Healing

Healing is the restoration of Health to a damaged character. Healing a character will increase their Health by the stated amount, up to but not beyond their current maximum Health.

Healing effects or Restore Health effects are effects which restore Health. These may be Hero Powers, spells or abilities such as Battlecries or Deathrattles. Most healing effects affect a single character (these effects can be targetable or select the target automatically or at random), while some others have an area of effect.

Healing is distinct from granting a minion increased Health, which increases both the current and maximum Health for the target. Increasing a minion's Health is usually achieved through enchantments (or removing them through Silences), while healing is usually achieved through effects.

Healing is available to all classes through neutral cards, but is most strongly associated with the priest class, and to a lesser extent paladins, shamans and druids.

Notes

• Although healing effects (including targetable ones) can target undamaged characters, attempting to restore Health to a character already at their current maximum Health will have no effect and will not count as healing for game purposes (for example, on-heal triggers such as Lightwarden will not trigger).
• Healing effects with an area of effect (such as Circle of Healing) heal all affected targets before any on-heal triggered effect (such as Shadowboxer) triggers.
• Auchenai Soulpriest and Embrace the Shadow make your healing effects deal damage instead (for additional details see the Advanced rules section below).
• Prophet Velen doubles the healing of your healing spells and Hero Powers (for additional details see the Advanced rules section below).
• Healing a character to full Health will remove its damaged status and thus any Enrage effect currently active, which can be very useful for denying enemy minions' Enrage effects.

Strategy

Healing can be very useful for sustaining friendly minions, allowing them to survive another round, or trade favourably with enemy minions. It can also be used to restore Health to the hero, preventing defeat and moving the hero out of lethal range. Healing is often used as a counter to aggro decks, which focus on quickly reducing an opponent's Health before they have time to counter.

Healing works best in control-based strategies, especially hero healing, which can allow the player to outlast their opponent. Reno Jackson is an especially powerful neutral healing option, single-handedly forming the basis of many control deck types. Minion healing can allow for superior trades and card efficiency, but works best with synergy cards like Northshire Cleric. Priests have the widest range of healing options in general, as well as almost exclusive access to healing synergy cards. Lesser Heal works especially well to heal either themselves or their minions, while AoE heals like Circle of Healing and Holy Nova allow for powerful combos with cards like Northshire Cleric.

A few priest cards (Auchenai Soulpriest and Embrace the Shadow) have the effect of converting healing into damage, allowing for some very efficient plays especially when combined with cheap healing cards like Flash Heal and Circle of Healing.

Advanced rules

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Healing Events

Healing effects work by creating and resolving Healing Events:

• Healing effects that affect a single target create one Healing Event, and then immediately resolve it;
• Healing effects that affect "multiple targets" (Binding Heal) creates and resolves the Healing Event of each target before moving to the next one;
• Healing effects with an area of effect first create all Healing Events (one for each affected character, in play order), and then resolve all Healing Events (queuing and resolving triggers) in play order.

Spells and effects with two steps (like Light of the Naaru, Moonglade Portal and Lay on Hands) resolve the Healing Event before they query the target's condition (e.g., if the target of Light of the Naaru is damaged) or move to their next step.

Creating a Healing Event

Each Healing Event has its own source (usually, the healing effect that created the Event; notice that, in the case of Power Word: Glory, the source of the Healing Event is the enchantment created by the spell, not the spell itself), target and proposed healing:

• Most healing effects have as proposed healing a fixed number explicitly stated in their text (for example, Lesser Heal simply reads "Restore 2 Health");
• Some healing effects have a variable proposed healing which may depend on the damage dealt by a source (Mistress of Pain, Hallazeal the Ascended, Wickerflame Burnbristle), on the cost of a card (Ivory Knight), on available mana (Forbidden Healing) or on the number of enemy minions (Cult Apothecary);
• Stoneskin Gargoyle's proposed healing is equal to the difference between its maximum Helth and its current Health;
• All other effects that restore a character to full Health (like Ancestral Healing, Reno Jackson, Tree of Life and Hozen Healer) have a proposed healing equal to that character's maximum Health.

Then, if the controller of the source of the Healing Event also controlled an unsilenced Auchenai Soulpriest since the last Aura Update (Other) Step or controls the enchantment created by Embrace the Shadow, the Healing Event is prevented and replaced with a Damage Event: this Damage Event has the same source and target of the Healing Event and has a proposed damage equal to its proposed healing (for additional details, see Damage#Advanced rules).

• Example: If a player with an Auchenai Soulpriest active casts Tree of Life all characters will suffer damage equal to their maximum Health, usually causing them all to die.
• Example: In combination with Auchenai Soulpriest, Mistress of Pain will instead deal damage to the controlling player; however, since that damage is counted as damage dealt by the Mistress of Pain herself, her effect will trigger again and again until the controlling hero is destroyed.

Then, if the the source of the Healing Event is a Hero Power or a spell (notice that this does not include the enchantment created by Power Word: Glory) and its controller also controlled an unsilenced Prophet Velen since the last Aura Update (Other) Step, double the proposed healing of the Healing Event. Multiple Prophet Velens stack, each one doubling the proposed healing.

Finally, the character's current Health is increased by the Healing Event's proposed healing, up to but not beyond its current maximum Health.

Resolving a Healing Event

If the Healing Event was prevented or if it did not change the character's current Health, it will not run any triggers.

Otherwise, on-heal triggers (listed in the following table) queue and resolve in play order.

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Northshire Cleric	Free	Minion	General	Priest	1	1	3	Whenever a minion is healed, draw a card. They help the downtrodden and distressed. Also they sell cookies.
Holy Champion	Common	Minion	General	Priest	4	3	5	Whenever a character is healed, gain +2 Attack. She really likes seeing people get better. That's why she hurts them in the first place.
Hooded Acolyte	Common	Minion	General	Priest	4	3	6	Whenever a character is healed, give your C'Thun +1/+1 (Wherever it is). Wait, what kind of acolyte doesn't wear a hood?
Lightwarden	Rare	Minion	General	Any	1	1	2	Whenever a character is healed, gain +2 Attack. She’s smaller than her sisters Mediumwarden and Heavywarden.
Nightscale Matriarch	Rare	Minion	Dragon	Priest	7	4	9	Whenever a friendly minion is healed, summon a 3/3 Whelp. Everywhelp, get in here!
Shadowboxer	Rare	Minion	Mech	Priest	2	2	3	Whenever a character is healed, deal 1 damage to a random enemy. Punching is its primary function. Also, its secondary function.
Mana Geode	Epic	Minion	Elemental	Priest	2	2	3	Whenever this minion is healed, summon a 2/2 Crystal. Gadgetzan, where even the pet rocks have pet rocks.
The Glass Knight	Legendary	Minion	General	Paladin	4	4	3	Divine Shield Whenever you restore Health, gain Divine Shield. She seems scary, but she's got a glass jaw.
Showing all 8 cards

Cards with healing effects

For Wild format listings, see Healing/Wild format

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Death Coil	None	Spell		Death Knight	2			Deal 5 damage to an enemy, or restore 5 Health to a friendly character.
Heal	None	Hero Power		Priest	2			Hero Power Restore 4 Health.
Lesser Heal	None	Hero Power		Priest	2			Hero Power Restore 2 Health.
Ancestral Healing	Free	Spell		Shaman	0			Restore a minion to full Health and give it Taunt. I personally prefer some non-ancestral right-the-heck-now healing, but maybe that is just me.
Darkscale Healer	Free	Minion	General	Any	5	4	5	Battlecry: Restore 2 Health to all friendly characters. Healing is just something she does in her free time. It's more of a hobby really.
Drain Life	Free	Spell		Warlock	3			Deal 2 damage. Restore 2 Health to your hero. "I've just sucked one year of your life away."
Guardian of Kings	Free	Minion	General	Paladin	7	5	6	Battlecry: Restore 6 Health to your hero. Holy beings from the beyond are so cliché!
Healing Totem	Free	Minion	Totem	Shaman	1	0	2	At the end of your turn, restore 1 Health to all friendly minions.
Healing Touch	Free	Spell		Druid	3			Restore 8 Health. 8 Health, no waiting.
Holy Light	Free	Spell		Paladin	2			Restore 6 Health. If you are often bathed in Holy Light, you should consider wearing sunscreen.
Holy Nova	Free	Spell		Priest	5			Deal 2 damage to all enemies. Restore 2 Health to all friendly characters. If the Holy Light forsakes you, good luck casting this spell. Also, you're probably a jerk.
Sacrificial Pact	Free	Spell		Warlock	0			Destroy a Demon. Restore 5 Health to your hero. This is the reason that Demons never really become friends with Warlocks.
Truesilver Champion	Free	Weapon		Paladin	4	4	2	Whenever your hero attacks, restore 2 Health to it. It Slices, it Dices. You can cut a tin can with it. (But you wouldn't want to.)
Voodoo Doctor	Free	Minion	General	Any	1	2	1	Battlecry: Restore 2 Health. Voodoo is an oft-misunderstood art. But it is art.
Benevolent Djinn	Common	Minion	Elemental	Paladin	3	2	4	At the end of your turn, restore 3 Health to your hero. Wish #1: funnel cakes. Wish #2: funnel cakes. Wish #3: FUNNEL CAKES.
Binding Heal	Common	Spell		Priest	1			Restore 5 Health to a minion and your hero. By accepting this healing, you agree to the following terms…
Chillblade Champion	Common	Minion	General	Paladin	4	3	2	Charge Lifesteal It slices, it dices, it vaporizes! The Chillblade will make a Champion out of even the lowliest gnome.
Circle of Healing	Common	Spell		Priest	0			Restore 4 Health to ALL minions. It isn't really a circle.
Dark Pact	Common	Spell		Warlock	1			Destroy a friendly minion. Restore 4 Health to your hero. "Don't worry about the fine print. Just sign here."
Deranged Doctor	Common	Minion	General	Any	8	8	8	Deathrattle: Restore 8 Health to your hero. Unfortunately, his doctorate is in Murloc Literature.
Divine Hymn	Common	Spell		Priest	2			Restore 6 Health to all friendly characters. Taken up an octave, it's highly effective against stained glass golems.
Earthen Ring Farseer	Common	Minion	General	Any	3	3	3	Battlecry: Restore 3 Health. He can see really far, and he doesn't use a telescope like those filthy pirates.
Fungal Enchanter	Common	Minion	General	Any	3	3	3	Battlecry: Restore 2 Health to all friendly characters. Qualifications: Born with pointy hat.
Healing Rain	Common	Spell		Shaman	3			Restore 12 Health divided randomly among all friendly characters. It's filled with electrolytes!
Hot Spring Guardian	Common	Minion	Elemental	Shaman	3	2	4	Taunt Battlecry: Restore 3 Health. NONE SHALL PASS until at least an hour after eating.
Leeching Poison	Common	Spell		Rogue	2			Give your weapon Lifesteal. No actual leeches were harmed in the creation of this card.
Priestess of Elune	Common	Minion	General	Any	6	5	4	Battlecry: Restore 4 Health to your hero. If she threatens to "moon" you, it's not what you think.
Rotten Applebaum	Common	Minion	General	Any	5	4	5	Taunt Deathrattle: Restore 4 Health to your hero. Key ingredient in Gilnean applesauce.
Shroom Brewer	Common	Minion	General	Any	4	4	4	Battlecry: Restore 4 Health. Side effects guaranteed!
Spirit Lash	Common	Spell		Priest	2			Lifesteal Deal 1 damage to all minions. We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit, stolen from you!
Squashling	Common	Minion	General	Priest	2	2	1	Echo Battlecry: Restore 2 Health. Everyone hail to the squashling song!
Tidal Surge	Common	Spell		Shaman	4			Deal 4 damage to a minion. Restore 4 Health to your hero. Also good for removing pesky stains.
Holy Fire	Rare	Spell		Priest	6			Deal 5 damage. Restore 5 Health to your hero. Often followed by Holy Smokes!
Lifedrinker	Rare	Minion	Beast	Any	4	3	3	Battlecry: Deal 3 damage to the enemy hero. Restore 3 Health to your hero. In a pinch, he'll also settle for Holy Water: Zero.
Lightwell	Rare	Minion	General	Priest	2	0	5	At the start of your turn, restore 3 Health to a damaged friendly character. It isn't clear if people ignore the Lightwell, or if it is just invisible.
Siphon Soul	Rare	Spell		Warlock	6			Destroy a minion. Restore 3 Health to your hero. You probably should avoid siphoning your own soul. You might create some kind of weird infinite loop.
Ancient of Lore	Epic	Minion	General	Druid	7	5	5	Choose One - Draw a card; or Restore 5 Health. Go ahead, carve your initials in him.
Lay on Hands	Epic	Spell		Paladin	8			Restore 8 Health. Draw 3 cards. A grammatically awkward life saver.
Blood-Queen Lana'thel	Legendary	Minion	General	Warlock	5	1	6	Lifesteal Has +1 Attack for each card you've discarded this game. As a young blood-princess she learned the proper way for a lady to curtsy, how to address fellow members of royalty, and how to bite them.
Kalimos, Primal Lord	Legendary	Minion	Elemental	Shaman	8	7	7	Battlecry: If you played an Elemental last turn, cast an Elemental Invocation. All that's missing is a little heart.
Showing all 40 cards

Related cards

For Wild format listings, see Healing/Wild format

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Northshire Cleric	Free	Minion	General	Priest	1	1	3	Whenever a minion is healed, draw a card. They help the downtrodden and distressed. Also they sell cookies.
Clockwork Automaton	Common	Minion	Mech	Any	5	4	4	Double the damage and healing of your Hero Power. Most mechs are pretty chill, but this one is all wound up.
Auchenai Soulpriest	Rare	Minion	General	Priest	4	3	5	Your cards and powers that restore Health now deal damage instead. The Auchenai know the end is coming, but they're not sure when.
Happy Ghoul	Rare	Minion	General	Any	3	3	3	Costs (0) if your hero was healed this turn. When life gives you snow…
Lesser Pearl Spellstone	Rare	Spell		Paladin	2			Summon a 2/2 Spirit with Taunt. (Restore 3 Health to upgrade.) In ages old, when Ancients broke Azari of the Legion spoke To tempt the mortals: gems of power The weak succumbed, their souls devoured.
Lightwarden	Rare	Minion	General	Any	1	1	2	Whenever a character is healed, gain +2 Attack. She’s smaller than her sisters Mediumwarden and Heavywarden.
Nightscale Matriarch	Rare	Minion	Dragon	Priest	7	4	9	Whenever a friendly minion is healed, summon a 3/3 Whelp. Everywhelp, get in here!
Pearl Spellstone	Rare	Spell		Paladin	2			Summon a 4/4 Spirit with Taunt. (Restore 3 Health to upgrade.)
Blackguard	Epic	Minion	General	Paladin	6	3	9	Whenever your hero is healed, deal that much damage to a random enemy minion. "Did I ever tell you the story of when I single-handedly took down a 29/29 C'thun?" - Reno Jackson
Prophet Velen	Legendary	Minion	General	Priest	7	7	7	Double the damage and healing of your spells and Hero Power. He's been exiled from his home, and all his brothers turned evil, but otherwise he doesn't have a lot to complain about.
Showing all 10 cards

See also

• Damage

References

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