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Posts with tag elemental-shaman

Shock and awe in the Arena


In all of my many Arena matches, I've never had the pleasure of running into a multiboxer. I've never even seen them around the battlegrounds. Sure I've seen them around the environment, and they're always impressive. Aelli of Smolderthorn may well be the first to multibox four Elemental Shamans to Gladiator status in arena season three.

The four Elemental Shamans, Aelli, Aellei, Aellii, and Aellie, are joined in Team Bubbanaught by Resto Shaman Bubbajingles, controlled by another player. The Shamans are flying high on their freshly-acquired Nether Drakes. The original poster has less than humbly declared that he plans on an even better showing in season four.

Along with many words of congratulations, this thread has its fair share of negativity toward multiboxing. Multiboxers in PvP are often a source of contention. Now, I know that not everyone loves this style of play. But you've got to give credit where credit is due, and this is pretty cool. Congrats Aelli, and good luck!

Check after the break for some video footage of the team.

Continue reading Shock and awe in the Arena

Brutal Gladiator's Thunderfist


The Brutal Gladiator's Thunderfist is the armor set for Elemental Shamans. It is a mail armor set usable only by Shamans and is usually matched with Guardian's Mail armor pieces. The armor set can be purchased from Big Zokk Torquewrench in Netherstorm and Ontokk Shatterhorn in Shattrath City. The matching Guardian items may be purchased from Doris Volanthius in the Hall of Legends and Lieutenant Tristia in the Champion's Hall.

Brutal Gladiator's Mail Gauntlets
The Brutal Gladiator armor piece for the hands are the cheapest and easiest Season 4 Arena gear to obtain. With no personal rating requirements, most players will be able to purchase this piece and is the Arena gear likely to be most widespread as soon as the season begins. Its bonus is the same as all other Shaman armor, an increase to the range of Shock spells. The gauntlets have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
694 Armor (+55)
+52 Stamina (+6)
+28 Intellect (+5)
+32 Spell Critical (+4)
+22 Resilience (+0)
+43 Spell Damage / Healing (+5)
Improves the range of all Shock spells by 5 yards.
Classes: Shaman
WoW Insider says: As with all Season 4 gloves, the lack of a rating requirement essentially makes it a freebie. The improvement over its Season 3 equivalent is worth the upgrade, and an increase in Shock range is always good for the Shaman who would prefer to keep her opponents at bay.


Brutal Gladiator's Mail Leggings
The leg armor possesses a personal rating requirement of 1550, which isn't too difficult to obtain, specially for the burst-heavy Elemental Shaman. While not as accessible as the gloves, the leg armor is highly visible on a character and is also likely to be a popular purchase, even at 1875 Arena points. The leggings have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
971 Armor (+77)
+71 Stamina (+7)
+38 Intellect (+5)
+34 Spell Critical (+5)
+33 Resilience (+0)
+59 Spell Damage / Healing (+6)
11 Mana / 5 Secs (+2 / 5)
Classes: Shaman
WoW Insider says: The lack of sockets on this armor piece mean that the only customization that can be done will be through Tailoring or Leatherworking enchants. That said, the overall stat gain from the previous season's leggings are substantial enough to warrant an eventual upgrade.


Brutal Gladiator's Mail Armor

With three sockets, the chestpiece is the most customizable Arena armor piece. It is also arguably the best Brutal Gladiator armor piece for Elemental Shamans. In PvE, the chest armor is traditionally a drop from the final boss in a series (Magtheridon drops Tier 4 chest token, Kael'thas drops Tier 5 chest token, Illidan drops Tier 6 chest token, etc.). Arenas are different in this regard, but the item level of the chest is identical to PvE chest pieces. Sunwell Plateau breaks from tradition in that the final boss, Kil'jaeden, does not drop chest tokens or armor. However, the Brutal Gladiator chest armor is equivalent to the drops from Entropius and is the best combination of cost and restriction among all the armor pieces. The armor has the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
1110 Armor (+88)
+61 Stamina (+7)
+33 Intellect (+5)
+34 Spell Critical (+5)
+28 Resilience (+0)
+49 Spell Damage / Healing (+7)
11 Mana / 5 Secs (+2 / 5)

Socket Bonus: +4 Spell Critical
Classes: Shaman
WoW Insider says: A 1600 personal rating should be relatively easy to achieve for Elemental Shamans, and the two Yellow Sockets contribute to more burst potential or faster casts. The chest piece is a one of the best purchases among the Brutal Gladiator armor gear outside of the gloves. Because of its PvE equivalent, obtaining the Brutal Gladiator chest armor is almost like killing Entropius in Sunwell Plateau. Well, ok not really, but if you don't raid, that's about as close to a raid drop as you're going to get.


Brutal Gladiator's Mail Helm
The helm is very likely the last Brutal Gladiator armor piece that many players will obtain. With the shoulders at an extremely prohibitive 2200, most players will only manage 4/5 of Season 4. Many Elemental Shamans will obtain 1700 rather easily. With a personal rating attached to it, the Brutal Gladiator helm might be one helm graphic that players would like to leave on. It is also identical in model to the pieces that drop off Kil'jaeden in Sunwell Plateau. The helm has the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
902 Armor (+72)
+74 Stamina (+7)
+29 Intellect (+6)
+32 Spell Critical (+6)
+32 Resilience (+0)
+55 Spell Damage / Healing (+6)

Socket Bonus: +4 Resilience Rating
Classes: Shaman
WoW Insider says: There's nothing particularly compelling about the Season 4 mail helm, although most Elemental Shamans would like to eke out every little drop of Spell Damage and Crit from their gear. Considering 1700 is a realistic target, specially for Elemental Shamans, it's a good upgrade.


Brutal Gladiator's Mail Spaulders
The 2200 personal ratings requirement for the shoulders are almost Gladiator-level for most Battlegroups, and will likely be a very rare sight in most realms. Some Elemental Shamans will be wearing these through the season. Although it is the cheapest item after the gloves, it is also the most difficult to get. Blizzard's reasoning for this is that the shoulders are the most "visually impacting" armor piece, confirming Blizzard's opinion that PvP achievements should be on display. The spaulders have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
832 Armor (+66)
+47 Stamina (+4)
+26 Intellect (+4)
+26 Spell Critical (+4)
+21 Resilience (+0)
+34 Spell Damage / Healing (+5)
8 Mana / 5 Secs (+2 / 5)

Socket Bonus: +3 Resilience Rating
Classes: Shaman
WoW Insider says: Brutal Gladiator shoulders are purely for show. The minimal improvement over the previous season's spaulders make it less compelling coupled with the fact that Season 3 shoulders look so much more badass.

Guardian's Mail Girdle
Because it is a visual match for the Brutal Gladiator's Thunderfist, and because it comes with no personal ratings requirement, the belt is most likely to be the most widely distributed Season 4 gear. It is purchasable with Honor points, so even players who do not participate in Arena PvP can obtain it. The girdle has the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
624 Armor (+49)
+49 Stamina (+6)
+34 Intellect (+4)
+34 Spell Critical (+5)
+27 Resilience (+0)
+40 Spell Damage / Healing (+5)
Classes: Hunter, Shaman
WoW Insider says: Like most belt pieces in Season 4, the Guardian's Mail Girdle is one of the best purchases players can make. The low Honor cost and no personal ratings requirement make the piece a no-brainer.


Guardian's Mail Bracers
The only other Guardian piece with a socket is the amulet, which doesn't have a personal rating requirement. Bracers are also not visually impacting, hidden away underneath gloves or robes, making them non-essential to a set. They also have a modest 1575 personal rating requirement, necessitating some success in Arenas. The bracers have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
471 (+39)
+33 Stamina (+4)
+20 Intellect (+3)
+24 Spell Critical (+3)
+15 Resilience (+0)
+30 Spell Damage / Healing (+3)

Socket Bonus: +2 Resilience Rating
Classes: Hunter, Shaman
WoW Insider says: Because the Guardian items do not confer a set bonus, there's no real need to obtain the bracers. On the other hand, 1575 is extremely feasible for an Elemental Shaman, and the yellow socket contributes to more +Spell Crit or even +Haste.


Guardian's Mail Sabatons

The most visually important match of all Guardian items, the boots are a big jump from a 1575 personal ratings requirement and is as demanding to get as the head piece at 1700 personal ratings. It is also as expensive to purchase as the belt, which has no ratings requirement. The sabatons have the following stats (number in parentheses are the improvements over its Season 3 equivalent):
763 Armor (+61)
+49 Stamina (+6)
+34 Intellect (+4)
+34 Spell Critical (+5)
+27 Resilience (+0)
+40 Spell Damage / Healing (+5)
Classes: Hunter, Shaman
WoW Insider says: Even with a 1700 personal ratings requirement, the boots are a good purchase as its a good improvement overall from the last season. It is also, like the helm, the most attainable Season 4 item outside of the weapons and shoulders.


Gallery: Season 4 Arms & Equipment

DruidHunter (Alliance)Hunter (Horde)Mage (Alliance)Mage (Horde)

Looking for more Season 4 info? We've rounded up everything you need to know about the Brutal Gladiator season right here.

Insider Trader: Leatherworking in alpha, and profession changes for patch 2.4.3

Although there is information being leaked about the upcoming expansion Wrath of the Lich King, because of the alpha testing that is currently underway, it is too soon to tell what will make it into the final copy, and what will not. Furthermore, most things will be changed, and there are details that may never be leaked until, of course, release.

Still, it is a valuable experience to peer into Blizzard's process of designing, reforming, and progressing the game's professions. This week, Insider Trader will focus on analyzing the tentative progression of the leatherworking trade.

In addition, we'll take a brief look at professions-related changes in the upcoming patch 2.4.3. While mounts at level 30 and Haris Pilton might be first in your mind, Blizzard isn't overlooking the trade sector this round.

Continue reading Insider Trader: Leatherworking in alpha, and profession changes for patch 2.4.3

Phat Loot Phriday: Dragonheart Flameshield


Boy, is it hot in here, or is it just my SHIELD THAT BREATHES FIRE!?

Name: Dragonheart Flameshield (Wowhead, Thottbot, Wowarsenal)
Type: Epic Shield
Armor: 4872 (122 Block)
Abilities:
  • +19 Stamina, +21 Intellect, which pushes this shield a little bit more than usual towards PvP.
  • Increases damage and healing by up to 23. Which ain't bad. There are lots of better shields out there, but for where this drops (it's late Karazhan gear), that's a respectable amount of SD.
  • +7 mana per 5 seconds, which is where this shield really shines. It's a very nice shield for elemental Shamans, and Paladins and Resto Shamans can use it also, as long as they've got beefed up stats in other areas. Again, this is husky loot -- if you're working up to Black Temple, it will get replaced. But any elemental Shammy using the Crystal Pulse Shield should be happy to see this one drop.
  • Did we mention it breathes fire?!
  • Also, we probably can't mention this shield without mentioning the Mazthoril Honor Shield -- they share a skin (with fire) and basic stats besides the mp5. Either one is a great shield, and we could just as well have done the MHS here this week. And healers around this level should check out the Light-Bearer's Faith Shield as well -- both it and MHS are badge gear. If you're a caster farming Kara and the Heroics, you've got lots and lots of shields to choose from.
How to Get It: But the Dragonheart Flameshield requires a little instance running -- it drops from Nightbane in Karazhan. At one point, he was considered the hardest boss in there, but nowadays, there are tons of guilds farming Karazhan like it's corn in Nebraska, so the odds are that you'll have no problem seeing him sooner or later.

The droprate is 14% on this one, which isn't bad, and the fact that this is strictly a damage-dealing caster shield means you probably shouldn't have too much trouble claiming it. Pallies and Shamans might do a little fighting over it, but if you go a few runs and don't pick it up, at least you'll have enough badges to grab one of the other shields available.

Getting Rid of It: Sells for 7g, 30s, 15c, and disenchants into a Void Crystal. Careful while disenchanting it, though -- you don't want to get BURNED!

Outland reputation set- Shaman (Elemental): Seer's Mail Battlegear



This is the PvP set for Elemental specced Shaman. The Battlegear sets are of a superior quality and are equal to the Level 70 High Warlord gear that can be purchased with honor points. The pieces can be purchased by becoming honored with Cenarion Expedition, Honor Hold/Thrallmar, Keepers of Time, Lower City, and the Sha'tar. Complete sets require honored with all five factions as listed below:

Seer's Mail Battlegear

Slot

Rep

Seer's Mail Gauntlets Hands Thrallmar/Honor Hold
Seer's Mail Helm Head Keepers of Time
Seer's Mail Leggings Legs Cenarion Expedition
Seer's Mail Armor Chest Lower City
Seer's Mail Spaulders Shoulders The Sha'tar

Seer's Mail Battlegear

Armor

Sta

Int

Spell Crit

Seer's Mail Gauntlets 407 33 13 14
Seer's Mail Helm 530 36 16 16
Seer's Mail Leggings 570 42 18 22
Seer's Mail Armor 652 42 14 18
Seer's Mail Spaulders 489 33 13 14

Total

2648 186 74 84
Set Bonus 2: 35 Resilience
Set Bonus 4:Improves your chance to get a critical strike with all Shock spells by 2%.

Seer's Mail Battlegear

Resil

Dur

Mp5

Spell

Gems

Seer's Mail Gauntlets 13 40 25
Seer's Mail Helm 13 70 23 M, R
Seer's Mail Leggings 22 90 4 33
Seer's Mail Armor 18 120 5 16 R, Y, Y
Seer's Mail Spaulders 14 70 4 15 R, Y

Total

83 390 13 112
Set Bonus 2: 35 Resilience
Set Bonus 4:Improves your chance to get a critical strike with all Shock spells by 2%.

Return to the complete Outland Battlegear list

NS and EM cooldown reverted on the PTR

In the interests of full coverage, we'll mention this one, but don't keep your hopes up: the latest build on the PTR has reverted the Nature's Swiftness and Elemental Mastery sharing a cooldown change, so Elemental Shamans will once again be able to crank out an instant Chain Lightning or Lightning Bolt crit. Unfortunately, they shouldn't count on it, as lots of changes have gone back and forth on the PTR. It could be that the next time the PTR comes up with a new patch, this change will be right back in.

But it does serve as a reminder that no matter how bad some PTR nerfs may seem, nothing is finalized until it hits the live realms. The Test Realm is for testing, so we shouldn't be surprised when Blizzard does exactly that with it.

Thanks, Giusepe!

Arcane Brilliance: Why we Mage

Hi there! Yes, after a long hiatus, Arcane Brilliance is back. Snack tables all around! Anybody ninjas the biscuits, they get a Fireball in the face. Nah, just kidding. Even ninjas are welcome here. As long as they're mage-ninjas.

I've been a Mage since day one with WoW, and until a few weeks ago I had never really questioned my class choice. I liked the idea of being a caster, a back row fireballer with robes and a pointy hat. When I came over from FFXI I asked my WoW-playing buddy (the aforementioned shammie) which class I should be. He asked what I was into, and I said something like "I want to be a huge caster-tastic wizard in a dress who sets things on fire with his mind. Is there a mage-type class?" He said. "Yes. It's called...Mage." And that was it. I rolled my undead Mage and began conjuring flaming death and croissants. I happily leveled my Mage to 70.

And then...the bubbling, Healthstone-critting warlock happened.

After the jump: Shameful self doubt, soul searching, and finally...sweet redemption! And more Mage-talk.

Continue reading Arcane Brilliance: Why we Mage

Totem Talk: Masters of the Elements


Totem Talk is the column about Shamans. It was originally just going to be about shaman totems, but we thought the shamans themselves might get upset. Matthew Rossi is playing two shamans, that handsome fellow you see above you and also a awful, icky Draenei that we wouldn't dream of using for the picture until next week at the earliest.

Well, a lot can happen in a patch day, huh? We know now that 2.3 has some pretty big changes in store for those shamans who choose to focus on the power of the elements. Some folks are not happy, even though they admit some of these changes are for the good. All these incoming changes to the spec do make my goal of talking about the elemental shamans among us a little trickier, because now we're looking at a spec that's going to be remarkably different in not very long at all.

Still, that's why I'm here, right? So let us move forward and look at elemental shamans, the caster DPS spec of this particular hybrid class we love so well.

Continue reading Totem Talk: Masters of the Elements


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