WotLK Classic Elemental Shaman Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities

If you have not already, please read the Spell Summary page. Knowing how each spell and ability works in detail will make it much easier to understand the topics discussed on this page.

We will present the skill rotation of an Elemental Shaman as a priority list. This is not an exact sequence in which abilities should be cast. Instead, what it means is that whenever you must choose between using different skills, try to use the one at the top of the list first.

Our recommendations assume you are running one of the recommended talent builds from the talents page and are playing a max level character. If you are still leveling, please refer to the leveling page for a leveling-specific rotation.

As Elemental, you should always use Flametongue Weapon on your weapon.

Fire Elemental Totem snapshots, which means the Spell Power it deals damage with and its cooldown are tied to the gear and glyphs you were using when you cast it. In some fights you can swap to your best Spell Power gear and use the Elemental before the pull, while swapping to your normal gear before you enter combat, for maximum benefit!

In fights longer than 7 minutes, it also can be worth to use Glyph of Fire Elemental Totem in order to be able to have two full Fire Elemental Totems during the fight.

Try to start every fight with Totem of Wrath, even if you have 2,800+ Spell Power Demonology Warlocks in your group using Demonic Pact (at which point its buff is superior), as it will buff the effect of the first Demonic Pact. You can swap to Searing Totem once Demonic Pact is applied.

1. Place down your totems with Call of the Elements (group-dependent);
2. Elemental Mastery when available if you will be able to cast uninterrupted for its duration;
3. Flame Shock;
4. Lava Burst if Flame Shock will be on target when the cast finishes (no guaranteed crit if Flame Shock is only applied during Lava Burst flight time);
5. Chain Lightning if not having Mana issues;
6. Lightning Bolt;
7. Frost Shock when movement is required and Flame Shock is already on target.

Besides regular Chain Lightnings, most of your area damage will come from Magma Totem and Fire Nova, which creates an explosion coming from your active Fire Totem. Thus, you will want to be close to the enemies you are hitting in order to be able to refresh Magma nearby whenever it expires.

1. Magma Totem;
2. Fire Nova;
3. Elemental Mastery when available if you will be able to cast uninterrupted for its duration;
4. Chain Lightning;
5. Thunderstorm (with Glyph of Thunderstorm);
6. From here, follow the single-target rotation priority.