Spec/Talent ThreadFollow

I PM'd an admin about getting this stickied. For now we play the waiting game.

I believe a new thread would be more beneficial, seeing as people can come and ask and it will only be about specs. So... If you have a spec question, ask it HERE!



Now, on to the main point here. I will attempt to post proof of what I am saying, as in giving examples of where I got the specs from, etc.

-Level 80-

Enhancement: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#hVhNVZhbxsoxdIhusouVo:Nhf
Proof: http://elitistjerks.com/f79/t67034-enhancement_bis_gear_set_up_discussion/

Elemental: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#hEh0qcdItGfzAo0xxco:bkMo
Proof:
http://shamantavern.blogspot.com/2009/10/elemental-glyphs-322.html
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-talents.xml?r=Frostwolf&n=Askledarea&group=1
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-talents.xml?r=Cenarion+Circle&n=Zaythi&group=1
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-talents.xml?r=Cenarius&cn=Skyhoof&gn=Impulse
--You will notice that all of these top-end raiders do indeed have the Totem of Wrath glyph. That is because if you have the Conqueror's 2 piece set bonus (Adds crits to Flame Shock) you should not use the Flame Shock glyph.

Restoration: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#hZ0xxcZx0euIeoxkrIRt:L
--This is where it gets confusing. Since healing isn't just about producing the biggest number possible, (As in DPS) there are different variations on healing specs. The one above is the most simple spec that can do many things. I left two glyph slots open since they are subject to change. The only thing that would be constant between healing setups would be Earth Shield, since you will always have Earth Shield up.

If you need something for just raid healing, this may be better. http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#hZ0xxIZV0euIxoxkrIRt:L0i It switches out the talents that benefit Healing Wave (Reduced cast time, 25% bonus power) in favor of reduced totem cost and better shielding. There's also the Healing Stream glyph as an option for raid healing.

Tank healing you can go two ways, LHW or HW. HW: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#hZ0xxhZx0euIeoxkrIRt:LaA LHW: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#hZ0xxIZV0euIxoxkrIRt:LqA

Healing is a tough spec to compound into one simple 'best' spec. Maybe we should take a look at some other top-ends and see what they're doing? http://www.wowarmory.com/character-talents.xml?r=Frostwolf&n=Askledarea&group=1 - http://www.wowarmory.com/character-talents.xml?r=Cenarius&cn=Skyhoof&gn=Impulse - The same spec it seems, and same glyphs.

Feel free to use any one of these, create your own, or copy someone else's, it really doesn't matter. Whatever fits you best. I always used a hybrid tank/raid spec so that I could do either and not hold myself down by only excelling in one, rather being adequate in both.


-Not level 80-

Enhancement is heavily recommended until at least Outlands. Restoration is a nice, typical offspec if you have dual spec, since it will allow you to heal runs you might not otherwise get into. Leveling as Restoration main spec is not recommended, unless you don't mind it taking longer than the other two specs.

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As with all guides/stickies, this is subject to change and editing! Suggestions are welcome!

Edited, Oct 15th 2009 3:07am by CestinShaman

I admit that this might be a stupid question, but I need to ask anyway. I have a level 18 Shaman who is leveling Enhancement per all recommendations. Is the spec you listed for "80" also good for leveling up or are there talents I should take while leveling and respec at 80 (should I get there)?

Thanks in advance.

The amount of SP isn't mentioned here, but 4pc t9 is.

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Date: 09/15/09, 8:21 PM. So slightly outdated, but I'll keep looking.

So sorry Visha, the stickies don't light up when posts come in like threads do, so this is 7 days late.

Yes. I love Heroic's where it's tank and 3 melee DPS. Chain Heal is a big winner there. As for efficiency, we can be just as good as Paladins and Priests, though maybe not Disc. Priest, they are insane.

We are valued for buffs. Earth Shield, Mana Tide, Cleanse for Resto, Totem of Wrath, 5% Spell crit for Ele, Unleashed Rage, Imp. WF totem for Enh, and Bloodlust/Heroism for all specs. Other than buffs though Shaman's compete with other classes very closely on DPS/HPS.

I'm not sure what you mean. You're already Ele, unless you switched during the 2 days it took me to notice and respond.

For Elemental, you're in pretty much the right direction. I would drop Reverb though, Shocks don't need shorter CD, they are fine as is. I would take Call of Flame, for Searing Totem is very mana efficient and good damage. 5/5 Elemental Fury. Elemental Reach is meh for me. That's a good glyph, one of the better for leveling. (I think anyway.)

Elemental Warding and Convection are personal choice, I would've done 0 in Concussion and 5/5 Convection, but I don't know much about low level Ele. The easier route is Enhance.

Welcome to the forums.

You definitely want Lightning Mastery, no doubt. It's a staple of any Elemental build.

As for glyph, Flame Shock is alright. Other options are Lightning Shield, Fire Nova, Flametongue, or Water Mastery. Pick whatever you like, but because you lack Improved Fire Nova, Fire Nova glyph wouldn't be a big upgrade. With your setup, personally I'd use Lightning Shield.

In case you didn't know, check out wowhead.com. It lets you preplan your talents/glyphs so you can set up exactly what you want. Just go to Tools > Talent Calculator > Shaman.