Constructive Criticism: The State of Shamans

#0 - Oct. 11, 2007, 10:52 a.m.

Real feedback - From real Shamans. (version 3 rebirth, continuation and update!)

Hi again everyone,

This is a continuation of our community thread that started in early 2007. The previous threads have been locked out due to the max number of replies.

I'm reserving this first section here for specific feedback on the upcoming patch 2.3. Check back here especially for new updates on what the Shaman community has tested and their feedback on the upcoming changes.

A short history on this thread: it was originated after patch 2.1. Many issues were raised, and honestly, I think the feedback helped. The objective of the thread is to be constructive, and provide criticism for the current state of the Shaman class and preemptive feedback on upcoming changes.

==============================================================================

Burning Questions for the Devs:

1. Are we going to see an anti-CC / escape ability for the Shaman? Or an ability to close the gap for Enhance Shamans? (Desperately needed in PVP)

2. Will we ever have our Totems/Healing Spells/Lightning separated into different schools? (All Nature right now). On the same subject, are Elementalists ever going to get another sustained DPS spell that is not-Nature damage?

3. Is our archaic Totem System ever going to be seriously looked at?

4. Will we ever see our beloved Spirit Wolves? (We'd take them even as a hugely difficult epic quest or whatever!)

5. Lastly -- Are Shamans being looked at for PVP viability?

=============================================================================

== Prologue - The State of Shamans in PVP ==

Fact: Shaman are currently the overall 2nd worst class in the Arena.
Source: http://vhairi.blogspot.com

In 2v2 they are the 2nd worst class. In 3v3 they are the second worst class. Note also that these stats were all taken prior to 2.3 where hunters were pretty solidly buffed. Mild speculation is that Shamans are fastly approaching the overall worst class in 2vs2 and 3vs3 Arenas, replacing Hunters.

In 5v5 shaman are mid, 5th or so, a healthy representation. However, the latest stats on the top 150 Shamans shows a large majority of Elemental, a few Resto, and 0 Enhancement.
Source: http://www.geekboys.org/arena/index/5/us/shaman/all/all/

Classes that were doing quite well in arena are getting pretty significant buffs meanwhile Shaman are consistently ignored in their PVP needs.

Resto druids, Priests and Rogues, three solid arena classes, all massively buffed in 2.3.
Hunters needed buffs and got them. Ones that make them quite powerful in BG's, not so much in Arenas. Mages will be getting needed buffs in 2.3.2. They needed something, but this might be pushing it. Warlocks, Warriors and Druids, all which dominate the 2vs2 / 3vs3 brackets are still remaining unchanged.

Meanwhile, as it seems every other class in the game is buffed / tweaked for their PVP and Arena needs, the mighty Shaman class sits at the bottom of viability and awaits their buffs that never come. PVP for a Shaman has been a downward spiral for the last year that shows no signs improving.

Blatant lies about "buffed" (read: nerfed) do not help the situation. We are given PVE buffs, none which were really asked for. And we get slight tweaks, that really don't solve any problems. Less mana on Earthshield does absolutely nothing to keep it on us or a target in PVP, which is exactly what we've been asking for for the last YEAR.

Fact: Shamans are by far the worst Arena Healer

The Shaman cannot fill the role of a primary Healer in the Arena. A Druid, Paladin or Priest can just plain do it better, by far. It's obvious from looking at the top Arena teams. Elemental Shaman is the only Shaman represented in any top Tier team, and that's 5vs5. Resto Shamans cannot fill a primary Healer role in a 4 DPS group - they have to be a DPS themselves. At best Shamans are second-rate backup healers that for the most part hinder their team by their horrible class mechanics and abilities in the Arena.

Resto Shamans in 2vs2 are best suited with a Warrior. We're the obvious weakness here as the same Warrior with a Druid, Paladin or Priest can consistently reach higher Arena ranks. In 3vs3 as a primary Healer we are by far the weakest and do best in 2-Healer setups. 5vs5 Resto Shamans can only the fill the role of secondary or tertiary Healer.

Question: Is it OK that Elemental is mediocre at best?

Elemental needs a very specific 3vs3 team, and is not represented at all in 2vs2. 5vs5 is their strong point but are consistently CC'd and lock downed far too easy. (hence the old saying of a Shaman in Arenas: Heroism, Totem, die) .

And last, but not least...

Most importantly how do you respond to the complete lack of any sort of feedback on our thousands and thousands of posts regarding fixes, changes, tweaks to our class?

*END OF PROLOGUE* On with the original thread-

Vaneras

#22 - Oct. 11, 2007, 2:10 p.m.

This is a nice thread indeed, which I think is worth a blue tag.

Q u o t e:

As for comments on 2.3, I'm holding off judgement on the upcoming changes at least until they are up on the PTR. When we've done some testing, we can include feedback of the changes in this thread.

A lot of things is going to change for Shamans and class balance overall after 2.3, so I think it is a good idea to hold back a bit on your judgement as you say. We will keep an eye on this thread, because it will be interesting to see what you guys have to say after you have had the chance to test things.

Vaneras

#34 - Oct. 11, 2007, 4:59 p.m.

Hi Daedren,

First of all I would just like to say that no slap-in-face was intended. I merely blue-tagged the thread to let you know that we have noticed it and that we appreciate it's very constructive nature. Great work :-)

We will be keeping an eye on this thread, so don't worry about that, but it is still a little too soon to go head on with answering your questions, which are all valid and good questions by the way, because the situation for Shamans will look somewhat different after 2.3. We are not dismissing your questions here, or refusing to address them, so please do not take this the wrong way. All I am saying is that we would like to wait a little until you guys have tested and tried things when the Patch 2.3 is available on the PTRs, and then we will take things from there.

I am aware that some of your questions are about things that doesn't really have much to do with patch 2.3, but even though we will not be able to answer those particular questions right now, we would just like to let assure you that we have not forgotten about them and that we are not ignoring you.