WoW Classic Shaman Starter Build and Leveling Guide - Odealo (2024)

If you are planning on joining the World of Warcraft Classic adventure make sure to check out our other related Guides below:

• World of Warcraft Classic Beginner's guide
• Best Gold Farming locations in WoW Classic
• Most Profitable Professions in Wow Classic guide

AndStarter builds/Leveling Guides for all other character classes:

1. Agility -Provides you with Critical Strike and Dodge chances, highly increasing both offensive and defensive capabilities of your character. This is your primary statistic.

2. Strength -Provides additional Attack Power and, in turn, increases the strengthof your attacks. This is a very important statistic for Enhancement Shamans, as it considerably boosts their DPS.

3. Stamina -Improves your survivability by increasing your total Health pool. This is animportant statistic, but it shouldn't be prioritized over Strength and Agility. Shaman's ability to Heal slightly decreases the value of this Statistic.

4. Intellect -Increases total Mana pool, provides Spell Critical chanceand increases the rate at which you gain Weapon Skills. As a Shaman, you are a Mana-Based Class, but you don't benefit too much from stacking Intellect.

5. Spirit -Increases your out-of-combat Health and Mana regeneration rate. A Shaman has access to Healing spells, which decreases the value of this statistic, but Spirit should not be underestimated as it can cut a large portion of your downtime all the same.

Leveling stat priority:

Agility ⇒ Strength⇒ Stamina⇒ Intellect ⇒Spirit

Note:Items with "Of the Tiger" Suffixaregreat for Shamans, as they provide both Agility and Strength. "Of the Monkey" (Stamina and Agility)and "Of the Bear" (Stamina and Strength) are strong second choices and you should Need on those, while in a group, as well.

Orc's Blood Fury combined with his Axe Specialization provides the highest DPS boost out of the three Races, making him a clear winner for PvE Enhancement. Troll's Berserking secures him a second place, but Tauren deserves some consideration if you'd like to try Tanking as a Shaman.

Recommended choice: Orc

Note:Enhancement Shamans are not considereda viable Raiding spec in Classic World of Warcraft, so you might be better off choosing a Race that suitsEnd-Game Restoration/Elemental PvE/PvP builds better.

Casting Speed Boost provided by Troll's Berserking increases Burst Damage potential by a bit, while Racials of other two Races do not have a real impact on Elemental's DPS. Tauren is a second-best choice thanks to his increased survivability provided by that 5% bonus Health and the War Stomp, but Orc's Stun Resistance should not be overlooked either.

Recommended choice: Troll

Bonus Casting Speed provided by Troll's Berserking can be the difference between a wipe and a close call successful attempt. Orcs and Taurens do not have anyRacial Abilitiesthat would impact Restoration Shamans directly, but Tauren might be a slightly better choice than an Orc because of the utility provided by the War Stomp.

Recommended choice: Troll

Just like for most other Horde Classes, Orc's 25% chance to resist Stuns proves to be the go-to Racial for PvP, moreover,his other two Racials supplement Enhancement builds very well. Tauren's War Stomp is a great PvP ability, useful both for Healers and Damage Dealers, and the 5% Health bonus is always nice to have, but they'renowhere near as impactful as Orc's Racials in PvP. Troll deserves some consideration if you want to play as a PvP Healer, but Berserking will be generally less impactful than Stun resistance or AoE Stun.

Recommended choice: Orc (especially for Enhancement builds)
Second best choice: Tauren(for Elemental/Restoration)

Talent allocation for early levels (10-19)

For the first bunch of levels, you will want to go up the Elemental Tree, as early Elemental Talents give the highestpower boost at the start:

1. Levels 10-14 ⇒ 5/5Convection- Simple and solid leveling Talent that largely increases your sustain by improving your mana efficiency.
2. Levels 15-17⇒ 3/3Call of Flame.
3. Levels 18-19 ⇒ 2/2Earth's Grasp- Improves the efficiency of your Stoneclaw and Earthbind Totems.

Talent allocation for Levels 20-59

1. You will have 11 Talent pointsafter resetting, you should allocate all of them as follows:
   • 5/5Ancestral Knowledge- Some people prefer to go for 5/5 Shield Specialization, but if you do not plan on Tanking as a Shaman (which isdoable), it is a waste of 5 Talent Points, and Ancestral Knowledge at least gives you some extra mana.
   • 5/5 Thundering Strikes.
   • 1/2Improved Ghost Wolf.
2. Level21 ⇒ 2/2Improved Ghost Wolf- This reduces Ghost Wolf's casting time to 1 second, making it much more efficient to use between mob pulls.
3. Level22 ⇒ 1/1 Two-Handed Axes and Maces- A Talent point for the ability to use devastating, slow-speed Two-HandedMaces and Axes (other Classes get this from weapon trainers, but we take what we are given).
4. Levels 23-24 ⇒ 2/5Anticipation.
5. Levels 25-29 ⇒ 5/5 Flurry- A powerful Talent that strongly synergizes with Agility and Critical Strike chance.
6. Level30 ⇒ 1/1Parry- Another, otherwise baseline skill, that Shamans have to spend a Talent Point to get. Quite sad.
7. Level31-33 ⇒ 3/3 Elemental Weapon- Very strong Talent that improves Enhancement Shaman's... enhancements.
8. Level34 ⇒ 3/5Anticipation.
9. Levels 35-39 ⇒ 5/5 Weapon Mastery.
10. Levels 40 ⇒ 1/1Stormstrike- Grants you an extra Weapon Attak andincreases Nature Damage dealt to the Target. This also strongly synergizes with Windfury Weapon.

At this point, it is time to switch back to the Elemental Tree:

11. Levels 41-45 ⇒ 5/5Convection.
12. Levels 46-48 ⇒ 3/3Call of Flame.
13. Levels 49-50 ⇒ 2/2Earth's Grasp.
14. Level 51⇒ 1/1 Elemental Focus- Gives you a chance to proc Clearcasting, which is great for mana efficiency. With this Talent, you can use Rank 1 Spells to fish for procs and potentially save a lot of mana.
15. Levels 52-55⇒ 4/5 Reverberation.
16. Levels 56-58⇒ 3/3 Elemental Devastation.
17. Level59 ⇒ 5/5 Reverberation.

• Source: Weapon Vendors in all low-level zones. It costs 5s 4c.
• Level Required: 3
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.50, 8-13 Damage, 4.2 DPS
• Weapon Type: Staff

• Source: Weapon Vendors in all Horde Capital Cities
• Level Required: 11
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.70, 20-31 Damage, 9.4 DPS
• Weapon Type: Staff

• Source: "Cry of the Thunderhawk" Quest available from level 10 fromNPC Jorn Skyseer, Camp Taurajo, Barrens.
• Level Required: It is a level 20 Quest reward that can be acquired earlier easily, when in a group.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.80, 29-44 Damage, 13.0 DPS
• Weapon Type: Staff

• Source:Dungeon Quest "Leaders of the Fang", WailingCaverns. NPC Nara Wildmane, Thunder Bluff.
• Level Required:This is a Level 22 Quest Rewardthat can be acquired quite easily around level 18
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.90, 47-71 Damage, 20.3 DPS
• Weapon Type: Staff

• Source: Twilight Lord Kelris Boss in the Blackfathom Deeps. Entrance: Zoram Strand, Ashenvale. Drop Chance: ~50%.
• Level Required:Weapon requires level 24 to wield and the Boss is a level 27 Elite.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.80, 53-80 Damage, 23.8 DPS
• Weapon Type: Staff

• Source: Overlord Ramtusk Boss in the Razorfen Kraul. Entrance: South part of The Barrens, close to Thousand Needles Elevators. Drop Chance ~50%.
• Level Required:Weapon requires level 29 to wield and the Boss is a level 32 Elite.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 3.80, 88-132 Damage, 28.9 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-HandedAxe

• Note: RFK is located in The Barrens, which is a Horde Zone. Finding a group might be quite difficult, as getting to the dungeon takes a rather long time.

• Source: "Venture Company Mining" Quest available from level 30 fromNPC Crank Fizzlebub, Booty Bay, Stranglethorn Vale.
• Level Required: It is a level 41 Quest reward that can be acquired earlier easily, when in a group.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 3.70, 89-134 Damage, 30.1 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-Handed Mace

• Source:Herod Boss in the Scarlet Monastery: Armory. Entrance: North-east corner of the Tirisfal Glades. Drop Chance ~25%.
• Level Required:Weapon requires level 37 to wield and the Boss is a level 40 Elite.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 3.50, 104-157 Damage,37.3 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-HandedAxe

• Fun Fact: this weapon has a very powerful on-hit effect that enabled Warriors to shred through very large mob packs with ease, even in later expansions (the effect couldproc of itself, providing a constant Whirlwind-like AoE attack).

• Source:"Weapons of Spirit" Quest available from level 40 fromNPC Witch Doctor Uzer'i, Camp Mojache, Feralas. The Quest becomes available after completing "Mountain Giant Muisek" and "Natural Minerals" Quests.
• Level Required:This is a Level 50 Questthat can be done solo aroundlevel ~47.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.80, 88-133 Damage,39.5 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-HandedAxe

• Source:"The Mighty U'cha" Quest available from level 50 fromNPC Torwa Pathfinder, the south-east part of Un'Goro Crater. The Quest becomes available after completing "The Apes of Un'Goro" Quest.
• Level Required:This is a Level 55 Questthat can be done solo aroundlevel ~52 rather easily.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 3.30, 112-169 Damage,42.6 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-HandedAxe

• Source: "The Corpulent One" Quest available from level 56 fromNPC Nathanos Blightcaller, the south-west part of Eastern Plaguelands. The Quest becomes available after completing "To Kill With Purpose" Quest
• Level Required:This is a reward from level 60 group Quest. It can be done at level 56 (minimum required) with proper group composition.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 2.50, 94-142 Damage,47.2 DPS
• Weapon Type: Staff

• Source: Bael'Gar Boss in the Blackrock Depths. Entrance: Below the Blackrock Mountain; enter the Mountain, jump on a chain and follow the path down. Drop Chance ~25%
• Level Required:Weapon requires level 51 to wield and the Boss is a level 54 Elite.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 3.20, 123-185 Damage,48.1 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-Handed Mace

• Source: Emperor Dagran Thaurissan Boss in the Blackrock Depths. Entrance: Below the Blackrock Mountain; enter the Mountain, jump on a chain and follow the path down. Drop Chance ~20%
• Level Required:Weapon requires level 54 to wield and the Boss is a level 59 Elite.
• Weapon Stats: Speed 3.70, 149-225 Damage,50.5 DPS
• Weapon Type: Two-Handed Axe

At the beginning of your journey, your rotation will change rapidlyas you will gain access to new abilities very quickly. You should try to implement every new ability to your rotation.

Before Combat Starts:

• Make sureyou have your Rockbiter Weapon active
• Pre-Cast Lightning Shieldimmediately before Combat (do not reapply it during combat as it will hurt your resource management by a lot)

Basic Rotation:

Stoneskin Totem*⇒ Lightning Bolt⇒Weapon Swing**⇒Earth Shock***⇒ Weapon Swingsuntil Target is dead (take advantage of the 5-second rule and natural mana regeneration)

*From Level 4 onwards (this Totem is often underestimated, but is actually great, especially at low levels, and can save you A LOT of Health)
**Get a Swing Timer addon and try not to clip your auto attacks with Spellcasts
***From Level 4 onwards

• Use Rank 1 Earth Shockto interrupt any enemy spell casts

Before Combat Starts:

• Make sure you have your Rockbiter Weapon/Windfury Weapon active (you gain access to Windfury Weapon at level 30)
• Windfury Weapon isbetter than Rockbiter Weapon if you are using fast Weapons - One-Handers and faster Two-Handers, likeSarah's Guide(2.50 Speed Staff).
• Pre-Cast Lightning Shieldimmediately before Combat

Basic Rotation:

Stoneskin Totem*⇒ Searing Totem⇒Flame Shock**⇒ Weapon Swingsuntil Target is dead

*This starts to lose value at higher levels, so you might try to use Earthbind Totem and kite enemies between your Weapon swings to save some more Health instead.
**Reapply if needed, if you have the mana for it.

• Use Rank 1 Earth Shockto interrupt any enemy spell casts

Note:If you need to run away or build some distance to Heal yourself, use Frost Shock/Earthbind Totem to slow your Enemy down and strafe away after going into Ghost Wolf form.

Before Combat Starts:

• Make sureyou have your Rockbiter Weapon/Windfury Weapon active
• Pre-Cast Lightning Shieldimmediately before Combat

Basic Rotation:

Stoneskin Totem*⇒ Searing Totem⇒Flame Shock⇒ Weapon Swing⇒Stormstrike⇒Weapon Swing

*Very optional at this point

• Use Rank 1 Earth Shockto interrupt any enemy spell casts

As a Shaman, you have access to Healing Spells but still, you should strongly consider leveling up First Aid, as it will help with your Sustain and reduce your downtimes by quite a bit. Bandaging up after a fight instead of using a Spell to heal yourself will allow you to maintain your mana regeneration and take advantage of the 5-second rule. Bandages can also be used during a fight, in a combination with CC, to give you the second wind in a prolonged engagement (you will get Health from Baandaging up and some mana from your natural regen).

This combination will enable you to craft yourself some Gear as you progress through Levels. As a Shaman, you will unlock the ability to wear Mail Armor at level 40, and if you level LW high enough, it will smooth out your armor type upgrading process, giving you that armor edge earlier. The main problem with Leatherworking is the fact that it does not provide as much profit as other Crafting professions do (except Engineering). However, if you level up quickly and get an opportunity to farm some Devilsaur Leathers, this combination might turn out to be the most profitable out there (Devilsaur Set, crafted by Tribal Leatherworkers, is the pre-Raid Bis for a few Classes and the demand for it will be very high during the Server's first few months)*.

*Just keep in mind that Devilsaurs will be highly contested and Skinning even one of them might be very difficult.

Skinning is the best gathering profession for quick levelers as it does not require you to go out of your way and provides some steady influx of money.

This is a solid choice for Shamans, as they strongly benefit from potions and elixirs. Alchemy provides a wide range of consumables that will aid you during leveling and will become a great source of Gold in later stages of the game.The main source of Alchemist's income comes from selling large quantities ofFlasks, Potions, and Elixirs. Most of them do not require too many rare or expensive ingredients, which makes Alchemy one of the top Gold-making Professions.

*Gathering Herbs is more time-consuming than farming Leather and does not award any experience, so power-levelers will be better off with LW+Skinning, or even Skinning+asecond gathering profession.

Note1: Herbalism is necessary here as it will provide you with materials for Alchemy.

Note2: Many Alchemy ingredients come from Fishing (Oily Blackmouth, Firefin Snapper, and others), so leveling it up as an Alchemist might be agood idea.

If you want to know more about all professions available in WoW Classic, please check out our WoW Classic Professions Guide.

1. Preserve your Gold.Ideally, you should be able to progress through levels without any Auction House purchases (if you spot a great Weapon upgrade, do not hesitate if it is cheap, however). When it comes to Skills - you should learn just the essentialsfrom Class Trainers.

2. Effects of some of your spells are the same across all spell levels, take advantage of this and save some mana on your casts - use Rank 1 Frost Shock to Slow Enemies, and a Rank 1 Earth Shock as an interrupt.

3. Keep Intellect/Spirit set at hand even if you are specced as a DPS, this will increase your in-group versatility.Enhancement Shaman is still a capable Healerif he is dressed for the job.

4. Pull mob after mob, after mob to the location where your Totems are set up. Thiswill help you increase your mana efficiency by allowing you to utilize a single Totem Drop for a longer time.

5. Keep your Weapon up to Date.Try to follow the Weapon Progression route and remember that most of your Damage comes directly from your Weapon (better Weapon = faster kill times = faster leveling), and remember thatWeapon Damage is more important than Weapon DPS, which means that Slow Two-Handed Weapons are the best for you.