If you ever come across a world of warcraft guide about Shamans you could easily be misled into thinking that you are actually reading a bundle of guides glued together featuring warriors, mages or any of the other healer classes. Or you might make the mistake of wondering that it’s a guide on Druids. No wonder since like Druids, Shamans can also heal tank and cast.
Then you might read in forums and other online sites, that they are not as good in these abilities as the classes that specialise in them. However when you consider that Druids can heal in tree form or that they can tank as bears, or give damage when turning into a cat, remember that Shamans is able to do all of of this at the same time without the need to shape shift - though they can turn into wolves to travel faster.
There is one feature that makes the world of warcraft Shaman stand out, and this is their use of totems which when planted into nearby ground gives them and fellow members various benefits such as healing and aid in fighting opponents. It’s the use of these totems which is what makes playing a Shaman a challenging experience.
There are four types: Earth, Fire, Water and Air and each require split second decision and sound judgement when used in tricky combat situations or group play. Shammys can also resurrect themselves with the Reincarnation spell and other members in their group every hour of played time which can also be reduced to forty minutes as more talents are assigned to that ability. This adds to the list of abilities that make them an asset in a group and great to have if you play solo.
Thanks to the Burning Crusade expansion Shamans is no longer restricted as being a Horde only class. The Dranei race in the Alliance faction can also play Shaman, and of all the classes for them to choose this is arguably the best one for them to choose thanks to various attributes unique to this new race.
There are 3 types of Shaman specializations that players can explore upon reaching the end of game phase of wow. These are Elemental, Enhancement and Restoration abilities. The Elemental Shamans directive is to deal out high damage and in this regard they are regarded as the best choice when wanting to power level fast. The Restoration Shamans on the other hand have more refined healing abilities and will make very effective healers and back up casters in groups.
It would take a very long world of warcraft guide on Shamans to list the many other features this very versatile class possesses. They are a class that thanks to their hybrid status allow players to experience 3 classes in one allowing you to decide whether casting, tanking or healing is something you enjoy doing. In fact Shamans can do all 3 or each one as well as the more specialized classes making them, in the right hands, a class that is potentially 3 times as powerful as other classes and one that should be respected if you ever cross their path.