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WoW SoD Priest Runes & Locations Guide

WoW SoD Priest Runes & Locations Guide

Complete guide to every Priest Rune Engraving in WoW Season of Discovery. Step-by-step unlock methods for Gloves, Pants, Chest, Belt, and Boots slots.

Priest Rune Engravings in WoW Season of Discovery

The Season of Discovery introduced Rune Engravings, a system that let players discover hidden runes and engrave them onto specific gear slots. Rather than just offering new abilities, runes allowed players to augment existing spells and unlock entirely new class roles that had never existed in Classic WoW before, including Warlock Tank and Shaman Tank specs.

Extra Skills and Improvements

Starting in Phase 2, all classes could find extra base skills and quality-of-life improvements through consumable items scattered around the world. These items are separate from runes: they teach permanent abilities rather than engraving a gear slot. Each class had its own set of obtainable books and scrolls.

Priests can currently obtain: 

Scroll of Shadowfiend β€” dropped from Interrogator Vishas in Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard;

Scroll of Increased Fortitude β€” dropped from Interrogator Vishas in Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard.

Key Takeaways

  • SoD Priests engraved runes in five gear slots: Gloves, Pants, Chest, Belt, and Boots.
  • Mind Sear (Gloves) gave Shadow Priests a true AoE damage option, purchased at Honored with the Azeroth Commerce Authority.
  • Many Priest runes are race-specific, requiring different starting-zone quests for Dwarves, Humans, Night Elves, Undead, and Trolls.
  • Penance (Gloves) enabled a hybrid Disc Priest playstyle well before it appeared in retail WoW.
  • Phase 2 added Scroll of Shadowfiend and Scroll of Increased Fortitude drops from Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard.
  • Belt and Boots runes generally required level 30 to 40+ and access to Stranglethorn Vale and Sunken Temple.
  • SoD servers remain active in 2026; characters and all earned runes are permanent.

With those highlights in mind, the step-by-step unlock methods are organized by gear slot in the rune reference that follows.

How to Find and Unlock Priest Runes

Rune unlock steps are not tied to a specific race. Any qualifying race can follow the methods below. That said, some steps vary by faction (Alliance vs. Horde) or by starting race, so the table notes faction-specific variants where relevant.

Each rune's unlock method is unique, ranging from simple vendor purchases to multi-step quest chains across several zones. The rune reference organized by gear slot covers each unlock path in full.

Rune NameSlotUnlock Method
Circle of Healing
Gloves
As Any race, Defias NPCs located in Southern Duskwood have a chance to drop Dark Insight. Once you have this item, head to the secluded grave located north east of Darkshire behind the Horde controlled tower which can be found at (90, 30) there you will be able to use the Dark Insight at the grave and unlock this Rune.
Penance
Gloves

For Dwarf players, this Rune is acquired by completing the Meditation on the Light quest. Find a memory of the past inside of a chest at the trogg camp west of Anvilmar between two shredded tents. Then, kneel at the Altar of the Light beside the Priest trainer in Anvilmar to meditate on the light, and use the memory to learn a new ability.

For Human players, this Rune is acquired by completing the Meditation on the Light quest. Slay kobolds in Echo Ridge Mine to receive a memory. Kneel within Northshire Abbey to meditate on the light, then use the memory to learn a new ability.

For Night Elf players, this Rune is acquired by completing the Meditation on Elune quest. Kneel at the moonwell near your class trainer to meditate, then use the memory to learn a new ability.

For Undead players, this Rune is acquired by completing the Meditation on Undeath quest. Kneel in the graveyard in Brill meditate on undeath, then use the Rune to learn a new ability.

For Troll players, this Rune is acquired by completing the Wisdom of the Loa quest. Kneel at the Loa Altar in Sen'jin Village. Commune with the Loa spirit, then use the memory to learn a new ability.

Mind Sear
Gloves
At Honored reputation standing with the Azeroth Commerce Authority you will be able to purchase this Rune from the commerce authority reputation in your factions major city.
Shadow Word: Death
Gloves

As Alliance, this Rune can be found in Loch Modan, Westfall and Darkshore. In Westfall, this will drop off Leprithus the rare spawn in Westfall. In Darkshore, you must interact with a glowing orb on a small island located at(30.5, 47.5) a bit to the east of dock for the boat that will take you from Auburdine to Menethil Harbor. In Loch Modan, you must /kneel at the Heretic Idol which can be found near the southern entrance to the Mo'Grosh Stronghold just to your left as you enter the Ogre compound. 

As Horde, this Rune can be found in both the Barrens and Silverpine Forest. In Silverpine Forest, you must loot a scroll on the table near Thule Ravenclaw atop of the tower on Fenris Isle which is located in Northeastern in Silverpine Forest. In the Barrens, you must cast Dispel Magic on the Desert Mirage in the Barrens found west of Ratchet at (57.4 X, 37.8 Y). Dispelling it will kill it and cause it to drop the Rune.

Prayer of Mending
Pants

In order to Unlock this rune you will have to interact with either an Adventurer's Remains or an Adventurer's Spirit, to interact with them you will have to find another player playing a class capable of healing and channel a spell, doing so will spawn a mob that will quickly die and looting the mob will reward you with the Rune. 

For Human players, speak to the Adventurer's Remains found to the east of a hill in southern Elwynn Forest located at (52, 84.5).

For Dwarf players, speak to the Adventurer's Remains inside of the Grizzled Den South West of Kharanos.

For Night Elf players, speak to the Adventurer's Remains Located near Oracle Glade found at (33.6, 35.6).

For Troll and Undead players, head to the Adventurer's Remains inside of Kolkar encampment south of the Valley of Trials.

Homunculi
Pants

For Dwarf players, this drops from Trolls on Shimmer Ridge west of Kharanos.

For Night Elf players, this drops from Sprites inside of Fel Rock Cave North East of Dolanaar.

For Human player, this drops from Defias Wizards found on the the Island in the middle of Stonecairn Lake just north of the Eastvale Logging camp.

For Troll players, this drops from Trolls near Zalazane on the Echo Isles in the southeasternmost part of Durotar.

For Undead players, this drops from Scarlet Crusaders in Solliden Farmstead in western Tirisfal Glades.

After you receive the Prophecy of a Desecrated Citadel item you will have to meditate on in any two grave yards across Azeroth.

Shared Pain
Pants

For Undead players, this Rune drops from Tirisfal Farmers located in Western Tirisfal Glades.

For Human players, this Rune drops from Kobolds in Jasperlode Mine.

For Night Elf players, this Rune drops from Lord Melenas, a demon in cave near Dolanaar.

For Troll players, this Rune drops from Makasgar who can be found along the coast north of Sen'jin Village or Gazz'uz who can be found in Skull Rock just outside of Orgrimmar.

For Dwarf players, this Rune drops from Captain Beld who can be found in a house in South Eastern Dun Morogh.

Power Word: Barrier
Pants
As Any Race, the item Prophecy of a City Enthralled has a chance to drop from the Blackrock Shadowcaster Orcs in Castle Stonewatch located in the center of Redridge mountains. Use the Prophecy of a City Enthralled with two meditation buffs active to unlock this Rune.
Strength of SoulChestAs any race, Thistlefur mobs in Ashenvale have a chance to drop Primal Insight . Once you have this item, head over to the tree located at (38, 29) and use the item next to the dreamcatcher suspended in the tree. You will need to have two meditation buffs active to be able to learn this so make sure you have them prior to attempting to farm this.
Void Plague
Chest

For Human players, this Rune drops from Goldtooth inside the Fargodeep Mine south of Goldshire.

For Dwarf players, this Rune can be looted off of Leper Gnomes outside of Gnomeregan.

For Night Elf players, this Rune can be looted from a cache inside of the Ban'ethil Barrow Den in Teldrassil.

For Troll players, this Rune from Kul Tiras Sailors in eastern Durotar.

For Undead players, this Rune drops from the Elite murloc Gilgar found on the far west coast of Tirisfal Glades.

Serendipity
Chest

This Rune can be purchased from Grizzby in Ratchet. In order to unlock Grizzby as a vendor you must be level 20 and complete a series of tasks to earn his favor. There are three quests to complete, these can be completed in any order. 

For the first you must provide him with 24 Fish Oil .

The second you must deliver him 20 Dark Iron Ordinance s which drop from Dark Iron Dwarves in northern Wetlands or Southern Arathi Highlands.

The third you must deliver 16 Shredder Turbocharger s which can only be acquired from Shredder NPCs using the Shredder Autosalvage Unit.

Twisted Faith
Chest

As Alliance, this can be found in Loch Modan, Westfall and Darkshore. In Westfall, this Rune drops from Undying Laborers found in the back of the Gold Coast Quarry mine. Make sure to use Holy Damage to kill it to cause the Rune to drop. In Darkshore, Naga mobs will have a chance to drop a Shatterspear Offering which you will need to take to the Ruins of Mathystra located just north east of the Tower of Althalaxx, there is a small lake in the Ruins and you can use the offering on the statue located underwater to unlock this Rune. In Loch Modan, kill Kobolds inside the cave filled with them in Loch Modan until you receive a Offering Coin as a drop. Taking the first left inside the cave, you should see a well; throw the coin in to receive the Rune. 

As Horde, this can be found in both the Barrens and Silverpine Forest. In Silverpine Forest, kill and loot a Wailing Spirit which can be found in the hills directly east of Pyrewood Village. In the Barrens, killing Razormane mobs in the Barrens will drop the Helping Hand item. Using Resurrection will cause the Helping Hand item to turn into the Rune.

Empowered Renew
Belt
This rune can be found by killing mobs in both Alterac Mountains and Thousand Needles. In Thousand Needles this rune will drop from Grimtotem Tauren found south west from The Great Lift in Thousand Needles. In Alterac Mountains it will drop from Crushridge Ogres which can be found towards the center of the zone along east side of the Ruins of Alterac.
Mind Spike
Belt

Head to Desolace to start the Highway Robbery quest at the extinguished Campfire. (found at 47, 54) This quest will task you with finding someone who knows about the pillaged campsite, you will need to head to Bibbly F'utzbuckle who you can turn in the Highway Robbery Quest to and he will begin your second part of this quest, On the Lam. (Bibbly can be found at 63, 39 near Kormek's hut.) 

Head to the Inn in Booty Bay where you will be able to turn in On the Lam to Tokal who can be found on the first floor of the inn. She will offer you the quest Cherry for your Thoughts? You will need to buy her a Cherry Grog and then she will give you the next part of your quest, No Honor Among Thieves.

Next you will be heading to the Arathi Highlands to find a row boat, the boat can be found along the southern coat of Arathi Highlands just a bit east of where the demolition camp of Dark Iron dwarves is set up right when you walk across Thandol Span to your east, the boat will teleport you to where you can find Illari Duskfeather, upon killing her she will drop the Illari's Key that you need to open the Jewel-Encrusted Box that you have been carrying around throughout these quests. Open the Jewel-Encrusted Box and you will find the Psychosophic Epiphany that will teach you the Rune.

Renewed Hope
Belt
Head to the Nagas located in Northwestern Desolace and kill them until Unsettling Vision drops. You will need to be level 30 to acquire this Rune, in order to use the item to learn the Rune you must cast Mind Control on a Slitherblade Tide Priestess in order to get the meditation buff required to learn it. After you gain this unique meditation buff you should be able to use the Unsettling Vision and gain the Rune.
Dispersion
Boots

This rune requires the assistance of two other classes in order to unlock. A rogue with the Master of Subtlety rune learned and a Jani's Charm is required to pick pocket the Bloodscalp Trolls found in the ruins in northwestern Stranglethorn vale for the Mysterious Troll Scroll.

After you have acquired the Mysterious Troll Scroll you will need a Mage with a Comprehension Charm to turn the Mysterious Troll Scroll into a Deciphered Troll Scroll which will begin your quest to unlock this rune.

Directly north of Booty Bay there is a mountain filled with Naga, a bit north of where you will find the Bloodsail Pirates west of Booty Bay (found around 28.9, 62.0) there will be a fountain where you can acquire the Holy Spring Water you will need.

With the Holy Spring Water and two meditation buffs from any source you can head to the fountain that will be found in the same Bloodscalp ruins where we got the Mysterious Troll Scroll from and the fountain behind the Bloodscalp Chieftan Gan'zulah will become interact-able, click on it and you will be able to loot the rune. (The fountain can be found at roughly 23.6, 8.2)

It is worth noting that the Mysterious Troll Scroll and the Deciphered Troll Scroll are tradeable so you will likely be able to purchase these if you are unable to find a Rogue or Mage able to help.

Pain Suppression
Boots

In order to unlock the rune for Pain Suppression you will need to find 4 Echos which can be found across Azeroth. You can collect these in any order but when activating them in the final step they must be used in the correct order. I recommend going after the Graveyard Echo last as you will be heading to Scarlet Monastery to turn these all in. The echoes come from Tombstones so make sure you are looking for an interact-able tombstone when collecting these.

Arathi Echo can be found at Go'shek Farm in Arathi Highlands (roughly 62, 54)

Theramore Echo can be found just outside Theramore at the small graveyard found at 63.5 42.5

Swamp Echo can be found at a stand alone grave stone on the western side of the zone, just below the first watch tower you see when coming from Deadwind pass. (roughly 16.8 53.8)

Graveyard Echo can be found in Scarlet Monastery: Grave Yard, when in the court yard you will find an interact-able headstone just a bit east of the small mausoleum found on the northern side of the grave yard.

When you have all four Echoes next you will need to head into the Scarlet Monastery Library, proceed to the Gallery of Treasures where you will need to use these items in order, first being the Swamp Echo at the Warrior Statue, second the Arathi Echo at the Mage statue, third Theramore Echo at the Paladin statue and lastly the Graveyard Echo at the Priest statue. Upon completing this in correct order a glowing sphere will appear in the center of the room granting you the Memory of a Leader's Betrayal which will teach you the rune for Pain Suppression.

Spirit of the Redeemer
Boots

Head to Deadwind Pass and speak to the Dalaran Agent that can be found at Ariden's Camp which can be found just north of the turn where you would head east into Swamp of Sorrows (roughly 52, 35).This agent will give you Ariden's Sigil this Sigil has an on use to provoke nearby Dark Riders to reveal themselves. You will know when you are near a Dark Rider as you will gain the buff Dark Presence when near one but otherwise they are just disguised as regular NPCs. Upon killing a Dark Rider you will be rewarded with a Dalaran Relic, we need 7 relics to earn this Rune so we will need to kill 7 different Dark Riders. Below is my recommend order to quickly complete this task. Dark Riders can be difficult to kill but certainly should be able to be soloed, consider partying up with a friend to make this task easier, especially a Mage as we will have to cover a significant amount of distance to complete this task.

Please note that the Dark Riders do have a small patrol area and the coordinates recommend below are a rough approximation, if you walk around the recommend location you should quickly be able to find them.

The closest Dark Rider to your starting point can be found in Deadwind Pass at (43, 29)

The second Dark Rider can be found at (69, 28) in the Swamp of Sorrows.

The third Dark Rider can be found in Duskwood at (22, 51)

The fourth Dark Rider can be found in The Badlands at (58, 54)

The fifth Dark Rider can be found in the Arathi Highlands at (60, 40)

Next we will need to head to Kalimdor, the sixth Dark Rider can be found at (52, 36) in the Barrens.

The 7th and final Dark Rider we need can be found in Desolace at (65, 25).

Return to the Dalaran Agent in Deadwind Pass with the 7 relics you have acquired and turn in their respective quests and the Rune will be your reward!

With the full rune roster covered, a few questions come up often from new players learning the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Rune Engravings in WoW Season of Discovery?

Rune Engravings are a system introduced in SoD that lets players engrave special runes onto specific gear slots. Each rune grants a new ability or modifies an existing spell, enabling playstyles like Discipline Priest healer-damage hybrids that were new to Classic.

How many rune slots did Priests have in SoD?

Priests had five rune slots: Gloves, Pants, Chest, Belt, and Boots. Additional slots unlocked as the season advanced through its eight phases.

Can both Alliance and Horde Priests unlock all runes?

Yes. Priest is available to multiple races on both factions. The unlock methods vary by race, but every rune is obtainable by any Priest character regardless of faction.

What level do I need to start unlocking Priest runes?

The race-specific starting runes (like Penance) are available very early, often by level 5 in your starting zone. Mind Sear requires Honored reputation with the Azeroth Commerce Authority, which takes a bit longer to accumulate.

Do SoD characters get wiped at the end of the season?

No. Despite the "season" name, SoD characters are not wiped. Blizzard stated that "Season of Discovery is not seasonal" in the wipe sense. Characters and all earned runes persist.

Is Season of Discovery still active in 2026?

Yes. SoD entered maintenance mode after Phase 8 (final phase, launched April 2025), meaning no new content is planned, but the servers remain fully playable.

Which Priest rune was hardest to unlock?

Spirit of the Redeemer (Boots) is one of the more complex unlocks, requiring a group-effort quest in Sunken Temple. Dispersion (Boots) also requires a coordinated quest chain in higher-level content.

Can I get help farming SoD runes?

Yes. WowCarry offers Season of Discovery boost services covering rune farming, leveling, dungeons, and raids for players who want to skip the grind.

Last reviewed 2026-06-18 against Phase 8 (Scarlet Enclave) β€” Maintained by WowCarry's WoW team.

Need a hand collecting every rune? Browse our Season of Discovery boost services for rune farming, leveling, dungeons, and raids.