How to Level a Shaman in WoW Forever
Enhancement is the smoothest way to level a Shaman: a slow two-handed axe or mace, Lightning Shield and a Fire totem working for you, and shocks to finish. The recommended plan takes Stormstrike at 25 and spends eleven Restoration points purely on Mana, so you rarely stop to drink, and it never needs a respec.
Shaman Leveling Milestones
- Lv 4
Earth Shock, your first instant damage spell and an interrupt.
- Lv 8
Lightning Shield, which damages anything that hits you.
- Lv 10
Flame Shock, Searing Totem, Flametongue Weapon, and your first talent point.
- Lv 12
Fire Nova, which bursts around your active Fire totem every 10 seconds.
- Lv 20
Ghost Wolf for travel, Call of the Elements to drop four totems at once, and Lesser Healing Wave.
- Lv 25
Stormstrike, the turning point of the build.
- Lv 30
Windfury Weapon and Reincarnation.
- Lv 40
Chain Heal, and Restoration points start paying for your Mana.
- Lv 43
Water Shield: getting hit now restores Mana.
- Lv 54
Rage of the Farseer: 30% attack speed for 25 seconds.
Shaman Enhancement Leveling Build
Critical strike and Attack Power from Intellect first, Stormstrike at 25, then Flurry and Improved Stormstrike. From 33 the plan takes 11 Restoration points for hit, Mana regeneration while casting, cheaper totems, and Water Shield, then completes Enhancement with Maelstrom Weapon and Rage of the Farseer, and ends with six Elemental points.
How the Enhancement Leveling Plan Works
Elemental Combat6
5/5
1/3
Enhancement34
5/5
2/5
3/3
3/3
1/1
1/3
5/5
1/1
2/2
1/1
2/2
2/2
5/5
1/1
Restoration11
5/53/3
2/5
1/1
An Enhancement Shaman hits with a weapon but pays for everything in Mana. This plan solves the damage first and the Mana second. Thundering Strikes adds 5% critical strike to everything, and Mental Dexterity turns 150% of your Intellect into Attack Power, which is why Intellect plus Strength gear suits you: Intellect is both your Mana and your damage.
Stormstrike at 25 is the one turning point in the build. It is an instant strike for 150% weapon damage that also makes your next Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, or Earth Shock hit harder. Take it as early as you can: delaying it for anything else is the biggest mistake a leveling Shaman can make.
The real cure for running out of Mana is not drinking or rushing to Water Shield. It is Improved Stormstrike together with Mindfulness: every Stormstrike gives you 50% Mana regeneration while casting for 15 seconds, and Mindfulness keeps half your regeneration going while you cast. That is what lets Enhancement keep pushing forward.
Enhancement Leveling: Point Order by Level
| Level | Spend the point on | Tree points | Show in the calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 10–24Critical strike and Attack Power Thundering Strikes 5/5 at 10–14 and Mental Dexterity 3/3 at 15–17. Ancestral Knowledge 2/5 at 18–19 for more Intellect, Shamanistic Focus at 20 to make shocks and Lightning Shield 45% cheaper, Elemental Weapons 3/3 at 21–23, and one point of Anticipation at 24 to open the next row. | |||
| 10–14 | Thundering Strikes 5/5 · Enhancement | 0 / 5 / 0 | Open |
| 15–17 | Mental Dexterity 3/3 · Enhancement | 0 / 8 / 0 | Open |
| 18–19 | Ancestral Knowledge 2/5 · Enhancement | 0 / 10 / 0 | Open |
| 20 | Shamanistic Focus 1/1 · Enhancement | 0 / 11 / 0 | Open |
| 21–23 | Elemental Weapons 3/3 · Enhancement | 0 / 14 / 0 | Open |
| 24 | Anticipation 1/3 · Enhancement | 0 / 15 / 0 | Open |
| Levels 25–32Stormstrike Stormstrike at 25, then Improved Ghost Wolf 2/2 at 26–27 for an instant, indoor-usable Ghost Wolf, Flurry 2/5 at 28–29, Improved Stormstrike 2/2 at 30–31, and Spirit Weapons at 32 for a chance to parry. | |||
| 25 | Stormstrike 1/1 · Enhancement | 0 / 16 / 0 | Open |
| 26–27 | Improved Ghost Wolf 2/2 · Enhancement | 0 / 18 / 0 | Open |
| 28–29 | Flurry 2/5 · Enhancement | 0 / 20 / 0 | Open |
| 30–31 | Improved Stormstrike 2/2 · Enhancement | 0 / 22 / 0 | Open |
| 32 | Spirit Weapons 1/1 · Enhancement | 0 / 23 / 0 | Open |
| Levels 33–43Restoration for Mana Tidal Focus 5/5 at 33–37 for 5% hit, Mindfulness 3/3 at 38–40, Totemic Focus 2/5 at 41–42, and Water Shield at 43: from here, getting hit restores Mana. | |||
| 33–37 | Tidal Focus 5/5 · Restoration | 0 / 23 / 5 | Open |
| 38–40 | Mindfulness 3/3 · Restoration | 0 / 23 / 8 | Open |
| 41–42 | Totemic Focus 2/5 · Restoration | 0 / 23 / 10 | Open |
| 43 | Water Shield 1/1 · Restoration | 0 / 23 / 11 | Open |
| Levels 44–54Finish Enhancement Flurry 5/5 at 44–46, Mental Quickness 2/2 at 47–48, Maelstrom Weapon 5/5 at 49–53, and Rage of the Farseer at 54 for 30% attack speed for 25 seconds. | |||
| 44–46 | Flurry 5/5 · Enhancement | 0 / 26 / 11 | Open |
| 47–48 | Mental Quickness 2/2 · Enhancement | 0 / 28 / 11 | Open |
| 49–53 | Maelstrom Weapon 5/5 · Enhancement | 0 / 33 / 11 | Open |
| 54 | Rage of the Farseer 1/1 · Enhancement | 0 / 34 / 11 | Open |
| Levels 55–60Six points of Elemental Concussion 5/5 at 55–59 for 5% more Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Earth Shock damage, and Elemental Devastation at 60. Elemental stops at the second row: anything deeper needs more points than leveling can spare. | |||
| 55–59 | Concussion 5/5 · Elemental Combat | 5 / 34 / 11 | Open |
| 60 | Elemental Devastation 1/3 · Elemental Combat | 6 / 34 / 11 | Open |
Enhancement Leveling: Rotation and How to Play
Levels 10–24: before Stormstrike
Put up Lightning Shield before every fight: it damages whatever hits you. Open with Flame Shock and drop a Searing Totem before you reach melee range; it is the only totem worth keeping up all the time at this stage. Use Earth Shock whenever it is ready, and only use Fire Nova on three or more monsters.
From 25: Stormstrike
Use Stormstrike on cooldown: it is your damage, your Mana regeneration, and a boost to your next Lightning Bolt. Let Maelstrom Weapon stack to five before casting Lightning Bolt, when it is cheapest and fastest. Totems are situational: Stoneclaw to save your life, Earthbind to kite, Tremor against fear, and Searing as your constant.
Weapon and stats
Before 30, use Flametongue or Rockbiter Weapon; switch to Windfury Weapon at 30. Pick a slow two-hander with high damage per hit, since Windfury procs from that hit. Strength first, then Intellect, which gives 1.5 Attack Power plus spell critical strike and Mana. Spell power is only worth half as much to you, so do not trade Strength for it.
Shaman Talents, Spells, and Gear by Level
Each range shows the talent points of the recommended plan, the spells to train, and the best gear for your faction. Switch faction in the site header to see the other side's gear.
Shaman Levels 1–10
Use Rockbiter Weapon and the biggest two-hander you can find. Lightning Bolt to pull, Earth Shock to finish, and Lightning Shield from 8. Stoneclaw Totem at 8 is your safety net when a pull goes wrong.
- 1 talent point
- 12 new spells
- 4 rank-ups
- 11 gear upgrades
Spells to Train
- 1Lightning Bolt
1Rockbiter Weapon- 1Healing Wave
- 4Earth Shock
- 4Stoneskin Totem
6Earthbind Totem- 8Stoneclaw Totem
- 8Lightning Shield
10Flame Shock
10Searing Totem- 10Flametongue Weapon
10Strength of Earth Totem
Plus 4 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →- 1 talent point
- 12 new spells
- 4 rank-ups
- 11 gear upgrades
Spells to Train
- 1Lightning Bolt
- 1Rockbiter Weapon
- 1Healing Wave
- 4Earth Shock
- 4Stoneskin Totem
- 6Earthbind Totem
- 8Stoneclaw Totem
- 8Lightning Shield
- 10Flame Shock
- 10Searing Totem
- 10Flametongue Weapon
- 10Strength of Earth Totem
Plus 4 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Shaman Levels 10–20
Your first points go into Thundering Strikes for critical strike. From 10, Flame Shock opens each fight and Searing Totem is your one always-on totem; switch to Flametongue Weapon. Fire Nova at 12 is worth casting only on three or more monsters.
- 10 talent points
- 11 new spells
- 12 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5Thundering StrikesLv 11–14
- 3/3Mental DexterityLv 15–17
- 2/5Ancestral KnowledgeLv 18–19
- 1/1Shamanistic FocusLv 20
Spells to Train
- 12Fire Nova
12Purge
12Ancestral Spirit
16Cure Poison
18Tremor Totem
20Call of the Elements
20Frost Shock
20Frostbrand Weapon- 20Ghost Wolf
20Healing Stream Totem- 20Lesser Healing Wave
Plus 12 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Relic
Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring
Ring
- 10 talent points
- 11 new spells
- 12 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5Thundering StrikesLv 11–14
- 3/3Mental DexterityLv 15–17
- 2/5Ancestral KnowledgeLv 18–19
- 1/1Shamanistic FocusLv 20
Spells to Train
- 12Fire Nova
- 12Purge
- 12Ancestral Spirit
- 16Cure Poison
- 18Tremor Totem
- 20Call of the Elements
- 20Frost Shock
- 20Frostbrand Weapon
- 20Ghost Wolf
- 20Healing Stream Totem
- 20Lesser Healing Wave
Plus 12 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Relic
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
Waist- Legs
- Feet
Ring- Ring
Shaman Levels 20–30
Ghost Wolf at 20 speeds up travel, and Improved Ghost Wolf at 26–27 makes it close to instant. Stormstrike at 25 changes everything: use it on cooldown for damage and, from 30–31, for Mana regeneration. Call of the Elements drops your totems in one cast.
- 10 talent points
- 17 new spells
- 16 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3Elemental WeaponsLv 21–23
- 1/3AnticipationLv 24
- 1/1StormstrikeLv 25
- 2/2Improved Ghost WolfLv 26–27
- 2/5FlurryLv 28–29
- 1/2Improved StormstrikeLv 30
Spells to Train
22Totemic Call
22Water Breathing
22Cure Disease
22Poison Cleansing Totem
24Frost Resistance Totem
26Magma Totem
26Far Sight- 26Mana Spring Totem
28Fire Resistance Totem
28Flametongue Totem
28Water Walking
30Call of the Ancestors
30Astral Recall
30Grounding Totem
30Nature Resistance Totem
30Windfury Weapon- 30Reincarnation
Plus 16 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Relic
Head
Neck- Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist- Hands
Waist- Legs
Feet
Ring- Ring
- 10 talent points
- 17 new spells
- 16 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3Elemental WeaponsLv 21–23
- 1/3AnticipationLv 24
- 1/1StormstrikeLv 25
- 2/2Improved Ghost WolfLv 26–27
- 2/5FlurryLv 28–29
- 1/2Improved StormstrikeLv 30
Spells to Train
- 22Totemic Call
- 22Water Breathing
- 22Cure Disease
- 22Poison Cleansing Totem
- 24Frost Resistance Totem
- 26Magma Totem
- 26Far Sight
- 26Mana Spring Totem
- 28Fire Resistance Totem
- 28Flametongue Totem
- 28Water Walking
- 30Call of the Ancestors
- 30Astral Recall
- 30Grounding Totem
- 30Nature Resistance Totem
- 30Windfury Weapon
- 30Reincarnation
Plus 16 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Relic
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
Shaman Levels 30–40
Switch to Windfury Weapon at 30: with a slow two-hander it is a big step up. From 33 the plan takes Restoration points for hit and Mana regeneration while casting. Chain Lightning at 32 helps on packs.
- 10 talent points
- 7 new spells
- 27 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/2Improved StormstrikeLv 31
- 1/1Spirit WeaponsLv 32
- 5/5Tidal FocusLv 33–37
- 3/3MindfulnessLv 38–40
Spells to Train
32Chain Lightning
32Windfury Totem
34Sentry Totem
36Windwall Totem
38Disease Cleansing Totem
40Call of the Spirits
40Chain Heal
Plus 27 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Relic
Head- Neck
Shoulder- Back
Chest- Wrist
Hands- Waist
Legs
Feet- Ring
- Ring
- 10 talent points
- 7 new spells
- 27 rank-ups
- 14 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/2Improved StormstrikeLv 31
- 1/1Spirit WeaponsLv 32
- 5/5Tidal FocusLv 33–37
- 3/3MindfulnessLv 38–40
Spells to Train
- 32Chain Lightning
- 32Windfury Totem
- 34Sentry Totem
- 36Windwall Totem
- 38Disease Cleansing Totem
- 40Call of the Spirits
- 40Chain Heal
Plus 27 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Relic
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
Chest- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
Legs- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
Shaman Levels 40–50
Chain Heal at 40 makes you a capable emergency healer in groups. Water Shield at 43 restores Mana whenever you are hit, and Maelstrom Weapon at 49–53 turns your melee swings into fast, cheap Lightning Bolts.
- 10 talent points
- 1 new spells
- 26 rank-ups
- 16 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/5Totemic FocusLv 41–42
- 1/1Water ShieldLv 43
- 5/5FlurryLv 44–46
- 2/2Mental QuicknessLv 47–48
- 2/5Maelstrom WeaponLv 49–50
Spells to Train
42Grace of Air Totem
Plus 26 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Relic
- Head
- Neck
Shoulder- Back
- Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring
Ring
Trinket
Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 1 new spells
- 26 rank-ups
- 16 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/5Totemic FocusLv 41–42
- 1/1Water ShieldLv 43
- 5/5FlurryLv 44–46
- 2/2Mental QuicknessLv 47–48
- 2/5Maelstrom WeaponLv 49–50
Spells to Train
- 42Grace of Air Totem
Plus 26 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Relic
- Head
Neck- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- Trinket
Trinket
Shaman Levels 50–60
Rage of the Farseer at 54 adds 30% attack speed for 25 seconds; save it for elites and big pulls. The last points go into Concussion for stronger Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Earth Shock.
- 10 talent points
- 34 rank-ups
- 16 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5Maelstrom WeaponLv 51–53
- 1/1Rage of the FarseerLv 54
- 5/5ConcussionLv 55–59
- 1/3Elemental DevastationLv 60
Spells to Train
No new spells in this range.
Plus 34 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Relic
Head
Neck- Shoulder
Back- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring
Ring- Trinket
- Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 34 rank-ups
- 16 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5Maelstrom WeaponLv 51–53
- 1/1Rage of the FarseerLv 54
- 5/5ConcussionLv 55–59
- 1/3Elemental DevastationLv 60
Spells to Train
No new spells in this range.
Plus 34 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Shaman spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Relic
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- Trinket
- Trinket
Shaman Leveling Gear and Stats
Weapon first
A slow two-handed axe or mace with high damage per hit is the most important item you own: Windfury Weapon and Stormstrike both scale with the size of each hit. Replace it whenever you find a clearly stronger one.
Stats
Strength first, at 2 Attack Power per point. Intellect is next: Mental Dexterity turns it into Attack Power, and it also adds Mana and spell critical strike. Mail and leather with Strength and Intellect, or Agility for critical strike, all work. Spell power is worth half as much to you, so do not trade Strength for it.
Hit
Tidal Focus gives you 5% hit from 33–37, so you do not need to chase hit gear while leveling.
Shaman Leveling Questions
What is the best Shaman leveling spec in WoW Forever?
Enhancement with a two-handed weapon. The plan on this page ends at 34 Enhancement, 11 Restoration, and 6 Elemental, takes Stormstrike at 25, and never needs a respec.
When does a Shaman get Stormstrike?
Stormstrike is the 16-point Enhancement talent, so the earliest you can take it is level 25. Take it then: delaying it for anything else slows your leveling.
When do Shamans get Ghost Wolf and Windfury Weapon?
Ghost Wolf at level 20 and Windfury Weapon at level 30. Improved Ghost Wolf, at 26–27 in this plan, cuts 3 seconds from the Ghost Wolf cast and lets you use it indoors.
Should a leveling Shaman use a two-handed weapon?
Yes. Every Shaman in WoW Forever can use two-handed axes and maces without a talent, and a slow, hard-hitting two-hander makes Stormstrike and Windfury Weapon much stronger.
How do I stop running out of Mana as Enhancement?
Improved Stormstrike gives you 50% Mana regeneration while casting for 15 seconds after each Stormstrike, and Mindfulness keeps half your regeneration going while you cast. Add Water Shield at 43, use Searing Totem as your only always-on totem, and only cast Fire Nova on three or more monsters.
When can Shamans wear mail in WoW Forever?
At level 40, when Shamans learn Mail. Until then, wear leather and cloth with Strength, Intellect, or Agility; from 40, mail pieces with the same stats become your upgrades.
What relic does a Shaman use?
Shamans use a Totem in the relic slot. The gear row of each level range on this page includes the best Totem for that range, and the Shaman BiS page lists it at every level from 20 to 60.
Can I heal dungeons with this leveling build?
In normal leveling dungeons, yes: Healing Wave, Lesser Healing Wave, and Chain Heal from 40 are enough with some Intellect gear. If you want to heal most of your runs, a Restoration build heals far better.