So you are reading a world of warcraft guide on shamans and wonder if it is actually a bundle of guides about warriors, mages, or other healing classes in wow. On the other hand you might even wonder if you are reading a wow guide on Druids who like Shamans can also tank, heal and cast.
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 kinds of totems : Water, Fire, Earth and Air. Each of these totems needs to be carefully implemented during group combat or solo play, needing split timing decisions in the heat of battle. Their asset to a group includes having the spell of Reincarnation which allows them to resurrect themselves or other members once every played hour to 40 minutes if you assign more talent points to this ability.
Thanks to the Burning Crusade expansion Shamans is no longer restricted as being a Horde only class. The Dranei race in the Alliance faction can also play Shaman, and of all the classes for them to choose this is arguably the best one for them to choose thanks to various attributes unique to this new race.
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.
This small world of warcraft guide on shamans barely scratches the surface to give you an idea of how complex and multi talented this wow class is. It’s the very fact that they are jack of all trades and master of none that makes them a class to consider because as you play it you will be able to determine whether you enjoy casting, tanking or healing. But be under no illusion, Shamans can indeed master of these talents and skills just as proficiently as any of the classes that are more specialized in them, making them expert of all of these abilities and definitely the jack of none. And find out at your peril if you belong to a class that thinks this. Shamans are quite simply no pushovers.