Many players thought that Shamans were fully capable of tanking as a Shaman in Vanilla Classic WoW, atleast while levelling, but there were some serious drawbacks to them at end game. Say goodbye to that in Season of Discovery as their new Runes bring Shaman Tanking to (nearly) the same level as the other traditional tanks.
Lets take a look at how you’ll play as a Shaman Tank in SOD looking at runes, talents, rotation, stat priority, gear and more!
This guide presents a full overview of Shaman Tanks, but feel free to click the links below to jump straight to the sections that interest you the most.
Stat Priority
Professions
Consumables
Best in Slot
Best Races For Shaman Tanks In Season Of Discovery
For Horde there are 3 choices, Tauren, Troll, and Orc. None of them have significant enough differences to warrant stressing about, and it’s possible we’ll see changes to racials in the future to make them even less impactful. Personally, I would choose Tauren for increased HP and an AoE ability. The Orcs Axe specialization limits your weapons and Blood Fury should really be used as a tank. Trolls would be the best option for increased damage.
None, LOK’TAR OGAR!
Shaman Tanks Rotation SOD
The rotation for Shaman tanks is very simple at level 25. First make sure that you haveRockbiter Weaponapplied to your main-hand weapon to gain increased threat, health, and reduce damage taken via theWay of Earth Rune. Also ensure that you have aShieldequipped to help with mana regeneration and reduced damage via theShield Mastery Rune.
Consider the following priority at level 25:
Ideally, other players will wait until you have gotten to drop a totem or two so that you have a chance to build aggro, but if not, have Earth Shock ready to taunt.
Table of Contents
Stat Priority For Shaman Tanks In Season Of Discovery
Best Runes For Shaman Tanks In Season Of Discovery
These are the 3 Shaman Tanking Runes at the level 25 cap. Shield Mastery provides the necessary block and armor that traditional tanks require; it also allows for mana regeneration. There is a case to be made for Dual Wield Specialization here for bosses that only cast (rendering Shield Mastery useless) and allow higher threat generation at the cost of mana consumption.
Way of Earth Provides more threat, health, and reduced damage taken and adds a taunt effect to Earth Shock (though it already had a very high threat value). The other options simply are not feasible as a main tank.
Molten Blast Rune provides excellent AoE threat generation through its damage and resets from Flame Shock. Again, the other options are also not feasible as a main tank.
Best Talent Build For Shaman Tanks In Season Of Discovery
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For talents at level 25, there are 2 options: the first and generally more likely option is to go into the Enhancement tree, focusing on increasing damage mitigation through block and dodge. For solo play, Improved Ghost Wolf is a great option to travel faster, taking points away from Anticipation, to maintain increased damage output with Flury.
The second option is to go into the Elemental tree, focusing on generating threat through higher spell damage (Flame Shock and Molten Blast) as well as providing better mana efficiency. For bosses that cast spells (primarily Fire, Frost or Nature Damage), Elemental Warding, is a good choice to swap to providing 10% less spell damage from them.
Best Professions For Shaman Tanks In SOD
Engineeringis the best profession for Shamans, if not literally every class. There are so many useful items, like Grenades to help with AoE damage/threat or trinkets (which are absent at level 25) that have unique and helpful effects. Not only this, but it provides thebest in slot helmetfor nearly every player. Pair this with Mining to gather the necessary materials for crafting, or go with Skinning and sell all the materials for gold.
LeatherworkingandSkinningalso pair nicely for Shamans as you’ll be able to craft decent gear as you level, some pieces being best in slot as well. Skinning is a great resource for gold too.
Best Consumables For Shaman Tanks In Season Of Discovery
Consumables will likely not be of great importance at level 25, though always maintaining a stack of Healing Potions is a great option for any player.
Best Gear For Shaman Tanks In Season Of Discovery
The following list if the absolute best in slot for Shaman Tanks in SOD. For the full BIS list with other options, see theBIS list.
Artemis Cowl
Boss Lady Sarevess (Blackfathom Deeps)
High Tide Choker
Boss Baron Aquanis (Blackfathom Deeps)
Bristlebark Amice
World Drop
Officer Areyn (A) (Vendor in Stormwind City)
Twilight Slayer’s Tunic
Boss Gelihast (Blackfathom Deeps)Boss Lorgus Jett (Blackfathom Deeps)
Phoenix Bindings
Void-Touched Leather Gloves
Leatherworking
Scaled Leather Belt
Leggings of the Fang
Lord Cobrahn (Wailing Caverns)
Twilight Slayer’s Footpads
Silverlaine’s Family Seal
Baron Silverlaine (Shadowfang Keep)
Thunderbrow Ring
Rune of Perfection
Kelm Hargunth (H) (Vendor in The Barrens)Illiyana Moonblaze (A) (Vendor in Ashenvale)
Arena Grand Master
Quest - Arena Grandmaster (Stranglethorn Vale)
Bearded Boneaxe
Axe of the Enforcer
