Shaman
Available Races: Orc, Tauren, Troll

The Shaman:

Shamans are a tribal class, using the most primitive magic. The basics: Air, Earth, Fire, Water & Spirit. Though those basics go a long way. Shamans are quite versatile, and extremely group friendly. This is due to their totems, which the shaman drops on the ground by his feet and the totem acts much like a paladin's aura but much more versatile. The totem has a 8-20 yard range around it, depending on the totem, where any party member or enemy is affected by a variety of effects while inside this "totem bubble" One of the totems they get even affects the groups mana regeneration rate. Aside from totems, shamans have other abilities that make them loved in groups. They can resurrect a dead player, heal proficiently, cure, tank when needed, have decent melee abilities and can get around very quickly before everyone else with Astral Recall and Ghost Wolf.

Class Travel: Ghost Wolf

While not as fast as a mount, the shamans ability to turn into a Ghost Wolf comes much earlier then a mount in their career. Obtainable at level 20, shamans can get around quickly sooner then any other class. Running at 40% normal speed, its only 20% slower then a mount.

You may not cast while in Ghost Wolf form, but you may melee. Though it does nothing extra for you, and since you wont able able to use your Instants while meleeing its quite pointless to use Ghost Wolf for anything but travel.

Ghost Wolf can save you some gold but at higher level you will still want a mount, as a mount with mithril spurs goes 71% faster then normal run speed.

While in ghost form you are concidered a beast, so beast only related abilities and spells will affect you.

Class Popularity

Here are some statistics for how popular the shaman was in the 9 day Stress Test. The full of this information can be found here

14% of characters on horde were shamans

Armor & Defense
Shield
Cloth
Leather
Chain
Lvl 40
Parry
Lvl 25+
Available with talent points

Shamans are the only casting class that gets chain armor & shields. So that means they are by no means weak in melee combat. Especially with their self weapon buffs for it. It certainly does set you apart from all the other casters out there. With maybe the exception of the druid who can go bear form for armor, but the look of chain armor is a big bonus. Though you have to wait until 40 to wear chain, you can use shields at lower levels to set you apart from other casters.

Weapons

Starting Weapon Skills
Unarmed
Mace
Staves
Learnable Weapon Skills
Axe
Daggers
Fist Weapon

Talent Weapon Skills
2H Axe
2H Mace
These 2 Skills are obtainable via a lvl 35+ Talent
Shaman Abilities & Spells

Here are some things to note when looking through the Shaman's abilities. Any attack/spell that's labeled as an Instant, is just that, Instant, and is not affected or does not affect any other combat/casting timers. What this means is, you don't have to stop and cast the spell. You could cast it while running, or meleeing.

Also, as you will see, there is a # of Ranks next to each ability. For example, Molten Blast has 7 ranks. This means there are 7 upgrades that follow from the level you get the ability to level 60. You can see what level you get Rank 1 of an ability by looking at the level under the picture for each ability. I did it this way so you could just skim through what a shaman can do, without having to filter through just basic upgrades. There are other sites out there that have this information. This page is intended to help you choose a race and a class, and fill you in on the capabilities of a Shaman.

Interrupting a spell in World of Warcraft just means prolonging the time it takes to cast it by X seconds. Where as stun, will completely stop and abort a spell from being cast and needs to be cast again.

Of course all spells below cost mana. The mana cost & strength for each gets higher with each rank of the spell. Again I chose not to display mana cost details due to simplifying reasons of quickly browsing a shamans abilities. Though I did Italic the portion of the spell that grows stronger with each rank. Some spells may list something like 2-3 sec cast time in Italic. This means the spell starts at 2 seconds to cast at rank 1, then grow to 3 with higher ranks.

Spells that can be cast Instantly have their cast time of "Instant" underlined to stress the power of the spell. Instant spells are by far more powerful the spells that take time to cast, so I felt it must be noted when browsing through.

Some abilities are upgradable with talents. There will be something that looks like this: Upgradable: +15% Damage to show what the ability will max out at if upgraded with talents. You will not be able to get all of the upgrades. You earn one talent point a level starting at 10-60. So thats 50 points you can put towards talents, or only about 1.5 talent trees. Use talent calculator websites to determine what you want, talents listed here are for browsing use.

Weapon Spells
Note - Italiced words in the description show what is improved with each rank.

Rockbiter Weapon (5 Ranks)

Level 1

Category: Self Buff (Atk Power)
Type: Earth Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 5 min
Upgradable: +10% to atk power
Description: A self only buff to the shamans attack power (+10%).

Flametounge Weapon (4 Ranks)

Level 10

Category: Self Buff (Proc)
Type: Fire Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 5 min
Upgradable: +10% to fire dmg
Description: Gives a proc of fire direct damage (+10%) Damage depends on weapon speed

Frostbrand Weapon (3 Ranks)

Level 20

Category: Self Buff (Proc)
Type: Water Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 5 min
Upgradable: +10% to forst dmg
Description: Gives a 30% chance to proc a frost direct damage (+10%) spell that slows targets movement speed by 75% for 8 sec

 

Windfury Weapon (3 Ranks)

Level 30

Category: Self Buff (Proc)
Type: Air Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 5 min
Upgradable: +10% chance to proc
Description: Gives a 20% (30%) chance to grant 2-4 extra attacks with improved atk power

  
Healing Spells
Note - Italiced words in the cast time & description show what is improved/changed with each rank.

Healing Wave (9 Ranks)

Level 1

Category: Heal
Type: Water Magic
Cast Time: 2-3 (1.5 - 2.5) sec
Range: 40 yard
Upgradable: -6% mana cost
Upgradable: -0.5 sec cast time
Upgradable: +5% chace to crit
Upgradable: +10% to hp healed
Upgradable: +25% to targets armor if crit
Description: A wave reaches out for your target healing (+10%) them for an amount depending on rank

Rebirth

Level 12

Category: Resurrect
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: 10 (6) sec
Range: 40 yard
Upgradable: -4 sec cast time
Description: Returns the spirit to the body, restoring a dead target to life with 1% of their health and mana.

Cure Poison

Level 16

Category: Cure
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 30 yard
Description: Removes 1 poison effect on target

Lesser Healing Wave (6 Ranks)

Level 20

Category: Heal
Type: Water Magic
Cast Time: 1.5
Range: 40 yard
Upgradable: -6% mana cost
Upgradable: +5% chace to crit
Upgradable: +10% to hp healed
Upgradable: +25% to targets armor if crit
Upgradable: +75% chance to avoid interruption
Description: A wave reaches out for your target healing (+10%) them for less then Healing Wave but at a faster cast time.

Cure Disease

Level 22

Category: Cure
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 30 yard
Description: Removes 1 disease effect on target

Chain Heal (3 Ranks)

Level 40

Category: Multi-Target Heal
Type: Water Magic
Cast Time: 2.5 sec
Range: 40 yard
Upgradable: -6% mana cost
Upgradable: +5% chace to crit
Upgradable: +10% to hp healed
Upgradable: +25% to targets armor if crit
Description: Heals (+10%) the friendly target, then jumps to heal (+10%) additional nearby targets. Each jump reduces the effectiveness of the heal by 50%. Heals 3 total targets.

Direct Damage & DoT Spells
Note - Italiced words in the cast time & description show what is improved/changed with each rank.
Recently Lightning Shock & Molten Blast were removed, so thats why you dont see them here

Lightning Bolt (10 Ranks)

Level 1

Category: Nuke
Type: Air Magic
Cast Time: 2-3 (1-2) sec
Range: 30 yard
Upgradable: -1 sec cast time
Upgradable: -15% mana cost
Upgradable: +11% chance to crit
Description: Strikes the target causing nature damage

Earth Shock (7 Ranks)

Level 4

Category: Nuke + Interrupt
Type: Earth Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 20 yard
Cool Down: 6 (5) sec
Upgradable: +5% dmg
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +5% chance to crit
Upgradable: -1 sec to cool down
Description: Shocks target with Nature damage (+5%) and disrupts any spell being cast for 2 sec.

Flame Shock (5 Ranks)

Level 10

Category: Nuke + DoT
Type: Fire Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 20 yard
Duration: 12 sec
Cool Down: 6 (5) sec
Upgradable: +5% dmg
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: -1 sec to cool down
Description: Instantly shocks the target with Fire damage (+5%), then burns them for 12 seconds causing Fire damage over time.

Frost Shock (4 Ranks)

Level 20

Category: Nuke + Snare
Type: Water Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 20 yard
Duration: 8 sec
Cool Down: 6 (5) sec
Upgradable: +5% dmg
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: -1 sec to cool down
Description: Instantly shocks the target with Frost damage (+5%), slowing their movement speed by 50% for 8 seconds.

Chain Lightning (4 Ranks)

Level 32

Category: Multi-Target Nuke
Type: Air Magic
Cast Time: 2.5 (1.5) sec
Range: 30 yard
Cool Down: 6 sec
Upgradable: +10% damage
Upgradable: -1 sec cast time
Upgradable: +11% chance to crit
Description: Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, nature damage (+10%) and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets

Stormstrike (1 Rank Talent)

Level 40

Category: Combat Move
Cast Time: Instant
Type: Air Magic
Duration: 12 sec
Description: Gives 1 extra melee swing plus +20% nature damage for your next 2 nature dmg casts for 387 mana

Totems
Note - Italiced words anywhere in the totem stats show what is improved with each rank.
All totems are summoned at the foot of the caster, and require you to have in your inventory, a totem depending on the magic type.
All totems are dropped with a specified amount of health, these totems can be attacked and destroyed before their duration is up.

Stoneskin Totem (6 Ranks)

Level 1

Category: Group Dmg Reduction
Type: Earth Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +20% to dmg absorb
Description: The totem reduces physical damage (+20%) taken by party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Stoneskin Totem

Level 6

Category: AoE Snare
Type: Earth Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 45 sec
Effect Range: 10 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem slows the movement of all enemies within 10 yards of the totem.

Stoneclaw Totem (6 Ranks)

Level 8

Category: AoE Taunt
Type: Earth Magic
Totem Health: 65-490 (75-563)
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 15 sec or destroyed
Effect Range: 8 yard
Cool Down: 30 sec
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +15% to totem health
Description: The totem taunts creatures within 8 yards of the totem to attack it. Lasts 15 seconds or until destroyed

Strength of Earth Totem (4 Ranks)

Level 10

Category: Group Buff (Strength)
Type: Earth Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 45sec - 1.5 min
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +15% to str buff
Description: The totem increases the strength (+15%) of party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Searing Totem (6 Ranks)

Level 11

Category: AoE DoT
Type: Fire Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 30 - 55 (36-66) sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: +10% damage
Upgradable: +20% duration
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem burns enemies within 20 yards with fire damage (+10%) every 2 seconds

Fire Nova Totem (6 Ranks)

Level 12

Category: AoE DD
Type: Fire Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 5 sec or destroyed
Effect Range: 10 yard
Cool Down: 15 sec
Upgradable: +10% damage
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: -2 sec on fire dmg delay
Description: The totem will cause strong fire damage (+10%) to every enemy within 10 yards of the totem 4 (2) seconds after its cast.

Tremor Totem

Level 18

Category: Group Wake
Type: Earth Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min 30 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem shakes the ground around it, waking party members within 20 yards from harmful status effects.

Healing Stream Totem (5 Ranks)

Level 22

Category: Group Regen
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min (1min 15sec)
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: +15% duration
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +20% to hp healed
Description: Every 5 seconds the totem restores health (+20%) to party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Poison Cleansing Totem

Level 22

Category: Group Cure
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min 30 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: Every 5 seconds the totem attempts to cure 1 poison effect from party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Frost Resistance Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 24

Category: Group Resist
Type: Fire Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem increases the frost resistance of every party member within 20 yards of the totem.

Mana Spring Totem (4 Rank)

Level 26

Category: Group Mana Regen
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min (1min 15sec)
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: +15% duration
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +25% to mana regened
Description: Every 5 seconds the totem restores mana (+25%) to party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Magma Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 26

Category: AoE Strong DoT
Type: Fire Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 20 sec
Effect Range: 8 yard
Upgradable: +10% damage
Upgradable: -30% mana cost
Description: The totem burns enemies within 8 yards with fire damage (+10%) every 2 seconds

 

Flametounge Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 28

Category: Group Buff (Proc)
Type: Fire Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min 30 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: +10% damage
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem enchants all party members' weapons within 20 yards of the totem with a 100% chance to proc a fire direct damage (+10%) spell. Damage depends on weapon speed

Fire Resistance Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 28

Category: Group Resist
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem increases the fire resistance of every party member within 20 yards of the totem.

Nature Resistance Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 30

Category: Group Resist
Type: Air Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem increases the nature resistance of every party member within 20 yards of the totem.

Grounding Totem

Level 30

Category: Group Absorb
Type: Air Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 45 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Cool Down: 15 sec
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: -4 sec from absorb timer
Description: The totem will absorb 1 harmful spell every 10 (6) seconds for party members within 20 yards

Windfury Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 32

Category: Group Buff (Proc)
Type: Air Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min 30 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem enchants all party members' weapons within 20 yards of the totem with a 20% chance to proc and do 1 extra attack at increased atk power.

Sentry Totem

Level 34

Category: Group Buff (Agility)
Type: Air Magic
Totem Health: 100
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 5 min
Effect Range: Infinite
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem allows vision of nearby area and warns of enemies that attack it. Right-Click on buff to switch back and forth between totem sight and shaman sight.

Mana Tide Totem (1 Rank Talent)

Level 35

Category: Group Mana Regen
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 12 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem restores 120 mana every 3 seconds to group members within 20 yards.

Windwall Totem (3 Ranks)

Level 36

Category: Group Dmg Reduction
Type: Air Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: The totem reduces ranged damage taken by party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Disease Cleansing Totem

Level 38

Category: Group Cure
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min 30 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Description: Every 5 seconds the totem attempts to cure 1 disease effect from party members within 20 yards of the totem.

Grace of Air Totem (2 Ranks)

Level 42

Category: Group Buff (Agility)
Type: Air Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 1 min 30 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Upgradable: -10% mana cost
Upgradable: +15% to agility buff
Description: The totem increases the agility (+15%) of party members within 20 yards of the totem

 

 
Other Spells
Note - Italiced words anywhere in the totem stats show what is improved with each rank.

Lightning Shield (7 Ranks)

Level 8

Category: Self Dmg Shield
Type: Air Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 30 yard
Duration: 10 min
Upgradable: +15% dmg to balls
Description: The caster is surrounded by 3 balls of lightning. Each time a melee or ranged attacker hits the caster, the attacker will be struck for Nature damage (+15%). This expends one lightning ball. Only one ball will fire every few seconds.

Purge (2 Ranks)

Level 14

Category: Dispell
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Range: 30 yard
Description: Purges the enemy target, removing 1 to 2 beneficial magic effects.

Ghost Wolf

Level 20

Category: Self Run Speed
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: 3 (1) sec
Range: 30 yard
Upgradable: -2 sec cast time
Description: Shaman morphs into a Ghost Wolf, increasing run speed by 140% . shaman can still attack physically in this form but it does no good.

Water Breathing

Level 22

Category: Self Water Breath
Type: Water Magic
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 10 min
Description: Allows the shaman to breath under water.

Far Sight

Level 26

Category: Change Viewpoint
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: 2 sec
Range: 50,000 yard
Duration: 1 min
Description: Allows shaman to see the viewpoint of the targeted location. Outdoors Only.

Astral Recall

Level 30

Category: Self Water Breath
Type: Spirit Magic
Cast Time: 10 sec
Cool Down: 15 min
Description: Yanks the Shaman through the twisting nether back to his home location

Elemental Focus (1 Rank Talent)

Level 25

Category: Passive Self Buff
Description: Gives you a 10% chance to enter a Clearcasting state after casting any Fire, Frost, or Nature damage spell. The Clearcasting state reduces the mana cost of your next damage spell by -100%.

Nature's Swiftness (1 Rank Talent)

Level 30

Category: Self Buff (Instant)
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 8 sec
Cool Down: 3 min
Description: When activated, your next Nature spell with a cast time under 10 seconds becomes an instant cast spell

 

Shaman Talents
Enhancement
Restoration
Elemental Combat

Ancestral Knowledge (5 Ranks)
Increases your maximum Mana by

Level 10

Rank 1: 1%
Rank 2: 2%
Rank 3: 3%
Rank 4: 4%
Rank 5: 5%

Improved Healing Wave (5 Ranks)
Reduces the casting time of Healing Wave by

Level 10

Rank 1: 0.1 sec
Rank 2: 0.2 sec
Rank 3: 0.3 sec
Rank 4: 0.4 sec
Rank 5: 0.5 sec

Improved Lightning Bolt (5 Ranks)
Reduces the Mana cost of Lightning Bolt by

Level 10

Rank 1: 3%
Rank 2: 6%
Rank 3: 9%
Rank 4: 12%
Rank 5: 15%

Shield Specialization (5 Ranks)
Increases chance to block attacks with a shield by

Level 10

Rank 1: 1%
Rank 2: 2%
Rank 3: 3%
Rank 4: 4%
Rank 5: 5%

Purification (5 Ranks)
Increases the effectiveness of healing spells by

Level 10

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 4%
Rank 3: 6%
Rank 4: 8%
Rank 5: 10%

Concussion (5 Ranks)
Increases the damage done by Shock spells by

Level 10

Rank 1: 1%
Rank 2: 2%
Rank 3: 3%
Rank 4: 4%
Rank 5: 5%

Improved Stoneskin Totem (3 Ranks)
Increases the amount of damage absorbed by your Stoneskin Totem by

Level 15

Rank 1: 7%
Rank 2: 14%
Rank 3: 20%

Improved Rebirth (2 Ranks)
Reduces the casting time of Rebirth by

Level 15

Rank 1: 2 sec
Rank 2: 4 sec

Improved Stoneclaw Totem (5 Ranks)
Increases the Health of Stoneclaw Totem by

Level 15

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%
Rank 3: 15%
Rank 4: 20%
Rank 5: 25%

Thundering Strikes (5 Ranks)
Improves chance to get a critical strike with weapon attacks by

Level 15

Rank 1: 1%
Rank 2: 2%
Rank 3: 3%
Rank 4: 4%
Rank 5: 5%

Ancestral Healing (5 Ranks)
When you critically heal your target, they, for 15 seconds gain bonus armor from items by:

Level 15

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%
Rank 3: 15%
Rank 4: 20%
Rank 5: 25%

Call of Flame (5 Ranks)
Increases the damage done by Fire Totems by

Level 15

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 4%
Rank 3: 6%
Rank 4: 8%
Rank 5: 10%

Improved Ghost Wolf (2 Ranks)
Reduces the cast time of Ghost Wolf by

Level 15

Rank 1: 1 sec
Rank 2: 2 sec

Tidal Focus (5 Ranks)
Reduces the Mana cost of your healing spells by

Level 15

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 3%
Rank 3: 4%
Rank 4: 5%
Rank 5: 6%

Convection (5 Ranks)
Reduces the Mana cost of Shock spells by

Level 15

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 4%
Rank 3: 6%
Rank 4: 8%
Rank 5: 10%

Improved Lightning Shield (4 Ranks)
Increases the damage done by Lightning Shield orbs by

Level 15

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%
Rank 3: 15%

Eventide (5 Ranks)
Increases the duration of your Healing Stream and Mana Spring totems by

Level 20

Rank 1: 3%
Rank 2: 6%
Rank 3: 9%
Rank 4: 12%
Rank 5: 15%

Improved Searing Totem (2 Ranks)
Increases the duration of Searing Totem by

Level 15

Rank 1: 10%
Rank 2: 20%

Improved Strength of Earth Totem (3 Ranks)
Increases the amount of Strength the totem adds by

Level 20

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%
Rank 3: 15%

Improved Lesser Healing Wave (5 Ranks)
Gives chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while casting Lesser Healing Wave.

Level 20

Rank 1: 15%
Rank 2: 30%
Rank 3: 45%
Rank 4: 60%
Rank 5: 75%

Call of Thunder (5 Ranks)
Increases the critical strike chance of Lightning spells

Level 20

Rank 1: 1% chance
Rank 2: 2%
Rank 3: 3%
Rank 4: 4%
Rank 5: 6%

Anticipation (5 Ranks)
Increases defense skill by

Level 20

Rank 1: 2
Rank 2: 4
Rank 3: 6
Rank 4: 8
Rank 5: 10

Improved Healing Stream Totem (5 Ranks)
Increases the effect of Healing Stream Totem by

Level 25

Rank 1: 4%
Rank 2: 8%
Rank 3: 12%
Rank 4: 16%
Rank 5: 20%

Reverberation (5 Ranks)
Reduces the cooldown of Shock spells by

Level 20

Rank 1: 0.2 sec
Rank 2: 0.4 sec
Rank 3: 0.6 sec
Rank 4: 0.8 sec
Rank 5: 1 sec

Flurry (5 Ranks)
After landing a critical strike, for 3 swings you will have increased attack speed by

Level 25

Rank 1: 10%
Rank 2: 15%
Rank 3: 20%
Rank 4: 25%
Rank 5: 30%

Tidal Mastery (5 Ranks)
Increases the critical effect chance of healing and Nature damage spells by

Level 25

Rank 1: 1%
Rank 2: 2%
Rank 3: 3%
Rank 4: 4%
Rank 5: 5%

Elemental Focus (1 Rank)
Gives Situational Passive Buff

Level 25

Gives you a 10% chance to enter a Clearcasting state after casting any Fire, Frost, or Nature damage spell. The Clearcasting state reduces the mana cost of your next damage spell by -100%.

Parry (1 Rank)
Gives Parry ability

Level 25

Gives a chance to parry enemy melee attacks

Nature's Swiftness (1 Rank)
Gives New Buff spell

Level 30

Category: Self Buff (Instant)
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 8 sec
Cool Down: 3 min
Description: When activated, your next Nature spell becomes an instant cast spell.

 

Improved Fire Nova Totem (2 Ranks)
Reduces the delay before Fire Nova Totem activates by

Level 25

Rank 1: 1 sec
Rank 2: 2 sec

Improved Rockbiter Weapon (2 Ranks)
Increases the Attack Power bonus of Rockbiter Weapon by

Level 30

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%

Improved Mana Spring Totem (5 Ranks)
Increases the effect of Mana Spring Totem by

Level 30

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%
Rank 3: 15%
Rank 4: 20%
Rank 5: 25%

Elemental Fury (1 Rank)
Increases the critical strike damage done by Fire, Frost, and Nature spells by 100%.

Level 30

 

Improved Flametounge Weapon (2 Ranks)
Increases the damage done by Flametongue Weapon effect by

Level 30

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%

Totemic Focus (5 Ranks)
Reduces the Mana cost of totems by

Level 30

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 4%
Rank 3: 6%
Rank 4: 8%
Rank 5: 10%

Improved Magma Totem (2 Ranks)
Reduces the Mana cost of Magma Totem by

Level 30

Rank 1: 10%
Rank 2: 20%

Improved Frostbrand Weapon (2 Ranks)
Increases the damage done by Frostbrand Weapon effect by

Level 30

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%

Mana Tide Totem (1 Rank)
Gives New Totem spell

Level 35

Category: Group Buff (Mana Regen)
Type: Water Magic
Totem Health: 5
Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 12 sec
Effect Range: 20 yard
Description: The totem restores 120 mana every 3 seconds to group members within 20 yards.

Lightning Mastery (5 Ranks)
Reduces the cast time of Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning by

Level 35

Rank 1: 0.2 sec
Rank 2: 0.4 sec
Rank 3: 0.6 sec
Rank 4: 0.8 sec
Rank 5: 1 sec

Improved Windfury Weapon (2 Ranks)
Increases the chance to activate the Windfury Weapon effect by

Level 30

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%

Combat Endurence (5 Ranks)
In-combat health regeneration is increased by

Level 40

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 4%
Rank 3: 6%
Rank 4: 8%
Rank 5: 10%

Improved Chain Lightning (2 Ranks)
Increases the damage of Chain Lightning by

Level 35

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%

Improved Grounding Totem (2 Ranks)
Increases the frequency that Grounding Totem will absorb a spell by

Level 30

Rank 1: 2 sec
Rank 2: 4 sec

Elemental Mastery (1 Rank)
Gives New Buff Spell

Level 40

When activated, this spell gives your next Fire, Frost, or Nature damage spell a 100% critical strike chance

Two Handed Axes & Maces (1 Rank)
Allows you to use Two-Handed Axes and Two-Handed Maces.

Level 35
 

 

Toughness (5 Ranks)
Increases armor value from items by

Level 35

Rank 1: 2%
Rank 2: 4%
Rank 3: 6%
Rank 4: 8%
Rank 5: 10%

    

Stormstrike (1 Rank)
Gives Special Attack

Level 40

Category: Combat Move
Cast Time: Instant
Type: Air Magic
Duration: 12 sec
Description: Gives 1 extra melee swing plus +20% nature damage for your next 2 casts for 387 mana


 

Improved Grace of Air Totem (2 Ranks)
Increases the amount of Agility the totem adds by

Level 40

Rank 1: 5%
Rank 2: 10%
Rank 3: 15%

 

 

 

Which Race to Choose...

Shamans are one of the few classes where you don't get much of an option for race. Its either Orc, Troll, or Tauren. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages and each is a viable choice, you can not gimp yourself by choosing the wrong race. The races were balanced well. One of the most important factors in choosing a race is choosing one you like the look and feel of. Get a few choices in mind then look at the charts below to help you finalize that decision.
Shaman Stats
Green - Best
White - Average
Red - Worst
Race
HP
MP
STR
AGI
STA
INT
SPR
Power
Armor
Dodge%
Crit%
Block%
Orc 70 60 24 17 23 19 22 30 37 4.26 4.64 4.84
Troll 62 60 21 22 22 19 22 24 47 5.16 5.24 4.84
Tauren 70 59 26 16 23 18 22 34 35 4.08 4.52 4.84

Racial Rankings
Stat
Winner
Runner Up:
Hit Points
Orc & Tauren
Troll
Damage Per Second, Dmg Blocked with Shield
Tauren
Orc
Armor Rating, Dodge & Critical Hit Chance
Troll
Orc
Mana, Spell Critical Hit Chance, Learning Speed
Orc & Troll
Tauren
Health Regen, Mana Regen, Proc Chance
Orc & Troll & Tauren

Racial Population
Tauren
Orc
Troll
28%
19%
15%
These stats were collected durring the WoW Stress Test via this website

Things to Consider...

Racial differences affect you through-out your character's life.

What I mean by this is, say I had a level 14 Tauren Warrior with 34 AGI from rings & buffs. A level 14 Night Elf warrior with 34 AGI, and Identical Armor, will still have more armor then I do. He will still get critical attacks more then I do, and he will still dodge more then I do. Its the same vice versa too, he will never hit as hard as I do, block as much damage as I do, have as many hit points as I do. So know that your choice will affect you for the rest of your character's life.

Melee Stats do matter.

Shaman are actually quite formidable up close in melee combat, they wear chain at lvl 40+ and can weild 2H axes and 2H maces though a talent and hit damn hard with them. So don't be fooled and go with caster only stats, remember you are a melee character as well.

Remember to look at Racial Traits as well.

Be sure to factor in Racial Traits when deciding on the race for your Shaman. Currently, only Tauren have a racial ability of Plains Running. Check the racial sections for estimated guesses on what could be future racial benefits for Troll & Orc


Key & Formulas

Damage Reduction Formula:

Damage Reduction = (.3*(Armor Class-1)/(10*Level+89))

Okay, so lets make some sense of this formula. Lets say I want to figure out the damage reduction of a naked level 1 night elf rogue who has 58 armor.

So lets see, Armor Class - 1 = 57 * .3 = 17.1
10 * Level 1 + 89 = 99
17.1 / 99 = 0.1727
Which means 17.27%

Lets apply this to a higher level character now.

How about a level 13 Tauren Druid, wearing leather armor, fully buffed & in Bear form. He has 562 armor. So if we do the math the dmg reduction turns out to be about 77%
Abbreviation
Meaning
Abbreviation
Meaning
DD
 Direct Damage   Mez To mesmerize a target, stops it from fighting
DoT
 Damage over Time   CC Crowd Control - process to fight 1-2 monsters at a time
HoT
 Heal over Time   Buff A beneficial spell that improves your character
Proc
 To trigger a magical effect in a weapon   Debuff Opposite of Buff
AoE
 Area of Effect   Snare To slow run speed
PBAoE
 Point Blank Area of Effect   Haste Makes your character attack faster with melee
DPS
 Damage Per Second   Threat What monsters use to judge who to attack. Whoever has the most has the monsters attention
PVP
 Player vs Player   Nuke See Direct Damage
PVE
 Player vs Environment   Mob Mobile/Monster/Hostile NPC
DMG
 Damage   Agro Aggression - when a mob wants to kill you
HP
 Hit Points or Health Points   PC Player Character - human controlled
MP
 Mana Points or Magic Points   NPC No Player Character - computer controlled
STR
 Strength   Pet An NPC friend that follows your commands
AGI
 Agility   DS Damage Shield - A buff that hurts mobs who touch you
STA
 Stamina   Bleed Damage over time
INT
 Intellect   Rez To resurrect a player (bring them back from dead)
SPR
 Spirit   Taunt To get the monsters attention so it attacks you and no 1 else
Regen
 To recover   Wake Process of waking anything that is mezzed
Lull
 To lower the radius in which the monster will attack   Dispell to remove a magical effect
  • Strength
    • Adds to your Attack Power, Damage-Per-Second, Amount of damage blocked with shield in part by Strength (and other part by your shield)
  • Stamina
    • Increases Hit Points
  • Spirit
    • Increases Health and Mana regeneration in & out of combat. Spirit also increases your chance to 'proc' with weapons.
  • Armor
    • Protection gained from spells and armor. Higher yields more damage absorb.
  • Dodge
    • Chance to dodge a melee attack.
  • Agility
    • Increases chance to Critical Hit. The amount of bonus is higher per point on Rogues. Agility affect Dodge. Rogues get more Dodge per points of Agility then other classes. Agility Adds Directly to Armor.
    Intellect
    • Increases Mana Points as well as chance to Critical Hit with magic spells. Intellect also grants a higher chance to increase melee skills. Does not affect trade skills.
  • Power
    • Melee Attack Power Rating (higher yields more damage)
  • Crit
    • Chance to Critical with melee only. Intellect reflects crit chance for spells