Complete Guide to Play an Enhancement Shaman in Cataclsym

[wowmachackerz]

Read this First

Hey all, Yesterday I posted a "How To" on how to play and Enhancement Shaman, but it got deleted and I'm not sure why. I have a feeling it got deleted because there are 3 other Enhancement Shaman guides out there and not for Cataclysm or updated for 4.0.3. So I am going to post it up again and if an admin or moderator is going to delete it, then could you at least tell me why first. Thanks.


Hey all, The last Enhancement Shaman guide I found is here which is an excellent guide but now with Cataclysm, everything's changed hasn't it? Playing classes are different and the rotations, talents and spells are different so if you are new to Enhancement Shamans or just want to max your DPS, then read on and enjoy this guide:

Important Stats

Here are the most important stats Enhancement Shamans need, they are listed in order of importance:

• Agility
• Stamina
• Hit Cap = 8%
• Crit
• Expertise

• Intellect
• Strength

Intellect is more valuble then strength.

Hit will be the most valuble when you get dual wield.

But you are still pretty low level, so you want to focus on gear with AP/AGIL and no strength
Rotation

To play as a enhancement shaman is ultimately very easy but it requires the know-how. As long as you know the rotation and what you need to do next, then you will be fine :-)

Ok, lets start with the basics, what is your rotation? One of the most simple thing about playing any class is knowing your rotation and what spell to cast next. An Enhancement shaman's rotation can be varied but the core stays the same.
Generally you should drop your totems down just before you get to your mobs, either a totem group with searing or a totem group with magma totem.


1. Lava Lash


2. Unleash Elements


3. Flame Shock (you should always use flameshock after Unleash Elements, if you are further on in the fight and Unleash Elements is still on cooldown but you have a Stormstrike buff up on the enemy, then use earthshock instead)


4. Stormstrike


5. If you have Maelstrom Weapon X 5 stacks then Lightning Bolt of Chain Lightning if more than 2 targets. If Maelstrom isn't up yet do step 6 before step 5.


6. If in an AOE situation then Fire Nova while waiting for Earth Shock.


7. Lava Lash


8. Stormstrike (Unleash Elements won't be off cooldown yet)


9. Earth Shock


10. Unleash Elements


11. Maelstrom Proc (LB/CL)


12. Flame Shock


13. Repeat


In terms of Weapon Enchants, you should always have Windfury Weapon on your mainhand and Flametounge Weapon on your off-hand to fully take advantage of Lava Lash

(Credits go to UnholyShaman for the great Rotation!)

Gear

Picking Gear for an enhancement Shaman is not that simple but I have provided a list of gear for high, medium and low ability Enhancement Shamans for every slot so I hope it helps!

Main Hand Slot:
High - Torturer's Mercy - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Scepter of Power - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - The Perforator - Item - World of Warcraft

Off Hand Slot:
High - Heavy Geode Mace - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - The Perforator - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Carnelian Spikes - Item - World of Warcraft
Head Slot:
High - Energized Bio-Optic Killshades - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Cowl of the Unseen World - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Diamond-Studded Helm - Item - World of Warcraft
Enchants - Arcanum of Hyjal - Item - World of Warcraft (Requires Guardians of Hyjal - Revered)

Neck Slot:
High - Valiona's Medallion - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - String of Beaded Bubbles - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Tauntka's Necklace - Item - World of Warcraft
Red Gem - Brilliant Carnelian - Item - World of Warcraft

Shoulder Slot:
High - Shoulderwraps of the Raging Elements - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Burden of Lost Humanity - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Bloodied Scale Shoulders - Item - World of Warcraft
Red Gem - Brilliant Carnelian - Item - World of Warcraft

Back Slot:
High - Shadow of Dread - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Viewless Wings - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Cloak of Beasts - Item - World of Warcraft

Chest Slot:
High - Circuit Design Breastplate - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Vest of the True Companion - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Kavem's Trimmed Chestguard - Item - World of Warcraft

Wrist Slot:
High - Chaos Beast Bracers - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Bloodied Scale Bracers - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Asp-Clasp Bracers - Item - World of Warcraft
Enchant - Enchant Bracer - Precision - Spell - World of Warcraft

Hands Slot:
High - Proto-Handler's Gauntlets - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Handwraps of the Raging Elements - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Gatesmashing Gauntlets - Item - World of Warcraft

Waist Slot:
High - Waistguard of Hatred - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Belt of the Still Stream - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Liberator's Girdle - Item - World of Warcraft

Legs Slot:
High - Leggings of Lethal Force - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Legwraps of the Raging Elements - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Bloodied Scale Legs - Item - World of Warcraft

Feet Slot:
High - Treads of Flawless Creation - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Smoking Stride Treads - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Red Scale Boots - Item - World of Warcraft

Ring Slot:
High - Signet of the Fifth Circle - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Band of Secret Names - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Band of Rays - Item - World of Warcraft

Trinket Slot:
High - Theralion's Mirror - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Talisman of Sinister Order - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Figurine - Dream Owl - Item - World of Warcraft

Relic Slot:
High - Relic of Norgannon - Item - World of Warcraft
Medium - Notched Jawbone - Item - World of Warcraft
Low - Sandshift Relic - Item - World of Warcraft

Ok, If you have either just turned 81 or 80, or have just converted to Enhancement, they I suggest you go for the "Low" Gear. If you are levl 83 or above and want to improve your DPS then go for Medium. And if you are 85 and can easily get into Cataclysm Raids and defeat them, then go for the "High" Category.

Gems

Here are the go-to gems by slot:
Yellow: Rigid Majestic Zircon - Item - World of Warcraft or Accurate Dreadstone - Item - World of Warcraft if you still need hit and expertise
Red: Delicate Cardinal Ruby - Item - World of Warcraft
Blue: Accurate Dreadstone - Item - World of Warcraft or Glinting Dreadstone - Item - World of Warcraft if you still need hit or expertise, or Nightmare Tear - Item - World of Warcraft
Orange - Artful Ember Topaz - Item - World of Warcraft
Green - Sensei's Dream Emerald - Item - World of Warcraft
Purple - Veiled Demonseye - Item - World of Warcraft
Meta - Chaotic Shadowspirit Diamond - Item - World of Warcraft

Food and Drink

Ok, now, in terms of Food and Drink to help bolster your Enhancement Shamans DPS, here is what you are going to need:
Food - Fish Feast - Item - World of Warcraft
Flask - Flask of Distilled Wisdom - Item - World of Warcraft

Totems

Now, Let's move on to Totems, One of the most vital parts of any Enhancement Shamans Rotation and Life, your Totem bar should change if you are solo or in a raid. So lets begin:

This is your average Shaman Totem Bar, it consists of 5 buttons, One to select what pre-selected set of Totems you will be using, and the other 4 to select which totems which will be cast when you press the first Button.
To set up Solo Totems, First select the arrow above the Totem Icon on the first button and select "Call of the Ancestors," Click on that and then select for your first Totem, Your first totem should be "Strength of Earth Totem," your second should be "Searing Totem," Your third should be "Healing Stream Totem" and your fourth and final should be "Windfury Totem"
Now, for your Raid Totems, click on the first button and select "Call of the Spirits," Now, when you are in a raid, discuss with the other shamans in the raid what totems you are going to put down, and organize who is doing what, one shaman can provide totems for Spellcasters and the other Shaman could provide totems for Melee classes like them. For your "Call of the Spirits" Totem set, it should be focuses on helping caster classes, your first totem should be "Stoneskin Totem," your second should be "Flametounge Totem," your Third Totem should be "Mana Spring Totem," and your Fourth and Final totem should be "Wrath of Air Totem."
When you are fighing by yourself, use Call of the Ancestors but when you are fighting with a raid group, organize it with other shamans in your group that you will use your Call of the Spirits to help Caster Classes and they should help Melee Classes.

Talents

Ok, that's Totems done, now, lets move onto Talents. There are many type of Talent trees for Enhancement shamans, they vary depending on what you want to do, such as PVE or PVP, Raiding or Solo or Levelling or End Game. But here is the best Enhancement Talent Tree which is good at Solo, Raid and Levelling. (Credits go to Thaloc)
PVE -


Enchants


OK, I think so far we have covered everything apart from Enchants, now, a Shaman obviously has a massive advantage over other classes when it comes to Enchants, we can enchant our own weapon using our own spells, no skills required! Of course, these are temporary Enchantments but they can make the difference between bad and good DPS. when using permanent Enchantments, always make sure to keep up Windfury Weapon on your Main and Flametounge weapon on your off-hand. Here is what I think are the best enchants for Enhancement Shamans:
Cloak Slot - Enchant Cloak - Critical Strike - Spell - World of Warcraft
Chest - Enchant Chest - Mighty Stats - Spell - World of Warcraft
Boots - Enchant Boots - Major Agility - Spell - World of Warcraft
Ring - Enchant Ring - Strength - Spell - World of Warcraft
Hands - Enchant Gloves - Exceptional Strength - Spell - World of Warcraft
Head - Alliance - Arcanum of the Wildhammer - Item - World of Warcraft
Head - Horde - Arcanum of the Dragonmaw - Item - World of Warcraft
Legs - Greater Inscription of the Axe - Item - World of Warcraft
Main Hand - Enchant Weapon - Landslide - Spell - World of Warcraft
Off Hand - Enchant Weapon - Avalanche - Spell - World of Warcraft
Waist - Ebonsteel Belt Buckle - Item - World of Warcraft
Wrist - Enchant Bracer - Precision - Spell - World of Warcraft

Ok, it's time to end my guide now and I hope you enjoyed it and learnt some things along the way about Enhancement shamans.
Please leave feedback and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me or to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Also, sorry for linking WoWHead soo much, I just think that it's a really good website for WoW databases. Anyways, Thanks and Goodbye!!

Please Leave Feedback

[pewpewboltz]

well im a little confused why you'd post an outdated guide ( the talent tree for starters ) ;o

[Bagger]

Well you might want to add for PvE Raiding - that Enhancement Shamans don't have a set rotation, and instead use a priority queue.

This concept is fairly straightforward - the higher a ability is in the queue, the higher priority it has. Meaning if it's off cooldown and available, use it, if not, go to the next ability, if it's unavailable, go to the next, etc.

1 Searing Totem
2 Lava Lash
3 Flame Shock if the Unleash Flame buff is present
4 Maelstrom Weapon x5 stacks + Lightning Bolt
5 Unleash Elements
6 Stormstrike
7 Earth Shock
8 Spirit Wolves

Talent spec update;

[Pikachoo]

i have a level 85 shammy and i'll like to say that firstly....
Most important Stats are
Agility
Stamina
+hit caps at 8%


Agility adds to Attackpower, Crit chance and dodge
Stamina is always good....

Have Windfury on main hand, flametongue on offhand
drop a searing totem let it stack x5 on the mob and Eureka you just hit your first 20k lava lash

BTW dont use windfury on both weps for unleash elements as the speed cap is at 1.87 and you wont get many benefits from 2 windfury...

did you just repost from someone else? as any shaman user would automaticlly know that those talents are seriously out dated?

[Wintermut3]

Completely disregard your itemlist.

To begin with, it's completely inconsistent. Fair play that you have a low, medium and high option for each slot. But half the time the high items are from heroic raids and medium is from normal instances.

Most people should be gearing up in heroics by now so it would be best to focus on what to get from Justice Points and heroics rather than list items from heroic raids. If you have access to heroic raids and need a guide for your class you really shouldn't be where you are.

On another note, you completely mix up caster items with physical DPS items which are the ones enhancement shamans need.

You list an Off-hand with strength that is a tank weapon for us.
You list Twilight Hammer as "the" best Main Hand for us. This is true in the case that we can currently go double Flametongue with a caster weapon and perform better but this is being handled by Blizzard and fixed soon(tm)

Basically more than half of the list consists of intellect items which are complete rubbish.

Sort the talents out, sort the itemlist out.

Also you should add a section on reforging if you want a "complete" guide.

[Unholyshaman]

I appreciate the effort you put into the guide and I play an Enhancement shaman myself, but your rotation seems really odd. For example why would you begin with a shock when your Unleash Elements or Stormstrike improve the damage done by your shocks. It just seems odd. If you are using them to ranged pull a mob to you, just use Wind shear.

Generally you should drop your totems down just before you get to your mobs, either a totem group with searing or a totem group with magma totem.

1. Lava Lash
2. Unleash Elements
3. Flame Shock (you should always use flameshock after Unleash Elements, if you are further on in the fight and Unleash Elements is still on cooldown but you have a Stormstrike buff up on the enemy, then use earthshock instead)
4. Stormstrike
5. If you have Maelstrom Weapon X 5 stacks then Lightning Bolt of Chain Lightning if more than 2 targets. If Maelstrom isn't up yet do step 6 before step 5.
6. If in an AOE situation then Fire Nova while waiting for Earth Shock.
7. Lava Lash
8. Stormstrike (Unleash Elements won't be off cooldown yet)
9. Earth Shock
10. Unleash Elements
11. Maelstrom Proc (LB/CL)
12. Flame Shock
13. Then it becomes a mix of FCFS and Priority System.

There are many different rotations and systems that you can use as Enhancement, and they will change vastly on the situation, if you are switching targets, moving, etc but the above is the general rotation you would use on a basic tank and spank boss fight.
In general you always want to have the Unleash Elements Buff if you going to cast Flameshock and you always want to have a Stormstrike buff if you going to cast Earth Shock. I use my Maelstrom Procs, Fire Nova, Redo totems during the small periods that you cannot cast anything else.

[wowmachackerz]

ok guys, thanks for all the feedback and I am currently updating it with all of your feedback if you don't mind :-)

[ssmug]

For raiding you want get 17% spell hit because you dont wanna miss your Wind Shear (interrupt) on boss.

[pewpewboltz]

Talent Calculator - World of Warcraft

That would be a better talent tree wouldnt it?... i mean why would a enh shaman take the hit talent from ele when its rubbish since you have no spirit on gear =/

[XSilentiumX]

Talent Calculator - World of Warcraft

That would be a better talent tree wouldnt it?... i mean why would a enh shaman take the hit talent from ele when its rubbish since you have no spirit on gear =/

After hit and expertise caps, master/agility are your top stats. Elemental Precision - Spell - World of Warcraft gives us 3% mastery without calling it mastery. Also, call of flams is not good because searing totem does low damage, you only use it to stack up searing flams for insane lava lash hits

@OP

In terms of Weapon Enchants, you should always have Windfury Weapon on your mainhand and Flametounge Weapon on your off-hand to fully take advantage of Lava Lash

This is incorrect, as i beleive if you have weapons with different speeds E.g Cookie's Tenderizer - Item - World of Warcraft and any Agility weapon with 2.6 speed, you would find an increase in dps from using FT/FT on this wep with a 2.6 than WF/FT on 2x 2.6 weapon speeds
Also, alot of new people will be reading this guide so you should probably infrom them of Shock and awe and just to simply put the rotation into it.
And as said before, you should aim for 17% in the spell hit before you start raiding for optimal dps.