Reprinted Articles

While looking through a world of warcraft guide on Shamans you might end up wondering whether you are reading a medley of world of warcraft guides involving warriors, mages or any healer class. You might even confuse Shamans for Druids, for the simple reason that just like Druids, Shamans are a hybrid class capable of healing, tanking and casting.

Then you might go and peruse forums and the plethora of wow sites that discuss world of warcraft Shamans guides who describe them as being able to do these abilities but not as well as classes that are specialized in them. That is a narrow minded view. If you take the Druid, they are praised for how they can tank admirably when shape shifting into bears or heal while in tree form and give damage in cat form. But they can never do all three at the same time. The Shaman can without the need to shape shift. Though they can indeed shape shift as wolves but only to help them travel faster.

The one thing that makes Shamans stand out is the fact they use totem, which when planted in nearby ground give them and fellow nearby party members various benefits while in combat. Totems and the way they are used are what makes it challenging and enjoyable to play a shaman.

There are four categories of totems : Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Each totem requires split timing decisions and a cool head to implement properly whilst engaged in tricky combat situation or in a group. Useful is also how they can use the Reincarnation spell to resurrect themselves as well as other members. This is limited to once every played hour, cut down to 40 as more talents points are assigned to that ability. This is another feature that makes them fun to play solo and very useful when in a group.

It’s not just Horde that can now play Shamans. After the Burning Crusade expansion, now Dranei, the new alliance race, can also play Shaman. Arguably this is possibly one of the best classes that Draenei can choose thanks to some of the attributes they have which allows them to exploit this class to the max.

Any world of warcraft shaman guide worth its salt will tell you that when you reach the maximum level it is time for your shaman to specialize as either an Enhancement, Elemental or Restoration shaman. The directive of elemental shamans is to deal out high damage, something which comes in useful when you are levelling up. The restoration shamans are more adept at being able to heal effectively, making them worthy back up healers in group play.

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.

• World of warcraft Shaman guide - The totem wielding warrior mage - July 16th, 2008

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