Restoration Shaman Healer Guide
Season 2 Restoration Shaman Overview
Restoration Shamans draw on water’s restorative force and totems to heal their allies, fueled by Mana. They use mobility tools like Ghost Wolf and supportive abilities like Far Sight and Astral Recall. Many spells are most efficient when allies are grouped together. With strong cooldowns, HoTs, and single-target heals, Restoration brings solid healing throughput, self-sustain, and utility.
While mobile in Ghost Wolf form, casting while transformed is not possible.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Numerous healing cooldowns available.
Excellent utility: Wind Rush Totem, Thunderstorm, Bloodlust, Ancestral Vigor, Ancestral Protection Totem.
Weaknesses
No tank external cooldowns.
Long cast times outside cooldown windows.
Stat Priority:
Intellect
Crit
Versatility
Mastery
Haste
Patch 11.1 Changes Summary
Removed: Ancestral Guidance, Primordial Wave, Mana Tide Totem.
Added/Updated: Whispering Waves, Mana Tide, Therazane’s Resilience (choice node), Ancestral Vigor (now 2-point).
Buffed: Acid Rain damage (+25%).
Adjusted: Farseer tree retuned with slight nerfs.
Hero Talents: Totemic vs Farseer
Totemic (Recommended)
Focuses on Chain Heal synergy.
Lively Totems and Totemic Coordination boost healing throughput.
Surging Totem replaces Healing Rain, lasts longer, and can be repositioned using Totemic Projection.
Farseer
Calls Ancestors to mimic spell casts.
Summoning options include spell enhancement or frequent procs from Riptide.
Ancestral Swiftness gives more instant-casts and triggers Ancestors.
Summary: Totemic performs better with new tier bonuses and is easier to play in both raids and Mythic+. Farseer offers complexity but is less efficient in 11.1.
Gameplay Priorities in Season 2
Restoration Shaman uses a priority-based healing approach:
Keep Short CDs Active: Riptide, Healing Rain, Unleash Life, Cloudburst Totem/Healing Stream Totem should stay on cooldown.
Cycle Major Cooldowns: Frequent use of cooldowns is essential for high healing output.
Maintain Buffs: Track Earth Shield, Tidebringer, and High Tide while using key spells efficiently.
Always be casting is a central mindset to Restoration gameplay.
Gear and Professions
Professions now offer minimal direct power but solid utility:
Leatherworking: Craft near-BiS armor.
Alchemy: Make your own potions/flasks.
Enchanting: Self-sustain enchants without Auction House reliance.
Racial Picks for Restoration Shamans
Horde Races
Goblin: Rocket Jump adds great mobility.
Highmountain Tauren: Bull Rush helps reposition, plus passive Versatility.
Tauren: War Stomp aids Mythic+ control.
Mag’har Orc: Ancestral Call boosts synergy with healing cooldowns.
Alliance Races
Dwarf: Stoneform removes debuffs and reduces damage.
Dark Iron Dwarf: Fireblood increases primary stat and removes effects.