Elemental Shaman 10.2.6 Guide

elemental shaman guide

Introduction

This guide presents an in-depth view of the Shaman's Elemental Specialization in WoW Dragonflight patch 10.2.6! You will learn everything about the spec, such as how to level, gear, prepare, and then min-max your Elemental Shaman for the most challenging PvE content in World of Warcraft, Season 3.

First, we'll check out the specialization's particularities and see why the Elemental Shaman is one of the best specs in Dragonflight's latest season. Then, you'll learn how to gear your shaman, what stats to prioritize, and the best leveling spec, talents, and rotation to get you to max level in no time.

Finally, we'll discuss min-maxing your character for the end-game content and teach you what gear to use for Mythic Raiding and Mythic Plus dungeons. By the end of the guide, you will become a master of the Elemental specialization! Sounds good, right? Let's get started!

Table of Contents

  • Elemental Shamans: Strengths and Weaknesses
  • How to gear your Elemental Shaman
  • How to level an Elemental Shaman. Leveling tips
  • Best Elemental Shaman talents for end-game content
  • Elemental Shaman in Dragonflight - FAQ

Elemental Shamans in Dragonflight: Strengths and Weaknesses

In World of Warcraft, the Shaman class has three specializations: Elemental, Enhancement, and Restoration. The Elemental Shamans cover the DPS role and use Maelstrom as their spending resource.

The Elemental Shaman represents one of the best DPS classes for Mythic Dungeons and Mythic Raiding in Dragonflight Season 3. They use a simple rotation and provide great sustained, single-target damage, even while moving.

In terms of weapons, the Elemental Shaman uses a wide selection of weapons such as maces, axes, daggers, fist weapons, staves, and shields. As for raid gear, the shaman shares the Protector Tier Token with Warriors, Hunters, and Monks for legacy content. In the Dragonflight's latest expansion raid, they share the Venerated Tier Token with Paladins and Priests.

In the table below, we present the Elemental spec's strengths and weaknesses:

Advantages Disadvantages
+ Excellent damage in every situation whether it is single-target or AoE - No major defensive cooldowns that allow soaking raid mechanics
+ A lot of utility options via talents - No raid standing out from others in the same role
+Strong sustained damage even while moving - Bad scaling past 6 targets

How to gear the Elemental Shaman

In World of Warcraft, gearing is one of the most important aspects that enhances your character's overall performance by providing massive amounts of stats, armor, procs, and set bonuses. This guide will teach you how to properly gear up for the most challenging content in WoW Dragonflight, Mythic Raiding, and Mythic+ Dungeons.

We'll start with the basics and cover the Elemental Shaman's stats priority, check out the tier set bonuses, and finally, the best in slot gear you can get from mythic raids and dungeons.

Elemental Shaman stat priority

Regardless of the class and spec you roll into in World of Warcraft, the stats are a key component when gearing up and min-maxing your character for the end-game content. Elemental Shamans wear Mail gear with Intellect as the main stat.

As a DPS shaman, the Intellect stat increases the power of your spells and abilities, in other words - the damage you are dealing to the enemies. Also, please note that a higher and adequate item level will better impact your character's performance than a perfect stat distribution, so always keep an eye on the gear's item level!

The Elemental Shaman single-target stats priority looks like this:

  • 1. Intellect
  • 2. Mastery
  • 3. Haste
  • 4. Versatility
  • 5. Critical Strike

So, as an Elemental Shaman, you will primarily value item level for Intellect as the primary stat, then Mastery, followed by Haste, Versatility, and Critical Strike as secondary stats.

In other words: Intellect > Mastery > Haste > Versatility > Critical Strike.

The Elemental Shaman multi-target stats priority looks like this:

  • 1. Intellect
  • 2. Critical Strike = Haste
  • 3. Versatility = Mastery

So as an Elemental Shaman, you will primarily value item level for Intellect as the primary stat, then Haste, followed by Critical Strike, Versatility, and Mastery as secondary stats.

In other words: Intellect > Mastery > Haste > Critical Strike = Versatility;.

Intellect: Increases your spell power and, therefore, all the damage you are dealing to your enemies

Critical Strike: Increases the chance for extra effectiveness on your attacks and heals

Haste: Increases your attack speed and your spell casting speed

Mastery: Increases the effectiveness of Mastery: Elemental Overload

Versatility: Increases healing and damage dealt and reduces damage taken

Elemental Shaman Tier Set Bonus

To start with, what is a tier set in World of Warcraft?

In WoW, a tier set is a unique class armor set with powerful 2-set and 4-set specific bonuses for each specialization of that particular class. Tier set bonuses change based on the character's active talent specialization, ensuring that the bonus is appropriate and useful to that spec.

So to recap, tier sets are unique pieces of armor that, when equipped simultaneously, provide you with a bonus, different for each spec of the chosen class. This bonus is based on the number of pieces from the set you have equipped, with most tier sets providing bonuses when equipping 2 or 4 pieces.

How to get the Elemental Shaman Tier Set in Dragonflight Patch 10.2.6

There are three ways you can get tier set items in WoW in the Dragonflight expansion:

  • Raids: You can get tier set items found as class tokens from specific bosses in the Dragonflight raids.
  • Revival Catalyst: You can craft Tier armor from non-set pieces of the same item level using the Revival Catalyst crafting system.
  • Great Vault: You can obtain tier set items from all activities that typically reward Great Vault, such as raiding, Mythic+ dungeons, and PvP.

The fastest way to obtain tier set items is to take advantage of these three sources that can reward you with the Elemental Shaman Tier Set items. The best advice is to complete the raid weekly - this is probably the fastest way to get your hands on the desired tier armor. In case you don't have a team to raid with, complete some Mythic+ Dungeons or some PvP matches.

Mythic dungeons and PvP are highly beneficial because even if you can't drop the set items while participating in these activities, you increase the chances of getting your set items at the Great Vault or the Revival Catalyst console in Thaldraszus. At the revival catalyst console, you can convert the non-set pieces obtained in dungeons or PvP into tier set items.

Let's have a closer look at the Great Vault feature:

great vault

And this is what the Revival Catalyst looks like:

revival catalyst

Back to our Elemental Shaman Tier Set. Now that you learned how to obtain the tier set, let's see some set bonuses and particularities, shall we?

The Shaman Tier set is called Vision of the Greatwolf Outcast. The Elemental spec, comes with the following bonuses for two pieces and four pieces equipped:

In the table below, we present you the sources for Elemental Shaman Tier Set items:

Slot Tier Piece Source
Helm Greatwolf Outcast's Jaws Tindral Sageswift
Shoulders Greatwolf Outcast's Companions Smolderon
Chest Greatwolf Outcast's Harness Nymue, Weaver of the Cycle
Gloves Greatwolf Outcast's Grips Igira the Cruel
Legs Greatwolf Outcast's Fur-Lined Kilt Larodar, Keeper of the Flame

The remaining tier set items (Cloak, Wrists, Waist, and Boots) can be obtained by using the Revival Catalyst in Thaldraszus.

As previously stated, you unlock the tier set bonuses for your shaman when you equip any two or four pieces of the Elements of Infused Earth set. For itemization and build optimization, your four pieces of tier set as an Elemental Shaman will be the Head, Shoulders, Chest, and Gloves.

Raid Best in Slot (BiS) Gear for Elemental Shamans

In the table below, you can find the best item to use in each slot from the raids as an Elemental Shaman:

Slot Item Name Encounter
Helm Greatwolf Outcast's Jaws Tindral Sageswift
Neck Eye of the Rising Flame Tindral Sageswift
Shoulders Greatwolf Outcast's Companions Igira the Cruel
Cloak Mantle of Blazing Sacrifice Smolderon
Chest Greatwolf Outcast's Harness Gnarlroot
Wrists Adaptive Dracothyst Armguards Crafted by Tailoring
Gloves Greatwolf Outcast's Grips Igira the Cruel
Waist Jeweled Sash of the Viper Volcoross
Legs Greatwolf Outcast's Fur-Lined Kilt Tindral Sageswift
Boots Boots of the Molten Hoard Fyrakk, the Blazing
Ring #1 Band of Burning Thorns Larodar, Keeper of the Flame
Ring #2 Signet of the Last Elder Igira the Cruel
Trinket #1 Belor'relos, the Suncaller Tindral Sageswift
Trinket #2 Pip's Emerald Friendship Badge Council of Dreams
Weapon Vakash, the Shadowed Inferno Fyrakk, the Blazing
Shield Verdant Matrix Beacon Nymue, Weaver of the Cycle

Mythic+ Best in Slot (BiS) Gear for Elemental Shamans

In the table below, you can find the best item to use in each slot from the Mythic+ Dungeons as an Elemental Shaman:

Slot Item Name Location
Helm Morningscale Cowl The Everbloom
Neck Raven Filigree Pendant Black Rook Hold
Shoulders Shadow Archer's Spaulders Black Rook Hold
Cloak Shadowfeather Shawl Black Rook Hold
Chest Temple Acolyte's Uniform Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise
Wrists Slaughterhouse-Chain Bracers Waycrest Manor
Gloves Gloves of Wretched Lesions Darkheart Thicket
Waist Reality-Warping Waistband Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise
Legs Rockhide Leggings The Everbloom
Boots Grunt's Eternal Treads Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise
Ring #1 Arch-Druid's Tainted Seal The Azure Vault
Ring #2 Ring of Contempt Black Rook Hold
Trinket #1 Balefire Branch Waycrest Manor
Trinket #2 Sea Star Throne of the Tides
Main-Hand Morchie's Distorted Spellblade Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond's Rise
Off-Hand Disc of Indomitable Will Atal'Dazar

Best in Slot (BiS) Trinkets for Elemental Shamans

The best Elemental Shaman trinkets for end-game content are:

Tier Item Name Location
S Balefire Branch Waycrest Manor
S* Sea Star Throne of the Tides
S- Belor'relos, the Suncaller Tindral Sageswift - Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope
S- Pip's Emerald Friendship Badge Urctos - Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope
A Vessel of Skittering Shadows Atal'Dazar
A- Coagulated Genesaur Blood The Everbloom
B Caged Horror Black Rook Hold
B Corrupted Starlight Darkheart Thicket
B Lady Waycrest's Music Box Waycrest Manor
C Augury of the Primal Flame Fyrakk - Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope
C Nymue's Unraveling Spindle Nymue - Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope
C Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows Dawn of the Infinite
C Oakheart's Gnarled Root Darkheart Thicket
D Time-Thief's Gambit Dawn of the Infinite
D Ashes of the Embersoul Smolderon - Amirdrassil, the Dream's Hope

This wraps up everything you should know about gearing your Elemental Sham: the stats priority, how to obtain the tier set, and what items to use in the end-game activities. Moving on to the next section of our guide, we'll teach you how to level your Elemental Shaman in Dragonflight patch 10.2.6. Sounds good, right? Let's dive in!

How to level your Elemental Shaman. Leveling tips

Before leveling your shaman, you must first create and customize the character. That brings us to the first question: what race should you go for when creating the character? Let's find out, shall we?

Best Elemental Shaman Races

When it comes to races, with so many options to choose from, you are probably wondering what would be the best race for your Elemental Shaman. In World of Warcraft, each race has different racial abilities and spells, but no races offer an immediate advantage compared to others regarding the Elemental spec. I highly recommend choosing the race you like the most, aesthetically speaking.

However, in the table below, you can see the top 10 best races for Elemental Shamans based on performance gain:

Race Performance Gain
Dwarf +1.86%
Tauren +1.77%
Goblin +1.38%
Orc +1.31%
Highmountain Tauren +1.24%
Draenei +1.18%
Pandaren +1.13%
Kul Tiran +1.13%
Dark Iron Dwarf +0.92%
Troll +0.88%

Now, if you want to get an idea of what race players generally choose for their Elemental Shamans:

  • For Alliance: Draenei, Dwarf, Dark Iron Dwarf, and Pandaren.
  • For Horde: Orc, Troll, Tauren, and Goblin.

Best Elemental Shaman Leveling Talents in Dragonflight 10.2.6

The best talents to use while leveling to level 60 as an Elemental Shaman are:

leveling shaman ele

Elemental Shaman Leveling Rotations in Dragonflight 10.2.6

Let's check out how you should prioritize your abilities. Here is the single target rotation for an Elemental Shaman:

  • Elemental Shamans in Dragonflight command the power of the elements to unleash a storm of destruction on single targets while leveling. They fight alongside powerful allies like the Fire Elemental or Storm Elemental whenever available.
  • To keep the lightning flowing, elemental shamans activate Ice Fury on cooldown to buff their next two shocks. They strategically use Primordial Wave on cooldown, even if Flame Shock is already active, to spread the elemental storm.
  • Unleashing Stormkeeper whenever it's ready, channels the storm's fury and deals with a devastating wave of damage.
  • Liquid Magma Totem becomes a fiery trap, damaging enemies who stand on it.
  • Damage priorities are clear: prioritize Lightning Bolt when the Surge of Power buff is active for a damage boost.
  • Whenever there are enough Maelstorm stacks, elemental shamans unleash Earth Shock.
  • Elemental shamans maintain consistent damage over time by keeping Flame Shock active on the target, so use it wisely.
  • Make sure you will use your go-to spell Lava Burst for a powerful hit whenever available.
  • If the Icefury buff is active and the target lacks the Electrified Shocks buff, they use Frost Shock to trigger the buff and deal extra damage.
  • As a filler spell, playing an Elemental Shaman, you must contribute with Lightning Bolt.

Let's check out how you should prioritize your abilities. Here is the multi-target rotation for an Elemental Shaman:

  • Elemental Shamans in Dragonflight become masters of elemental havoc while leveling against large groups of enemies. They fight alongside powerful allies like the Fire Elemental or Storm Elemental whenever available.
  • To unleash the storm's fury, elemental shamans use Stormkeeper on cooldown during big pulls for a devastating wave of AoE damage.
  • If at least 5 enemies are standing on it Flame Shock, shamans cast Flame Shock afterward, remembering to reset its cooldown with Totemic Recall if needed.
  • Spreading the storm is key – they use Primordial Wave on cooldown, preferably on an enemy without Flame Shock, to deal damage and potentially gain Maelstorm.
  • Elemental Shamans' damage priorities are clear: the usage of Lava Burst when Primordial Wave is active or when they have the Lava Surge buff and need to focus on a single target.
  • If focusing on applying the Electrified Shocks buff, they activate Icefury on cooldown to buff their next two shocks.
  • To manage Maelstorm, they use Earthquake before reaching the maximum stacks to avoid capping out.
  • Frost Shock becomes a tool for extra damage when the Icefury buff is active, and the target lacks the Electrified Shocks buff.
  • Finally, they unleash Chain Lightning to electrocute multiple enemies but always remember to use up all Stormkeeper charges before they expire to maximize their effect.

In the next section of our Elemental Shaman Guide, we'll present the best talents to use for PvE end-game content, such as raiding and Mythic+ dungeons. In the end game, it's crucial to use the right talents and prioritize the skills you use depending on the activity. Choosing the best talents will significantly impact your performance as a DPS!

Best Elemental Shaman End-game Talents

From the PvE perspective, there are two main end-game activities we'll take into consideration: Mythic raiding and Mythic+ Dungeons. We'll treat them separately to keep things clear and avoid confusion.

Best Talents for Mythic Raiding in Season 3 (patch 10.2.6)

In the picture below, you can see the best talents for mythic raiding as an Elemental Shaman:

Lightning Raiding Build

lightning raid

Fire Raiding Build

fire raiding

Single-Target Raiding Build

raid single-target

Best Talents for Mythic+ Dungeons in Season 3 (patch 10.2.6)

As an Elemental Shaman, these are the talents you must use to maximize your damage in M+ Dungeons:

Lightning Raiding Build

Fire Raiding Build

fire mythic

Elemental Shaman in Dragonflight - FAQ

1. Are Elemental Shamans good in Dragonflight 10.2.6?

Yes, Elemental Shaman represents one of the strongest specs in WoW Dragonflight for both PvE and PvP end-game activities.

2. Is Elemental Shaman easy to play?

Yes. The Elemental specialization qualifies as one of the most accessible specs in WoW Dragonflight.

3. What is the stats priority for Elemental Shamans?

The stats priority for Shaman's Elemental single-target specialization is: Intellect > Mastery > Haste > Versatility > Critical Strike and for multi-target is: Intellect > Haste > Critical Strike > Versatility > Mastery

4. Which shaman spec is best for leveling in patch 10.2.6?

The Elemental Specialization is the best spec for shaman leveling.

5. What is the best race for Elemental Shamans in Dragonflight?

  • Alliance's best Elemental Shaman races are Draenei, Dwarf, Dark Iron Dwarf, and Pandaren.
  • For Horde, the best Elemental Shaman races are Tauren, Goblin, and Orc.

Final thoughts

This wraps up everything you should know regarding the Shaman's Elemental specialization in World of Warcraft Dragonflight for Season 3, patch 10.2.6. By reading this guide, you should now better understand the Elemental Shaman's spec and particularities and how they perform in certain circumstances and different end-game activities. It's one of the game's strongest specs in Dragonflight, so I encourage you to try it!

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