Greetings Pallies! Well, Patch 5.3 is about a day away so we thought we’d get this out for you before it hits. There aren’t many changes for the Holy Paladin in Patch 5.3, but there’s a couple worth mentioning. Like all healers, there will be some changes to general healing even before each class is changed, so it’s best to check them out here if you haven’t already… Now let’s get into it!
General
Blessing of Kings had its mana cost reduced to 5%, down from 22.3%.
Blessing of Might had its mana cost reduced to 5%, down from 22.3%.
As with Druid’s and Priests, the “raid-wide” baseline class buffs have been reduced to almost nothing. This is a welcome change of course, as it will mean that we will be more inclined to rebuff while in combat, for example after a fellow party/raid member been rezzed mid-combat. Our mana pools won’t take such a hit. Not a huge change but something to keep in mind.
Devotion Aura now clears all silence effects when used.
Another welcome change, as we’ll still be able to benefit from the magic damage reduction that Devotion Aura provides if silenced and it also breaks silencing effects that you are already under. So if you are silenced, then use Devotion Aura, you will be free to cast again. Handy in PvE, very handy in PvP!Holy
Mastery: Illuminated Healing now places an absorb shield for 10% of the amount healed, down from 12%.
A reduction in our Mastery unfortunately effectively means a reduction in our “healing”. Much like Disc Priests, Holy Paladins and their shielding heals have reigned supreme for some time now. We believe this small 2% reduction is simply to bring them us in line with other healing specs.
Daybreak is now a stackable effect with a duration of 10 seconds, stacks up to 2 times, and causes the next Holy Shock to also heal other allies within 10 yards of the target for an amount equal to 75%150% of the original healing done. Daybreak no longer incorrectly hits the primary target of the Holy Shock.
A buff to Daybreak! A bit of a rework but it’s not too complicated. You can use it like you were, but now it stacks up to two times. Using Holy Shock after the first stack will heal 25% less than it was – BUT – using Holy Shock after the second stack will heal other allies within 10 yards of the target by 50% more! So it will all be about managing your stacks of Daybreak.
Item Sets
Tier-14 Holy Paladin 4-piece set bonus now reduces the cooldown of Holy Shock by 1 second, down from 2 seconds.
Combined with the change to Daybreak above, this Tier 14 set bonus change should encourage Holy Paladins to move on from their previous set of gear to Tier 15. The Tier 14 set bonus was very strong even after Tier 15 has come out. Fair enough if they want players to move on.
Well that’s pretty much it for the Holy Pally changes. Please let us know if you need anything clarified or you thing something doesn’t sit right with you. Patch 5.3 is due for release on May 21. Are you excited? What are you most looking forward to (or least) for Holy Paladins? Let us know in the comments below!