Solo Shaman Build

The point of this shaman build is to excel in solo play (i.e., questing, grinding, and leveling). It is not optimized for PvP, raiding, or PvE partying. That’s not to say you can’t do well in these pursuits with this build, only that performance is focused on being the best solo shaman you can be and little else.

Since the Enhancement tree is well-respected as the best PvE tree in general, the build begins there, with Restoration coming later. Here is a level-by-level breakdown:

Level 10 - 14: Ancestral Knowledge. If you don’t mind spending money on respeccing later, Shield Specialization will serve you better for now, but it will eventually lose its usefulness when you gain the ability to use two-handed weapons or dual wield.

Level 15-19: Thundering Strikes. More crits is always better, and it’s also a prerequisite for Flurry.

Level 20-24: Anticipation. As above, if you don’t mind spending money on respeccing later, put a point into Two-Handed Axes and Maces. Some builds recommend keeping a point there even after dual wield, but I’m of the mind that you should stick to dual wielding in most situations if you have the choice. Besides, keeping up with alternate gear and multiple weapon skills can be a real pain.

Level 25-29: Flurry. Faster attack speed is key to dishing out more melee DPS.

Level 30: Spirit Weapons. Adding in the ability to parry puts one more roadblock in front of the damage coming your way. The 15% threat reduction is just icing on the cake, since shamans can’t hold aggro well enough to tank anyway.

Level 31-33: Elemental Weapons. Windfury is your weapon buff of choice from here on out, so improving it only makes sense. Even if you decide to switch up your weapon buffs, though (as you might want to after the recent nerf to Windfury), this talent will still serve you well.

Level 34: Enhancing Totems or Guardian Totems. It’s a toss-up as to which you prefer. I’m more of a fan of Stoneskin than Strength of Earth, so I prefer Guardian Totems, but either is fine. Throw the point into whichever you use more frequently and proceed to the next tier.

Level 35-39: Weapon Mastery. More damage with every hit is definitely a fine choice.

Level 40: Dual Wield. If you picked up Shield Specialization or Two-Handed Axes and Maces earlier, now’s the time to respec. Equip your two weapons and have a ball.

Level 41: Stormstrike. This is just a great ability on its own, and boosts the effectiveness of Earth Shock and Lightning Shield quite nicely. I usually don’t throw them until I’ve landed a successful Stormstrike.

Level 42-44: Dual Wield Specialization. Increasing DPS isn’t just about increasing damage; it’s also about improving your chance to hit.

That concludes your journey into the Enhancement tree. As I mentioned previously, this build is for soloing only, so it passes over Unleashed Fury (don’t even get me started on Shamanistic Rage) in favor of earlier access to Restoration talents. Here’s how it continues into level 45 and beyond.

Level 45-49: Improved Healing Wave. This is generally considered superior to Tidal Focus, and will definitely help you get off those all-important mid-combat heals faster.

Level 50-54: Totemic Focus. Totems are your most efficient abilities, and this increases their efficiency even further.

Level 55: Totemic Mastery. Yes, this is generally considered a partying talent, but even solo shamans must occasionally roam from their totems to chase down adds or flee. With such a large increase in radius, it’s almost too good to pass up.

Level 56-58: Nature’s Guidance. Note that this improves your chance to hit with weapons as well as spells, so it synergizes well with Dual Wield Specialization. Fewer resists is also great against higher-level mobs.

Level 59-63: Healing Focus. Fewer interruptions to healing spells while you’re being pummelled? Yes, please.

Level 64: Improved Reincarnation. This talent isn’t really necessary, but it’s a nice way of spending an open point until you can reach the next tier.

Level 65: Nature’s Swiftness. Instant casting times are the shaman’s main strength as a melee caster. You can get pummelled and still lay down shocks and totems with ease. This ability adds even more spells to your instant-cast repertoire, and is generally considered a staple of the Restoration tree.

Level 66 and on: Since much of your time will be spent running instances after this point, the solo shaman build does not address how to spend the last few points. Go with whatever suits your fancy. Once you hit 70, consider respeccing resto or dipping five more points into Enhancement for Unleashed Fury.

As always, for those of a more visual persuasion, here is the solo shaman build at level 65.