Patch 5.3 is now live and you as a Healer need to know what has changed and how your playstyle will be effected. With this post, we try and summarize the changes in a simple and quick way so that you can adjust to the changes quickly and continue playing the game. You can read a more thorough coverage of the changes for Healers in Patch 5.3 here and you can of course visit each classes respective Patch 5.3 review page from the links below. But let’s get into it!
What do I need to know as a Resto Druid?
All smart heals for all healers will now heal targets with lower % health and will heal players before pets. Smart Heals for the Resto Druid includes Tranquility, Wild Growth and the AoE effect from Swiftmend.
Tranquility now heals more people in 25 man, including LFR. Remains the same in 10 man. This combined with the smart heal improvement this should increase the healing of Tranquility greatly.
Your Force of Nature Treants has been changed. You can summon 1-3, with each summon having a 20 second cool down, it doesn’t have a cast bar and casts Swiftmend on the target it heals. You could summon 3 Treants and they could cast Swiftmend on 3 different targets!
Single target defensive spell Ironbark can now be used every minute. Use as neccessary.
Swiftmend‘s AoE effect is a bit wider.
Wild Mushrooms have been improved. Use them! No excuses! If you’re not sure how, read our article on Resto Druid Mushrooms.
Stat priority hasn’t really changed. We still aim for:
Spirit (Until comfortable with mana) > Intellect > Haste (At least 12.53%, preferably 21.43%) > Mastery > Crit
Deeper Analysis: Resto Druid Patch 5.3
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What do I need to know as a Mistweaver Monk?
All smart heals for all healers will now heal targets with lower % health and will heal players before pets. Smart Heals for the Mistweaver Monk includes Renewing Mist.
Your main buff costs less mana.
We now have access to the spell Nimble Brew.
Ring of Peace has changed a little bit but shouldn’t change how you use it very much.
Revival now heals more people in 25 man, including LFR. Remains the same in 10 man.
Stat Priority remains pretty much the same:
Spirit (Until comfortable with Mana) > Intellect > Haste (up to at least 16.65% if possible, then up to 21.42% is possible) > Crit > Mastery
Deeper Analysis: Mistweaver Monk 5.3
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What do I need to know as a Holy Paladin?
All smart heals for all healers will now heal targets with lower % health and will heal players before pets. Smart Heals for the Holy Paladin includes spells like Holy Prism, Light of Dawn and the Daybreak buff.
Your baseline class buffs costs a bit less, easier to ensure all buffs are applied at all times.
Devotion Aura now clears any silence effects as well as making you immune to such effects.
Mastery has been nerfed by a small percentage, shouldn’t effect us too much.
The buff we get after casting Holy Radiance: Daybreak has changed a little bit. It now stacks. The first stack heals less, the second stacks heals more.
Stat Priority hasn’t changed. It still remains:
Spirit (Until comfortable with mana) > Intellect > Mastery and/or Haste > Crit.
Deeper Analysis: Holy Paladin 5.3
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What do I need to know as a Holy Priest?
All smart heals for all healers will now heal targets with lower % health and will heal players before pets. Smart Heals for the Holy Priest includes Divine Hymn and Circle of Healing.
Your baseline class buff Power Word: Fort is easier on your mana.
Mass Dispel has a 0.5 second cast time.
Void Shift has a 5 minute cool down. If you have full health, this spell can be used in desperate times as a tank cool down, especially if you have the Desperate Prayer talent.
Divine Hymn now heals more players in 25 man, including LFR. Remains the same for 10 man. Combined with the smart heal change, Divine Hymn will be a lot stronger.
Stats for Holy Priests remain the same: Spirit > Intellect > Haste (at least up to 12.51%, preferably to 16.65%) > Mastery > Crit
Deeper Analysis: Disc & Holy Priest 5.3
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What do I need to know as a Disc Priest?
All smart heals for all healers will now heal targets with lower % health and will heal players before pets. Smart Heals for the Disc Priest includes Atonement.
Your baseline class buff Power Word: Fort is easier on your mana.
Void Shift has a 5 minute cool down. If you have full health, this spell can be used in desperate times as a tank cool down, especially if you have the Desperate Prayer talent.
Atonement healing has been nerfed by 10%. Brings us closer to other specs.
Borrowed Time reduces cast time instead of effecting Haste. Penance consumes the effect now.
Penance damages for less(10%), heals for more(10%).
If you’re into Atonement healing (healing through DPS) then:
Spirit (until comfortable with mana) > Intellect > Crit > Mastery = Haste
If you’re into direct healing and bubbles then:
Spirit (until comfortable with mana) > Intellect > Mastery > Haste = Crit
Deeper Analysis: Disc & Holy Priest 5.3
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What do I need to know as a Resto Shaman?
All smart heals for all healers will now heal targets with lower % health and will heal players before pets. Smart Heals for the Resto Shaman includes Healing Rain, Chain Heal and Healing Stream Totem.
Stat prority remains the same:
Spirit (until comfortable with mana) > Intellect > Haste (up to 12.5% or 20.01% if possible) > Mastery > Crit
Retrospective Analysis: Resto Shaman 5.3