by Byron Mudry on Dec 24, 2005
Shaman Guide Index
Main Page - Shaman Guide Chapter 1 - Shaman Guide - Shaman Basics Chapter 2 - Shaman Guide - Quests Chapter 3 - Shaman Guide - Trainers Chapter 4 - Shaman Guide - Equipment Chapter 5 - Shaman Guide - Spells, Talents, and Talent Builds Chapter 6 - Shaman Guide - Roles -Tactics - U.I. Appendix - Where to AdventureThe shaman can initially wear cloth, leather and shields. Later on, the shaman can learn to use mail armor(level 40). Weapon choices include the staff, one handed mace, and fist weapons. Axes and daggers can be learned at a weapon trainer, and a talent point can be used to learn two handed axes and two handed maces.
Should I use a shield or a two handed weapon?
This depends on your playstyle. A two handed weapon will allow you to deal more melee damage, but you'll have less defense. If you want to maximize your staying power, use a shield.
The following section will give you a detailed overview of what you need to know when it comes to the area of armor selection for your character.
Armor Types - Mail and Mail
Selecting the right armor for your Shaman depends heavily on how you are playing your Shaman. Is he a healer, DPS or caster? What stats do you need most on him at the time? Based on this you have to select the armor that gives those stats. Some people aim for high strength and stamina while others aim for intellect and spirit and still others for intellect and stamina. It's all in how you play the class.
One of the key factors you need to consider is how you are you going to play your class as outlined above.
In general the three types of armor early on that you will be looking for are of the Eagle, Owl and Bear. Listed below are a sample of the 3 different types of armor. Each one has stats that will benifit your Shaman depending on their role.
There are a total of 5 different high-end armor sets specific to the Shaman Class. Each of the 3 sets have there added bonuses. Here are the 4 sets you want to look for:
Out of the 4 high end armor sets, the Elements set is the easiest to obtain. All of these set pieces can be found in Scholomance, Stratholme, Upper Blackrock spire and Lower Blackrock spire. This armor is meant for a healing or casting shaman as most of the bonuses are to spells, Intellect and spirit. Click here to see "The Elements " equipment set, including drop info!
Set Bonuses:
3 pieces: +200 Armor.
4 pieces: Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 23
6 pieces: Chance on spell cast to increase your damage and healing by up to 95 for 10 seconds
8 pieces: +8 All Resistances
Total Stats:
Agility:15
Armor: 2047
Intellect: 110
Spirit: 108
Stamina: 64
Strength: 43
The Five Thunders Armor set - Tier 0.5
This is the next major set a Shaman can get, it is called the The Five Thunders set. The set is obtained by upgrading the Elements set pieces through quests. It is generally refered to as the tier 0.5 set. You can find our complete guide to the quests to get this set here: TenTonHammer's Guide to Tier 0.5 Armor Sets.
Click here to see "The Five Thunders " equipment set, including drop info!Just Compensation
Boots of the Five Thunders Mail 266 +12 Strength +13 Stamina +12 Intellect +10 Spirit Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 12 Restores 4 mana per 5 seconds.Anthion's Parting Words
Bindings of the Five Thunders Mail 167 +9 Intellect +9 Spirit +9 Stamina Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 12An Earnest Proposition
Vest of the Five Thunders Mail 387 +17 Stamina +17 Intellect +16 Spirit +12 Strength Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 14 Improves your chance to get a critical strike with spells by 1% Bodley's Unfortunate Fate Gauntlets of the Five Thunders Mail 223 +14 Intellect +12 Stamina +9 Strength Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 12 Restores 4 mana per 5 seconds.Just Compensation
Kilt of the Five Thunders Mail 339 +16 Spirit +17 Intellect +17 Stamina +10 Strength Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 11Anthion's Parting Words
Coif of the Five Thunders Mail 314 +22 Stamina +12 Spirit +21 Intellect Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 14 Improves your chance to get a critical strike with spells by 1% Bodley's Unfortunate Fate Pauldrons of the Five Thunders Mail 286 +11 Stamina +11 Intellect +10 Spirit +10 Strength Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 12Anthion's Parting Words
Set Bonuses:
2 pieces: +8 All ResistancesTotal Stats bonuses:
Total Armor: 2196
Intellect: +112
Strength: +63
Stamina: +113
Spirit: +73
This armor set is the Shaman Tier 1 Epic armor set. This armor is only for Shamans and is much harder to obtain then the Elements Set as it only drops in Molten Core. The item and set bonuses favor Shamans who spent their time helping the group. The bonuses are aimed at healing, totems and casting. Click here to see "The Earthfury " equipment set, including drop info!
Set Bonuses:
3 set pieces: The radius of your totmes that affect friendly targets is increased by 10 yards.
5 pieces: After casting your Healing Wave or Lesser Healing Wave spell, gives you a 25% chance to gain Mana equal to 35% of the base cost of the spell.
8 pieces: Your Healing Wave will now jump to additional nearby targets. Each jump reduces the effectiveness of the heal by 80%, and the spell will jump to up to two additional targets.
Total Stats:
Armor: 2427
Intellect: 148
Spirit: 112
Stamina: 127
Fire Resistance: 34
Shadow Resistance: 24
This armor set is the Shaman Tier 2 Epic armor set. This armor is only for Shamans and is much harder to obtain then the Tier 1 Epic Set. The pieces for this set drop from Ragnaros, Onyxia and bosses in Blackwing Lair. The item and set bonuses favor Shamans who spent their time healing and casting. Click here to see "The Ten Storms" equipment set, including drop info!
Set Bonuses:
3 set pieces: Increases the amount healed to targets beyond the first by 30%.
5 pieces: Improves your chance to get a critical strike with nature spells by 2%.
8 pieces:
When you cast a Healing Wave with a casting time of at least 2.5 seconds, there is a 25% chance the target also receives a free Lightning Shield that causes 50 Nature damage to attacker on hit.
Total Stats:
Armor: 2773
Intellect: 157
Spirit: 105
Stamina: 134
Fire Resistance: 40
Shadow Resistance: 30
Frost Resistance: 10
Nature Resistance: 10
This armor set is the Shaman Tier 3 Epic armor set. Earthshatter armor is superior to all other equipment sets when it comes to group support, healing, and taking damage.
Click here to see "Earthshatterer" equipment set, including drop info!
Set Bonuses:
2 equipped pieces: Totem cost reduced by 12%. 4 equipped pieces: Increases the mana gained from mana spring totems by 25%.Totemic Powers:
The Earthshatterer set introduces Totemic Powers. A Shaman's Healing Wave and Lesser Healing Wave spells have a chance to imbue your target with temporary Totemic Powers when he or she is wearing this set.
Healers: Increases the friendly target's mana regeneration by 28 per 5 sec. for 8 sec. Mages & Warlocks: Increases the friendly target's spell damage and healing by up to 80 for 8 sec. Warriors: Increases the friendly target's armor by 700 for 8 sec. Rogues & Hunters: Increases the friendly target's attack power by 140 for 8 sec.The Earthshatter "Shopping List"
Item Naxxramas Items Profession Items Loot Token (BoP) Dropped from mob... Wartorn Chain Scrap Nexus Crystal Cured Rugged Hide Arcanite Bar Mooncloth Earthshatter Headpiece Desecrated Headpiece Thaddius - Abomination wing 15 2 - 4 - Earthshatter Spaulders Desecrated Spaulders Patchwerk, Grobbulus - Abomination wing 8 - 5 1 - Earthshatter Tunic Desecrated Tunic The Four Horsemen - Deathknight wing 12 - - 2 2 Earthshatter Wristguards Desecrated Wristguards Anub'Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina - Spider wing 8 3 - 1 - Earthshatter Handguards Desecrated Handguards Maexxna - Spider wing 25 - 3 4 - Earthshatter Legguards Desecrated Legguards Loatheb - Plague wing 20 - 5 3 - Earthshatter Girdle Desecrated Girdle Gluth - Abomination wingContinue to Chapter 5:
Spells, Talents, and Talent Builds
Have comments or suggestions? Thought of something that has been missed? Found an error? We would love to hear from you! Please post in our Shaman Class guide forum, or email me at messiah@tentonhammer.com