Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Guide

These guides are based on simulation data, tools, and theorycrafting from original Cataclysm. We'll be sure to update them when modern sims are finished. Rotations are likely to get optimized via sims, but it should already give you a very strong starting point.

Introduction

    Restoration Shamans have a talent called
    Ancestral Healing
    that reduces Physical Damage taken by 10% after critting with a heal, and it also increases the Maximum Health of the target by up to 10%. All Shamans have access to some other important raid buffs such as
    Windfury Totem
    for 10% Attack Speed,
    Wrath of Air Totem
    for 5% Spell Haste,
    Strength of Earth Totem
    for Strength and Agility, and of course
    Bloodlust
    or
    Heroism
    .

Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Rotation

    Restoration Shamans are versatile healers that can perform well in raid healing or tank healing. Their
    Mastery: Deep Healing
    makes them incredible for topping off low health players. They also gain some interesting talents in
    Focused Insight
    and
    Telluric Currents
    that provide buffs when you
    Flame Shock
    and
    Lightning Bolt
    .

Priority

  1. Use
    Earthliving Weapon
    .
  2. Maintain
    Water Shield
    .
  3. Maintain
    Stoneskin Totem
    ,
    Healing Stream Totem
    ,
    Wrath of Air Totem
    , and
    Flametongue Totem
    . This is just a baseline, totems might change depending on raid composition.
  4. Maintain
    Earth Shield
    on tank.
  5. Cast
    Nature's Swiftness
    with
    Healing Wave
    or
    Chain Heal
    for emergency instant heals.
  6. Cast
    Riptide
    .
  7. Cast
    Healing Rain
    to deal with sustained AoE damage. Try to pair with
    Flame Shock
    to benefit from the talent
    Focused Insight
    .
  8. Cast
    Chain Heal
    for AoE healing, ideally on targets with the
    Riptide
    buff.
  9. Cast
    Healing Wave
    or
    Greater Healing Wave
    for single target healing, ideally used with
    Tidal Waves
    stacks.
  10. Only cast
    Healing Surge
    if you need to heal someone faster than a
    Greater Healing Wave
    cast, ideally used with
    Tidal Waves
    stacks.
  11. Cast
    Spiritwalker's Grace
    if you need to heal on the move.
  12. Cast
    Lightning Bolt
    during periods of no healing to benefit from the talent
    Telluric Currents
    .

Cooldowns

  1. Spirit Link Totem
  2. Mana Tide Totem

Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Talents

Telluric Currents

0
Elemental
0
Enhancement
0
Restoration

Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Glyphs

  1. Prime:
    Earth ShieldEarth Shield
    ,
    Earthliving WeaponEarthliving Weapon
    ,
    RiptideRiptide
  2. Major:
    Chain HealChain Heal
    ,
    Healing Stream TotemHealing Stream Totem
    ,
    Healing WaveHealing Wave
  3. Optional: If you aren't using
    Healing Stream TotemHealing Stream Totem
    , you can use
    Stoneclaw TotemStoneclaw Totem
    instead
  4. Minor:
    Renewed LifeRenewed Life

Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

    Best:
  • Flask of the Draconic Mind

Food

    Best:
  • Seafood Magnifique Feast
    ,
  • Severed Sagefish Head
    ,
  • Fortune Cookie
    Alternatives:
  • Broiled Dragon Feast
    ,
  • Pickled Guppy

Potions

    Best:
  • Mythical Mana Potion
    Alternatives:
  • Potion of Concentration

Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Best Races

Alliance

  1. Draenei:
    Gift of the Naaru

Horde

  1. Goblin:
    Time is Money
    and
    Rocket Jump
  2. Troll:
    Berserking
  3. Orc:
    Blood Fury

Cataclysm Classic Restoration Shaman Best Professions

  1. Engineering:
    Synapse Springs
    .
  2. The rest of the Crafting Professions provide nearly identical benefits.