Shaman has not been my main focus, but I have put in a fair bit of time into them and really enjoyed using the Shaman . In every game before, the name Shaman always put me off as just a buffer/debuffer and boring. But in WAR i have learnt the true effect they can have, especially on a well organised team.

Masteries
Path of Mork
Path of Gork
Path of Da Green.


Path of Mork
This is all about Healing and restoring your friendly targets. The disappointing about this one line, is that it (or any other) does no effect your most common HoT spell, "Ey, Quit bleedin" which remains at 1360 over 15 seconds and can not be improved via this healing path.
The great new is, 4 other healing spells are all increased (Plus as you build up Waaagh, you have quicker/more effective casts too), and when you get enough points in this line, you can get a "pool/spread heal" using "shrug it off".
This spell is great, as you buff one target (Ideally a member of your group who gets hit often, a tank or mDPS?) and each time they are hit, a healing pool is increased. This lasts for 9 seconds, or maximum of 10 hits. As minimum this pool will reach (at level 31 this is) 2770, This pool is then used to heal your entire group, Great when backed with HoTs and small quick heals.

You also get "pass it on" tactic, which means when you heal an ally using this spec line heals, it will "chain on" to any ally within 30feet of your target and heal them as well. really great in zergs :)

Path of Gork
This mastery is all about doing damage to your opponant. In my honest Opinion this is the weakest line for the Shaman .
Shaman are not a healing class which requires hurting the enemy first. Clearly this helps to build up Waaagh quicker, but not required.
Up to level 31, you only really get 3 offensive spells, a 4th on this path line comes at level 36. Even with full spec in this path, you still only get spells which do less than 500dmg, and thats spread out over time (15 seconds). So thinking a heal or two will come within that 15 seconds.
This line focuses on Elemental damage. Which seems to be at the moment, the main focus for resists in RvR on both sides. Mainly us destro as we hate the Bright Wizard.
I honeslt don't feel this path is even worth considering if you plan on becoming a useful member to a group or warband with the Shaman .

Path of Da Green
This is all about buffs and debuffs. This compliments the Healing line really nicely. An even balance when you hit 40 would be wise between these two. (I believe u can max two paths anyways).
This path has a amazingly useful spell when you fill your path bar up to level 9. Its called "You'z Squishy. And this reduces your target, and all other enemies within 30 feet of that target's Toughness.
Toughness is what reduces the amount of damage coming into you when you are hit. when you have 96 knocked off your target for 10 seconds, and your group /assist train on that target, he is going down fast. I have not tested if they can be stacked yet. Need another player to play Shaman with me to find out, but i bet it can be.
This path also offers a group buff to increase ALL resists. when you max this path out, That increase is for 1 hour at 239. Thats a massive buff for dealing with casters in RvR Spirit, Corp, Elemental resists all fly high. (currently my shaman [/color] has almost 800 resists from a level 31 template and this buff.)

Overall view
I am probably planning to roll a Shaman as my "2nd main" as i have really enjoyed the healing, buffing, and rezzing of group members. I have also learnt that in WAR there is a thin line between good healers and bad healers. There does not seem to be an in-between.
Shaman really is a support class. I honestly dont see any massive advantage to putting points in the Gork line and incrasing your DPS.  My fav ability over all for Shaman is without a doubt, "Eeeek!" which allows you to be near any enemy, and blast them with Waaagh! which knocks away you, and enemy players around you for about 60 feet.
If your struggling to break a zerg infront of you. Or on a high platform with a full group/zerg blocking yoru way, Run into the middle, Eeeek! them and watch them all drop of the edges of the platform/mountain. Or the odd one end up in your own groups melee range and he/she dies very quickly :)
Its a great fun class to be, It will either bring out the best of your mmo support skills, or make you realise you need to be looking at other classes. 8/10 score for me.

Tags: War Shaman Sonicborg Review Masteries Mork Gork Green

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