Battleground Tips: Warsong Gulch

As a priest in the battlegrounds, you will be the focus of most attacks. Perceived as vulnerable, or perhaps too valuable, the opposite faction will try to take you out first. Be sure to have your Fear Ward up, as well as be fully buffed with your normal buffs (Fortitude, Inner Fire, Shadow Protection etc).

I have tried both offensive and defensive aspects of the Warsong Gulch Battleground. Trying to be offensive while healing, dispelling, and bubbling runners is frustrating, but not entirely impossible. Though in the grand scope of the battleground, it is a losing battle. Not only are we constantly having to defend ourselves (and sometimes cause other teammates to lose focus in order to protect you), but the runners are constantly moving, so our heals don't always go through in time. In essence, we are constantly having to sacrifice ourselves to get a few spells through. Before we know it, mana is gone, and we are left at the mercy of the opposing faction.

However, I find I am most effective defending the flag. I can DoT enemy runners with Shadow Word: Pain and Devouring Plague, after pulling off a Holy Fire. I can then dispel buffs or spells on teammates, heal them, or let my wand do the work. If things get out of hand, I bubble and use Psychic Scream.

Another benefit of staying stationed in one area is your teammates know where to find you. So rebuffing and heals are easy... and if I have a rogue, hunter, or mage with me to help dps, all the better. Just make sure not to go it alone when guarding the flag. Though you can often solo a single opponent, more often than not, runners bring company.

Furthermore, don't let the opposing faction separate you from your fellow guard. I have been in several situations where they will send someone to pull the guard, leaving the priest alone and vulnerable to guard the flag.

I will add more tips for priests and pvp in later entries. And yes, priests can be very formidable pvp opponents, if played right. The key is to know the vulnerability of classes. But, in the heat of battle, especially in battleground, we run on instinct. Main thing is to use your macros and have a comfortable key binding/action bar setup.