Shamans now have the ability to heal very well in groups if they spec through the restoration tree. There are very few advantages to leveling through the restoration tree and because we are focusing on leveling, I will exclude them from this guide. Between the two trees left, Elemental and Enhancement, there is really no bonus in leveling to either; it depends on how you like to play your shaman. If you like to melee then choose Enhancement, if you like to cast then use Elemental. I prefer to melee with my shaman so I like to use Enhancement.

Elemental (totem master) Shaman

10-14: Concussion 5/5
15-17: Call of Flame 3/3
18-19: Earth’s Grasp 2/2
20-24: Call of Thunder 5/5
25-26: Improved Fire Totem 2/2
27-29: Elemental Devastation 3/3
30: Elemental Fury 1/1

You will know which totems to focus on and what talents based off how leveling has been for you with your shaman thus far. Totem of Wraith is well worth getting if you make it that far into the tree. I’ve seen shamans win battles in PvP with nothing bust just totems. I’ve seen them take down mobs AoE with them like they were a mage. Totem Shamans are unstoppable but extremely weak if they don’t have their totems up. So be careful when you’re traveling and be ready to set totems as fast as possible.

Enhancement Shaman

I enjoy playing melee classes the most. I am not a big fan of casters because I don’t like it when I run out of mana. I oftentimes feel that if I am full health then I should be able to continue fighting, which isn’t the case for some casters. So you think nothing of Enhancement shamans and regard them as useless when acting as a DPS Class. Well, I have news for you! My enhancement shaman tops the damage meters in almost every group I’ve been in. I commonly out DPS rogues, hunters, and pretty much everyone else. Lately no class has been able to out damage me in a group and I group a lot.. I have a Damage Meter add-on I continuously watch and believe me when I say melee shamans can be a really sufficient source of DPS, a tank, or a backup healer when needed. The most important thing in groups is their ability to use an ankh, which resurrects them back after dying at a time when they choose. They can help recover wipes by ankhing and resurrecting your group. You really want to focus on windfury and dual wield weapons as quick as possible with your shaman.

10-14: Ancestral Knowledge 5/5
15-19: Thundering Strikes 5/5
20-21: Enhancing Totems 2/2
22-24: Improved Lightning Shield 3/3
25-29: Flurry 5/5
30-31: Improved Weapon Totems 2/2

From here keep increasing things that help you hit harder, faster, and crit more. Work toward Dual Wield. If you want to use a 2hander before you go dual wield instead of a 1 hand weapon and shield then get the 2 handed weapon specialization earlier instead of an improved lightning shield rank. Absolutely make sure you get Shamanistic Rage. Your shaman will have no problems at all owning the DPS meters with this setup.

Shaman Summary

The shaman is a unique and fun class to play. You can go from healer, to DPS, to Totem AoE master just by redoing your talents. Focus on getting Strength/Agility gear in enhancement and I think that is where you will have the most fun. I enjoyed every level of my shaman because I didn’t waste talent points and I hope this guide helps you decide what to choose.