In PvP, shaman tanks rely on an intricate web of defensive mechanics. They typically boast a high block rate—often between 45% and 60%—boosted further by their defense rating and substantial block value. This heavy reliance on blocking means that each successful block mitigates a significant chunk of incoming damage.
Additionally, many shaman tanks run a shoulder enchant that heals them for 100% of the damage their Chain Lightning deals. This, coupled with the fact that every blocked attack can trigger Maelstrom procs (resulting in instant Chain Lightning casts), creates a powerful self-sustaining loop. These layered defenses explain why shaman tanks often shrug off multiple attackers—unless, of course, a coordinated team of opponents disrupts their setup.
On the flip side, if melee opponents manage to stun lock a shaman, they effectively prevent him from blocking, undermining a key pillar of his defenses. Similarly, casters can bypass these defenses altogether since their spell damage cannot be blocked, and the shaman’s grounding totem (which counters spell damage) is limited by its cooldown.
So while shaman tanks may seem overtuned in typical battleground scenarios, their effectiveness hinges on maintaining their defensive rotation—disrupting it through focused crowd control or leveraging unblockable spells can expose their vulnerabilities.