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Restoration Druid Healer Beginner's Guide - Battle for Azeroth 8.3
By Jaydaa
Last updated
2020/02/12 at 2:38 AM
View Changelog
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Guide Navigation
Looking to start playing a Restoration Druid in World of Warcraft and just want simple advice? Look no further! In this guide, we will cover everything you need to start easily playing a Restoration Druid in , without all the fuss of detailed guides Whether you're new to the spec, a casual achievement hunter, or a returning player looking to refamiliarize yourself with Restoration in Battle for Azeroth, these easy guidelines, covering simple and effective talents, rotation, and gear setup, will get you into the action as easily as possible.
Please keep in mind that this page is meant to get beginner players started quickly, and does not contain much in the way of detailed explanations, mechanics, competitive options, gearing, simulation comparisons, or nuance. For more in-depth information, including all those optimizations and more, check out the complete Restoration Druid Guide pages linked in the navigation on the left-hand side of the page.
If you need help leveling to 120 in Battle for Azeroth, check out our
leveling tips
.
Overview
Beginners
Azerite
Essences
NEW Corruptio̵̦͚̽̿n-̴̤̤̗͓̘̖̖̖̜̊̎̈́͗̀͗̅͂̌͑̚͠
Talent Builds
Rotation, Priority, and Abilities
Advanced Concepts
Stats
Gear
Consumables
Simulations
Correcting Mistakes
Mythic+
NEW Ny'alotha Tips
Macros & Addons
WeakAuras
Common Terms
About the Author
This guide is currently updated and maintained by
Jaydaa
. I've been raiding in WoW for almost 15 years at various levels of progression. I've contributed to the theorycrafting of multiple healing classes, notably Mistweaver Monks and Restoration Druids. Find me on
Twitter
or on the
Wowhead Discord
username Jaydaa#2814.
Talents
These Restoration Druid builds are well rounded and suited for group content. More information on all of the different talents choices and reasons for using them can be found on the
Resto Druid Talent Guide
.
Rotation
This is a simple priority for Resto Druids, though situations and circumstances can vary. If someone in danger of dying, then you should take whatever action necessary to prevent it regardless of how inefficient or where the action falls in this priority. More information about ability priority, important ability explanations, and advanced tips can be found in the
Restoration Druid Rotation Guide
.
Keep
Lifebloom
and
Rejuvenation
on the active tank at all times.
Lifebloom
can be swapped to non-tank targets that are taking moderate to heavy damage or to yourself if using
Photosynthesis
.
Keep
Efflorescence
active under injured targets. Usually keeping it in melee is a safe bet. However, if the ranged are taking significant raid damage and are mostly stacked you can use it there as well.
Wild Growth
on cooldown when incoming AoE damage occurs.
Use
Swiftmend
on cooldown on priority targets.
Consume
Omen of Clarity
buffs with
Regrowth
on heavily injured targets.
Use
Rejuvenation
as a filler raid healing ability by spreading
Rejuvenation
to players that are (or are about to) taking damage.
Use
Moonfire
,
Sunfire
, and
Solar Wrath
as damaging filler abilities during periods of little to zero incoming damage.
Use
Tranquility
or
Incarnation: Tree of Life
when the entire group or raid is heavily injured being mindful of other healers' raid cooldowns.
Use
Flourish
when you need additional healing from your HoTs.
Stat Priority
Restoration Druids mainly prioritize item level, and secondary stats can shift depending on what content you'd like to emphasize. Find out more about how stats work in the
Stats Guide
, or you can get an overview of gear to look out for from dungeons and raids in the
Restoration Druid Gear Guide
.
Dungeons
Mastery
Intellect
Haste
Crit
Vers
Raids
Intellect
Haste
Mastery
Crit
Vers
Enhancements
Only two gear slots can be enchanted by all players in Battle for Azeroth: weapons and rings. There are also glove enchants which can assist with professions, Enchanter-only bracer enchants which modify hearthstone use, and Tailor-only cloak enchants which reduce threat slightly.
Weapons:
Enchant Weapon - Machinist's Brilliance
.
Ring:
Enchant Ring - Accord of Haste
or
Enchant Ring - Accord of Mastery
Gems:
Leviathan's Eye of Intellect
and
Masterful Sea Currant
or
Quick Sand Spinel
Gear
Gearing up is relatively quick between World Quests, Dungeons, N'Zoth Assaults, and PvP. See our
Battle for Azeroth Gearing Guide
to learn which avenue of acquiring gear sounds the most interesting for you. All Season 4 gear can proc Corrupted affixes, so gear from any Season 4 source can be a huge upgrade for new players.
For quick reference, I've added some gear lists from N'Zoth Assaults in 8.3, dungeons, world bosses, and the Benthic Armor system in 8.2. These activities are probably the easiest to jump into. For more detailed information, please see the
Restoration Druid Gear Guide
.
Visions of N'Zoth introduce Black Empire Invasions as a World Event. These are assaults led by minions of N'Zoth that occur in
Uldum
and
Vale of Eternal Blossoms
. In these invasions, players will complete special objectives and then defeat a notable commander in each zone allowing players to
obtain gear that scales to 440 ilvl and 410/415 bind-on-account gear tokens
. For more information on N'Zoth Assaults please see our
N'Zoth Assaults Guide
.
Slot
Name
Helms
Guise of the Insatiable Maw
/
Visage of the Insatiable Maw
- Contains the new
Heart of Darkness
8.3 trait.
Shoulders
Mantle of the Insatiable Maw
/
Shoulderpads of the Insatiable Maw
- Contains the new
Heart of Darkness
8.3 trait.
Chest
Chestguard of the Insatiable Maw
/
Vest of the Insatiable Maw
- Contains the new
Heart of Darkness
8.3 trait.
Bracers
Armguards of the Insatiable Maw
/
Bindings of the Insatiable Maw
/
Coils of the Insatiable Maw
/
Wristwraps of the Insatiable Maw
Gloves
Handguards of the Insatiable Maw
/
Handwraps of the Insatiable Maw
/
Gloves of the Insatiable Maw
/
Grips of the Insatiable Maw
Belt
Girdle of the Insatiable Maw
/
Grasp of the Insatiable Maw
/
Waistguard of the Insatiable Maw
/
Belt of the Insatiable Maw
Legs
Trousers of the Insatiable Maw
/
Breeches of the Insatiable Maw
/
Leggings of the Insatiable Maw
/
Legwraps of the Insatiable Maw
Boots
Footguards of the Insatiable Maw
/
Footwraps of the Insatiable Maw
/
Boots of the Insatiable Maw
/
Footpads of the Insatiable Maw
Slot
Name
Base Item Level
Drop Location
Weapon
Liara's Spire
415
Ulmath
(Nazjatar World Boss)
Weapon
Moon Priestess' Baton
415
Ulmath
(Nazjatar World Boss)
*Helm
Guise of the Voracious Prowler
445
Grand Empress Shek'zara
(Visions of N'Zoth World Boss)
Shoulders
Spitcharged Shoulderguards
415
Wekemara
(Nazjatar World Boss)
Cloak
Cloak of Restless Spirits
415
Ulmath
(Nazjatar World Boss)
Belt
Belt of Rising Guardians
415
Wekemara
(Nazjatar World Boss)
*Legs
Grotesque Mutilator's Leggings
445
Vuk'laz the Earthbreaker
(Visions of N'Zoth World Boss)
*Ring
Loop of Abhorrent Celerity
445
Grand Empress Shek'zara
(Visions of N'Zoth World Boss)
*Ring
Band of Insidious Ruminations
445
Vuk'laz the Earthbreaker
(Visions of N'Zoth World Boss)
Trinket
Enthraller's Bindstone
415
Ulmath
(Nazjatar World Boss)
Trinket
Shockbiter's Fang
415
Wekemara
(Nazjatar World Boss)
* - Indicates new world boss loot in Patch 8.3 - Visions of Azshara.
Slot
Name
Base Mythic Item Level
Drop Location
Weapon
Staff of the Lightning Serpent
430
Temple of Sethraliss
Helm
High Altitude Turban
430
Mogul Razdunk
in
The MOTHERLODE!!
Shoulders
Gorak Tul's Mantle
430
Gorak Tul
in
Waycrest Manor
Cloak
Drape of the Loyal Vassal
430
Atal'Dazar
Chest
Spymaster's Wrap
430
Yazma
in
Atal'Dazar
Bracers
Wristguards of the Sandswimmer
430
Tol Dagor
Benthic gear is a new system in Patch 8.2 - Rise of Azshara that allows players to obtain bind-on-account 385 item level gear and upgrade it just short of Heroic Eternal Palace raid level gear (425 Item Level) by doing world content on Nazjatar. For more information on Benthic Gear please see our
Benthic Armor Guide by Sangheilios
.
Benthic Piece
Potential Items and Special Effects
Benthic Helm
Fathomstalker Headcover
Contains the
Loyal to the End
8.2 trait.
Benthic Spaulders
Fathomstalker Shoulderpads
Contains the
Undulating Tides
8.2 trait.
Benthic Chestguard
Fathomstalker Wraps
Contains the
Arcane Heart
8.2 trait.
Benthic Leggings
Fathomstalker Breeches
Heals a small amount after killing a naga in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Legwraps
Speed increased by a small amount in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Leggings
You are 5% larger while in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Benthic Girdle
Fathomstalker Waistband
You do 2% increased damage to Aberrations in nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Vim's Scalecrusher Clasp
While in Nazjatar or the Eternal Palace, your spells and abilities have a chance to deal Physical damage and increased threat to enemies in a small area around the target.
Benthic Bracers
Fathomstalker Bindings
You are more likely to find items connected to Nazjatar's ecosystem.
Fathomstalker Coils
You have a chance to deal damage to attackers and slow them by 15% for 5 seconds when attacked in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Neri's Wavebreaker Bindings
Your spells and abilities have a chance to deal physical damage to nearby enemies while in Nazjatar or the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Wristwraps
Your spells and abilities have a chance to summon a pufferfish that explodes and deals damage to targets within 8 yards of you.
Fathomstalker Armbands
Your swim speed is increased by 5% in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Ori's Tidal Wristwraps
While in Nazjatar or the Eternal Palace, your spells and abilities have a chance to deal Frost damage to your target, slowing them for 6 seconds.
Benthic Cloak
Azsh'ari Stormsurger Cape
You have access to the Murloc traders' special stocks.
Shirakess Drape
Your Frost damage taken is reducd by 2% while in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Zanj'ir Scaleguard Greatcloak
Increases health gained when resurrected by 30% while in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Cloak
You have a chance to loot a random fish from creatures in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Benthic Treads
Fathomstalker Footwraps
Your mount speed is increased by 5% in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Boots
Gain Mastery for an amount of time after killing an Aberation in Nazjatar or the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Footpads
Your falling damage is reduced by 25% in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Akana's Reefstrider Footwraps
Increases the damage you deal with Critical Strkes while in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace by 3%.
Benthic Gauntlets
Fathomstalker Gloves
You take 2% reduced shadow damage while in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace.
Fathomstalker Grips
You are more likely to find strange resources related to Mardivas.
Poen's Deepsea Grips
While in Nazjatar or the Eternal Palace, your spells and abilities have a chance to send out droplets which heal allies or deal Frost damage to enemies.
Fathomstalker Handwraps
While in Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace, your critical strikes have a chance to heal you for a small amount over 10 seconds.
Inowari's Waterdancer Grips
Taking damage in Nazjatar or the Eternal Palace has a chance to increase your Dodge and heal you every 2 seconds for 10 seconds.
If you're looking to maximize your Benthic gear, I recommend looking for pieces with a socket or leech before upgrading them to 425.
Corrupted Gear
Corrupted gear
is a new system that is being added in Patch 8.3 Visions of N'zoth. This system is being added to replace Titanforging and will only apply to relevant content from Season 4 or N'Zoth Assaults and Horrific Visions. Corrupted Items have a bonus positive affix on them, but come at the cost of having a Corruption stat on them. As players rack up more Corruption, more debuffs and negative effects will be applied, making it harder and harder to survive.
Below is a rough grouping of the value of corruptions for Restoration Druid per point of Corruption. Most corruptions with varying tiers of corruption cost will have similar value per point of corruption unless otherwise stated. Ideally, you'll want to stay within the corruption bracket you're comfortable with. I recommend not going above 60-80 corruption. Avoid cleansing an item as you might be able to equip it later with more Corruption Resistance or it may receive tuning as Season 4 continues. Please see our
Corrupted Gear for Restoration Druid
guide for more information.
Void Ritual
: Gain Void Ritual, giving your spells and abilities a chance to increase all secondary stats by
32
every sec for 20 sec. This chance is increased if at least 2 nearby allies also have Void Ritual.With the Feb 10th hotfixes this is one of the best corruptions for Restoration Druids especially when you can bump the proc rate in groups.
Expedient
: Increases the amount of Haste you gain from all sources by
12%
.
Masterful
: Increases the amount of Mastery you gain from all sources by
12%
.
Severe
: Increases the amount of Critical Strike you gain from all sources by
12%
.
Versatile
: Increases the amount of Versatility you gain from all sources by
12%
.
Strikethrough
: Increases the damage and healing you deal with Critical Strikes by
4%
.
Racing Pulse
: Your spells and abilities have a chance to increase your Haste by
1275
for 4 sec.
Surging Vitality
: Taking damage has a chance to increase your Versatility by
728
for 20 sec.
Honed Mind
: Your spells and abilities have a chance to increase your Mastery by
915
for 10 sec.
Flat amplifications tend to be better than the procs, but only slightly per point of corruption.
Weak Healing Throughput per point of Corruption
Ineffable Truth
: Your Spells and Abilities have a chance to show you the Ineffable Truth, increasing the rate your cooldowns recover by
50%
for 10 sec.
Restoration Druid does gain some benefit, but we're not typically a cooldown limited healing class.
Siphoner
: Increases your Leech by
8%
.
After the live corruption increase to Leech this one has fallen to weak in comparison to others. Localized healing increase on the healer. Diminishes in value with greater additional Leech.
Deadly Momentum
: Your critical hits have a chance to increase your Critical Strike by
72
for 15 sec, stacking up to 5 times.
Amounts of stats you gain is underbudget for the corruption cost. Expect Tuning.
Glimpse of Clarity
: Your spells and abilities have a chance to grant you a Glimpse of Clarity, reducing the cooldown of your next 1 spell cast by 3 sec.
Restoration Druid does gain some benefit, but we're not typically a cooldown limited healing class.
Defensive Use Only
Avoidant
: Your Avoidance is increased by an amount equal to
16%
of your Haste.
Damage Only - Only good for dealing additional damage. Do not contribute to healing throughput.
Echoing Void
: Your damaging abilities build the Echoing Void. Each time it builds, Echoing Void has a chance to collapse, dealing
2.50%
of your Health as Shadow damage to all nearby enemies every 1 sec until no stacks remain.
Infinite Stars
: Your spells and abilities have a chance to strike a nearby enemy with an Infinite Star, dealing (
415%
of Spell power) Arcane damage and increasing their damage taken from your Infinite Stars by 25%, stacking up to 10 times.
Twilight Devastation
: Your attacks have a chance to trigger a beam of Twilight Devastation, dealing damage equal to
18.00%
of your health to all enemies in front of you.
Twisted Appendage
: Your attacks have a chance to spawn a tentacle which Mind Flays your target for
142% Attack or Spell Power
Shadow damage every second for 10 sec.
Gushing Wound
: Your damaging spells and abilities have a chance to cause your target to ooze blood, dealing 91% of Attack or Spell power damage over 7 sec.
Azerite Armor
Thanks to the
Knowledge
catch-up mechanism, you'll be able to empower your
Heart of Azeroth
exceptionally quicker. Azerite requirements will be reduced by 30% each week, meaning you'll be required to collect less Azerite in order to reach different levels with your
Heart of Azeroth
. At certain Azerite levels, you're able to unlock Azerite Traits on your Azerite Armor. For more information, please visit our
Azerite Armor Guide
For reference, I've included some of the Best Azerite Pieces from Dungeons & Titan Residuum as well as
Ny'alotha, the Waking City
. For more in-depth information about Azerite Traits and Armor, please see
Resto Druid Azerite Guide
.
Slot
Name
Drop Location
Azerite Traits Chosen
Helm
Stygian Guise
Maut
Rampant Growth
,
Heart of Darkness
,
Lifespeed
, and
Impassive Visage
Shoulders
Pauldrons of the Great Convergence
N'Zoth the Corruptor
Waking Dream
,
Heart of Darkness
,
Lifespeed
, and
Reawakening
Chest
Tortured Fleshbeast Cuirass
N'Zoth the Corruptor
Early Harvest
,
Heart of Darkness
,
Woundbinder
, and
Ursoc's Endurance
Slot
Name
Drop Location
Azerite Traits Chosen
Helm
High Altitude Turban
Mogul Razdunk
in
The MOTHERLODE!!
Waking Dream
,
Lively Spirit
,
Blood Siphon
, and
Resounding Protection
Shoulders
Gorak Tul's Mantle
Gorak Tul
in
Waycrest Manor
Early Harvest
/
Lively Spirit
,
Blightborne Infusion
,
On My Way
, and
Self Reliance
Chest
Spymaster's Wrap
Yazma
in
Atal'Dazar
Autumn Leaves
,
Rampant Growth
,
Synergistic Growth
, and
Resounding Protection
Azerite Essences
In Patch 8.2
Rise of Azshara
, a new type of customization has been added to the Heart of Azeroth called Essences. This allows players to gain talent-like Major and Minor Powers based on which Essences they decide to place into the Heart of Azeroth. In Patch 8.3
Visions of N'Zoth
you gain an additional minor essence slot at
Heart of Azeroth
level 75.
Check out our
Heart of Azeroth Essence Overview
for more general information on the Essence system. For Restoration Druid specific information, check out our
Restoration Druid Azerite Essence Guide
.
Slot
Name
Major
The Ever-Rising Tide
Minor
The Well of Existence
Minor
Conflict and Strife
Minor
Spirit of Preservation
Slot
Name
Major
Memory of Lucid Dreams
Minor
The Ever-Rising Tide
Minor
Conflict and Strife
Minor
The Well of Existence
or
Unwavering Ward
Our Restoration Druid guides are always updated with the latest information from in-game experience, simulations, and logs; make sure to check our changelog to this page, by clicking on
View Changelog
at the top of the page. If you are interested in more in-depth Restoration Druid guides for Visions of N'zoth, Battle for Azeroth's third and final content patch, make sure to browse the
Navigation Bar
below, and our list of
Related Guides
just beneath the
Table of Contents
.
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