New To Shamans

Post by 338079

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Post by skribs

but I'm having some time staying alive in Barrens while fighting mobs maybe a level higher then me.

Shamans are a cold-start class. What I mean is that they take time before they're really able to do what they need to do. Part of the reason is that your caster abilities are actually going to be really weak until you can get some deeper talents and/or some actual caster gear (instead of the "of the eagle" crap you get in azeroth), and even as an enhancement shaman you still use a lot of casted abilities (e.g. earth shock and maelstrom weapon).

I'd say enhance really starts to pick up around level 30, when you get windfury weapon (before that it's rockbiter or flametongue), and elemental picks up around level 58 when you get to outlands and can use gear that's actually designed for casters. So don't be surprised if you struggle at the earlier levels. I say this to let you know that enhance is probably the way to go until outlands, because of the difference in gear.

That said, shamans - particularly elemental - are very good in single-target fights. They aren't the best kiters (see locks, hunters, and magi for that), but a Lightning Bolt - Frost Shock run rotation will let you take on mobs very easily. It does take a bit of time, but you take no hits and spend no extra mana on heals.

As to totems - for the most part, they aren't worth it while levelling (unless you need a specific totem, such as earthbind or stoneclaw) because you drop a 5-minute totem for fights that will last about 10 seconds. You spend 4 seconds dropping totems to maybe drop 2 seconds off a fight - not worth it (if they let you somehow move with your totems, it'd be a lot better). I would drop totems when fighting elites or mobs that are immune to nature, however, and what totems you drop will depend on the encounter.
In instances, it depends largely on your group makeup:
Earth: Stoneskin and Strength are the only two you should drop on a regular basis - although earthbind is helpful on specific encounters and tremor should be dropped on fights with those types of CC present. Stoneskin stacks with any other buff, but SoE does not stack with Horn of Winter (DK ability). If there is a DK present, drop Stoneskin, if not then it depends if you need more DPS from the melee/hunter or if you need the tank to take hits better.
Fire: Drop Nova/Magma on trash, drop flametongue on boss fights (or just flametongue on all fights). Replace flametongue with totem of wrath if you have it. If multiple shamans are present, the others can drop searing on longer fights or drop a flametongue as well just in case the first shaman dies.
Water: Healing Stream is helpful on a small number of fights, as it's buffer usually just leads to extra overheal. Mana Spring should be dropped unless you are expecting poisons or diseases, in which case drop that poison.
Air: If you have a lot of melee drop Wrath of Air. If you have a lot of casters drop Windfury.

Post by 144903

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Post by Usada

Air: If you have a lot of melee drop Wrath of Air. If you have a lot of casters drop Windfury.

Um if you drop Wrath of Air, I hope you have a lot of CASTERS, not melee.

I'm sure that's what you meant anyway, just clarifying.

Post by 338079

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Post by 144903

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Post by 338079

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Post by 338079

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Post by Tarkon

Change your name to ShamWOW! Like that annoying infomercial. lol

On a more serious note, use nothing but lightning bolts and then melee them when they are close to being dead, keep lightning shield up... etc etc.. Just stick it out till 20 and get water shield, and your mana problems will be solved.

New To Shamans

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