Shaman talent options - Kaiser?

[rjah]

Hey Kaiser, I know you (used) to play shaman, and while you didn't do an elemental build like I did, I was hoping you (or others) could offer some feedback on this.


So this is my dilemma:

Improved Chain Lighting : 2/2 +10% dmg on all chain lightning spells (49-55dmg / 98-110 on a crit)

Tidal Mastery: 2/2 2% crit on all healing AND nature spells (22 dmg on chain lightning *i think* over time) but it also gives the increase chance to lightning bolt, as well as earthshock (19dmg lightning bolt) (22dmg on earthshock)

The dmg increases I posted above was based on the bonus dmg from a crit broken down and placed into every hit.

base dmg x 2 x 0.02%crit = dmg listed

So which do you honestly think is better? I mean the pure dmg added to chain lightning is nice, on the other hand you have an increased crit chance of 2% on three spells.... I already have 2 (possibly 3) points into Tidal Mastery, so it would give me an overall crit % of 11% on all lightning, and 5% on earthshocks (before int bonus).

Any shamans have any thoughts on this? Should I just invest in chain lightning (a personal favorite for group fights & PvP) or should I be more diverse and put the points into Tidal Mastery?

[CuriousJorge]

I think the tidal mastery is better. The extra crits for lightning shock helps a lot when fighting a caster class (strictly PvP, I haven't found much use for chain lighting PvE), not to mention the healing.

But on a different level, I think crits are MUCH more helpful than the little extra damge on each spell, even if in the long run, there is a better damage output (especially true if you go elemental). This game is all about DPS because the ability to heal far outweighs the ability to deal damage, both in mana and in time. So when you do get the crits, you catch the enemy offgaurd and can capitalize on the situation to try to end the fight.

I struggled with Elemental Mastery or Nature's Swiftness for a long time because of that concept, but in the end... defense over offense (however i still thank Elemental is better 1v1).

[IN-QQQQ]

Wrong Forum.

[rjah]

Yeah I am thinking of dropping Combat Endurance as well. This would give me a 5/5 on Tidal Mastery. I had actually totally forgotten about the crit % on healing spells it added, and never put that in. I think overall I will have to go with Tidal Mastery, just for the diversity it offers.

Glad you made a conscious decision about defense or offense on your shaman. I personally am an offense shaman, and I am elemental spec to support that. I have 0 enchancement talents, as it doesn't fit with my build. I think this was the final tweak I needed on my build, so once again thanks for the feedback.

If any other shamans are curious about build tweaks why not post them in this thread? I have tested way too many shamans builds for it to be healthy, and while I am elemental spec I have seen the merit in the other 2 lines (as have many other shamans that might respond).

Please don't post your entire build (as in all talent points) just a general idea of what you want to do, and which talents you are not sure about.

[CuriousJorge]

Heh, someone should move the post...

Anyway, Combat Endurance is basically worthless, you get 3hp per tick in combat or something rediculous like that.

I also think enhancement doesn't measure up to the other 2 lines. The only talent worth getting there is improved ghost wolf. I like the mobility.

I go up to NS in restoration, and up to clearcasting with the 15 points into shock talents in elemental. That leaves 7 points left that I am still debating what to do with. There are a few option: the 100% crit dmg, the extra lightning shield damage and the extra points in the defense talent, the crit talent for melee, or a mismatch of things.

[kaiser]

diversity > damage
i meant to reply but this was in the wrong forum so i couldnt find it =)

[rjah]

Whoa there is a classes board now!!!


Uhm, yeah, I am so not observant as of late. Oh well, I shall continue this thread in the appropriate forum then, thanks guys.