Ive never really tried a shaman, but before I get into one I had a few questions. First, everywhere i read, I hear shamans are only a support class due to their totems and have an impossible time going solo, is this true? Second, is it hard to keep totems from being destroyed by enemies during solo play? Third, is it a fun class, meaning is it repetitive or is there a lot of variety. Finally(at least all i can think of for now) In terms of gameplay I hear a druid is very close to a shaman in terms of rolls during gameplay, is this true? If so, would a druid be a better roll to play solo?
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:18pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
- Forums
- World of Warcraft
- Class Discussion
- Shaman questions
Shaman questionsFollow
FollowingBlindlyOn wrote:
Ive never really tried a shaman, but before I get into one I had a few questions. First, everywhere i read, I hear shamans are only a support class due to their totems and have an impossible time going solo, is this true? Second, is it hard to keep totems from being destroyed by enemies during solo play? Third, is it a fun class, meaning is it repetitive or is there a lot of variety. Finally(at least all i can think of for now) In terms of gameplay I hear a druid is very close to a shaman in terms of rolls during gameplay, is this true? If so, would a druid be a better roll to play solo?
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:18pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:18pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
Ok, clearly you know very little of the Shaman class. Let me clear some things up.
1. We support the group very well, but still fill the role of DPS/healer in the group. We are are a very strong soloing class once you get the hang of it.
2. Enemies will never target the totems that buff you unless they aggro to the totem. Meaning the totem is in their aggro range, but not you. Fire ones will pull aggro occasionally, Searing and Magma, for they actually do damage.
3. It's not all to repetitive, you can mix up what Shock's you use and totems, but after awhile all classes become repetitive. But we do have more options than most classes. For example Warrior, Rogue or Hunter.
4. No, actually. Druids are much different from Shaman's. While they spec for either melee or spellcasting (Feral or Balance), Shaman's do both at the same time. Enhancement anyway, this is the best leveling spec so there are many Enhancie's out there. Enhancement mixes melee hits/crits with our Shocks. Druids and Shamans can both solo very well.
Edit: Ugh, I accidentally posted when I was experimenting with the quoting, hence the first edit. Lucky only jmfmb saw it.
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:37pm by CestinShaman
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:40pm by CestinShaman
If you are spec for dps solo is not hard at all bud, we can put out heavy burst damage I suggest enhancement for the grind since there is a lot of gear to support that spec and can put out some great damage on your way up.
As for totems staying alive while you solo it depends, if your dropping totems in a crowded area yes but generally if you are using totems while you grind you may want to out them in a safe place and pull the enemies towards you where you are keeping your totems, the only sturdy totem we have is stone claw which taunts enemies to hit it and it has a decent amount of health (good for multiple enemies to relieve some pressure off yourself) this also helps keep your damage dealing fire totems a little bit safer.
Shaman is kind of like paladin whem it comes to leveling you drop totems and put up lightning shield when you can but your mostly going to be using auto attack and healing when needed with occasional shocks either for damage or utility (earth shock interrupts flame dots and frost slows).
I would not compare druid and shaman druid use shape shifts and hots shaman use melee attacks and regular heals, totems also apply much different buffs then what shaman do. Druid feels more like a part time rogue, warrior, and healer with a little bit from each. Shaman feels more like an offensive paladin. I would say druid has a bit more versatile role but shaman are better buffer for the group. But both are hybrids if that's what you mean.
As for totems staying alive while you solo it depends, if your dropping totems in a crowded area yes but generally if you are using totems while you grind you may want to out them in a safe place and pull the enemies towards you where you are keeping your totems, the only sturdy totem we have is stone claw which taunts enemies to hit it and it has a decent amount of health (good for multiple enemies to relieve some pressure off yourself) this also helps keep your damage dealing fire totems a little bit safer.
Shaman is kind of like paladin whem it comes to leveling you drop totems and put up lightning shield when you can but your mostly going to be using auto attack and healing when needed with occasional shocks either for damage or utility (earth shock interrupts flame dots and frost slows).
I would not compare druid and shaman druid use shape shifts and hots shaman use melee attacks and regular heals, totems also apply much different buffs then what shaman do. Druid feels more like a part time rogue, warrior, and healer with a little bit from each. Shaman feels more like an offensive paladin. I would say druid has a bit more versatile role but shaman are better buffer for the group. But both are hybrids if that's what you mean.
16 posts
Since you said it is like an offensive paladin, how is a shaman defensively, is it able to take damage like a paladin, in the lower levels?
We would be able to tank, we can use shields and can generate a moderate amount of threat, (Frost Shock) we just don't have enough armor. While Paladin's get mail 1-40, we get Leather. Paladin's get Plate 40-70, while we have Mail 40-70, so we can't take the damage as well.
In emergencies Shaman's can tank though.
In emergencies Shaman's can tank though.
Tanking at lower levels is possible I assume still since I use to do it but this is also when rock biter had a threat modifier so I dunno. I wouldn't say we are squishy in pve if you know how to heal during right time we can go on forever, but paladins like Cestin said have plate and some nice bubbles for when is needed to toss yourself a heal without being beat up on or to save yourself from pulling too many at once.
Only a 43 Shaman, but as it took only 10 RL days to get there, I'll chime in.
Hell no. My shaman leveled 31-43 in three days this weekend (granted with a ton of playtime). Just spec enhancement and get a solid weapon, you'll be fine. And don't be fooled with your DPS pre-40; at 40 you get Dual-wield, and the increase in damage is insane. I take down almost any enemy level 40-42 in under 10 seconds.
Like everyone has said, no. Enemies only target damaging totems, and AoE does not destroy them. However, very rarely will you use totems in solo play unless you have a big camp of enemies nearby, or are preparing for a hard fight. For example, in the Badlands 41-43, I used totems for two situations:
1. There's a buzzard camp with 6 buzzards around, so I plopped myself down right in the middle, got out my healing stream, grace of air and strength of earth, and went to town. Took out 5 of them before I the totems expired.
2. Fighting earth elementals, my secondary sources of damage (Lightning Shield and Earth Shock) were useless. So I would throw down a Grace of Air for an additional 4% crit, and use frost shock/flame shock instead. Helped, since earth elementals high very high armor anyway.
Other than those situations, it's tough to use totems a lot solo. It uses up hundreds of mana, takes several seconds, and really doesn't make a huge difference in a solo battle. They're awesome for instances, though.
All classes are somewhat repetitive once you start to play them optimally. You find what works the best and stick with it. That said, Shaman is nice and different from other classes I've had. If we didn't use WoW titles, I'd call it a "Battlemage." You don't have great armor, but it's ok (mail at 40 boosted my armor by about 2.5x). You can start battle through lightning at enemies, then rush in to melee, tossing out instant-cast shocks. Finally, you heal yourself after. It's like a druid in that you can do a lot; but it's not as specialized (we won't be MTing any time soon, but DPS and healing with support is great).
As said above, Druid is the true jack of all trades. But shaman has a bit of a lot of classes. In my opinion it is more magically-oriented than a druid (which isn't purely true, as my Shaman's melee is AMAZING). I'll break it down:
Druid:
1. Can tank like a warrior
2. Can heal (hard to compare to priest/paladin/shaman healing because it's a completely different mechanic; almost all HoTs)
3. Can stealth and DPS like a rogue
4. Can cast like a semi-gimped mage
5. Only class with a battle-res
Shaman:
1. Can water-walk like a priest
2. Can water-breathe like a warlock
3. Can get a travel form like a druid
4. Can attack like a fury warrior
5. Can cast like a gimped mage, with some changes (chained lightning is fun)
6. Can support like a paladin, although a different mechanic
7. Can self-resurrect like a warlock's soulstone
8. Can heal like a priest (sans shields)
Also, the word you wanted was "roles." In terms of "rolls," yes, an enhancement shaman and a feral druid (and rogues of all colors) will roll on the same type of gear: melee leather. Of course, a shaman wants strength more than agility, so with +agility gear it should be no contest.
FollowingBlindlyOn wrote:
Ive never really tried a shaman, but before I get into one I had a few questions. First, everywhere i read, I hear shamans are only a support class due to their totems and have an impossible time going solo, is this true?
Hell no. My shaman leveled 31-43 in three days this weekend (granted with a ton of playtime). Just spec enhancement and get a solid weapon, you'll be fine. And don't be fooled with your DPS pre-40; at 40 you get Dual-wield, and the increase in damage is insane. I take down almost any enemy level 40-42 in under 10 seconds.
Quote:
Second, is it hard to keep totems from being destroyed by enemies during solo play?
Like everyone has said, no. Enemies only target damaging totems, and AoE does not destroy them. However, very rarely will you use totems in solo play unless you have a big camp of enemies nearby, or are preparing for a hard fight. For example, in the Badlands 41-43, I used totems for two situations:
1. There's a buzzard camp with 6 buzzards around, so I plopped myself down right in the middle, got out my healing stream, grace of air and strength of earth, and went to town. Took out 5 of them before I the totems expired.
2. Fighting earth elementals, my secondary sources of damage (Lightning Shield and Earth Shock) were useless. So I would throw down a Grace of Air for an additional 4% crit, and use frost shock/flame shock instead. Helped, since earth elementals high very high armor anyway.
Other than those situations, it's tough to use totems a lot solo. It uses up hundreds of mana, takes several seconds, and really doesn't make a huge difference in a solo battle. They're awesome for instances, though.
Quote:
Third, is it a fun class, meaning is it repetitive or is there a lot of variety.
All classes are somewhat repetitive once you start to play them optimally. You find what works the best and stick with it. That said, Shaman is nice and different from other classes I've had. If we didn't use WoW titles, I'd call it a "Battlemage." You don't have great armor, but it's ok (mail at 40 boosted my armor by about 2.5x). You can start battle through lightning at enemies, then rush in to melee, tossing out instant-cast shocks. Finally, you heal yourself after. It's like a druid in that you can do a lot; but it's not as specialized (we won't be MTing any time soon, but DPS and healing with support is great).
Quote:
Finally(at least all i can think of for now) In terms of gameplay I hear a druid is very close to a shaman in terms of rolls during gameplay, is this true? If so, would a druid be a better roll to play solo?
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:18pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
Edited, Jul 13th 2008 11:18pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
As said above, Druid is the true jack of all trades. But shaman has a bit of a lot of classes. In my opinion it is more magically-oriented than a druid (which isn't purely true, as my Shaman's melee is AMAZING). I'll break it down:
Druid:
1. Can tank like a warrior
2. Can heal (hard to compare to priest/paladin/shaman healing because it's a completely different mechanic; almost all HoTs)
3. Can stealth and DPS like a rogue
4. Can cast like a semi-gimped mage
5. Only class with a battle-res
Shaman:
1. Can water-walk like a priest
2. Can water-breathe like a warlock
3. Can get a travel form like a druid
4. Can attack like a fury warrior
5. Can cast like a gimped mage, with some changes (chained lightning is fun)
6. Can support like a paladin, although a different mechanic
7. Can self-resurrect like a warlock's soulstone
8. Can heal like a priest (sans shields)
Also, the word you wanted was "roles." In terms of "rolls," yes, an enhancement shaman and a feral druid (and rogues of all colors) will roll on the same type of gear: melee leather. Of course, a shaman wants strength more than agility, so with +agility gear it should be no contest.
16 posts
So from what was said, totems are not used much in solo play? If i were to use them, would it slow down my leveling speed? And also, what would the battle style be like, I imagine, put down totems, cast a spell, and then wait and then melee attack, is that close? Finally would a druid or shaman be better solo?
Edited, Jul 14th 2008 5:13pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
Edited, Jul 14th 2008 5:13pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
FollowingBlindlyOn wrote:
So from what was said, totems are not used much in solo play? If i were to use them, would it slow down my leveling speed? And also, what would the battle style be like, I imagine, put down totems, cast a spell, and then wait and then melee attack, is that close? Finally would a druid or shaman be better solo?
Edited, Jul 14th 2008 5:13pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
Edited, Jul 14th 2008 5:13pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
You can use totems, it's just faster to go in swinging, I have found. What you said is pretty much the normal battle, although often I'll just run in, since I don't use totems much. I use Stormstrike right away, and every time I get a crit and a shock cooldown is down, I Earth Shock (highest instant damage shock), since crits make my next shock cost 60% less mana. With a few windfury procs thrown in, stuff dies fast.
I think a druid would level faster. They have no downtime; I have to sit and drink every 6 or 7 battles (more often the higher the enemies).
Comparing druid and shaman is possible but hard. You asked about soloing so I assume that you are not thinking about end game yet? Shaman is not that great at 1-20 and 20-30 it's also somewhat less great. Druid has worst time of all chars between 1-10 but it's really nice when you don't use mana in fight and can heal right after it (not talking about balance leveling here).
If you like pvp I would go for druid. Do you like to play in groups? As druid they all ask you to tank and they ask shamans to heal. But for soloing they are both almost same, you can use both very differently in fights. Start pulling with spell and finish with melee or go in like a madman and bash all enemys down.
In beginning I didn't like shapeshifting so much and didn't first play druid, but later I fell in love with Hots and versatility.
If you like pvp I would go for druid. Do you like to play in groups? As druid they all ask you to tank and they ask shamans to heal. But for soloing they are both almost same, you can use both very differently in fights. Start pulling with spell and finish with melee or go in like a madman and bash all enemys down.
In beginning I didn't like shapeshifting so much and didn't first play druid, but later I fell in love with Hots and versatility.
FollowingBlindlyOn wrote:
So from what was said, totems are not used much in solo play? If i were to use them, would it slow down my leveling speed? And also, what would the battle style be like, I imagine, put down totems, cast a spell, and then wait and then melee attack, is that close? Finally would a druid or shaman be better solo?
Edited, Jul 14th 2008 5:13pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
Edited, Jul 14th 2008 5:13pm by FollowingBlindlyOn
I must say I cannot agree with this. The totems are huge buffs, mainly Strength of Earth and Mana Spring, they help the most when soloing I've found.
My normal pulls would go: Lightning Bolt, maybe another LB while it's getting to me, Stormstrike, Earth Shock and that should be all you need. Maybe if there's time another Stormstrike or Earth Shock.
Often times I set up a "camp" of sorts, of 3 or 4 totems and, using LB to pull, drag the enemies back to my "camp" so that I can save mana, using my old totems longer. This doesn't work on caster enemies though, they wont follow you easily.
EDIT: Ding 200 post.
Edited, Jul 15th 2008 5:59am by CestinShaman
There are actually many places where you would drop SoE and manatotem since AP bonus from Str is huge and it also puffs your healing/healingstream/SR abilities. So unless I'm just running through the mob I would drop at least one totem. It's easy to count how long manaspring has to be active to be get benefit from it.
And many gathering Q's makes it possible to pull 3-4 mobs to same location with little movement so that U have same totems up for long time. From my experience I would say that 80-90% of fights I have had a totem or 2 down.
And many gathering Q's makes it possible to pull 3-4 mobs to same location with little movement so that U have same totems up for long time. From my experience I would say that 80-90% of fights I have had a totem or 2 down.
Causa wrote:
There are actually many places where you would drop SoE and manatotem since AP bonus from Str is huge and it also puffs your healing/healingstream/SR abilities. So unless I'm just running through the mob I would drop at least one totem. It's easy to count how long manaspring has to be active to be get benefit from it.
And many gathering Q's makes it possible to pull 3-4 mobs to same location with little movement so that U have same totems up for long time. From my experience I would say that 80-90% of fights I have had a totem or 2 down.
And many gathering Q's makes it possible to pull 3-4 mobs to same location with little movement so that U have same totems up for long time. From my experience I would say that 80-90% of fights I have had a totem or 2 down.
I think this might be more of the case in Outland; in Azeroth I have found most enemies outside of enemy camps are decently spread out. If I know enemies will be close together, then I drop totems; otherwise I do literally run through the enemies. Using 155 mana on a grace of air totem that will affect me for one or two battles doesn't feel worth it to me.
Different strokes for different folks; I might change my tune as I level up further (only 46 now).
16 posts
So if I were to "set up camp" with totems every so often, how would this affect leveling speed, does it bring it to a crawl, or is it just a matter of doing it enough times where it becomes 2nd nature?
Edited, Jul 15th 2008 11:31am by FollowingBlindlyOn
Edited, Jul 15th 2008 11:31am by FollowingBlindlyOn
That depends on where you decide to set your totem camp at. If you see that there are a decent amount of mobs around that you will be able to pull easily to your totem range, and you will be able to kill them all within 2 minutes, then this will help you level faster. however, if you set up camp with only 1 or 2 mobs around, you are wasting mana and time.
Nothing levels faster than a feral druid except maybe a BM hunter. So if all you're about is speed leveling, don't do shammy.
That said, shamans level quite well. Totems are sparingly used when soloing(covered above -- they're also our oh-sh*t button: Pull 4 mobs insted of two? Drop totems) but used often in groups. I find my shaman most fun in a group when I'm constantly rearranging the totem setup depending on who my allies and enemies are. The main difference between shamans and druids is druids basically do one thing at a time, depending on the form. Shamans can do many things at once, but not the range that a druid can (ie, we can't really tank). In terms of durability, imagine a pre-40 ret pally w/out his bubble. Not very durable, but can take a couple of hits.
Shamans also work on random procs, unlike most classes. Most of our high-damage abilities are really beyond our control (wf, lo). So if you like an element of danger and unpredictability, shaman is for you. If you're a control freak who always likes to know what is going to happen next, maybe druid.
That said, shamans level quite well. Totems are sparingly used when soloing(covered above -- they're also our oh-sh*t button: Pull 4 mobs insted of two? Drop totems) but used often in groups. I find my shaman most fun in a group when I'm constantly rearranging the totem setup depending on who my allies and enemies are. The main difference between shamans and druids is druids basically do one thing at a time, depending on the form. Shamans can do many things at once, but not the range that a druid can (ie, we can't really tank). In terms of durability, imagine a pre-40 ret pally w/out his bubble. Not very durable, but can take a couple of hits.
Shamans also work on random procs, unlike most classes. Most of our high-damage abilities are really beyond our control (wf, lo). So if you like an element of danger and unpredictability, shaman is for you. If you're a control freak who always likes to know what is going to happen next, maybe druid.
And shammy's have a ton of buttons to push! Talk about ability overload! This is why I like em. Druid is simple in comparison. Cast hot. Go cat, kill enemy, cash heal, go cat.. Boring.
Like everyone else said shamans are very good solo and a fun class to play. With hybrid classes (shaman, paladin, druid) you get alot of variety. I suggest trying a shaman out to see if you like them. If you dont like a certain playstyle they have others, that's the beauty of a hybrid class.
You won't have downtime once you get water shield at I believe 62, but you are right druids don't really have downtime
Are you being sarcastic? Shamans have 2-3 buttons not counting totems which there are macros and mods to shorten them down to 1 button. Druids depending on how you play have 3-9 buttons(if your putting bleeds up)
Edited, Jul 18th 2008 8:36pm by Addickt
Quote:
I think a druid would level faster. They have no downtime; I have to sit and drink every 6 or 7 battles (more often the higher the enemies).
You won't have downtime once you get water shield at I believe 62, but you are right druids don't really have downtime
Quote:
And shammy's have a ton of buttons to push! Talk about ability overload! This is why I like em. Druid is simple in comparison. Cast hot. Go cat, kill enemy, cash heal, go cat.. Boring.
Are you being sarcastic? Shamans have 2-3 buttons not counting totems which there are macros and mods to shorten them down to 1 button. Druids depending on how you play have 3-9 buttons(if your putting bleeds up)
Edited, Jul 18th 2008 8:36pm by Addickt
Three words: the Jesus spell!
Who wants to be a druid when you know you can walk on water? /smile
(that being said, shaman is by far my favorite; druid as my second favorite; paladin third; hybrid classes is just me)
((and THAT being said, honestly, I use Water Walking a TON for several things))
Who wants to be a druid when you know you can walk on water? /smile
(that being said, shaman is by far my favorite; druid as my second favorite; paladin third; hybrid classes is just me)
((and THAT being said, honestly, I use Water Walking a TON for several things))
Scholar
49 posts
What the heck is "the Jesus spell"?
Our ability to walk on water.
here are a few things
1.) when you get WF and dualwielding it wont be that reptative but eventually this will happen for every class
2.) a shaman is the 2nd most durable dps class out there behind Warriors and Pallys.
3.) the DPS you can get with a shaman is amazing especially at level 40 ele or enchant although enchant is slightly better for lvling due to mana efficiency and speed but ele is not too far behind.
4.) lets see an enemy try to kill your flame or earth elemental totem.
5.) a druid has to shapeshift again and again to perform the tasks required while a shaman does it all at the same time.
6.) it is true that shamans have the best buffs around but dont you think for one sec that they cant throw down serious damage.
7.) every class can level
8.) the choice is yours level a druid and a shaman to 40 or 20 each depending on how much time you have then see which you like better.
1.) when you get WF and dualwielding it wont be that reptative but eventually this will happen for every class
2.) a shaman is the 2nd most durable dps class out there behind Warriors and Pallys.
3.) the DPS you can get with a shaman is amazing especially at level 40 ele or enchant although enchant is slightly better for lvling due to mana efficiency and speed but ele is not too far behind.
4.) lets see an enemy try to kill your flame or earth elemental totem.
5.) a druid has to shapeshift again and again to perform the tasks required while a shaman does it all at the same time.
6.) it is true that shamans have the best buffs around but dont you think for one sec that they cant throw down serious damage.
7.) every class can level
8.) the choice is yours level a druid and a shaman to 40 or 20 each depending on how much time you have then see which you like better.
Recent Visitors: 113
All times are in CST
Anonymous Guests (113)
- Forums
- World of Warcraft
- Class Discussion
- Shaman questions
© 2024 Fanbyte LLC