Breakfast Topic: High definition
by Zach Yonzon 
Mar 21st 2009 at 8:00AM
One ability that used to define Shamans was the dreaded Frost Shock, although it's fallen out of fashion lately now that Flame Shock is the precursor to a 100% crit Lava Burst. Still, I'm old school, and Frost Shock is still one of my favorite spells. Of course, Shaman are also defined by gear that hearkens to the elements -- and the Tier 8 looks like sheer amazing. Although the different classes have various powers at their disposal, what do you think are the defining abilities of each class? Just name one or two of the ones that stand out for you. What motifs fit the classes best? Skulls aren't just the domain or Rogues, but knives seem to be exclusive to those backstabbers. What abilities and themes define the classes best?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Elmo Mar 21st 2009 8:05AM
I think Elemental Shields and weapon imbue's define Shamans as well especially Windfury. At least if I see something spinning I know it's a shaman.
Veliaf Mar 21st 2009 8:07AM
Hmm.
Thinking of Warlocks, it'll be Curse of Agony and Fear.
Paladins, the bubble.
Mages, Pyroblast and Blink.
Rogues, just Stealth.
Hunters are harder... Probably the mark.
Druids, Moonfire.
Priests are hard too. Maybe PW:S.
Death Knights, Army of the Dead.
Warriors, the charge ability. And Intimidating Shout for some reason.
As for Shamans, it's gotta be Frost Shock.
Cyanea Mar 21st 2009 9:14AM
For hunters...it's Bestial Wrath. I know that's a spec defining move rather than a class one, but still. When I see the kitty go red, I turn and go the other way.
Quickly.
Heilig Mar 21st 2009 9:16AM
I don't know why, but my visions of these classes seem to be different than most other peoples'
Warlocks - Dying to their DoT's AFTER you kill them, then they pop their Soulstone and /lol at your corpse.
Paladins - Fairy pink armor bubblehearthing away
Mages - Ice Block
Rogues - "Ambush, Eviscerate, Vanish!"
Hunters - Loot drama
Druids - Entangling roots -> cheetah
Priests - Giant Angel Form
Death Knights - Stupid Death Grip
Warriors - Spamstring
Shamans - 15 minute Hearth
I think my experience with these classes must be a lot different than you other folks have. More PvP, I guess.
equinn Mar 21st 2009 9:33AM
I loved the IRL Rogue video.
For those who haven't seen it, its freaking hilarious if you're a rogue or know a rogue.
bob Mar 21st 2009 8:09AM
hunters=feign death
especially during a wipe :P
senor Mar 21st 2009 8:14AM
Warlocks, Banish.
Paladins, Bubblehearth.
Mages, Iceblock.
Rogues, Vanish.
Hunters, Autoshot and that awful gun sound
Druids, Moonfire.
Priests, Shadowform.
Death Knights, Deathgrip.
Warriors, Thunderclap.
Shamans, totems anyone?
Tirrimas Mar 21st 2009 11:41AM
I'm a Hunter, and HATE the gun shot sound.
Cuetip Mar 22nd 2009 7:37PM
There are addons to change it to a bow sound or you can manualy copy paste the sound file
ThePredator Mar 21st 2009 8:18AM
Although the WoW Paladins are not quite typical to other mythology-related paladins, there's still nothing that quite says Paladin like A GOLD LION'S HEAD SHIELD. It's an early quest reward, and it instantly makes you wanna stop and skill up some one handed weapons. Other than that, Hammers.
Cyanea Mar 21st 2009 9:17AM
There's a TCG card who's picture sums up exactly what I think of when someone says Paladin.
http://www.wowtcgdb.com/images/medium/ardent_defender.jpg
Novead Mar 21st 2009 8:27AM
Druids - moonfire
Hunters - aimed shot for some reason, the old one from classic
Mage - sheep
Paladin - bubble
Priest - greater heal
Rogue - backstab
Shaman - chain heal
Warlock - shadow bolt
Warrior - charge
It's strange that I still see the classes as they were in classic, and not so much what they are now. I always get an image of one of said classes in tier two. Well, that's what I first saw them as, so might not be so strange after all.
Greg Padilla Mar 21st 2009 8:31AM
So, am I alone in thinking that the shaman's trademark ability is his totems?
I men, mages haave cone of cold, warriors have hamstring. Even hunters can slow you down in a frost trap.
Shaman are the only class in the game that uses totems. And unlike frost shock, shaman drop totems for nearly every PVE/PVP encounter.
For other classes, I'd have to say:
Rogue = Stealth
Warrior = Charge
Druid = Moonfire
Paladin = Bubble (not used every time, but sure seems like it!)
Mage = Polymorph
Warlock = Fear
Hunter = Feign Death
Priest = Heal
Death Knight = You lose
Those all seem to be pretty standard in nearly every (major) encounter.
redielin Mar 21st 2009 8:49AM
Y'all are forgetting the #1 iconic Priest spell since Vanilla WOW:
Mind Flay.
That's right, Priest are the original Face Melters.
Cyggs Mar 21st 2009 8:54AM
Warlock: Fear
Shaman: Heroism/Bloodlust
Paladin: Bubble
Warrior: Charge
Hunter: Feign Death
Rogue: Vanish/Stealth in general
Druid: Shapeshifting
Deathknight: Death Grip
Priest: Resurrection
Mage: Polymorph
The Hammer Mar 21st 2009 8:57AM
Fire Elemental Totem and Earth Elemental Totem! Those call the elements themselves, rather than just channelling them. Pretty damn spectacular.
domhammer Mar 21st 2009 9:03AM
i think that shamans have too many class defining spells to properly find one that most represnets them, i.e enh shammys=windfury earthshock frostshosk, elemental= chain lighting lavaburst, resto= chain heal earthsheild, all shamans= totems
serf Mar 21st 2009 9:08AM
As a priest, being constantly covered in purple smoke is pretty defining.
Aylia Mar 21st 2009 9:08AM
Warrior: Getting nerfed or ignored every patch :)))))
Cyanea Mar 21st 2009 9:09AM
One of the things I always felt defined Warlocks was Siphon Life. Too bad we're losing it now.
Death Grip is easily the signature spell of the Death Knight. Protection Paladins are what comes to mind when I think of a Pally, and I get such a visceral thrill when playing my Warrior and bashing someone's face in with my shield. I can just picture my character's axe getting parried away, she looks at the mob, growls, and breaks his jaw with her shield. Fun stuff. :d