Okay, before I start this thread, it should be noted that this is specifically for PvE raiding, not PvP. Looking at Warcraft logs, and my raids in AQ, it’s obvious that priests are the best healers in the game, followed by a mage healer (if they are an amazing healer and know what they are doing). With the upcoming shoulder enchants, I believe that the gap in healing will grow further and other healers will fall behind. I am creating this thread because I play a Holy Paladin. With the upcoming enchants to shoulder, the bonus we get versus every other healer is already a significant difference. From reading it here is what we have for pally vs priest healers and maybe y’all will see what I mean:
Priest: 25% crit for circle of healing (amazing), Circle of healing and penance place a hot on everyone for 25% of the heal (amazing), 10% increased damage absorbed by Power Word: Shield (also amazing).
Paladin: When flash heals a target to full health the party gets a 190-211 heal (outdated because it is a flat number), 2% crit (good but not a game changer), Seal of wisdom proc chance (terrible), 5% holy shock crit (not used for main tank healing so much anymore), 50% consecrate damage (nope), damage you deal converts to healing (situational but not for main tank healing unless they want us to go shockadin for healing), 25% divine light CD reduction (amazing!), and 90% of healing done to your beacon is then healed onto another damaged member (this one is bad because the healing done here must be cast onto your beacon target).
Then if we look at the PTR Naxx bonuses for sets (and before this priest still out heals paladin by a good margin).
Priest: Reduces the cooldown on your Circle of Healing and Penance abilities by 25% (amazing and feeds into your shoulder enchant),
your Penance, Flash Heal Rank 7, and Greater Heal Rank 4 and Rank 5 have a 9% chance to grant the target 10% increased critical strike chance for 15 sec (this one is bad I’ll admit since your mainly using circle and Power word: shield),
then Your Power Word: Shield has a 50% chance to not deplete when the target is damaged by an Undead enemy. (pretty great!)
Paladin: Reduces the cooldown on your Lay on Hands ability by 35 min, and your Lay on Hands now restores you to 30% of your maximum Mana when used. (Good because uptime on increased tank armor),
Your Flash of Light Rank 6 and Holy Light Rank 8 and Rank 9 spells have a 10% chance to imbue your target with Holy Power (If this is the same effect from original classic it is terrible, if it is updated it’s good. This used to give pally/druid/priest 28mp5 which is very bad).
Your Beacon of Light target takes 20% reduced damage from Undead enemies (Good, but could it be sacred shield instead? Usually beacon is placed on the off tank)
All I am saying is the gap between healers is going to grow here. A paladin (or any other healer) doesn’t need to be at the top. It would just be nice if we got equal treatment in terms of our overall healing. As a paladin, it’s your job to keep the tanks up and I like that playstyle, and it shouldn’t be at the top. P7 just worries me that the gap and healers will be too far apart.