Shaman 4th spec discussion

Classes Shaman
21

seems to similar to resto shaman / frost mage. Earthwarder or even Runemaster seem more likely to me.

22

I think if anything we look at how Feral was split into Guardian and Feral druid specs. So the only 4 spec class at this moment would in fact be Druid obviously. The same logic could be approached with the Shaman by giving it the “Earthwarden” spec. Anyone who looks at old trees for the Shaman saw they were in fact capable of tanking just no one really did it because reasons. Hell there were crafted items that helped mail taking such as “Invulnerable Mail” from back then.

The only other class that could reasonably see a 4th spec would be Warrior with the Gladiator spec. Just because one or two classes could use a 4th spec doesnt mean all classes have to have that. I don’t see Paladin’s with a viable 4th spec or any others for that matter. It’s totally okay honestly to just put that in for the Warrior and Shaman easily.

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23

I always loved the ideas of runes. That’s why I play DK. Shaman has always been my alt and I normally play Elemental ,but if it had a Tank spec then Shaman would def be my main.

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24

Earthwarden would be awesome for lore as well. The potential is high.

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25

I think Demon Hunters need a 3rd spec before we get a 4th.

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26

In early game they were viable off tanks, at least for dungeons. I used to off tank on this guy. The original manual even said so if I recall correctly. I wish they would give us a real tanking spec. I would switch so fast, the windfury animation would appear on my screen.

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27

Man, I would do anything to be able to tank on my shaman. Earth Wardens has a nice ring to it. Sounds legit

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28

I dont think shamans were ever meant to be an actual tank class. They were pitched as a jack of all trades. Acceptable in all, excelling in none.

Much like 2H enhance the tank concept was pretty much abandoned after vanilla.

I doubt any existing class is going to get a 4th spec ever. The only reason they did it for druids was because they were designed and maintained to be all four roles and they made the (right) call to break it up for balancing purposes. Any current class that had a theme like this has already been stomped out so I doubt they’ll bring anything back after so long.

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29

never say never. shaman are the master of all elements and great mystics of their people, meaning they should be able to fulfill all roles. Does it make sense that a champion of earth can’t tank, but a brewmaster and demon hunter can? Shamans are probably the only class in the lineup that I would seriously consider for a 4th spec. Only because they cover a deceptively large number of fantasies and have had so many of their them chopped off for balance reasons. Specialists of every element. Far Seers. A 2h spiritualist fighter. An earthwarding tank. Even flavors of runemaster and witch doctor, which have sadly gone by the wayside.

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30

I didn’t.

False equivalency. Yes, we are the master of elements, but that doesn’t have anything to do with being able to fulfill all the roles or not.

There’s no correlation between shamans, monks, and demon hunters. Just because one can tank doesn’t mean the others should also be able to or shouldn’t be able to.

Well other classes would like a word with you on that. Multiple classes want a theme filled in for their class that would require another spec at this point (unless they revamped it like they did with Survival).

Off the top of my head: Tank Hunters, Tank Warlocks, stupid as it is I’ve seen arguments for healer warlocks, then there’s gladiator DPS, Mage healers/tanks as well (also pretty stupid), and rogue tanks. I’m sure there are others to be pitched.

Ultimately class fantasy is subjective. I entirely get why people attribute earth to tankiness, but that doesn’t mean it’s a theme that has to be fleshed out or even recognized. You take any 10 RPGs and compare similiar classes to each other and you let me know how similar their fantasies are. There isn’t any one template to adhere to. You can’t possible get every fantasy under the sun to satisfy everyone.

So I’ll say what I said at the beginning: I doubt we’ll ever see it. I don’t think there’s a hot demand to add in specs for existing classes, they did it once a good 8 years ago and haven’t since. So don’t get your hopes up.

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31

why shouldn’t we remain hopeful?

32

Because of what I said earlier.

33

I think Shaman tank has great opportunity for a unique playstyle but I dont see Blizzard doing this. I also think that Shamans have other concerns to address though based on community opinion and no recent experience of mine.

34

Unpopular opinion but I actually just want a melee spec that’s based entirely around fire. Ideally it would be a melee spec that can still do lots of things from range, like Survival is right now.

But I’m not holding my breath for it lol

35

When I imagined a Dragon knight class in WoW I imagined a halberd wielding tank / fighter that breathes fire. A red dragon knight of sorts. shamans mages and locks all use fire. paladins too if you count radiant damage. but dragonflame hasn’t really been explored.

36

So many “this would be stepping on ww toes” comments. Lets not forget monks are the newcomers. If anything it is THEY who are stepping on the toes of shamans.

37

I don’t think it would be stepping on anyone’s toes at all because Windwalker barely even uses wind at all. They’re just superb martial artists who utilize chi to bolster their attacks. They have almost nothing even relating to wind.

38

Id rather them get the current specs right before they add another.

39

So many “this would be stepping on ww toes” comments. Lets not forget monks are the newcomers. If anything it is THEY who are stepping on the toes of shamans.

You have a point. Perhaps it is monks who need a makeover. WW should take more from the orcish Blademaster and Brewmaster should have more aesthetics from the dwarven brewmaster fantasy. I’d still like for Runemaster to be a more prominent fantasy in WoW… perhaps as a primary profession or something if they really can’t incorporate it into shaman or monk. Shamans and monks are both types of mystics similar to the Runemaster, so I like to imagine them incorporated more. The Ley Lines of Azeroth that Runemasters tap in to are massively important.

40

I’d rather have 2H enhancement back.

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