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For the Warcraft III unit, see Priest (Warcraft III).
Priests are devoted to the spiritual, and express their unwavering faith by serving the people. For millennia they have left behind the confines of their temples and the comfort of their shrines so they can support their allies in war-torn lands. In the midst of terrible conflict, no hero questions the value of the priestly orders.
Fail:Priest crest.png

Priests are masters of healing and preservation, restoring their wounded allies, shielding them in battle, and even resurrecting them from death. While they have a variety of protective and enhancement spells to bolster their allies, they can also wreak terrible vengeance on their enemies, using the grand powers of the Holy Light to smite and purge them, or the devastating powers of the shadow to decimate their minds. The priest is a diverse and powerful class, highly desirable in any group, and capable of fulfilling multiple roles.

The priest is perhaps the best healing class in the game with a surprisingly strong potential damage potential as well. Their ability to heal and buff allies, avoid aggro, dispel buffs on enemies, dispel debuffs on their allies, and resurrect fallen comrades makes them an important member of any group, whether PvP or PvE.

Priests are limited to cloth armor and the following weapons: Daggers, One-Handed Maces, Staves, and Wands.

Background[]

Fail:Dwarf priest.jpg

Dwarven priestess.

Priests practice a complex, organized form of spirituality. It can be built around moral philosophy, the worship of a particular deity (such as Elune), and/or idol worship. This is in contrast to the reverence of the elements that shamans practice or the close divine connection with animals and the wilderness that druids maintain. Priests serve not only as influential religious figures in their respective societies, but also as powerful practitioners of divine magic. They use this to heal and protect, or harm and weaken.

Devotion to the faiths of Azeroth leads many priests to the paths of courage and heroism. In dark times priests carry the Light of faith with them as a reminder of the powerful forces at work beyond the comprehension of the peoples who walk the land. Powerful healers with an intimate connection to the divine, priests are empowered with abilities that aid them in times of dire need.[1]

Priests comprise quite a varied group in Azeroth. Many are followers, in some manner, of the Holy Light. Some priests choose to be pyremasters or High Priests, while some of the most experienced become epic priests. There are also racial restrictions to some titles, such as witch doctor for trolls and Priestess of the Moon for night elf females.

Notable priests[]

Fail:VelenCardgameArt.jpg

Prophet Velen, a draenei priest.

Main article: List of priests
Name Role Status Location
AllianceFail:IconSmall Anduin.gif Anduin Wrynn Prince of Stormwind Alive Stormwind Keep,Stormwind City
AllianceHuman male Archbishop Benedictus Leader of the Church of the Holy Light Alive Cathedral of Light, Stormwind City
AllianceHuman male Archbishop Alonsus Faol Leader of the Church of Light Deceased Faol's Rest, Tirisfal Glades
HordeTroll male Zabra Hexx Priest Alive Unknown
NeutralFail:IconSmall Iridi.gif Iridi Priestess Deceased Buried in Outland
NeutralDraenei female High Priestess Ishanah Leader of the Aldor Alive Shrine of Unending Light, Shattrath City
NeutralZandalarTroll male Rastakhan King of all living trolls on Azeroth Alive Zuldazar
HordeTroll male Sen'jin Former leader of the Darkspear tribe Deceased Unknown
AllianceFail:IconSmall Velen.gif Velen Leader of the Draenei Alive Vault of Lights, The Exodar
HordeTroll male Vol'jin Leader of the Darkspear tribe Alive Darkspear Hold, Darkspear Isle
AllianceFail:IconSmall Tyrande.gif Tyrande Whisperwind High priestess of Elune Alive Temple of the Moon, Darnassus

Races[]

Main article: Priest races

The priest class can be played by the following races:

Race Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health Mana
Alliance DraeneiDraenei Draenei TBC 21 17 20 22 25 34 52 160
Alliance DwarfDwarf Dwarf 25 16 21 21 22 32 62 145
Alliance GnomeGnome Gnome Cataclysm 15 23 19 25 23 51 51 205
Alliance HumanHuman Human 20 20 20 22 23 40 52 160
Alliance Night elfNight elf Night elf 16 24 20 22 23 48 52 160
Fail:Both 15.png PandarenPandaren Pandaren Mists of Pandaria ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Alliance WorgenWorgen Worgen Cataclysm 23 22 20 18 22 46 52 128
Horde Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf TBC 17 22 20 25 21 44 52 205
Horde UndeadUndead Undead 19 18 20 20 28 38 52 130
Horde GoblinGoblin Goblin Cataclysm 17 22 20 25 21 ? 52 205
Horde TaurenTauren Tauren Cataclysm 25 15 22 17 25 35 72 127
Horde TrollTroll Troll 21 22 20 18 24 44 52 128

Human/Dwarf[]

The Clerics of Northshire were human priests who served the kingdom of Stormwind during the First War. The clerics served as healers on the battlefield, but were ill-prepared for the hazards of combat and thus suffered heavy casualties. This order was largely destroyed, and the Second War saw fragile priests replaced on the battlefield by armored paladins, the Knights of the Silver Hand, established by the clerics' leader Archbishop Alonsus Faol and his apprentice, Uther the Lightbringer.

During events of the Third War, despite the high elves' official departure from the Alliance, some elves still remained true to their former human and dwarven allies. The altruistic priests of Quel'Thalas refused to abandon their roles as healers and agreed to remain in Lordaeron despite the edicts from their reclusive masters in Silvermoon. The high elven priests used their Light-given powers to heal the wounded and bolster the spirits of Lordaeron's fighting elite. A holy field medic, these padres roam the battlefield curing the wounds of fallen comrades.

Draenei[]

The Draenei have been worshipers of the Light for at least as long as they have known the Naaru, and draw their wisdom and power from them.

Forsaken[]

Forsaken who once followed the tenets of the Holy Light altered their philosophy upon their transformation. Most forsaken have abandoned religion, just as they believe it abandoned them. Some still adhere to their old faiths, such as the Holy Light. Priests of the Holy Light in particular struggle to reconcile the philosophy that guided their life with their unfortunate new condition. Some balance their old beliefs with their new forms, but most forsaken priests belong to The Cult of Forgotten Shadow. Lost and hurt, these priests founded a new religion based on a self-centered version of their former faith. This philosophy centers around self-empowerment and a desire to balance life with death. They can no longer use the Holy Light and have since learned how to use the shadow.

Troll[]

The troll priesthoods, much like the shamans and witch doctors of the troll tribes, are comprised of spiritual advisers and caretakers. With trolls being naturally superstitious and spiritual, it allows the various troll priests to manipulate the spiritual energy of the world in order to either heal or harm their targets. The energies the troll priests draw can come from various sources, be it Loa spirits, voodoo magic, or the target itself. Drawing upon these energies, troll priests either mend or harm, depending on which blessing the spiritual entity bestows. Arguably, in World of Warcraft, troll priests can be considered witch doctors in a cultural perspective, in equal terms with the shamans.

Tauren[]

Fail:Questionmark-medium.png
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

In Cataclysm, the Tauren gained the ability to become priests. It is possible they use the light of the Sun in their spells, as opposed to the Holy Light. This is similar to how the Night Elves use the power of the Moon, their goddess Elune, instead of the Holy Light.

Gnome[]

Fail:Questionmark-medium.png
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
With the announcement of the Cataclysm expansion, Gnome healers finally became playable. Gnome priest NPCs (such as the Holdout Medic in Gnomeregan and the North Fleet Medic in Howling Fjord) have existed in Azeroth for some time, but the destruction brought on by Deathwing likely inspired many more Gnomes to turn to their allies and adopt devotion to The Light.

Specializations/stats[]

Uses magic to shield allies from taking damage as well as heal their wounds.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Spirit
  • Mastery Rating
  • Critical Strike Rating
  • Haste Rating


Fail:PenanceTCG.jpg

Penance

Fail:DivineFuryTCG.jpg

Divine Fury

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell holy penance.png [Penance] 10
Fail:Spell holy rapture.png [Rapture] 10
Fail:Spell nature sleep.png [Meditation] 10
Fail:Spell holy impholyconcentration.png [Spiritual Healing] 10
Fail:Spell holy sealofwrath.png [Divine Fury] 16
Fail:Spell holy searinglight.png [Holy Fire] 18
Fail:Spell holy dispelmagic.png [Purify] 22
Fail:Spell holy devineaegis.png [Divine Aegis] 24
Fail:Spell holy lesserheal.png [Heal] 28
Fail:Ability shaman astralshift.png [Spirit Shell] 28
Fail:Ability priest focusedwill.png [Focused Will] 30
Fail:Spell holy greaterheal.png [Greater Heal] 34
Fail:Spell frost windwalkon.png [Inner Focus] 36
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Ability priest atonement.png [Atonement] 38
Fail:Spell holy divineillumination.png [Evangelism] 44
Fail:Spell holy hopeandgrace.png [Grace] 45
Fail:Spell holy prayerofhealing02.png [Prayer of Healing] 46
Fail:Ability priest archangel.png [Archangel] 50
Fail:Spell holy ashestoashes.png [Strength of Soul] 52
Fail:Spell holy painsupression.png [Pain Suppression] 58
Fail:Spell holy borrowedtime.png [Borrowed Time] 62
Fail:Spell holy powerwordbarrier.png [Power Word: Barrier] 70
Fail:Ability mage studentofthemind.png [Train of Thought] 78
Fail:Spell holy powerwordshield.png [Mastery: Shield Discipline] 80

A versatile healer who can reverse damage on individuals or groups and even heal from beyond the grave.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Spirit
  • Haste Rating (soft cap)
  • Critical Strike Rating
  • Mastery Rating
Fail:HealTCG.jpg

Heal

Fail:SpiritofRedemptionTCG.jpg

Spirit of Redemption

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell holy chastise.png [Holy Word: Chastise] 10
Fail:Spell nature sleep.png [Meditation] 10
Fail:Spell holy impholyconcentration.png [Spiritual Healing] 10
Fail:Spell holy sealofwrath.png [Divine Fury] 16
Fail:Spell holy searinglight.png [Holy Fire] 18
Fail:Spell holy dispelmagic.png [Purify] 22
Fail:Spell holy lesserheal.png [Heal] 28
Fail:Inv enchant essenceeternallarge.png [Spirit of Redemption] 30
Fail:Ability priest focusedwill.png [Focused Will] 30
Fail:Spell holy greaterheal.png [Greater Heal] 34
Fail:Spell holy serendipity.png [Serendipity] 34
Fail:Spell holy summonlightwell.png [Lightwell] 36
Fail:Spell holy divineillumination.png [Evangelism] 44
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell holy prayerofhealing02.png [Prayer of Healing] 46
Fail:Spell holy circleofrenewal.png [Circle of Healing] 50
Fail:Priest icon chakra red.png [Chakra: Chastise] 56
Fail:Priest icon chakra blue.png [Chakra: Sanctuary] 56
Fail:Priest icon chakra.png [Chakra: Serenity] 56
Fail:Spell holy renew.png [Rapid Renewal] 64
Fail:Spell holy guardianspirit.png [Guardian Spirit] 70
Fail:Spell holy divinehymn.png [Divine Hymn] 78
Fail:Spell holy aspiration.png [Mastery: Echo of Light] 80

Uses sinister Shadow magic, especially damage-over-time spells, to eradicate enemies.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Hit Rating / Spirit (15%)
  • Haste Rating
  • Critical Strike Rating
  • Mastery Rating
Fail:DevouringPlagueTCG.jpg

Devouring Plague

Fail:DispersionTCG.jpg

Dispersion

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow siphonmana.png [Mind Flay] 10
Fail:Spell holy divinespirit.png [Spiritual Precision] 20
Fail:Spell shadow devouringplague.png [Devouring Plague] 21
Fail:Spell priest shadoworbs.png [Shadow Orbs] 21
Fail:Spell shadow unholyfrenzy.png [Mind Blast] 21
Fail:Spell shadow shadowform.png [Shadowform] 24
Fail:Spell holy stoicism.png [Vampiric Touch] 28
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Ability priest shadowyapparition.png [Shadowy Apparitions] 42
Fail:Spell priest mindspike.png [Mind Spike] 44
Fail:Ability priest silence.png [Silence] 52
Fail:Spell shadow dispersion.png [Dispersion] 60
Fail:Spell shadow psychichorrors.png [Psychic Horror] 74
Fail:Spell shadow unsummonbuilding.png [Vampiric Embrace] 78
Fail:Inv chaos orb.png [Mastery: Shadowy Recall] 80

Skills/Glyphs[]

Fail:SmiteTCG.jpg

Smite

Fail:Shadow Word Pain TCG.jpg

Shadow Word: Pain

Fail:Power Word Shield.jpg

Power Word: Shield

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Ability shootwand.png [Shoot] Starts with
Fail:Spell holy holysmite.png [Smite] Starts with
Fail:Spell shadow shadowwordpain.png [Shadow Word: Pain] 3
Fail:Spell holy powerwordshield.png [Power Word: Shield] 5
Fail:Spell holy flashheal.png [Flash Heal] 7
Fail:Spell holy innerfire.png [Inner Fire] 9
Fail:Spell holy healingfocus.png [Divine Focus] 10
Fail:Spell shadow psychicscream.png [Psychic Scream] 12
Fail:Spell holy resurrection.png [Resurrection] 18
Fail:Spell holy wordfortitude.png [Power Word: Fortitude] 22
Fail:Spell magic lesserinvisibilty.png [Fade] 24
Fail:Spell nature nullifydisease.png [Dispel Magic] 26
Fail:Spell holy renew.png [Renew] 26
Fail:Spell nature slow.png [Shackle Undead] 32
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell holy layonhands.png [Levitate] 34
Fail:Spell holy mindvision.png [Mind Vision] 42
Fail:Spell shadow shadowfiend.png [Shadowfiend] 42
Fail:Spell shadow demonicfortitude.png [Shadow Word: Death] 46
Fail:Spell holy blindingheal.png [Binding Heal] 48
Fail:Spell holy spiritualguidence.png [Mysticism] 50
Fail:Spell holy excorcism.png [Fear Ward] 54
Fail:Spell holy symbolofhope.png [Hymn of Hope] 66
Fail:Spell holy prayerofmendingtga.png [Prayer of Mending] 68
Fail:Spell arcane massdispel.png [Mass Dispel] 72
Fail:Spell shadow mindshear.png [Mind Sear] 76
Fail:Priest icon innewill.png [Inner Will] 80
Fail:Priest spell leapoffaith a.png [Leap of Faith] 84
Fail:Spell priest voidshift.png [Void Shift] 87

Level Icon Ability
15 (Choose one) Fail:Spell priest voidtendrils.png [Void Tendrils]
Fail:Spell priest psyfiend.png [Psyfiend]
Fail:Spell shadow shadowworddominate.png [Dominate Mind]
30 (Choose one) Fail:Spell holy symbolofhope.png [Body and Soul]
Fail:Ability priest angelicfeather.png [Angelic Feather]
Fail:Ability priest phantasm.png [Phantasm]
45 (Choose one) Fail:Spell holy surgeoflight.png [From Darkness, Comes Light]
Fail:Spell shadow soulleech 3.png [Mindbender]
Fail:Ability priest flashoflight.png [Solace and Insanity]
Level Icon Ability
60 (Choose one) Fail:Spell holy testoffaith.png [Desperate Prayer]
Fail:Ability rogue shadowdance.png [Spectral Guise]
Fail:Ability priest angelicbulwark.png [Angelic Bulwark]
75 (Choose one) Fail:Spell shadow mindtwisting.png [Twist of Fate]
Fail:Spell holy powerinfusion.png [Power Infusion]
Fail:Spell priest burningwill.png [Divine Insight]
90 (Choose one) Fail:Ability priest cascade.png [Cascade]
Fail:Spell priest divinestar.png [Divine Star]
Fail:Ability priest halo.png [Halo]

Key
Tag Source
Book of Glyph Mastery [Book of Glyph Mastery] (requires 425 inscription skill)
T:# Learned from a trainer with # Inscription skill
M:# Minor Inscription Research (requires # Inscription skill)
N Northrend Inscription Research (requires 385 Inscription skill)
V:# Vendor (requires # Inscription skill)


Major Glyph Source Major Glyph Source
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Binding Heal] T:255 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Circle of Healing] N
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Dark Binding] Shadow Book of Glyph Mastery Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Dispel Magic] T:180
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Dispersion] Shadow Book of Glyph Mastery Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Fade] T:105
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Fear Ward] T:270 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Holy Fire] DisciplineHoly (Priest) T:350
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Holy Nova] T:315 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Inner Fire] T:135
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Inner Sanctum] T:120 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Leap of Faith] Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Levitate] ?? Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Lightspring] Holy (Priest) T:260
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Lightwell] Holy (Priest) N Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Mass Dispel] N
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Mind Blast] Shadow N Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Mind Flay] Shadow ??
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Mind Spike] Shadow Book of Glyph Mastery Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Penance] Discipline Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Power Word: Shield] T:80 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Prayer of Mending] N
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Psychic Horror] Shadow N Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Psychic Scream] T:95
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Purify] DisciplineHoly (Priest) T:230 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Reflective Shield] ??
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Renew] T:160 Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Scourge Imprisonment] T:375
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Shadow Word: Death] Scroll of Wisdom Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Smite] DisciplineHoly (Priest) T:210
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Spirit of Redemption] Holy (Priest) N Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Vampiric Embrace] Shadow Scroll of Wisdom
Fail:Inv glyph majorpriest.png [Glyph of Weakened Soul] Shadow T:385
Minor Glyph Source Minor Glyph Source
Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Borrowed Time] Discipline M:75 Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Confession] Scroll of Wisdom
Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Dark Archangel] Shadow M:75 Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of the Heavens] Scroll of Wisdom
Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Holy Resurrection] Scroll of Wisdom Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Shackle Undead] M:75
Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Shadow] Shadow M:75 Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Shadow Ravens] Shadow M:75
Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of Shadowy Friends] Shadow Scroll of Wisdom Fail:Inv glyph minorpriest.png [Glyph of the Val'kyr] Holy (Priest) Scroll of Wisdom

Tactics[]

Main article: Priest tactics

Priests are generally regarded as a tough class to play in PvP, but they are highly desired in battlegrounds. They are easily the best healer in the game and a great utility class. While the discipline and holy specializations focus on making very strong healers, the shadow specialization focuses on damage dealing while restoring the party's health and mana at the same time.

Many players regard healing priests as being the jack-of-all-trades healing class due to the great diversity of healing spells at their disposal. This includes direct healing, healing over time, area of effect healing, and the ability to shield targets from damage. Due to this great diversity, a healing priest can heal any encounter while the other healing classes may find it more difficult.

Healing priest tactics generally involve conserving mana while deciding the ideal time to heal. Priests must decide which spell to use and at what time. While Flash Heal and Power Word: Shield may be very mana intensive, they are excellent methods to quickly rescue someone from death. Many priests use a tactic known as stopcasting. In this method, the priest will constantly use Greater Heal; however, if in the 2.5-second cast time the target never takes sufficient damage, the priest will cancel the heal before it goes off and begin recasting.

The goal of a shadow priest is to keep a series of spells with unique cooldowns and durations going constantly. They must cycle through several direct damage, channeled, and damage over time spells. A shadow priest is unique in that Vampiric Embrace restores health to the priest's entire party, which is based upon the damage the priest deals.

End-game expectations[]

Though many priests found themselves originally pigeonholed into a single role in classic World of Warcraft, many are experiencing greater freedom in a post-Burning Crusade raiding environment. Priests are capable of filling both healing and damage-dealing roles, depending on the priest's spec and the need of the raid. This flexibility is further aided by the increased debuff cap making it easier to allow multiple shadow priests to contribute without being detrimental to a raid.

End game healing[]

Proficient and skilled healers are highly valued, capable of utilizing a variety of heals and numerous buffs that benefit raiders such as Power Word: Fortitude and Power Word: Shield. While sometimes considered by some to be mana inefficient when compared with other healing classes, the introduction of the Shadowfiend in the Burning Crusade allows a healing priest to regain a significant amount of mana used to continue healing while providing negligible damage against one target. The use of Lightwell allows raiders to regain health by accessing the conjured well, while Spirit of Redemption allows holy priests to continue casting healing spells on a raid for 15 seconds beyond death with no expense to mana.

For Discipline priests, their strength lies in preventing damage. They cannot put out as much raw healing as holy priests can; however, the strategy for discipline priests is quite different. They prefer to strengthen allies and prevent damage from happening by shielding others. Discipline priests are capable of healing multiple targets, but in a large group their role will usually be to keep the main tank alive. Their specialization focuses on protection. While healing priests do not possess the raid healing output of a druid or the tank healing capabilities of a holy paladin, priests are incredibly proficient at both of theses roles, earning them the name "The jack of all trades, master none".

End-game damage dealing[]

The strength and versatility of a Shadow priest has been recognized as an invaluable asset in both five mans and raids. A shadow priest is capable of contributing significant damage as well as providing a variety of buffs and debuffs that benefit the group as a whole. Vampiric Embrace gives a portion of the shadow priest's single-target shadow damage as a group-wide heal that can aid in keeping the health of group members up; this can be especially helpful when grouped with a tank and warlocks who Life Tap frequently, as well as rogues and Feral druids performing melee damage.

In addition to providing significant damage and buffs, shadow priests have the flexibility to drop out of Shadowform and provide backup healing if the situation warrants, though they typically suffer from reduced bonus healing.

Note[]

The priest prestige class was eliminated from the World of Warcraft RPG and replaced with the priest core class.[2]

See also[]

  • Starting a priest
  • Getting your first wand
  • Priest quests
  • Priest PvE guide
  • Priest PvP guide
  • Useful Macros for Priests

References[]

  1. World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 70
  2. World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game Conversion Document, 1-2

External links[]

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