I really want us to get “something” from its attacks be it resources or proc chance for something like Dark Thoughts or reduce CD of VF etc. Regarding Shadowflame prism, I think that is an “easy” choice even though its a boring one. Like I hate how difficult it becomes to have MB available to cast while all 3 dots are on target. I feel using Talbadar’s stratagem actually makes the spec play a bit worse. This becomes problematic when I want to use Voidform as if I use DP before VF, then I loose out on the +% damage buff on DP, but I gain a GCD just so I can spam 2 MB into a 3 dot target to get that 30% bonus. But with Talbadar’s stratagem, I want to use DP then follow up with MB. Without it, I would cast MB then DP and follow with Flays while MB in on CD. I see what your saying, however… It slightly changed how I approach my rotation.

It’s a 30% damage buff to mind blast on single target, for playing the game EXACTLY how I would have done if I didn’t have the legendary equipped. Talbadar’s stratagem especially infuriates me, because I just don’t see the point of it. For my brain its a lot harder to manage all of this stuff vs the current live retail because your DPS will be bad if you’re not keeping devouring plague up almost 95% of the time.

So it involves some weird janky game play of trying to micro-manage recasting a 6s dot, reapplying your own SWP/VT when it falls off, long 4s mind flay, and waiting on mind blast to instant cast or get off cooldown. The whole fact the dot lasts only 6 seconds and you can’t extend SWP/Vampiric Touch with Mind Bolt anymore. So it involves dotting, mind blast, long-cast mind flay… building enough insanity to start casting devour plague which only lasts 6 seconds.

There’s no two charges of Mind Blast to start with. On the PTR you have a 1.5 second longer mindflay which just feels like an eternity. I’m probably doing it wrong, but I only play shadow to grind dailies. On live retail there’s a smooth transition between placing dots, SWV, mind flay, triggering void eruption, and switching between SWV and Voidbolt. Playing on the PTR: the whole Shadow Priest button pressing doesn’t feel as smooth and buttery as current live retail does.

Darkest dungeon flagellant nerf