PVP questionsFollow

After playing WoW for almost 2 years, i just created the only class i didn't try yet "SHAMAN". And i'm kicking myself for waiting that long because i just love it!

I did excellent in PvP and dueling friends, my spec is Enhancement. For some reason i do feel a little OP in my lvl range (20-30), so here my questions.

1-Why Shaman has such a bad reputation in Arena (2x2)?, so far i can keep up with all the classes

2-What spec is better for arena (2x2), i will be fighting with a Paladin (Holy)

Basically what jmfmb said. To reiterate:


Let me stop you once right here. Whether you refuse to believe it or not, Shaman of any spec are in serious contention for worst dueling class in the game. If you are a person big on standing outside of Ironforge or Ogrimmar yelling for duels to prove your prowess... you are playing the wrong class.



You feel OP for the same reason you can keep up with all the other classes: you are in the 20-30 level range. Or more to the point, you don't understand why Shaman have such a bad reputation in the arena because you aren't in the arena.


Enhancement, hands-down. Elemental + healer simply does not work at all. They are way too easy to shut down, control, and otherwise marginalize if your opponent is DPSx2, and they are a breeze to heal through solo. Their damage also tanks a lot worse than an Enhancement Shaman's when they run out of mana. Enhancement Shaman can keep the pressure on much better for longer, and pressure is what 2v2 arena is all about with a DPS/healer team.

There is no reason to flame you for something that's true. Elemental Shaman are much better in 3v3. They suck pretty badly in 2v2 regardless of the team, but pretty much the only way they work there is in DPSx2 set-ups that attempt to burst a member of the other team down before they can react.


Purge is... a blessing and a curse.

Against Disc Priests in particular, it's not really as great as you might expect it to be. Disc Priests can generate buffs at a constant and alarming rate, all with a 20% dispel resistance (balloons to 85% with Pain Supressions up), which often makes it difficult to Purge the things you really want to (PW:S and Renew). They can be Purged defenseless, instantly with a little luck, but more often than not it turns out to be a thankless task since any time you are standing there spamming Purges on them you are vulnerable to Mana Burn, Mind Control, and/or Psychic Scream.

Druids, unfortunately, are... Druids. Lifebloom is just ridiculous at the moment.

Now, that's not to say that you shouldn't Purge either of these classes and every other you come across with pertinent buffs. But the theory is that you simply waltz up to your target, Purge, and then make them explode. Theory, as you may know, often does not match up with reality. Purge is a spell, meaning any time you are casting Purge, you are not casting Shocks or lightning spells. In this manner, Enhancement again really comes out ahead of of Elemental since they can continually Purge and still get a few weapon swings in edgewise. When an Elemental Shaman is Purging, that's one GCD (at least) that he's not actually causing any damage to you, plus potential cast time.


Don't misunderstand. Elemental is perfectly viable in 3v3 and 5v5. Not great, in 3v3, but still viable. They're just horrid in 2's. As for whether or not that'll change in WotLK... Who knows? I think it's still far too early to tell.

Thanks guys,

I'll stay Enhancement and forget about 1800 rating i guess :)

I read also that Shaman will be getting some CC in the expansion (like sheep for mage). If it's true, that should help us a lot on those 2x2.