Shaman Leveling Guide 70 to 80 for WotLK Classic

The Shaman is one of the more self-sufficient levelers in the World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic. This is largely in part to the class having a varied selection of abilities to choose from, as each of the three specializations available for the Shaman revolve around a very different play style to the others.

This in turn makes the class a sufficient and relatively easy one to level, especially in the WotLK expansion where unlike more recent expansions, class leveling speeds and efficiencies were largely unequal.

The Shaman class itself is also a great class for endgame content on both the PvP and PvE side of the expansion and has access to both damage-dealing roles within grouped content and healing roles.

It performs both roles adequately, and for the healing role, goes slightly above in some respects to other healing class thanks to the classes AoE healing abilities that can be great additions to PvE content such as in endgame raiding, where these abilities really shine and show their strength.

As of The Burning Crusade expansion, the Shaman class is also playable by Alliance – as in the first version of the game, the Shaman class was exclusive to the Horde – and was the Horde’s equivalent of the Paladin class which was exclusive to the Alliance.

The following WotLK Shaman leveling guide is an advanced, but beginner-friendly guide and will provide an overview of tips and information that will help new and experienced players efficiently level their Shaman from level 1 to 80.

It will also outline and provide support with regards to the many choices and decisions that must be made by the player in the game, with regards to the Shaman class specifically.

Top 5 Tips for Leveling a Shaman 70 to 80

1 - Choose the Right Specialization

When leveling up your shaman, it's important to choose the right specializations that suit your playstyle and goals. There are three main specializations for shamans: Elemental, Enhancement, and Restoration. Elemental shamans focus on dealing ranged damage with spells, Enhancement shamans excel in melee combat with dual-wielded weapons, and Restoration shamans specialize in healing and supporting their allies. Consider your preferred playstyle and the role you want to fulfill in groups or solo play when selecting your specialization. Each specialization has its own unique abilities and talents, so take the time to explore and experiment to find the one that suits you best.

2 - Choose the Right Talents

Talents are an important aspect of leveling up your shaman and can greatly enhance your abilities and playstyle. As you level from 70 to 80, you will earn talent points that can be spent in various talent trees. Each specialization has its own talent tree, so make sure to choose talents that complement your chosen specialization.

For Elemental shamans, talents that increase spell damage and critical strike chance are essential. Look for talents that enhance your elemental spells and provide utility in combat.

Enhancement shamans should focus on talents that improve melee combat and enhance their dual-wielded weapon attacks. Look for talents that increase your attack power, enhance your weapon strikes, and provide additional buffs to your abilities.

Restoration shamans should prioritize talents that enhance their healing abilities and provide support to their allies. Look for talents that increase your healing output, improve your mana efficiency, and provide additional utility in group situations.

It's important to note that talent choices can be customized based on your personal playstyle and preferences. Experiment with different talent combinations and see what works best for you. Don't be afraid to respec and try out different talents as you progress through the levels.

By choosing the right talents for your chosen specialization, you can maximize your shaman's potential and ensure a smooth leveling experience from 70 to 80.

3 - Utilize Efficient Leveling Strategies

When leveling your shaman from 70 to 80, it's important to utilize efficient leveling strategies to make the most of your time and experience gains. Here are some tips to help you level up quickly and efficiently:

1. Questing: Questing is the most efficient way to level up your character. Focus on completing quests in zones that are appropriate for your level. This will not only give you experience points but also provide you with gear upgrades and valuable rewards.

2. Dungeon Runs: Running dungeons can be a great way to gain experience and obtain gear upgrades. Find groups of players who are also leveling and queue up for dungeons together. This will allow you to complete dungeons quickly and efficiently.

3. Heirloom Gear: If you have access to heirloom gear, make sure to equip it. Heirloom gear provides experience bonuses, making your leveling process faster. You can obtain heirloom gear from various sources, such as vendors or through achievements.

4. Rested Experience: Take advantage of rested experience. When you log out in an inn or a major city, your character will accumulate rested experience. This bonus experience will be granted when you start playing again, allowing you to level up faster.

5. Efficient Questing Routes: Plan your questing routes to minimize travel time and maximize efficiency. Look for quests that are close to each other and can be completed in a single trip. This will save you time and help you level up more quickly.

6. Group Up: Consider grouping up with other players who are also leveling. This will allow you to complete quests and kill mobs more quickly, resulting in faster experience gains.

7. Use Mounts: Once you reach level 70, you will have access to flying mounts. Utilize your flying mount to quickly travel between questing areas and complete quests more efficiently.

8. Take Breaks: While it's important to level efficiently, don't forget to take breaks and enjoy the game. Burning out can lead to decreased motivation and enjoyment. Take breaks, explore the world, and have fun while leveling your shaman.

By utilizing these efficient leveling strategies, you can level up your shaman from 70 to 80 quickly and smoothly. Remember to enjoy the journey and make the most of your leveling experience.

4 - Optimize Your Gear and Equipment

As you level up your shaman from 70 to 80, it's important to optimize your gear and equipment to enhance your performance. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your gear:

1. Upgrade Your Gear: Look for gear upgrades as you progress through quests and dungeons. Replace outdated gear with higher-level items to improve your stats and abilities.

2. Enchant Your Gear: Enchanting your gear can provide additional bonuses and enhancements. Look for enchantments that boost your primary stats or provide useful effects for your shaman abilities.

3. Gem Your Gear: Gems can be inserted into sockets on your gear to provide additional stats and bonuses. Look for gems that align with your shaman's primary stats and abilities to maximize your effectiveness.

4. Reforge Your Gear: Reforging allows you to change the secondary stats on your gear to better suit your needs. Experiment with different reforging options to optimize your gear for your playstyle.

5. Use Consumables: Consumables such as potions, elixirs, and food can provide temporary buffs to your stats and abilities. Use these items strategically during challenging quests or dungeon runs to give yourself an edge.

6. Consider Professions: Certain professions can provide valuable gear and enhancements for your shaman. Explore professions such as Leatherworking or Enchanting to craft or enhance gear specifically tailored to your needs.

7. Keep an Eye on Item Level: Item level is an important indicator of the overall power of your gear. Aim to increase your item level as you progress through levels 70 to 80 to ensure you're adequately equipped for challenging content.

By optimizing your gear and equipment, you can enhance your shaman's performance and make leveling from 70 to 80 a smoother and more enjoyable experience. Experiment with different gear combinations and enhancements to find what works best for your playstyle.

5 - Master Your Shaman Abilities and Spells

As you level up your shaman from 70 to 80, it's important to master your abilities and spells to maximize your effectiveness in combat. Here are some tips to help you become a master of your shaman's abilities:

1. Understand Your Specializations: Shamans have three specializations - Elemental, Enhancement, and Restoration. Each specialization has its own unique abilities and playstyle. Take the time to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each specialization and choose the one that aligns with your preferred playstyle.

2. Learn Your Rotation: Each specialization has a specific rotation of abilities that should be used in a specific order to maximize damage or healing output. Take the time to learn your rotation and practice it until it becomes second nature. This will ensure that you are using your abilities effectively and efficiently in combat.

3. Experiment with Talents: Talents allow you to customize your shaman's abilities and playstyle even further. Experiment with different talent combinations to find what works best for you. Keep in mind that certain talents may be more effective in certain situations, so be prepared to switch talents depending on the content you are facing.

4. Utilize Totems: Totems are a unique aspect of the shaman class and can provide powerful buffs and utility in combat. Learn how to effectively use your totems to enhance your abilities and support your group. Experiment with different totem combinations to find what works best for your playstyle and the content you are facing.

5. Practice Mana Management: As a shaman, mana management is crucial, especially for restoration shamans. Learn how to effectively manage your mana pool by using abilities and spells efficiently. Avoid unnecessary overhealing or overusing mana-intensive abilities to ensure you have enough mana for the duration of a fight.

6. Stay Updated on Patch Notes: Blizzard regularly updates the game with balance changes and adjustments to class abilities. Stay updated on patch notes to understand any changes that may affect your shaman's abilities and playstyle. Adjust your rotation, talents, and gear accordingly to stay optimized.

By mastering your shaman's abilities and spells, you can become a formidable force in combat and make leveling from 70 to 80 a rewarding experience. Practice, experiment, and stay updated on the latest changes to continuously improve your shaman gameplay.

Best Shaman Leveling Spec

As mentioned in the above section of the article, the Shaman class is quite lucky and varied in that it encompasses three very different playstyles within the game. As such, it can be quite confusing to choose which of the three specs is the best for you, and the decision you make will change how to level your character most efficiently, as some leveling techniques favour certain attributes of spec that otherwise would suit the spec more closely to follow another leveling strategy.

The first of the three specializations are the Enhancement Shaman. In the endgame scene of the WotLK expansion, Enhancement Shamans are one of the highest skill cap melee specs in the game, besides the Feral Druid. This difficulty in playstyle is rewarded by having great area of effect and even single-target damage output, as well as having access to a plethora of supportive abilities. The enhancement Shaman is a melee damage dealing spec, and as such makes for a great spec to level a Shaman in, as it deals enough damage whilst having survivability options to ensure that it can face off multiple enemies whilst sustaining mana and having little downtime between fights.

The second of the three specializations are the Elemental Shamans, which offer a very different playstyle to Enhancement Shamans as instead of being a melee focused damage dealing spec, Elemental Shamans are a ranged DPS spec. In the endgame scene, they also excel in both PvE and PvP combat scenarios, mostly being favoured over other classes in specific group synergies to their excellent supportive abilities that can be utilized alongside adequate caster damage to targets. In terms of leveling, Elementals are also very viable to level with, and can oftentimes provide a faster leveling experience than Enhancement Shamans due to its more relaxed playstyle of attacking from a distance and playing the safer option – resulting in less downtime.

The third and final of the three specializations of Shaman class is the Restoration spec, which is a healing specialization focused primarily on healing. Restoration Shamans are excellent healers, with a ride range of supportive buffs and totems, they can be a versatile addition to a group in both PvP and PvE combat scenarios, providing lots of utility for the group they are in. However, as with all healer-focused specs, they do not excel as a leveling spec under traditional circumstances which involve questing till max level.

With these considerations, choosing which of the three specs to level as can be quite challenging. For beginner players, it is highly advised to play one of the two damage dealing specs: either an Enhancement Shaman or an Elemental Shaman, depending on the players preference between melee and caster-based combat. Both specs provide great damage-dealing output mixed with the supportive and high-sustain aspects of the class that can provide a self-sufficient and speedy leveling process if you tend to stick to questing only as your source of experience gain. Both specs can also be utilized in dungeons throughout the leveling experience and will be a good addition to most dungeon groups.

Playing as a healer whilst leveling is not recommended for beginner players, and so for this reason the Restoration Shaman is not recommended for beginners to level with. This is due to the fact that playing a healer spec to level as will make questing a very inefficient and slow way to accumulate experience points, and as such, you will be pushed into a dungeon-based leveling strategy.

For experienced players, you may wish to play as a Restoration Shaman to level as if you have access to reliable and efficient group party buddies as well as knowing the basis of being an adequate healer, you may opt for a dungeon-focused leveling route.

To summarize the section, the main takeaways for choosing one of the two damage-based specs are as follows:

• Self-sufficient leveling experience via questing due to decent damage output, high sustainability, and high survivability.
• Above average leveling speed compared to other classes in the era.
• Access to a variety of playstyles within the damage-dealing role due to the two specs covering both melee and caster-based damage.

And the main takeaways for choosing the healer spec is as follows:

• More efficient for dungeon leveling due to healing roles in dungeons being more sought-after.
• Solo leveling via questing as a healer is difficult due to the sacrifice to damage output via allocation of talents towards the healing trees.   

Dungeon Leveling vs Questing

As outlined above, the damage-based specializations of the Shaman class make excellent levelers and can progress through the quests featured in the game with relative ease when completed in a solo manner in comparison to the other damage-dealing classes in the game. However, a dungeon-based leveling strategy that relies on the accumulation of experience points via completion of dungeons is a popular way to level new characters, specifically for experienced players in WotLK iteration of the game who do not wish to complete the same quest route that they have done so many times.

Generally speaking, new players are encouraged to stick to quests for their primary source of XP income, completing the occasional dungeon when appropriately leveled, making sure to gather and complete dungeon-specific quests so to maximize XP and rewards gained from completion. Sticking to quests for most of your XP income as a new player gives you a better understanding of the game itself and the over world, it will also give you a much better gameplay experience as you can admire the beauty and craft that went into the games varied zones.

Ultimately, the decision to rely solely on quests or dungeons for the primary bulk of your XP gain as a Shaman comes down to if you have made the decision to build towards a Restoration Shaman – the healing spec – as this spec is not a good leveler at all, and is only really good for endgame content; as are most healing specs.

As a Shaman, since questing itself can be an efficient method of leveling up your character due to the damage-dealing specs of the class being well suited towards solo questing, choosing to rely on quests is still a very viable option. Unlike other classes, both the Enhancement Shaman and Elemental Shaman offer excellent solo questing efficiencies, and when in the appropriate zone for their level, both damage-dealing specs of the Shaman class are able to complete and progress at a consistent speed through the content that puts it within the same speed as does ordinary dungeon spamming.

In WotLK, dungeon grinding doesn’t offer a significantly more efficient way of acquiring experience, as was common in some of the more recent World of Warcraft expansions, and so due to the Enhancement and Elemental Shamans efficiency at completing quests, dungeon spamming is not that much better.

As always, there are benefits to taking a quest-reliant leveling strategy:

• Better for solo players, as you do not have to rely on other people to complete content and progress throughout the zone. You are free to stop and start whenever you like, and do not need to find other people to complete content with (like dungeons).
• As a Shaman, questing can be an easy process and it isn’t difficult to complete quests and kill appropriately leveled mobs as one of the two damage-dealing Shaman specs.
• Shaman’s benefit from the Spectral Wolf form that can aid with mobility at low levels when questing until they acquire a mount.
• Can be a consistent acquisition of experience points as a Shaman.

And there are also benefits to taking a dungeon-reliant leveling strategy as a Shaman:

• Restoration Shamans can find dungeon groups faster than other, non-healing specs due to the healing role being much more in-demand especially in WotLK.
• Spamming dungeons with an efficiently effective group – where each member is pulling their weight adequately – can be a smooth and consistent method to acquiring experience.

As always, when spamming dungeons, you sacrifice the gameplay experience and understanding of the actual World of Warcraft you receive from questing – and you do not see the same side of the game. Therefore, it is still strongly advised that as a Shaman, if you are a new player, you stick to a damage dealing spec and stick to questing for the main bulk of your experience gain, completing the occasional dungeon when appropriately leveled for such.

Shaman Professions

When leveling as a Shaman, there is no profession that stands out for the class specifically above others, and so you should make the decision for which profession to take based on what you want to be doing at max level. Popular Shaman professions are engineering, thanks to craftables like Nitro Boosts and Hyperspeed Accelerators that suit damage-dealing Shamans well and scale well with their abilities, as well as Tailoring which can be favourable thanks to Lightweave Embroidery amongst others.

Whilst leveling however, it is always beneficial to pick up a gathering profession such as Skinning, Herbalism, or Mining, and can be beneficial for a Shaman to make some extra gold throughout the leveling process to help them when they reach max level. These starter professions can be dropped off at maximum level and a Shaman can then proceed to power level their desired endgame professions, such as Herbalism or Tailoring for example.

Important Class Quests

This section of the article will discuss important Shaman-specific class quests in Wrath of the Lich King which should not be avoided as they reward you with essential rewards for a Shaman. For instance, the four elemental totems of a Shamans ability kit (the Earth, Fire, Water and Air totems) are rewarded via the completion of Shaman class quests, which are offered via your class trainer which can be found in any major hub or city within the game’s massive world.

• The first totem available via a class quest is the Earth totem, starting at level 4 – so available in your starter zone. For both Alliance and Horde, the quest follows the same basic premise, requesting you to kill some nearby enemies and return to the designated quest giver for the specific starter zone being offered in – either Durotar, Mulgore or Ammen Vale.
• The second totem available via a class quest is the Fire totem, which players will gain access to via the quest Call of Fire accessible at level 10. The quest process for this quest differs significantly depending on the faction, as Dranei Shamans get offered the quest in The Exodar, and follows a different premise to the Horde variant of the quesT. This eventually rewards players with the same reward – the Fire totem – regardless of their faction.
• The third totem available via a class quest is the Water totem, which players gain access to at level 20 with the quest titled Call of Water, which for both Horde and Alliance players is available via one of the capital city Shaman trainers in one of the many faction hubs spread out around the world. As does the previous quest, this one will also vary dramatically depending on the faction of the Shaman undertaking the quest.
• The fourth and final totem available via a class quest is the Air totem, which Shamans gain access to at level 30 with the Call of Air quest – which out of all the four Shaman totem quests is ironically the easiest, despite the previous ones gaining difficulty and length as they progress. The Call of Air quest just asks either Horde or Alliance players to pay an NPC a visit in a specific zone, and this will reward them with the Air totem.
• Furthermore, the Sunken Temple class quests available at level 50 are also recommended, especially for new players, as the quest chain rewards Shamans with a rare trinket named the Enamored Water Spirit, which used to be a very important trinket in World of Warcraft Classic that was very sought after for Shamans. This questline is fairly long winded and requires players to complete the Sunken Temple dungeon. Therefore, experienced players may seek to skip this class quest as it does result in a bit of downtime that could be spent more efficiently via other methods of experience gain, but for new players, it is recommended as the trinket can still be useful as it will make you stronger for when you venture into Outland to begin The Burning Crusade expansion.

Once you hit maximum level, which is level 80 in the WotLK, it is advised that you follow guides relevant to your specific specialization so that you understand how best to play the spec in whichever endgame content path you wish to take. It is also important to decide on which route to take, although you can do both, out of either PvE or PvP – which Shamans perform excellently in both in the WotLK expansion.