There is an endless amount of addons available for World of Warcraft, and while I encourage you to experiment with your own interface setup, I wanted to write an overview of some addons I use as a starting point. Feedback is appreciated, you can tweet @PrestonDvorak or leave a comment below.
Note: I play at 1440p, so my addons are setup for that resolution. If you play at a higher or lower resolution you may need to manually adjust some of the addons.
Grid2 (Raid Frames)
Arguably the most important thing for a healer is your raid frames. Blizzard’s default raid frame has come a long way since Warcraft’s release, and it works really well if you’re not looking for really specific customization. However, if you’re ready to customize your raid frames, you’ll likely need an addon.
I've used Grid2 for years because of its unlimited amount of customization for indicator locations, which lets me present as much information as I want, in a layout that I can comprehend in the moment. It also allows different layouts based on class, specialization, and instance type, making it great for switching positioning between mythic+ and raids, and for use with alts.
If you'd like to use my Grid2 setup, use the import code below. After copying the code, type /grid2 into your in-game chat to open the Grid2 options window, go to the General Settings tab, then the Profiles tab, and finally the Import&Export tab. From there, click on the Import Profile button and paste the code into the new window, then click Accept. You should now have a PDG.GG - Universal option in your Profile list.
Grid2 Resto Druid Import Code
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The import code includes Themes for different classes and specializations, noted below in the "Included in the Grid2 setup" section. Themes change automatically and make it easier to utilize debuff tracking across classes with different dispel capabilities. Restoration Druid functionality should remain unchanged, if that's all you need!
Filtered Debuffs for Dispel Types
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If you're using a non-English localization, copy and paste the following ID lists into their respective Filtered Debuffs sections for each of the dispel types under Statuses > Debuffs (Curse, Disease, Magic, Poison). This will prevent duplicate debuff icons from showing for dispels that are set as Major Dispels.
Curse
Disease
Magic
Poison
Included With the Grid2 Import Code
Themes for all classes and specializations, which automatically change the healing effects, buffs, and debuffs shown on the frame.
NEW: Themes for healing specializations to have different frame positions when in a group vs when in a raid.
These are divided into major (large icon) and minor (small icon).
Major debuffs can generally be dispelled immediately and include incapacitating effects and high damage debuffs.
Minor debuffs can be ignored unless there's nothing else to dispel as they're mostly low damage debuffs.
Major dispellable debuffs of a type that can't be dispelled are shown as a Damaging Debuff instead (such as diseases on a Druid).
Shows Damaging Debuffs in one of two categories.
Minor: most debuffs fall into this category.
Major: debuffs that occur at the same time as other debuffs but are important enough to require their own space, or are particularly harmful on their own.
Shows mana/power bars to keep track of your mana and other healer's mana.
Boxes fade out slightly when a player is out of range.
Shows pending battle resurrections and ready check status on the Damaging Debuffs indicator.
Boxes change to gray when a player is dead, offline, or affected by a "basically dead" effect, like Spirit of Redemption.
Optional Features
Display incoming healing on health bars.
To enable: go to Statuses > Health & Heals > heals-incoming. On the Indicators tab, check the "heals-incoming(color)" and "heals-incoming" boxes.
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WeakAuras (Spell Alerts)
I use WeakAuras for additional visual cues for some spell cooldowns and procs. Blizzard includes an alert for Clearcasting (talent) by default, but I wanted to track other effects and spells while having more control over their position.
WeakAuras makes it easy to export and import auras. Type /wa into your in-game chat, click on the New button, then on the Import button, finally paste one of the following import strings into the box. This will add the corresponding WeakAura to your list on auras on the left-side of the window.
All Restoration Druid WeakAuras
You can use the import code below to import all of the Restoration Druid WeakAuras in one go.
Lifebloom: Shows if Lifebloom isn't active on anyone in the group or raid.
Efflorescence: Tracks Efflorescence duration; shows a spinning animation when Efflorescence isn't active or hasn't healed anyone in the last 3-seconds.
Tracks when several abilities are not on cooldown:
Auras are unloaded if relevant talents aren't selected, when not Restoration specialization, or while in a pet battle or a vehicle.
Some auras only load while in combat to try to keep clutter down.
Expand to view and copy the import string for the group of all Restoration Druid WeakAuras.
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Plater (Nameplates)
Nameplates are useful for seeing information about what you're fighting. Blizzard's default nameplates work well but I wanted to modify their functionality a little bit which is where Plater comes in! Plater has a nearly endless amount of options to customize nameplates, but luckily it also includes an easy import/export feature.
If you'd like to use my Plater setup you can use the import code below. Note: not all settings are saved with the import code as some of them are saved using CVar settings on a per-character basis, but it should include the major changes. In the future, I'll try to include notes about the CVar only settings I've changed.
Plater Resto Druid Import Code
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Included With the Player Import Code
Settings to limit nameplate overlap (some of these may need to be changed manually after import).
Tracking of damage over time effects (Moonfire, Sunfire, Rip, etc).
Highlighting of Enrage effects (and Purgeable effects when on a class with that ability).
Other Notable Addons
Below are other addons I use, but haven't yet written up short guides for. You're welcome to leave a comment below if you need more information.
Below are addons or settings I used to use, but no longer maintain.
Grid (Raid Frames)
Arguably the most important thing for a healer are your raid frames. Blizzard’s default raid frames have come a long way since Warcraft’s release and work really well if you’re not looking for specific customization. However, if you’re ready to customize your raid frames you’ll likely need an addon.
For my raid frames, I’ve used Grid since Burning Crusade, and over the years I’ve customized it to show nearly all information you’d need to know about friendly players in your group and raid.
IndicatorsDynamic allows you to create as many indicators as you want in any location you want on the Grid box. This is important because there aren’t enough indicators in Grid by default to cover all of the pertinent information. I also like being able to put them in any location as opposed to only the corners.
GridStatusAurasExt
While Grid allows you to add your own buffs or debuffs to track by default, this plugin allows you to create custom groups and behaviors, keeping things a little more organized.
GridManaBars
This simply adds power bars to Grid boxes. I use it to keep track of my own mana and the mana of the other healers.
Grid Saved Variables
If you'd like to use my Grid setup, you can download my saved variables below. I recommend backing up your current saved variables just to be safe.
These files should go in the World of Warcraft\WTF\Account\ACCOUNTNAME\SavedVariables folder. If the layout doesn't seem to be working, make sure the Profiles are set correctly by typing /grid into your chat, going to the Profiles tab, and setting DG - Healing or DG - DPS for your specs.
Included in the Saved Variables download
Settings for Grid and all three plugins
Profiles for Healing and DPS (DPS re-positions Grid and makes the boxes smaller)
My tracked buff/debuff settings for all Legion dungeons and raids based on my guides.
Old WeakAuras
Below are the auras I used before patch 7.3 and Tomb of Sargeras. I'm keeping them here for the people that use them or who want something simpler.
Expand to view and copy import string for the Old WeakAuras.
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This group of auras shows when Flourish (yellow leaves), Essence of G'hanir (green leaves), and Tranquility (brown tree trunk) are off cooldown as well as shows the progress of Tranquility's cooldown. The goal is to give prominent indicators of when major cooldowns are available so you can plan accordingly for upcoming damage or react accordingly to emergency damage.
Expand to view and copy import string for the Flourish, Essence of G'hanir, Tranquility WeakAura.
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May 23, 2023 - 3:29 pm (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Adjusted Best in Slot trinkets for Raid and Mythic+, added the missing Screaming Black Dragonscale.
May 18, 2023 - 4:25 pm (Addons) - Updated Grid2 import code an Filtered Debuff lists with various debuff corrections for Dragonflight Season 2.
May 16, 2023 - 4:48 pm (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Made changes to Feet, Back, and Finger best in slot items for Raiding and Mythic+ to account for additional embellishments.
May 09, 2023 - 11:12 pm (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Updated Best in Slot lists for Dragonflight Season 2.
May 09, 2023 - 7:16 pm (Addons) - Updated Grid 2 import code with Dragonflight Season 2 debuffs.
May 09, 2023 - 6:26 pm (Addons) - Updated Grid2 import code with initial Aberrus debuffs.
March 30, 2023 - 3:44 pm (Talents and Builds) - Updated builds for 10.0.7 and added additional swap information.
March 24, 2023 - 4:51 am (Stat Weights and Gearing) - Updated Onyx Annulet stone recommendations for Mythic+.
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