New test realm patch notes.

[Xanthix]

Yea, I have to agree here.  Holy Nova was barely useful before the changes, and is less useful afterwards.

It suffers from a few limitations...[right][snapback]77575[/snapback][/right]

All the reasons given are indeed reasons not to use Holy Nova, but they themselves do not break the talent. An AOE instant heal is still nifty, as is an instant cast AOE for priests.

The real problem with the talent, and I think the reason people really hate it, is its placement. To get it, you must give up Inner Focus and Silence, two awesome always-useful talents. You must also put lots of points in Holy, probably in Master Healer, which people find less than exciting.

I think Blizzard is looking at the talent itself, which is fine, and ignoring the issue of its placement. Holy Nova is a fine talent (who wouldn't take it if it were a tier 2 or 3 talent?), but it's just underwhelming given its position, and compared to your other options.