I’ve been working on Horde chars with a friend since I’ve never really had much luck with Horde throughout all of WoW. We’ve managed to make it to the mid-50’s and my plan is to heal, but I figured an Elemental/Resto hybrid would give me the most options to get us into dungeons as we approach 60. We don’t currently plan to raid on these characters, just experience all the dungeon and maybe do some pre-bis grinding until we get bored and move on to other endeavours.
With that said, my first dungeon as elemental was ST and it was kind of an awful experience. That’s maybe not the best dungeon to judge by since apparently the entire latter third is immune to my damage () but a major problem I was running into was mana.
I did some googling and it looks like downranking Lightning Bolt is the go-to approach so I wanted to check in here and see if any Elemental Shaman players have any recommendations for how they typically manage their ranks, as well as fight durations/dungeon pacing.
Also, another stuggle I’ve had on my shaman in general (on any spec) is totem management. I’m currently not taking Totemic Focus for the mana cost reduction (other talents seemed higher priority) but does that help much? I know numerically it helps by 25% () but in practice, does it feel much different than not having it?
I know a Shaman’s strength is its buffs but it does feel like I’m constantly moving totems while trying to keep up with group and drinking in between.
Sometimes I fish for clear casting procs on rank 1 ES. Don’t know if that is worth it. But when I’m bored sitting oom and it doesn’t really matter, I press the first button I can and sometimes get a free CL.
Unfortunately shaman especially at low gear levels drinks mana like its going outa style. Bring lots of mana pots and hope your buddies use CC to mitigate damage and plead for drink breaks, that is near every pull lol.
After you get some gear it does get better, but look at the positive side of this… Ele PvP is hilarious especially after BWL trinket and ZHC, also bring consumes like FAP / LiP as you will 100% need them, also strongly promote eng for nades since you do not have any CC.
ADDITIONALLY use your totems wisely, the better your battlefield awareness the less you need to leave your grounder exposed to pew pew and keep er tight like vanish on rogue. Don’t underestimate totem use, it can make / break you in pvp, and even in PvE. You will over time come to realise what tomtems to run and when, occasionally to the displeasure of your zugs, but just tell the…, “Silence peons!”
Leveling as ele is kind of different than what you’d expect
It pumps hard solo/questing, but the spec requires an abhorrent amount of water to function. For ST, I never actually dps that dungeon and just heal instead.
But the main issue with leveler eles is just the gear. I personally don’t Dow rank lightning bolt, I just pick and choose when I think it’s worth it to spam it or hold it and drink instead. Totems are more of a feel thing because you can place them ahead and have them for 2 packs instead of 1, or you can just do like I do and only drop important ones like WF if you find your group moving faster than your mana keeps up
Also, I love portable bronze mortar. It has a smaller range, 1 sec less stun, and 100 less dmg. But its instant cast and has a bigger radius. The instant cast part being the big advantage for escaping.
) but a major problem I was running into was mana.
) but in practice, does it feel much different than not having it?