Elemental Comparison to all other Casters Discussion

[hungrytiger]

So after hearing Ion say that Ele probably wouldn't get fixes/changes, I feel it needs mechanically, until 8.1 I figured I would create a side by side list of comparisons between every other caster currently on Beta. I made this list based on fresh level 110 created characters on the Beta.

I tried to include absolutely everything that could be used in a PvE scenario regardless of how much it actually gets used. I did NOT account for talents, except for Shimmer, which I feel would have hurt Elemental even more in these comparisons.

Classes like Frost mage are particularly tough to look at as an elemental shaman because it feels like they eclipse us in almost every way. For example:
- Frost Mage get Ice lance and Brain Freeze Procs, whereas Ele have the potential for only Lava Surge Procs
- Their Spellsteal is just a better version of Purge
- Their small defensive is proactive(ice barrier) whereas ours is reactive(healing surge)
- They have a blink that they can almost always use while casting and is off the GCD, meanwhile gust of wind was removed entirely and we are now stuck with ghost wolf only which halts our casting completely
- Their large defensive(which they can reset) makes them immune rather than rewarding them for dying (reincarn) and resets on boss pulls.
- They provide a 10% intellect buff to their party/raid
- They provide Heroism for the party/raid
- They can provide food/water for the party/raid
- They can create portals for everyone whereas shaman just get an extra hearth
- They have polymorph which doesn't have a CD, but Hex does have a CD
- Essentially everyone of their rotational abilities slows, whereas shaman have to waste a GCD to provide that kind of crowd control
- They also have the ability to remove curses
- They can turn invisible to aid with certain M+ strats


Elemental Shaman:
Mobility:
Ghost Wolf – Increases move speed by 30%, can’t be reduced below 100% move speed. No CD
Lava Surge – Flame Shock has a 15% chance to make lava burst instant cast. Passive
Earth Shock/Earthquake – ST/AoE Damage. 60/75 maelstrom
Flame Shock – Damage and applies 18-second DoT. 6second CD
Fire Elemental – Damage and generates maelstrom for 30 seconds. 2.5min CD
Frost Shock – Damage and slow. No Cost
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Healing Surge – Heals roughly 1/8th of health castable 4 times before oom. 1.2second cast
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Astral Shift - 40% dmg reduction for 8 seconds. 1.5min CD
Reincarnation – Resurrect with 20% health and mana. 30min CD Does NOT reset on boss pull
Harden Skin – Earth Elemental reduces all damage taken by 40% for 10 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Capacitor Totem – 3-second stun after 2-second delay. 1min CD
Heroism – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Cleanse Spirit – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Tremor Totem – 10 second removal of fear, charm, and sleep effects within 30 yards. 1min CD
Purge – Remove a beneficial magic effect from the target. 800 mana cost
Interrupt/CC:
Wind Shear- 3-second silence. 12second CD
Hex – Only works on humanoids and beasts for 1 minute. 30second CD
Earthbind Totem – “Slows movement speed of enemies within 10 yards.” 30second CD
Earthquake – Sometimes knocks down enemies within 8 yards of cast. 75 maelstrom
Thunderstorm – Damage and 10 yard AoE knockback that reduces movement speed by 40% for 5 seconds. 45second CD
Frost Shock – Damage and slows target by 50% for 6 seconds. No Cost

Frost Mage:
Mobility:
Shimmer – Teleports the mage 20 yards forward. Castable while casting and unaffected by the global cooldown. Max 2 charges 20sec recharge
Brain Freeze – Frost bolt has 30% chance to make next flurry instant cast.
Fingers of Frost – Frost bolt has 18% chance and frozen orb has 10% chance to cause your next ice lance to deal increased damage.
Icy Veins – Damage CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Ice Barrier – Absorbs roughly 1/5th of health in damage and slows attacking targets by 50%. 1min CD
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Cold Snap – Resets the CD of Ice Block and Ice Barrier. 5min CD
Ice Block – 10 second immunity. 4min CD
Invisibility – Turn invisible after 3 seconds, lasts 20 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Arcane Intellect – Increase the party and raid’s intellect by 10% for 1 hour.
Time Warp – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Remove Curse – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Conjure Refreshment – Creates mana food for party/raid members. 15second CD
Spell Steal – Steals a beneficial magic effect from the target lasting up to 2 minutes. 4200 mana cost
Portal – Creates a portal to a major city for party and raid members. Cast
Interrupt/CC:
Counterspell- 6-second silence. 24second CD
Polymorph – Only works on humanoids, critters, and beasts for 1 minute. No CD
Cone of Cold – Damages and slows by 70% for 5 seconds. 12second CD
Blizzard – Damages and reduces movement speed by 50% for 15 seconds. ~7second CD
Flurry – Damage and reduces targets movement speed by 70% for 1 second. Proc Based
Frost Nova – Freezes enemies within 12 yards in place for 8 seconds. 30second CD
Frostbolt – Damage and slows target by 50% for 15 seconds. Cast
Frozen Orb – Damage and slows nearby targets by 50% for 15 seconds. 1min CD

Fire Mage:
Mobility:
Shimmer – Teleports the mage 20 yards forward. Castable while casting and unaffected by the global cooldown. Max 2 charges 20sec recharge
Hot Streak – Scoring two critical strikes in a row makes your next pyroblast or flamestrike instant cast.
Scorch – Deals roughly 1/3rd the damage of filler spell and castable while moving. 1.2sec cast
Fire Blast – Damage and always crits.
Cauterize – While burning, movement slowing effects are suppressed and your movement speed is increased by 150%. 5min CD
Combustion – DPS CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Blazing Barrier – Absorbs roughly 1/5th of health in damage and damages attacker. 25second CD
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Ice Block – 10 second immunity. 4min CD
Invisibility – Turn invisible after 3 seconds, lasts 20 seconds. 5min CD
Cauterize – Fatal damage instead brings you to 35% health then you burn for 28% of your max health over 6 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Arcane Intellect – Increase the party and raid’s intellect by 10% for 1 hour.
Time Warp – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Remove Curse – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Conjure Refreshment – Creates mana food for party/raid members. 15second CD
Spell Steal – Steals a beneficial magic effect from the target lasting up to 2 minutes. 4200 mana cost
Portal – Creates a portal to a major city for party and raid members. Cast
Interrupt/CC:
Counterspell- 6-second silence. 24second CD
Polymorph – Only works on humanoids, critters, and beasts for 1 minute. No CD
Dragon’s Breath – Damages and disorients for 4 seconds. 20second CD
Flamestrike – Damages and reduces movement speed by 20% for 8 seconds. ~3second cast
Frost Nova – Freezes enemies within 12 yards in place for 8 seconds. 30second CD


Arcane Mage:
Mobility:
Shimmer – Teleports the mage 20 yards forward. Castable while casting and unaffected by the global cooldown. Max 2 charges 20sec recharge
Arcane Barrage – Damage and instant cast with cleave potential. 2.5second CD
Displacement – Teleports you back to where you last blinked from. 30second CD
Presence of Mind – Your next two Arcane blasts are instant cast. 1min CD
Arcane Power – DPS CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Prismatic Barrier – Absorbs roughly 1/5th of health in damage, reduces magic damage taken by 15% and reduces the duration of harmful magic effects by 25%. 25second CD
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Ice Block – 10 second immunity. 4min CD
Invisibility – Turn invisible after 3 seconds, lasts 20 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Arcane Intellect – Increase the party and raid’s intellect by 10% for 1 hour.
Time Warp – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Remove Curse – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Conjure Refreshment – Creates mana food for party/raid members. 15second CD
Spell Steal – Steals a beneficial magic effect from the target lasting up to 2 minutes. 4200 mana cost
Portal – Creates a portal to a major city for party and raid members. Cast
Interrupt/CC:
Counterspell- 6-second silence. 24second CD
Polymorph – Only works on humanoids, critters, and beasts for 1 minute. No CD
Frost Nova – Freezes enemies within 12 yards in place for 8 seconds. 30second CD

Balance Druid:
Mobility:
Cat Form – Increases movement speed by 30%, removes movement impairing effects, and makes you immune to polymorph. Global CD
Dash – Activates cat form and increases movement speed by 60% for 10 seconds. 2min CD
Moonfire – Damage and applies a 22-second DoT. Global CD
Sunfire – Damage and applies an 8-yard AoE Dot for 18-seconds. Global CD
Astral Influence – Increases range of all spells by 5 yards. Passive
Moonkin Form – Attacks against you have a 15% chance to make lunar strike instant cast.
Starsurge – Damage. 40 Astral Power
Starfall – AoE Damage. 50 Astral Power
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Barkskin – Reduces damage you take by 25% and prevents damage from delaying spellcasting for 12 seconds. Useable while stunned, feared, asleep, frozen, incapacitated and in all shapeshift forms. 1min CD
Bear Form – Increases armor by 220% and stamina by 25%, frees from movement impairing effects and makes you immune to polymorph. Global CD
Moonkin Form – Increases armor by 125%. Global CD
Regrowth – Heals roughly 1/10th health and applies HoT over 12 seconds. Can cast 5 before going oom.
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Group Utility:
Rebirth – Restore a dead target to life. 1.7second cast, 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Growl – Can taunt an enemy. 8second CD
Prowl – Activates catform and places you in stealth until cancelled. 6second CD
Remove Corruption – Removes all curse and poison effects on target. 8second CD
Soothe – Soothe the target removing all enrage effects. 10second CD
Innervate – Infuse a healer allowing them to cast without spending mana for 10 seconds. 3min CD
Interrupt/CC:
Solar Beam – Interrupt and silence enemies for 8 seconds. 1min CD
Hibernate – Forces target to sleep for 40 seconds only works on dragonkin and beasts. No CD
Entangling Roots – Roots target in place for 30 seconds. No CD

Shadow Priest:
Mobility:
Dispersion – Clears all movement impairing effects and makes you immune to them for 6 seconds. 2min CD
Shadow Word: Pain – Damage and applies a DoT.
Shadowfiend – Deals damage over 15 seconds. 3min CD
Void Bolt – Damage and extends duration of existing DoTs on nearby targets. 3.8second CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Power Word: Shield – Absorbs roughly 1/10th of your health and prevents damage from delaying spellcasting. ~5second CD
Shadowmend – Heals roughly 1/8th of your health and applies a DoT. Can cast 4 before going oom.
Shadowform – Reduces physical damage taken by 10%. No CD
Vampiric Touch – Damage and heals you for 50% of damage dealt. 1.3second cast
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Dispersion – Reduces all damage taken by 60% for 6 seconds. Castable while stunned, feared, or silenced. 2min CD
Group Utility:
Fade – Removes all your threat for 10 seconds. 30second CD
Leap of Faith – Pull a party or raid member to you. 1.5min CD
Mass Dispel– Dispels magic in a 15yard radius removing all harmful magic effects from friendlies, and 1 beneficial magic effect from up to 5 enemies. Potent enough to remove magic that is normally undispellable. 45second CD
Power Word: Fortitude – Increases Party/Raid Stamina by 10% for 1 hour.
Purify Disease – Removes all disease effects from a friendly target. 260 mana
Dispel Magic – Removes 1 beneficial magic effect on the target. 800 mana
Vampiric Embrace – Heals a nearby ally for 85% of single target damage done. 2min CD
Interrupt/CC:
Mind Control – Control a mind up to 1 level above yours for 30 seconds. No CD
Mind Flay – Damage and reduces movement speed by 50% during 2.5 second channel.
Psychic Scream – Causes up to 5 enemies within 8 yards for flee in fear for 8 seconds. 1min CD
Shackle Undead – Shackles an undead for 50 seconds. No CD
Silence – Silences for 4 seconds. 45second CD

Destruction Warlock:
Mobility:
Conflagrate– Damage and reduces cast time of next filler spell. 11sec Recharge 2 charges
Havoc – Debuffs target for 10 seconds. 25second CD
Rain of Fire – AoE damage over 6.9 seconds. 3 soul shards.
Summon Infernal – AoE damage, stuns targets in area for 2 seconds and generates soul shards. Lasts 30 seconds. 3min CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Drain Life – Damage and heals for 500% of the damage done. Channel Cast
Mastery – Reduces damage taken by 4% plus a random amount up to an additional 4%. Passive
Soul Leech – All single target damage done by you and your pet shield you for 8% of the damage dealt for 15 seconds up to 10% of your maximum health. Passive
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Unending Resolve – Reduces damage taken by 40% and makes you immune to interrupt and silence for 8 seconds. 3min CD
Group Utility:
Command Demon Ability – Increased maximum health/dispel/interrupt/incapacitate. Varying CD
Create Soulwell – Create healthstones for party and raid members that restore 25% health.
Demonic Gateway – Allows party/raid members to teleport from one location to another every 1.5 minutes. 10second CD
Ritual of Summoning – Creates a portal to summon party and raid members. 2min CD
Soulstone – Brings a party/raid member back to 60% health. 2.6second cast 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Interrupt/CC:
Banish – Banishes a demon, elemental, or aberration for 30 seconds. 1.3second Cast
Enslave Demon – Force a demon to do your bidding for up to 5 minutes. 2.6second Cast
Fear – Fear an enemy for 20 seconds. 1.5second Cast
Shadowfury – Stuns all enemies within 8 yards for 3 seconds. 1min CD

Demonology Warlock:
Mobility:
Implosion – Damage to enemies within 8 yards. 400 mana and Wild Imps
Demonic Core – Makes demonbolt instant cast when imps die/implode or dreadstalkers fade away.
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Drain Life – Damage and heals for 500% of the damage done. Channel Cast
Soul Leech – All single target damage done by you and your pet shield you for 8% of the damage dealt for 15 seconds up to 10% of your maximum health. Passive
Soul Link – 20% damage reduction and heal. Passive
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Unending Resolve – Reduces damage taken by 40% and makes you immune to interrupt and silence for 8 seconds. 3min CD
Group Utility:
Command Demon Ability – Increased maximum health/dispel/interrupt/incapacitate. Varying CD
Create Soulwell – Create healthstones for party and raid members that restore 25% health.
Demonic Gateway – Allows party/raid members to teleport from one location to another every 1.5 minutes. 10second CD
Ritual of Summoning – Creates a portal to summon party and raid members. 2min CD
Soulstone – Brings a party/raid member back to 60% health. 2.6second cast 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Interrupt/CC:
Banish – Banishes a demon, elemental, or aberration for 30 seconds. 1.3second Cast
Enslave Demon – Force a demon to do your bidding for up to 5 minutes. 2.6second Cast
Fear – Fear an enemy for 20 seconds. 1.5second Cast
Shadowfury – Stuns all enemies within 8 yards for 3 seconds. 1min CD

Affliction Warlock:
Mobility:
Agony – Applies 18-second DoT.
Corruption – Applies 14-second DoT.
Summon Darkglare – Damage. 3min CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Drain Life – Damage and heals for 500% of the damage done. Channel Cast
Mastery – Reduces damage taken by 4% plus a random amount up to an additional 4%. Passive
Soul Leech – All single target damage done by you and your pet shield you for 8% of the damage dealt for 15 seconds up to 10% of your maximum health. Passive
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Unending Resolve – Reduces damage taken by 40% and makes you immune to interrupt and silence for 8 seconds. 3min CD
Group Utility:
Command Demon Ability – Increased maximum health/dispel/interrupt/incapacitate. Varying CD
Create Soulwell – Create healthstones for party and raid members that restore 25% health.
Demonic Gateway – Allows party/raid members to teleport from one location to another every 1.5 minutes. 10second CD
Ritual of Summoning – Creates a portal to summon party and raid members. 2min CD
Soulstone – Brings a party/raid member back to 60% health. 2.6second cast 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Interrupt/CC:
Banish – Banishes a demon, elemental, or aberration for 30 seconds. 1.3second Cast
Enslave Demon – Force a demon to do your bidding for up to 5 minutes. 2.6second Cast
Fear – Fear an enemy for 20 seconds. 1.5second Cast
Shadowfury – Stuns all enemies within 8 yards for 3 seconds. 1min CD

[Bloodronin4life]

So after hearing Ion say that Ele probably wouldn't get fixes/changes, I feel it needs mechanically, until 8.1 I figured I would create a side by side list of comparisons between every other caster currently on Beta. I made this list based on fresh level 110 created characters on the Beta.

I tried to include absolutely everything that could be used in a PvE scenario regardless of how much it actually gets used. I did NOT account for talents, except for Shimmer, which I feel would have hurt Elemental even more in these comparisons.

Classes like Frost mage are particularly tough to look at as an elemental shaman because it feels like they eclipse us in almost every way. For example:
- Frost Mage get Ice lance and Brain Freeze Procs, whereas Ele have the potential for only Lava Surge Procs
- Their Spellsteal is just a better version of Purge
- Their small defensive is proactive(ice barrier) whereas ours is reactive(healing surge)
- They have a blink that they can almost always use while casting and is off the GCD, meanwhile gust of wind was removed entirely and we are now stuck with ghost wolf only which halts our casting completely
- Their large defensive(which they can reset) makes them immune rather than rewarding them for dying (reincarn) and resets on boss pulls.
- They provide a 10% intellect buff to their party/raid
- They provide Heroism for the party/raid
- They can provide food/water for the party/raid
- They can create portals for everyone whereas shaman just get an extra hearth
- They have polymorph which doesn't have a CD, but Hex does have a CD
- Essentially everyone of their rotational abilities slows, whereas shaman have to waste a GCD to provide that kind of crowd control
- They also have the ability to remove curses
- They can turn invisible to aid with certain M+ strats


Elemental Shaman:
Mobility:
Ghost Wolf – Increases move speed by 30%, can’t be reduced below 100% move speed. No CD
Lava Surge – Flame Shock has a 15% chance to make lava burst instant cast. Passive
Earth Shock/Earthquake – ST/AoE Damage. 60/75 maelstrom
Flame Shock – Damage and applies 18-second DoT. 6second CD
Fire Elemental – Damage and generates maelstrom for 30 seconds. 2.5min CD
Frost Shock – Damage and slow. No Cost
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Healing Surge – Heals roughly 1/8th of health castable 4 times before oom. 1.2second cast
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Astral Shift - 40% dmg reduction for 8 seconds. 1.5min CD
Reincarnation – Resurrect with 20% health and mana. 30min CD Does NOT reset on boss pull
Harden Skin – Earth Elemental reduces all damage taken by 40% for 10 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Capacitor Totem – 3-second stun after 2-second delay. 1min CD
Heroism – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Cleanse Spirit – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Tremor Totem – 10 second removal of fear, charm, and sleep effects within 30 yards. 1min CD
Purge – Remove a beneficial magic effect from the target. 800 mana cost
Interrupt/CC:
Wind Shear- 3-second silence. 12second CD
Hex – Only works on humanoids and beasts for 1 minute. 30second CD
Earthbind Totem – “Slows movement speed of enemies within 10 yards.” 30second CD
Earthquake – Sometimes knocks down enemies within 8 yards of cast. 75 maelstrom
Thunderstorm – Damage and 10 yard AoE knockback that reduces movement speed by 40% for 5 seconds. 45second CD
Frost Shock – Damage and slows target by 50% for 6 seconds. No Cost

Frost Mage:
Mobility:
Shimmer – Teleports the mage 20 yards forward. Castable while casting and unaffected by the global cooldown. Max 2 charges 20sec recharge
Brain Freeze – Frost bolt has 30% chance to make next flurry instant cast.
Fingers of Frost – Frost bolt has 18% chance and frozen orb has 10% chance to cause your next ice lance to deal increased damage.
Icy Veins – Damage CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Ice Barrier – Absorbs roughly 1/5th of health in damage and slows attacking targets by 50%. 1min CD
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Cold Snap – Resets the CD of Ice Block and Ice Barrier. 5min CD
Ice Block – 10 second immunity. 4min CD
Invisibility – Turn invisible after 3 seconds, lasts 20 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Arcane Intellect – Increase the party and raid’s intellect by 10% for 1 hour.
Time Warp – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Remove Curse – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Conjure Refreshment – Creates mana food for party/raid members. 15second CD
Spell Steal – Steals a beneficial magic effect from the target lasting up to 2 minutes. 4200 mana cost
Portal – Creates a portal to a major city for party and raid members. Cast
Interrupt/CC:
Counterspell- 6-second silence. 24second CD
Polymorph – Only works on humanoids, critters, and beasts for 1 minute. No CD
Cone of Cold – Damages and slows by 70% for 5 seconds. 12second CD
Blizzard – Damages and reduces movement speed by 50% for 15 seconds. ~7second CD
Flurry – Damage and reduces targets movement speed by 70% for 1 second. Proc Based
Frost Nova – Freezes enemies within 12 yards in place for 8 seconds. 30second CD
Frostbolt – Damage and slows target by 50% for 15 seconds. Cast
Frozen Orb – Damage and slows nearby targets by 50% for 15 seconds. 1min CD

Fire Mage:
Mobility:
Shimmer – Teleports the mage 20 yards forward. Castable while casting and unaffected by the global cooldown. Max 2 charges 20sec recharge
Hot Streak – Scoring two critical strikes in a row makes your next pyroblast or flamestrike instant cast.
Scorch – Deals roughly 1/3rd the damage of filler spell and castable while moving. 1.2sec cast
Fire Blast – Damage and always crits.
Cauterize – While burning, movement slowing effects are suppressed and your movement speed is increased by 150%. 5min CD
Combustion – DPS CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Blazing Barrier – Absorbs roughly 1/5th of health in damage and damages attacker. 25second CD
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Ice Block – 10 second immunity. 4min CD
Invisibility – Turn invisible after 3 seconds, lasts 20 seconds. 5min CD
Cauterize – Fatal damage instead brings you to 35% health then you burn for 28% of your max health over 6 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Arcane Intellect – Increase the party and raid’s intellect by 10% for 1 hour.
Time Warp – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Remove Curse – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Conjure Refreshment – Creates mana food for party/raid members. 15second CD
Spell Steal – Steals a beneficial magic effect from the target lasting up to 2 minutes. 4200 mana cost
Portal – Creates a portal to a major city for party and raid members. Cast
Interrupt/CC:
Counterspell- 6-second silence. 24second CD
Polymorph – Only works on humanoids, critters, and beasts for 1 minute. No CD
Dragon’s Breath – Damages and disorients for 4 seconds. 20second CD
Flamestrike – Damages and reduces movement speed by 20% for 8 seconds. ~3second cast
Frost Nova – Freezes enemies within 12 yards in place for 8 seconds. 30second CD


Arcane Mage:
Mobility:
Shimmer – Teleports the mage 20 yards forward. Castable while casting and unaffected by the global cooldown. Max 2 charges 20sec recharge
Arcane Barrage – Damage and instant cast with cleave potential. 2.5second CD
Displacement – Teleports you back to where you last blinked from. 30second CD
Presence of Mind – Your next two Arcane blasts are instant cast. 1min CD
Arcane Power – DPS CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Prismatic Barrier – Absorbs roughly 1/5th of health in damage, reduces magic damage taken by 15% and reduces the duration of harmful magic effects by 25%. 25second CD
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Ice Block – 10 second immunity. 4min CD
Invisibility – Turn invisible after 3 seconds, lasts 20 seconds. 5min CD
Group Utility:
Arcane Intellect – Increase the party and raid’s intellect by 10% for 1 hour.
Time Warp – Increase haste by 30% for party/raid for 40 seconds. 5min CD
Remove Curse – Remove all curse effects from friendly target. 8second CD
Conjure Refreshment – Creates mana food for party/raid members. 15second CD
Spell Steal – Steals a beneficial magic effect from the target lasting up to 2 minutes. 4200 mana cost
Portal – Creates a portal to a major city for party and raid members. Cast
Interrupt/CC:
Counterspell- 6-second silence. 24second CD
Polymorph – Only works on humanoids, critters, and beasts for 1 minute. No CD
Frost Nova – Freezes enemies within 12 yards in place for 8 seconds. 30second CD

Balance Druid:
Mobility:
Cat Form – Increases movement speed by 30%, removes movement impairing effects, and makes you immune to polymorph. Global CD
Dash – Activates cat form and increases movement speed by 60% for 10 seconds. 2min CD
Moonfire – Damage and applies a 22-second DoT. Global CD
Sunfire – Damage and applies an 8-yard AoE Dot for 18-seconds. Global CD
Astral Influence – Increases range of all spells by 5 yards. Passive
Moonkin Form – Attacks against you have a 15% chance to make lunar strike instant cast.
Starsurge – Damage. 40 Astral Power
Starfall – AoE Damage. 50 Astral Power
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Barkskin – Reduces damage you take by 25% and prevents damage from delaying spellcasting for 12 seconds. Useable while stunned, feared, asleep, frozen, incapacitated and in all shapeshift forms. 1min CD
Bear Form – Increases armor by 220% and stamina by 25%, frees from movement impairing effects and makes you immune to polymorph. Global CD
Moonkin Form – Increases armor by 125%. Global CD
Regrowth – Heals roughly 1/10th health and applies HoT over 12 seconds. Can cast 5 before going oom.
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Group Utility:
Rebirth – Restore a dead target to life. 1.7second cast, 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Growl – Can taunt an enemy. 8second CD
Prowl – Activates catform and places you in stealth until cancelled. 6second CD
Remove Corruption – Removes all curse and poison effects on target. 8second CD
Soothe – Soothe the target removing all enrage effects. 10second CD
Innervate – Infuse a healer allowing them to cast without spending mana for 10 seconds. 3min CD
Interrupt/CC:
Solar Beam – Interrupt and silence enemies for 8 seconds. 1min CD
Hibernate – Forces target to sleep for 40 seconds only works on dragonkin and beasts. No CD
Entangling Roots – Roots target in place for 30 seconds. No CD

Shadow Priest:
Mobility:
Dispersion – Clears all movement impairing effects and makes you immune to them for 6 seconds. 2min CD
Shadow Word: Pain – Damage and applies a DoT.
Shadowfiend – Deals damage over 15 seconds. 3min CD
Void Bolt – Damage and extends duration of existing DoTs on nearby targets. 3.8second CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Power Word: Shield – Absorbs roughly 1/10th of your health and prevents damage from delaying spellcasting. ~5second CD
Shadowmend – Heals roughly 1/8th of your health and applies a DoT. Can cast 4 before going oom.
Shadowform – Reduces physical damage taken by 10%. No CD
Vampiric Touch – Damage and heals you for 50% of damage dealt. 1.3second cast
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Dispersion – Reduces all damage taken by 60% for 6 seconds. Castable while stunned, feared, or silenced. 2min CD
Group Utility:
Fade – Removes all your threat for 10 seconds. 30second CD
Leap of Faith – Pull a party or raid member to you. 1.5min CD
Mass Dispel– Dispels magic in a 15yard radius removing all harmful magic effects from friendlies, and 1 beneficial magic effect from up to 5 enemies. Potent enough to remove magic that is normally undispellable. 45second CD
Power Word: Fortitude – Increases Party/Raid Stamina by 10% for 1 hour.
Purify Disease – Removes all disease effects from a friendly target. 260 mana
Dispel Magic – Removes 1 beneficial magic effect on the target. 800 mana
Vampiric Embrace – Heals a nearby ally for 85% of single target damage done. 2min CD
Interrupt/CC:
Mind Control – Control a mind up to 1 level above yours for 30 seconds. No CD
Mind Flay – Damage and reduces movement speed by 50% during 2.5 second channel.
Psychic Scream – Causes up to 5 enemies within 8 yards for flee in fear for 8 seconds. 1min CD
Shackle Undead – Shackles an undead for 50 seconds. No CD
Silence – Silences for 4 seconds. 45second CD

Destruction Warlock:
Mobility:
Conflagrate– Damage and reduces cast time of next filler spell. 11sec Recharge 2 charges
Havoc – Debuffs target for 10 seconds. 25second CD
Rain of Fire – AoE damage over 6.9 seconds. 3 soul shards.
Summon Infernal – AoE damage, stuns targets in area for 2 seconds and generates soul shards. Lasts 30 seconds. 3min CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Drain Life – Damage and heals for 500% of the damage done. Channel Cast
Mastery – Reduces damage taken by 4% plus a random amount up to an additional 4%. Passive
Soul Leech – All single target damage done by you and your pet shield you for 8% of the damage dealt for 15 seconds up to 10% of your maximum health. Passive
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Unending Resolve – Reduces damage taken by 40% and makes you immune to interrupt and silence for 8 seconds. 3min CD
Group Utility:
Command Demon Ability – Increased maximum health/dispel/interrupt/incapacitate. Varying CD
Create Soulwell – Create healthstones for party and raid members that restore 25% health.
Demonic Gateway – Allows party/raid members to teleport from one location to another every 1.5 minutes. 10second CD
Ritual of Summoning – Creates a portal to summon party and raid members. 2min CD
Soulstone – Brings a party/raid member back to 60% health. 2.6second cast 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Interrupt/CC:
Banish – Banishes a demon, elemental, or aberration for 30 seconds. 1.3second Cast
Enslave Demon – Force a demon to do your bidding for up to 5 minutes. 2.6second Cast
Fear – Fear an enemy for 20 seconds. 1.5second Cast
Shadowfury – Stuns all enemies within 8 yards for 3 seconds. 1min CD

Demonology Warlock:
Mobility:
Implosion – Damage to enemies within 8 yards. 400 mana and Wild Imps
Demonic Core – Makes demonbolt instant cast when imps die/implode or dreadstalkers fade away.
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Drain Life – Damage and heals for 500% of the damage done. Channel Cast
Soul Leech – All single target damage done by you and your pet shield you for 8% of the damage dealt for 15 seconds up to 10% of your maximum health. Passive
Soul Link – 20% damage reduction and heal. Passive
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Unending Resolve – Reduces damage taken by 40% and makes you immune to interrupt and silence for 8 seconds. 3min CD
Group Utility:
Command Demon Ability – Increased maximum health/dispel/interrupt/incapacitate. Varying CD
Create Soulwell – Create healthstones for party and raid members that restore 25% health.
Demonic Gateway – Allows party/raid members to teleport from one location to another every 1.5 minutes. 10second CD
Ritual of Summoning – Creates a portal to summon party and raid members. 2min CD
Soulstone – Brings a party/raid member back to 60% health. 2.6second cast 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Interrupt/CC:
Banish – Banishes a demon, elemental, or aberration for 30 seconds. 1.3second Cast
Enslave Demon – Force a demon to do your bidding for up to 5 minutes. 2.6second Cast
Fear – Fear an enemy for 20 seconds. 1.5second Cast
Shadowfury – Stuns all enemies within 8 yards for 3 seconds. 1min CD

Affliction Warlock:
Mobility:
Agony – Applies 18-second DoT.
Corruption – Applies 14-second DoT.
Summon Darkglare – Damage. 3min CD
Defensive ( < 1minute):
Drain Life – Damage and heals for 500% of the damage done. Channel Cast
Mastery – Reduces damage taken by 4% plus a random amount up to an additional 4%. Passive
Soul Leech – All single target damage done by you and your pet shield you for 8% of the damage dealt for 15 seconds up to 10% of your maximum health. Passive
Defensive ( > 1minute):
Unending Resolve – Reduces damage taken by 40% and makes you immune to interrupt and silence for 8 seconds. 3min CD
Group Utility:
Command Demon Ability – Increased maximum health/dispel/interrupt/incapacitate. Varying CD
Create Soulwell – Create healthstones for party and raid members that restore 25% health.
Demonic Gateway – Allows party/raid members to teleport from one location to another every 1.5 minutes. 10second CD
Ritual of Summoning – Creates a portal to summon party and raid members. 2min CD
Soulstone – Brings a party/raid member back to 60% health. 2.6second cast 10min CD resets on boss pull.
Interrupt/CC:
Banish – Banishes a demon, elemental, or aberration for 30 seconds. 1.3second Cast
Enslave Demon – Force a demon to do your bidding for up to 5 minutes. 2.6second Cast
Fear – Fear an enemy for 20 seconds. 1.5second Cast
Shadowfury – Stuns all enemies within 8 yards for 3 seconds. 1min CD

Yea, but can Tauren be mages or lock?! joking aside, with the shape elemental shaman is in, I stopped even leveling my alt. I feel there is really no point for ele shaman compared to other casters.

[hungrytiger]

Really sad too since I thoroughly enjoyed playing an Icefury build with 4p tier in Antorus. Thought it was a super fun spec and the Beta seems as though they are going to resort to just giving us a massive intellect steroid to compensate for an unfinished spec.

[gobio]

Druid still has the clearly defined, customizable AE that is starfall.
Shaman still struggle to sexually identify themselves between chain lighting and that tiny shit that is criminally labeled as earthquake.

[trm90]

This is an unpopular opinion, but with the introduction of better defensives in BFA (EShield, Nature's Guardian, and Primal Earth Elemental), I think Ele will be a competitive M+ spec, where they can offer quite a lot of utility. In fact, I think they'll outshine mages. Don't forget that tank threat + kiting has been massively nerfed, and Ele will be invaluable with kiting thanks to Earthbind. Frost is the only other spec which can do this, but their AoE isn't as potent as Ele.

The problem lies in raid design, which doesn't allow for Elemental's jack-of-all-trades utility to actually shine. If Blizz designed more encounters where Cap totem, Purges, Tremor Totem, Primal Elementalist and Earthbind could actually work, I would never worry about finding a spot for Shaman. If Blizz decide to shift away from soaking mechanics as well, it'll eventually bring Mages back down in line with us.

There is another silver lining: Guttural Roars - the Guardian talent that makes Stampeding Roar long-range - was removed. That makes Wind Rush Totem a little bit more attractive. WRT wasn't gamebreaking this expac, but I'm hoping it makes a little bit more desirable.

Anyway, I remember discussing this in Legion beta and Blizz still couldn't figure out a way to give Shaman some kind of unique utility. I'm pessimistic that they'll bother to give us anything.

[Kralljin]

This is an unpopular opinion, but with the introduction of better defensives in BFA (EShield, Nature's Guardian, and Primal Earth Elemental), I think Ele will be a competitive M+ spec, where they can offer quite a lot of utility. In fact, I think they'll outshine mages. Don't forget that tank threat + kiting has been massively nerfed, and Ele will be invaluable with kiting thanks to Earthbind. Frost is the only other spec which can do this, but their AoE isn't as potent as Ele.

I'd agree with you if immunities wouldn't be such a damn issue in M+.

NG is kinda a tricky thing, fine against abilities that deal damage over time but not so good against single big hits.
Earth Elemental has a massive CD and blocks FE / SE from being used.

It's obviously better than in Legion, but it's still difficult to survive certain bossfights.

And Earth shield just sucks, those heals are just pebbles, all 9 charges basically make up like two Healing surges, which is not that much.
If defensives aren't that much of a deal, Elemental could be decent in m+.

The problem lies in raid design, which doesn't allow for Elemental's jack-of-all-trades utility to actually shine. If Blizz designed more encounters where Cap totem, Purges, Tremor Totem, Primal Elementalist and Earthbind could actually work, I would never worry about finding a spot for Shaman. If Blizz decide to shift away from soaking mechanics as well, it'll eventually bring Mages back down in line with us.

Problem is that with a proper raid setup, you don't still don't need a Shaman barring Tremor.

Purge - If multiple mobs have a magic debuff, Mass dispel is plain better, Spellsteal obviously can steal certain buffs, DH get resource from purging people (at a CD)
Earthbind - Death & Decay slows (Blood & Unholy), Ice Trap

It's not that Shaman doesn't provide utility, it's just hardly useful and can usually be replaced by other classes.

Fact is, Dps Shaman in particular struggles with a proper niche since Wotlk and Blizzard has failed to find a proper niche for these specs that fit their design.
Elemental once was the "on the move caster" - removed because they didn't like that.
Elemental in Legion was potent for Burst AoE - Dies with the loss of Artifacts along with other powerful artifact abilities of that kind

[hungrytiger]

This is an unpopular opinion, but with the introduction of better defensives in BFA (EShield, Nature's Guardian, and Primal Earth Elemental), I think Ele will be a competitive M+ spec, where they can offer quite a lot of utility. In fact, I think they'll outshine mages. Don't forget that tank threat + kiting has been massively nerfed, and Ele will be invaluable with kiting thanks to Earthbind. Frost is the only other spec which can do this, but their AoE isn't as potent as Ele.

Gotta remember HFC Frost though where Frostbomb was actually phenomenal. We have no idea if their AoE will be more potent than frost mages, but regardless we still have to waste a GCD on earthbind, that has a CD, has a range, and has a tooltip that doesn't even say what the slow % is. Mages on the other hand can pretty much apply 70+% slow on everything in an earthbind range every 6 seconds while dealing damage.

[Oxna]

I was kinda thinking to come back to WoW for BFA having stopped playing about 6 months ago as a new expansion always piques my interest but after reading this thread I don't think I will bother. I am too stubborn to try another class even if they are "better"

Top everyone who does good luck and have fun =)

[Tikishock]

The only other caster spec that I think is as bad or worse than Ele shaman is Arcane Mage. That spec is hot garbage with almost no talent choice and no real direction on what they want to do.

[Northy]

It's important to note that healing as Ele is brutal because purge is mana expensive. Talkin' PvP here. Also many totems suck up mana, so when in desperate need of heals in PvP, you'd be lucky to get 2 heals off.

[Mackeyser]

Aaaaaaand this is why I haven't played my Ele since Panda,

Pretty sure I only leveled him through WoD by flying around using the built up xp pots (20%, not the shorter 300%) and getting all the treasures from each zone.

It's sad, Ele was clunky and henky but a ton of fun in TBL and even LK with the broken scaling. The end of Cata in Firelands with the 4pc was nice as well.

But overall? yeah. Shame because it was a fun spec to play that's it seems Blizz still has no real vision for.

[Ele man]

Utility and Mobility are important, but not big. The biggest problem of ele is that DPS is always weak.

Ele is always weak with a single target dps.
I do not know what Blizzard dev thinks, but ele is always an under-spec and that's dev's intent.
So ele is a spec without merit. This is because there is no great advantage in ele.

I do not know the idea of ​​dev, but I'm sure they do not play ele.
They only see and judge wcl or other statistics, and the dps expectation of ele is less than medium.
(I can not understand why FS, the weakest DoT spell in the game, has a CD.)

Ele is a spec that top-raid team(like method or other team) has not used until five years.
It will be in the future. This was where I spoke before Legion began. And it became reality.

[Mewseph]

Utility and Mobility are important, but not big. The biggest problem of ele is that DPS is always weak.

Numbers can always be tweaked up. The biggest problem with Elemental isn't performance numbers, it's the performance itself. Base Elemental is boring, stilted, and simply uninteractive gameplay.


The only base interaction between spells for Elemental is Lava surge procs, ALL and ANY other spell interactions come from talent choices; Aftershock, Elemental blast, Master of elements, Echo of elements, Icefury, Exposed elements, High voltage (extra maelstrom building for AoE). The rotation is dull and unengaging, your cooldowns in Elementals, even with Primal elementalist, are fire and forgets that don't even buff your avatar. Ascendance is the only feel good button you have and that just devolves into Lava burst spam.

The only spec I've found somewhat challenging and engaing is picking *all* the inter/active talents. Elemental blast, Master of elements, Ascendance, Icefury. But you shouldn't have to pick this many talents just to have an engaging rotation.

More specifically the AoE rotation is woefully undertuned. Earthquake costs too much maelstrom and Chain lightning doesn't generate enough to fuel it. It's awkward and unfun.

[Bugg]

I tested Ele for a few hours on the Beta today. My thoughts:

1). Flame Shock cooldown. What The Fuck.

2). The talents combined with the Azerite armor traits feel Strange and... restrictive? Bland? Idiotic? Why/who would love this? You decide what fits best.

3). No more Gust of Wind. What The Fuck.
Spirit Wolf over Static charge. Fine. Take Spirit Wolf for raids/pvp(?), and run for 5s so that you get 20% movement speed and 20% damage reduction. Really? Who does this, and where would it help?
Or maybe you want Earth Shield, for more Self Healing?
I have 21k HP.
No Earth shield= 3162 (6325 crit) / heal
With Earth shield= 3479hp (6957 crit) / heal

4). Damage numbers may not be final, but we all know how hard we hit in Legion. In BfA LB hits as it always did, like a wet noodle. It's a filler so I guess it's ok. But Lava burst and Earth Shock should live a dent. And they do not.
I can provide numbers if you want, but believe me you don't want to compare Ele with other casters or MM Hunters.

5). Solo pve is even worse than Legion, IMO. Flame Shock Cooldown and no Gust of Wind just take the little Fun out of this area for me.

All in all, I don't raid Mythic and my goal is to find a class that I enjoy to play, ignoring the damage/healing numbers.
Elemental doesn't do it for me.

[elcapone]

I remember in WOD the cooldown of Flame Shock was so irritating for target swapping, but now lava burst is not dependent on flame shock so target swapping not a big deal + frost shock, or use lightning bolt spam. I actually enjoyed flame shock and lava burst interaction. Multi-dotting and flinging lava bursts. Honestly, I would prefer they move in that direction, even if lava burst doesnt hit hard, you are generating tons of maelstrom due to procs. I am going to be following the lava build and see what dev changes they make. Only thing that will make me play shaman again.

[Draele]

If Flame Shock is getting a CD, Maelstrom generation is going to be so slow, AND Lava Burst is to be removed from Elemental Overload I rather hope they increase the Lava Surge proc chance and it's damage. Give us more procs to play with and let them hit harder. I get damage levels are fine for Ele, but the spec feeling fun and engaging is the concern.

[Nihiel]

Lava Burst is to be removed from Elemental Overload

LvB removed from EO, since when? Are you referring to the double tooltip on EO implemented a few weeks back?

[Dundebuns]

It's been such a long time since I played by Shaman as a main, which is really sad. I played him since TBC, and have loved the playstyles that have come and gone. But recently I have got my healing fix from monks and my caster fix from locks, and I get my melee fix from playing mobile tanks. I don't think he'll get leveled up if I get BFA

[shammypie]

It's been such a long time since I played by Shaman as a main, which is really sad. I played him since TBC, and have loved the playstyles that have come and gone. But recently I have got my healing fix from monks and my caster fix from locks, and I get my melee fix from playing mobile tanks. I don't think he'll get leveled up if I get BFA

I've had my shaman for so long I always end up leveling him to max by the end of the expac. Problems is the numbers and mechanics. It's the same problem every time. In PVP melee dominates because mobility has reached the bursting point and getting anyone off of you is impossible. So all you can do as a caster is run and cast instants. Maybe a cast a quick <1.5s spell of that ccs and gets you distance. You can't play a spec that requires constant casting it just don't work unless it's impossible to stop you like a huntard.

But none of that has anything to do with raid viability. You can be a long caster in raids because bosses aren't chasing you down. The problem is numbers. There is no exponential scaling. In fact a lot of our abilities have diminishing returns built in. Take mastery for example. The echo doesn't do 100% damage so on flat percent comparison crit is better. while each echo can crit, crit by itself is better except that it's not due to auto crits. Having a big ability that auto crits devalues the crit stat immensely. Even with Ascendance it does matter. So the only thing left is haste and even that has DR due to inherent nature of how haste scales. Furthermore there are hard caps that have to be considered since you have to consider bloodlust and other potential haste procs. Going beyond 1s cast at any time is wasted haste. So every stat for bar intellect has DR built in.

that in a nut shell has been the problem since cata. But it's ok because eventually a bandaid gets applied that does nothing but make you feel strong for a single tier. bandaid not guarenteed.

[Aleksej89]

Interesting research OP, i gotta read this when i get home from work.
Thanks for writing it up.