Healer tier list for WoW Forever beta ranks all 4 healer specs by raid + dungeon + PvP performance.
For broader content, see our Class Tier Lists, Best Race-Class, and Talent Builds articles.
Quick summary: S tier: Disc Priest + Holy Paladin. A tier: Resto Druid + Holy Priest. All 4 healers viable in beta.
Healer tier list
S tier (must-pick)
| Spec |
Strength |
| Discipline Priest |
Atonement (unique heal-via-DPS) |
| Holy Paladin |
Blessing + Lay on Hands |
A tier (strong)
| Spec |
Strength |
| Restoration Druid |
Mobility + HoT |
| Holy Priest |
Spirit scaling + CoH |
Best healer for raid
| Rank |
Spec |
Why |
| 1 |
Disc Priest |
Atonement + Smite damage |
| 2 |
Holy Paladin |
Blessing + Lay on Hands |
| 3 |
Holy Priest |
Spirit scaling |
| 4 |
Resto Druid |
Mobility + HoT |
Best healer for dungeon
| Rank |
Spec |
Why |
| 1 |
Resto Druid |
Mobility + HoT |
| 2 |
Disc Priest |
Atonement |
| 3 |
Holy Priest |
CoH + group heal |
| 4 |
Holy Paladin |
Blessing + plate |
Best healer for PvP
| Rank |
Spec |
Why |
| 1 |
Disc Priest |
Atonement + dispel |
| 2 |
Resto Druid |
Mobility + Cyclone |
| 3 |
Holy Paladin |
Plate + bubble |
| 4 |
Holy Priest |
CoH + Fear Ward |
Stat priority (Disc Priest)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Spirit |
1 (mana regen) |
| Spell Power |
2 |
| Hit |
3 (cap 17%) |
| Crit |
4 |
| Intellect |
5 (mana pool) |
Stat priority (Holy Paladin)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Intellect |
1 (mana pool) |
| Spirit |
2 (mana regen) |
| Spell Power |
3 |
| Crit |
4 |
| MP5 |
5 (when Spirit capped) |
Stat priority (Resto Druid)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Spirit |
1 (HoT scaling) |
| Spell Power |
2 |
| Intellect |
3 |
| MP5 |
4 |
Stat priority (Holy Priest)
| Stat |
Priority |
| Spirit |
1 (CoH scaling) |
| Spell Power |
2 |
| Intellect |
3 |
| Crit |
4 |
Healer gear (level 20-30)
Pre-bis gear
| Slot |
Item |
Source |
| Head |
Cenarion Cowl |
Quest |
| Shoulders |
Cenarion Shoulders |
Quest |
| Chest |
Cenarion Vestments |
Quest |
| Legs |
Cenarion Pants |
Quest |
Healer rotations
Disc Priest rotation
- Smite (damage = heal via Atonement)
- Penance (channel heal)
- Power Word: Shield (preemptive heal)
- Flash Heal (emergency)
- Pain Suppression (CD)
Holy Paladin rotation
- Holy Light (big heal)
- Flash of Light (fast heal)
- Beacon of Light (passive)
- Lay on Hands (emergency)
- Avenging Wrath (CD)
Resto Druid rotation
- Rejuvenation (HoT)
- Lifebloom (HoT + bloom)
- Regrowth (HoT + direct)
- Swiftmend (consume HoT)
- Tranquility (CD)
Holy Priest rotation
- Circle of Healing (group heal)
- Prayer of Healing (group heal)
- Greater Heal (big heal)
- Flash Heal (fast heal)
- Desperate Prayer (CD)
Common healer mistakes
| Mistake |
Cost |
| Low spirit |
OOM |
| No consumables |
Slow recovery |
| Pre-heal panic |
Overheal |
| No mana management |
Death |
Healer addons
| Addon |
Purpose |
| VuhDo |
Healer raid frames |
| Grid2 |
Lightweight frames |
| WeakAuras |
Cooldown tracking |
| Details! |
Healing meter |
FAQ
What’s the best healer?
Disc Priest (Atonement is unique).
Best healer for 5-man?
Resto Druid (mobility + HoT).
Best healer for PvP?
Disc Priest (Atonement + dispel).
Final verdict
S tier: Disc Priest + Holy Paladin. A tier: Resto Druid + Holy Priest.
Whatever you choose, Disc Priest is unique.
For more content, see our Class Tier Lists, Best Race-Class, Talent Builds, and Best Addons articles.