Preservation Evoker is one of the most dynamic healing specializations in World of Warcraft. It offers high mobility, potent burst healing, and flexible build options to suit various content types. Whether you’re stepping into your first raid or climbing the Mythic+ ladder, Preservation gives you the tools to thrive—once you understand how to use them.
In this guide, we’ll break down how the spec works, how to choose the right build, and what you need to master to become a confident and effective Preservation Evoker.
Core Builds
Preservation Evoker has two primary build paths, each offering a unique playstyle while still leaning on the spec’s strong healing fundamentals.
Echo-based builds focus on applying the Echo buff to a large portion of your group. These buffs are then consumed with spells like Dream Breath or Spiritbloom to duplicate their effects, creating massive, targeted healing bursts. It’s a proactive style that rewards timing and preparation.
On the other hand, Emerald Blossom builds revolve around casting Emerald Blossom as frequently as possible to maintain a steady spread of healing. This build tends to be more reactive and mana-intensive, and while it can be powerful in niche encounters, it’s less commonly favored in high-end raiding.
Starting Out: Build and Difficulty Selection
If you’re new to Preservation, it’s best to start simple. The spec can be deceptively complex, especially when it comes to layering cooldowns or maximizing synergies between talents.
For beginners, the “Easy Mode” build is a fantastic way to get familiar with the basics without being overwhelmed by all the optimization and theorycrafting. It will carry you through most normal and heroic content while giving you room to build muscle memory and confidence.
Advanced raid builds like the Chronowarden setup can wait until you’re comfortable. The same goes for certain talent nuances and niche spell interactions—there’s no need to master everything on day one.
Bursting
Preservation Evoker plays a bit differently in Mythic+ compared to raids. The pace is faster, the damage patterns more erratic, and there’s often a greater need for direct single-target healing, especially on tanks. This environment pushes the Echo build into the spotlight, where it shines through versatile spell combos and cooldowns.
Key to success in Mythic+ is playing proactively. You’re not just reacting to damage—you’re preparing for it. Echo lets you “preload” your healing spells on your allies so that when damage hits, you’re already halfway through your response. This makes the spec feel incredibly responsive and clutch during dangerous trash pulls or boss mechanics.
You’ll also be more involved in dealing damage in Mythic+, thanks to spells like Fire Breath and Living Flame, both of which contribute meaningfully to your group’s DPS while maintaining your healing output. With practice, Preservation lets you fill a hybrid role without sacrificing your primary function.
Cooldowns
Preservation Evoker’s toolkit is filled with some of the most impactful healing cooldowns in the game. These abilities aren’t just backup plans—they’re the core of your gameplay.
Rewind stands out as perhaps the most powerful tool in your arsenal. It retroactively heals a portion of the damage taken in the last five seconds and applies a HoT to smooth out future hits. It’s especially effective in dungeons, where the healing it provides is doubled. Timing this correctly can stabilize your group after catastrophic damage spikes.
Emerald Communion– Use during intense group-wide damage or when other healing cooldowns are unavailable. It’s especially effective when paired with Stasis or during moments when your team is grouped together. Be mindful of its cast time and try to avoid interrupts or crowd control effects while channeling.
Then there’s Stasis, the spec’s most unique and customizable cooldown. It lets you store three spells and cast them again later for free. Mastering Stasis unlocks a new layer of depth in your gameplay. With the right setup, you can unleash massive healing bursts at critical moments—something that feels incredibly satisfying once you learn to do it well.
Lifebind
One of Preservation’s more intricate mechanics is Lifebind. It works by linking you to your allies via Verdant Embrace. Healing either party in the link will transfer a portion of that healing to the other.
Where this becomes really powerful is when combined with Echo and other healing bursts. You can chain Lifebind to multiple party members, use a big self-heal like Spiritbloom, and watch as that healing is mirrored across the group. It’s not a web, but a series of individual connections—meaning clever targeting and timing can lead to incredible group-wide healing output.
In raid, you’ll often Echo a Spiritbloom on yourself to duplicate the burst across multiple targets. In Mythic+, you might skip Echo and simply amp up the rank of your Spiritbloom or Living Flame, depending on the situation.
Stasis
Stasis deserves special attention. It can be intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes one of your strongest tools.
The trick is planning. You want to store spells that will have a big impact when repeated—think Temporal Anomaly, Dream Breath, and Spiritbloom. These create excellent Stasis combos for both burst healing and absorb shields. And since Stasis stores the exact rank and targeting of each spell, you can line up high-efficiency combos that hit exactly where you want.
There’s even room for creativity. In some encounters, you might use Stasis before the fight begins to pre-store Temporal Anomaly casts, launching them as the fight starts to give your team an early buffer. Or in niche situations, you could store multiple Cauterizing Flames to cleanse the group in one go.
Stasis rewards practice and experimentation. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll start to anticipate incoming damage windows and have a perfect healing burst waiting in your pocket.
