Elemental Shaman Guide: 5.3 Edition

[Endus]

So I got a new machine, one that can not only run the game pretty well, but one that I can use addons too without it being so laggy that I can't play. That being said, which addons are recommended for relatively new Elemental Shamans? Is there a Shock and Awe equivalent for Elemental?

Not in the sense of a separately built addon with that kind of suite of features. You could try something like my aura package; Endus' Shaman Auras, or one of the other UI addons in the "Shaman links" sticky. If what you're looking for is ability trackers, you'll find something there; I specifically designed mine somewhat with the same concept as ShockandAwe, in that I wanted an information-rich package with a small screen real estate with progress bars (though I obviously went a different way on a lot of details).

Next, are there any simple macros I should the using?

The only ones that really pop to mind are ones to automatically trigger Synapse Springs;

#showtooltip Lightning Bolt
/use 10
/cast Lightning Bolt

For instance. "10" is the glove slot. You can also add in 13/14 for the trinket slots. These aren't necessarily optimal gameplay, since you're just basically using them on CD, but it helps to boost uptime if you keep forgetting them.

Obviously, replace "lightning bolt" with "lava burst" or whatever other spell you like, if you want it on multiple spells.

Most of the rest of things I could suggest would be things like focus Hex macros or mouseover healing macros.

[Dave131]

Right on, pretty simple stuff. I always thought Ele is a relatively easy rotation but my previous machine had so much lag that I would miss LvB and Fulmination procs and end up casting extra LBs in their place. Enha worked just fine though what with its basically not using any casts, all just instant damage buttons.

Anyway, I'll check out the addons you suggested, and thanks.

[Galaen]

Hello,

I was scrolling through the pre-raid bis lists and saw now Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. Can I conclude that the proc doesn't outweigh the pure increase in spellpower and other stats you get from upgrading to a 463+?

[Dave131]

Hello,

I was scrolling through the pre-raid bis lists and saw now Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. Can I conclude that the proc doesn't outweigh the pure increase in spellpower and other stats you get from upgrading to a 463+?

As I understand it, the Proc chance goes down as you level up. So yeah, all the new gear is better now.

[Tragring]

Casting Elemental Blast before and during CL spam - is it dps loss or not? It feels like it is on packs with high hp pool but I would like to be sure before I start to do that on first week of raid.
Also on gearing - enchants section, I don't see gloves enchant listed.

[Designate]

Just a note, conductivity also works with elemental blast, but the tooltip only lets you know this if you have elemental blast as a talent.

[Sephorian]

Well written guide, good stuff!

[Dave131]

So would it be much of a DPS gain to make a Macros like this:

/stopcasting
/Cast Lava Burst

For those Lava Surge procs that happen while I am mid Lightening Bolt cast?

Actually, let me ask this question a different way, a bit more to the point. Is it a DPS gain to stop a LB cast in order to fire off an instant LvB?

[Undefetter]

So would it be much of a DPS gain to make a Macros like this:

/stopcasting
/Cast Lava Burst

For those Lava Surge procs that happen while I am mid Lightening Bolt cast?

Actually, let me ask this question a different way, a bit more to the point. Is it a DPS gain to stop a LB cast in order to fire off an instant LvB?

No. Stopcasting is never a DPS increase.

[Roosky]

I've seen a lot of ele shamans using ele blast, I was sure that primal elementalist was better?

[UcanDoSht]

How viable is Headmaster's Will compared to one-hand + offhand 463 ilvl?

[Ituhippi]

I've seen a lot of ele shamans using ele blast, I was sure that primal elementalist was better?

Been wondering about this too, but then again, I play an orc.

---------- Post added 2012-10-04 at 01:59 PM ----------

How viable is Headmaster's Will compared to one-hand + offhand 463 ilvl?

Check 1H + OH and compare the stats? Not a hard job.

[Dave131]

I was planning on going Prime Elementalist just for the sake of keeping my simple rotation.

Is Elemental Blast really pulling ahead though?

[binkenstein]

I've seen a lot of ele shamans using ele blast, I was sure that primal elementalist was better?

I was planning on going Prime Elementalist just for the sake of keeping my simple rotation.

Is Elemental Blast really pulling ahead though?

To quote the guide:

For Elemental Unleashed Fury is right out. It's damage contribution is lower than the other two talents, and it complicates the stationary rotation while removing options for the mobile rotation. Of the remaining two, Elemental Blast is ahead of Primal Elementalist by 2-3% in an ideal test, however it does complicate the rotation a bit whereas Primal Elementalist is easier to use and works better on encounters with burn phases.

In short, it will come down to personal preference between Elemental Blast & Primal Elementalist.

[Dave131]

Eh heh, yeahhhh. I guess I did JUST read that.

To be fair, he asked first and confused my lil brain :-P

[themaster24]

So, has the brewfest trinket been considered when determining the BiS pre-raid gear?

[binkenstein]

So, has the brewfest trinket been considered when determining the BiS pre-raid gear?

No, although the current release of SimCraft doesn't handle the proc (it does in the SVN, so when a new build is run I'll be able to publish the trinket lists I'm working on)

[Hartlin]

Any thoughts on Light of the Cosmos?

http://www.wowhead.com/item=86133

[Faeglendir]

So, has the brewfest trinket been considered when determining the BiS pre-raid gear?

I personally don't like brewfest trinket due to its low-ish proc chance and short buff duration. Will replace it right when darkmoon is out.

The other trinket I use is Zen Alchemist Stone, which is pretty overpowered for ilvl 450 trinket. Internal cooldown 55s and high proc chance make easy 25%+ uptime (or 1000+ intellect).

[binkenstein]

Any thoughts on Light of the Cosmos?

http://www.wowhead.com/item=86133

Please define "thoughts", or see the previous post to yours where I mention that proper trinket lists are not possible yet.