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Xaviak

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Shaman's role in a raid?

Anyone here who'd be kind enough to explain me what's it exactly what shamans do in a raid group?
Looking at the tier sets it seems like it's resto and such but still, I want to be sure. :P

10/06/06 16:42

thejeni

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

I really have no idea, but I would those those pesky totems would come in handy in a raid.

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10/07/06 02:55

JBurgess

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

Healing, buffing, and curing poison. At least that is what most raid groups want shamans to do and Blizzard built most of the class gear towards that role. They can push some impressive damage if allowed to do so. However, most players in endgame want anybody with a healing ability to heal and heal only.

10/07/06 07:58

Xaviak

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

How bout the totems? Which ones to use and where to place them? :)

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10/07/06 08:02

Drucila

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

It all depends on the totem you use. You will probably use a healing-type totem (water) and a armor-type totem (earth) they will be thrown wherever you are standing because they buff imp buff I believe 30 yard. Someone correct me on the yardage if im wrong. But as long as you are with the main raid group when you throw em down they are fine anywhere really, no set place.

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Drus

10/07/06 21:21

Xaviak

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

Another question :P

Do shammies get to spend dkp on 2h axes/maces that may drop or are they bound to staves/1hmaces & shields since they're resto specced in the raid.

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10/08/06 06:25

thejeni

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

QUOTE

Another question :P

Do shammies get to spend dkp on 2h axes/maces that may drop or are they bound to staves/1hmaces & shields since they're resto specced in the raid.

Hum... I would think that depends on the guild.

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10/08/06 11:46

Xaviak

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

QUOTE

Another question :P

Do shammies get to spend dkp on 2h axes/maces that may drop or are they bound to staves/1hmaces & shields since they're resto specced in the raid.

Hum... I would think that depends on the guild.

Yeh, I know but I'd like a general opinion because no raiding guild's not gonna take me in if I I don't know a thing before joining. That's why I'm asking around. :)

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

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10/08/06 14:55

thejeni

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

QUOTE

Yeh, I know but I'd like a general opinion because no raiding guild's not gonna take me in if I I don't know a thing before joining. That's why I'm asking around. :)

Ahhh I see. So I take it you have a wonderful Shammy you want to get into a raiding guild?

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10/09/06 11:37

Xaviak

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

QUOTE

Yeh, I know but I'd like a general opinion because no raiding guild's not gonna take me in if I I don't know a thing before joining. That's why I'm asking around. :)

Ahhh I see. So I take it you have a wonderful Shammy you want to get into a raiding guild?

Well not really a wonderful shammy, he's only 20. :P
I'm just having a hard time deciding whether I want to continue with him or do I reroll another character. I have no experience about the 40 man raids but I'm interested in doing them. :P
I don't mind being a healer but from what I've heard, healers in raids are totally focues on healing and have spent their talents in their own restoration/healing tree w/e it is.
But doing so would mean that I'd be no longer be able to pwn people in PvP. :S
So now I'm trying to fugre a some sort of a combo for myself

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10/09/06 15:38

Drucila

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

QUOTE

Another question :P

Do shammies get to spend dkp on 2h axes/maces that may drop or are they bound to staves/1hmaces & shields since they're resto specced in the raid.

ok this is a multipart answer so here it is as simple as possible: The overall answer is more than likely no.

A: If you are a resto shammy you will probably not have the talent points in the two handed maces or swords talent tree and therefore will not be able to use them so No you will not be able to use DKP on that item.

B. If you are a resto shammy you are not bound to staves, 1h maces and sheilds. I know pleanty that use daggers for the stats and 1h swords. It is all in the stats the weapon gives you (ie +healing, +int, +spirit) because you will not be meleeing in raid.

C. If you are specced to use 2h maces you will probably be to get one from DKP after all the warriors have had their shot at it. And any meleeing shammies. You would be at the bottom of the totem pole being a caster based spec player.

D. You will not, or atleast should not be running 40 man raids until you are used to doing 10 and then 20 man raids. You will have atleast level 57+ blue gear before you touch a 40 man if you are in a good guild. Probably a complete dungeon set. You may go beforehand if the guild is desperate, but I wouldnt count on it. In my guild and alliances we do not let people into a 40 man raid until they have completed certain requirements such as experience in 10 mans and 20 mans, min resist gear, min armor, etc. Most raiding guilds work this way.

Hope this helps you get an idea what you would like to do. There seems to be an overpopulation of shammies, I would suggest sticking to resto because too many out there think they are tanks and they arent. At least that is how it is on my server.

Respectfully
Drus

10/09/06 18:44

Thundarpants

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RE: Shaman's role in a raid?

Yup, Dru pretty much nailed down the basics of what a long time raiding guild would be expecting. I got lucky and the guild I was in just started running 40 man Molten core all by themselves. Before they had to split the raid with another guild. So I got my first look at Molten Core way earlier than most.

I really don't recommend this even though I got to do it. Gear is everything as far as raid survival is concerned. I spent most of my first encounters dead and useless to the raid. I went back and hammered the lower leveled instances to gear up and now I'm a productive member.

If you find a burgeoning Guild that is looking for numbers you could get in before you start getting your tier 0 set accumulated, but it's sort of a crap shoot. Most young guilds die out due to poor planning and communication. So you might end up loosing all your accumulated DKP if you have to change guilds. So most prefer to find established guilds to raid with.

The bonus of going to an established guild(As long as they are not game snobs) is that they will take you through the 10 man and 20 man instances and help you get your tier gear, and to train you in the most effective strategies for running in that type of group. That's one thing I love about this game is the extreemly extended learning curve. It keeps me from getting bored. I still have so much to learn about crowd control and I'm getting better every run.

As for the DKP and bidding on 2H stuff. That will also depend upon the guild. Weapons are usually high DKP items as far as bidding is concerned. In our guild, if you can wield it, you can bid on it. I myself am a destuction spec'd Warlock, and I'm not respecing Demonology or heavy Affliction just for raiding as so many of my other Guild Locks have. I wish to retain my ability to PvP.

Many our guildies bid on appropriate weapons, but if we had a melee based Shaman after expansion, if they wanted a good Warrior type 2H Axe, they just have to outbid the Warriors to get it. Some guilds are much more strict on that, and some don't care because they are already an equipped out plow group.

I would recommend talking to the leaders of the guild about your intentions before joining. Get a feel for how they run. Do they tell thier people how to spec, or take all variations? Do they dictate what classes are allowed to bid on what items? Do they expect you to be "All knowing" before you even apply?

Another bonus to joining an established guild is that most of their mains have the weapons you are looking to bid on. So they have already got what you are after, and are starting to loosen the reins on who can bid on what. It also reduces the DKP cost of those items as well.

With Pally's coming to the Horde, I think the reins for Shamans may loosen a bit. And Vice Versa for Alliance.

I'd say the best thing is communicating and getting a feel for the guild you are wanting to join, so they can allow you to do what you want to do once you join.

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10/10/06 08:00

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