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Druid or Shaman better?
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Post by
Kibbles
Which class is better- Druid or Shaman?
This question was brought up in guild chat yesterday, and I wanted to put it to wowhead. I am asking of four qualities- DPS, Healing, Tanking, and overall. Do not vote just because of your main or current class or what you like better. Give reasons please. Posted in druid and shaman forums.
Post by
hymer
Has anyone pointed out that this is pretty much a question of less than examplary intelligence? The two classes are
different
.
DPS: Depending on circumstances, both are equally good. Both have a caster DPS and a melee DPS, each with their own strengths.
Healing: Depending on circumstances, both are equally good. Both have a healing tree, both have a role as healers. When it comes to PvP, I'd rather heal as a tree or be healed by a tree. In a raid, I'd rather have both in the group than two of either. In fivemans, both can fill the healing role to full satisfaction.
Tanking: Not a fair point. Shamans can't tank. Druids can.
Overall: In either case, you pick one role (or two with dual spec), and you excel at it.
The question is, what do each class bring to the table? One brings combat ress, one brings wipe recovery. One brings strong stationary buffs, the other brings unparalelled mobility. One brings surprising flexibility in a crisis, and so does the other.
The final answer to which class is best:
I don't grant your premise.
Post by
Kibbles
Fair point, but id rather have a druid healing me in any instance or raid. especially in the instances with cc-ing bosses/mobs.
DPS is about equal.
Shamans cant tank, youre right.
Overall, that is 1/2 vs shamans 0/2.
And i dont belive that they fulfill completely different roles. both heal, both DPS, one tanks.
Post by
hymer
The point I'm trying to make, is that an effective hybrid must specialize in ONE of his abilities, and use the others very little. A real hybrid spec just doesn't cut it.
And since this is the case, there is little point in comparing ranged DPS, melee DPS, healing AND tanking. That druids can fill a role that shamans can't simply means you'll be that less certain what you're getting from any given druid. It doesn't make the druid better at the thing he is supposed to do.
And don't forget that there are weaknesses to HoTs as well as advantages. They take time to work (and Nature's Swiftness has a CD), they can be dispelled, and some abilities reduce their effectiveness in addition to general healing reduction. They are also harder to master. There are compensations for the weaknesses, but they remain weaknesses.
It's a matter of situation, preference, player skill and gear, not a matter of cold facts, which is a better class. Apples and oranges. Take one of each, not two of the same.
Post by
Thror
We usually have about seven apples, and only one or two oranges in our raid :(
Post by
Kibbles
I understand that. Lets assume there is one healer in a group of 4 tanks in a part of an Ulduar raid. Everyone had the best gear possible for their class, their play style was the same. If you were one of the tanks, which class would you rather have healing?
And which class does highest dps for lowest threat?
And oranges are healthier for you via citrus
Post by
hymer
Their low pH values will, at some point, affect your teeth, though. So it's still better to go with a little of both than one over the other.
For your specific case scenario, I'd rather have a tree behind me than a shammy. One less tank (and I may very well be wrong here, never played a resto shammy) and Chain Heal could win out.
The original poster, you, asked
Which class is better- Druid or Shaman?
As for highest damage for lowest threat, that would depend on talents. But it's hardly important, unless your tank is struggling to keep aggro (which shouldn't be a problem).
So I'm sorry if my answer seemed arrogant or stubborn. I don't want to insult shammies, and I don't think I should (except for fun).
Post by
Kibbles
Of course it will, but then again, apples are tougher. And if you have that much pH in you, you live in an orange grove or eat citrus daily. And id rather have weak teeth than bleeding gums that wont let me have citrus at all.
Post by
irishsnout
I have an 80 shaman and a new 80 druid both dual specced resto. I also only have limited experience.
1. dps : ranged shaman has easier rotation, both very effective in single and multiple mobs. Melee druid easier rotation better in pve imo.
2. Healing. Druid is all about heal over time. good steady heals, very good at dealing with damage over time and group wide damage. Shaman have high burst heals. Great for damage spikes and single targets with a chain heal to top the melee off from aoe.
3. Tanking duids ftw, shaman only have spirit wolves(awesome) and 2 totems to help in solo tanking an elite.
4. Overall druids can fill all roles and are very slippery in pvp. shapeshifting makes the class fun. battle rez anyone?
Shaman are more flexible with group/raid utility. totems and cures. self rez and walk on water like Jesus.
I think my druid perfoms a little better. Now on to paladins.......
Post by
frankc
lol as for the dps factor...id give that to a ele shammy fast...stack a lil haste and let the good times roll:P..healing....damn good fight there...me personally..i like the HOTs but shammys are great party healers...id say close to a tie..edge druid....tank..druid all day....dps melee...this is gonna be tough...depends on the player...a well played enhanced shammy can faceroll big time...then again a shammy is hard to play no matter what spec...
Post by
170838
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
hymer
And if you have that much pH in you
pH is a value that denotes acid vs. base. A value of 7 is neutral. Below that is acid, above that is base.
But that's hardly my point. My point is, it's a mistake to even argue the
general
merits of classes. Specific situations, fine. If you have a naturally low pH value in your mouth, keep your acidic beverages and fruits down a little. Knowing when to step in and step out is part of knowing how to play your class.
Bloodlust/Heroism is irreplaceable. So is Reincarnation and totems. The same goes for a druids HoTs and combat ress. I just don't understand why you are so determined to say that one thing must be better than the other. The two specific situations you should be asking about are these:
Who is the best at filling a druid slot? A druid.
Who is the best at filling a shaman slot? A shaman.
Post by
176018
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341206
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Post by
Lightrain
You are asking a druid forum this question.
The correct answer here is
DRUID
.
You can't argue raid spots because they work differently. You want all classes and relevant specs present in a balanced raid. Having a melee heavy raid without an enh shaman will lower the dps of said raid. The same can be said if there is no feral druid.
The same can also be said for boomkins and trees against caster shaman.
Post by
NeoBlackheart
I will say Druids are the end all be all class. They can do everything. Tank, Heal, Melle DPs, Ranged DPS.
Buffs:
Feral druids bring 5% crit chance for melee and mark of the wild thorns and Brez
Boomkins 5% crit boost to Spells and same as above
Trees really just the tree buff
Tanking: Shamans cant
DPS:
Ranged DPS with large hits
Melee that can pull insane DPS (we have 1 Feral druid in our guild and 3 enhance shamans. the shamans have the gear and the rotation and pull 3k dps, the druid is still in 1 blue and he pulls 4.1)
Healer:
Can do a ton of hots around the raid.
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427837
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88516
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146856
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Post by
Heckler
Check out the Shaman community's replies here:
http://www.wowhead.com/?forums&topic=116878&p=1359753
pretty interesting similarities =)
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