Shamans:
Come Cataclysm the Shaman class will follow the footsteps of the Druids, and will once again be able to properly tank! We are very excited about this change and are testing numerous of things as we speak. The Shaman tanking talents will be located in the Enhancement Tree and we will make fitting changes for Enhancement to have several tanking and DPS talents in this respective tree.
With Cataclysm comes the massive statistics overhaul (e.g removal of defense rating, and having it as a requirement for the crit-cap (as players call it) which allows for an even smoother transition.
Now, now, hold your horses because we wouldn't want to rush into things without properly testing it first. We are implementing a new spell which will allow you to tank similiar to Paladins with Righteous Fury. Enhancement shamans would have Ancestral Rage which increases the amount of armor gained from agility by 430%, increases your threat generated by 90% and reduces all damage taken by 14% (up to 20% with Elemental Warding). This should put them reasonably well in line with other tanking classes.
Only some of our changes and intentions are explained in the following:
-Your damage shield-like ability will be Lightning Shield (as it's original intent was)
-Your Frost Shock ability will now act similiar to a 2 second taunt, and has it's damage greatly increased (by being affected by Stormstrike) but no longer slows the target. It also get's a massive overhaul (explained below)
-The Stoneclaw Totem Glyph will now be baseline but only absorb 50% of all damage received until X amount has been absorbed, but it will absorb an amount equal to 25% of your total health + shield armor.
-Wind Shear will receive a new tooltip button, to prevent missclicks with Windfury Weapon (we are very excited about this, and think this change was needed)
-Toughness will additionally also increase armor bonus (as it's main intent was). But unlike other tanking classes this amount will be slightly higher to off-set it vs plate and the Dire Bear Form armor multiplier.
-Earth Shock and Frost Shock will be combined into a singular shock named: Terragladial Shock, which will combine the effects of Frost and Earth Shock - slowing the target, slowing attack speed, and even freezing it in place with the Frozen Power talent.
We have put alot of thought and initiative into this, so please refrain from crying over the forums. We have our minds settled on this, and Cataclysm just is the perfect time.
© Ghostcrawler.
This change will happen soon(tm)
http://www.wowwiki.com/Soon[/list]