I know the original poster is focused on Mythic+ and how Restoration Druid stacks up against other healers, but I’m thinking more about Druids as a whole across all content: RBGs, Arena (2v2, 3v3), Raid, and Mythic+.
I know you’re doing great with Mythic+ healing—better than me, honestly. I’ve been healing +10s and nearly timed all of them, just missing 3 or 4, which I’ll probably finish before the 0.5 patch drops.
I’m not saying it’s impossible to time keys or get into groups—because that’s just not true. But yeah, there are times when I get declined and see “RSHAM wanted,” especially during the dispel affix last week when Resto Shaman and Priest had a clear advantage.
But let’s dive into the real issue: Restoration Druid, in my opinion, is lacking. This is backed by the series of hotfixes increasing healing, and that random mid-tier rework during The War Within. Yet even with these changes, the Hero Trees don’t feel finished.
We’re essentially gatekept from certain gameplay styles, with builds that don’t allow flexibility between Mythic+, raid, and PvP. The lack of talent flexibility across different content is frustrating, and it holds Druids back.
The kit itself has gaps:
- We’ve got interesting talents that open up damage windows, but we can’t afford to take them.
- Tranquility isn’t really an option when nearly every other healer can rely on their main healing cooldown.
- Our utility—like Soothe, Stampeding Roar, Innervate, and Nature’s Vigil—either isn’t accessible or feels outdated compared to what other classes bring to the table.
- We’re squishy.
- And we lack “save” mechanics that other healers have. Look at Resto Shaman’s Spirit Link, Paladin’s BoP/Lay on Hands, Priest’s Pain Suppression/Life Swap/Guardian Spirit, Evoker’s Rewind/Time Dilation/Zephyr/Communion, and even Monk’s Revival/Cocoon. These abilities allow other healers to handle high-stress moments in ways Druids just can’t match.
Bringing a Resto Druid to a group means you’re accepting a healer that likely won’t contribute much damage, can soothe one target at best (even though we were the original Soothe class, and ours should really be AoE), and have a cast-time Battle Res—when we were the class that invented it! Plus, it doesn’t even apply Mark of the Wild or the well-fed buff.
There’s so much untapped potential here. We could modify …
- AoE Soothe,
- An updated Battle Resurrection,
- A new approach to damage output,
- Protection against overhealing,
- A revamp to Tranquility, and
- Better “save” mechanics.
Restoration Druid has a strong foundation, but it needs serious updates to keep pace with other healers in modern content.
When you choose a class in an MMORPG, you should feel like you’re getting something unique—something that no other class can offer in the same way. Unfortunately, Restoration Druid has lost much of its distinct identity. Other healers like Restoration Shaman and Preservation Evoker offer similar (or better) mobility and utility, leaving me to question: what does my Druid truly bring to the table?
I’ve been playing Druid since my first day in WoW, and I’m incredibly invested. But despite that, I find myself asking why I stay. The class doesn’t feel like it excels in any way that justifies the choice. I don’t plan to reroll because of how much time and effort I’ve put into my character, but we shouldn’t have to feel like this. Every class in an MMORPG should feel viable, and right now, Druid doesn’t.
Final Fantasy XIV and other MMORPGs understand this fundamental philosophy, ensuring that players can enjoy their chosen class across all content. WoW needs to do the same. All classes should have their place and right now, Druids are falling behind.
We need updates that restore the uniqueness of our class—whether that’s our damage output, healing output, rotation, utility, or mobility.