Best healer for PvE and PvP
Answer two questions. We rank the classes with our own scores and tiers and show why. Race picks follow the faction switch at the top.
What will you do most?
Which role?
Our picks for you
RecommendationRanked by the average of our PvE and PvP tiers for each class's best healer spec, then by our overall score. PvE desirability (0–5): spec performance, role scarcity, raid utility, and supply — fewer players of a class means more groups want you. PvP (0–5): community PvP tiers plus CC, escapes and self-healing. Equal weight. These are our own scores from those inputs, not a published ranking.
No healer spec: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Mage, Warlock.
Our picks: PvE Holy · PvP Discipline · Leveling Shadow
Alliance race: HumanHorde race: Undead
PvE: Healers are the scarcest slot; second-least-played class; Fortitude + Shadow Weaving.
The raid healer: Holy Specialization crit, Inspiration, Binding Heal (row 4), Spirit of Redemption → Prayer of Mending capstone.
Recommendation- 9.3% of beta characters play a Priest Sourced: Beta census · 11 Oct
Shaman Restoration
Our tier S / AOur picks: PvE Restoration · PvP Enhancement · Leveling Enhancement
Alliance race: DwarfHorde race: Orc
PvE: Since 24 Sep a group gets only one of Windfury, Grace of Air and Tranquil Air, even from different Shamans, so raids spread their Shamans across groups.
Heals with Chain Heal, Mana Tide (row 4), Nature's Swiftness, Purification and the Riptide capstone (requires Healing Way 3/3).
Recommendation- 11% of beta characters play a Shaman Sourced: Beta census · 11 Oct
Druid Restoration
Our tier A / AOur picks: PvE Feral Combat · PvP Restoration · Leveling Feral Combat
Alliance race: Night ElfHorde race: Tauren
HoT-and-run, Nature's Swiftness, Swiftmend, Wild Growth, Natural Shapeshifter for cheap form-hopping out of roots. Best mobile healer in a battleground.
Recommendation- 11.3% of beta characters play a Druid Sourced: Beta census · 11 Oct