Shaman Tank Theme?
While all shaman have access to use all elements, each spec heavily leans into certain favorites. DPS specs lean into storm and fire, while Restoration leans into water. Of the basic four elements (earth, water, air/storm, fire), earth is the only one that isn’t strongly represented and makes an obvious choice for a tank spec to lean into.
There is a little concerned with how much thematic overlap there might now be with the introduction of the Augmentation Evoker spec. Aug Evokers lean into “Black and Bronze Magic”, which thematically translates to “Earth/Molten/Fire + Time” magic. Popular suggested names for a shaman tank spec (Warden, Warder, Earth Warder, etc) feel more thematically aligned with Augmentation Evokers and their relationship with the Black Dragonflight than do with shaman.
Of course, Blizzard also has Fire Mages and Destruction Warlocks, Ice Mages and Frost Death Knights, Affliction Warlocks and Shadow Priests, and so forth. So I think Blizzard could still pull off a thematically attractive shaman tank spec without making it feel too similar to Augmentation Evokers.
Besides, shaman don’t just utilize the elements. They have also have “spirit magic”, which is where a lot of their totemic lore is tied to. Simply trading leaning more into shamanic spiritual or astral lore ties could go a long way into making the shaman tank spec feel unique.
Shaman Tank Spec Name?
The following simply won’t work, primarily because they’re already tied to something else in the warcraft universe that isn’t 100% shaman related:
- Earthen - (allied race of dwarves)
- Warden - (night elf NPC class, prison warden, etc)
- Earth Warder - (a formal title for the Black Dragonflight Aspect, Ebyssian)
- Warding
The existing spec names (Elemental, Enhancement, Restoration) are effectively a descriptive focus of “what the shaman is doing with the spirits and/or elements”. The shaman tank spec name would need to keep with that theme. As such, one of the following might be appropriate depending on what thematic vein (earth, wind, spirit, etc) the shaman tank spec would lean into the most:
- Protection - (uninteresting, but fits. Paladins and Warriors both already use it.)
- Astral - (several existing “spiritual” shaman abilities leverage “astral” phrasing)
- Spiritual
- Fortification - (once suggested as a name for Evoker tank spec, could work here)
- Empowerment - (several synonyms for “enhancement” could work)
- Primalist - (tons of interesting potential here, considering DF lore)
Example Shaman Tank Abilities / Talents?
Stength of Earth - Passive
The shaman is able to wield a 2-handed weapon in their main hand while equipping a shield in their off-hand. The shaman’s regular attacks also strike multiple targets while wielding a 2-handed weapon.
Sand Armor - Passive
You are coated with a thick layer of sand that bonds to your will and behaves like a living coat of skin. This grants you increased armor, stamina, and threat generation.
Mastery: Shifting Sands - Passive
Your Sand Armor also reduces the amount of physical damage you take. Your attack power is also increased.
Grounding Armor - Passive, Talent
Your Mastery: Shifting Sands also reduces the amount of magical damage you take, but at a reduced rate.
Sandstone Armor - Active, Talent, 30 sec cooldown
Your Sand Armor temporarily hardens into layers of stone, granting 20 stacks of Sandstone Armor. Attacks against you consume a stack and are treated as though you had blocked the attack regardless of where the attack came from. Shards of hardened earth retaliate against the attacker dealing physical damage.
Rockbite - Active ability, 3 sec cooldown, first Talent
Replaces Primal Strike. Strike the earth in an arcing motion to blast sharp rocks toward all enemies in front of you which deal physical damage. Generates Maelstrom when hitting at least one enemy.
Mud Slinger - Passive, Talent
Rockbite is infused with water, coating enemies with mud which reduces their attack speed by 20% for 6 sec. Casting Frost Shock on an affected enemy causes the mud to freeze, which breaks on the enemy’s next attack while preventing a certain amount of damage.
*On a choice node with Wildfire
Wildfire - Passive, Talent
Rockbiter is infused with fire, inflicting enemies with Flame Shock. Flame Shock can now affect any number of targets.
*On a choice node with Mud Slinger
Windfall - Active, Talent
Performs a regular attack and generates Maelstrom. If no enemies are close enough to strike, you instead gain a stack of Windstep for 10 seconds, stacking up to 2 times.Windstep increases your movement speed by 15% per stack and causes your next strike of Windfall to hit one additional time per stack. Striking with Windfall consumes all stacks of Windstep.
Shamanic Weaponry - Passive, Talent
Replaces Flametongue Weapon. Your weapons are now always enhanced with elemental power, dealing additional elemental damage with regular attacks. Blocking an attack also deals elemental damage to the attacker.
Tribal Warfare - Passive, Talent
Requires Shamanic Weaponry. Shamanic Weaponry also grants spells and abilities a chance to deal additional elemental damage. Shamanic Weaponry also benefits your party and raid members within 40 yards.