Starting a shaman So , you ' re thinking of playing a Shaman ? This page is intended to give a short overview of what to do over the first 10 levels or so , just to get you started on the right path . If you ' re looking for more of an overview of the class ' s abilities , see the main Shaman page . For more advanced topics , see the Shaman Tactics . For a more general overview on starting out playing WoW , see the Newbie Guide . Shamans are jack - of - all - trades , meaning that they are a hybrid of several abilities rather than a class with one specialized role . They can heal , fight , do direct damage , do damage over time , and buff groups . They can do it all . Unfortunately , they cannot do it all very well . Their versatility spreads wide , but not deep . They will not typically heal as well as a Priest , fight as well as a Warrior , smite the enemy from afar as well as a Warlock , or crowd control at all . Being versatile , they can handle most situations themselves , so they make good solo characters . A defining characteristic of Shamans is their totems , which can be a serious advantage to groups when used correctly . One challenge in using Shaman totems is that they are stationary , and only affect the Shaman , party members , or enemies who are within range . However , in exchange for this limitation , Shaman Totems include one of the most varied set of skills in the game . Further , four totems may be active at once , typically two or three of which are improving every member of the group . As a result , a single Shaman brings skills that would take several other classes to provide to a group . Whether your Shaman specializes in healing , melee dps , or caster dps , you will have the opportunity to play a utility role through totems . In lower level groups , this utility function will often go unnoticed . For example , Stoneskin Totem reduces the damage taken by party members , and a resistance totem can reduce the magic damage in a particular school of magic . In certain encounters , these group bonuses will make a dramatic difference . At lower levels , other players may not realize your appropriate use of totems is playing such an important role , and as a result they will go under - appreciated . However , at higher levels , and especially at maximum - level where players are more experienced , your totems will not only be appreciated , but sought out , talked about , negotiated for , revered , and sometimes even demanded . If you ' re considering playing a shaman , you ' ll have to ask yourself a few questions , first : These are all things a shaman will deal with . It ' s an unorthodox hybrid role , and sometimes under - appreciated . Shaman are not as popular healers as priests when people need to set up a group , but will get just as much blame if the whole party is killed . It will take more to gain the respect of other players , but that fact will make the respect all the greater . Race selection . If you ' re a power - player , you ' ll want to consider the various Racial Traits when choosing what race to play . You might also consider the racial Attributes , but after the first 20 levels or so these become largely irrelevant , as the items you ' ve gained will often outstrip any racial bonuses . Shamans can be only four of the Horde races and two on the Alliance side , but also a Pandaren , each of which has an ability that lends itself to the class : For more casual gamers , there ' s really no major difference between the races - choose the race that you want to play , whether for its looks , its voice , or because it ' s simply good fun ! Equipment . Again , shamans are a balanced class , so you should balance your gear as well , with emphasis on maximizing the effectiveness of your desired role ( s ) . Elementalists will want burst damage caster stats , so look for hit rating , crit rating , intellect , MP5 , and spellpower . Enhancement shamans will want light melee stats with a lesser emphasis on caster stats . Look for hit rating , crit rating , attack power ( especially via agility , though raw AP tends to come in larger quantities ) , and intellect . Thanks to Mental Quickness , spellpower is basically ignorable , but you shouldn ' t necessarily refuse it . Restoration shamans naturally want healing stats . Look for intellect , spellpower , MP5 , and crit rating . Combat . Totems : Drop em like they are HOT ! ( Something that was a staple in a shaman ' s past was Totemic Focus . This very helpful and essential part of a shaman was removed on a recent patch . ) Don ' t stand next to them , get behind your opponent ! Put them between you and your totems . Early leveling . The easiest way to progress through the early levels is to simply do any and all of the quests you can find . Not only will you breeze through the first 5 to 10 levels , but you ' ll get useful gear and precious money . Money is particularly important so you can purchase your spells . You will spend levels 1 to 5 in your starting town . Make sure you get all the spells you can from your trainer . Between level 5 and 6 you ' ll find yourself heading off to your second town and a new trainer who can teach you various things . At the second town , repeat the process - do each and every quest you can find . It ' s important to keep up with your abilities and your gear . Now is also an appropriate time to start training in your chosen professions . Levels 1 - 3 . Initially , you ' re equipped with a ranged attack , Lightning Bolt . At maximum range , open combat by casting Lightning Bolt , spamming it until the mob is dead . Levels 4 - 5 . At level 4 , you can learn Earth Shock and Rockbiter Weapon . If you are solo ing or actively assuming the role of a tank , keep Rockbiter active at all times , and continually spam Earth Shock as often as possible . Continue to open combat with Lightning Bolt at maximum range . Also use Earth Shock to snipe runners . Levels 6 - 7 . At level 6 , you can learn Earthbind Totem and soon acquire Stoneskin Totem . Cast Stoneskin Totem to buff your defenses before combat . Switch to Earthbind Totem if the enemy starts to run or if you ' re trying to run away . Notable early quests . The following lists are not intended to be comprehensive , but cover a selection of the best quests in the starting areas from levels 1 to 10 . On soloing and grouping . Soloing . At early levels , the shaman is usually more than a match for any single opponent of their own level or less , but can almost never defeat two such opponents at once . When approaching groups of opponents , try to pick out one on the edge and draw it away with Earth Shock . At low levels , the mob should obediently run over to you without alerting its comrades . Exchange blows with your opponent , keeping an Earth Shock in reserve in case they try to run . Make sure you have a weapon buff like Rockbiter Weapon on at all times . Once you get it , keep your Lightning Shield active all of the time ( you may need to reactivate it repeatedly during combat ) . Most of the time , you should have a Stoneskin Totem active , preferably cast before the combat ( this totem lasts long enough that you can often cast it , then regenerate your mana before starting your attack ) . Since you can only cast one totem of each element at a time , the Earthbind Totem tends not to be used often . Use it only when fighting fast opponents , or those likely to run . ( Plainstriders are both of these . ) Similarly , the Stoneclaw Totem is of limited utility , as generally you will quickly generate more threat than it . It can be useful as a decoy , however , if you are being chased or are trying to slip by a mob . Also , if you accidentally get 2 ( or more ) mobs on a pull or an add runs up while you are busy , you can drop a stoneclaw totem to keep the extra ( s ) busy for a while as you bash the first one into submission , because , if you don ' t attack them they will stay interested in the totem and not you . Shamans are one of the few casting classes that can wear leather armor , so push this advantage as much as possible . Make sure you have the best armor you can afford , and either make or buy armor kits to pump your armor . Grouping . The shaman is a jack - of - all - trades class , 2nd to only the druids , which make them both a blessing and a curse for groups . They can fulfill multiple roles in a group ( not effective tanks ) , but never fill any one role as well as a more specialized class . Additionally , most skills that make shamans useful to a group come after reaching level 10 . Still , low - level shamans can help most groups significantly . Their totem spells are some of the only spells in the game that affect entire groups . At low levels , the Stoneskin Totem improves the survivability of the party significantly , as does Healing Wave . The combination makes low - level shamans best at being a group ' s secondary healer , though they can be primary healers if necessary . If acting as primary healer , refrain from activating your Lightning Shield in order to avoid drawing aggro that might interrupt your heals . Shamans can also both deal and take damage , so often will act as a buffer between front line fighters and the direct damage dealers . If your group dynamic allows it , try to focus less on fighting and more on monitoring the battlefield . Heal when needed . Always group buff with Stoneskin . Watch for mobs harassing spell casters , particularly the primary healer . If you are the primary healer , resist the urge to pummel opponents . Playing a group shaman is something of an art . You have a wide range of tricks at your disposal and using the right one at the right time makes all the difference . Most classes are given advice to " assist " the Warrior if you have one in your group , to ensure you focus your party ' s firepower on one mob . You can do this by selecting the tank ( use the F1 - F5 keys to target group members ) and then pressing " F " . This way , mobs will die faster . If you don ' t have a tank in the group , agree amongst yourselves who to assist . Although it ' s not all that important now , it ' s an important habit to get used to for later levels . While good advice , shamans should take it with a grain of salt . If tank support is your role in the group , then do it ; however , more often your job will be to assist the other players who are assisting the tank . Useful professions . Being a jack - of - all - trade ' s class , it should come as no surprise that a number of professions are useful to the Shaman . Primary professions . Start your profession early ! It ' s usually not too expensive , and you want to ensure that anything you create with your skills is applicable to your shaman ' s level . Long - term goals . The most important goal for a low - level shaman is to get the earth and ( at level 10 ) fire totems whilst also learning all available spells . As you approach level ten , you should develop a strategy for your talents and be building up the skills and professions for them . For example , will you use a fast weapon and a shield or a heavy hitting two - hander ? Which of these you favor may color your choices of talents .