The bottom line of this post: Shaman spell visuals and audio are OUTDATED. These are just a few of the spells that need work.
Example 1: Flametongue Weapon. Why do we still have a low-res 2004 fire ball floating around that feels like it makes 0 impacts to combat outside of abilities? If I’m enchanting my weapon to ignite enemies, I WANT TO SEE & FEEL IT, even if it’s minor!
Example 2: Primal Strike. Did you really add back this ability and not add any sound effect??? and no, the swoosh sound does not cut it. Give me some minor impact sounds and some simple visuals. Looks and feels like an unfinished ability.
Example 3: Shock Spells. The initial visual is fine but would be really nice if there was a semi-lingering effect on the target. Doesn’t really reflect having a dot if the visual fades.
Example 4: Thunderstorm. Please please please give us an updated visual for this ability. its low res lightning from early xpacs. Just give us a higher-res lighting effect (like lightning crash)
Example 5: Chain Lightning. This ability still has the same visual as vanilla (or at least almost the same). We love the style of the ability- please just update the resolution and the casting animation to match.
Example 6: Lightning Bolt. I think that this ability has come a long way, BUT WHY is it the lowest resolution spell in the game? I don’t mind that it is 2D, but at least give us more visually appealing lightning, and add some blue lighting effects. The current spell effect bends forward and backward, which doesn’t really reflect how lightning acts. and don’t tell me “it is just a filler spell, it doesn’t need to be that flashy”. Prime example: Starfire, Arcane Missiles. Just yeet the lightning crash visual sideways and call it good. Im tired of looking at paper lightning.
Example 7: Lightning Shield. Another spell with original graphics. PLEASE update to modern standards.
It’s really frustrating that most of our spells are not up to standards with the other classes at this point. Even Enhancement has some really nice visuals. Would like to see the same treatment here too.
I rest my case. Pretty please Blizzard!
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Why does it feel like I play a class that Blizzard has wanted to remove from the game for over a decade now?
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A lot of Shaman spell effects were updated in a Legion patch (i think it was), but they were reverted to the old ones after Shamans got up in arms about it.
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You’re not a feral Druid tho 
yeah, to which i say, if you want old graphics, play classic lol
BFA has a ton of spell effects that Shamans should adopt.
For example Shrine of the Storm has a bunch of water and electric spell visuals that are so much better than Shaman’s current visuals.
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Every single spec in the game desperately needs an overhaul to spell animations.
Not all of course, but most of what we cast/use is visually boring.
We are several steps behind other MMOs in this space.
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I miss the old lightning bolt that actually fired a bolt of lightning at the enemy and had travel time. The new one just feels like a super weak chain lightning and I hate it.
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Upgrading spell effects is nice, but then people will whine and moan that they want the old effects. Can’t please everyone.
Under no circumstances should Chain Lightning ever be updated. I’m serious about this. It’s still the best animation in the game. It gets even better with Stormkeeper.
I’ve never liked the updated Lightning Bolt animation. It bugs me how low res the projectile is. Someone in another thread some time ago suggested it be changed to a vertical bolt from the sky and I wouldn’t mind that.
I liked when Earth Shock had chunks of rock crush the target. I think it was used briefly in Legion, but I don’t remember. I vaguely recall them moving that visual to Elemental Shock, which I seldom ever talent into. Shock spells are generally pretty pitiful-looking.
I wish Earthquake had the old Cata animation, but I understand why they changed it. One of the enemies in Lost City of the Tol’vir uses it. Looks like this - https://youtu.be/QW_sVGwFUOY
As far as sounds go - They’re crashy and boomy. Works for me. I’m hearing impaired and some sound effects don’t sound like anything to me, so YMMV.
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That’s easily fixed with a glyph.
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True. And I would like to add that Shamans should have 4 specs like Druids and a Flight / Travel form!!!
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Shaman tanking leveling dungeons was so much fun back in the day.
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I know i would want the ability to make my spells all use lightning 
graphics, or alternatively all my spells use flame 
graphics.
Five us old lightning bolt glyph. Give us glyph for chain lightning now and update it. Update shields. Old frost shock was 100x better than the one we have now. The frost shock we use rn is basically invisible. Old one had a blue glow with a blue SMACK sound which was so much better. 
Earth shock is the worst. Spending all that maelstrom to do your finisher and it’s just non existent and sounds lackluster
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I just finished leveling a shaman and boy does enh sound like a wet noodle. I coud be top dps and still feel like I’m tickling the enemies. The animations aren’t much better.
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Ahahahaha that was my post regarding vertical lightning bolt… I’m still salty! Also, im not saying the vibe of chain lighting should be changed; I love the feeling it has. All im saying is maybe update the resolution, fix the casting effects (still old lightning effect) and maybe add some impact visuals similar to the current lightning bolt. I feel for the lightning bolt, they should make it flashy and fast- like a lightning bolt. In BFA, Vol’dun has so many good lightning effects that they could implement into the shaman class.
I don’t remember anything being reverted ever. Where are you getting this from?
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They were updated in a Legion PTR build and then revoked because people were crying about old visuals