Lightning Bolt in PvP

Classes Shaman
1

This post is solely for Ele shaman getting a solid build for Lightning Bolt in PvP/arena. There was a point awhile ago where we had run-while-casting lightning bolt, and now we have the honor talent that increases overall lightning bolt dmg/haste as well as Lava burst, even though that talent buff to lava burst still hits less then Rsham lava burst does… This talent ALSO gives us faster cast on lightning bolt instead of the lava surge procs for lava burst. Can we just change it from instant cast lava bursts > instant cast lightning bolts?

The current style of Ele shaman in PvP only works with instant cast Lava burst at any higher rating of arena. With the way EVERY melee cleave is right now, if you run the current lightning bolt spec, you will get run over. Shaman needs to be able to damage consistently for it to be in a decent spot, as this lightning bolt spec/honor talent it’s extremely difficult to be relevant (in my opinion). The last time Shaman was a sit-and-cast/turret spec was in what, Wrath? During this time they hit HARD. The 'ole classic “train the blue” is still very relevant. Shaman has the tools to get away from people and kite if necessary, no denying that, however you can’t do that when you sit there turreting/casting lightning bolts.

All’s I’m saying is, can we take a look at this? The honor talent for getting more damage on lightning bolt/lava burst and synergizing it with the lava surge proc is a wonderful idea, I really like it. Unfortunately it isn’t enough to be competitive in the current arena scene. The talent tree supports the build, we just need something to make it competitive and just a little different then the current state it’s in. Even if we decide to maintain the current state of this build, it will need to hit harder. If you allow any caster to sit there and be able to cast for free, you should be afraid of what they’re doing, ie: Destro (chaos bolts), Frost Mage (Glacial, ray of frost), Moonkin (New/half/full moon), etc. Please let me know what you guys think of this. Like I said, this post is just to bring light to something I feel strongly about, not in any way to make a certain class out of control, only relevant. I just really enjoy the style of play this spec has to offer. I’d just like to see it shine in the only area I enjoy the game in anymore. Plus the new talent tree offered by blizzard has opened up ways in which we can diversify our builds for new and exciting gameplay, which is the point of this post.

Thanks everyone!

2 Likes
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Years ago there was a glyph that let you cast lightning bolt on the move (maybe in MOP), Blizzard has moved away from ranged being able to do the lion share of its damage while moving.

Thinking of making the lightning build good would be an issue with its current design (it has multiple modifiers to make lightning bolt hit hard which are also all hard casted). I really don’t see a solution outside of a full redesign, which will likely not happen.

While blue will be trained, we have more tools now than ever to get off those pesky melee (not perfect but in the right direction). I do agree with you that casters free casting should be scary, right now thats only really accomplished from what I’ve seen with DRE procs/stormkeeper/earthshock (lining them all up).

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Just increase the flat damage of lightning bolt and reduce the % increase from Stormkeeper maybe?

However, I don’t agree with the on-the-move damage. Especially in Mage’s case. With the introduction of Icy Flows they can move while casting, and Arcane when they get a proc for arcane missiles, which is the majority of their damage, can be casted on-the-move.

Yes, we have the kit to get away from melee, however while we’re spending all the time/globals to get away, we’re not doing damage. It’s not like blink, demonic circle, or anything like that and we’re immediately away. We have to ghost wolf and run, which is where lava burst is good, because while running we can pop off our meatball procs. Otherwise we have static/move, unleash shield knock, but unfortunately we also lose an honor talent to take for the lightning bolt build, so not as much.

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This was already done, lb hits 53% harder in pvp and SK is only a 30% increase in pvp down from 115%

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As enh lb is really funny cause you sometimes spam the instant cast of it 5 times in a row with 10 maelstrom and zip zap someone’s good mood away

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