Macros and addons are an integral part of a raider's arsenal as they can make it easier to perform a variety of tasks, improving your overall game experience. Below, we present macros and addons that can be useful to a Shadow Priest (WoW 4.3). On the left side, you will find links to the other parts of the guide.

1. Macros↑top

1.1. Generic Macros for Priests

1.1.1. Leap of Faith Mouseover Macro

• /cast [target=mouseover,help,nodead][]Leap of Faith

This macro will cast Leap of Faith on the target your are currently mousing over, if it is a friendly target and not dead. Otherwise, it will cast Leap of Faith on your current target.

1.2. Specific Macros for Shadow Priests

1.2.1. Dispersion Cancelaura Macro

• #showtooltip Dispersion
• /stopcasting
• /cast Dispersion
• /cancelaura Dispersion

This macro allows you to cast Dispersion without delay, by interrupting your current cast. Clicking the macro again will then cancel your Dispersion, allowing you to once again cast spells. This is useful if you were only using Dispersion to bypass an encounter mechanics and you wish to resume your DPS immediately.

2. Addons↑top

2.1. Generic Addons for Priests

2.1.1. ElvUI

Here, at Icy Veins, we use ElvUI for all our characters. This addon is a complete replacement of the default User Interface. It comes with almost everything you need to perform properly: action bars, cooldown timers, proc display, etc.

We strongly recommend you to get this addon.

2.1.2. Boss Mods: Deadly Boss Mods or Bigwigs

Boss mods are addons that warn you about boss abilities and give you live advice on how to handle some mechanics. We strongly recommend you to get one such addon. At Icy Veins, we mostly use Deadly Boss Mods, the most popular boss mod. A good alternative is Big Wigs.

2.1.3. Parrot or Mik's Scrolling Battle Text

Parrot and Mik's Scrolling Battle Text are highly customisable addons for displaying floating battle text while in combat (incoming heals, damage of your spells, etc.). They both work very well by default.

2.1.4. Power Auras Classic

Power Auras Classic is an extremely useful addon that allows you to have visual effects on your screen, helping you track your buffs, debuffs and cooldowns. It is highly customisable and it can make it much, much easier to keep track of your procs and play your spec more proficiently.

2.1.5. Recount

Recount is a well known addon that most people use for displaying current DPS or HPS (Healing Per Second). We advise you to also use it for checking what you take damage from and if the share of damage/healing you do with each of your abilities is similar to that of other players of your class.

2.2. Specific Addons for Shadow Priests

2.2.1. Shadow Priest DoT Timer

Shadow Priest DoT Timer is an incredibly useful addon for Shadow Priests. In addition to displaying how long until each of your DoTs expires on the target (as well as tracking some of your buffs, such as Empowered Shadow), this addon also shows you how strong each application of your DoTs on the target is (based on the buffs and procs you had when you cast it) and how much stronger or weaker the DoT would be if you reapplied it with your current buffs and procs.

While this addon is not mandatory for playing properly, it certainly makes the DoT refreshing aspect much easier, and we highly recommend it.