It’s fun to level up Restoration Druids through the Random Dungeon Finder. They are also the easiest class to heal. His heal over time (HoT) spells significantly reduce mana usage, even when healing the most aggressive (or worst equipped) tanks. Almost none of the druids’ healing spells have a cast time. The only two you’ll use that have a cast time are Regrowth and Healing Touch. Even then, you’ll only use Healing Touch with Nature’s Swiftness (making your next spell cast no cast time) when you get it. Mana efficiency is another great virtue of druid healers. They’re almost never on the five second rule (when you cast a spell that costs mana, your spirit regeneration doesn’t take effect until five seconds after you cast the spell). Which means you will almost always have mana regenerated. In general, druids can be the best raid healers, if they are outfitted and equipped correctly. Let’s find the best way to play a druid:

Statistics

Druids can wear leather, though you’ll most likely find the best stats in cloth. Don’t try any type of armor, just go for the best stats. The three stats you want to look for are:
1) Intellect
2) Spell Power
3) Spirit

Intellect and spell power

I put these two together, because they should be valued equally at beginning and mid levels. In the early levels, you won’t find much spell power. If you find it, great, but don’t sacrifice Intellect for more Magical Power. Doing so will hinder your ability to heal through trash mobs and bosses. Having a set of family heirloom items will go a long way in this matter. As you level up, Spell Power will start appearing with Intellect on equipment. These are the ones you should pick up.

Spirit

Spirit is one of those stats that is great to have. It helps with mana regen, but you shouldn’t equip it. Intellect and spell power are what you equip yourself for. The Intensity talent makes Spirit a bit better, but it’s still not something you want to equip for. Fortunately, much of the healer gear comes with Spirit, so you won’t have too much trouble finding it.

talent (Just updated!) The overhaul of the new talent system has certainly changed a lot since 4.0 and 4.0.3a. Druid healers are much less mana efficient than they were before 4.0.3a. They still play about the same as they level up. These are the talents:

• Tier 1

blessing of the grove – A 4% increase in Rejuvenation healing makes a big difference as your team progresses. Maximum.
natural shapeshifternaturalist – I haven’t normally been a fan of buffing Healing Touch, but the recent patch made Healing Touch a little more than just an “Oh Shit” button. The reduced cast makes the most sense, since you’ll be casting it outside of Nature’s Swiftness. Maximum.
heart of the wild – Intellect is mana, crit %, and now bonus spell power. Maximum.

• Level 2

master shapeshifter – 4% more healing for just 1 talent point. Maximum.
improved rejuvenation – Before the last patch, this was a maximum talent. It is even more so now. They added Siftmend, a spell that is now a mandatory part of our rotation, to this talent. Maximum.
Perseverance – There is absolutely no reason to take this talent in PvE, especially when leveling up via Random Dungeon Finder. You shouldn’t take damage (unless you have a really bad tank).

• Level 3

living seed – Heal crits occur often enough to make this talent worthwhile. Maximum.
Revitalize – Two of your main healing spells now have mana regeneration properties, making this talent a must. Lifebloom’s replenishment effect is simply “The Icing on the Cake”. Maximum.
speed of nature – This, used with Healing Touch, is your “Oh Shit. Get It” button.
Stormrage’s Fury – Weird placement for a pure DPS talent. Anyway, since it’s purely DPS, don’t get it.

• Level 4

The bounty of nature – I take advantage of this talent for crit increased by 60%. The cooldown reduction is just an added bonus. It doesn’t happen often enough to drastically change the priorities of your spells. Maximum.
empowered touch – The Lifebloom upgrade is worth it for the talents alone. Get it.
Malfurion’s Gift – If you’re having mana issues, then this talent might be worth it, until you get the best gear. Otherwise, skip it.

• level 5

Efflorescence – An additional 30% heal for Swiftmend, already a mainstay on our priority list. Also, dabble in healing abilities. Maximum.
wild growth – The mainstay of any raid/dungeon healing we do. Get it.
nature’s cure – Gives additional utility to our Empowered Corruption spell. Get it.
guardian of nature – Only useful if you plan to do PvP. Max it out if you do. If not, then skip it.

• level 6

Gift of Mother Earth – The increased bloom effect is useful occasionally. The instant rejuvenation tick is what makes this such a great talent. Maximum.
fast rejuvenation – The reduced global cooldown on any spell is good. This affecting the GCD of one of our most used spells makes it great. Get it.

• level 7

tree of Life – This is an important source of healing for those situations where there will be intense healing. Blizzard also turned this into a better PvP talent. Get it.

Resume

Hopefully this will help you run instances as a Restoration Druid. The advice I have given here is mainly based on my experiences with reading some forums. Please let me know what you think about this article. I may write better later if I get some criticism.

Thank you for reading.

Godfrey WoW Guide