WoW Forever Elemental Shaman — Guide (Beta Test)
viewsAbout the Class
This guide is based on the World of Warcraft: Forever beta and covers gameplay up to level 20. The talents and combat tips are starting recommendations built on the spells and talents available in the beta. They will be refined as testing continues.
The Elemental Shaman unleashes the power of the four elements on enemies from range: in the full toolkit, that means Lava Burst and 
Chain Lightning. Beyond spells, the Shaman has totems that provide buffs in a small radius and useful effects like the slow from 
Earthbind Totem. Most of these tools aren't available yet at level 20, so this is more of a preview of what lies ahead.
Strengths
- Leveling is simple:
Lightning Bolt and 
Flame Shock handle single targets. - Totems empower the group, for example
Strength of Earth Totem. - A convenient way to deal with dangerous melee enemies: Earthbind Totem and shocks on the move.
- In Forever, totems are easier to place and relocate.
Weaknesses
- Early talents are fairly weak.
- The spec's core spells unlock after level 20.
- Mana runs out faster than it regenerates in drawn-out fights.
- Air totems only unlock at level 30.
Stat Priority
- 1Spell Power
- 2Critical Strike
- 3Intellect
- 4Spirit
- 5Stamina
Talents
Talent Notes
Concussion 5/5 — increases the damage of Lightning Bolt and shocks.
Elemental Warding 2/3 — reduces Fire, Frost, and Nature damage taken.
Call of Flame 3/3 — empowers fire totems.
Elemental Focus 1/1 — a chance for your next spell to cost no Mana.
Ability Priority
- Place all your totems in advance: one at a time before level 20, and through Call of the Elements from level 20 on. Place
Searing Totem last, right before the fight: it doesn't last as long as the others - Open the fight with Lightning Bolt from range
- Against three or more enemies, usually in dungeons, use Fire Nova on cooldown
- Right after that, cast Flame Shock. On targets that live longer, refresh it as soon as the effect expires
- Then keep casting Lightning Bolt until the enemy dies
If the group has players who benefit from buffs, keep up buff totems like
Totems
Totems are the Shaman's unique mechanic: they affect an area around themselves. In Forever, you can quickly place and relocate them with the new Call of the Elements and Totemic Projection, and they unlock as you level and complete the totem quests for earth, fire, water, and, after level 20, air.
- Earth totems: Strength of Earth Totem gives the group Strength,
Stoneclaw Totem distracts enemies, Earthbind Totem slows, and 
Tremor Totem removes fear, charm, and sleep. - Fire totems are purely offensive: Searing Totem attacks the target, while Fire Nova is no longer a totem but a spell that explodes around your active fire totem.
- Water totems unlock right at the level 20 mark, and of those only
Healing Stream Totem is available. - Air totems only unlock at level 30.
Against Dangerous Melee Enemies
If you need to solo a dangerous elite melee enemy, place Earthbind Totem and run around it while using shocks: that way the enemy can't reach you. At level 20, the simple version is enough: running in circles with 
Frost Shock.
Important Abilities
Best in Slot (BiS)
There is no BiS list for the beta yet. Just like at max level, take anything that increases your spell damage.
Enchants, Gems, Consumables
ConsumablesBest Race
The best choice for a Horde Shaman: Blood Fury is a strong cooldown, Shatter Curse removes curses and briefly reduces magic damage, Hardiness greatly shortens stuns, which is especially valuable in PvP, and Axe Specialization grants 1% crit with an axe.
The only option for the Alliance. Stoneform removes most harmful effects from you and reduces physical damage, the mace specialization grants 1% crit with a mace, the bonus against beasts increases damage to them by 5%, and Find Treasure highlights chests on the map.
Best Professions
Leather from beasts turns into gear that is often better than quest rewards of the same level. On top of that, Leatherworking provides the Camp Chair and Camp Tent for campfires: 2% critical strike chance or 5% Rested experience once per hour.
Herbalism gives an Intellect buff at the campfire, and Alchemy gives a Mana regeneration buff, plus its own potions and elixirs. This pairing provides no gear, but the consumables more than make up for the effort of leveling it.
Author
Fouren
Fouren has been playing World of Warcraft for over 15 years. He is an active player with 12 Cutting Edge achievements under his belt, and has reached the top 1% and 0.1% multiple times on various classes. His main classes are healers, particularly Holy Paladin.
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