From WoWWiki
- This will hurt me as much as it may hurt you!TCGDP 78
Shadow Word: Death is a Shadow-based direct damage spell, and deals equal damage to the caster if the target is not slain by the cast.
The cautionary limitations imposed by the self-harm effect draw practical usage along a vague parallel to a Warrior's Execute, though truly it may be used on any potential target regardless of health -- for a price.
Rank table
| Rank | Level | Mana Cost | Damage | Cost
|
| 1 | 62 | 243 | 450 to 522 | 5 31
|
| 2 | 70 | 309 | 572 to 664 | 99
|
Notes
- The backlash to the caster is not a resistible effect per Shadow Resistance gear, and as such will likely be fatal if used irresponsibly, but it can be mitigated by effects which prevent damage such as Power Word: Shield, and effects that decrease spell damage such as Spell Warding. The damage can also be reduced with the Priest talent Pain and Suffering.
- Fatal damage resultant from misuse will result in no durability damage to the caster, making a suicide use potentially available and viable in a wipe situation.
- The backlash the caster will take always equals that of the target, even if the damage was zero. Damage that is partially resisted does not backlash; absorbed damage does, however.
- When reflected, it causes both the spell and the backlash to damage the caster.
Tips & tactics
- The backlash from Shadow Word: Death can be used to break Polymorph effects if used shortly before the spell finished.
- Mind Blast is ultimately more powerful than Shadow Word: Death in terms of raw damage at their final ranks, though Shadow Word: Death is the second most mana-efficient spell, Mind Flay being first.
- Don't feel restricted to only using this spell on those with low life. Priests (shadow priests in particular) have a large amount of passive healing thanks to Vampiric Embrace or Renew, and can absorb the backlash with their shield. Watch your own life, however.
- Though it is rare for a shadow priest to spec for it, the holy talent Spell Warding will actually decrease the backlash damage from this spell.
- Shadow Word: Death is also good for holy priests to pass on Prayer of Mending, thus avoiding the priest from having to fight to gain aggro, waste a Fade, and possibly die.
- Because of its instant cast time, Shadow Word: Death used with good timing can be a way of triggering Spirit Tap in groups.
- Try to be careful when using this against a warrior with a shield and Spell Reflection. A reflected Shadow Word: Death is considerably harmful to yourself, and in some cases suicide.
- Be careful of using Shadow Word: Death in certain fights (The Curator in Karazhan, for example, during his evocation period; the 300% damage increase will more than likely kill any priest, especially in the event of an unlucky crit)
