{"id":61,"date":"2012-04-01T06:09:22","date_gmt":"2012-04-01T14:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/?p=61"},"modified":"2012-04-17T12:55:55","modified_gmt":"2012-04-17T20:55:55","slug":"mana-problems-in-mists-of-pandaria-beta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/?p=61","title":{"rendered":"Mana Problems in Mists of Pandaria Beta"},"content":{"rendered":"

NOTE:<\/strong> Since my original posting, Blizzard has changed Vampiric Touch to restore 3% mana every time it does damage (18% mana returned per cast, assuming no clipping on refresh). This should largely fix our mana problems, especially in multi-DoT situations. The points raised in this post are still valid but should be seen from the perspective of mana costs for abilities and why Vampiric Touch is our go-to for mana regen now.<\/em><\/p>\n

As I have mentioned previously, mana regen is a huge problem in the Mists of Pandaria beta test for Shadow Priests. Before I dive in to the math, allow me to list out the current sources of mana regeneration and the costs of all spells associated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mana Regenerators<\/strong><\/th>\n
Dispersion<\/td>\n6% every 1 second for 6 seconds = 36% = 36k @ 85, 72k @ 90; 2 minute CD = 1500mp5 @ 85, 3000mp5 @ 90 (average)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadowfiend<\/td>\n3% per attack for 15sec, 10 attacks total = 30% = 30k @ 85, 60k @ 90; 4min CD = 1250mp5 @ 85, 2500mp5 @ 90 (average) worst case; 2min CD with losts of Mind Flay casts = 2500mp5 @ 85, 5000mp5 @ 90 (average) best case<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hymn of Hope<\/td>\n2% every 2 seconds for 8 seconds = 8% = 8k @ 85, 16k @ 90; 6 minute CD = 111mp5 @ 85, 222mp5 @ 90 (average)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base in-combat regen<\/td>\n1.25% every 5 seconds (average) = 1250 mp5 @ 85, 2500mp5 @ 90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Core Spells<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spell<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (%)<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (@ 90)<\/strong><\/th>\n
Mind Blast<\/td>\n3%<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Flay<\/td>\n1%<\/td>\n2000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Sear<\/td>\n6%<\/td>\n12000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Spike<\/td>\n3%<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadow Word: Death<\/td>\n2.6%<\/td>\n5200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadow Word: Pain<\/td>\n4.4%<\/td>\n8800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadowy Apparition<\/td>\n0%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vampiric Touch<\/td>\n3%<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Situational<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spell<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (%)<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (@ 90)<\/strong><\/th>\n
Dispel Magic<\/td>\n2.6%<\/td>\n5200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fade<\/td>\n3.5%<\/td>\n7000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fear Ward<\/td>\n0.9%<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leap of Faith<\/td>\n2.6%<\/td>\n5200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Levitate<\/td>\n0.9%<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mass Dispel<\/td>\n38%<\/td>\n76000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Vision<\/td>\n1%<\/td>\n2000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Word: Fortitude<\/td>\n4.4%<\/td>\n8800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Word: Shield<\/td>\n6.2%<\/td>\n12400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychic Horror<\/td>\n0%<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychic Scream<\/td>\n3%<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shackle Undead<\/td>\n9%<\/td>\n18000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silence<\/td>\n0.9%<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Talented\/Spec’d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spell<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (%)<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (@ 90)<\/strong><\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n
T1 \/ Level 15<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Void Tendrills<\/td>\n4%<\/td>\n8000<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psyfiend<\/td>\n4%<\/td>\n8000<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dominate Mind<\/td>\n2%<\/td>\n4000<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T2 \/ Level 30<\/em><\/td>\nNone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T3 \/ Level 45<\/em><\/td>\nNone with mana cost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T4 \/ Level 60<\/em><\/td>\nNone with mana cost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T5 \/ Level 75<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Infusion<\/td>\n6%<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\nReduces mana cost by 20% for 15sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T6 \/ Level 90<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cascade<\/td>\n14%<\/td>\n28000<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Divine Star<\/td>\n7%<\/td>\n14000<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halo<\/td>\n28%<\/td>\n56000<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

So what does this all mean? The table below outlines the amount of time it would take to go from 0% mana (@ 90) to 100% under various circumstances. NOTE: I did not include Hymn of Hope in the following table because it does not decrease any of the combination times except for moving Just in-combat regen to 366sec (2 casts of Hymn of Hope).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/strong><\/th>\nRate<\/strong><\/th>\nTime (sec)<\/strong><\/th>\nNotes<\/strong><\/th>\n
Just in-combat regen<\/td>\n2500mp5<\/td>\n400sec<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In-combat and Shadowfiend (worst case)<\/td>\n3125mp5<\/td>\n320sec<\/td>\nTwo Shadowfiend casts total:
Cast one = 0sec (13.75% @ 15sec)
Cast Two = 240sec (83.75% @ 255sec)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In-combat and Shadowfiend (best case)<\/td>\n3571mp5<\/td>\n280sec<\/td>\nThree Shadowfiend casts total:
Cast one = 0sec (13.75% @ 15sec)
Cast Two = 120sec (53.75% @ 135sec)
Cast Three = 240sec (93.75% @ 255sec)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In-combat and Dispersion<\/td>\n7937mp5<\/td>\n126sec<\/td>\nTwo Dispersion casts total:
Cast one = 0sec (37.5% @ 6sec)
Cast Two = 120sec (100% @ 126sec)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In-combat, Dispersion, and Shadowfiend (either case)<\/td>\n8065mp5<\/td>\n124sec<\/td>\nTwo Dispersion casts and One Shadowfiend cast total:
Dispersion cast one = 0sec (41.5% @ 6sec)
Shadowfiend cast one = 0sec (46% @ 15sec)
Dispersion cast two = 120sec (100% @ 124sec)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Something very important to keep in mind that this is how long it would take you to go from 0% mana to 100% mana while in combat [u]and while not casting any other spells[\/u]! If you run OOM on a boss fight (and believe me, you will), here is a rundown of how long it will take you to be able to cast each spell given that your Dispersion, Shadow Fiend, and Hymn of Hope are all on cooldown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spell<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (@ 90)<\/strong><\/th>\nTime Before Cast<\/strong><\/th>\n
Core Spells<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Blast<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n12sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Flay<\/td>\n2000<\/td>\n4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Sear<\/td>\n12000<\/td>\n24sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Spike<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n12sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadow Word: Death<\/td>\n5200<\/td>\n10.4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadow Word: Pain<\/td>\n8800<\/td>\n17.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadowy Apparition<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vampiric Touch<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n12sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Situational<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dispel Magic<\/td>\n5200<\/td>\n10.4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fade<\/td>\n7000<\/td>\n14sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fear Ward<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\n3.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leap of Faith<\/td>\n5200<\/td>\n10.4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Levitate<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\n3.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mass Dispel<\/td>\n76000<\/td>\n152sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Vision<\/td>\n2000<\/td>\n4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Word: Fortitude<\/td>\n8800<\/td>\n17.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Word: Shield<\/td>\n12400<\/td>\n24.8sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychic Horror<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychic Scream<\/td>\n6000<\/td>\n12sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shackle Undead<\/td>\n18000<\/td>\n36sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silence<\/td>\n1800<\/td>\n3.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talented \/ Spec’d<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Void Tendrills<\/td>\n8000<\/td>\n16sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psyfiend<\/td>\n8000<\/td>\n16sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dominate Mind<\/td>\n4000<\/td>\n8sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Infusion<\/td>\n12000<\/td>\n24sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cascade<\/td>\n28000<\/td>\n56sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Divine Star<\/td>\n14000<\/td>\n28sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halo<\/td>\n56000<\/td>\n112sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

It should be noted, however, that if you have Power Infusion as a talent, it will reduce the mana cost of spells by 20% for 15 seconds. The following table assumes that you have Power Infusion cast upon yourself. NOTE: Think of this table as “this is how long I would need to wait in order to cast one of these spells if I also had enough mana for Power Infusion on top of it.” This is NOT how you would use this spell in a real situation<\/strong>, rather you would want to cast this spell at the beginning of a fight or after you have used Dispersion to increase your longevity on the mana you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spell<\/strong><\/th>\nMana Cost (@ 90)<\/strong><\/th>\nTime Before Cast<\/strong><\/th>\n
Core Spells<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Blast<\/td>\n4800<\/td>\n9.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Flay<\/td>\n1600<\/td>\n3.2sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Sear<\/td>\n9600<\/td>\n19.2sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Spike<\/td>\n4800<\/td>\n9.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadow Word: Death<\/td>\n4160<\/td>\n8.32sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadow Word: Pain<\/td>\n7040<\/td>\n17.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shadowy Apparition<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vampiric Touch<\/td>\n4800<\/td>\n9.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Situational<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dispel Magic<\/td>\n4160<\/td>\n8.32sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fade<\/td>\n5600<\/td>\n11.2sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fear Ward<\/td>\n1440<\/td>\n2.88sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leap of Faith<\/td>\n4160<\/td>\n8.32sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Levitate<\/td>\n1440<\/td>\n2.88sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mass Dispel<\/td>\n60800<\/td>\n121.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mind Vision<\/td>\n1600<\/td>\n3.2sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Word: Fortitude<\/td>\n7040<\/td>\n14.08sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Word: Shield<\/td>\n9920<\/td>\n19.84sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychic Horror<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psychic Scream<\/td>\n4800<\/td>\n9.6sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shackle Undead<\/td>\n14400<\/td>\n28.8sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silence<\/td>\n1440<\/td>\n2.88sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talented \/ Spec’d<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Void Tendrills<\/td>\n6400<\/td>\n12.8sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Psyfiend<\/td>\n6400<\/td>\n12.8sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dominate Mind<\/td>\n3200<\/td>\n6.4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Infusion<\/td>\n9600<\/td>\n19.2sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cascade<\/td>\n22400<\/td>\n44.8sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Divine Star<\/td>\n11200<\/td>\n22.4sec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halo<\/td>\n44800<\/td>\n89.6ec<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

As you can see, when you run out of mana and don’t have a cooldown available, you’re dead in the water and not contributing at all to your party’s DPS. This happens. A LOT<\/strong>. At this point it appears that for longevity reasons, it may be a better idea to take Power Infusion over Divine Insight for your Tier 6 \/ Level 75 talent (NOTE: DI is bugged at the moment and ALWAYS procs on a Mind Blast hit, causing the number of SW: Death casts to rise, which is also contributing towards going OOM).<\/p>\n

This is something that Blizzard [b]has to[\/b], otherwise Shadow as a raiding spec is infeasible even under the best of conditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NOTE: Since my original posting, Blizzard has changed Vampiric Touch to restore 3% mana every time it does damage (18% mana returned per cast, assuming no clipping on refresh). This should largely fix our mana problems, especially in multi-DoT situations. The points raised in this post are still valid but should be seen from the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,4,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mists-of-pandaria-beta","category-theorycrafting","category-warning-math-ahead"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=61"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70,"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61\/revisions\/70"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=61"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=61"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/warcraft.twintop-tahoe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=61"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}