curiouser and curiouser...

[whowherewhat?]

Blizz states that resto and elemental will be very unlikely to WANT to spec into dw and that they want us FOR THE MOST PART to use onehanders and shields. With this kind of wording it leads one to believe that they're still going to let us reach DW but perhaps provide a big incentive not to......what could it be? Or could it simply be that they don't allow dual flametongue weapon/earthliving (which would be a boring but predictable change)

[Szyrex]

Possibly

"we want them using a one-handed caster weapon and shield."

Means it will probably be available but not practical.

[Kaga]

it'll likely be the same as it is now, we will be able to still reach it, with a viable spec that hinders our spec a little, but the bonus SP would make up for it BUT there will still likely be no SP weapons equippable in the offhand
AND we'll liekly miss out on our mastery bonus

[Samin]

By making shields better than weapons?

it'll likely be the same as it is now, we will be able to still reach it, with a viable spec that hinders our spec a little, but the bonus SP would make up for it BUT there will still likely be no SP weapons equippable in the offhand
AND we'll liekly miss out on our mastery bonus

The point of dual wield is being able to use one handed weapons in off-hand. You can (imo) always use stuff that goes into off-hand in off-hand. The mastery is very likely too. Full mastery bonus only when using shield.

[RyanS]

I think that fact that they said "We still want you to use a 1hander and a shield FOR THE MOST PART" is because they know some ele shaman use staves, and will continue to do so if they are itemized good for them

[Kaga]

By making shields better than weapons?


The point of dual wield is being able to use one handed weapons in off-hand. You can (imo) always use stuff that goes into off-hand in off-hand. The mastery is very likely too. Full mastery bonus only when using shield.

MOST SP weapons are Main hand only.

[Deleted]

I've read somewhere they want shaman and paladins to use offhands (eg grimoires and such) for PvE and shields for PvP.

[Melonberry]

All they have to do is put at least the same amount of SP as flametongue/earthliving give on a shield and it's not attractive anymore.

[Dethric]

Well. A melee wep with eartliving/ft will probably net you less stats than a shield, easy as that.

[whowherewhat?]

Well. A melee wep with eartliving/ft will probably net you less stats than a shield, easy as that.

Live it doesn't, we'll have to see when cata ships tho :3 that much sp on a shield sounds sexy

[bloodhaven]

Blizzard has mentioned that you get a small mastery bonus from using the right kind of armor for your class, its *possible* that they might implement something similar for your weapon choices? I'm just wildly speculating though.

[Tasttey]

All they have to do is put at least the same amount of SP as flametongue/earthliving give on a shield and it's not attractive anymore.

It would have to be more SP than Flametongue/Earthliving + Spell Power Enchant. Although it may truly come down to the real Int to Spellpower conversion and how much Int they put on shields/OH's as well.

[Melonberry]

It would have to be more SP than Flametongue/Earthliving + Spell Power Enchant. Although it may truly come down to the real Int to Spellpower conversion and how much Int they put on shields/OH's as well.

I'd assume the int shield enchant is staying int, and the sp weapon enchants are changing to int, so they'll actually likely just be equal (To make this problem easier to solve)

So it'll be flametongue int vs int from shield. Another way to solve it is to keep flametongue giving SP while the shield has int. That way you get more mana from using a shield, even if the sp is slightly less.

They could take stam off caster shield and use that for more stats, same with armor.

[evan_s]

I assume that it means they will make what ever changes they need to do to make it an unattractive option. It could be as simple as making Flametongue and Earthliving weapons unique-equip so you can't dual wield weapons with the same buff on both. That alone should pretty much kill the off-hand melee dps + caster enchant plan.

I don't think they want to move it father up the tree because they want new enhancement shaman dual wielding sooner, so it will technically be accessible to other specs at max level but not worth while.