Specs and roles
| Spec | Role | PvE tier | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elemental | Damage | B* | Lava Burst; area damage with Fire Nova |
| Enhancement | Damage | A* | Stormstrike and Windfury Weapon |
| Restoration | Healer | S | Healing Wave, Mana Tide Totem |
Tiers come from the beta tier list. The talent tables show only what Icy Veins and Wowhead agree on; each spec says where they differ.
A* for Enhancement: RankedBoost puts it in B. B* for Elemental: RankedBoost puts it in A.
Elemental: damage
In Forever, spells have lower base damage, while spell power comes from dungeon and profession gear: without it Elemental is weak before level 40 (Wowhead). The spec’s strength is area damage. Fire Nova is now a spell that explodes around your active Fire Totem (Icy Veins).
| Talent | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Concussion | 5 | Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning and Earth Shock damage |
| Elemental Alacrity | 3 | Faster Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning and Lava Burst casts |
| Call of Flame | 3 | Fire Totem, Flame Shock, Fire Nova and Lava Burst damage |
| Elemental Focus | 1 | A chance for your next damage spell to be free |
| Eye of the Storm | 3 | Damage pushes back Lightning Bolt and Lava Burst less often |
| Lava Burst | 1 | Hits harder on a target with Flame Shock |
| Convection | 3 | Cheaper shocks, Lightning Bolt and Lava Burst |
This is what Icy Veins and the “Deep Elemental” tab of the Wowhead guide share; Wowhead takes Convection to 4. The last points differ: Icy Veins takes Trial by Fire 2 (Fire Nova more often, a longer Magma Totem), Wowhead takes Earthbound. With Legacy points both add Lightning Overload 3 and one point in Elemental Fury. For leveling, Wowhead suggests another path: 10 points in Enhancement and 11 in Restoration for Mindfulness and Water Shield, which eases mana problems.
- 1Before the pull
Totems with Call of the Elements, Searing Totem last; Magma Totem against a group.
- 2Lightning Bolt
To open from range.
- 3Fire Nova
On cooldown against three or more enemies.
- 4Flame Shock
Right after; refresh it on a long-lived target.
- 5Lava Burst
On cooldown.
- 6Lightning Bolt
The rest of the time.
TipKeep buff totems such as Strength of Earth Totem down: in a group they are worth more than one more Lightning Bolt (Icy Veins). Stats according to Icy Veins: spell power, crit, hit, Intellect.
Enhancement: damage
Enhancement is the Shaman’s main leveling spec: base spell damage is lower, and your damage rests on auto attacks and Rockbiter Weapon (Wowhead). By level 30 you have Stormstrike and Windfury Weapon, but little mana for them. With the talent, Ghost Wolf is faster to cast and works indoors.
| Talent | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Thundering Strikes | 5 | Crit chance with spells and attacks |
| Mental Dexterity | 3 | Attack power from Intellect |
| Improved Ghost Wolf | 2 | A faster Ghost Wolf that works indoors |
| Elemental Weapons | 3 | Stronger weapon imbues |
| Shamanistic Focus | 1 | Shocks and Lightning Shield cost 45% less |
| Flurry | 4 | Attack speed after a crit |
| Stormstrike | 1 | A strike and +20% damage on your next Lightning Bolt or Earth Shock |
| Improved Stormstrike | 1 | A chance for mana regeneration while casting and Stormstrike resets |
Icy Veins and Wowhead match in 20 of 21 points. The last one is a filler: Icy Veins puts it into Ancestral Knowledge, Wowhead into Anticipation. With Legacy points both take Improved Stormstrike to 2 and add Spirit Weapons and Mental Quickness. Wowhead advises against Maelstrom Weapon until you can put all 5 points into it.
- 1Before the pull
Windfury Weapon, totems with Call of the Elements, Lightning Shield.
- 2Opening
A rank 1 Lightning Bolt to pull.
- 3Stormstrike
On cooldown; watch for resets.
- 4Earth Shock
On cooldown: it consumes the Stormstrike bonus. In a group, alternate it with Flame Shock.
- 5Too much threat
Frost Shock instead of Earth Shock.
- 6Group of enemies
Fire Nova with a Fire Totem down, if you have the mana.
TipYou do not have the mana for the full rotation: use everything except Stormstrike only when needed (Icy Veins). Stats according to Icy Veins: weapon damage, hit and Expertise, crit, Strength, Intellect.
Restoration: healer
Restoration shares the top healer spot of the beta with Discipline Priest. It is weak solo, so you level as Enhancement and take Restoration for groups (Wowhead). At level 30 the tree opens up Mana Tide Totem and Nature’s Swiftness.
| Talent | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Healing Wave | 5 | Faster Healing Wave |
| Mindfulness | 3 | Part of your mana regeneration continues while casting |
| Natural Grace | 2 | Less threat from your spells |
| Ancestral Healing | 3 | The target gains armor after a critical heal |
| Healing Focus | 1 | Damage interrupts your heals less often |
| Water Shield | 1 | Mana when you are hit and on crits |
| Tidal Mastery | 4 | Healing crit |
| Mana Tide Totem | 1 | Mana for the whole group for 12 seconds |
| Nature’s Swiftness | 1 | Your next Nature spell is instant |
Icy Veins and Wowhead (its group build) match in all 21 points, and with the Legacy points too: Tidal Mastery to 5, Healing Way 3 for a stronger Healing Wave, and one point in Purification. For solo play Wowhead gives another build: 11 points in Restoration and 10 in Elemental.
- 1Before the pull
Totems with Call of the Elements; Strength of Earth Totem if the group has melee.
- 2Healing Wave
Your main heal; a lower rank when damage is light.
- 3Nature’s Swiftness
In a dangerous moment: an instant Healing Wave.
- 4Mana Tide Totem
When mana runs low in a long fight.
- 5A quiet moment
Searing Totem and Fire Nova against a group, otherwise Lightning Bolt.
TipStats according to Icy Veins: healing power, crit, Intellect, Spirit, mana per 5 seconds. Water Shield and Ancestral Healing run on critical heals, so Tidal Mastery is worth more than it looks (Wowhead).
Questions
Which Shaman spec is best?
For groups, Restoration: it is in tier S on the beta tier list. For damage, Enhancement (A*); Elemental is B*.
Which spec should a Shaman level as?
Both sources recommend Enhancement: auto attacks cost no mana. Elemental is weak before level 40 (Wowhead).
Can the Alliance play a Shaman?
Yes: in Forever, Dwarves can be Alliance Shamans (Icy Veins).
When will the full level 60 build be out?
After the Nov 4 launch: the beta only went up to level 30, and raids open on Dec 9. Then we will add the layout for all 51 points.
