Concept for totemic shaman

So obviously totem placement is kind of weird for some. And i understand why. I enjoy totemic to mix things up but being penalized so hard because excess movement happens is a terrible feeling.

Totems take all sorts of shapes and sizes irl. Why do they have to be literal totems? Why couldnt we use totems in the same way some games habe you channel runes for a period of time? Instead of physically planting one, you could channel the energy of a totem and get a fire/air/earth crystal to show above your head the same way walocks can glyph to see their soulstones? They would stay with you and as long as you sign for that element, their effects would emit from the crystals thay hover above you.

How cool would it be to see lighting chain between crystals and leap out to hit enemies, or watch a fire ball coalesce and fire our, or watch a shard of earth manifrst and pierce the ground for a tremor? And if crystals arent your fancy, we could glyph or customize the way totems looks.

Thats my idea atleast. We literally have a lightning and earth shield that revolve around us. Figures this makes sense on some level.

Honestly, I prefer planting totems in the ground. Makes planning movement more interesting. Though for most totems, doesn’t really make too much of a difference.

Totemic could stand a modification here and there. But in general the planting totems thing is one of the things I find fun about it.

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Sure, i dont mind thaaat much but it could defintey use some retooling as placement can be very very punishing if you are mostly pugging. Im hesitant to think of too many other classes that are punished as hard as totemic for moving out of a zone for damage. Maybe boomchicken? I like that we can move our totems but sometimes 10 secs feels like forever if you have to reorient.

I get a bit lost by this. Sure, the odd moment happens when you’re gimped by necessary movement, but thats why you should have totemic projection locked and loaded.

I really enjoy slapping down a physical totem, feels very shamanistic. Its a fun and satisfying playstyle, to me at least, and rewards good play / fight knowledge

Destruction warlock rain of fire, elemental sham earthquake, come to mind… or a shadow priest if they miss-place their shadow crash… or an aff lock if they miss place their vile taint…

Many classes have to deal with this in some regard. Unholy DK’s + frost DK’s can’t cleave effectively when mobs are moved out of DnD, too.

Tbh I really, really enjoy the idea of having a solid dps totem.

Well i mean more or less how much damage is left on the table. Surging totem can be upwards of 50% of your damage in all situations. Im not saying others dont get punished but even your single target can be gutted by less than ideal conditons.