Shaman Class Overview

Shaman is a versatile hybrid class which can Melee DPS, Ranged DPS, or heal. All Shaman roles use Mana as their primary resource, though its importance as a resource is mostly limited to Restoration, the healing specialization. Because of gear similarities due to their main stats being shared, you will usually find Ranged / Healer Shamans or Melee Shamans, and only rarely Shaman who mix both gameplay styles.

Shaman is able to choose from three specializations: Enhancement, Elemental, and Restoration.

• Elemental — is a caster-DPS specialization that deals damage through spells such as Lightning Bolt and has caster support totems such as Totem of Wrath.
• Enhancement — is a melee-DPS specialization that deals damage through auto-attacks and melee abilities such as Stormstrike while dual wielding. It provides physical support totems such as Grace of Air Totem.
• Restoration — is a healer specialization that heals allies through spells such as Chain Heal and provides general support totems such as Healing Stream Totem.

Each Shaman specialization is very different and the specialization you should play depends on how you like to enjoy the game. Enhancement is a fun option for players who enjoy the Battlemage feeling of melee DPS heavily mixed with instant spells, Elemental is a useful ranged DPS that brings an unique fantasy, many buffs and high mobility, and Restoration is one of the best stacked raid healers with Chain Heal.

Enhancement Shaman is a great option for group support as it brings multiple unique buffs that allow physical damage group members to deal much more damage than they would normally be able to. While its own damage only becomes good later on when geared, it is still strong enough to have a comfortable leveling speed and good soloing ability right away.

Elemental Shaman is one of the best support casters to bring to a group because of its many caster buffs, such as Wrath of Air Totem, Totem of Wrath, and Bloodlust / Heroism. It can also deal competitive damage, especially at early gear levels, and is easy to play, making it a great starting option for TBC which keeps its usefulness throughout the whole expansion.

Restoration Shaman is well known for its strong area heals from Chain Heal, but it can also provide unique support to its raid group with support totems such as Mana Tide Totem and Wrath of Air Totem, as well as decent single target healing and the coveted Bloodlust / Heroism buff, making it a jack of all trades healer that is always welcomed to groups.

Shaman is a popular class due to its role flexibility, unique group buffs, and also unique ability to soak Mail caster gear. Enhancement is not the highest profile spec but can still be quite strong in the hands of capable players. Elemental is a strong ranged DPS early on with unique group buffs, making it an excellent first pick for a group. Finally, Restoration is always a fantastic pick to solve area healing issues for large raids, but even in small raids its capability to spot heal should not be underestimated.

If you are still deciding if the Shaman class is the proper choice for you, feel free to check out the video below from WillE, an avid player and long time content creator for World of Warcraft! This video will give you a solid overview of what Shaman is like to play in The Burning Crusade.

Shaman is relatively easy to gear due to a lack of competition for most Mail pieces, especially ones with Spell Damage or Healing stats where they only compete with Holy Paladins.

Shaman are able to wear Cloth, Leather, and Mail armor, and use a large variety of weapons, including staves, daggers, one-handed and two-handed maces, one-handed and two-handed axes, and fist weapons.

Your stat priority as an Enhancement Shaman should be as follows:

1. Expertise;
2. Strength / Attack Power (1 Strength = 2 Attack Power and gets even better when buffed with a Paladin's Blessing of Kings);
3. Hit;
4. Haste;
5. Critical Strike;
6. Agility.

Elemental Shaman will instead want to prioritize:

1. Spell Hit up to the 16% cap vs bosses, 3% in PvP;
2. Spell Haste;
3. Spell Damage;
4. Spell Critical Strike;
5. Intellect.

Finally, Restoration Shaman will aim for:

1. Spell Healing;
2. Spell Haste;
3. Mana every 5 seconds (Mp5);
4. Spell Critical Strike;
5. Intellect.

While Shamans do not generally compete for Mail pieces, there will be high competition from many classes for some of the more rare weapons, trinkets, and jewelry pieces.

Addons and Macros can greatly improve your quality of life in Azeroth. Listed below are some of our recommended Addons and Macros for smoothing out your gameplay.