Shaman and item changes in 2.3.2
by David Bowers 
Dec 5th 2007 at 4:04PM
MMO Champion has a bit of information about some of the latest changes coming in patch 2.3.2. First is something of a non-change for Shamans in particular: Blizzard had in mind to add a 30-second cooldown to Earth Shield, as well as a 50% mana-cost reduction, but now they're putting this change on hold until they can figure out exactly how they'll resolve the thorny issue of whether this spell should be dispellable or not -- it'll probably be in patch-2.4, in one form or another.
Secondly, there are some item changes in the works: one epic throwing weapon, the [Spinesever], is going to be nerfed a little bit for some reason, and a number of model certain Zul'Aman gear are going to be updated. The [Ancient Sin'dorei Longbow] from Zul'Jin himself struck me as a particularly sad reuse of an existing (and ugly) bow model. Fortunately, as you can see on the right, that bow is getting an invigorated look (on the top). A number of other items, are getting update too. Check out their post for all the details.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Baluki Dec 5th 2007 4:23PM
The exact quote says they "have decided to temporarily revert both of these changes until we address the dispel issue, which will likely be for patch 2.4."
That sounds like they're intending to make a change to the dispellability of Earth Shield, or maybe to other spells as well (like Shamanistic Rage). However it goes, it's nice to see the 30-sec change delayed. Maybe they'll do something to make Resto shamans more than a free HK when there's a hunter around. (Nerf Hunters!)
Good_Idea Dec 5th 2007 5:35PM
Thank god they're reverted the shamans changes. In pvp, I rarely wear the ES myself, what's the point? It gets dispelled in seconds.
And yes, hunters are way OP with the change to arcane shot. Whoever thought it was a good idea to give hunters both MS and dispel as well as removing the dead zone is a tard. I can stand next to a hunter and melee and they can still shoot. Too much.
ringu0 Dec 5th 2007 4:24PM
This is the third shaman "non-change" to date, the previous being spell coefficient for elementals, and DR on interrupts. Every one of them is serious or even game-breaking. Every one of them was introduced, and then reverted.
I wonder if, after three years of shaman existence, anyone in class design department has any idea of where this class is going.
Verit Dec 5th 2007 5:58PM
Spell damage coefficients for Shamans lightening bolt is the same for warlocks and mages (87% without talents) however Shamans base damage for lightening bolt rank 12 is 563-643 vs Warlocks Shadow Bolt rank 11 is 541-603.
Might explain why elemental shamans blow away all ranged dps in most boss fights even though my warlock has +1000 shadow damage.
Tenali Dec 5th 2007 6:53PM
@4
As far as I am aware spell damage coefficient is calculated from cast time (somebody please correct me if I am wrong). Base cast time on lightning bolt is 2.5 seconds whilst fireball is 3.5 seconds and Shadowbolt is 3 seconds. Spell damage is calculated before talents, so talent changes don't effect it whatsoever (after the mage tax removal)
Then Lightning Bolt has a slightly increased coefficient because of changes in patch 2.3 when Blizzard unintentionally nerfed elemental DPS and they changed it to solve the issue. I can safely say the coeficient is less than that of a 3 second cast spell.
If you are being beaten by shamans on the Dps meters I couldn't really come up with any suggestion as to how to improve, other than that the Shaman must either really outgear you?
Verit Dec 6th 2007 12:42PM
Warlock Shadow Bolt is 2.5 seconds if your willing to spend 10 talent points in destruction - which most end game warlocks do.
I don't know much about shamans honestly (coming from alliance) but friends I have who play them say that after +400-500 spell damage that they don't scale all that much above that. Even then I've seen Shamans in blues and some purple gear clear 800-900 dps - which is hard number to achieve on a warlock without at least +1000-1100 spell damage.
nein89 Dec 7th 2007 2:50PM
6: As he mentioned, talents that change casting time do not effect spell coefficients. The only exceptions to this were fireball and frostbolt, which are no longer exceptions.
You are also seriously underestimating Warlock DPS. The trick here is that you need to spec as is appropriate to your gear level, rather than the situation most DPS classes face of gearing around spec. If you're working your way up to 70, Demo is certainly going to be easiest, provided you're in situations where you can use your felguard. Wearing blues up through T4, affliction will provide the best DPS output. In full T6, destruction will blow everything else out of the water. This is entirely because shadowbolt scales so well, and has so many buffs/debuffs that improve its damage.
Diabla Dec 6th 2007 12:21AM
"..but now they're putting this change on hold until they can figure out exactly how they'll resolve the thorny issue of whether this spell should be dispellable or not... "
Eh.. A buff is a buff is a buff. If everyone elses Fel Armor, Shields, ect can be dispelled by who ever can dispell, then this should be dispellable too. That shouldn't be an issue to figure out.
@ Good_Idea: I definitely agree w/ the whole MS+Arcane Shot dispell+No Dead Zone thing. MS and Dead Zone, ok. But giving Hunters a dispell too! Way over the top. :-/
Zumwalah Dec 6th 2007 8:18AM
I like how you Say the SpineSever was "Changed for some reason" its because it was the best Ranged slot item for Rogue/DPS war in the game, and a World Drop BoE should never be better then a BT drop
ruleofthumb Dec 7th 2007 12:25AM
The reason we (the Hunters) got the Arcane Shot-Dispel, Aimed Shot-MS, and Deadzone removal was to make us more viable in PvP. Now, there are a lot of Hunters the demolished others in PvP before these changes. But at the same time, most Hunters were nothing but free kills in the arenas for most teams.
A Hunter could do NOTHING against a Resto Shaman before 2.3, nothing except waste our ammo and mana. Now that we have abilities that counter Shamans, they cry 'Nerf!'.
Before 2.3, how many teams, SERIOUSLY had issues with Hunters? Pretty much none at all. Pillar-dancing and deadzone exploitation were the counters to Hunters and its been fixed, allowing us a spot in high-rated teams. You NEVER saw any teams at all looking for a Hunter, now we are viable in at least 5v5s, maybe even wanted. Sorry for getting a buff to be able to actually kill a Shaman.