WoW BfA Best Healers (Ranked)

Updated:

21 May 2020

What kind of healer do you want to be?

Most people think the most important raid role is the tank. In some aspects I suppose you’d be right. However the healer is truly the most valuable role.. Without the healer, the team is sure to fall. Think about it, what does it matter your DPS output if the pre boss mobs kill you?

In this list we are going to look at the 6 different healing specs available. They will be ranked from worst to best according to strengths, weaknesses, and overall utility to the group.

6. Holy Priest (109k max heals)

"Let my light be your guide."

Overall, holy priests are capable of large amounts of heals. They are great at hitting the HPS (heals per second) requirements. However they do rank very low on this list due to some pretty unforgiving shortcomings.

Strengths:
Strong sustained healing
Powerful raid CD in Divine Hymn
Impeccable for raid and spot heals alike
Weaknesses:
Low mobility and defensives
Weak burst heals
Overall lacking of damage reduction abilities
Holy priest would do well vs The Queen’s Court
Example Holy Priest Build:
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-gb/character/eu/hyjal/Faeye

5. Discipline Priest (105k max heals)

"By the light of Elune, I'll smite you!"

Like the holy priest, discipline spec ranks pretty low on our list. In the higher dungeons, discipline has an overall struggle with throughput. This spec does do pretty well in raids over all, but is kind of lacking in 5 mans.

Strengths:
Single Target and AOE damage reduction
Mass dispel and Life grip are both exceedingly powerful
Strong Defensive CD’s
Powerful burst heals
Weaknesses:
Low mobility
Unforgiving if mistakes are made
Lacking any major utility
This spec does well against in the Eternal Palace
Example Discipline Build:
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/character/us/stormrage/Fairyyun

4. Restoration Shaman (100k max heals)

"Let the waves wash away the pain."

Shaman is one of those good all around classes to play. Though a bit lower on the HPS than other classes, shamans are great for tank and group heals. They are constantly being buffed and nerfed, so that is a big reason that it’s in the middle of this list.

Strengths:
Powerful raid heals with Chain Heal
Spirit Link is a powerful ability, though it has the drawback of a long CD
Only healer with a true interrupt (Wind Shear)
Battle Rez
Weaknesses:
Not very effective in wide spread fights
Low mobility bc of some longer cast times
Struggles with throughput in some higher keys
Shaman would make a great healer for Galvazzt
Example Restoration Shaman Build:
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-gb/character/eu/draenor/Luk%C3%A0

3. Holy Paladin (108k max heals)

"Rise my comrade, and continue the fight!"

Paladin in general is an amazing class to play. They have the benefit of plate armor and several mobility boosters. Though they are of high value in raids and dungeons, Paladins are one of the tougher classes to master.

Strengths:
Powerful, mana-efficient ST heals
Very powerful immunity in Divine Shield
Strong defensive CD’s
Great damage reduction utilities
Immunity to movement effects with Blessing of Freedom
Weaknesses:
Glimmer of light was nerfed horribly for 8.3
Not the best with mobility, though this weakness rates pretty low here
Struggles with multiple spread targets
This particular healer is prime for Mythic dungeons. It would also do well in most raid bosses like Wrathion, Vexiona, and Lady Azshara
Example Holy Paladin Build:
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/character/us/area-52/Ellesm%C3%AAre

2. Restoration Druid (103k max heals)

"Embrace the love nature has to offer!"

The druid has always been known as one of the best healers in the game, even since Vanilla. They are very well rounded and versatile. This class focuses more on preemptive heals with various HOT’s, all but one being an instant cast. Those preemptive HOT’s can be an obstacle however.

Strengths:
Great personal defensive utilities
Multiple powerful debuffs
Able to talent in to more defensives at the cost of DPS
Good sustained Heals while moving, making it great for tank heals
Weaknesses:
Below average throughput once CD’s are all used up
Unpredictable spot healing
Can over HOT, leading to bad mana management
Druid heals is highly desired in most groups, but does well in High Keys and against fights like Wrathion and Prophet Skitra
Example Restoration Druid Build:
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/character/us/illidan/Ventor

1. Mistweaver Monk (100k max heals)

"Jade serpant guide you!"

To round out our list, we have the monk. The max heals is lower than many of the other classes, but their utility and overall perks makes up for that. Overall, they have great immunities, mobility boosters, and they wear chain mail. This is the tankiest healer I’ve seen in game.