Requesting an Enhancement shaman guide :D
- Thread starter Byakuya14
- Start date
Byakuya14
Legend
It justs weird how there are like 4 paladin guides and no shaman guides, I pretty much know what all my abilities do and when to use them effectively, I would just like to have an "expert's" viewpoint and ideas on it.
C O T U S
Legend
the "experts" are usually wrong. trust yourself and figure things out on your own. trust me, this shit is really easy. enhancement shamans only have a handful of abilities at this level.
you're never going to understand something until you are able to generate it yourself. memorization is never a substitute for learning
you're never going to understand something until you are able to generate it yourself. memorization is never a substitute for learning
Exalt
Legend
he knows exactly what you mean. he just wants other peoples point of views so he can get a little more information than he would have by just doing it himself
TwinkO
Legend
Look for any rogue guide, except that you need to remember that enc shaman gain more profit then rogues from expertise (parry lava lash will hurt you) and hit (rogue get 40% damage from white hits, enc 50%). You need slow MH and OH, so no dagger shamans plz . For PvP its like this expertise>agility>resilience>hit>stamina>crit>haste. You need resilience and hp more then crit and haste for survival, because you will have about 1k hp in BiS gear (1.2k with AGM). Going over ability hit cap is not a bad thing, because it will increase half of your damage.
Maybe I'm wrong, but its how I think.
Maybe I'm wrong, but its how I think.
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youakim
Guest
Rock the spell pen trinket, because lava lash and shear get resisted.
Exalt
Legend
wouldn't this be BiS? Goldendaays @ Aerie Peak - Game Guide - World of Warcraft
Mail armor looks way better than leather
Mail armor looks way better than leather
Gingerbred
Legend
Shear will never be resisted
as of 4.1' All non-damaging interrupts off the global cooldown will now always hit the target. This includes Pummel, Kick, Mind Freeze, Rebuke, Skull Bash, Counterspell, Wind Shear, Solar Beam, Silencing Shot, and related player pet abilities.'
it's purge you got to worry about
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pinochet
Legend
As a non-sarcastic suggestion, try writing the enhance guide yourself. You'll have to reason through every single aspect of the class (gear, talents, spells, race) at least once in order to write each section. And posting the results publicly lets the actual experts correct your derp moments. And people are much more eager to read your work and call you out when you're wrong than they are to write an entire guide just so you can read it.
I am by no means a great hunter, but writing my guide was probably the single biggest step I ever took toward improving my own game. If it also acts as a resource and encourages new players to pick up the class, then that's a nifty side benefit.
Err did I say benefit? I meant "part of my ongoing plan to troll the entire f2p population".
I am by no means a great hunter, but writing my guide was probably the single biggest step I ever took toward improving my own game. If it also acts as a resource and encourages new players to pick up the class, then that's a nifty side benefit.
Err did I say benefit? I meant "part of my ongoing plan to troll the entire f2p population".
Xaba
Legend
I think you may be onto something there…
allahkazam
Legend
Sometimes the greatest asset of being a shaman is utility. Sometimes you purge the priest shield, other times you toss out a heal or two. Other times you drop an earthbind to help someone get distance. Other times it is your DPS that helps. It's quite a bit about situational awareness. Any spec of shaman has quite a bit of utility but knowing how to use that utility is the key. Being comfortable doing all sorts of things instead of trying to be rambo to DPS will make you stand out as a good player moreso than topping dps charts.
Also it's a great idea to learn what certain spells look like when cast around you and not necessarily when targeting someone. I love seeing pally's bubble because it's basically them holding a huge sign that some come purge my buffs and then lock me out of spellcasting so that I may die. Same with stuff like priest shield and AGM. Purge is honestly so much fun that I could never see myself playing anything else in this bracket but a shaman.
Sorry none of this is especially relevant to enhance but more just general shaman info.
Also it's a great idea to learn what certain spells look like when cast around you and not necessarily when targeting someone. I love seeing pally's bubble because it's basically them holding a huge sign that some come purge my buffs and then lock me out of spellcasting so that I may die. Same with stuff like priest shield and AGM. Purge is honestly so much fun that I could never see myself playing anything else in this bracket but a shaman.
Sorry none of this is especially relevant to enhance but more just general shaman info.
zaxxo1
Legend
this has made me really want to roll a shaman.......
Hue
Legend
Thats exactly why i'm so envious of shamans,but i'm too lazy to reroll as one ;D
allahkazam
Legend
I've thought about rerolling many times and even have a level 20 ungeared paladin on AP horde but the thought of losing purge makes my skin crawl. I'd never resub my p2p account again but I would definitely pay money to faction to alliance and get gear there to complete an enhance set BiS. That's how much I love my shaman.
Mialo
The Architect.
Miali & Miala already taken. WTF. What is diz?!
Xaba
Legend
As per the suggestion above, I've started doing more homework on this. The more I look into Enh PVP, the more I realised I've been over thinking it. It's all rather simple. We've only really got
- One option for weapons (a pair of slow one handers)
- one imbue, FT (which we use on both our slow, one handed weapons),
- One option for self buff (Lightning shield)
- one set of totems to consider,(EB/Searing/Healing, drop them early and often) We don't have Tremor, so we must choose trinket to workaroudn this.
- two enemy debuffs, which stack, if we have the time. I don't think ther is much difference which order yo go in, Earth shock slows the damage done to you, Flame Shock increase the damage done to your opponent.
- two melee attacks, It seems popular to macro these with a /startattack included to make sure you do _some_ damage.
- two Heals (+Lifeblood if herbing), only one of which is really vialble in a PvP environment. (Surge)
- Talent Spec is pretty much this, unless you _really_ want a slightly quicker GW cast? (Talent Calculator - World of Warcraft ), I'm assuming we don't want Flurry as it conflicts with our slow 1H big hitters. I'm also assuming the same goes for Beserking (troll racial) and the haste boost from Lifeblood
- an interrupt (Wind Shear)
- and Purge.
Tactics are pretty much as per the general Enh PVP guide I posted earlier, if you want to go 1v1. Though (as another clever person said above), we're a utility class, our niche is in utility roles, be it as FC, or assisting the FC, or defending the flag room. Sure you can go out and harass in the field to rack up the HP (and there's a lot to be said for farming when you're saving for those 'looms) but winning a BG often takes more than racking up the HKs.
Gear is a matter of stacking as much Stamina and Agility as you can wtih leather gear, and if you're Horde, it's even easier, as we don't get the BIS legs and headgear!
For those farming for Heirlooms; as a Level 20 F2Pr, here's what you can buy with :
Honor Points Honor Points - Currency - World of Warcraft
Justice Points, Justice Points - Currency - World of Warcraft
(Conversion rate: 375 HP to 250 JP)
TRade Honor for JP with Rogoc in Orgrimmar.
Useful Macros for Shamans - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
Shaman - World of Warcraft Addons - Curse
Shaman PvP guide - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
- One option for weapons (a pair of slow one handers)
- one imbue, FT (which we use on both our slow, one handed weapons),
- One option for self buff (Lightning shield)
- one set of totems to consider,(EB/Searing/Healing, drop them early and often) We don't have Tremor, so we must choose trinket to workaroudn this.
- two enemy debuffs, which stack, if we have the time. I don't think ther is much difference which order yo go in, Earth shock slows the damage done to you, Flame Shock increase the damage done to your opponent.
- two melee attacks, It seems popular to macro these with a /startattack included to make sure you do _some_ damage.
- two Heals (+Lifeblood if herbing), only one of which is really vialble in a PvP environment. (Surge)
- Talent Spec is pretty much this, unless you _really_ want a slightly quicker GW cast? (Talent Calculator - World of Warcraft ), I'm assuming we don't want Flurry as it conflicts with our slow 1H big hitters. I'm also assuming the same goes for Beserking (troll racial) and the haste boost from Lifeblood
- an interrupt (Wind Shear)
- and Purge.
Tactics are pretty much as per the general Enh PVP guide I posted earlier, if you want to go 1v1. Though (as another clever person said above), we're a utility class, our niche is in utility roles, be it as FC, or assisting the FC, or defending the flag room. Sure you can go out and harass in the field to rack up the HP (and there's a lot to be said for farming when you're saving for those 'looms) but winning a BG often takes more than racking up the HKs.
Gear is a matter of stacking as much Stamina and Agility as you can wtih leather gear, and if you're Horde, it's even easier, as we don't get the BIS legs and headgear!
For those farming for Heirlooms; as a Level 20 F2Pr, here's what you can buy with :
Honor Points Honor Points - Currency - World of Warcraft
Justice Points, Justice Points - Currency - World of Warcraft
(Conversion rate: 375 HP to 250 JP)
TRade Honor for JP with Rogoc in Orgrimmar.
Useful Macros for Shamans - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
Shaman - World of Warcraft Addons - Curse
Shaman PvP guide - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
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Vanguard
Legend
I pretty much exclusively play enhancement shamans but I wouldn't call myself an expert in any way. In 1v1 I usually get beaten quite easily, I always seem to perform better behind the lines (or I use other player's skills as a crutch for my own lack of skills xD). And I have a lot to learn about Arena-play; reflex-concentrating/hitting on a priest whilst a mage is polymorphing, anyone?) (A) But I might be able to provide some basic tips for new shaman (you can incorporate them into a guide yourself if you like).
In short, the things that attracts me to shamans is their utility within BG's; they purge, intterrupt (12s cooldown now :S) and can help out with healing whilst still hanging on to some of their burst capabilities in melee.
To start off; I've chosen Orc and Dwarf characters for their racial specilisations in axes and maces respectively (and i like their looks). Play whatever race suits you best, these are my choices.
In the talent department there is usually lilttle discussion: 2/2 Elemental Weapons, 3/3 Focused Strikes and 1/2 Ancestral Swiftness, I took them in that order. Ofcourse MoP will blow all of this sky-high but we'll worry about that when it gets here.
Gearwise I'm trying to get the gear Goldendaays is using. Placeholders include Armor of the Fang, Alywyn's Legguards (alliance only), Shadowfang Spaulders. You'll have to make up your own mind in the Horde's choice between Flying Tiger Goggles and the Lucky Fishing Hat, one can be a placeholder ofcourse (alliance always go for Rifle Commander's Eyepatch.)
Usually the two McGowans are consideres Best in Slot (BiS) for shamans. But i'm considering grinding the Axe of the Enforcer and using the Battle axe of the Farseer to get my orc's Axe specilisation. I'm sure someone with appropriate WoW-Math might show 2 McGowan's are better though.
Tip1: To get the orc axe specilitation and the dwarf mace specilation you need to wield 2 of those weapons before you get the actual +3 expertise. Quite basic, I know, just putting it out there for the green-horns.
Tip 2: dagger are a big no-no on shamans -> for our burstdamage we should prefer slower-hitting weapons such as axes and maces (orc and dwarf racial specilitations mind you).
Take a good look at the cooldowns of Primal Strike and Lava Lash (look ingame, wowpedia has mixed them up, apparently). Taking the 1.5 second Global cooldown into account you should be abble to come to a nice burst-rotation. Throw in an opening Flame Shock (keep it up against stealthers) and follow through with Earth Shock for burst damage. This has been the major issue I'm facing with my shamans: I frequently seem unable to give my foes the killing blow due to my lack of burst(-skills), atleast in 1v1 situations and especially versus healers who know what they are doing.
In BG's I usually try to heal my comrades till i'm at about 1/5 of my mana (sometimes i'll go oom) using the Healing Surge in combat and Healing Wave to top people off out of combat. Whilst going on this healing detail be sure to activate your Water Shield. Doing this might give your team the little edge it needs to overcome others. However, you have no hope outhealing any dedicated healers. You're just there to off-heal and give an early advantage in prolonged engagement). Once out of mana I go on DPS and interrupt detail, keep in mind that purge will now usually be unavailable due to its high mana cost. Sometimes you might actually help you team more by purging that pro-priest and adding in dps instead of off-healing of which I spoke before.
Tip 3: Wind Shear and Purge are our defining spells, make sure you can acces them in a whim. I'm using the back and forward buttons on my mouse, usually used for quickly navigating the Web, to bind these two abilities. Choose between Lightning Shield and Water Shield for your middle mouse button (clicking your mouse-wheel), depending on which one you think you'll need to re-apply in the thick of battle. Ofcourse you'll need a suitable mouse for these keybindings
Tip 4:
**** EDIT: take a look at this post by Arknoodle: normal/ctrl/shift macro'ing the keybinds close to wads is superior to the num-lock layout I state in this tip ****
I bind my totems on num 7(earth/grouding) num 8(fire/+spell power) num9(healing).
Potions on num 4 (swiftness) num 5 (Dark Moon Fire-water) num 6 (racial ability (e.g. stoneform for dwarves)
healing abilities on num 1 (healing potion) num 2 (Lifeblood) num 3 (don't remember atm)
and ofc num 0 (A/H Insigna) del (fishing)
Again, these are my personal preferences and in no way the-way-to-go.
Tip 4: if you're further up the line you migt want to concentrate on a FC-gear. You'll wont be the primary FC'er but as a off-healer you migt be close and forced to use Ghost Wolf to save the day. I can't give you specifics as I'm still building up my own stamina-gearlist.
.... hmm it would seem I've just written (a start of) your enhancement shaman guide Byakuya. I'm sure it will require some reflection/additions, however I'm supposed to be studying the knee-joint as I've been typing all of this. So future shaman's will have to forgive me because I usually don't have the time to keep it up-to-date.
I'll leave you with this: "You ever got hit with lightning where the sun don't shine?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzGlpaOyGdY
In short, the things that attracts me to shamans is their utility within BG's; they purge, intterrupt (12s cooldown now :S) and can help out with healing whilst still hanging on to some of their burst capabilities in melee.
To start off; I've chosen Orc and Dwarf characters for their racial specilisations in axes and maces respectively (and i like their looks). Play whatever race suits you best, these are my choices.
In the talent department there is usually lilttle discussion: 2/2 Elemental Weapons, 3/3 Focused Strikes and 1/2 Ancestral Swiftness, I took them in that order. Ofcourse MoP will blow all of this sky-high but we'll worry about that when it gets here.
Gearwise I'm trying to get the gear Goldendaays is using. Placeholders include Armor of the Fang, Alywyn's Legguards (alliance only), Shadowfang Spaulders. You'll have to make up your own mind in the Horde's choice between Flying Tiger Goggles and the Lucky Fishing Hat, one can be a placeholder ofcourse (alliance always go for Rifle Commander's Eyepatch.)
Usually the two McGowans are consideres Best in Slot (BiS) for shamans. But i'm considering grinding the Axe of the Enforcer and using the Battle axe of the Farseer to get my orc's Axe specilisation. I'm sure someone with appropriate WoW-Math might show 2 McGowan's are better though.
Tip1: To get the orc axe specilitation and the dwarf mace specilation you need to wield 2 of those weapons before you get the actual +3 expertise. Quite basic, I know, just putting it out there for the green-horns.
Tip 2: dagger are a big no-no on shamans -> for our burstdamage we should prefer slower-hitting weapons such as axes and maces (orc and dwarf racial specilitations mind you).
Take a good look at the cooldowns of Primal Strike and Lava Lash (look ingame, wowpedia has mixed them up, apparently). Taking the 1.5 second Global cooldown into account you should be abble to come to a nice burst-rotation. Throw in an opening Flame Shock (keep it up against stealthers) and follow through with Earth Shock for burst damage. This has been the major issue I'm facing with my shamans: I frequently seem unable to give my foes the killing blow due to my lack of burst(-skills), atleast in 1v1 situations and especially versus healers who know what they are doing.
In BG's I usually try to heal my comrades till i'm at about 1/5 of my mana (sometimes i'll go oom) using the Healing Surge in combat and Healing Wave to top people off out of combat. Whilst going on this healing detail be sure to activate your Water Shield. Doing this might give your team the little edge it needs to overcome others. However, you have no hope outhealing any dedicated healers. You're just there to off-heal and give an early advantage in prolonged engagement). Once out of mana I go on DPS and interrupt detail, keep in mind that purge will now usually be unavailable due to its high mana cost. Sometimes you might actually help you team more by purging that pro-priest and adding in dps instead of off-healing of which I spoke before.
Tip 3: Wind Shear and Purge are our defining spells, make sure you can acces them in a whim. I'm using the back and forward buttons on my mouse, usually used for quickly navigating the Web, to bind these two abilities. Choose between Lightning Shield and Water Shield for your middle mouse button (clicking your mouse-wheel), depending on which one you think you'll need to re-apply in the thick of battle. Ofcourse you'll need a suitable mouse for these keybindings
Tip 4:
**** EDIT: take a look at this post by Arknoodle: normal/ctrl/shift macro'ing the keybinds close to wads is superior to the num-lock layout I state in this tip ****
I bind my totems on num 7(earth/grouding) num 8(fire/+spell power) num9(healing).
Potions on num 4 (swiftness) num 5 (Dark Moon Fire-water) num 6 (racial ability (e.g. stoneform for dwarves)
healing abilities on num 1 (healing potion) num 2 (Lifeblood) num 3 (don't remember atm)
and ofc num 0 (A/H Insigna) del (fishing)
Again, these are my personal preferences and in no way the-way-to-go.
Tip 4: if you're further up the line you migt want to concentrate on a FC-gear. You'll wont be the primary FC'er but as a off-healer you migt be close and forced to use Ghost Wolf to save the day. I can't give you specifics as I'm still building up my own stamina-gearlist.
.... hmm it would seem I've just written (a start of) your enhancement shaman guide Byakuya. I'm sure it will require some reflection/additions, however I'm supposed to be studying the knee-joint as I've been typing all of this. So future shaman's will have to forgive me because I usually don't have the time to keep it up-to-date.
I'll leave you with this: "You ever got hit with lightning where the sun don't shine?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzGlpaOyGdY
Last edited by a moderator: