Elemental Shaman guide

Ranged DPSShaman · WoW Forever

Beta guide, level 30. The WoW Forever beta stops at level 30, so this guide and its build cover levels 1 to 30. We update it for level 60 after launch on November 4.

Elemental is the lightning and fire caster. Forever gives it Lava Burst, a big fire nuke that hits 20% harder on a target with your Flame Shock, and Lightning Overload, a chance for Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning to cast a free second copy. Earthbound makes Earthbind Totem root enemies when you drop it. Forever change: Shaman totems now reach your whole raid, not just your party.

Strengths

Big burst from Lava Burst and shocks
Totems help the whole raid
Good control with Earthbind and Earth Shock interrupts

Weaknesses

Mana hungry
Little crowd control
Standing still to cast

Talent build (level 30) 21/0/0

Elemental 21 points

Convection4/5
Concussion5/5
Elemental Alacrity3/3
Call of Flame3/3
Elemental Focus1/1
Eye of the Storm3/3
Earthbound1/1
Lava Burst1/1

21 points in Elemental: Concussion and Call of Flame for damage, Convection and Elemental Focus for mana, Elemental Alacrity for faster casts, Eye of the Storm against pushback, Earthbound, and Lava Burst at 30. Lightning Overload, Elemental Fury and Elemental Mastery come after launch.

Open this build in the talent calculator

Key talents

Lava Burst: New in Forever: a fire nuke, 20% stronger if your Flame Shock is on the target.
Elemental Alacrity: 0.5 sec faster Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning and Lava Burst.
Concussion: +5% damage on Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning and Earth Shock.
Call of Flame: +15% damage on fire totems, Flame Shock, Fire Nova and Lava Burst.
Earthbound: New in Forever: Earthbind Totem roots nearby enemies for 5 sec when you drop it.

New in Forever: Elemental talents

EarthboundYour Earthbind Totem Immobilizes nearby targets for 5 sec when cast.
Lava BurstYou hurl molten lava at the target, dealing 113 to 145 Fire damage. If your Flame Shock is on the target, Lava Burst deals 20% increased damage.
Lightning OverloadGives your Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning spells a 10% chance to cast a second, similar spell on the same target at no additional cost that causes half damage and no threat.

Rotation

Drop your totems before the pull.
Keep Flame Shock on the target.
Lava Burst whenever Flame Shock is up.
Lightning Bolt as your filler.
Earth Shock to interrupt casters.

Several enemies

Chain Lightning once you learn it (some guides say it arrives after level 30).
Fire Nova and Magma Totem for packs around you.
Flame Shock the targets that live long enough.

Cooldowns

Elemental Mastery (after launch): Faster Lightning Bolt and Lava Burst.
Earthbind Totem: Root and slow a pack with Earthbound.
Grounding Totem: Eats a hostile spell.

Stats

Spell power first, then hit, crit and Intellect. Spirit and mana per 5 seconds help your mana.

Best races

Alliance

Dwarf: The only Alliance Shaman. Artisan's Precision: +1% hit, plus Stoneform.

Horde

Orc: Blood Fury: +10% Attack Power and Spell Power for 15 sec.
Skyborne (Windshaper): Wind Blessed: +2% haste on spells and attacks.
Troll: Berserking: +10% casting and attack speed for 10 sec.
Tauren: Endurance: +5% health, and War Stomp for packs.

Professions

Leatherworking for caster and agility leather while leveling, Engineering for trinkets, or Enchanting.

Leveling

Elemental can level fine at 30 thanks to Lava Burst, but it drinks a lot. Many players level as Enhancement and switch to Elemental for groups.