Holy Priest leveling guide

Holy is the healing spec of the Priest and the one groups ask for in dungeons and raids. Alone it levels slower than Shadow, but a Smite build with Divine Fury and Searing Light works, and Spiritual Guidance turns Spirit into damage and healing. Pick Holy when you mostly level in groups.

Strengths and weaknesses

• The strongest healer for dungeon groups, so finding a group is easy.
• Divine Fury gives a faster Smite, and Searing Light makes Smite and Holy Fire hit harder.
• Holy Nova damages all enemies around you and heals your group at the same time.
• Slower alone than Shadow, and your mana runs out sooner.

Talents by level

Level 10 to 30

• Holy Specialization 5/5 and Divine Fury 5/5.
• Holy Nova, Improved Renew 3/3 and Inspiration 3/3.
• Searing Light 2/2, Holy Reach 1/2 and Spiritual Guidance 1/5 at level 30.

Level 31 to 40

• Spiritual Guidance 5/5 and Spiritual Healing 5/5.
• Holy Reach 2/2 at level 40, for 31 points in Holy.

Level 41 to 60

• All points in Discipline: Wand Specialization 5/5, Improved Power Word: Shield 3/3, Improved Power Word: Fortitude 2/2 and Martyrdom 2/2.
• Meditation 3/3 and Inner Focus, then Mental Agility 4/5.

Rotation

One enemy

• Open with Holy Fire at maximum range, then Shadow Word: Pain.
• Power Word: Shield before the enemy reaches you, so your Smite is not pushed back.
• Smite until the enemy is low, then finish with your wand.

Dungeon groups

• Renew on the tank before the pull, and Power Word: Shield when damage spikes.
• Heal with lower ranks of Heal to save mana, and keep Flash Heal for emergencies.
• Holy Nova causes no threat, so use it when several players take damage close to you.

Staying alive

• Power Word: Shield and Renew first, then Heal or Flash Heal.
• Psychic Scream buys time when two enemies hit you.
• Inner Fire for armor, and Fade in a group when enemies turn to you.

Leveling route

Level	Alliance	Horde
1-12	Elwynn Forest, Dun Morogh, Teldrassil	Durotar, Mulgore, Tirisfal Glades
12-20	Westfall, Loch Modan, Darkshore	The Barrens, Silverpine Forest
20-30	Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Wetlands	The Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles
30-40	Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace	Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace
40-50	Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands	Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands
50-60	Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring	Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring

Dungeons worth the detour: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.

Stats, weapons and tradeskills

• Spirit for Spiritual Guidance, then Intellect and Stamina. Healing power matters most at level 60.
• The wand finishes enemies while leveling. A staff or a mace with Intellect and Spirit fills the weapon slot.
• Enchants: Mana or Stats on the chest, Spirit or Intellect on the bracers, and Healing Power on the weapon at level 60.
• Tradeskills: Tailoring with Enchanting, or Herbalism with Alchemy for mana potions.