Originally Posted by
gopher65
Shaman is one of the most powerful classes in the game. But it is a little hard to play. If you are having trouble with the play style (I myself for instance have a great deal of trouble with warriors; I simply can't play them effectivly) you might want to switch to spiritist. It is similar to shaman, but you may like it better.
If you stick with shaman, a few things you need to remember:
1. Blight Spells - Debuffs are your friend. This is the mainstay of the Shaman class. You can debuff any mob so badly that it will sit down on the ground and whimper while you take your timecarving it to pieces with a spoon[img]/Web/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]. Use them often and use them well.
2. Nature Spells - You have a huge number of stuns and roots from your nature line. If you are taking on more than 1 mob, root the extras and back away. Stun the mob you are tanking, and kill it. But remember to keep rooting the extras until you are finished with the mob you are killing. You would be amazed at how many people don't use their roots/patch of brambles spells. They are HIGHLY useful, and should be used often (they also have a very short recycle).
3. AoE spells- You have a few nicenature AoE spells, such as Lightening Storm, and Thunder. These spells do not share timers. Therefore, you can cast them in series (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Thunder is one of the more useful spells you have.
4. Play your class - You are not a tank. Do not act like one. Do not move in and take on a mob with your weapon. Debuff it, stun it, then do what you want. But don't attempt to Hack & Slash it Warrior style. This will not work for you.
5. Heals - You have heals that come from your nature skill. Use them well.
6. Training Points - Make sure you use your training points effectively. Focus is a good place for a shaman to use TP. This will dramatically increase your %chance to hit mobs. Since you are a shaman, your main concern is HITTING mobs, not doing massive damage. Therefore, Power is notquite as important to you. I personally would put half my TP into focus, and divide the rest between Evasion, Magic Evasion, Nature, and Health. Since you are customizing your character, your choices will undoubtably be different than mine. But remember, with Blight (mainly debuffs)and Nature (mainly stuns)spells, it is most important simply to hit your target. So choose accordingly.