Priest Current Issues and Suggestions for Improvement
Hi everyone!
I would like to start a discussion about the current state of Priest and suggest some changes that could help the class better fit the current state of the game.
The intention of this post is not simply to ask for buffs, but to point out some weaknesses in Priest's current kit and suggest new mechanics that could make the class more useful and interesting in both PvE and PvP.
1. Current problems with Priest
Priest is still a good support class, especially when it can stay in a safe position and support its party. However, compared to other support classes such as Druid, Shaman and Necromancer, Priest currently lacks some important tools.
Some of the main problems are:
Lack of reliable passive/periodic healing.
Limited AoE healing.
Very few defensive tools when the Priest itself becomes the target.
No reliable instant stun/control skill to react when an enemy reaches the Priest.
Some outdated or very situational skills.
Limited ways to contribute additional damage in PvE without moving away from the support role.
The biggest issue, in my opinion, is self-survivability.
Priest has several tools to protect and support other players, but very few tools to protect itself when it becomes vulnerable.
This becomes especially noticeable in PvP.
I don't think Priest needs to copy the mechanics of Druid, Shaman or Necromancer. However, the class could use some modernization to give it better ways to survive and continue supporting the party while under pressure.
2. Replacing Word of Power
One skill that could potentially be reconsidered is Word of Power.
Instead of simply improving its numbers, I think this could be an opportunity to introduce a completely new mechanic to Priest.
Here are two possible ideas.
Option 1 — Sanctuary
Priest creates a Sanctuary on the ground for a few seconds.
Allies standing inside it periodically recover health and receive a small defensive bonus, such as damage reduction, increased defenses or resistance.
Most importantly, the Priest would also benefit from the Sanctuary.
This would give Priest something it currently lacks: an area where it can protect both its allies and itself.
It could be particularly useful in Arena, GvG and other PvP situations, while also providing an additional source of AoE healing in PvE.
The Sanctuary would also have natural counterplay: enemies could force the Priest out of the area using control and displacement skills.
Option 2 — Sacred Guardian
Another possibility would be giving Priest its own summon.
However, instead of being another standard damage-dealing minion, it could have a unique support mechanic.
The Priest summons a Sacred Guardian that attacks nearby enemies and periodically protects its summoner.
For example, the Guardian could automatically remove one negative effect from the Priest when certain conditions are met, with an internal cooldown.
This would give the skill two different purposes:
PvE: additional damage.
PvP: additional survivability and protection against negative effects.
The Guardian could also prioritize enemies attacking the Priest when its summoner is in danger.
Unlike other summons, its main identity would therefore not be pure damage, but protecting the character who summoned it.
The Guardian should still be targetable and killable, giving enemies the choice of attacking the Priest or eliminating the Guardian first.
3. Priest still needs an instant control option
Regardless of which idea is used, I also think Priest needs a more reliable instant control skill.
When an enemy reaches Priest, the class currently has very limited immediate responses.
This doesn't mean Priest needs a long stun chain. Even a short instant stun, silence or another defensive control mechanic could give the class enough time to reposition and continue supporting its team.
4. Reworking the "Light devotion" talent branch
Finally, I think the Serving the Light talent branch could also be reconsidered.
Instead of only improving existing numbers, this branch could interact directly with the new skill replacing Word of Power and change its functionality.
For example, if Sanctuary becomes the new skill:
Normal Sanctuary
Healing + defensive bonus.
Mainly focused on survivability and PvP.
Light devotion — Offensive Sanctuary
The defensive bonus is replaced by an offensive buff, increasing the damage of allies standing inside the Sanctuary.
This version would be more attractive for PvE and offensive group compositions.
The same concept could work with Sacred Guardian.
The normal Guardian could focus on protecting and cleansing the Priest, while Light devotion could remove some of its defensive utility in exchange for increased damage or offensive support.
The important concept here is trade-offs.
Priest shouldn't receive healing, defense, damage and utility all at once.
Instead, talent branches could allow players to decide what kind of Priest they want to play.
Conclusion
I don't think Priest needs simple numerical buffs.
The bigger issue is that parts of its kit feel outdated compared to the tools available to other modern support classes.
Priest especially lacks self-survivability, periodic/AoE healing and an immediate defensive response when being focused.
Replacing or completely reworking Word of Power could be an opportunity to introduce a new mechanic that addresses some of these problems.
Sanctuary could provide healing and a defensive zone for the Priest and its party.
Sacred Guardian could provide additional PvE damage while giving Priest a unique defensive summon for PvP.
And Light devotion could transform these defensive mechanics into offensive ones, allowing players to specialize their Priest depending on the content they play.
The goal shouldn't be to give Priest everything.
The goal should be to give the class better choices and a more modern support identity.
By
Lilypriest ·
