Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
Mystery of the Unborn Val'kyr
The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsLightning Overload hotfix buff incoming
by Eliah Hecht 
May 13th 2009 at 9:00AM
There's been an active thread for the past few weeks called "Stealth Nerf to Elemental," wherein Elemental shamans voice concerns that their DPS fell in patch 3.1. Blizzard assures us that there was no intention to nerf Elemental DPS in the patch, and that they couldn't find any bugs.
However, they must have come to the conclusion that Elemental was a bit low, because they're hotfixing in a buff to Lightning Overload. Currently, it has a 7/13/20% chance to proc; when the hotfix goes in ("sometime over the next couple of days"), it will be raised to an 11/22/33% chance, although the tooltip will not change (this will be fixed in a patch).
Ghostcrawler's estimate is that this will be about a 5% to a raid-buffed shaman, but they'll keep an eye on it, and further buffs will ensue if necessary.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Del May 13th 2009 11:28AM
Wow moar ele buffs... And I've some day thought eles and moonkins are equal. Maybe we could get some buffs if we whine for "stealth nerfs"? Or would they nerf us more for that? :(
Djinn May 13th 2009 1:32PM
No Boomkins are Elementals are NOT equal. Let me QQ for a while about AOE... Shut Up dood... Or how about your passive crit bonus that I have to proc all the time...I hope Balance sucks and continues to. That way at least the hax druid class will not be top in one aspect of what they can do... you seen the DPS a cat can do these days? Or Bear tanks... i
Mike May 13th 2009 11:42AM
I just want to know when this fix is going live. I can't say I have noticed a huge drop in LvB damage but I am overly excited for 1/3 chance to proc LBO.
Malfious May 13th 2009 11:49AM
@Robert M (#4)
Elemental shaman have the talent "Storm, Earth and Fire" at lvl 40 (43 to get 100%) which roots enemies in place when you first put down Earthbind Totem since the last patch, its pretty useful, even in raids today
Robert M May 13th 2009 2:41PM
Thanks man, I always forget about that. Don't get me wrong, I leveled to 70 enhancement and went ele/resto at 70 for the Northrend grind.
I find that yellow 3man quests aren't really an issue for me, but there are times when I feel like I lack the control that I have with other casters.
Tips are always appreciated, my shaman used to be my "I got a rested alt so I'm gonna grab a couple levels with him today," but since WotLK I have fallen in love with him and can't put him down.
critterbane May 13th 2009 12:16PM
Oh thank SHEEBUS! I thought I was insane! 3.1 hit and I lost all of my self-esteem lol.
voltero May 13th 2009 2:11PM
It's actually kinda funny and a little surprising that you say we're lower on dps than we should be considering I've still been topping meters. Additional threat-free damage procs? I'll take it!
Rock May 13th 2009 2:29PM
Then the people your running with are doing it wrong.
Angus May 13th 2009 7:37PM
Your dps is doing it wrong.
In my crappy gear I noticed a huge jump in 3.08 and then an big kick in the nuts thanks to the conflag nerf.
Halderis May 13th 2009 9:53PM
Why the hell are Shamans getting attention when whining? Mages got the warlocks nerfed when they complained, the warlocks cried out and nothing happened. It's a maybe that they won't get critical things taken away from them or lowered. Why the heck so Shamans get to whine and immediately get a fix?
tacowalker May 19th 2009 12:25PM
I know I am in lame group when my elem. is on the top of the dps meter. I have great gear but I know that I am not a pure dps class. So if I see mages and hunters with 800-1000 less dps than me, I know they are not "doing it right" or have terrible latency and lag. It is amazing how often it happens though, people need to learn their class if they are going to choose to raid.
Neirin May 13th 2009 4:50PM
what's with GC and 5%?
He said the same thing for the spi buff for boomkins, despite all math saying that it was impossible and much closer to 2%.
Felinae May 13th 2009 8:50PM
And more to the point, the shaman change can be hotfixed, but the druid change has to wait for the next patch. :(
Shiggs May 13th 2009 9:45PM
How about doing something for Rogues!?! Ele Shaman almost double dps me already...
Stu May 14th 2009 7:19AM
Yay this buff will be awesome
Djinn May 14th 2009 12:44PM
Halderis the reason Shamans get attention is because we are the kings of QQ dude wheres your shaman....
Also Shamans deserve some love because IMO its one of if not THE most fun class to play.