Echo of the Elements is just an awful talent that everybdy takes because it makes the spec run much, much smoother. Having only 1 charge of Lava Burst means that whenever it procs you NEED to use it instantly otherwise you’re likely to waste a proc, especially with the new tool in Shadowlands to spread Flame Shock some more. Talents should feel like fun additions to the base kit, not something you miss because the spec plays worse without it. Especially since BfA Elemental Blast is on the same tier as Echo, and it seems they’re keeping it that way in Shadowlands. Do they not want us to pick Elemental Blast? Having played with it for a good chunk of Legion I absolutely loved it, and now they even fixed its procs overlapping each other (you always get 2 different stats and never twice the same).
Our first talent tier should be between wanting the passive damage of Earthen Rage, the active ability of Elemental Blast, and something else. Echo does NOT belong there or anywhere in the tree, it makes its tier a dead tier and never feels good. Having 2 lava burst charges baseline would free up the spec significantly. We need to speak up about this now when they have time to test things out and won’t feel anxious.
3 Likes
All specs should get Echo baseline.
Stormstrike benefitting for enhancement.
After all, we’re all shamans.
(PS: Shadow has been advocating for 2 Mind Blast charges for some time on the priest forums, so who knows if this will go. A lot of the problem is poor talent design for competing options.)
3 Likes
Agree with this. Playing without Echo just feel bland nowadays. Maybe it can be okay without Echo if Lava Burst hit harder like they used to during Wrath. I’d say Wind Rush totem to also be baseline and replaced… I’ve had this idea after looking at alpha:
Row 15 - Gimmick spells: Echoing Shock (replacing Earthen Rage, moved to 25) - New Talent (?) (Replacing Echo to be base line) - Elemental Blast // This row is (i’d say) gimmick spell that makes shaman interesting esp for new players.
Row 25 - Resource Builder: Earthen Rage (reworked: to hit every 3 sec instead of 2 sec and gain 1 fulmination charge) - Aftershock - Totem mastery // This row is fulmination builder related.
Row 30 - Defensive: keep at it is. // This row is for defensive spells.
Row 35 - Offensive buffs: Keep at it is. // This row is for offensive buffs, increasing damage etc. Might as well put something to CL/EQ buffs in this row for aoe purpose.
Row 40 - Defensive utility: Nature Guardian - Ancestral Guidance - Ancestral Protection Totem (Wind rush to be base line) // I know mobility is one form of defensive, but come on, it’s a great tool for shaman as it is seen useful during N’yalotha, should be baseline and changed to something that could prevent death in a different way.
Row 45 - Offensive passive: Surge of Power - Primal Elementalist - Unlimited Power (switch with icefury) // Passive buffs that boost damage. Although primal ele gives you another active button 
Row 60 - Offensive active: Icefury (replaced Unlimited Power) - Stormkeeper - Ascendance // Nuff said, active skills that directly boost damage. Throwing ice every 30sec ? Free hard hitting bolt every 1 min? Giant meatball every 3mins? Choose as you wish!
I think it would make every row to be interesting and not punishing, of course number can be tuned.