Restoration Druid Leveling Guide

HoT-focused healer with unmatched mobility. Dungeon leveling is effortless; solo is slower but very safe with kiting and heals.

Updated 2026 Healer / Support Supports Classic / TBC / WotLK

Why Restoration in Classic?

Rejuvenation/Regrowth + swift heals, excellent mobility, and battle rez. Dungeon healers are always wanted.

Strengths

HoTs prevent pushback.
Innervate/Rebirth utility.
Travel Form mobility.

Weaknesses

Solo kill speed low.
Mana can dip before Innervate.
No shield to stop burst damage.

Talents by Level (Classic 1-60)

Early (10-29)

Improved Rejuv; Nature's Focus.
Omen of Clarity (if available) for free casts.
Furor (Resto/Balance) for shifting.

Mid (30-44)

Gift of Nature for healing bonus.
Swiftmend for instant heal.
Intensity/Reflection for regen.

Late (45-60)

Nature's Swiftness for clutch heal.
Improved Regrowth; Tranquility use on big pulls.
Optional: Improved MotW/Thorns.

Downrank Healing Touch for efficiency; keep Rejuv/Regrowth rolling and drink while moving with Travel Form.

Rotation & Playstyle

Solo

Moonfire → Wrath; root + DoT if needed.
Heal with Rejuv/Regrowth; Bear for tough mobs.
Use Innervate on self early.

Healing

Rejuv/Regrowth blankets; HT/Swiftmend for spikes.
NS + HT emergency; Tranquility for AoE damage.
Keep MotW/Thorns on tank.

Utility

Innervate, Battle Rez.
Root/hibernate for control.
Decurse/Remove poison.

Zone Route (Classic)

Bracket	Zones	Notes
1-20	Starter → Darkshore/Barrens	Quest + early dungeons; staff upgrades.
20-35	Ashenvale/SM	Swiftmend soon; healing gear in SM.
35-50	STV/Tanaris	Dungeon spam for fast XP; drink often.
50-60	Winterspring/Plaguelands	BRD/Strat healing gear; Innervate power.

Why Restoration in TBC?

Lifebloom + Swiftmend gives efficient tank healing. Tree of Life aura boosts healing; excellent dungeon healer.

Spec: Tree of Life, Lifebloom, Swiftmend, Nature's Swiftness, Intensity. Improved MotW/Thorns optional.

Talents by Level (TBC 60-70)

Early (60-63)

Lifebloom; Improved Rejuv.
Nature's Swiftness.
Intensity for regen.

Mid (64-67)

Tree of Life form; Improved ToL aura.
Empowered Rejuv; Living Spirit.
Swiftmend for instant heals.

Late (68-70)

Natural Perfection or Subtlety.
Gift of Nature maxed.
Balance splash: Nature's Grasp/Control if needed.

Rotation (TBC)

Healing

Lifebloom stacks on tank; Rejuv/Regrowth upkeep.
Swiftmend for spikes; NS + HT emergency.
Innervate when low; drink between pulls.

Solo

Moonfire/Wrath; Bear for survivability.
Keep Lifebloom rolling on self while pulling.
Root/hibernate for control.

Utility

Battle Rez; MotW/Thorns.
Remove Curse/Poison; Cyclone for control.
Tree aura boosts party healing taken.

Zone & Dungeon Path (TBC)

Level	Zone/Dungeon	Notes
60-62	Ramps/BF	Lifebloom sustain; Innervate self.
62-65	SP/UB	Excellent healing gear; tree form aura.
65-68	Sethekk/SLabs	Swiftmend clutch; decurse.
68-70	Mech/Bot/SH	Badge gear; mana pots help.

Why Restoration in WotLK?

Wild Growth and Nourish make Resto incredibly flexible. Excellent dungeon/raid healer with top-tier HoTs and mobility.

Spec: Wild Growth, Revitalize, Nourish, Living Seed, Gift of the Earthmother. Balance splash for Nature's Grace optional.

Talents by Level (70-80)

Early (70-73)

Empowered Rejuv; Living Spirit.
Wild Growth unlock; Improved Rejuv.
Nature's Splendor for HoT duration.

Mid (74-77)

Revitalize for mana/energy to party.
Living Seed; Nature's Grace (Balance splash) if desired.
Gift of the Earthmother for GCD reduction.

Late (78-80)

Nourish for spot healing synergy.
Tranquility buffs; Improved Barkskin.
Fill with Subtlety/Tranquil Spirit for efficiency.

Rotation (WotLK)

Healing

Rejuv/Regrowth on tank; Lifebloom stack if needed.
Wild Growth on cooldown; Nourish spot heals.
Swiftmend for instant top-off; Innervate on cooldown.

Solo/Questing

Moonfire/Wrath; keep HoTs on self.
Bear/Cat for tagging; Travel Form speed.
Wild Growth for kiting packs; Barkskin while channeling Hurricane if needed.

Utility

Battle Rez; MotW/Thorns; Revitalize resource return.
Remove Curse/Poison; Cyclone/Root.
Tranquility on big pulls; Barkskin pre-cast.

Zone & Dungeon Path (WotLK)

Level	Zone/Dungeon	Notes
70-72	Howling Fjord / Borean	Wild Growth shines; Nexus/UK gear.
72-75	Dragonblight / AN/OK	Revitalize resource gains for party.
75-77	Zul'Drak / Drak'Tharon	Nourish patch strong; lots of movement.
77-80	Storm Peaks / Icecrown	Heroics for badges; keep Innervate rolling.

Gear, Stats, and Enchants (All Versions)

Stat Priority

Spirit/Intellect > Spell Power > Haste (WotLK) > Crit.
MP5 useful early; Stamina for safety.

Weapons

Staff/off-hand with spell power and spirit.
Classic: SM/BRD caster staves.
TBC: Coilfang/Badge maces/off-hands.
WotLK: Titansteel Guardian; badge off-hands.

Enchants

Classic: +Healing Power; +Spirit to weapon.
TBC: Major Intellect/Healing; +Spirit chest.
WotLK: +63 SP/Black Magic; +Spirit/+Int to gear; Icewalker if hit needed for solo.

Pro Tips & Utility

Leveling Speed

Queue dungeons for fastest XP; you always get in.
Use Travel Form to reduce downtime; keep HoTs rolling while moving.
Innervate early; drink during travel.

Group Utility

Battle Rez, Innervate, MotW/Thorns.
Revitalize resource returns (WotLK).
Root/Cyclone for control; remove poison/curse.

Survival

Barkskin pre-Hurricane; bear for emergencies.
NS + HT saves tanks; Tranquility for big AoE.
Carry pots/bandages; Wild Growth to stabilize.

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