Shadow priest over other caster

[Groene]

So for classic I think about lvling mainly in dungs and farming gold in dungs later in the game. For my team i would take a prot paladin, Holy priest, lock, mage and a 3rd caster. The holy priest will be my main for solo raiding afterwards. I didn't main Priest back in vanilla just a paladin so I don't really know its value from back then

The question is would a shadow priest add more value to the team than either a second mage or warlock?

[xandorz]

I think you gain more value from a mage or warlock.
Shadow priest gets Shadow Weaving that increase shadow damage by 3% per stack, up to 15%. Most things will be dead before you apply it fully so very small damage increase for warlock.
Shadow priests have a lot of mana issues. They also don't have any AoE (except for holy nova if they spec into it...)

Shadow priest is basically a pvp class and they boosts shadow damage in raid since fights are long there.

Mage have channeled and instant aoe.
Warlock have only channeled aoe but can stun with pyroclasm (might trigger DR too fast when stacked, idk, think 26% stun chance per second per warlock).

Stacking mages can be good for more frostbite procs for more shatter. Although warlock and pala might break it.

I think having 2 warlocks you could use both curse of shadows and curse of elements, to boost damage of both warlocks and mage. Idk if that would be useful.

All 3 have silence.
Priest and warlock have dispel magic.

Warlock have dots and death coil which is useful for pvp but you probably won't use it for dungeons.

I would go for another mage for a PVE team and warlock for a PVP team, not sure if it is the optimal but for me it feels like it.

I intend to go druid tank (then in pvp I intend to use it as 2nd healer), holy priest, 2 warlock, 1 mage. 1 tauren+4 undead.

[nodoze]

I think you gain more value from a mage or warlock.
[...amazing analysis of the magery classes...]

That seemed like some stronk analysis on the pros/cons of the various Casters and is very appreciated! That being said what do I know as I typically mained Hybrids so the closest I got to casters were Shockadins, Oomkins, or my favorite hybrid caster the Eleresto (in BC).

[Christaphonz]

Xandorz just did an amazing job breaking it down. I just felt I should mention why, I believe, Mage is better PVE and the Lock for PvP. I believe his reasoning was that in pve 2 sheeps is much better then 2 fears. But in pvp fear is much better for casters. He can correct me if I am wrong, or had a better reasons then described below.

I will ask how would the lock or Pala break frostbite?

[xandorz]

Xandorz just did an amazing job breaking it down. I just felt I should mention why, I believe, Mage is better PVE and the Lock for PvP. I believe his reasoning was that in pve 2 sheeps is much better then 2 fears. But in pvp fear is much better for casters. He can correct me if I am wrong, or had a better reasons then described below.

I will ask how would the lock or Pala break frostbite?

Frostbite has a chance to break on any damage.
So a team of 1 tank+3 mages+1 healer could probably get tons of shatter crits on the frostbite procs, if tank breaks frostbite too much it might be possible to just reduce the damage of the tank when frostbite procs (stop auto attack and don't use any abilities).

Having 1-2 warlocks and warlock pet also dealing damage would most likely make a lot of the frostbites to break from their damage before mage is able to use another frost bolt.

There is no focus in classic wow so using CC is really hard, especially in pvp. Although it should be reasonably easy to use 1 with mouseover and 1 on current target.

I was more thinking about more shatter damage in pve and I think the mage should have higher dps than warlock.

For pvp warlock can be nice for:
Being able to deal massive damage from dots in pvp while moving without casting so can't be interrupting.
Having another pet (great that they can silence or dispel while you are able to continue casting with your other characters).
Death coil to instantly get someone away for 3 seconds (might be enough for a kill if you use 1 hardcast + 1 instant spell with all characters or if they are fully dotted and wounded they might just die from dots).
Might be useful to do 2x hellfire or rain of fire in pvp also. 26% per warlock per second to stun for 3 seconds (before DR) should be fun to stunlock a few players in melee range while all characters deal aoe damage.

[Christaphonz]

Frostbite has a chance to break on any damage.

I see I thought it was only on Physical damage but you are correct. Having the tank auto does sound like an interesting test.

Great breakdown I love Warlock but still seems more reasonable to just have one for me. (because my PVE plans)