SHAMAN - The Most BUFFED Class? | All NEW Runes | Season of Discovery

[@WillEmmo]

RestedXP now features a FREE guide on rune locations (that are being updated ASAP for both factions) will be super useful on alts or just getting last few harder to find runes. Check out the 1-60 leveling guide thats been developed by classic's top speedrunners too! (also free up to level 20) www.restedxp.com/?ref=WillE Use Code: WILLE for 5% off! * Disclaimer on how runes will work! * There have been a few other runes datamined, but Blizzard have confirmed they might just be earlier versions of abilities and won't necessarily be in for release, so for the time being i'll stick to talking about the known ones which were seen at Blizzcon. These are all the confirmed runes up to level 25 for this class There are currently 3 rune slots on the chest, legs and gloves. You can change runes you have found freely and repeatedly. Runes have a pre-determined slot - a "chest" rune cannot be applied to gloves/ legs. More runes will be added in the future. Runes are discovered out in the world. No public PTR for this season - will have to find them once its live! Cooldowns/cast time etc of abilities won't be confirmed till live. Check this video for more general info on season: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWK6fHZrpbapirM&ab_channel=WillE

[@Kylekashi]

I want to take this moment to thank you again for the insane effort you put in for us, going out of your way to do videos for all the classes, before the release, without sacrificing quality. You could have just as well only read the runes from wowhead and call it a day, but you made sure that each of the video is also actually good and well thought out. It's definitely helped me get an overview for what I want to play

[@joedarling5175]

This is what the man's been doing since classic launch. Man needs protected.

[@lightner6924]

What? Ruining the game? By the time the game comes out you will know everything about it. Content creates are bad for the game.

[@Printzor]

Forreal I wait for these class vids

[@gavingreen4461]

@@lightner6924 dont watch the videos then lmfao weirdo

[@wartem]

Is it really that good? A lot of channels are producing great content about this. I wouldn't say this one is particularly good.

[@Taliesin_]

Gonna be a weird moment when the enhancement shaman asks to be in the druid group for windfury.

[@tedofuentes6525]

Lmao yes

[@Alucardd-tt8eb]

lol

[@tatedoh]

Did they get rid of wind fury shaman ?

[@RobertsolutioM]

Shaman will want their rockbiters/flametongue on their weapon; Which doesn't stack with windfury totem (but does with the new druid Aura)@@tatedoh

[@Sarkep667]

@@tatedoh Wind totem unlocks at level 30. SoD being capped at 25 makes it unavailable for shamans.

[@xXNIDSXx]

With 2H enhance I really wanted to see some more focus for this. Played enhance in tbc and spellhance in wrath and really don’t fancy just doing it again with a worse toolkit. Probs gonna go back to prot pala on alliance now that the 2H looks it’s been left by the wayside.

[@Alucardd-tt8eb]

yeah I think funneling the spec into DW is lame, but maybe they will still add it in. We only know the runes up to 25 and they can always add more in if they wanted to. I think having the option for 2H to be viable is only a good thing. The theme of this version is trying new things, so they should totally try a 2h spec option.

[@benjaminjane93]

For this bracket (25) 2h support is kind of useless as we don’t get big 2h damage until after WF comes online. So I would say that through feedback and tell blizzard “We want 2h support” is the best way to get it. Maybe we get a rune that gives stormstrike extra damage, or a strike that specifically triggers Windfury, who knows

[@cc4rtwright]

This comment made me sad as it reminded me of myself. I will literally not play this class unless they have a 2H enh option as there are too many other classes with the dual wield identity. I always hated how they shoehorned it into that.

[@alihorda]

​@@cc4rtwrightand I don't understand why, Frost dk in retail has support for both 2h and dual wield (tho one spec is always dogshit, but still you have the option)

[@RadarFinsR]

@@benjaminjane93 Actually rockbiter scales incredibly well early game, we all know why blizzard have done it this way and it's because 99% of the changes are "here's a thing we did in future xpacs" Like blizzard never thought of a way to fix 2h enhance and they're all out of ideas.

[@jgalla5549]

It would be cool if at 40, they basically copy pasted the dual wield rune, renamed it to "Two Handed Specialization," kept the 5% spell/physical hit chance buff, and replaced the stormstrike w/ both weapons part with "reduces the cooldown of Stormstrike by 12 seconds" making it an 8 sec CD ability like in Wrath, and make it generate 2% mana like Crusader Strike does (if not that, just reduce its cost because it costs 21% base mana atm which is insanely bad.) Make them both a chest slot rune, so then Enhance gets to choose between a 2H or DW playstyle, and both playstyles get incentivized and 2H gets a dps boost that way. Also adding maelstrom later would boost both playstyles at say the 50 or 60 bracket.

[@Rubensen]

Just extend this rune with: you can wield 2h weapons with 1 hand. Everybody happy, blizz got dw, we got 2h shaman 😉

[@eaglefreedom5361]

I agree, enhance needed badly to even be at par with other melee classes. I wish there was a support for enhance either another option to instantly strike or a CD buff for Stormstrike. I really was not a big fan of Maelstrom. Would take another physical ability over it.

[@Wotanson56]

so 2 hand could be still reliable even that DW is an option now?

[@Moth-1077]

Very hyped to live my shaman tank dream, but I agree I was really hoping for two handed enhance

[@evilonelives]

The amount of depth you take in these videos, you make me want to try all the classes and specs, love your content

[@PendragonMusicOfficial]

Ha, thanks for including my meme at 1:32

[@erikhendrickson59]

SOD is gonns be a totally-imbalanced blsst. The complaint threads are gonna be legendary but we need to remember that this is more of an experiment, building towards something greater.

[@SpaceElvisInc]

so classic wow got it

[@sam_hek]

Great vid! I really hope they add 2h enhance stuff as well - 2h enh was my favorite way back in vanilla and something a lot of shamans have been begging to come back to retail for a long time. Miss my big wf crits 😔

[@PoorWax]

Having played dps most of my 14-some years of WoW, Season of Discovery has already made me want to play tank lock, and is tempting me to try out resto healer again. It's great!

[@wartem]

2H shaman is vanilla for me. Still watching Unbreakable's video from time to time.

[@josephxp96]

I hope we get a 2-Hand enhance for 40

[@PNarbz123]

If everyone harasses Blizzard enough, they can make it happen.

[@Abrexfroman]

I agree with your Rune flexibility comment! I think runes not being flexible and only being packaged is the biggest pitfall to come.

[@zedek_]

I played Alliance in original vanilla WoW. Night Elf druid. 2H Shaman's were an iconic threat on the battlefield. It is unacceptable for Blizz to ignore 2H Shamans like this.

[@sasha_yudin504]

I hear ya and is the prime reason I am not rolling Shaman for SoD. I main Shaman in wow classic era and NOTHING is like playing a Might of Menethil 2 hand shaman with Saphh trinkets, insane fun to the highest !!

[@Chopp0r123]

​@@sasha_yudin504they announced 2h shaman

[@The-Sunny-Side]

Something duel wielding may offer is actually double caster weapons for ele. 2 spell damage one handers is significantly stronger than a staff

[@AOSXXX]

And % hit

[@The-Sunny-Side]

Might not even need to take the rune if you learn duel wield at the trainer @@AOSXXX

[@kevinbaker4836]

I'm hopeful for 2H and excited to try shamie for first time in classic

[@DoodleNugget9]

Are they going to do anything for 2hand?

[@James-om5sr]

​@@DoodleNugget9not really, no direct support sadly

[@zsoltsiro1310]

no support, YET@@James-om5sr

[@wisniamw]

@@James-om5sr not yet at least :)

[@kevinbaker4836]

Ya I think it will get some love. Fingers crossed@@wisniamw

[@Rohan_Trishan]

My dream of having an Enhance Shaman Tank has finally become a reality. I just started a new shaman on SoD and can't wait to try out the tanking and see how far I can push it. I love how SoD is like an experimental playground to play around with specs and roles.... with other classes like mage healers being a thing. I hope Blizz will learn alot from SoD and try to implement some of the changes into the live game. Having a dedicated Tank spec for Shaman that is based on the Earth element aspect, just like Enh is wind, Elem is fire, and Resto is water.... will be PERFECT. Then we can be an uber hybrid class with 4 specs for all 4 roles just like Druids.

[@Geologese]

I know its a game people dont care for heroes of the storm but rexxar gets an talent where his earthbind totem does significantly weaker chain heal. I feel that could be a cool rune.

[@gentlemandog4985]

Drek'Thar? Also def sounds nice

[@Sluga7hor]

Rehgar@@gentlemandog4985

[@kyejohnson55]

Shaman has the perfect season of discorry changes because it fills out a role they were meant for in tanking, and just adds flavour everywhere else. Ill take these kinds of additions over mage healing any day

[@yourboiapollo-fn2zd]

Way of Earth is gonna be insane for Ele. Not only just for the flat defensive buffs it give but earth shock being on a separate cd is the big one here!

[@onofish487]

if your looking to pull threat of the tank and die

[@skychaserwow]

@@onofish487I’m certain he’s talking about pvp.

[@DiasTAPvP]

But Earth Shock also becomes melee range, so no ranged interrupt or dmg for PvP

[@AOSXXX]

You loose your range kick vs casters though :/

[@largid]

Shammie tanking, aka warden spec, was already pretty big in vanilla/classic. Newer runes simply may make legit go-to meta tank with incredible threat and big tankiness, while also having all shammie benefits. Warden meta pog

[@Sarkep667]

My 2 main gripes with shaman are dual wield and earth shield. EVERY expansion has shamans dual wield, just leave classic shaman it's uniqueness with 2h-enhance. Elements in classic always felt like they had a specific role. Fire and Lightning for damage, Water für support/healing (that includes frost shock since it's a slow) and earth was tanking/support totems. Earth Shield is a healing ability and kind of breaks the classic mold for me. It's fine for tbc onwards since they abandoned shaman tanks in favor of giving paladin/shamans to both factions but same as dw it feels like something that doesn't quite fit classic to me.

[@kingdolo23]

Cry me a river

[@GaeFootballClub]

my first character in SoD is gonna be an elemental shaman, but im gonna mess around with resto and enhance

[@delsere7095]

The defensive tank minded runes offer some really interesting hybrid builds for PvP. In Classic Era, Elemental Overload + Chain Lightning + Earth Shock is already very capable of globaling an enemy player. While I'm super excited to play it, I'm equally fearful that blizzard will inevitably have to scale the damage back.

[@rct6518]

That is it! I will main Shaman for SoD. I will also make a priest & mage. this should be a fun time!

[@tyrnip7868]

I just want to be able to use Sulfuras in a way that isn’t actively griefing. It’s THE shaman legendary and if we are forced into DW it’s just going to be a ret weapon and the horde would barely ever use an entire legendary

[@Moffattt]

i am so hyped to get to tank legit on a shaman. i remember tanking wailing caverns and ragefire as a shaman in classic. good times

[@Degeneracy420]

The mined rune updates have the bonus threat on rockbiter down from 100% -> 50%

[@pianospeedrun]

I'm very surprised nobody ever mentions ghost wolf. In terms of gameplay FEEL, having an instant cast form change (when talented) would make night and day difference. Maybe it would be op... if it stays like this and gives other bonus than movement speed i'd contend it would be VERY enjoyable and still not too op.

[@megmucklebones7538]

Rolling my first Shaman this time round, going to be my main. Managed to get my name as well, Warhammer!

[@goonsolo5938]

lets all applaud activision for just adding skills and talents from future expansions

[@neoikake]

Microsoft now :P

[@xGazpromx]

SoD is perfect idea!!!! In 25 lvl we have to make group and go to high lvl location to take BIS. It`s really another angle of view!

[@KlockoArt]

My friend group decided to to roll horde this time around for SOD since we've been alliance for all of classic (though I only started playing with them at the start of wrath). I decided my first and foremost main will be shaman tank, for two reasons: 1. The concept of tank shaman has always been really interesting to me and i've always thought it a bit of a shame that it hasnt been realized until now. 2. shaman is one of the classes that I've never REALLY played. I've dabbled with leveling it on and off from cata onwards but I've never devoted a lot of time to it, and I've literally never played an iteration of it pre-cata, so it's something entirely new for me as well,

[@Plard1337]

Pls dont queue for dungeons , thank you - the rest of the playerbase

[@PropagandaWithASmile]

I was alliance too and went Shaman in TBC as soon as I could. Managed to tank Heroic Slave pens, was a bit painful but did it successfully. It was fun, but this is like a dream build, so glad they pushed for it.

[@shaharluxenburg4640]

Please do queue for dungeons, tanks are always needed

[@lucasmoneta1453]

did you get a cold when recording the audio for this video? I feel like ur voice is different

[@Healindawolf]

i am definitely playing shaman tank i gave it a go in lower lvl dungeons when classic 1st came out

[@WawrzyniecTheIII]

Elemental at 60 if they duel wield may be able to boost better by dual spell power weapons instead of the 2nd free weak cast. There are 1h spellpower raid weapons just not many.

[@casimir92]

Which ones?

[@Vozkal]

@@casimir92 The mace from BWL

[@WawrzyniecTheIII]

@@casimir92 End of Dreams Claw of Chromaggus Sageclaw/Mindfang, Fang of Mystics, Midnight Haze, Aurastone Hammer, HWL SPellblade

[@ZubLord]

wow what's the addon that shows the little grouping of shaman totems and buffs active?

[@Thundercloud369]

Water Shield is a very good spell for elemental shamans also. I leveled with lava lash and it was a bummer. Every 2 mobs I was out of mana. With watershield I am rarely out of mana plus I can actually use my shock spells quite often. Water shield is a must have for every elemental shaman.

[@_TG]

I dont play classic but the thought of Ele here just seems so juicy - absolutely CRANKING overloads

[@pcgamerdad4251]

I am super excited to see what they do to make changes to shaman and make 2H Shaman viable.

[@bwilkin23]

Another pretty minor caveat about elemental is that your lightning bolt ranks are at level 20 and 26 so at 25 it might feel a little behind. Or make Lava burst feel EXTRA juicy! :)

[@Ragamuffins1]

been leveling shaman, its awful... really discouraging watching a mage kill 6 mobs at once while healing themselves to full while you melee a mob to death so that you don't go oom incase you need to heal yourself

[@anthonysanchez9204]

Love all your content! Thank you 🙏🏼 keep going !

[@StaunchWheat87]

I cant wait for raid wipes because the shamans rockbiter wore off after 5 minutes

[@Shervin86]

Thank you so much for all your efforts and hard work Willie! Love your videos. Oh and wait until the elem/enh specs come out with these runes... 🤤

[@gold-waffles]

Is there a viable spell/fire-hance spec with dual-wield and lava lash? 2x flametongue, fire shocks, lots of SP and a build that barely misses stormstrike and EM?

[@natecw4164]

I dunno when it changed, maybe it was just my guild, but making sure the tank had threat was always *everyone's* responsibility back in the day. Again, I was not in a hardcore guild.

[@moneybaggameclips1223]

My question is: if I go elemental and get all the runes associated, then I wanna switch to enhance, can I go for the runes again for enhance?

[@martyrofgrenth2136]

Going to watch this right now LET'S GO I WANNA SEE SHAMANS GET SOME LOVEEEE

[@DoodleNugget9]

Needs 2hand love

[@Zakarum420]

Willy deserve so many more subs

[@Nikkuku]

I'm not sure if DW Shaman tanking will be popular thing like it is for Warrior, they're able to pull it off because they're in Mail/Plate. In Leather/Mail, we'll probably need the shield to have a satisfactory armor score. It's a fun idea and I'd love to be proven wrong though.

[@Toades8513]

2H for LIFE!

[@Brandon0035]

Awesome videos man!!!

[@PotatoePC]

Intentions, if dual speccing is available (not officially but they did say it would be easier to change specs) going to DW and Tank!! Looking forward to Dec 1 (gotta work on release but honestly just missing a few hours!!). Hope to see you out there!

[@blackyvertigo]

just like with hunters, where are shaman getting the mana to use these new offensive abilities?

[@Pantyliner121]

Shamanistic Rage is changed so that you get mana per second instead of per weapon hit. You can also glyph into watershield aswell.

[@Liftheavy85]

Looks like totem twisting won't be needed. Just have them drop air and the feral provide windfury

[@sergtrufanov5565]

No air totem till lvl 30 tho

[@HamboneOG]

As a shaman main for 16 years I'm so excited for tank shaman I tanked all the way til Maradon so excited

[@sharifkabir-d8e]

Can anyone explain what he means by Elemental Mastery giving TWO back to back crits?

[@tabl3s]

I just want one thing. 2h enhancement. Thats it. Though...the prospect of dual wield tanking sounds incredibly fun

[@jerseydriftingsouth7400]

I am foaming at the mouth for these Shaman and Pally changes, definitely going to be the two classes I get to 25 first

[@fuzzyface4515]

8:10 For shamanistic rage, I don't think you took note that it chooses whichever value is the highest for mana regen. At level 24 you'll have 194AP from Rockbiter, an additional 40AP (20 Strength) from Strength of Earth Totem. Orc Shamans start out with 24 Strength and Troll starts with 22 Strength. A shaman gets +1 strength per level which at level 24 is an extra 48AP. They also start out with 26-30AP depending on Racial. This means a Shaman will have at least 308 to 312AP. Even if you're playing Resto or Elemental at this low level, you can just pop on those things before using Shamanistic Rage and restore about 46.2-46.8 mana a second, or 693-702 mana over the full duration.

[@RAMB0VI]

Do not like Lava Lash because it tends to coerce players to dual wield. It should offer something for 2H and dual wield.

[@Jorrywoodmen]

For leveling, I'd reckon elemental would be good since u can heal more easy with int gear. But not sure if ele is gonna be optimal for lvling... I remember from classic it was enhancement to 40 and then elemental was viable Thoughts?

[@leonirspaz540]

Elemental is best for levelling until 42+

[@leonirspaz540]

And if you are going enhancement go dagger + shield until dw

[@UndeadR]

Not decided yet for 100% but probably I am going to main this fantastic class. 👌

[@johngraphics2k]

im looking forward to enhance, ive mained it for the past 6 years

[@liamm1419]

TUF from AV was my shizzle, hopeful there will be better options for hybrids at all levels

[@Livinglarge2theend]

Are Shamans gonna get their wind totems before lvl 30???

[@jrose75]

Shaman was already the best raid heals.

[@n3v3r1s4]

tank shaman is going to be so much fun

[@druagamaniac]

isnt enh still going to be weak because all the dps gear is going to be agi and shaman in classic uses strength? or have they changed it so shaman get ap from agility?

[@cecilofs]

My concern too. Gearing in general is trash for offspec hybrids.

[@TugrulBeyOfficial]

Probably they get AP with agility. Melee hunters and enhancement shaman have same dynamics.

[@druagamaniac]

@@TugrulBeyOfficial do they in current classic wow, because the change to agility for enh wasnt until tbc i believe so if its not changed there would they change it for sod?

[@XFoX90]

shaman doesnt use str in classic. They use agi for more crits and more flurry procs...

[@druagamaniac]

@@XFoX90 so they have terrible attack power then?

[@martinc9510]

10:38 If only there was a way to make Lava burst always crit... hmm...

[@metalguard4]

Dusting off my keyboard and Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros for SoD!!

[@kyotheman69]

i don't know about rogue tanks or shaman tanks, it be cool, but for rogue for work they need gear gives them a lot of agi and dodge to work so they are nimble tank, and shaman's they use mail at 40 that's not going compare to plate users, have to wait in see they need add special runes and talents to make these work.

[@PsyrenXY]

The Shaman Tank dream. Goddammit im going to have to play Classic WoW now

[@genesisofdaylightgodthecre8146]

Elemental shaman wich race is best ?

[@kwwball]

I can't wait to try shaman tanking!

[@TheWarriorscat]

I cant wait to live out my Warden Shaman dream!

[@ChristianTaylor3]

Pleased to see the abundant disappointment for dual wield enhancement shaman. Really hope blizz makes 2H enhance viable because classic won’t feel right with dw

[@Abololo33]

Do we even know if the talent tree's will be classic wow ones? Do we even know if the zones/quests from classic wow will be in classic plus? Curious..

[@Infernoblade1010]

I'm all in for shammy tank!!

[@emikochan13]

i wish they had the guts to remove dual wield before it launches, i hate that all the melee dps are dual wielders.

[@midsummerKNlGHT]

Shaman will be my first character, free travel form lol ^^

[@MellonVegan]

"Well, we eles are already pumping but I guess I could use some more ma.:" "Here you go, a flat 16.5% damage increase in one rune!" Erm. Guess I won't complain.

[@EdgarClay]

Shaman needs a mail version of the blade guard gauntlets? Edit: Edgemasters Handguards. Oh it is mail*

[@RadarFinsR]

Sick WilliE sounds like he's been replaced by an AI. Also FYI you've got the earth shield tbc and wrath dispells confused, in TBC one purge would removed the entire buff regardless of stacks, and in wrath you dispell 1 stack per purge(though most purges do 2 purges). Wrath has the flag "Dispel Removes Charges" and TBC does not. source I pvped as a shaman for all of classic so far, yes I have brain damage. Also Fire nova is a totem in vanilla which gives you 0 threat and the threat is all on the totem, it's the hardest part of getting it off is casting it it will generate threat instantly so if you don't have the correct threat on a target fire nova won't even go off. you'll basically be using molten blast to aoe.

[@iamlegion3093]

Cannot wait to play Shaman!

[@TheOnlyGBeast]

yeah shaman is looking kinda cracked so far

[@coolguyASDQWEFEWFADSFAS]

the fact that they gave sham dual wield instead of 2H means that the blizzard team is soulless.

[@Combat-Titan]

I’ve always wanted to be a tank shaman

[@SillyGirlKisser74]

it's sad that enhancement is being forced into a dual wielding spec, when classic shaman has always been 2h, I was wishing we'd get more of that instead but oh well, at least I am getting tank shaman which is my favorite anti meta spec

[@insu_na]

You're not being forced into any spec... 2h was already good in classic, and I'm 100% sure there'll be some OP 2h runes in the 40 or 50 bracket

[@filipsaric2745]

Didnt they nerfed threat by 50% on shaman and some other classes from runes

[@sergtrufanov5565]

Retri pala seems way more buffed at 25 than enh, crusader strike, divine storm, exorcism usable on players...it all like late TBC wotlk prepatch, when retris was OP...

[@Ravii697]

The Lava Lash we get in SOD is the shitty version we have in Wrath that's at the very bottom of our prio totation so aint no way we would voluntarily pick that rune over something else

[@kelrog3565]

Not getting parry till level 30 is gonna suck

[@shaunybonny688]

Dropping the shield, how would a dual wield shaman tank gain mana, that’s going to be a big downside

[@Geronimoe1000]

two handed enhancement shaman needs some runes aswell... warriors got it

[@mattone92]

Wasn't the threat reduced to 50%?

[@J-MAYA]

Please blizzard, 2h enhance is the most fun thing in the game!!! We need this !

[@MrOrmanley]

Enh tank - how about *Earth Warden* ? Sadly, I see lots of issues with Earth Warden going into SoD as is. In general, we will be pidgeon-holed into the three "tanking runes" with no way out. I would've thought runes were about versatility though, but apparently, not so. Tanking should already be viable before runes, with them being sugar on top and optional, allowing for choice. Half of the enh tree consists of tanking talents, similar to feral, so really, tanking is our birthright. Requiring runes for this is an insult. Imagine them giving rogues Stealth as a rune, or Cheap Shot. Requiring a rune for tanking to work is a bad decision, and from what I can see, all three tanking runes are 100% necessary for the spec to function, at all. *Shield Mastery:* - due to mail armor being only 50% of plate, enh has the lowest armor of any tank, therefor, shield masterie's ramping armor bonus is an absolute must. Our armor with a shield but without the rune is about as much as a warrior in plate without a shield (fury prot). So unless they give us plate armor baseline/talent, or heavily buff the toughness talent to 10x the amount, "fury-prot" Earth Warden will not fly. - shaman has horrible mana issues, for that as well, we will absolutely need a rune, and shield mastery is the best solution. I could see Earth Wardens give up Molten Blast on single target fights for water shield, however, constantly switching runes and having to aquire both an offhand weapon AND a shield to constantly swap with the runes, is not a solution. And even if we had a lot of ST action, we'd still need SM rune for the other things, so no DW rune still. - block is our easiest accessible source of damage avoidance as well. with 5% base block, 5% from shield specialisation talent and 10% from the rune, we already sit at 20% block, before gear. Were every other class aquires parry baseline, we have to talent it and only sit at the base 5%. shaman in classic is a str class too, so going full agility for the dodge is not an option either. Therefor letting go of our shield is, again, not an option. *Shield Mastery conclusion:* all three benefits are absolutely necessary for the tanking role, ruling out dual-wielding entirely *Way of Earth* - Increased threat, health, crit immunity, reduced damage and ES becoming a taunt. Way of Earth conclusion: All these are essentials for tanking. No matter how far into SoD, all of this would be essential. So just as much as we can rule out 2h/dw tanking, we can rule out any imbue other than Rockbiter Weapon *Molten Blast* -It's *WAY* to expensive to use. 18% base mana is huge for a spec that likely will have little to no mana on gear. Shield Mastery is intended to help, but on ST fights we cannot expect enough blocks to maintain mana for Molten Blast, so this ability is restricted to several mobs at the same time. -It's damage is build on attack power, which shows their intend for Earth Wardens to operate of the classic shaman stats, but the problem is, all shocks, LS, FB/FT imbues and fire totems are still based on spell damage. Unless they introduce both spelldmg *AND* ap scaling on all these abilities and MB, spelldamage being chosen unless ap is twice as high or so, we can expect gear issues with having to have both caster, melee AND tank stats on gear. -I like them granting ES on a seperate CD, but the limitation to melee is weird. If we made a weapon-swap macro with a weapon without RB on it, we could circumvent it for range interrupts, so what's the point, really? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ *Molten Blast conclusion: It's absolutely mandatory on anything evolving multiple mobs, and with its high threat modifier may be necessary for ST too. The high mana cost might make it unsustainable though. Water Shield instead for extra mana security might take its place there. I like that they are utilizing Rockbiter, a neglected weapon imbue, but they are not making it any better/more exciting itself. To tank means we have to give up the more exciting WF imbue, after all, and all RB does is...increase melee attack power. So basically Earth Warden is an auto hitter with an ocasional, high cd/high mana/low damage extra strike, and MB with rune. That's all we do as a melee tank spec... the rest is spell based attacks we dont scale with. *Personal changes* - Roll Way of Earth into Rockbiter and Earth Shock baseline, maybe with the change that RB can be on either hand for the benefit. - Make parry baseline - Replace Parry with Plate Armor in the talent tree. Remove the stacking armor buff on Shield Mastery. - Maybe replace toughness with a 5%/5p parry increase talent, or merge them. Rogue, Hunter, Paladin and Warrior all get talent increases to their baseline parry. - Reduce mana costs across the board on all lightning, shock and fire totem spells, also on buff totems. - Allow to use attack power to be utilized for magical damage - Merge crit and spellcrit, hit and spellhit. This makes enh baseline tanking viable with talents and allows experimenting with DW, spelldamage pieces, and other imbues and runes. It also puts enh tanking into the same category as warrior/paladin, gear-wise, giving us better options in terms of itemisation and removing the need of blizzard making mail tanking or mail melee dps gear. With core mana issues solved, merging stats and allowing for flexible spell scaling, we can scratch off several of our many needed stats from our want to have list too; strenght, agility, stamina, -intellect- , attack power, crit chance, hit chance, weapon skill, attack speed, -spell crit chance- , -spell hit chance- , -mp5- , -spell damage- , parry chance, block chance, dodge chance, defense, block value