Resto Shaman Best in Slot: A Comprehensive Guide to Dominating the Healing Game
Introduction
As a Restoration Shaman, you have the power to keep your allies alive while unleashing powerful healing abilities. To unleash your full potential, it's crucial to gear your shaman with the best possible equipment. This guide will provide you with a detailed analysis of the best in slot (BiS) gear for Resto Shamans in Wrath of the Lich King Classic.
Pre-Raid BiS Gear
Before you start raiding, it's important to acquire gear from dungeons and heroics. Here's a list of pre-BiS items to aim for:
Slot |
Item |
Source |
Head |
Crown of the Beast |
Pit of Saron |
Neck |
Pendant of the Violet Eye |
Violet Hold |
Shoulders |
Mantle of the Sundered King |
Utgarde Pinnacle |
Chest |
Robes of the Archmage |
Nexus |
Wrists |
Bracers of Divine Light |
Halls of Stone |
Hands |
Gloves of the Oracle |
Drak'Tharon Keep |
Waist |
Belt of Divine Inspiration |
Violet Hold |
Legs |
Pants of the Arcane Assassin |
Nexus |
Feet |
Treads of the Great Storm |
Utgarde Pinnacle |
Trinket |
Icon of the Silver Covenant |
Violet Hold |
Trinket |
Muradin's Spyglass |
Halls of Lightning |
Weapon |
Crystal Spire of Karabor |
Karazhan |
Off-hand |
Book of the Dead |
Shadow Labs |
Raid BiS Gear
Once you start raiding, you'll have access to powerful loot from Naxxramas, Ulduar, and other raid instances. Here's a list of the best in slot gear for Resto Shamans in each raid tier:
Naxxramas
Slot |
Item |
Source |
Head |
Crown of Kel'Thuzad |
Kel'Thuzad |
Neck |
Choker of Endless Night |
Patchwerk |
Shoulders |
Mantle of the Scourge Lord |
Anub'arak |
Chest |
Robe of the Archmage |
Sapphiron |
Wrists |
Bracers of the Grand Cannoneer |
Gluth |
Hands |
Gloves of the Sun King |
Gothik the Harvester |
Waist |
Belt of Divine Inspiration |
Violet Hold |
Legs |
Legplates of the Pit |
Heigan the Unclean |
Feet |
Boots of the Black Blizzard |
Maexxna |
Trinket |
Icon of the Silver Covenant |
Violet Hold |
Trinket |
Muradin's Spyglass |
Halls of Lightning |
Weapon |
Throne of Kil'jaeden |
Kel'Thuzad |
Off-hand |
Libram of Repentence |
Thaddius |
Ulduar
Slot |
Item |
Source |
Head |
Helm of Sanctification |
Yogg-Saron |
Neck |
Necklace of San'layn |
Mimiron |
Shoulders |
**Mantle of the Sacred ** |
XT-002 Deconstructor |
Chest |
Robe of the Archmage |
Sapphiron |
Wrists |
Bracers of Divine Light |
Halls of Stone |
Hands |
Gloves of the Oracle |
Drak'Tharon Keep |
Waist |
Girdle of the Cardinal |
Hodir |
Legs |
Pants of the Arcane Assassin |
Nexus |
Feet |
Boots of the Black Blizzard |
Maexxna |
Trinket |
Icon of the Silver Covenant |
Violet Hold |
Trinket |
Muradin's Spyglass |
Halls of Lightning |
Weapon |
Vial of the Sands |
Algalon the Observer |
Off-hand |
Tome of the Tranquil Mind |
Razorscale |
Trial of the Crusader
Slot |
Item |
Source |
Head |
Crown of the Righteous Defender |
Anub'arak |
Neck |
Necklace of San'layn |
Mimiron |
Shoulders |
Mantle of the Sacred |
XT-002 Deconstructor |
Chest |
Robe of the Archmage |
Sapphiron |
Wrists |
Bracers of Divine Light |
Halls of Stone |
Hands |
Gloves of the Oracle |
Drak'Tharon Keep |
Waist |
Girdle of the Cardinal |
Hodir |
Legs |
Pants of the Arcane Assassin |
Nexus |
Feet |
Boots of the Black Blizzard |
Maexxna |
Trinket |
Icon of the Silver Covenant |
Violet Hold |
Trinket |
Muradin's Spyglass |
Halls of Lightning |
Weapon |
Vial of the Sands |
Algalon the Observer |
Off-hand |
Tome of the Tranquil Mind |
Razorscale |
Enchantments and Gems
To further enhance your gear, consider the following enchantments and gems:
Slot |
Enchantment |
Gem |
Head |
Arcanum of the Ruthless Gladiator |
+10 Intellect |
Neck |
Mark of the Frozen Wastes |
+6 Healing |
Shoulders |
Greater Inscription of the Pinnacle |
+4 Healing |
Chest |
Greater Inscription of the Pinnacle |
+4 Healing |
Wrists |
Enchant Bracers - Superior Spellpower |
+8 Intellect |
Hands |
Enchant Gloves - Mastery |
+15 Spell Power |
Waist |
Eternal Belt Buckle |
+9 Healing |
Legs |
Icescale Leg Armor |
+12 Intellect |
Feet |
Nitro Boosts |
+14 Agility |
Gems
Meta Gem:
* Relentless Earthsiege Diamond
Red Gems:
* Runed Cardinal Ruby (for increased spell power)
* Deadly Cardinal Ruby (for increased crit chance)
Yellow Gems:
* Scarlet Cardinal Ruby (for increased spell haste)
* Rigid Scarlet Cardinal Ruby (for increased spell penetration)
Blue Gems:
* Delicate Cardinal Amethyst (for increased mana regeneration)
* Reckless Cardinal Amethyst (for increased spell damage)
Optimal Stat Priority
To maximize your healing output, the following stats are most beneficial in the optimal stat priority order:
- Intellect
- Spell Power
- Spell Crit
- Spell Haste
- Mana Regeneration
Consumables
For optimal performance, always carry the following consumables:
- Superior Mana Potions
- Runes of the Runecarver
- Elixir of Wisdom
- Drums of Battle
Strategies
Positioning
As a healer, it's crucial to position yourself strategically. Stay close to your group to minimize healing lag and avoid being caught in unnecessary damage.
Healing Style
Chain Healing is your primary group healing spell. Use it on any target who needs healing, then let it jump to other group members.
Healing Wave is your powerful single-target heal. It's especially effective on tanks and low-health raid members.
Lesser Healing Wave is your efficient heal for topping off allies. Use it when Chain Heal and Healing Wave are on cooldown.
Utility Spells
-
Nature's Swiftness - Instantly cast your next healing spell.
-
Mana Tide Totem - Restores mana to nearby allies.
-
Chain Lightning - Damages multiple enemies and generates mana.
Real-World Examples
Story 1: A Resto Shaman in a pug group underestimated the importance of positioning. They stood too far from the raid group, resulting in delayed healing and several avoidable deaths.
Lesson: Always prioritize good positioning to ensure timely heals.
Story 2: A Resto Shaman used Mana Tide Totem at the wrong time. They activated it in the middle of a long fight, wasting its mana restoration effect.
Lesson: Time the use of utility spells wisely to maximize their impact.
Story 3: A Resto Shaman ignored the optimal stat priority and focused on spell haste. As a result, their overall healing output suffered.
Lesson: Follow the optimal stat priority to optimize your healing abilities.
Step-by-Step Approach to Gearing Your Resto Shaman
Step 1: Acquire pre-raid BiS gear from dungeons and heroics.
Step 2: Start raiding Naxxramas and gather the BiS gear listed for that tier.
Step 3: Continue raiding Ulduar and obtain the upgraded BiS gear.
Step 4: Enchant and gem your gear as outlined in this guide.
Step 5: Prioritize stats in the optimal order and stock up on consumables.
Step 6: Practice your healing strategies to maximize your effectiveness.
The Ultimate Guide to Best-in-Slot Gear for Resto Shamans: Maximize Your Healing Potential
Introduction
As a Resto Shaman, your primary objective in dungeons and raids is to keep your allies alive and thriving. Selecting the optimal gear is crucial for enhancing your healing capabilities and maximizing your group's success. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to acquire the best-in-slot (BiS) gear for your Resto Shaman.
Head
-
Tier 10 Helm of Sanctification: Obtained from the Vault of the Incarnates raid, this helm offers exceptional stats including critical strike, haste, and spirit.
-
Cavern of Time Restored Helm: Crafted by Leatherworkers, this helm provides a balanced mix of stats and a powerful on-use ability that increases healing and spell power.
-
Crown of Immortal Destiny: This heroic dungeon drop from Pit of Saron is a solid alternative with excellent healing stats and a passive effect that increases healing done while under 50% health.
Neck
-
Amulet of Frenzy: A personal loot drop from Heroic Ulduar, this amulet provides a massive amount of haste and a unique proc that increases your spell power when your spells critically strike.
-
Valiona's Pendant: Obtained from the Valiona encounter in the Ruby Sanctum raid, this pendant offers a substantial boost to critical strike and spirit, making it an exceptional choice for healing.
-
Pendant of the Penitent: This necklace is crafted by Jewelcrafters and offers a balanced combination of healing stats and a proc that reduces the mana cost of your spells.
Shoulders
-
Tier 10 Shoulderguards of Sanctification: Matching the Tier 10 Helm, these shoulderguards offer significant healing bonuses and set bonuses that enhance your overall healing output.
-
Mantle of Whispering Shadows: This leatherworking-crafted shoulderpiece provides strong healing stats and a unique effect that increases your mana regeneration while casting healing spells.
-
Pauldrons of the Immortalized: Obtained from the heroic version of the Pit of Saron dungeon, these pauldrons offer a combination of healing stats and a proc that grants you a shield when you cast a healing spell.
Back
-
Cloak of Prophecy: A personal loot drop from the Heroic Ulduar raid, this cloak provides impressive healing stats and a proc that increases spell power for a short duration.
-
Mantle of Arcane Supremacy: Crafted by Tailors, this cloak offers exceptional healing stats and a passive effect that increases your spell power when you are within 10 yards of an ally.
-
Drape of the Forgotten King: As a quest reward in the Icecrown Citadel raid, this drape provides a balanced mix of healing stats and a proc that increases your mana regeneration after casting a healing spell.
Chest
-
Tier 10 Tunic of Sanctification: Completing the Tier 10 set bonus with this tunic provides significant healing bonuses and powerful set effects that enhance your healing output.
-
Robe of Spiritual Guidance: This robe is crafted by Tailors and offers a combination of healing stats and a passive effect that increases your mana regeneration.
-
Vestments of the Eternal Revenant: Obtained from the heroic version of the Pit of Saron dungeon, these vestments provide exceptional healing stats and a proc that heals nearby allies when you cast a healing spell.
Wrist
-
Bracers of Fury: A personal loot drop from the Heroic Ulduar raid, these bracers provide a significant amount of haste and a proc that grants you haste for a short duration.
-
Bracers of Will: Crafted by Leatherworkers, these bracers offer a balanced combination of healing stats and a passive effect that increases your spell power when you are under 50% health.
-
Bindings of the Forsaken Queen: Obtained from the Lady Deathwhisper encounter in the Icecrown Citadel raid, these bindings provide excellent healing stats and a proc that grants you a buff to healing and damage reduction.
Hands
-
Tier 10 Gloves of Sanctification: Completing the Tier 10 set with these gloves provides healing bonuses and set effects that further enhance your healing abilities.
-
Gloves of Prophetic Visions: Crafted by Leatherworkers, these gloves offer a mix of healing stats and a unique effect that increases the chance of your spells critically striking.
-
Gauntlets of the Immortal Revenant: Obtained from the heroic version of the Pit of Saron dungeon, these gauntlets provide excellent healing stats and a proc that increases your critical strike damage for a short duration.
Waist
-
Cord of Sanctification: Matching the Tier 10 set, this cord offers healing bonuses and set effects that improve your healing output.
-
Girdle of Prophecy: A personal loot drop from the Heroic Ulduar raid, this girdle provides significant healing stats and a passive effect that increases your spell power when you cast a healing spell.
-
Belt of the Immortalized: Obtained from the heroic version of the Pit of Saron dungeon, this belt offers balanced healing stats and a proc that grants you a temporary shield after casting a healing spell.
Legs
-
Tier 10 Legguards of Sanctification: Completing the Tier 10 set with these legguards provides healing bonuses and set effects that enhance your healing capabilities.
-
Legwraps of the Reborn: Crafted by Leatherworkers, these legwraps offer a combination of healing stats and a passive effect that reduces the cooldown of your Chain Heal spell.
-
Leggings of the Immortalized: Obtained from the heroic version of the Pit of Saron dungeon, these leggings provide exceptional healing stats and a proc that increases your mana regeneration after casting a healing spell.
Feet
-
Tier 10 Boots of Sanctification: Matching the Tier 10 set, these boots provide healing bonuses and set effects that further enhance your healing abilities.
-
Treads of Devotion: Crafted by Leatherworkers, these treads offer a mix of healing stats and a unique effect that increases your chance of avoiding interrupts.
-
Greaves of the Immortalized: Obtained from the heroic version of the Pit of Saron dungeon, these greaves provide excellent healing stats and a proc that increases your healing done to targets with low health.
Weapons
-
Staff of the Nexus-King: A personal loot drop from the Heroic Ulduar raid, this staff is currently the best-in-slot weapon for Resto Shamans, offering exceptional healing stats and a powerful on-use ability that grants you a temporary buff to healing and damage reduction.
-
Mimiron's Head: Obtained from the Mimiron encounter in the Ulduar raid, this weapon provides strong healing stats and a unique effect that transforms your Chain Heal spell into a more powerful version.
-
Hammer of Twilight: Crafted by Blacksmiths, this hammer offers a balance of healing stats and a passive effect that increases your spell power and critical strike rating.
-
Unbreakable Will: Obtained from the Valiona encounter in the Ruby Sanctum raid, this mace provides excellent healing stats and a unique effect that increases your spell power when your spells critically strike.
Additional Enchantments and Gems
Once you have acquired the best-in-slot gear, further enhance your healing capabilities with appropriate enchants and gems:
-
Head: Arcanum of Blessed Empowerment
-
Shoulders: Greater Inscription of the Crag
-
Chest: Exceptional Stats enchant
-
Wrist: Spellpower
-
Hands: Exceptional Stats enchant
-
Waist: Living Ember Buckle
-
Legs: Icescale Leg Armor or Spellthread Leg Armor
-
Feet: Earthen Vitality
-
Weapons: Enchant Weapon - Mighty Spellpower
-
Gems: 20 Intellect, 12 Spirit and 12 Intellect, 10 Spirit and 10 Intellect
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure that you optimize your Resto Shaman's healing potential, it's crucial to avoid these common mistakes:
-
Prioritizing haste over critical strike: While haste improves your spell casting speed, critical strike provides a more significant boost to your healing output.
-
Ignoring mana regeneration: Mana management is essential for sustained healing. Ensure your gear and gems provide adequate mana regeneration to prevent running out of mana during critical moments.
-
Neglecting buffs and debuffs: As a Resto Shaman, it's your responsibility to provide beneficial buffs and remove harmful debuffs from your allies. Ensure you have the necessary totems and spells to fulfill this role effectively.