WoW Classic Elemental Shaman PvE DPS Guide for Dungeons & Raids

Elemental Shamans in WoW Classic excel at burst damage and utility, using spells like Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Earth Shock to quickly defeat enemies while supporting groups with totems, Purge, and emergency healing.

This WoW Classic Elemental Shaman PvE DPS Guide covers optimal talent builds, rotations, stats, gear (BiS by phase), consumables, enchants, and strengths/weaknesses to help you maximize your DPS in raids.

Elemental Shaman Viability in Raids

Why bring an Elemental Shaman?

• Explosive burst damage that can swing fights.

• Access to totems that buff or protect the group.

• Hybrid flexibility: DPS first, but can off-heal when needed.

Limitations:

• Mana hungry – runs dry fast in long fights.

• Weaker sustained DPS compared to Mages/Warlocks.

• Nature resistance encounters cripple your damage.

• Often pressured into healing roles in progression guilds.

👉 Verdict: Elemental Shaman is a niche but fun raid DPS spec. You won’t top meters, but you bring unique support and scary burst potential.

Best Races for Elemental Shaman (Horde Only)

Recommendation: Troll for raiding, Orc for PvP, Tauren if you want a sturdier all-rounder.

Elemental Shaman PvE Talent Tree Builds Calculator (Classic)

👉 Why this build?

• Provides +3% hit (Nature’s Guidance).

• Keeps Totemic Mastery (important in raids).

• Has both Elemental Mastery and Nature’s Swiftness for clutch moments.

Alternative Build (31/0/20) – Selfish DPS

• • Goes deeper into Elemental for more crit/damage.

  • Drops some Restoration support (no Totemic Mastery, weaker utility).

  • Higher burst DPS, but less group value.

👉 Use for dungeons or when raid doesn’t rely on your support.

Elemental Shaman DPS Rotation and Cooldowns (WoW Classic)

Single Target Rotation

1. Maintain Lightning Shield pre-pull.

2. Open with Lightning Bolt → Chain Lightning.

3. Use Elemental Mastery combo for guaranteed crit burst.

4. Earth Shock as an instant nuke (watch threat!).

5. Spam Lightning Bolt as filler.

6. Refresh totems as needed.

AoE Rotation

• Open with Chain Lightning on cooldown.

• Drop Magma Totem or Fire Nova Totem for AoE damage.

• Use Goblin Sapper Charge / Dynamite if Engineering.

Cooldown Management

• Elemental Mastery: Save for burn phases or execute windows.

• Nature’s Swiftness: Emergency heal or surprise instant nuke.

• Mana Tide Totem (if specced): Save for long fights.

Elemental Shaman Stat Priority for PvE Raids

Hit Cap First!

• Boss level enemies require 16% spell hit to cap.

• With Nature’s Guidance (3%) + raid buffs (Misery/Improved Faerie Fire are NOT in Classic), you’ll realistically aim for +3–6% hit from gear.

Priority Order:

1. Spell Hit (until 16%, realistically 6–9% with gear).

2. Spell Power – Main source of damage scaling.

3. Crit Chance – Synergizes with Elemental Fury for huge crits.

4. Intellect – Increases mana pool + some crit.

5. MP5 / Mana Regen – Helps with long fights.

6. Stamina – Survival buffer.

Best Enchants and Consumables for Elemental Shaman DPS

Enchants

• Head/Legs: Arcanum of Focus (+8 spell hit).

• Shoulders: Zandalar Signet of Mojo (+18 spell power).

• Back: +5 All Resist or +20 Fire Resist (situational).

• Chest: +4 All Stats.

• Wrist: +9 Intellect.

• Hands: +20 Fire/Shadow Spell Power.

• Weapon: +30 Spell Power.

Consumables

• Flask of Supreme Power (+150 Spell Power).

• Greater Arcane Elixir (+35 Spell Power).

• Brilliant Wizard Oil (+36 Spell Power, +1% crit).

• Major Mana Potions (mandatory for every fight).

• Nightfin Soup (+8 MP5 food).

• Elixir of Greater Firepower (+40 Fire Power, optional).

Elemental Shaman BiS Gear by Phase (WoW Classic)

Pre-Raid BiS Highlights

• Head: Green Lens of Nature Damage (Engineering).

• Chest: Robe of the Archmage (Tailoring).

• Weapon: Azuresong Mageblade (MC trash).

• Trinket: Eye of the Beast (Ony quest).

Raid Boss Tips for Elemental Shaman DPS

• MC/Ony (P1): Azuresong Mageblade, Choker of Enlightenment.

• BWL (P3): Neltharion’s Tear (trinket), Netherwind Pants (off-set).

• AQ40 (P5): Ring of the Fallen God, Scepter of the False Prophet.

• Naxx (P6): Ring of Eternal Flame, Staff of the Shadow Flame.

👉 I can build a full BiS table phase-by-phase like Wowhead does if you want maximum SEO.

Best Professions for Elemental Shaman DPS in Classic

• Engineering: Best for DPS boost (Battle Chicken, explosives).

• Alchemy + Herbalism: Great for farming your own consumables.

• Tailoring: Optional early for crafted caster gear.

Raid Boss Tips for Elemental Shaman DPS

• Ragnaros (MC): Use Fire Resistance Totem, bring Greater Fire Protection Pots.

• Vaelastrasz (BWL): Burn everything with Elemental Mastery combo.

• Princess Huhuran (AQ40): Use Nature Protection Pots.

• Sapphiron (Naxx): Frost Resistance Totem + Frost Prot Potions.

Elemental Shaman DPS FAQ (WoW Classic)

Related Guides

• WoW Classic Elemental Shaman Guide – Complete overview and introduction
• WoW Classic Elemental Shaman Leveling Guide – Level 1-60 efficient leveling path
• WoW Classic Elemental Shaman PvP Guide – Arena and Battleground strategies

Conclusion

Elemental Shaman in Classic WoW is all about burst damage and hybrid support. You won’t top meters, but you’ll bring:

• Strong totem utility.

• Explosive burst windows.

• Flexibility to off-heal when needed.

Key takeaways:

• Prioritize spell hit → spell power → crit.

• Always carry mana consumables.

• Engineering is non-negotiable for raid performance.

• Play smart: your raid spot depends on utility + preparation, not raw DPS.