WoW Classic Shaman Leveling Guide - World of Warcraft Classic Leveling Guide Guide - IGN (2024)

This page contains information on World of Warcraft Classic's Leveling Guide for the Shaman class, from level 1 to level 60. This includes information on tips for leveling solo (and with a group), the best talents to specialize in, which skills and spells to purchase - and much more.

For more information on leveling, be sure to check out our WoW Classic Horde Leveling Guide and Alliance Leveling Guide to figure out the best places to quest and travel to - and the best places to avoid.

As the Horde is the only faction that can choose Shamans, you can pick from three races: Orcs, Tauren, and Trolls.

All three races are equally great picks - as Trolls are seen as good decisions for PvE focused Shamans due to better beast killing and the ability to combine Berserking with their hybrid abilities. Orcs are also a good pick for PvP-centric Shamans due to their Blood Fury to boost alongside their burst spell damage at close range, and the ability to resist stuns from other classes, while Axe Specialization ensure more attacks landing.

Finally, Tauren are still good picks but not nearly as exciting, with increased health helping for a low-armored class, and War Stomp to stun enemies while the Earthbind Totems kick in.

Whether you're new to the game, have only played during the expansions since Cataclysm, or are returning to WoW Classic after a long time away, there are many things you should know before getting into the optimal paths for leveling from 1 to 60.

The most important thing to remember is that many quality of life changes and streamlined leveling systems are not in place in WoW Classic - quests aren't always thrown in your face, and fighting against mobs may not be as easy and quick.

Shamans are a hybrid class, and thus have a bit of an easier time leveling than a Warrior or Rogue due to healing abilities, and if you're looking to level with others, Shamans are almost always in demand for the support they bring both with healing and damage increases from their Windfury Totem.

Below you'll find a few general tips to keep in mind when trying to level as a Shaman.

• Shamans are very versatile while leveling, think about the best ways to make use of your spells and auto attacks. It is generally best to use your lightning spells as a mob runs to you and isn't causing spell interruption, and end that dump of mana with your highest damaging shock spell.
• The Earthbind Totem - a reapplying aoe slow you can move independently of - is a unique and powerful tool. Use it intelligently for spacing against unwanted opponents.
• Shamans are known for extreme burst damage, and Windfury can make things unpredictable, but do your best to have good mana management.
• Totems are very valuable, and moreso than for most classes it's usually important for you to do class quests immediately to get them.
• If you're leveling as Enhancement, you can probably tank 5 man dungeons through the mid-40s (if no other options are available). Your earth spells deal high threat, and pulling with chain lightning can be a nice aoe threat start.
• You can heal 5 man dungeons as any spec, it'll just be a little bit harder or more water-intensive as enhancement.
• Replacing totems as you move around is slow and costly - be sure you pick a good spot with plenty of enemies to pull into your totem range when setting up camp.

There's really no question when it comes to leveling - as all Shamans agree if you want to level efficiently you should invest your talent points into the Enchancement tree. Specializing here allows you to maximize your critical damage, attack speed, and dealing all sorts of burst damage.

There's long been a popular point of contention - do you prioritize Windfury Weapon or Rockbiter Weapon? As a general rule of thumb, the Windfury proc allows you to deal incredible burst damage to end a fight quickly - but its based on chance and can be wasted on a fight that's nearly over anyway. The Rockbiter enchant on the other hand is lot more sustained and will always increase your damage output reliably, but it lacks the sudden bursts that can prove very useful at times.

For this build, either can be used, but it's noted among Shamans that Windfury is best with a high speed weapon to increase the chance for proccing its ability - and better paired with Shield Specialization, while Rockbiter's sustained damage can work well with a two-handed weapon instead, but the choice is yours!

Enhancement Leveling Specialization

• Elemental - 19
• Enhancement - 31
• Restoration - 0

This build begins by helping to ensure you have mana for your burst damage, while focusing on increasing melee skills, and then finally adding more power to your shocks and elemental damage.

• Generally speaking, it's best to put your first 5 points into Ancestral Knowledge over Shield Specialization unless you plan to stick with shields all the way.
• Your next 5 points should go towards Thundering Strikes to increase your possible damage output, followed by 2 points in Improved Ghost Wolf (which will help you get around much faster and improve leveling times). Finally, put all 3 points into Improved Lightning Shield as its one of the best cost-effective spells you'll be using every time you fight.
• Get the point to activate Two-Handed Axes and Maces (unless you want to do it earlier if you find a really good weapon), and then go for 5 points in Flurry to help increase your attack speed (which is vital for Windfury in the early leveling).
• Putting 3 points in Elemental Weapons next is vital regardless of whether you're using Windfury or Rockbiter, and you can follow that with a point in Parry for added defensive measures.
• Finally, close out Enhancement with 5 points in Weapon Mastery to give yourself a great constant damage boost, and then a point in Stormstrike which should become your main attack going forward.
• Head to the Elemental Tree to put 5 points in Convection first to reduce the mana costs, and then in Concussion to increase damage.
• You can skip the second row, as we recommend opting for Elemental Focus instead for the clearcasting, and skipping Reverberation to reduce mana consumption - and instead putting your points in Call of Thunder to increase critical chance of the spells you've already been upgrading.
• Finally, put the last 3 points in Elemental Devastation so that the aforementioned crits will now feed into your melee crits!

With your talent trees mapped out, you'll still need to reach the levels need to unlock them. In the meantime, knowing which skills and spells to pay for and unlock can save you time - and more importantly money

As a general rule of thumb, any skills and spells that become available between level 1 and 10 are worth picking up, if for no other reason than they won't put a big dent in your wealth accumulation by this point. This includes Earth Shock, Stoneskin Totem, Earthbind Totem, Healing Wave, Lightning Shield, Stoneclaw Totem, Rockbiter Weapon, Lightning Bold, and Earthshock.

• There are few spells above others that you'll be using all the time, and are important for keeping top of, like Lightning Shield at Level 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, and 56.
• Lightning will be your main pulling spell, so get it at Level 8, 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, 50, and 56.
• You'll also want to keep on top of your healing spells to reduce downtime, so invest in Healing Wave and Lesser Healing Wave.
• While there are many shocks you can take advantage of, you'll generally want to stick with Earth Shock at Level 4, 8, 14, 24, 36, 48, and 60. This also goes for Stormstrike when you unlock it.
• Regardless of your eventual choice, it's good to have both Rockbiter Weapon and Windfury Weapon leveled up.
• Don't discount the utility of sustained kiting and damage - as using Earthbind Totems to outpace foes along with using Flame Shock at range can help take on tougher enemies, if its called for.
• Shamans also have a lot of nifty utility spells that shouldn't be overlooked. Ghost Wolf allows you to level with faster movement speed, Waterwalking and Water Breathing can help you get around obstacles faster.
• Similarly, Purge and Cure Poison can help a lot, and Reincarnation is very useful for when things go bad.
• Finally, if you plan to be grouping a lot, invest in the Strength of Earth Totem and Windfury Totem to help out allies, and get Ancestral Spirit to resurrect where needed. You can also help cleave targets in a good group by utilizing Chain Lightning.

For most of your leveling, you'll want have either Windfury or Rockbiter active at all times (using whichever best fits your current weapon), and be sure to also have Lightning Shield ready to go. Pull targets with Lightning, and then rely on your regular attacks to regen mana - using Stormstrike followed by Earth Shock for bigger bursts.

Because mana is a big deal for Shamans, you may find yourself relying on basic attacks while things regenerate, so use your burst damage when necessary (and not when an enemy is about to die).

Finding ways to improve yourself is always tough in a game like World of Warcraft, due to the nature of random drops. That said, there are certain things you should look out for, and a few items you should make sure to try to obtain along the way to make sure your Shaman is always at their best.

For Shamans that rely on Enhancement, you'll want to prioritize Agility and then Strength to increase your crit chance, and then raw attack power in that order. Spirit will also be fairly important to Shamans leveling solo to reduce downtime when their mana is down, so consider finding an alternate set of gear for this alone. Finally, Intellect and Stamina can allow you to hit harder with spells, and stay alive longer to reduce the need for heals with higher health.

Depending on if you're going with Windfury or Rockbiter, you'll likely be looking for a quick weapon or a slower two-handed weapon. Below you'll find a list of slower weapons to keep an eye out for while leveling:

Best Two-Handed Weapons for Leveling

• Bastard Sword, Wooden Mallet, Large Axe, Tabar, Claymore - sold in most starting zone regions and cities by a Weaponsmith or merchant
• Steady Bastard Sword - Skull Rock Quest in Durotar
• Elunite Axe - Forged Steel Warrior Quest
• Goblin Smasher - Supervisor Fizsprocket Quest in Mulgore
• Copper Battle Axe - Blacksmithing
• Logsplitter - Arugal's Folly Quest in Silverpines
• Axe of Ogrimmar - Hidden Enemies Quest in Ogrimmar
• Demolition Hammer - Weapons of Choice Quest in The Barrens
• Bonebiter - In the Name of the Light Dungeon Quest for Scarlet Monastery
• Tok'kar's Murloc Chopper - Threat from the Sea Quest in Swamp of Sorrows
• Whirlwind Axe - Whirlwind Weapon Warrior Quest (you must defeat a level 40 elite)
• Will of the Mountain Giants - Weapons of Spirit Quest in Feralas
• Beastslayer - The Might U'cha Quest in Un'Goro Crater

While certain classes have quests that can provide some benefits and utility, Shaman class quests are largely vital in unlocking different elements for a Shaman to use in combat - and should not ignored!

Earth Totem Level 4 Quest

A thankfully straightforward questline, you'll pick this up while still in your starting areas. Orcs and Trolls will get the Call of Earth Quest to head into a cave in the Valley of Trials to kill a Felstalker and get 2 Felstalker Hooves. You'll then speak to Canaga Earthcaller to receive an Earth Sapta and journey up a hidden path behind the Valley of Trials to find the Spirit Rock, and talking with the Minor Manifestation of Earth will allow you to return and complete the quest to gain the Earth Totem.

Taurens will have a similar quest in their starting area to get 2 Ritual Salves from Bristleback Shamans in the cave at Brambleblade Ravine. You'll take these items and the Earth Sapta to speak with the Minor Manifestation of Earth not far from town and gain the Earth Totem.

Fire Totem Level 10 Quest

By this point, your quest will be the same regardless of race - you'll need to take on the Call of Fire Quest from your class trainer, and will send you into the Barrens to speak with Kranal Fiss on the road above the Crossroads. He will in turn send you to meet Telf Joolam on a large rock in Durotar along the south river. Telf's quest will have you bringing him Fire Tar and a Reagent Pouch.

The former can be found from killing Razormane spellcasters found by the mountains in the Barrens, while the Reagent Pouch you can get from killing Burning Blade cultists in Durotar's cave. After heading back to Telf, take the Fire Sapta to summon the Minor Manifestation of Fire and hand the Torch of Eternal Flame over to Kranal Fliss to get the Fire Totem.

Water Totem Level 20 Quest

This questline is a bit longer and more dangerous than previous ones, so you may want to consider taking it a bit slower as you go, or take it on as you naturally explore the Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, and Ashenvale.

Take on the Call of Water quest to meet with Islen Waterseer over by the coast at Ratchet. She will in turn send you over to Brine, an Orc located on the far south end of the region. Once you have the Empty Brown Waterskin, use it on the pond by her hut to get your next task.

With a Empty Red Waterskin, you'll need to travel to Tarren Mill over in Hillsbrad Foothills. Take the waterskin to the well in town and fill it up, then return to Brine. You're next quest is to take the Empty Blue Waterskin over to Ashenvale - to the Ruins of Stardust in the southwestern area of the zone.

Finally, once you've filled and returned the Waterskins, you'll get the Vial of Purest Water to take to Islen Waterseer - and then take the Water Sapta to Silverpine Forest. The place is located behind Sepulcher, requiring you to go behind the inn and drop down over the rocks to find and kill the Corrupt Minor Manifestation of Water. Return victorious and you'll finally gain the Water Totem.

Air Totem Level 30 Quest

The final totem quest is thankfully short and sweet - you'll just need to take on the Call of Air quest from your class trainer to enter the Thousand Needles to meet Prate Cloudseer. You'll find it along the north wall of the cliffs going towards the Shimmering Flats. All you need to do is speak to her, and you'll get the Air Totem.

Shamans are highly sought after for helping in groups and dungeons, as they can provide support in both damage output and healing - though they aren't as powerful at holding enemies down like a Druid.

Make use of your totems to give your allies exactly what they need - as Windfury Totems and Strength of Earth Totems can be crucial in augmenting abilities. For damage - once you have a reliable group, you can take on more enemies using Chain Lightning, and if you spec in the right paths, Chain Heal can be a huge boon.

Shamans have a lot of choices for which Professions they'd like to focus on in Classic WoW, and can lean heavily on what you're looking to get out of Professions.

For those looking to make money, Skinning plus Herbalism or Mining is an easy way to maximize profits - since you'll be killing at close range, skinning will come naturally.

As for Professions that craft items, Engineering is largely considered a must-have for Shamans looking to maximize their offense both in PvP or PvE. In particular, crafting Dynamite can help increase your damage output even more, and Iron Grenades can stun targets like pesky ranged Classes in PvP..

Each of the Engineering paths has its own perks - Gnomish Engineering includes the Gnomish Battle Chicken that can help out in combat as a pet that also has the chance to increase your melee attack speed. On the other hand, Goblin Engineering can net you the Goblin Rocket Helm, which is crucial for closing the distance on enemies in PvP trying to kite you around.

Leatherworking can also be considered if you either plan to boost your income from Skinning by crafting items to sell, or if you really want to get into crafting your own armor.

Other Class Leveling Guides