Restoration Shamansreceived a number of improvements to the way they heal inWoW Classic: Wrath of the Lich King.No longer are they the specialists for raid healing back in TBC with their constantChain Healcasting.
The talents have been reworked to provide more powerful heals withTidal WavesandTidal Force, better mana efficiency withImproved Water Shield, and a sort of smart healing for low health targetsAncestral Awakening. There is also a new instant cast heal from the talent:Riptidegiving more options to heal while on the move.
All Totems, including the new reworkedCleansing Totem, andBloodlust/Heroismare now also raid-wide, this is great news for the raid, but diminishes the need for multiple shamans.
If you want to know which race to play as a Restoration Shaman check out themain page for Shamans in WotLKfor more detail. Most players will choose Trolls for theBerserkinghaste buff.
Best Talent Build For Restoration Shaman
Restoration Shamans have little variation in their talent selection. The main differences depend on if your focus isTank HealingorRaid Healing. Here is the standard Healing Talent build with the variations explained below.
Stat Priority For Restoration Shamans
The biggest thing to remember for gear with Resto Shamans is item level, the higher the item level the more the stats. The stat priority below is a general guide that can change depending on the duration of the fight. Spellpower is the prime stat to increase overall healing done. Shorter fights favor Haste over Mp5 and longer fights favor the reverse to conserve mana.
Critical Strike Rating has some importance due to the talentsImproved Water ShieldandAncestral Awakeningbenefiting from critical heals. Spirit is largely not a strong stat to have as Shamans are rarely stopping to cast for 5 seconds to benefit from it.
How To Heal As Restoration Shaman
To effectively heal as a Resto Shaman players should start by placing the totems that would benefit the group most. This will depend on what other classes are in the raid so knowledge of every totems buff and which players benefit from them is key.
There are many other situational totems that are less often seen but can be extremely useful depending on the specific encounter.
Secondly, always maintainWater Shieldfor mana regeneration andEarthliving Weaponimbued on your main hand weapon.
MaintainEarth Shieldon the target taking the majority of the damage, which is often the tank.
CastChain Healfor AoE healing; castHealing Wavefor big heals.
CastLesser Healing Wavefor quick emergency healing, or if choosing the Tank Healing Spec (with the appropriate talents and glyphs) it is the primary heal for when tanks are taking a lot of damage.
Riptideis a quick and effective heal with a heal-over-time effect that can be cast while moving. Use it liberally to keep the buff on as many targets as possible to increase the effectiveness of Chain Heal.
Best Gems For Restoration Shaman
Restoration Shamans have to balance between Mana Regeneration for long fights and throughput or healing per second for short fights. Following the stat priority previously explained choose the following gems depending on your needs.
Blacksmithing(400) provides 2 extra sockets withSocket BracerandSocket Gloves
+30 Spell Power and +20 Crit Rating
Greater Inscription of theStorm
+24 Spell Power and +15 Crit Rating
+1 Socket to Belt
+50 Spell Power and +30 Stamina
+7 mana and health every 5 seconds
Enchant Ring -Greater Spellpower(RequiresEnchanting400)
+23 Spell Power
The Enchants that require a specific profession should always take precedent over the above, they are as follows:
15Emblem of Heroism(Dalaran)
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Totem of the Bay
Purchased from Purkom for 30 Venture Coins
The best in slot headpiece is the one crafted from engineering, however only players with engineering can wear it. The next best option is dropped from Prince Keleseth in Utgard Keep
Remember that this armor piece will have the Socket to place theInsightful Earthsiege Diamond.
25%
25Emblem of Heroism(Dalaran)
Shoulder Slot
The Sunwell Plateau shouldersErupting Epauletsare still pretty decent for this slot. If you don’t already have it or are incapable of farming for it, these options are also really good. The Tier 6 shoulders are also still respectable, especially if you may maintain set bonuses.
2%
Mantle of the Tribunal
Back Slot
Both Tailoring back pieces are great options for either throughput or mana efficiency depending on your preference.Tattered Cape of Antonidasfrom Kil’jaeden still holds up in pre-raid encounters.
Tailoring(420). Pattern requires completion of
Tailoring(420). Pattern requires completion ofNorthrend Dungeonmaster
Chest Slot
Definitely save up your Emblems for the Tier 7 chestpiece as it provides a big chunk of stats and works towards the set bonuses. Otherwise, the reputation chest piece and Leatherworking crafted one both have a good set of stats.
80Emblem of Heroism(Dalaran)
33%
Wrist Slot
The bracers that drop from the last boss of Heroic Drak’Tharon Keep are the best option in this slot. Maintaining the set bonus from Tier 6 with one of the 3 items that don’t overlap with Tier 7, such asSkyshatter Bracers, is also an option.
20%
Hands Slot
Here’s where you may obtain the second piece of Tier 7 to achieve the 2-set bonus pre-raid and it is worthwhile to do so.
Waist Slot
Another spot to spend your Emblems is here with the first option. It is simply the best in slot waist due to its high stats. Maintaining the set bonus from Tier 6 with one of the 3 items that don’t overlap with Tier 7, such asSkyshatter Belt, is anpther option.
40Emblem of Heroism(Dalaran)
Legs Slot
Another reason to farm the last boss of Heroic Drak’Tharon Keep, the same boss that drops the best wrist slot item. Lots of great options depending on your throughput or mana regen needs.
Feet Slot
Most of these boots are very close in terms of their relative power, the Tier 6 BootsSkyshatter Bootsare also still great to maintain the set bonus.
Rings
If you have the gold, the Dalaran teleport ring is a great option, it can also be upgrade later on so it’s not a total waste when better gear is available.
