Shadow Word: Death

''Believe me, this will hurt you much more than it'll hurt me''

"A word of dark binding that inflicts X to Y Shadow damage to the target. If the target is not killed by Shadow Word: Death, the caster takes damage equal to the damage inflicted upon the target."

Overview

Shadow Word: Death is a powerful Shadow-based direct damage spell, and deals equal damage to the caster if the target is not slain by the cast. 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 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.

Functionality

Use

Cast Time: Instant
Tree, School: Shadow Magic, Shadow
Type: Single Target DD
Range: 30 yards
Cooldown: 12 sec.

Talents

Blackout, Darkness, Force of Will, Mental Agility, Shadow Affinity, Shadow Focus, Shadow Reach, Shadow Weaving, Shadowform, Silent Resolve, Vampiric Embrace, Shadow Power

Notes

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.
If damage is resisted by the target, partially or completely, the Priest will take the partial amount or the complete amount of damage, respectively.
Contrary to popular belief, [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.