WoW Classic Enhancement Shaman PvE DPS Guide: Raids & Dungeons

The Enhancement Shaman in WoW Classic is primarily valued in raids for its exceptional group support rather than raw personal DPS. While your own damage output won’t match that of Warriors or Rogues, your Windfury Totem can boost your entire melee group’s DPS by thousands, making you an essential part of any raid composition.

This WoW Classic Enhancement Shaman PvE DPS Guide covers everything you need to maximize your raid performance — including optimal PvE talent builds, rotation priorities, totem management strategies, best-in-slot gear progression, and advanced tips to increase your overall contribution to the raid. By mastering these techniques, you’ll become an indispensable force in any endgame PvE encounter.

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Enhancement PvE Overview

Your Role in Raids

Primary Role: Totem support for melee DPS groups
Secondary Role: Melee DPS with burst potential
Utility: Emergency healing, cleansing, resistance totems

Why Raids Bring Enhancement:

• ✅ Windfury Totem – 20% increased melee attack speed (party-only)
• ✅ Strength of Earth Totem – +77 Strength for entire party
• ✅ Grace of Air Totem – +77 Agility for entire party
• ✅ Utility Totems – Tremor, Poison/Disease Cleansing, Resistance totems
• ✅ Flexible – Can emergency heal, off-tank adds, or resurrect (Reincarnation)

Reality Check:

• ❌ Your personal DPS will be low compared to pure DPS classes
• ❌ You are mana-hungry and may go OOM on long fights
• ❌ Your damage is RNG-dependent on Windfury procs
• ❌ You will compete with Warriors/Rogues for melee gear
• ✅ But you make 4 other melee DPS significantly stronger

Typical Raid Composition

Most Horde raids want 8+ Shamans total, with typical distribution:

• 6-7 Restoration Shamans (healing)
• 1-2 Enhancement Shamans (melee group totems)
• 0-1 Elemental Shamans (if allowed)

Ideal Melee Group Composition:

1. Enhancement Shaman (you – Windfury Totem)
2. 2-3 Warriors (Fury DPS)
3. 1-2 Rogues (Combat/Assassination)
4. 1 Feral Druid (optional – off-tank/DPS hybrid)

Your Windfury Totem affects all 5 party members, so maximizing melee DPS in your group is critical.

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Enhancement Shaman PvE Talent Tree Builds Calculator

Complete Shaman Talent Calculator for PVP and PVE Link: Click here

Why This Build?

• ✅ Totemic Mastery allows 30-yard totem range (essential for raid mobility)
• ✅ Enhancing Totems boosts your entire group’s Strength/Agility by 15%
• ✅ Improved Weapon Totems increases Windfury Totem damage
• ✅ Enables Totem Twisting (maintaining Windfury + Grace of Air simultaneously)
• ✅ Nature’s Guidance provides 3% spell/melee hit

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PvE Rotation & Priority

Single-Target Boss Rotation

Pre-Pull (10 seconds before):

1. Drop Windfury Totem
2. Drop Strength of Earth Totem (or Grace of Air if twisting)
3. Apply Windfury Weapon (if not already active)
4. Activate Lightning Shield (Rank 8)

Priority System:

1. Stormstrike (on cooldown) – 20% Nature damage debuff for 12 seconds
2. Earth Shock (during Stormstrike window) – Benefits from Nature damage debuff
3. Flame Shock (if target lives >12 seconds) – DoT damage
4. Auto-attack – Wait for Windfury procs
5. Frost Shock (if nothing else available and mana >50%)

Detailed Rotation Explanation:

Stormstrike Usage:

• Use immediately on cooldown (12-second cooldown)
• Applies 20% Nature damage taken debuff for 12 seconds
• Your next Earth Shock will deal 20% more damage
• Provides instant white damage attack

Shock Spell Usage:

• Earth Shock: Only use during Stormstrike debuff window for maximum damage
• Flame Shock: Apply once at pull if boss lives >12 seconds, refresh at 3 seconds remaining
• Frost Shock: Filler damage when everything else is on cooldown (rarely used in raids)

Windfury Weapon Procs:

• Windfury gives 20% chance on melee hit to proc 2 extra attacks
• These extra attacks can also proc Windfury (chain procs possible!)
• Each extra attack deals +383 Attack Power bonus damage
• This is your primary damage source – you’re waiting for lucky proc chains

Cooldown Management:

• Stormstrike: Use on cooldown (12 sec)
• Earth Shock: 6-second cooldown (save for Stormstrike windows)
• Flame Shock: 6-second cooldown (refresh DoT only)

Totem Management

Raid Standard Totems:

• Air: Windfury Totem (or totem twist with Grace of Air)
• Earth: Strength of Earth Totem
• Fire: Depends on fight (Searing vs Magma vs Totem of Wrath if Elemental present)
• Water: Mana Spring Totem (or Fire Resistance for specific bosses)

Totem Refresh Timers:

• Windfury Totem: Refresh every 2 minutes
• Strength of Earth: Refresh every 2 minutes
• Grace of Air: Refresh every 2 minutes (or twist continuously)
• Searing Totem: Refresh every 55 seconds for consistent damage

Boss-Specific Totem Changes:

• Ragnaros: Fire Resistance Totem (water slot)
• Chromaggus: Poison Cleansing Totem or Disease Cleansing Totem
• Nefarian: Tremor Totem (during class call)
• Razorgore: Tremor Totem (fear mechanics)
• Sapphiron: Frost Resistance Totem (water slot)

AoE / Trash Pack Rotation

For 3+ targets:

1. Drop Magma Totem (instead of Searing)
2. Drop Fire Nova Totem if mobs are stacked
3. Use Goblin Sapper Charge (Engineering item – 5min CD)
4. Apply Flame Shock to primary target
5. Cleave primary target with melee attacks
6. Refresh Magma Totem every 20 seconds

Engineering Explosives (Essential for AoE):

• Goblin Sapper Charge: 450-600 AoE fire damage (5-yard radius)
• Dense Dynamite: 340-460 AoE fire damage
• Thorium Grenade: 300-500 AoE fire damage + 5-second stun

AoE trash is where Enhancement can shine – explosive damage stacks with Elemental Shamans and isn’t split between targets.

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Totem Twisting Guide

What is Totem Twisting? Totem Twisting is an advanced technique that allows you to maintain two Air totems simultaneously – giving your group both Windfury Totem and Grace of Air Totem buffs at the same time.

How Totem Twisting Works

Totem Buff Mechanics:

• When you drop a totem, it pulses a buff every 2 seconds
• This buff lasts 10 seconds on the player
• If you drop a different totem before the buff expires, players keep the first buff while gaining the second

Example:

1. Drop Windfury Totem at 0 seconds
2. Windfury pulses buff at 2 seconds (buff lasts until 12 seconds)
3. Drop Grace of Air Totem at 3 seconds
4. Grace of Air pulses buff at 5 seconds
5. Players now have both Windfury and Grace of Air active!
6. Repeat cycle: Drop Windfury at 11 seconds, Grace of Air at 14 seconds, etc.

Totem Twisting Step-by-Step

Required:

• TotemTimers addon (shows totem pulse timers – mandatory!)
• Totemic Mastery talent (1/1 – increases totem range to 30 yards)
• Practice and muscle memory

Basic Twist Rotation:

1. Drop Windfury Totem
2. Wait ~1 second after first pulse
3. Drop Grace of Air Totem
4. Wait ~8 seconds
5. Drop Windfury Totem again
6. Repeat steps 2-5

Timing Precision:

• Drop second totem 1-1.5 seconds after first totem pulses
• Too early = first totem doesn’t pulse before being replaced
• Too late = first buff expires before second totem drops

Visual Aid (Timeline):

0s: Drop Windfury Totem
2s: Windfury pulses (buff duration: 2s-12s)
3s: Drop Grace of Air Totem (Windfury buff still active)
5s: Grace of Air pulses (buff duration: 5s-15s)
11s: Drop Windfury Totem (Grace of Air buff still active)
13s: Windfury pulses (buff duration: 13s-23s)
14s: Drop Grace of Air Totem
... continue pattern

Simplified Twist Pattern (Beginner)

4-Second Cycle (Easier):

1. Drop Windfury
2. Count 4 seconds
3. Drop Grace of Air
4. Count 4 seconds
5. Repeat

This creates a 8-second cycle where both buffs are active for most melee players. Less optimal than perfect timing but much easier to execute.

Mana Cost Warning

Totem twisting is extremely mana-intensive:

• Normal totem usage: ~100 mana per minute
• Totem twisting: ~500-800 mana per minute

Mana Management:

• Requires Totemic Focus (5/5) – reduces totem cost by 25%
• Use Mana Spring Totem when not twisting
• Carry Major Mana Potions (60-second cooldown)
• Request Innervate from Druids on long fights
• Stop twisting if mana drops below 30% (unless fight is ending soon)

Is Totem Twisting Worth It?

DPS Gain Calculation:

• Windfury Totem alone: ~100 DPS per melee player
• Windfury + Grace of Air: ~130 DPS per melee player
• Gain per player: +30 DPS
• 4 melee players: +120 total raid DPS

Verdict: Yes, if you can sustain the mana cost. Adds ~120-150 raid DPS if executed properly.

When NOT to Twist:

• Learning a new boss (focus on mechanics first)
• Fights with heavy movement (you’ll go OOM)
• Fights requiring emergency healing
• When undergeared/low mana pool (<6000 mana)

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Stats Priority

PvE Hit Cap (MOST IMPORTANT)

Hit Cap for Bosses:

• 9% hit = 142.5 hit rating (for level 63 bosses)
• Orc with Axes: Only need 6% hit = 95 hit rating (Axe Specialization gives +5 weapon skill = +3% effective hit)

Why Hit Cap Matters:

• Missing an attack wastes potential Windfury procs
• Missing Stormstrike wastes the Nature damage window
• Hit cap is your absolute #1 priority before any other stat

How to Reach Hit Cap:

• Nature’s Guidance talent: +3% hit (included in raid build)
• Need ~90-110 additional hit rating from gear (for Orc with axes)
• Need ~140-160 additional hit rating from gear (for Troll/Tauren)

Stat Priority Ranking

Priority Order:

1. Hit Chance → 9% (or 6% for Orc with axes) – Non-negotiable cap
2. Weapon DPS → Slow 2-handed weapon with highest max damage
3. Attack Power → Direct damage increase
4. Strength → 1 Str = 2 AP (twice as valuable as raw AP)
5. Critical Strike → 25-30% target – Increases Windfury proc value
6. Agility → Provides crit + dodge + armor (1 Agi = ~0.05% crit)
7. Intellect → 200-250 for totem/shock mana pool
8. Stamina → 4000-5000 HP for survivability

Detailed Stat Explanations

Hit Rating:

• 1% hit = ~15.8 hit rating
• 9% cap = 142.5 hit rating
• Over-hit cap does nothing (no glancing blows)

Attack Power:

• Increases weapon damage linearly
• ~14 AP = +1 DPS
• Scales better at higher weapon speeds

Strength:

• 1 Strength = 2 Attack Power
• Also increases block value (minor benefit)
• Buffed by Blessing of Kings (+10% Strength)

Critical Strike:

• 1% crit = ~20 Agility (varies by level)
• Triggers Flurry (30% attack speed for 3 swings)
• Critical Windfury procs deal massive damage
• Soft cap at ~35-40% (diminishing returns)

Agility:

• Provides crit, dodge, and armor
• 1 Agi ≈ 0.04-0.05% crit at level 60
• Less valuable than Strength point-for-point

Intellect:

• 1 Int = 15 mana
• Need ~200-250 Int for comfortable mana pool
• More valuable if totem twisting

Stamina:

• 1 Stam = 10 HP
• Target 4000-5000 HP for raid survivability
• Less important than DPS stats in PvE

Gemming (if applicable – TBC reference)

Not applicable in Classic WoW (no sockets).

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Best-in-Slot Gear

Weapon Priority

Why Weapon Matters Most: Enhancement scales heavily with weapon damage, not weapon DPS. Slow, hard-hitting 2-handed weapons maximize Windfury Weapon damage.

Weapon Speed Explanation:

• Windfury Weapon adds +383 Attack Power to extra attacks
• This damage scales with weapon speed (not DPS)
• A 3.8-speed weapon gets more value from the AP bonus than a 2.5-speed weapon
• Always prioritize slowest weapon with highest max damage

Best-in-Slot Weapons (Ranked):

1. Might of Menethil (Naxx – Kel’Thuzad)
   • 2H Mace, 3.80 speed, 228-343 damage
   • +40 Strength, +28 Stamina, +16 Hit
   • Best weapon in Classic – highest max damage
2. Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros (MC – Legendary)
   • 2H Mace, 3.70 speed, 223-372 damage
   • +12 Strength, +30 Fire Resist
   • Proc: 273-333 AoE fire damage
   • Best pre-Naxx weapon (but very rare)
3. Dark Edge of Insanity (AQ40 – C’Thun)
   • 2H Axe, 3.50 speed, 216-324 damage
   • +39 Agility, +21 Stamina, +10 Hit, +1% Crit
   • Best non-legendary weapon
4. Spinal Reaper (BWL – Razorgore)
   • 2H Axe, 3.80 speed, 181-271 damage
   • +27 Strength, +18 Agility, +1% Crit
   • Easier to obtain than above options
5. The Unstoppable Force (PvP – Rank 14)
   • 2H Mace, 3.80 speed, 199-301 damage
   • +22 Strength, +15 Stamina, +1% Crit
   • Requires Rank 14 (extremely difficult)
6. Obsidian Edged Blade (MC – Ragnaros)
   • 2H Sword, 3.60 speed, 188-283 damage
   • +9 Strength, +1% Crit
   • Best early raid weapon (Molten Core)
7. Bonereaver’s Edge (MC – Ragnaros)
   • 2H Axe, 3.40 speed, 170-256 damage
   • +24 Strength, +16 Stamina, +1% Crit
   • Alternative to OEB

Budget/Pre-Raid Options:

• Ice Barbed Spear (Dungeon – Av’Aran Scholomance)
• Dreadforge Retaliator (Crafted – Blacksmithing)
• Gatorbite Axe (Quest – Sunken Temple)

Phase 6 Best-in-Slot (Naxxramas)

Armor Slots:

Slot	Item	Source	Key Stats
Head	Dreadnaught Helmet	Naxx T3	+26 Str, +17 Agi, +34 Stam, +1% Hit
Neck	The Phylactery of Kel’Thuzad	Naxx (KT)	+26 Str, +12 Agi, +24 Stam, +1% Hit, +1% Crit
Shoulder	Dreadnaught Pauldrons	Naxx T3	+20 Str, +20 Agi, +26 Stam
Back	Shroud of Dominion	Naxx (KT)	+21 Str, +16 Agi, +15 Stam
Chest	Dreadnaught Breastplate	Naxx T3	+30 Str, +20 Agi, +40 Stam
Wrist	Bracers of Heroism	BWL (Trash)	+16 Str, +16 Agi, +13 Stam
Hands	Gauntlets of Annihilation	Naxx (Gluth)	+35 AP, +26 Stam, +1% Hit, +1% Crit
Waist	Onslaught Girdle	Naxx (Trash)	+35 Str, +15 Agi, +16 Stam, +1% Hit
Legs	Titanic Leggings	MC (Ragnaros)	+30 Str, +15 Sta, +1% Hit, +2% Crit
Feet	Chromatic Boots	BWL (Chromaggus)	+20 Str, +15 Agi, +20 Stam, +1% Hit
Ring 1	Quick Strike Ring	MC (Trash)	+29 AP, +1% Hit, +1% Crit
Ring 2	Master Dragonslayer’s Ring	BWL (Quest)	+24 AP, +8 Stam, +1% Hit, +1% Crit
Trinket 1	Drake Fang Talisman	BWL (Ebonroc)	+38 AP, proc: +200 AP
Trinket 2	Kiss of the Spider	Naxx (Maexxna)	+45 AP, +1% Hit, proc: +320 AP/20% haste
Weapon	Might of Menethil	Naxx (KT)	228-343 dmg, 3.80 spd, +40 Str, +16 Hit

Set Bonuses:

• Dreadnaught 4-piece: Not useful (reduces threat)
• Dreadnaught 6-piece: Not worth completing (weak bonus)
• Mix T3 with non-set pieces for optimal stats

Phase 5 Best-in-Slot (AQ40)

Key Upgrades in AQ40:

• Dark Edge of Insanity (C’Thun) – 2H Axe weapon
• Gauntlets of Annihilation (Gluth) – Wait, this is Naxx, use Ring of Emperor Vek’lor instead
• Belt of Never-ending Agony (C’Thun) – Waist
• Boots of the Fallen Hero (Twin Emps) – Feet with +2% hit

Phase 4 Best-in-Slot (BWL/ZG)

Key Items:

• Spinal Reaper (Razorgore) – 2H Axe
• Drake Fang Talisman (Ebonroc) – Trinket
• Chromatic Boots (Chromaggus) – Feet
• Maladath, Runed Blade of the Black Flight (Broodlord) – If using 1H (not recommended)

Phase 3 Best-in-Slot (BWL)

See Phase 4 – BWL items remain BiS for many slots.

Phase 2 Best-in-Slot (DM/World Bosses)

Key Additions:

• Conqueror’s Spaulders (Azuregos) – Shoulders
• Eskhandar’s Right Claw (Azuregos) – Off-hand weapon (if dual-wielding)
• Edgemaster’s Handguards (World Drop) – Hands (+7 weapon skill for non-racial weapons – insane if Troll/Tauren using swords/maces)

Phase 1 Best-in-Slot (MC/Ony)

Core Items:

• Obsidian Edged Blade or Bonereaver’s Edge (Ragnaros) – Weapon
• Onslaught Girdle (Trash) – Waist
• Titanic Leggings (Ragnaros) – Legs
• Quick Strike Ring (Trash) – Ring
• Lionheart Helm (Crafted) – Head (remains BiS until Naxx)

Pre-Raid Best-in-Slot

Focus: Hitting 6-9% hit cap before entering raids

Slot	Item	Source	Hit Rating
Head	Mask of the Unforgiven	Stratholme (Baron)	0
Neck	Mark of Fordring	EPL Quest Chain	+1% Hit
Shoulder	Truestrike Shoulders	UBRS (Rend)	+2% Hit
Chest	Savage Gladiator Chain	Crafted (LW)	0
Hands	Flameguard Gauntlets	LBRS (Quest)	0
Waist	Omokk’s Girth Restrainer	LBRS (Omokk)	0
Legs	Eldritch Reinforced Legplates	Crafted (BS)	0
Feet	Boots of the Full Moon	Dire Maul (Tribute)	0
Ring	Tarnished Elven Ring	DM West (Trash)	+1% Hit
Ring	Painweaver Band	UD Stratholme (Ramstein)	0
Trinket	Hand of Justice	BRD (Emperor)	Proc: Extra attack
Trinket	Blackhand’s Breadth	UBRS (Rend)	+2% Crit
Weapon	Ice Barbed Spear	Scholomance (Av’aran)	0

Total Hit: 4% from gear + 3% from Nature’s Guidance = 7% Hit (need 2% more!)

Additional Hit Sources:

• Eldritch Reinforced Legplates (Crafted BS) – Alternative legs with +1% Hit
• Devilsaur Set (2pc – Crafted LW) – +2% Hit (Gloves + Legs)

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Enchants & Consumables

Enchants (Phase 6 Optimal)

Slot	Enchant	Stats	Source
Head	Arcanum of Rapidity	+1% Haste	Libram (Naxx/DM)
Shoulder	Zandalar Signet of Might	+30 AP	ZG Revered
Back	Enchant Cloak – Lesser Agility	+3 Agility	Enchanting
Chest	Enchant Chest – Greater Stats	+4 All Stats	Enchanting
Wrist	Enchant Bracer – Superior Strength	+9 Strength	Enchanting
Hands	Enchant Gloves – Superior Agility	+15 Agility	Enchanting
Legs	Arcanum of Rapidity	+1% Haste	Libram (Naxx/DM)
Feet	Enchant Boots – Minor Speed	+Run Speed	Enchanting
Weapon	Enchant Weapon – Crusader	Proc: +100 Str	Enchanting

Weapon Enchant Priority:

1. Crusader – Proc: +100 Strength for 15 seconds (Best overall)
2. +15 Agility – Consistent crit/dodge increase
3. DO NOT use weapon enchants – Your Windfury Weapon overwrites them!

CRITICAL: Always use Windfury Weapon imbue, not enchants. Enchants like Crusader are applied to the weapon permanently but Windfury Weapon takes priority and provides more DPS.

Consumables (Full Raid Prep)

Mandatory Consumables:

Type	Item	Effect	Duration	Cost
Flask	Flask of the Titans	+400 HP	2 hours (death persists)	~100g
Elixir	Elixir of the Mongoose	+25 Agi, +2% Crit	1 hour	~5g
Elixir	Elixir of Giants	+25 Strength	1 hour	~3g
Food	Grilled Squid	+10 Agility	30 min	~2g
Food	Smoked Desert Dumplings	+20 Strength	15 min	~1g
Buff	ROIDS (Juju Power)	+30 Strength	30 min	~5g
Buff	Juju Might	+40 AP	10 min	~3g
Potion	Mighty Rage Potion	+45-75 Rage	Instant	~1g

Optional But Recommended:

• Winterfall Firewater: +35 AP (10min) – ~2g
• Elixir of Brute Force: +18 Strength, +18 Stamina (1hr) – ~5g
• Scroll of Strength IV: +17 Strength (30min) – ~1g

Major Mana Potion: 1000-1800 mana restore (60-second CD) – Essential if totem twisting!

Boss-Specific Consumables

Ragnaros (Molten Core):

• Greater Fire Protection Potion: +1950 fire resist (2min)
• Fire Resistance Totem (water slot)

Vaelastrasz (Blackwing Lair):

• Greater Fire Protection Potion: +1950 fire resist (2min)
• Flask of the Titans for extra HP buffer

Chromaggus (Blackwing Lair):

• Poison Cleansing Totem or Disease Cleansing Totem (depends on breath combo)

Sapphiron (Naxxramas):

• Greater Frost Protection Potion: +1950 frost resist (2min)
• Frost Resistance Totem (water slot)
• Flask of the Titans (life blocks)

Princess Huhuran (AQ40):

• Greater Nature Protection Potion: +1950 nature resist (2min)
• Nature Resistance Totem

Engineering Consumables (Essential)

AoE Trash Damage:

• Goblin Sapper Charge: 450-600 fire damage (5-yard radius, 5min CD) – ~5g each
• Dense Dynamite: 340-460 fire damage (5-yard radius)
• Thorium Grenade: 300-500 fire damage + 5-second stun

Emergency Items:

• Goblin Rocket Helmet: 280-350 fire damage (30min CD)
• Arcanite Dragonling: Summon pet for extra DPS (1hr CD)

Weekly Consumable Budget

Full Progression Raid (4 hours):

• 1x Flask of the Titans: ~100g
• 4x Elixir of the Mongoose: ~20g
• 4x Elixir of Giants: ~12g
• 8x Smoked Desert Dumplings: ~8g
• 12x Juju Power: ~60g
• 5x Major Mana Potion: ~15g
• 10x Goblin Sapper Charge: ~50g
• Protection Potions (varies): ~20g

Total: ~285g per raid

Budget Alternative (Farm Raids):

• Skip Flask (~100g saved)
• Skip Juju buffs (~60g saved)
• Use Grilled Squid instead of Mongoose (~15g saved)
• Total: ~110g per raid

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Boss Strategies

Molten Core

Lucifron:

• Drop Tremor Totem for Mind Control
• Drop Poison Cleansing Totem after Impending Doom
• Standard DPS rotation

Magmadar:

• Drop Tremor Totem for Fear
• Refresh Tremor every 2 minutes (critical!)
• Use Greater Fire Protection Potion if assigned to melee range

Gehennas:

• Drop Curse of Elements Cleansing – Wait, use Poison/Disease Cleansing Totem
• Standard DPS rotation

Garr:

• Drop Tranquil Air Totem to reduce threat
• Focus DPS on assigned add (DO NOT use AoE)
• Conserve mana for long fight

Baron Geddon:

• Drop Fire Resistance Totem (water slot)
• Run out immediately if targeted by Living Bomb
• Do NOT stay in melee range when bombed – you’ll wipe the raid

Shazzrah:

• Drop Grounding Totem to absorb Arcane Explosion (if possible)
• Blink mechanic – chase boss
• Low DPS uptime fight

Sulfuron Harbinger:

• Kill adds first (priests will heal boss otherwise)
• Drop Fire Resistance Totem
• Use Greater Fire Protection Potion

Golemagg the Incinerator:

• Tank dogs away from boss
• Melee DPS on Golemagg
• Drop Fire Resistance Totem
• High DPS check

Majordomo Executus:

• Kill adds in assigned order
• Drop Tremor Totem for Shield Wall heal interrupts
• Drop Poison Cleansing Totem for Damage Shield

Ragnaros:

• MANDATORY: Greater Fire Protection Potion + Fire Resistance Totem
• DPS during 90-second active phases
• Sons of Flame: Use Goblin Sapper Charge on add packs
• Submerge at 3:00, 6:00 (2 submerge phases)
• Execute phase starts at ~35-40% HP

Blackwing Lair

Razorgore the Untamed:

• Drop Tremor Totem (fear from trash)
• DPS adds while orb controller destroys eggs
• Phase 2: Full DPS on Razorgore

Vaelastrasz the Corrupt:

• MANDATORY: Greater Fire Protection Potion
• Drop Windfury Totem + Strength of Earth
• Use ALL offensive cooldowns immediately (Stormstrike on CD)
• Very high DPS check (3-minute enrage)
• Tank swap every 15 seconds (Burning Adrenaline)

Broodlord Lashlayer:

• Drop Tremor Totem for Mortal Strike fear
• Single-target DPS
• Simple tank-and-spank

Firemaw / Ebonroc / Flamegor (Drakes):

• Firemaw: Greater Fire Protection Potion, Fire Resistance Totem
• Ebonroc: Shadow damage – no special consumables
• Flamegor: Frenzy enrage – Tranquil Air Totem to reduce threat
• All drakes: Wing Buffet knockback (stand with back to wall)

Chromaggus:

• Drop Poison Cleansing Totem OR Disease Cleansing Totem (depends on breath combo)
• Time Lapse debuff – reduces haste (unavoidable)
• Tank facing away from raid (breath attacks)

Nefarian:

• Phase 1: Kill adds on platforms
• Phase 2: Drop Tremor Totem immediately at pull
• Class Call (Shamans): Your totems become hostile and attack raid
  • Drop totems before class call
  • Wait out class call (~15 seconds)
  • Re-drop totems after call ends
• Phase 3: Full DPS burn

Ahn’Qiraj 40 (AQ40)

The Prophet Skeram:

• Three copies of boss (split damage)
• True Copy mechanic – identify real boss
• Drop Earthbind Totem if adds spawn

Battleguard Sartura:

• Whirlwind + Enrage combo (extremely dangerous)
• Drop Tranquil Air Totem to reduce tank threat
• Kill adds quickly

Fankriss the Unyielding:

• Worm adds spawn from eggs
• Drop Earthbind Totem to slow adds
• Focus DPS on boss

Princess Huhuran:

• MANDATORY: Greater Nature Protection Potion
• Enrage at 30% HP (massive damage)
• Drop Nature Resistance Totem
• Execute burn phase (30% to 0%)

Twin Emperors:

• Vek’lor (caster) + Vek’nilash (melee)
• Melee group: DPS Vek’nilash (physical boss)
• Teleport mechanic every 30-45 seconds
• Drop Windfury Totem in melee group
• DO NOT attack Vek’lor (immune to physical)

C’Thun:

• Phase 1: DPS eye tentacles and Giant Eye Tentacles
• Phase 2: Enter stomach, kill stomach tentacles, exit
• Drop totems outside stomach (they die inside)
• Complex mechanic fight – focus on survival over DPS

Naxxramas

Anub’Rekhan:

• Locust Swarm forces tank kiting
• Drop Poison Cleansing Totem for Impale DoT
• Kill adds (Crypt Guards) quickly

Grand Widow Faerlina:

• Mind Control on raid members
• Drop Tremor Totem (doesn’t help – different CC)
• Kill Mind Controlled targets or use Worshippers to remove Enrage

Maexxna:

• Web Spray roots entire raid (every 40 seconds)
• Drop totems before Web Spray
• Kill Web Wrap targets fast (suffocation)

Noth the Plaguebringer:

• Teleport phases (plague wave spawns)
• Drop Poison Cleansing Totem for Curse of the Plaguebringer
• Kill adds during teleport phase

Heigan the Unclean:

• Dance Phase – avoid eruptions (most important mechanic!)
• Drop totems in safe zone
• Low DPS uptime during dance

Loatheb:

• Healing massively reduced (1 heal every 60 seconds)
• Drop Windfury Totem + Strength of Earth
• Use ALL offensive consumables (Flask, Elixir, Juju, etc.)
• Massive DPS check

Instructor Razuvious:

• Mind Control off-tanks (Priests control Understudies)
• Drop Tremor Totem for Disrupting Shout fear
• Simple DPS after Mind Control setup

Gothik the Harvester:

• Two sides (Living vs Undead)
• Drop totems on assigned side
• Teleport to other side at 5 minutes

Four Horsemen:

• Hardest boss in Naxxramas
• Tank rotation (Mark debuff forces swaps)
• Melee DPS: Assigned to Zeliek or Blaumeux corners
• Drop Windfury Totem in assigned corner
• Move with tank rotations

Patchwerk:

• Pure tank-and-spank DPS check
• Drop Windfury Totem + Strength of Earth
• Use ALL offensive cooldowns and consumables
• 6-minute enrage timer (soft enrage at 5% HP)

Grobbulus:

• Poison Cloud DoT (deadly)
• Drop totems away from poison clouds
• Kite Mutating Injection away from raid

Gluth:

• Zombie Chow adds heal boss (must kill quickly)
• Drop Earthbind Totem to slow adds
• Use Goblin Sapper Charge on add packs

Thaddius:

• Polarity mechanic (positive/negative charges)
• CRITICAL: Stand with correct polarity group (+/+) or (-/-)
• Wrong polarity = chain lightning wipes raid
• Drop Windfury Totem in assigned group
• Very high DPS check

Sapphiron:

• MANDATORY: Greater Frost Protection Potion + Frost Resistance Totem
• Ice Block mechanic – hide behind ice blocks during Frost Breath
• Life Drain hits entire raid (healers OOM quickly)
• Air phase every ~45 seconds

Kel’Thuzad:

• Phase 1: Kill Abominations and Soldiers (5 minutes)
• Phase 2: Full DPS on Kel’Thuzad
• Frost Blast – ice blocks random players (break them out)
• Drop Windfury Totem + Strength of Earth
• Shadow Fissure (void zones) – avoid at all costs

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Advanced Tips & Tricks

Weapon Swap Techniques

Why Weapon Swap? Enhancement can carry a 1-handed weapon + shield in bags and swap during:

• High raid damage (equip shield for survival)
• Running between pulls (save durability)
• Emergency off-tanking adds

How to Weapon Swap:

1. Create macro (see Macros section)
2. Bind macro to easy keybind (Mouse Button 4/5 recommended)
3. Practice swapping during low-pressure moments

When to Swap to Shield:

• Vaelastrasz (Burning Adrenaline damage)
• Sapphiron (Life Drain + Frost Breath)
• Any “raid-wide damage” mechanic

Debuff Weapon Usage

What are Debuff Weapons? Some weapons apply powerful debuffs that benefit the entire raid, sacrificing personal DPS for raid utility.

Nightfall (2H Axe):

• Proc: 15% increased spell damage taken by target (15% uptime)
• Benefits all casters in raid (+hundreds of raid DPS)
• You become a debuff applier, not a DPS
• Used in caster-heavy raids

Annihilator (1H Axe):

• Proc: Stacking armor reduction on target (3 stacks = -600 armor)
• Benefits all physical DPS in raid
• Less impactful than Nightfall overall

Should You Use Debuff Weapons?

• Nightfall: Only if assigned by raid leader (typically 1 per raid)
• Your personal DPS drops by ~50%, but raid DPS increases by 300-500
• You become a support role, not DPS role

Emergency Healing

When to Heal:

• Tank about to die (healer is dead)
• Multiple raid members in danger
• Your own survival at risk

Emergency Healing Rotation:

1. Nature’s Swiftness (if specced) + Healing Wave (instant 2000+ heal)
2. Healing Wave Rank 10 (max rank) on tanks
3. Chain Heal if multiple targets are low
4. Re-apply Windfury Weapon after healing (weapon imbue may drop)

Mana Management:

• Don’t heal unless absolutely necessary
• You’re DPS first, healer last resort

Totem Placement Tips

Totems Have 20-Yard Base Range (30-Yard with Totemic Mastery):

• Drop totems centrally in melee group
• If raid spreads out, re-position totems
• Totems can be killed by AoE damage (move them!)

Totem Macro Positioning: Create macros for quick totem placement:

#showtooltip Windfury Totem
/cast [@player] Windfury Totem

Boss-Specific Totem Positions:

• Ragnaros Sons Phase: Drop totems on ranged platform (melee moves out)
• Nefarian Class Call: Drop totems early (before call starts)
• Thaddius: Drop totems in center (both polarity groups can reach)

Threat Management

Enhancement Threat Issues:

• High burst threat from Windfury procs
• Stormstrike + Earth Shock spike threat

Threat Reduction:

1. Wait 5-10 seconds after tank pulls before DPSing
2. Use Tranquil Air Totem if assigned (reduces threat by -20%)
3. Stop DPS if threat is 90%+ (check threat meter)
4. Use Salvation (if available from Paladin – Alliance only… wait, you’re Horde)

Threat Meters (Mandatory Addons):

• KLHThreatMeter or Omen Threat Meter
• Shows threat % relative to tank
• Stop DPS at 90% threat

Mana Management

Mana Issues:

• Enhancement is mana-starved in long fights
• Totem twisting makes it worse

Mana Conservation:

1. Don’t spam shocks – only use during Stormstrike windows
2. Drop Mana Spring Totem when not twisting
3. Request Innervate from Druids (if available)
4. Carry Major Mana Potions (60-second cooldown – use liberally)
5. Use Demonic/Dark Runes (instant 900-1500 mana, costs HP)

Mana Pot Rotation:

• Use first Major Mana Potion at ~40% mana
• Cooldown resets after 60 seconds
• Can use 3-4 potions per boss fight

Off-Tanking Adds

When Assigned to Off-Tank:

1. Equip 1H weapon + Shield
2. Apply Rockbiter Weapon (high threat imbue)
3. Drop Stoneclaw Totem (absorbs damage)
4. Tank adds away from raid

You are NOT a main tank:

• Only emergency off-tank for small adds
• Swap back to DPS when adds are dead

Windfury Proc Fishing

What is Proc Fishing? Intentionally delaying attacks to maximize Windfury proc value.

How it Works:

1. Wait for slow 2H weapon swing timer (3.5-3.8 seconds)
2. Cast instant shock spell right before swing lands
3. If Windfury procs, the 2 extra attacks can also proc Windfury
4. Chain procs possible (2 procs → 4 procs → 8 procs theoretically)

Practical Use:

• Only relevant for advanced players
• Requires WeaponSwingTimer addon
• Minimal DPS gain (~1-2%) for significant effort

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Guides

• WoW Classic Enhancement Shaman Guide – Main hub (overview)
• WoW Classic Enhancement Shaman PvP Guide – PvP talents, tactics, and gear
• WoW Classic Enhancement Shaman Leveling Guide – Level 1-60 guide
• WoW Classic Elemental Shaman Guide – Caster DPS alternative
• WoW Classic Restoration Shaman Guide – Healing specialization

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Conclusion

Enhancement Shaman in PvE is a support-focused melee DPS that excels at making your group stronger rather than topping damage meters. Master totem management, embrace the RNG of Windfury procs, and take pride in knowing your Windfury Totem adds hundreds of DPS to every melee player in your group.

Key Takeaways: ✅ Prioritize hit cap (9% or 6% for Orc) above all other stats
✅ Master totem twisting to maximize group DPS
✅ Use slow 2-handed weapons with highest max damage
✅ Bring full consumables to every raid (Flask, Elixirs, Juju, Mana Pots)
✅ Drop resistance totems on appropriate bosses
✅ Your value is group support, not personal DPS

May your Windfury procs be plentiful, and your totems always in range! ⚡🔨