Shamans are one of the best DPS classes in The Burning Crusade (TBC). They come in two flavors, Elemental and Enhancement, and both excel in their specific roles. While they do have strong damage, their biggest strength comes in the form of utility. As a class, this is something Shamans are famous for, as totems can come in handy in just about any situation. 

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Both specs also provide unique bonuses. Elemental features a unique totem that buffs spellcasters, while Enhancement gives a party-wide buff that boosts melee attack power. 

If you want to learn how to get the most out of your DPS Shaman, then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know about Elemental and Enhancement Shaman in TBC Classic. 

1. Talent builds for PVE Shaman

Both specializations share common themes: they have simple standard talent builds and they’re all about the big critical strikes. You’ll mainly want to be grabbing the talents that increase damage and then fill out your build with Mana reduction. 

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Here are two builds that you cannot go wrong with: 

1.1. Elemental Shaman talent build

1.2. Enhancement Shaman talent builds

2. Gameplay and Rotation

The rotation for both Shaman DPS specs is fairly simple. All you need to do is maintain a shield spell, put up your totems, and use a few key spells. Here’s what your rotations will look like:

2.1. Elemental Shaman rotation: 

1. Use Water Shield
2. Put up your totems
3. Cast Chain Lightning
4. Cast Lightning Bolt if Chain Lightning is on cooldown

2.2. Enhancement Shaman rotation: 

1. Use Water Shield
2. Put up your totems
3. Cast Stormstrike
4. Cast Flame Shock
5. Cast Earth Shock if the Flame Shock DoT debuff is still active 
6. Cast Shamanistic Rage to regenerate Mana

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3. Best totems for DPS Shaman

Despite seeing two polar opposite playstyles (ranged spell damage and brute force melee) there isn’t really that much of a difference when it comes to which totems you should place as Elemental and Enhancement. 

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All you need to do is fit the totems to your specific situation. Of course, each spec prefers a certain totem due to different stat requirements, but with Shamans being all about utility, a lot of the time it will really depend on your group, rather than your own requirements. For example, if you’re in a group with three melee dps as an Elemental, it may be worth placing a Windfury totem over Wrath of Air, as it will benefit the party overall, and vice versa for Enhancement. 

Still, there are a ton of different totems, so let’s take a look at all the ones you should keep in mind: 

3.1. Earth Totems

• Strength of Earth Totem: This is the totem you’ll use in the Earth slot most of the time. It increases damage for melee DPS and should be up unless you are using one of the other Earth totems. 
• Tremor Totem: This totem breaks fear, charm, and sleep mechanics. It only lasts a short while, so this is a reactionary totem to use if an effect happens, or is about to. 
• Earthbind Totem: This totem slows nearby units, it’s not super important most of the time, but can be useful in a pinch. 
• Earth Elemental Totem: Summons an Earth Elemental that taunts units. Should only be used if a tank dies. 

3.2. Fire Totems

• Totem of Wrath: (Elemental only) This totem increases spell hit and spell critical strike chance for all party members. It should be used unless you have to use one of the Fire utility totems. 
• Frost Resistance Totem: This totem increases Frost Resistance, useful in fights with frost damage.
• Searing Totem: This totem does single target damage to enemies, should be used on single target fights. 
• Fire Nova Totem:This totem does area of effect damage, should be used against groups of enemies.
• Fire Elemental Totem: Summons a Fire Elemental that damages enemies, should be used on longer fights to maximize damage. 

3.3. Air Totems

• Windfury Totem: This totem gives melee attacks a chance to strike twice. Top priority if in a group with melee DPS. 
• Wrath of Air Totem: This totem increases spell damage and healing. Top priority if in a group with caster DPS or healers. 
• Nature Resistance Totem: This totem increases Nature Resistance, useful in fights with nature damage. 

3.4. Water Totems

• Mana Spring Totem: This totem increases mana regeneration. It should be used as much as possible. 
• Poison Cleansing Totem: This totem removes poisons, useful in fights with poison damage. 
• Fire Resist Totem: This totem increases Fire Resistance, useful in fights with fire damage.

4. Stat Priority 

Elemental:

1. Spell hit (up to 16%)
2. Spell Damage
3. Spell Critical Strike 
4. Spell Hase
5. Intellect

This is the stat priority for Elemental Shamans. You should make sure to max out your spell hit as soon as possible, then focus on the other stats. Keep in mind that all of these stats are important, so while spell damage ranks second, you still need to be getting the other stats alongside it. 

Enhancement: 

1. Hit rating (the standard talent build gives you all the hit you need!)
2. Expertise (up to 6.25%)
3. Strength
4. Critical Strike Rating
5. Agility
6. Haste Rating
7. Attack Power

Much like for Elemental, you need to max out your expertise as soon as possible, then get into the other stats. Again, they’re all very beneficial, so make sure to get a good mix, while focusing on the more important ones. 

5. Gems, Enchantments, and Consumables 

Gemming as both Elemental and Enhancement is incredibly straightforward. All you need to do is use the red gems, as they provide the most of the best stats, but you might want to consider the other options if there’s a strong socket bonus. 

Best Elemental Gems:

• Chaotic Skyfire Diamond
• Runed Living Ruby
• Potent Noble Topaz
• Glowing Nightseye

Best Enhancement Gems:

• Relentless Earthstorm Diamond
• Bold Living Ruby
• Inscribed Noble Topaz
• Sovereign Nightseye

Enchantments:

Consumables:

Consumables provide a temporary stat boost to your character and are important for getting an extra boost during dungeons and raids. Here’s a list of key consumables needed for Elemental and Enhancement Shamans: 

6. Professions

As both Elemental and Enhancement, your go-to profession should be Leatherworking. It allows you to craft very powerful items, the Netherstrike and Ebon Netherscale sets respectively, as well as useful items like Drums of Battle. 

Tailoring is the best second profession for Elemental as it provides the very powerful Spellstrike set. Meanwhile, Blacksmithing is the other choice for Enhancement as it allows you to craft powerful axes.