I would like to see us Shaman back in the tanking roll. And would welcome a new spec “Earth Warden” to rival the druid’s 4 spec play. This would be awesome to see and giving the Shaman a tanking form would really put it over the top with cosmetics, but in the end being able to use a shield for what they are meant for would be even more awesome.
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In classic, and BC, Shaman had a lot of talents and abilities that were clearly oriented towards tanking. Stoneskin totem, shield spec, rockbiter and ES bonus threat generation, etc…
The reason they never got a real tank spec was just that shaman tanks were never really viable outside of some vanilla dungeons, and they wanted to push Enh towards duel-wielding for the double weapon buffs. The talents for it back in Vanilla were probably a result of them being undecided about what they wanted for shaman at the time, but shaman tanking being viable has been asked for from the beginning.
Shaman is really the only class that could, and arguably should be given a 4th spec at this point from a thematic standpoint with the whole 4 elements focus: Ele is fire (Lavaburst/Flametongue - pre-legion, it was the offensive casting buff), Enh is air (Windfury), Resto is water (water totems, chain heal, rain, etc…), -> an earth-focused spec (Earthwarder) would not be out of place at all.
I have doubts about it ever really becoming a thing, but it wouldn’t be too hard for Blizz to make and tune with abilities shaman either already has in talents/other specs or has had in the past, and it would certainly fit the theme of the class.
It might help with making shaman get some more polishing time pre-expac… Feels like it goes through some major updates every expansion because Blizzard can’t decide what they want to do with it, or they forget about it when designing other content (Ex: Enh is currently the only spec in the game that Blacksmiths can’t craft a weapon for at 120, because the abilities don’t work with daggers, and shaman can’t use swords).
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I really love the idea of more classes getting a fourth spec, but as it is now, Blizzard can’t seem to keep up with the ones we have. Gods I would love a tank Shaman spec, but it would either be overpowered or underpowered.
Arent most if not all specs considered either OP or worthless?
Tanking using all of the elements sounds like so much fun. Totally want this and was sad that it kinda went away in TBC.
The most notable shaman in WoW, Thrall was the earth warden. And he was pretty Tanky while fighting in the broken shore scenario. The lore is there!
Having more options to play as tank is always a good idea. And I like to play as my shaman. The visuals could be cool and I’d be down to play it. If blizz can do it, let it happen!
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I totally agree. I’m wating for a 4th spec (tank) for shamans for sooo long.
Blizzard would make me very happy if they fulfill this desire.
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Except it is.
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For real, I can think of no other class in-game with this much space for a 4th spec. 10/10 would play every single freaking day.
I wouldn’t give up enhance for it but it’s not like they HAVE to remove a spec to add another.
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no need for a 4th spec. Plenty of other classes will have a tank spec including future classes coming into game.
#3shamanspecsonly
I had just assumed that this forum post had fallen to the wayside as all posts do over time, and my heart is happy to see it hasn’t. Blizzard, clearly a large majority of Shaman players want this. DO NOT SACRIFICE WHAT IS CURRENTLY ENHANCEMENT THOUGH. Please, listen to the players and toss Shamans a bone.
This expac I’ve grown fond of Mythic + and picked up tanking, and wound up playing a bear druid this expac. It’s far from the best tank for keys, but it matches the play style that I want and gives me the ability to tank and play caster DPS in both PvE and PvP. Again, it’s not the GREATEST key stone tank, but it gives me the play style and versatility that I want. I stress that point because a shaman with a tanking spec would give me (And others) that EXACT same play. And I would jump to it in a heartbeat.
I strive to play what I WANT to play, not what’s best or anything else. This is just kinda my perspective and story, but I’m sure others feel it to. As the game expands and more classes are introduced, it seems fair that Druids stop being the master of all 4 roles, and another class be able to match them.
Pretty please, Blizz? Puppy eyes
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This is very much not dead! The more we talk about Earth Wardens the better the chance we have at being heard. Show your support and your concerns here on this thread. We should limit or clutter as much as possible. A high reply count will be just as impactful.
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Ehhh…
Not really behind that name. Surely we could come up with something better.
Terra? Crag? Slag?
I dunno, I’m sure I’m missing a bunch of words that could work. I’m not fond of “Mountain”. Sounds too much like “mountain man”, which makes me think of some weird guy living in a cabin somewhere.
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I would like a 2handed mace tank shaman… Goodness, yes, please.
Give me a giant fish mace. 
Where is my downvote button again?
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I’m definitely game for a Tanking spec, as long as it doesn’t change Enhancement.
With Enh’s poor performance this xpac, and no tweaks meaning it might get a big revamp in 9.0+, I hope they don’t assume that noone wants it and are planning on replacing it with a tank…
I do also like the idea that this is the one-stop-shop for all “Shaman Tank” discussions, to avoid cluttering the Shaman forums with many similar posts…
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I have been asking the very same thing. 
I’ve been in love with the idea of a Shaman tank since …Wrath (thinking back).
Honestly I think all base classes (so not hero classes like DK and DH) should get 4th specs to reward players for playing characters for long periods of time instead of just leveling the new class when we get one.
I excluded DK and DH from the idea because they are hero classes and are supposed to represent-ish the Heros in WoW, I can see them getting additional specs but I wouldn’t be suprised if they didn’t.