Shadow in the light... Priests!

[Kenert]

I wanted to clarify it because the priests were in the beginning meant to use both by Blizzard. Using them is possible and not probably something hard, because Shadow magic can be used for good.

[Grakor456]

This topic has been debated in the past. The "official" stance I've always taken on the subject of Priest spells and the like is this: Like with every other class, you have your set of spells and your specializations. Priests are, by their nature, able to use both light magic and shadow magic, therefore you can use both if your character believes he or she should. Every priest can Mind Blast, that doesn't mean they'd want to. This is, also, the mechanics solution to Priests in every pen and paper edition I've personally seen.

A few things I want to comment on...

1. Paladins and Priests are different animals, you can't really compare the two. For one, Divine Magic is partially characterized by the fact that, unlike Arcane, it is drawn from wildly different sources and through different means. Unless there's been a change in official lore that I haven't seen, there's nothing to suggest that Paladins and Priests draw from the same source and in the same manner...in fact, there's been a lot of implications to the opposite.

2. You can't, however, draw power from both the Light and Shadow as faiths. Part of what defines priests is that they gain power through devotion, force of will, and faith. It's impossible to build these up when you're wishy-washy on what you believe in.

3. Shadow magic, as practiced by Priests, is not in any way Arcane.

4. The Discipline talent tree itself kind of depends on the notion of being between light and shadow. I'm finding it rather odd that no one brings this up when arguments of Priests having to specialize in one or the other is brought up.

[MoDiddlyDoo]

4. The Discipline talent tree itself kind of depends on the notion of being between light and shadow. I'm finding it rather odd that no one brings this up when arguments of Priests having to specialize in one or the other is brought up.

I always assumed that the reason the tree was called Discipline in the first place was because of the immense willpower and discipline it would require for the priest to balance between light and shadow without teetering in either direction.

[SpiralLateralus]

Read this post for the whole thing.

There was a Developer Answers thread on the official forums that answered a lot of lore questions. One of the things that stood out to me was their answer on the Light and undead wielding it. Click the link above to read the rest of it.

Q: Can you please explain how "light" works? The lore states that undead are physically incapable of using the light, much like the Broken, but then we have Forsaken players casting healing spells, and Sir Zeliek in Naxxramas using pseudo-paladin abilities.

A: Without spoiling too much, we can tell you that wielding the Light is a matter of having willpower or faith in one's own ability to do it. That's why there are evil paladins (for example, the Scarlet Crusade and Arthas before he took up Frostmourne). For the undead (and Forsaken), this requires such a great deal of willpower that it is exceedingly rare, especially since it is self-destructive. When undead channel the Light, it feels (to them) as if their entire bodies are being consumed in righteous fire. Forsaken healed by the Light (whether the healer is Forsaken or not) are effectively cauterized by the effect: sure, the wound is healed, but the healing effect is cripplingly painful. Thus, Forsaken priests are beings of unwavering willpower; Forsaken (and death knight) tanks suffer nobly when they have priest and paladin healers in the group; and Sir Zeliek REALLY hates himself.

There it is, folks. A definitive answer on the Forsaken priest/paladin debate. It seems both sides were both wrong and right. From what I understand, Forsaken Holy and Discipline priests are not just a gameplay mechanic. They are those among the Forsaken that have the utmost dedication to the Light, and wield it, despite it causing them great pain. Likewise it seems the Light can be manipulated to either hurt or harm whatever target the priest/paladin intends. So that means the Light doesn't instantly kill an undead, but a heal from the Light will still be painful.

I hope this puts an end to the debate. While one could potentially be a Forsaken Holy Priest, it's so unlikely, from more than just a philosophical standpoint, that one would have to have a really good reason for it. I suppose it would be up to the GMs if they want to allow it or not.

Posting that from the other topic.

The guy answering that question is Christ Metzen, the guy who writes everything Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo.

It also answers why the Scarlet Crusade can still use the Holy Light. Hell, it even explains why Blood Elves can too.

[Grakor456]

I always assumed that the reason the tree was called Discipline in the first place was because of the immense willpower and discipline it would require for the priest to balance between light and shadow without teetering in either direction.

A possibility. I generally assume the name is Discipline in order to represent the manner in which Priests gain and use their powers, through sheer force of will and faith. The concept of using belief and discipline to cast divine spells has been a constant in describing the class.