Shamans disappointed yet again in 2.4 notes
by Mike Schramm 
Feb 11th 2008 at 3:30PM
The biggest Shaman change is the one to Earth Shield (which only affects Resto, since they're the only ones that can use it-- it costs less mana, and lasts for six charges instead of 10 (not great for raiders, but not bad for PvPers), and there was a small buff to Healing Grace (now gives a chance to avoid dispells). There is one Elemental change-- Call of Thunder now gives 5% crit rather than crit only to Lightning spells. But those changes do nothing to alleviate Shaman concerns (and you might have heard that there were many), and the rest of the changes are bugfixes and UI updates almost no one was asking for.
Yes, yes, QQ more and all that, but the story here is that Shamans have been basically ignored yet again, even while Blizzard admits that there are problems with the class. So when are the fixes coming? Blizzard has already said they're not making sweeping changes to any classes in these content patches-- maybe our chance as Shamans will finally come with the expansion.
Filed under: Shaman, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Buffs, Enchants, Forums
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
cplphotography Feb 11th 2008 3:43PM
Jebus... just give us god mode already, haven't we suffered enough?
Ryan Feb 11th 2008 3:47PM
I'd reply, but I can't do that while stunned.
Alexisonfire Feb 11th 2008 5:32PM
@Ryan
That deserves an "OH SNAP!"
Murtah Feb 11th 2008 3:47PM
I think it's a joke. It's gotta be. I mean, think of it this way. Blizzard has heard our outrage over and over again, since it get worse with each patch, admitted that changes need to be made, and then not do them. So, with a big new patch, they give us one thing that's...pretty useless. I think it's a tease, saying "Here you, have a icon.", and then when the patch finally comes out, introduces the changes.
Matt Feb 11th 2008 9:30PM
You aren't doing yourselves any favors by overstating your issues like this. Anyone who isn't caught up in the emotion of your argument sees this as ridiculous hyperbole. These comments are a perfect example of this.
All 3 Shaman trees are extremely desirable in any PvE raid. While you may not care for Enhancement PvP viability, Blizzard has repeatedly reminded us that they don't intend for every tree to be great in PvP.
Mike, you should be ashamed of yourself. I enjoy many of the articles here on WoW Insider, but a few recent posts have taken an increasingly whiny tone. Take a step back, be rational and realize that you have chosen to play a very capable hybrid class.
Lucas Feb 12th 2008 6:04AM
That shows how much you know... Enhancement is preferable for raiding in every way.
Shamantha Feb 12th 2008 7:10AM
Listen Matty boy, until you've experienced the frustration of being an endgame shaman then your words carry no weight here. You obviously don't understand the extent of our woes if you are claiming it's all a 'ridiculous hyperbole'. I for one am very glad that this issue of shammy nerfs and general neglect is getting some attention on sites such as wowinsider because it shows that it's evolved from just QQ in the forums to an actual problem. What you're saying is that only one spec of shamans can truly enjoy PvP... PvP being an integral part of the endgame experience. -_-
I think this quote embodies blizzard's reluctance to admit there's a problem (this was in response to the observation that shamans make up a tiny fraction of the warcraft population):
"The stats don't show a lack of popularity for shaman, they just show a ridiculous popularity for other classes." -Tharfor, EU Blue
A correlation between lack of TLC for shammies and the popularity of the class?
P.S. That video was hilarious.
Murtah Feb 12th 2008 5:53PM
*smiles* Thank you, my brothers and sisters, for reminding me that I'm not entirely spouting nonsense.
Silverfire Feb 11th 2008 3:49PM
This brings me back to the days when my mage was my main.
They got a new icon, too!
jr Feb 11th 2008 3:55PM
You people are insane. In PvE Shamans rock, if they suck so much in PvP, find something else you obviously arn't having fun with the shaman.
Ironhide Feb 11th 2008 3:59PM
Enhancement shamans .. hmm.. are they that HEALING class that I see rocking the DPS meter all the damn time? Every damn Shaman i come across out DPS's just about every other class in any group I am in and you guys are crying for MORE?
My god.
Imogynn Feb 11th 2008 4:02PM
Enhancement shamans are not asking for more damage. We are asking for a complete class.
As for being a healing class... tell that to the druids who tank your raids.
We aren't a healing class unless we spec that way.
---
We actually have less raid/pvp utility than pure damage classes. Yet somehow we are considered the hybrid?
Ted Feb 11th 2008 4:09PM
I run as a Raid Enh Shm. PvE we generally are fine. In general group PvP we do... OK.
Arenas are a total joke. I hit 375 resilience a few weeks ago... and I'm finally half-viable in the 1400-1500 rating bracket. Does that make sense?
Algorithm Feb 11th 2008 4:46PM
The following post is from a raid perspective only, PvP ignored.
When mages give their party members 3% to critically hit with spells, and rogues give their party members extra attacks, then we can start talking about equivalent utility.
Here is a short list of totems that give added utility:
-Windfury
-Totem of Wrath
-Wrath of Air
-Grace of Air
-Tremor (situational)
-Grounding (situational)
-Mana Spring
-Mana Tide
-Poison/Disease Cleansing
Compare that with what a mage or rogue offers their party.
In addition to restoration shamans being one of the best AoE healers in the game (except maybe CoH priests).
Rogues in my guild beg for an enhancement shaman every raid. Many, many boss encounters are made significantly easier with a shaman. I just don't see how the class is so horrendously "broken." What class would you rather be in raids?
I do not have a 70 shaman, so feel free to enlighten me.
(Also, loved the video, and every class whines about arenas, so I just assume leave that out of this discussion).
Lucas Feb 11th 2008 5:01PM
PvP
Pzychotix Feb 11th 2008 6:31PM
Not every spec is arena viable. Get over it.
(Feral Druids)
Shamantha Feb 12th 2008 7:13AM
@15
There are only two specs which are weaker than Enhancement in PvP. One is the Warrior Protection tree, the other is Paladin Protection tree.
Zhalseran Feb 11th 2008 4:07PM
QQ more please? you might notice that nobody got any big changes. 2.4 is a content patch, not a class review
while your at it go read this:
http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/02/09/blues-confirm-more-changes-to-come-in-patch-2-4/
Angus Feb 11th 2008 4:22PM
Funny you said that.
We're still waiting on our damn review.
The one that got pushed back for paladin, mages, and any other class that bitched because they weren't getting one fast enough.
So we get NO review, then we are told TBC will fix our class.
TBC makes it WORSE. Only recently were changes made that even come close to making us as good as "pure" classes. Meanwhile other hybrids are seeing themselves as gods in mulitple areas. (warriors are considered best tanks and crucial in all arena brackets, priests are crucial in arena and raids, druids are gods in 2v arena and fit any raid role) We get PVE.
We also have issues with losing viability as other classes get better gear to beat us in almost all aspects there.
I see Ret paladins getting gear changes to increase damage. They need it. Where's my gear change so I don't have to wear leather and look at my enhancement Tier and gladiator gear as utter garbage?
Pzychotix Feb 11th 2008 6:48PM
And shamans don't fit any raid role?
Enh shamans are crucial to any melee group with Unleashed Rage, totems, and bloodlust.
Resto shamans are the quintessential AoE healer.
Ele shamans do great in raids, and have one of the best burst damage. In 5s, they are in 20% of the top teams over 2200 rating, simply due to their burst capability.
The only thing a shaman can't do is tank, and that's really not a big loss.