Elemental Shaman in WoW Midnight: Playstyle, Lore & Who It Suits

How It Feels

Elemental is the Shaman who unleashes the forces of nature. Lightning jumps from enemy to enemy, lava crashes down in critical strikes, and the earth breaks open beneath your foes. You fight from range and call on powers far older than you.

It feels powerful and easy to understand. Your key spells each have a clear job, and when a Lava Burst crits, it really lands.

How Elemental Works

The Elemental Shaman uses Maelstrom:

Flame Shock: burns the target over time and makes Lava Burst always crit.
Lava Burst: your strongest spell against targets with Flame Shock.
Build Maelstrom: Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning generate Maelstrom.
Spend Maelstrom: Earth Shock against one target, Earthquake against groups.
Big moments: Stormkeeper makes your next lightning spells instant and much stronger, the Fire Elemental fights at your side for a while.

Key Abilities

Flame Shock: burns the target over time and sets up guaranteed critical Lava Bursts.
Lava Burst: molten lava that always crits against targets with Flame Shock.
Lightning Bolt: your basic spell, a bolt of lightning.
Chain Lightning: lightning that jumps to more enemies.
Earth Shock: an instant shock that spends Maelstrom.
Earthquake: makes the earth tremble beneath groups of enemies.
Stormkeeper: your next lightning spells are instant and deal much more damage.

Lore: The Earthen Ring

Shamans speak with the elements: earth, fire, water and air. Their most famous representative is Thrall, who refounded the Horde and later tried to heal Azeroth after the Cataclysm with the Earthen Ring. Elemental is the side of the Shaman that wields these powers directly as a weapon.

In Legion, Elemental Shamans carried The Fist of Ra-den, the weapon of a titan keeper who commanded lightning and storm. Shamans exist among Orcs, Tauren, Trolls, Dwarves, Draenei and many other races, each culture with its own view of the elements.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

a clear, easy-to-understand loop,
strong against groups thanks to Chain Lightning and Earthquake,
mail armor and heals for emergencies,
satisfying, guaranteed critical Lava Bursts.

Weaknesses

many spells require standing still,
less mobile than a Hunter or Devourer,
you have to keep Flame Shock up constantly.

Who Is the Elemental Shaman For?

A good fit if you …

love lightning, lava and the forces of nature,
want an understandable ranged spec,
enjoy the fantasy of the Shaman and the elements.

Probably not if you …

want to be on the move a lot, in which case the Beast Mastery Hunter fits,
prefer melee, in which case Enhancement is the pick.

Elemental, Enhancement or Restoration?

Enhancement is the dual-wielding melee, Restoration the healer with totems. Elemental is the choice for everyone who wants to unleash the elements from range.

More about the class on the Shaman in WoW Midnight page. Compared with the Druid: Shaman vs Druid.

Frequently asked questions

Is Elemental Shaman good for beginners?

Yes, it is easy to understand. Flame Shock on the target, fire Lava Burst, build and spend Maelstrom with lightning: the loop is clear. Some spells require standing still, which is the biggest adjustment.

Why does Lava Burst always crit?

Lava Burst is a guaranteed critical strike if the target is affected by your Flame Shock. That is why you always keep Flame Shock up. It is one of the Shaman's most satisfying moments.

Is Elemental Shaman good solo?

Yes, with some care. It deals good damage and hits whole groups with Chain Lightning and Earthquake. It wears mail and has heals for emergencies, but many spells require standing still.

Elemental or Enhancement: what is the difference?

Elemental fights from range with lightning and lava. Enhancement dual-wields in melee and empowers its weapons with elemental magic. Elemental is easier to learn, Enhancement more complex and faster.