Shaman Tank Class Overview. Season of Discovery

Introduction

Welcome to Onlyfarms.gg’s Class Overview Guide for Shaman Tank in Season of Discovery!

This guide aims to enhance your gameplay as a Shaman Tank by providing valuable insights and tips to better equip you for the challenges in WoW Classic Season of Discovery.

Guide Overview

• Class and Role Changes: Explore the updates and modifications specific to the Shaman Tank role in the Season of Discovery.
• Viability, Strengths, and Weaknesses: Understand the pros and cons of playing as a Shaman Tank in the current season.
• Best Specialization: Identify the most effective specialization for maximizing your Shaman Tank’s potential.
• Spell Rotation: Learn the optimal spell rotation to ensure efficient performance during encounters.
• Stats and Gear Recommendations: Discover the most beneficial stats and gear to aim for as a Shaman Tank.
• Best Races: Determine which races complement the Shaman Tank role effectively.
• Best Professions: Select the professions that offer the greatest advantages for a Shaman Tank.
• Best Consumables: Identify the consumables that will enhance your performance in various situations.

 

Talent Builds & Runes

Best in Slot Gear

What’s New for Shaman Tank in Season of Discovery?

The latest updates for Shaman Tanks bring exciting changes and new abilities that enhance your role as a tank in the competitive environment of WoW Classic. Whether you’re focusing on optimizing your gear or perfecting your spell rotation, this guide will provide the necessary information to help you thrive. For those interested in boosting their gameplay, consider our dungeon services to gain an edge in your adventures.

Eighth Phase Commences

Continued Grumbling About Tier Bonuses

As we delve into the theme of tanking this phase, there are some notable considerations to keep in mind.

Elemental and Enhancement specializations remain equally viable, as was evident in the prior phase. You have the flexibility to swap out either the Gloves or Shoulders as a Tier-3 option, based on your personal preferences and aesthetics for both builds.

The weapon that holds the title of Best in Slot (BIS) for both specializations is the [Soporific Blade].

Additionally, the [Natural Alignment Crystal] remains unrivaled as the BIS Trinket. Hopefully, you’ve been diligently farming for it to ensure it’s part of your gear.

Seventh Stage: Advancing Through the Process

Shaman Tier Overview for Phase 7

In Phase 7, players will encounter a more player-centric raid experience with both Elemental and Enhance Shaman builds becoming viable selections. The Feral Spirit ability is no longer a key component due to the lack of proper scaling for the Wolves, leading to a more uniform set of choices across different scenarios.

Tier Gear and Strategy

– Tier gear selections are largely interchangeable between the Elemental and Enhance specializations. This flexibility allows you to adapt your gear for different situations, whether facing trash mobs, bosses, or specific encounters.
– Despite this flexibility, the bonuses provided by the new Tier gear are not particularly effective, and in some cases, they could be less beneficial than the equipment used in the AQ phase. Therefore, it is advisable to hold onto your existing gear for the time being.

The changes in this phase present an opportunity for players to exercise more strategic decision-making regarding their gear and specialization choices, ensuring they are well-prepared for any challenges they may face.

Stage 6: Advancing Forward

Shamans offer a unique versatility that sets them apart from other tank classes, with the ability to specialize in either the Elemental or Enhancement styles.

This phase introduces significant and impactful changes. For instance, Shield Mastery now grants an impressive 4 Spell Power for every point of Defense. Additionally, the Stormcaller’s Resolve set provides several defensive enhancements.

Phase Five: Advancing to the Next Stage

In this phase, players gain access to the Resolve of the Ten Storms, a Tier set that is both transformative and exceptionally powerful. With this set, players can achieve uncrushable status, which significantly reduces the damage taken from boss attacks. Additionally, this set enhances defensive capabilities by scaling with your spell power.

Fourth Stage: Advancements and Progress

Phase 4 Overview

Phase 4 introduces adjustments that, while beneficial, won’t drastically alter your class gameplay. For instance, Shield Mastery now includes scaling Spell Damage with Defense Skill, aligning with other tank classes. The addition of Cloak and Ring Runes provides solid enhancements, yet these changes won’t significantly impact your overall playstyle.

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Phase Three: Advancing Towards Completion

Phase 3 Changes

In Phase 3, the playstyle has shifted significantly towards utilizing a one-hand weapon and shield combination instead of dual-wielding. This strategic change allows us to concentrate on delivering high-damage spells while simultaneously enhancing our defensive capabilities. While the new Runes may lack flexibility, they certainly add an element of excitement to the gameplay.

One standout ability is Overcharged, which transforms Lightning Shield into an exceptional area-of-effect powerhouse. Additionally, Mental Dexterity ensures that our scaling remains effective, maintaining our competitive edge.

Second Stage of Development

Phase 2 Enhancements

The introduction of Phase 2 has addressed several gaps within our toolkit. Players now have the option to utilize instant cast Chain Lightning by leveraging Maelstrom Weapon and Power Surge. For those focusing on Area of Effect (AoE) damage, Fire Nova is a valuable offensive addition.

Defensive Additions

On the defensive side, new abilities include Spirit of the Alpha and Decoy Totem. Spirit of the Alpha acts as a reverse Blessing of Salvation, enhancing a single player’s threat rather than reducing it for many. Decoy Totem, on the other hand, combines functionalities similar to a Physical Grounding Totem along with a Paladin’s Blessing of Freedom, providing a reliable method to counter movement impairments.

Talent Enhancements

Our talents have evolved to include the ability to Parry and to execute Stormstrike, which offers an additional, on-demand weapon attack. Moreover, there are numerous passive damage improvements with talents such as Weapon Mastery, Flurry, and Elemental Weapons.

Totem Usage

We continue to have access to our Air Totems, primarily using Grounding Totem and Windfury Totem, which remain vital to our strategy and utility.

Initiation Phase

Introduction to Shaman Tanking

Shaman tanking has emerged as a fresh concept in the realm of Classic WoW. Although some might argue that Shamans have always had the potential to tank, historically, they couldn’t match the efficiency of Warriors or Druids in handling raid bosses. However, with the introduction of Runes in the Season of Discovery, Shaman tanking has become more viable.

Way of Earth: The Key to Shaman Tanking

The Way of Earth is central to this new approach, transforming the Rockbiter Weapon into a formidable tank stance. While Rockbiter Weapon is active, Shamans gain a 50% increased threat modifier, immunity to critical hits, a 30% health boost, a 10% damage reduction, and Earth Shock transforms into a full taunt.

Shaman Tanking Tools

With these enhancements, Shamans now possess most of the standard tools expected of a Classic tank. However, they lack two crucial abilities: an AoE taunt and a defensive cooldown. This absence isn’t a major concern, particularly because, at level 25, most tanks haven’t yet acquired these abilities.

AoE Threat Management

Shamans also gain access to Molten Blast, a potent AoE damage spell that naturally generates high threat. When combined with the Way of Earth‘s threat modifier, maintaining aggro on multiple enemies becomes more manageable. Additionally, Flame Shock offers a 10% chance per tick to reset the cooldown of Molten Blast. This mechanic encourages Shamans to continuously apply Flame Shock on several targets during AoE engagements.

Mana Management for Shaman Tanks

Mana management is a common issue for level 25 Shamans, who often struggle to maintain totems, let alone consistently cast Shocks. This problem is mitigated by Runes, particularly through Shield Mastery. This Rune serves as the primary mana source for Tank Shamans, replenishing 8% of their maximum mana with each block and providing a stacking Armor buff. When Shield Mastery is combined with Shield Specialization, Shamans receive a flat 15% increase in Block Chance, excluding additional bonuses. This synergy ensures that Shamans can sustain their mana pool, especially during AoE pulls.

However, Shamans may face challenges against bosses that don’t inflict physical damage, as blocking is ineffective, leading to potential mana issues. In such cases, it might be wise to let other classes handle those encounters.

Viability for Shaman Tank

Shaman Tanking is incredibly effective in the Season of Discovery, and in many situations, it might even be considered the top choice for tanking. Through the use of Dual-Spec, gear swapping, and rune customizations, you have the ability to tailor your tanking approach to fit the specific needs of your raid group.

Advantages and Limitations of Shaman Tanking

Strengths

• High threat generation with abilities such as Way of Earth and Lava Burst.
• Strong group support through the use of various Totems.
• Flexible Damage Per Second (DPS) options.
• Exceptional Area of Effect (AoE) damage and threat management.

Weaknesses

• Efficient mana management is crucial for optimal performance.
• Heavily relies on Tier sets to maximize power.
• Slightly lower output in single-target scenarios.

Best Specialization for Shaman Tank

For those interested in maximizing their potential in the dungeons or raids, selecting the best specialization is key. This involves understanding the balance between threat generation, support capabilities, and mana efficiency. Each specialization offers unique advantages, and choosing the right one can significantly enhance your performance in group content.

Improving Performance

Enhance Shaman Playstyle Overview

For optimal performance, the Enhance Shaman typically utilizes a combination of abilities and gear to maximize their effectiveness in battle. One of the key components is the use of Stormstrike. This powerful melee ability, when paired with a weapon that boasts beneficial stats and a slower attack speed, can significantly impact your damage output.

Enhance Shamans also enhance their capabilities by equipping the Mental Dexterity Rune on their Helm. This enhancement increases their overall effectiveness in combat. Additionally, they often use the Molten Blast on their Hand Rune for additional damage potential. However, in situations where single-target damage is crucial, the Lava Burst spell becomes a viable option to increase both damage and threat.

Maximizing Global Cooldown Usage

During combat, Enhance Shamans often find themselves filling empty Global Cooldowns (GCDs) with Molten Blast. This approach is favored because Stormstrike provides a reliable and consistent button to press, reducing the risk of spell pushback that can occur when attempting to use other spells for quick threat generation.

As a result of these strategies, Enhance Shamans tend to be slightly more resilient and focused on single-target threat generation compared to the standard Elemental playstyle. This makes them a versatile choice for players seeking a balance between durability and damage output.

The Essence of Nature

Elemental Strategy

The Elemental playstyle generally involves using Elemental Fury alongside a weapon that acts as a stat or proc stick. Additionally, players should apply Burn Runes on their Helm, Storm, Earth, and Fire on their Cloak, and Lava Burst on their Hand Rune. This setup emphasizes “Hard Casting” spells such as Lava Burst and Chain Lightning, which are essential for generating significant threat and inflicting damage.

However, it’s important to note that while casting, Shamans are vulnerable as they lack avoidance and will endure unmitigated damage from bosses. This playstyle presents a higher risk to the player and requires skillful management of pushback avoidance, interweaving spells between boss attack swings, and other strategies. Consequently, the Elemental approach is often considered a higher-level gameplay style, demanding precisely timed spellcasts to minimize damage or relying on skilled healers to provide support.

How to Play Shaman Tank

For those seeking to tank as a Shaman, it involves a different set of strategies and skills. Understanding the nuances of both the Elemental playstyle and Shaman tanking can greatly enhance your effectiveness in various scenarios.

Enhancing Shaman Casting Abilities

Shamans possess a range of abilities to either speed up their casting or reduce the impact of spell pushback. Abilities such as Maelstrom Weapon, Power Surge, Barkskin, and Earth Shield are crucial in minimizing casting risks and enhancing efficiency.

Shaman Spell Rotation

Shamans rarely adopt a simplistic approach of casting spells at every Global Cooldown (GCD) while enduring significant damage. Instead, they follow a priority-based rotation which includes:

• Maintaining Flame Shock
• Casting Lava Burst
• Casting Earth Shock
• Recasting Flame Shock
• Casting Lightning Bolt
• Refreshing Totems

This strategy ensures that less than a third of your GCDs are spent without avoidance. Furthermore, with the availability of multiple ways to safely cast spells, skill expression becomes key.

Optimizing Damage Over Time Effects

Avoid interrupting your Flame Shock Damage Over Time (DoT) effect, as this can result in a loss of DPS/threat by missing additional ticks. It is advised to delay recasting by 0.5-1 second to consistently secure the second tick, allowing for more skilled spell weaving.

Importance of Barkskin and Earth Shield

For a Shaman Tank, Barkskin and Earth Shield are vital for resisting spell pushback, contributing significantly to DPS and threat generation during encounters. Coordination with a Druid is recommended to ensure these are utilized effectively at the start of combat.

Refreshing Totems

The decision to refresh Totems during combat is debated; however, it is generally not advisable unless they are completely expired. Unlike Paladins who have superior alternatives like the Horn of Lordaeron, Shamans should avoid refreshing the Grace of Air Totem prematurely, as it can detract from threat generation.

Alternative Spell Casting Options

If casting spells while tanking is not preferable, alternative options exist. In situations where Lava Burst could be used, Molten Blast is often the optimal choice for Enhancement Shamans, though both are viable.

Utilizing Stormstrike

Enhancement Shamans have the additional filler ability Stormstrike, which allows for less hardcasting compared to Elemental Shamans. While Stormstrike is an excellent threat-generating ability, players should be aware of potential issues with Dodge/Parry on bosses, and consider acquiring Expertise items to enhance strike consistency.

Splitting Apart: Understanding the Concept of Cleaving

AOE Damage and the Power of Shamans

While Cleave is a well-known concept in AOE damage, the real powerhouse in this domain is the Shaman class, particularly in Phase 6. No other class can rival the sheer AOE potential that Shamans can unleash. The Overcharged ability transforms you into a veritable thermonuclear force on the battlefield. Coupled with the Burn spell, you can generate significant threat across multiple adversaries. It’s important to avoid repeatedly casting Burn on the same target when facing more than five enemies; instead, continuously switch targets to spread the effect effectively.

Additionally, you can leverage Maelstrom Weapon or Power Surge procs to unleash Chain Lightning on enemy packs as needed.

Naxxramas and AOE Considerations

In Naxxramas, Shamans still hold the crown for AOE damage, though the encounters in this raid are not quite as reliant on constant AOE as in previous phases. Adjust your strategies accordingly to maximize the effectiveness of your AOE capabilities in this iconic raid environment.

Understanding Your Position

Shaman Tanking: Versatility in Raids

One of the most exciting and versatile aspects of playing a Warden is the ability to adapt to various roles within a raid. This flexibility is a testament to the effectiveness of a Shaman Tank. Whether you’re the main tank facing off against powerful bosses or an off-tank managing groups of mobs, the Shaman Tank can handle it all.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Are you the main tank, taking on one-on-one battles with bosses and leading your team to victory?
• Do you serve as an off-tank, controlling groups of trash mobs to allow your DPS players to unleash significant AOE damage?
• Or perhaps you’re stepping in for someone who’s unavailable, seeking to understand the role quickly and effectively?

No matter your situation, every opportunity for a Shaman Tank in a raid is valid and impactful.

Adapting and Overcoming

With the ability to adapt to any role or composition, you can contribute significantly to the success of your raid team. Each situation provides a chance to flex your skills positively. Whether you’re the primary shield or the support that keeps everything in check, your role is crucial.

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Composition of Our Group Members

Melee Group or Caster Group?

Deciding whether to join a Melee or Caster group is essential for optimizing your raid’s performance.

If you align with the Melee group, Enhancing Totems offers a distinct advantage to your group. Warriors, Rogues, Feral Druids, and similar classes can experience a substantial DPS increase, ranging from 50 to 75 per player, when these totems are effectively utilized. This ability to enhance the raid while tanking is invaluable.

On the other hand, if you’re part of the Caster group, consider utilizing the Tree of Life or Vampiric Embrace. These abilities provide significant advantages for Shamans, ensuring mana efficiency and bolstering health sustain. For those who wish to experiment further, using Totemic Projection can strategically place a Tranquil Air Totem at a distance from yourself but within reach of casters, aiding in threat reduction during vulnerable encounters.

Enhancement playstyles can further elevate your Melee groups, while subtle enhancements like Shamanistic Rage tapping into a more extensive mana pool can make the Elemental approach to tanking significantly beneficial for casters. This results in fewer potion requirements for everyone, enhancing overall resource management.

Priority of Stats for Optimization

Stat Prioritization for Shaman Tanks

• Spell Power
• Defense
• Hit Rating
• Stamina
• Intellect

As a tank, your primary focus isn’t on maximizing damage output but ensuring you can effectively absorb and mitigate damage. The priority of your stats reflects this role.

• Hit Rating: This is crucial to ensure your taunts are successful, and I give it significant importance.
• Stamina: Vital for withstanding hits, though it’s not something you should overly focus on.
• Spell Power: Essential for maintaining threat, yet focusing solely on this can result in a deficiency in other critical areas.

Balancing these stats requires careful consideration and a strategic approach. For further insights on optimal gear choices, consult the BIS Guides.

Optimal Races for Shaman Tanks

Top Horde Races for Optimizing Your Gameplay

Horde Race Options in Season of Discovery

In the Season of Discovery, players have three distinct Horde races to choose from, each offering a unique ability:

– **Trolls**: Gain the ability [Berserking].
– **Orcs**: Possess the skill [Blood Fury].
– **Tauren**: Have access to [War Stomp].

When choosing between these races, it’s advised not to overcomplicate your decision. With the balanced nature of the Season of Discovery, selecting a race based on aesthetics is a valid approach. However, for those focused on optimizing performance, the choice typically narrows down to Trolls or Orcs. Personally, the Orc stands out due to its passive stun resistance provided by [Hardiness], which is particularly beneficial for Tank roles.

Top Alliance Race Choices

You’re a Shaman, you’re out of luck for Alliance.

Best Professions for Shaman Tank

When considering professions for a Shaman tank, it is essential to focus on those that provide benefits to enhance your survivability and tanking abilities. Here are some top recommendations:

• Blacksmithing: This profession allows you to craft your own gear, including shields and weapons that are crucial for a Shaman tank. You can also create various armor pieces that offer significant defensive stats.
• Leatherworking: Leatherworking offers the ability to craft armor kits that can be applied to your gear, enhancing your stamina and defensive capabilities. This is especially beneficial in boosting your overall survivability.
• Engineering: Known for its versatility, Engineering provides several gadgets and gear enhancements that can be useful in tanking situations. Items like shield generators and defensive trinkets can provide additional utility.
• Jewelcrafting: With Jewelcrafting, you can create special gems that can be socketed into your gear, optimizing your stats for tanking. You also gain access to unique trinkets that can boost your tanking abilities.
• Enchanting: Enchanting allows you to enhance your gear with powerful enchantments, increasing your stamina and other vital tanking stats. This profession is valuable for keeping your gear optimized for tanking duties.

Selecting the right professions can significantly influence your performance as a Shaman tank. Prioritize those that align with your tanking strategy and playstyle to maximize your effectiveness in raids and dungeons.

Engineering Disciplines

Season of Discovery

The Season of Discovery has successfully revitalized a range of professions, making them both effective and relevant in PvE and PvP environments. Among these professions, Engineering stands out as the top choice for both aspects of gameplay.

The Masterwork Target Dummy and the Goblin Sapper Charge are integral to WoW Classic Raiding and Tanking. Their importance cannot be overstated, as they provide crucial advantages and tactical options. For more on enhancing your raiding experience, consider checking out our raid services.