Elemental Shaman PvE Guide - Cataclysm Classic

These guides are based on simulation data, tools, and theorycrafting from original Cataclysm. We'll be sure to update them when modern sims are finished. Rotations are likely to get optimized via sims, but it should already give you a very strong starting point.

Introduction

    Elemental Shamans bring 5% Critical Strike Chance with
    Elemental Oath
    and 10% Spell Power with
    Totemic Wrath
    to raids. All Shamans have access to some other important raid buffs such as
    Windfury Totem
    for 10% Attack Speed,
    Wrath of Air Totem
    for 5% Spell Haste,
    Strength of Earth Totem
    for Strength and Agility, and of course
    Bloodlust
    or
    Heroism
    .

Cataclysm Classic Elemental Shaman Rotation

    Elemental Shaman have a simple rotation. They have a couple things to watch out for, one being
    Lava Surge
    procs, which resets your
    Lava Burst
    cooldown, as well as their
    Lightning Shield
    stacks which go up to 9 stacks because of
    Rolling Thunder
    and
    Earth Shock
    is now used in the rotation because of
    Fulmination
    . Similiar to Wrath of the Lich King, you will be looking to snapshot your
    Fire Elemental Totem
    , and you will be able to get more
    Elemental Mastery
    casts off during a fight because of
    .

Opener

  1. Whenever all or most of your procs align in your opener, cast
    Fire Elemental Totem
    . When appropriate, you can also drop
    Earth Elemental Totem
    with it by placing them in the same totem group. Make sure to drop
    Searing Totem
    once it expires.
  2. Place down your totems.
  3. Pre-pot
    Volcanic Potion
    .
  4. Pre-cast
    Lightning Bolt
    .
  5. Cast
    Flame Shock
    .
  6. Cast
    Elemental Mastery
    .
  7. Cast
    Lava Burst
    .
  8. Proceed with single target rotation.

Single Target

  1. Use
    Flametongue Weapon
    .
  2. Use
    Lightning Shield
    .
  3. Maintain
    Searing Totem
    ,
    Healing Stream Totem
    ,
    Wrath of Air Totem
    , and
    Stoneskin Totem
    . This is just a baseline, totems might change depending on raid composition.
  4. Maintain
    Flame Shock
    . Refresh in between the second to last and last tick.
  5. Cast
    Fire Elemental Totem
    . Try your best to snapshot it with your Spellpower/Intellect trinket procs.
  6. Cast
    Earth Elemental Totem
    on fights it won't interfere with adds.
  7. Use
    Elemental Mastery
    with
    Lightning Bolt
    .
  8. Cast
    Lava Burst
    if the target is afflicted by
    Flame Shock
    . Watch out for
    Lava Surge
    procs.
  9. Cast
    Earth Shock
    when you have 7-9
    Lightning Shield
    charges.
  10. Cast
    Lightning Bolt
    .
  11. Cast
    Thunderstorm
    if you need mana.
  12. Cast
    Spiritwalker's Grace
    if you need to DPS on the move.

AoE

    2 - 3 targets:

  1. Maintain
    Flame Shock
    on all of them.
  2. Replace
    Searing Totem
    with
    Magma Totem
    only at 2 additional enemies.
  3. Replace
    Lightning Bolt
    with
    Chain Lightning
    .
  4. Proceed with single target rotation.
  5. For large pulls:

  6. Replace
    Searing Totem
    with
    Magma Totem
    .
  7. Cast
    Thunderstorm
    .
  8. Cast
    Earthquake
    .
  9. Cast
    Chain Lightning
    .

Cataclysm Classic Elemental Shaman Talents

Standard Build

You can take the point out of
Improved Shields R1
and put it into
Earthquake
if needed.
0
Elemental
0
Enhancement
0
Restoration

Cataclysm Classic Elemental Shaman Glyphs

  1. Prime:
    Flame ShockFlame Shock
    ,
    Lava BurstLava Burst
    ,
    Unleashed LightningUnleashed Lightning
  2. Optional: If the fight has little to no movement, you can replace
    Unleashed LightningUnleashed Lightning
    with
    Lightning BoltLightning Bolt
    .
  3. Major:
    Lightning ShieldLightning Shield
    ,
    Healing Stream TotemHealing Stream Totem
  4. Optional: For AoE fights, use
    Chain LightningChain Lightning
  5. Minor:
    ThunderstormThunderstorm
    ,
    Renewed Life-cataRenewed Life

Cataclysm Classic Elemental Shaman Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

    Best:
  • Flask of the Draconic Mind

Food

    Best:
  • Seafood Magnifique Feast
    ,
  • Severed Sagefish Head
    ,
  • Fortune Cookie
    Alternatives:
  • Broiled Dragon Feast
    ,
  • Pickled Guppy

Potions

    Best:
  • Volcanic Potion

Cataclysm Classic Elemental Shaman Best Races

Alliance

  1. Draenei:
    Heroic Presence

Horde

  1. Orc:
    Blood Fury
  2. Troll:
    Berserking
  3. Goblin:
    Time is Money
    ,
    Rocket Barrage
    , and
    Rocket Jump

Cataclysm Classic Elemental Shaman Best Professions

  1. Engineering:
    Synapse Springs
    .
  2. The rest of the professions are very close in power, with Blacksmithing becoming better with epic gems in T13.