Priests can't use swords in WoW Forever. They can use daggers, one-handed maces, staves and wands. Two-handed maces, axes, fist weapons, polearms and bows are all out.
This comes from Forever's own game files: the client's weapon skill table (SkillRaceClassInfo, build 1.60.1) lists which classes can learn each skill. Blizzard hasn't published a weapon table of its own, so we checked the files rather than trusting Classic memories.
| Weapon | Priest |
|---|---|
| Daggers | Yes |
| Fist weapons | No |
| One-handed axes | No |
| Two-handed axes | No |
| One-handed maces | Yes |
| Two-handed maces | No |
| One-handed swords | No |
| Two-handed swords | No |
| Polearms | No |
| Staves | Yes |
| Bows, crossbows, guns | No |
| Thrown | No |
| Wands | Yes |
You still have to train it
Weapon skills are learned from weapon masters in the capital cities. If something on the Yes list won't equip, train the skill first. Every class is compared in our class weapons guide.
Pick by stats
Priests cast spells and don't hit with their weapon, so choose the staff, mace or dagger with the stats you want. Healers want Intellect, Spirit and healing power, Shadow wants Intellect and spell damage.
The wand does real work
While leveling, a wand is how Priests finish off enemies without burning Mana, especially as Shadow. Keep upgrading it.
See the Priest guide, the leveling plan and Priest professions.