, grant haste and even reflect damage back upon the attacker. Power Word: Shield is undoubtedly one of the signature spells of the Discipline priest, protecting the target with a powerful shield that can seem unbreakable.

Notes

  • Absorb effects apply after damage reduction effects, including armor. If the damage of an attack is partially resisted or reduced by another effect, this will lower the amount of damage remaining to be absorbed and allow a shield to last longer.
  • Power Word: Shield absorbs damage only. Most other effects attached to a damaging attack, such as a debuff that the attack applies or a spell interrupt will ignore the shield even if the attack deals no damage. Exceptions are Spell frost stun [Dazed] effects from being attacked from behind and spell pushback, which are both prevented.
  • Environmental damage (fall, fatigue, drowning) is not absorbed.
  • Receives a 80.68% bonus from spell power (30% of +healing in Patch 2.3; 20% as of Patch 2.0.10, previously 10%)
  • Generates about half the threat of normal healing spells.
  • The shield cannot absorb health paid to pay the cost of an ability such a Spell shadow burningspirit [Life Tap] or Spell deathknight bloodtap [Blood Tap]. Such health lost ignores the shield.
  • Warriors and druids are still able to generate rage from damage absorbed while shielded.

Improvements

Talents and spells

Power Word Shield

In the World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game.

Discipline Tree Talents:

  • Spell holy powerwordshield [Improved Power Word: Shield] increases the amount of damage absorbed by 10/20%.
  • Spell holy sealofvengeance [Twin Disciplines] increases all your Shadow and Holy spell damage and healing by 2/4/6%.
  • Spell holy dispelmagic [Mental Agility] reduces the mana cost of all your instant cast spells by 4/7/10%.
  • Ability priest soulwarding [Soul Warding] reduces the cooldown of your Power Word: Shield ability by 1/2 sec.
  • Spell holy powerwordshield [Renewed Hope] increases the critical effect chance of your Spell holy flashheal [Flash Heal], Spell holy heal [Greater Heal], Spell holy greaterheal [Heal] and Spell holy penance [Penance] (Heal) on targets afflicted by the Weakened Soul effect, or blessed with your Grace effect.
  • Spell holy rapture [Rapture]: When your Power Word: Shield is completely absorbed or dispelled you are instantly energized with 2/4/6% of your total mana. This effect can only occur once every 12 seconds.
  • Spell holy borrowedtime [Borrowed Time] grants 7/14% spell haste for your next spell after casting Power Word: Shield.
  • Ability priest reflectiveshield [Reflective Shield] causes 22/45% of the damage you absorb with Power Word: Shield to reflect back at the attacker. This damage causes no threat. Please note, this talent will only reflect damage that YOU absorb using PW:S. It will not reflect damage absorbed by any PW:S you have cast upon others.
  • Spell holy blessingofprotection [Strength of Soul]: When you heal a target with Flash Heal, Greater Heal or Heal, you reduce the duration of any Weakened Soul debuff on the target by 2/4 sec. While this talent does not improve Power Word: Shield itself, multiple procs of this effect may effectively reduce the cooldown of your PW:S upon that target considerably.

Holy Tree Talents:

  • Spell nature healingwavegreater [Spiritual Healing] (Holy specialisation ability) increases healing by 15%.
  • Spell holy symbolofhope [Body and Soul]: When you cast Power Word: Shield, you increase the target's movement speed by 30/60% for 4 sec.

Glyphs

  • 1px transparency
    • Glyph of Power Word: Shield
    • Major Glyph
    • Use: Permanently teaches you this glyph.

      20% of the absorb from your Power Word: Shield spell is converted into healing.
    • Classes: Priest
    • Requires Level 25
    • Sell Price: 1s

Items

Tips and tactics

  • Casting it before combat does not cause any threat and reduces the time until the target can be shielded again.
  • A major disadvantage of the shield is that it is not a true healing spell, so it may wear off without having any impact. If the shield is cast on a player who will not be taking damage in the next 30 seconds, it is a waste of mana.
  • There was a time when Power Word: Shield would only be used in case of emergency because of its large mana cost and cooldown. Now it is a mainstay of healing for priests and is actually one of their most mana efficient heals.
  • Paladins want to be healed rather than shielded, even though they are perfectly capable of using Inv glove plate raidpaladinmythic q 01 [Divine Plea] and Ability paladin judgementblue [Judgement of Wisdom]. They receive mana from heals, but not from Power Word: Shield. Paladin tanks have tiny mana pools and rely on healing or will go oom.
  • Due to changes in rage/mana generation (especially with Spell holy greaterblessingofsanctuary [Blessing of Sanctuary]), Power Word: Shield is more acceptable to place on tanks since 3.0.2.
  • Power Word: Shield can also be seen as a way of pushing a tank's health beyond its normal limit. It is effective to Power Word: Shield before major attacks that will destroy the shield in one blow. Using it before Patchwerk's Hateful Strike or similar devastating attacks reduces the chance that a tank will die to a possible critical hit after such an attack.
  • The effectiveness of Power Word: Shield is not altered by Ability warrior savageblow [Mortal Strike] and similar healing-reducing debuffs; in these situations it can sometimes be more effective to shield a tank first, rather than spam heals right away.
  • This is useful for casters who are receiving damage, as it prevents spell interruption from damage, especially while they are channeling, and even the priest himself can benefit from this (especially in solo combat).
  • The Weakened Soul debuff can be shortened to 13 seconds with the 4 piece bonus from Gladiator's Investiture.
  • In PvP, this spell can be a huge boon to bestow on Rogues and Feral Druids. Any damage taken will unstealth a character. However, if you Power Word: Shield a Rogue, AoE damage that doesn't get through the shield is absorbed, which greatly increases the difficulty of finding a Rogue by laying down an AoE. Power Word: Shield will also absorb the damage from DoT's, allowing DoT'd Rogues to Vanish safely. Just know that if the AoE or DoT damage is greater than the shield will take, then the actual character will take damage and stealth will become undone.

Bugs

Formula

Current formula for working out Power Word: Shield (Patch 3.2)

(base_absorb+(0.8068+0.08*BT)*sp)*(1+0.05*IMP)*(1+ 0.02*FP)*(1+0.01*TD)

e.g. (2230+(0.8068+0.08*5)*2500)*(1+0.05*3)*(1+ 0.02*2)*(1+0.01*5) = 6589

It should be noted here that PW:S will only absorb damage after all other damage reduction including the target's armor. This means that while the amount absorbed here is 6589 the character will most likely be taking more than 6589 damage before the shield has absorbed all it can.

Patch changes

  • Cataclysm Hotfix (2011-02-16): Power Word: Shield now costs roughly 34% of base mana, up from 25%. This is not reflected in the tooltip, but is reflected in the amount of mana used when the spell is cast. The tooltip update will require a client-side patch.
  • Cataclysm Patch 4.0.6 (2011-02-08): The mana cost of Power Word: Shield has been increased by approximately 31%, but its effect has been increased by 208%.
  • Template:Patched
  • Wrath-Logo-Small Patch 3.3.0 (2009-12-08): This spell can now be cast on non-raid/party friendly targets.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.4.0 (2008-03-25): Using low ranks of this spell will now be penalized the same way healing spells are penalized.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.3.0 (2007-11-13): Now gains additional benefit from spell damage and healing bonuses. Base absorb values of ranks 10, 11 and 12 have been reduced.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.1.0 (2007-05-22): The Weakened Soul effect will no longer sometimes be re-applied while zoning with this buff on.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.0.10 (2007-03-06): The damage absorption of "Power Word: Shield" added by the caster's bonus healing has been increased to 20%.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.10.0 (2006-03-28): This spell will now get a small bonus from items and effects which increase your healing.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): Fixed a bug where Ability warlock soullink [Soul Link] and Power Word: Shield, when used together, would heal the Warlock instead of splitting or absorbing damage.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.6.0 (2005-07-12): Damage absorption now absorbs damage from mana burn effects like Lava Shield.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.3.0 (2005-03-07): Now castable on all raid targets.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.2.0 (2004-12-18): Now usable on party members only.

External links