Hello all,
I see that the sky is falling, so I'm replying with my own suggestion for Omanley's thread. Why make it a separate thread? Because this is about big changes not little fixes.
Let's face it, Searing Totem mechanic is clunky, and I can't really imagine how Blizzard could tie such an important mechanic to an unreliable totem.
Let's start with fixing that.
The fix is a new spell, called Flame Shield. It's a new shield spell, that would replace Lightning Shield (for Enhancement).
It acts the same way as Searing Totem, and with that said I would remove the totem completely.
Now this shield would attack the target you are targeting in combat(every second). It does not have charges, but has a 30 second duration.
This spell, would also make YOU a walking fire totem, meaning if you have Flame Shield on, you can cast Fire Nova from yourself.
To help in PVP I would add in place of Searing Totem a new fire totem named Sentry Totem (guess what this does). No it's not the old Sentry, it's one that has the effect of the Hunters Flare spell. It breaks stealth in it's radius.
Ok, let's see the talent changes:
1. I'd add Flame shield to Improved Shields (duh).
2. Static Shock switches place with Searing Flames. Searing Flames now effects Flame Shield bolts.
3. Static Shock reworked, now called Overload (2 point): Your Stormstrike and Shock spells have a 15/30% chance to reset the CD of your Lava Lash.
3.5. Overload: Your Searing Flames tics have a 10/20% chance to reset the CD of Lava Lash.
(we needed more attacks, let's put some chance on that)
4. Improved Fire Nova: Increases Damage by 10/20%, and has a 50/100% chance to stun for 2 seconds.
(Now we have a stun every 10 seconds...for a hefty amount of mana).
5. Improved Lava Lash nerfed: Increases Lava Lash damage by 10/20% for Searing Flame stacks only. (See why nerf later)
6. I was also thinking of giving Shamanistic Rage stun removal, but that would be too much I think (still discuss the possibilty).
7. Feral Spirit on a 1 min cooldown, but lasts only 10 seconds. (not needed, would make us more versatile)
Finally,
I would Change Dual Wield (the primary talent), to increase offhand weapon damage by 30%(or 50%). (This is why i removed it from Improved Lava Lash).
Please tell me your opinions!
TL|DR:
Did not add optional changes.
Removed Spells:
Searing Totem.
New Spells:
Flame Shield: Attacks your target every second with fire damage, and you are considered as a fire totem (don't know how else to phrase it).
Sentry Totem: Removes stealth in it's radius.
Talent Changes:
Improved Shields: Added Flame Shield.
Searing Flames: now affects Flame Shield bolts.
Overload (in place of Static Shock): Your Storm Strike and Shock spells have a 15/30% to reset the CD of Lava Lash.
Improved Lava Lash: Removed static damage increase, only Searing Flames effect stays.
Primary Talent Change:
Dual Wield: Also increases offhand weapon damage by 30%.
I did not add the obvious bugs the class has, it's a must that they fix them.