Elemental Shaman leveling guide
Elemental is the Shaman who fights with lightning and fire from range. Flame Shock and Lava Burst give a guaranteed critical strike, Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning often cast twice thanks to Lightning Overload, and Thunderstorm knocks back enemies that get too close while it restores mana. Totem of Wrath and Elemental Mastery add even more damage for the tough fights in Northrend.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strong damage from range, with a guaranteed critical Lava Burst from level 75.
- Chain Lightning, Magma Totem and Thunderstorm handle groups well.
- Mail armor and Healing Wave on yourself keep you going.
- Mana can run short on long fights, and casting while enemies hit you is slow.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Elemental: Convection 5/5, Concussion 5/5, Call of Flame 3/3, Elemental Focus, Elemental Fury 5/5, Eye of the Storm 3/3, Call of Thunder and Elemental Reach 2/2.
- Elemental Precision 3/3, Lightning Mastery 5/5, Elemental Mastery, Storm, Earth and Fire 5/5, Lightning Overload 5/5 and Totem of Wrath.
- Shamanism 5/5 and Thunderstorm, for 51 points. In Enhancement: Enhancing Totems 3/3, Earth’s Grasp 2/2 and Ancestral Knowledge 5/5.
Level 71 to 80
- Improved Ghost Wolf 2/2 and Improved Shields 3/3.
- Elemental Weapons 3/3 and Guardian Totems 2/2, for 20 points in Enhancement.
Rotation
One enemy
- Totem of Wrath and Water Shield, then Lightning Bolt from maximum range.
- Flame Shock, then Lava Burst from level 75 while Flame Shock is active.
- Lightning Bolt in between, and Earth Shock to finish an enemy that reaches you.
Groups of enemies
- Chain Lightning on the group, and Magma Totem or Fire Nova when they gather around you.
- Thunderstorm to knock them back, and Elemental Mastery for an instant Chain Lightning.
Staying alive
- Frost Shock and Earthbind Totem to slow enemies, and Thunderstorm when they get close.
- Healing Wave or Lesser Healing Wave on yourself between two spells.
- Thunderstorm and Water Shield for mana, and Fire Elemental Totem or Earth Elemental Totem as a last resort.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Power first, then Hit, Haste, Crit and Intellect.
- A one-handed weapon with a shield, or a staff, with as much Spell Power as possible.
- Enchants: Mighty Spellpower on the weapon, Exceptional Spellpower on the gloves and Superior Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Mining with Jewelcrafting for strong gems, or Skinning with Leatherworking for mail gear.