WoW Cataclysm Classic Healer Tier List (Phase 1)

It’s a great time to be a healer in WoW Cataclysm Classic, but where do they stand on a tier list? That's the real question. It's worth pointing out that there aren’t as many healers as there are DPS. So, unlike the DPS tier list, which is quite spread out, the healer tier list in WoW Cataclysm Classic is a bit more clumped together. This is because of the general usefulness of each class. There were one or two I thought about pushing a tier lower, but ultimately did not.

When considering who was placed where, I considered overall heals, efficiency, and their cooldowns/overall utility. In the end, it was my opinion, and mine alone, that decided this tier list.

Note: This tier list is based on the author's opinion. Only S and A tiers are included since the healers are closely comparable in terms of power and utility.

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Tier list of the best healers in WoW Cataclysm Classic

1) S Tier

Holy Paladins are at the top of the food chain in WoW Cataclysm Classic (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

The following can be considered S-tier Healers in WoW Cataclysm Classic Phase 1:

• Discipline Priest
• Holy Paladin

Topping the WoW Cataclysm Classic tier list had to be Discipline Priests and Holy Paladins. I wasn’t a Discipline Priest player—the gameplay loop wasn’t enjoyable for me. It’s a class with a decent skill curve, but learning it made you a true master of healing in all PVE situations. Instead of big heals, they used shields to absorb incoming damage, which wasn’t for everyone.

They also had amazing utility in Pain Suppression and Power Word: Barrier as well as the almighty Power Infusion. That’s only part of their utility. There is no question, Discipline Priest is king. However, you cannot forget the power of Holy Paladins. The Wrath of the Lich King addition of Beacon of Light allowed them to dump huge heals on tanks, and spread it throughout the party.

Then, you combine that with Illuminated Healing (adding an absorb shield to direct heals), and you have a serious healing machine. They also have Aura Mastery, Avenging Wrath, Hand of Sacrifice, and Hand of Protection for utility. They were once the undisputed master of healing, but Discipline Priest caught up in this expansion. Their single-target healing isn’t great—only really used for tank heals—but the spread from Beacon of Light makes this healer the best at AOE healing, putting it at S-Tier in the WoW Cataclysm Classic healer tier list.

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2) A Tier

Even if it's on the A-Tier, like Holy Priest, it can still top charts and deal massive heals - don't underestimate them! (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

A-tier healers for WoW Cataclysm Classic Phase 1 are:

• Restoration Druid
• Restoration Shaman
• Holy Priest

There’s nothing wrong with being A Tier on WoW Cataclysm Classic’s healer tier list. Their toolkits may be a little more challenging, but, frankly, all the healers right now are pretty amazing and do some things better than others. Unlike the tanks in Phase 1, the healers are much closer in terms of utility.

For example, Druids excel at massive, AOE HoTs and heals. It takes more time to get out there compared to say, a Holy Paladin, though. In a pinch, Restoration Druid can do some incredible work, combining Tree of Life and Tranquility to drop a massive heal. Don’t forget Rebirth as a raid res, but so can any other Druid.

I love Restoration Shaman, let me be perfectly clear about that. They’re so good at everything but not the best at anything. They simply don’t stand out from the pack in any meaningful way other than a couple of utility spells/abilities. They can use Spirit Link Totem to keep people going, and Ancestral Healing, which gives damage reduction to anyone who receives a critical heal. They can also use several other totems and Bloodlust, but those aren’t unique to Resto Shamans.

Holy Priest is solid, but honestly, kind of boring. It’s a perfectly satisfactory direct healer, and I was torn between A and B Tier for this WoW Cataclysm Classic healer tier list. While yes, they lack useful utility for most situations, I’m a huge fan of their healing. They’re always going to be excellent, even if they have issues with mana and a lack of meaningful cooldowns. I do love Divine Hymn though, which is a massive heal in a pinch, with its eight-minute-long cooldown, though it can be reduced to 3 minutes with the Heavenly Voice talent.

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