Elemental Shaman DPS Simulations — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.1
On this page, you will find a number of useful simulation results for your Elemental Shamans in World of Warcraft — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.1.
1. Disclaimer
With the advent of certain tools such as Raidbots, simulating your character has now become simple enough that we can recommend even the average player to sim their own character. It is through advanced simulations that many of the recommendations in this guide are found, and by doing your own you can easily figure out what talents you should be using with your particular gearing combination, what gear to equip, what Legendaries to equip and more. Below there is a video guiding you on how to sim your character.
2. A note on Racial Bonuses
The difference from worst to best race is very small. Your gear and talent choices change the value of those racials. Pick a race for how it looks, feels, and the utility it brings. If you absolutely want to pick the theoretical best race for pure single target DPS according to sims, it is Dwarf for Alliance and technically Tauren for Horde although we would recommend Goblin for the mobility. Note that, for the last 3 bosses of Battle of Dazar'Alor, Gnomes get to become Goblins.
3. Changelog
- 31 Jan. 2019: Updated paragraph about best races.
- 21 Jan. 2019: Updated best race for Horde.
- 03 Jan. 2019: Updated best race for each faction.
- 18 Dec. 2018: Added a link to Bloodmallet's simulations by race.
- 10 Dec. 2018: This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
- 13 Aug. 2018: Added page.
More Shaman Guides
Guides from Other Classes
Raid Guides
This guide has been written by Stormy, Elemental main since Wrath of the Lich King and member of the Storm, Earth and Lava elemental theorycrafting team.

- Question on simming...
- Elemental spell priority
- Ele Shaman in M+
- Ele Shaman Talents don't match game
- Elemental - mastery


- Wintergrasp 8.1.5 PTR Testing: February 19th
- Rextroy's 40 Vs 40 Events
- Patch 8.1 Hotfixes: February 14th
- Patch 8.1.5: Kul Tiran Human Intro Cutscene
- Patch 8.1.5: Zandalari Troll Intro Cutscene
- PvP Hotfixes: Feb 13th - Massive Mana Regen Nerf
- Crucible of Storms Raid Testing: Feb 21st-25th
- Patch 8.1.5 Build 29352: Highlights


- Question on simming...
- Transmogrification Demon Hunters
- Affliction Warlock 8.1
- Fire Mage 8.1
- Frost Death Knight 8.1
- Marksmanship Hunter 8.1
- Destruction Warlock 8.1
- Demonology Warlock 8.1
