Hi
Well i guess the title says it all. I want to start an alt and im interested in making a Shaman. I play a warrior as main but it is getting a little dull. But om just not convinsed yet, what are the good and bad things about the class? how do they play at lower and higer levels? in groups? solo? much melee?... guess i just want some input from more seasoned shamans.
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Why Choose Shaman?Follow
If you need anyone to convince you to play a certain class, you shouldn't play it.
Edited, Feb 2nd 2008 1:27pm by Gaudion
Edited, Feb 2nd 2008 1:27pm by Gaudion
12 posts
I started with the faq... but the first thing i read was "Shaman is a horde only class" and then i saw that it was over a year since it was updated so i thought that i might get some more up to date info.
And im not asking you to convince me, im asking you to tell me what you think is good and bad about the class. What you enjoy with it and what you dont like so much...
And im not asking you to convince me, im asking you to tell me what you think is good and bad about the class. What you enjoy with it and what you dont like so much...
Okay im only in the mid-40 range but ill tell you what i know. Enhancement is the way to level, Resto is the endgame spec, unless you can get in a raiding guild that lets you do w/e. Ele is pretty good too i hear, but only when you can stand in one spot for long periods of time, due to long cast times. resto is self explainatory. I'm told shaman offers the best endgame heal (not most efficient) which is Chain Heal for obvious reasons. enhancement is great though. Alot of really good dps, and good support to groups in terms of buffs, and a few extra heals. however shaman has virtually no CC. Making us often pasted over in some cases. But hopefully that will be adressed by blizz soon (there have been unconfirmed mentioning's of giving shaman some CC before the new x-pack, and maybe even more in the x-pack). All in all shaman is probally my favorite hybrid class. Just spec what you want to do and still be capable of doing everything else. If your in a caster mood spec elemental and cast away or you can melee if you want. Enhancement if you love melee (like me), and restoration if you love healing. I often hear that resto is the best endgame PvE and PvP spec because it has the most survivability, wheres you lose out on a alot of damage but then again shaman is mostly a support class, but it can do awesome damage and offers some of the best stationary buffs in the game. Most people really love leveling shaman despite the part its lacking in PvP. My opinion is that the class doesnt start shining till level 20, and at level 30 it blows everything out of the water with windfury. 40 you get dual weild if enh, 41 Stormstrike, 51 shamanistic rage. The class is alot of fun and i reccomend it as an alt. I know its fun to switch back and forth between my rogue and shaman.
Scholar
30 posts
My main was a mage and since my work schedule does not permit me to raid (love working at night pushing a button on cue - showbiz is so glamorous) I developed a very acute case of altaholicism. I have a toon of nearly every class at 20, but my heart has totally fallen for my Draenei shaman.
Though, she's only in the mid forties right now I tend to call her my main.
Anyway, what I like about playing a shaman is the level of complexity that comes from playing it. With my mage I would spam scorch then unload fireballs ad nauseaum when running instances and such. My shaman is waiting for clearcasting procs to unload another shock and trying to time that with stormstrike to maximize damage output. Trying to weave stormstrike into causing a windfury attack is also a ton of fun. Plus, while instancing I like the fact that I can also throw a heal in here and there to make everyone's lives easier. And balancing out totem use to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses is a challenge that I really enjoy.
However, the complexity can also be a hindrance. I sometimes miss how easy it was to deal so much damage with my mage. I could still spam fireballs at 4 am all bleary eyed but I require a significant degree of attentiveness to really get the most out of my shaman. Plus, dropping and re-dropping totems can be frustrating. They are some of the best buffs in the game but they are a lot of work.
All in all, I really enjoy the hybrid nature that lets me swap roles on the fly from DPS to off-tank to off-healer as enhancement. It's also a ton of fun to run up on someone in STV and one-shot them (and I am not a big fan of PvP).
The second sticky on this forum will have more up to date information as well as perspectives on late game play that I cannot offer.
Hope I helped!
Though, she's only in the mid forties right now I tend to call her my main.
Anyway, what I like about playing a shaman is the level of complexity that comes from playing it. With my mage I would spam scorch then unload fireballs ad nauseaum when running instances and such. My shaman is waiting for clearcasting procs to unload another shock and trying to time that with stormstrike to maximize damage output. Trying to weave stormstrike into causing a windfury attack is also a ton of fun. Plus, while instancing I like the fact that I can also throw a heal in here and there to make everyone's lives easier. And balancing out totem use to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses is a challenge that I really enjoy.
However, the complexity can also be a hindrance. I sometimes miss how easy it was to deal so much damage with my mage. I could still spam fireballs at 4 am all bleary eyed but I require a significant degree of attentiveness to really get the most out of my shaman. Plus, dropping and re-dropping totems can be frustrating. They are some of the best buffs in the game but they are a lot of work.
All in all, I really enjoy the hybrid nature that lets me swap roles on the fly from DPS to off-tank to off-healer as enhancement. It's also a ton of fun to run up on someone in STV and one-shot them (and I am not a big fan of PvP).
The second sticky on this forum will have more up to date information as well as perspectives on late game play that I cannot offer.
Hope I helped!
joons wrote:
I started with the faq... but the first thing i read was "Shaman is a horde only class" and then i saw that it was over a year since it was updated so i thought that i might get some more up to date info.
And im not asking you to convince me, im asking you to tell me what you think is good and bad about the class. What you enjoy with it and what you dont like so much...
And im not asking you to convince me, im asking you to tell me what you think is good and bad about the class. What you enjoy with it and what you dont like so much...
The deceptively titled "Shaman FAQ" is actually an attempt to usurp Paracleets's, Gaudion's, and my respective authorities on these here Shaman Forums.
Go to Paracleets's "Comprehensive FAQ" for info.
Here, easy to break down.
Enhancement--
Good for leveling up to mid 60s even to 70
Good for pvp due to spike dmg
Easily kitable
Not much armor for melee. Roughly 4k at beginning 70
Elemental--
Great for pvp
Extremely high DPS (i have yet to be smashed)
Has good answers to most classes
No CC (goes for all builds)
Resto--
Tougher than hell to kill
But takes a month to kill anything
Wanted for end game raid for healing
General--
Great arena partners, theres a reason we are target priority number 1.
Totems are great buffs
Bloodlust is best party buff ever
Purge is a great pvp tool
Enhancement--
Good for leveling up to mid 60s even to 70
Good for pvp due to spike dmg
Easily kitable
Not much armor for melee. Roughly 4k at beginning 70
Elemental--
Great for pvp
Extremely high DPS (i have yet to be smashed)
Has good answers to most classes
No CC (goes for all builds)
Resto--
Tougher than hell to kill
But takes a month to kill anything
Wanted for end game raid for healing
General--
Great arena partners, theres a reason we are target priority number 1.
Totems are great buffs
Bloodlust is best party buff ever
Purge is a great pvp tool
I play shaman for something different. They are the least played class. It's better than being "just another huntard". They are my favourite healing class. I like still being up in most fights where the priest is one shotted before he can even hit fade (not that I can have kara mobs hitting on me very long LOL. one or 2 shots only). They have a wide variety of buff options for the party. The other day I was running Shat halls with 2 prot warriors, a ret pally, and a rogue. You'd think no crowd control would be hard (though we were kara geared which helped), but we cleaned the place up, especially with windfury totem up. It is so cool buffing 4 melee guys with windfury totem. I'd like to see a priest do that.
Because Shaman is the Man's class!
You can't spell Shaman without Man...or without Sham...
So maybe it's not the mans class after all...
Shaman = Sham Man! Not to be trusted!
Sorry for my nonsensical dribblings.
Bored at work so I thought I'd let the randomness of my mind run free for a bit.
You can't spell Shaman without Man...or without Sham...
So maybe it's not the mans class after all...
Shaman = Sham Man! Not to be trusted!
Sorry for my nonsensical dribblings.
Bored at work so I thought I'd let the randomness of my mind run free for a bit.
Shamans can caster dps, melee dps, or heal...the only class that can do more than that are druids (tank) and maybe Pallies (not sure if ret-spec is caster or melee or both). But pallies can't ghost wolf and druids can't walk on water.
12 posts
RuinatorVek the Eccentric wrote:
Because Shaman is the Man's class!
You can't spell Shaman without Man...or without Sham...
So maybe it's not the mans class after all...
Shaman = Sham Man! Not to be trusted!
You can't spell Shaman without Man...or without Sham...
So maybe it's not the mans class after all...
Shaman = Sham Man! Not to be trusted!
this is what sold me :D
Thx alot for the answers guys, i went to the "Comprehensive FAQ" dint see it at first... :P
Sounds like its a fun and challenging class to play, even at lover levels..
Well im off to my new Troll shammy :)
Peace
Quote:
The deceptively titled "Shaman FAQ" is actually an attempt to usurp Paracleets's, Gaudion's, and my respective authorities on these here Shaman Forums.
i wonder why it's still there even after being so outdated.
Draeneipally wrote:
Quote:
The deceptively titled "Shaman FAQ" is actually an attempt to usurp Paracleets's, Gaudion's, and my respective authorities on these here Shaman Forums.
i wonder why it's still there even after being so outdated.
I often wonder the same thing. Great minds think alike, eh?
Maybe someone could post on the suggestion forum? /nudge /nudge /hint /hint =P
oh and shamans can pump out some massive dps as elemental. I had no idea they could put up so much numbers. We had to tell our elemental shammy not to cast anything in phase 1 in prince because he just puts up so much dps (he's often #1) and threat. And of course in phase 2, lots of dps is needed, so we needed him to be low on the list. they have an advantage over rogues in the long run because in some fights such as prince, rogues have to do a lot of running around, and can't dps while running. While a shammy can just sit there and nuke everything. It helps he as almost all epics too. So don't think you have to be a healer. If you are committed to dps, you can put out some massive damage. But you have to keep up on your gear.
In short term situations our top rogue can put out more dps, but over the long run the shaman puts out more, because he doesn't have to move and reposition.
Edited, Feb 7th 2008 6:03pm by thrashering
In short term situations our top rogue can put out more dps, but over the long run the shaman puts out more, because he doesn't have to move and reposition.
Edited, Feb 7th 2008 6:03pm by thrashering
12 posts
OK, im back again :)
Ive been playing around a bit now lvl (14 atm) and a qustion just popped into my head (Better to use my old thread). What about proffessions? i know as a warr that there is at least one thing from BS that you definatly want when levelling and that is the Green Iron Hauberk. But that can be bought from AH or whatever...
The question is, is there anyrhing similar as shammy? and does it require me to take LW? i have skinning and herbalism now and probaly will keep those at least til the expansion.
Well anyways, txh for any answer :)
Ive been playing around a bit now lvl (14 atm) and a qustion just popped into my head (Better to use my old thread). What about proffessions? i know as a warr that there is at least one thing from BS that you definatly want when levelling and that is the Green Iron Hauberk. But that can be bought from AH or whatever...
The question is, is there anyrhing similar as shammy? and does it require me to take LW? i have skinning and herbalism now and probaly will keep those at least til the expansion.
Well anyways, txh for any answer :)
if you're looking for professions, i might have a few suggestions.
you could do leatherworking/skinning, which will benefit you abit in having to save money on armor, and i think later on leatherworking does create some mail type armor, which will help you beyond level 40.
mining/jewelcrafting was my choice, especially in terms of tapping an untaped money market, who knew a few early on rings, that cost roughly 3 gold material could sell for as much as 9-12 gold if you're lucky and market them right. if you're looking for a creation skill to get you some cash and stats, and even create jewels for end-game items, this is for you.
mining/blacksmithing is something i'm not to sure about, i don't have a character far enough along to see how many endgame blacksmithing recipe's and learnables are mail, or if they provide good enough stats for shamans, you might do some research yourself for that.
mining/engineering is good for some helmit class items early on, but other then that, it's just a fun thing to toy with.
Alchemy/Herbalism is a nice choice, as the buffs can add on to your own, which is useful, as well as having healing potions and mana potions (And you will need them!)
********/ enchanting, cause everyone loves enchanting!
you could do leatherworking/skinning, which will benefit you abit in having to save money on armor, and i think later on leatherworking does create some mail type armor, which will help you beyond level 40.
mining/jewelcrafting was my choice, especially in terms of tapping an untaped money market, who knew a few early on rings, that cost roughly 3 gold material could sell for as much as 9-12 gold if you're lucky and market them right. if you're looking for a creation skill to get you some cash and stats, and even create jewels for end-game items, this is for you.
mining/blacksmithing is something i'm not to sure about, i don't have a character far enough along to see how many endgame blacksmithing recipe's and learnables are mail, or if they provide good enough stats for shamans, you might do some research yourself for that.
mining/engineering is good for some helmit class items early on, but other then that, it's just a fun thing to toy with.
Alchemy/Herbalism is a nice choice, as the buffs can add on to your own, which is useful, as well as having healing potions and mana potions (And you will need them!)
********/ enchanting, cause everyone loves enchanting!
I'm alch/herb and yes mana potions are very nice. Other nice one's are Dranic wisdom, healing power or adept's elixir.
Leatherworking is ok, but the most benefit will come if you intend on getting Nethers from heroics or spending badges.
One cool helm I'm trying to get made for me is Living Dragonscale Helm. It's BOE, but the Nether is BOP. I haven't been able to find someone to make it for me. I can run heroic UB to try to get 2nd boss drop, but haven't been able to find a group yet. Or maybe one of these days T4 will drop from prince. I'm not having much luck on that one.
I don't think LW is mandatory, but could prove beneficial. Alchemy is always nice, can't go wrong there. And as said above JC for money making purposes.
Leatherworking is ok, but the most benefit will come if you intend on getting Nethers from heroics or spending badges.
One cool helm I'm trying to get made for me is Living Dragonscale Helm. It's BOE, but the Nether is BOP. I haven't been able to find someone to make it for me. I can run heroic UB to try to get 2nd boss drop, but haven't been able to find a group yet. Or maybe one of these days T4 will drop from prince. I'm not having much luck on that one.
I don't think LW is mandatory, but could prove beneficial. Alchemy is always nice, can't go wrong there. And as said above JC for money making purposes.
If you have the patience I would say level Mining\Engineering. Our complete and total lack of CC can be minimized by use of bomb stuns and such. I tend to use my War Stomp when running (Tauren ftw) but as you are a troll you might not see as much success burning Berzerking :P
Idk..I just kind of wish I would have gone Mining\Engineering route. I am an Herbalist\Enchanter btw. Never short on money. I can buy everything I might need and quite a few things I want. Both enchanting (or disenchanting rather) and Herbalism creates quite the cash flow.
Idk..I just kind of wish I would have gone Mining\Engineering route. I am an Herbalist\Enchanter btw. Never short on money. I can buy everything I might need and quite a few things I want. Both enchanting (or disenchanting rather) and Herbalism creates quite the cash flow.
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