"The first 45" a PvE Holy/Disc Priest leveling guide.

[Botmaster5]

Here is the most efficient beginning build to Lvl 44.

Talent screenshots 20, 30, 40, 44*

Talent point distribution:
Lvl 10-11: Spirit Tap (2/5)
Lvl 12-16: Wand Specialization (5/5)
Lvl 17-19: Spirit Tap (5/5)
Lvl 20-24: Holy Specialization (5/5)
Lvl 25-29: Divine Fury (5/5)
Lvl 30-32: Imp. Renew (3/3)
Lvl 33-34: Healing Focus (2/2)
Lvl 35-36: Searing Light (2/2)
Lvl 37-38: Holy Reach (2/2)
Lvl 39: Holy Nova (1/1)
Lvl 40-44: Spiritual Guidance (5/5)

Reasons? See the following formula, starting at lvl 19...
5/5 Wand Specialization + 5/5 Spirit Tap = more Spirit Mp5 up time = less time drinking = more kills per minute = faster leveling.

Gearing:
As a general rule of thumb, you value spirit over all other stats other than spellpower/healing.

Spell rotation (based on level)
Shield -> Smite -> Mind Blast -> SW:P-> Wand until dead
Shield -> Holy Fire -> Mind Blast -> SW:P -> Wand until dead

This guide stops at 44 because when you ding 45 have 2 options. You can continue as Holy/Disc, or you can respec to 5/0/31 and finish the 1-60 as shadow.

Pros/Cons?
Holy/Disc - Easier to find groups to run instances as the dedicated healer.
Shadow - DPS, DPS, DPS!!!! Can still heal instances, but not mana efficient.

[Espur]

Not entirely constructive, but I find I heal dungeons perfectly fine as Shadow. I just use one of my higher ranked heals (and the one below it) and cast cancel it. I only let it go through if the target is at 50%~ otherwise it's wasted mana on an overheal. You also don't need to keep everyone fully topped off, which saves a lot of mana. I personally find that until 36 (where you get rank 3 of Mind Flay and it's actually a worthwhile spell to cast), bubbling, mind blast, and SW:P and then wanding to death works just as well as using Holy Fire or Smite. It also helps that your Mind Blast and SW:P get buffed by going Shadow (reducing the chance of resisting, increased duration, Shadow Weaving, etc) and Imp. PS and Silence are extremely useful in PvP in case you get ganked.

I do agree that respeccing to Shadowform at 40 and losing Imp. Wand Spec might be a big hit, but the increased damage from your Mind Blast, SW:P, and Mind Flay plus the % reduced damage taken probably outweighs that. I suppose it's really just a matter of preference.

Also, did you mean SW:P instead of SWD when listing the rotations, or did I miss something?

[Botmaster5]

Also, did you mean SW:P instead of SWD when listing the rotations, or did I miss something?

fixed, thx for pointing that out

[Ana]

Why not respec to shadow as soon as you hit 40 and save yourself 5 levels of misery? Wand spec is useless, once you have shadowform mobs die before the fearbomb ends. Or you can open with shield and then don't even need fearbomb, just keep mind flaying. Or something. I haven't relied on a wand once since lvl 40 (still using the STV quest one at 54 lol)

[varth]

I would agree that if you are going Holy for leveling (which is slower than shadow but harder to die) that your spec is correct, but why would you shield instead of renew after the mob is dead? Its more mana efficient for the dmg healed/shielded and your castings should be done before the mob hits you so the pushback protection doesn't matter

[AgentMulder]

I would agree that if you are going Holy for leveling (which is slower than shadow but harder to die) that your spec is correct, but why would you shield instead of renew after the mob is dead? Its more mana efficient for the dmg healed/shielded and your castings should be done before the mob hits you so the pushback protection doesn't matter

When you say "pushback protection" are you referring to the Healing Focus talent? And if this is not needed...where instead would you allocate those two points?

[rxvx]

I would agree that if you are going Holy for leveling (which is slower than shadow but harder to die) that your spec is correct, but why would you shield instead of renew after the mob is dead? Its more mana efficient for the dmg healed/shielded and your castings should be done before the mob hits you so the pushback protection doesn't matter

When you say "pushback protection" are you referring to the Healing Focus talent? And if this is not needed...where instead would you allocate those two points?

He was referring to killing mobs I think, the point is that you shouldn't be casting shield when killing mobs because it's the most mana inefficient spell you have, and by the time the mob is close to you you shouldn't be casting anymore but wanding them, till you get to 40 that is.

[Botmaster5]

I would agree that if you are going Holy for leveling (which is slower than shadow but harder to die) that your spec is correct, but why would you shield instead of renew after the mob is dead? Its more mana efficient for the dmg healed/shielded and your castings should be done before the mob hits you so the pushback protection doesn't matter

The reason why I advise to PW:S yourself before opening up on a mob is for Spirit Mp5 reasons. If you are casting renew on yourself after wanding the mob to death, you are interrupting your mana regen.

So you open up on a mob with your dps spells, dot, then wanding. Before the mob is dead, you are into your Spirit Mp5. If you cast renew, you kill your Mp5 and have to wait another few seconds before it kicks in again. Whereas, if you open with PW:S -> Holy Fire -> Mind Blast -> SW:P -> then wand, you get into your Spirit Mp5 regen and double dip into Spirit Tap, effectively doubling your Mp5, until you are ready to pull the next mob, rinse and repeat.

Yes, renew is technically more mana efficient than PW:S, however i find preempting a pull with PW:S, and double dipping your Spirit Mp5 with Spirit Tap is more effective and will let you chain pull longer between periods of needing to drink. I'm at the point now (with the spirit i have on my gear) that I can non-stop, chain pull mobs and always come out with a net positive HP/MP

Plus, think of the unforeseen factor, Nostalrius Begins is a PvP server. If you are going to get ganked by the opposing faction, it is probably going to happen when you are pulling and fighting mobs. A preemptive PW:S not only will prevent incoming damage, but you can effectively have back to back PW:S because your weakened soul debuff will be off sooner.

These are just my personal findings and preferred play style.