Hello there!

Welcome to issue 3 of the life and times of the PVP priest, today I will be discussing strategies in staying alive, doing well, and generally kicking butt in PVP Battlegrounds.

Lets start with the basics: Spells of the trade.

Here's the spells I keep on my hot-bar (1 through the = sign)

Shoot (aka wand), Smite, Shadow Word: Pain, Mind Blast, Renew, Flash Heal, Shadow Word: Death, Shield, Psychic Scream (aka Fear), Prayer of Mending, Binding Heal, and Mass Dispel.

What I use the most out of those: Smite, Shadow Word: Pain, Mind Blast, Renew, Flash Heal, Shield, Psychic Scream, and Prayer of Mending.

I also keep in the bar just above my hot bar Greater Heal, Holy Nova, Desperate Player, Shadowfiend, and Mana Burn.

Maybe you don't like where some of these are but these are all your most important spells in PVP.

So think about that and we will move on to part two, some strategies.

Flash Heal and Prayer of Mending should be your main healing techniques, with backup secondary' being Renew and Greater Heal.

Your better attacks should be of course Smite, Shadow Word: Pain, and Mind Blast.

Try to travel with at least 2 other people, this can help prevent you from being the target of all the enemies sometimes. Do not stand off by yourself while healing but don't stand right in the heat of battle, both are good ways of catching aggro from the enemy.

In the event you are aggroed by a short range hitter, use Fear, and then Shield immediately after as they may be able to remove the impairment. If you have time try to use your Inner Fire instant cast buff if its not already on you, This will slow them in killing you. Heal yourself like crazy and pray that help comes soon.

If a long range caster or hitter such as a mage or hunter targets you, run towards them and fear, shield yourself, possibly throw yourself a prayer of mending, then attack with all you got! These guys will be tough, don't worry, you might die here.

In a large group make sure you have 'nearest friendly player' targeting to scroll through. I have it on the letter 'Q' and targeting myself on letter 'E' (I don't need strafing that badly) It's easier to grab who is dying and who is not.

In a small group do your best to balance healing and some small attacking, this is a hard thing to get down correctly, even I can say I can't do it perfectly.

Heal after all the enemies are dead. Check that everyone is ready in case another wave comes quick, which happens a lot.

Don't bother trying to do stuff by yourself. It wont work in 95% of situations.

All in all, just asses your enemies and teammates before making your decisions, and keep healing to 'till your fingers go numb!