While looking through a world of warcraft guide on Shamans you might end up wondering whether you are reading a medley of world of warcraft guides involving warriors, mages or any healer class. You might even confuse Shamans for Druids, for the simple reason that just like Druids, Shamans are a hybrid class capable of healing, tanking and casting.

After that you might have a look around forums and other sites for world of warcraft shaman guides that tell you that they are no that great at any of these abilities compared to other classes that are more specialized in them. Never the less consider that Druids can only heal while in tree from or deal out damage in car form and tank as bears but never all at once which is what the Shaman can do without needing to take on a form to help him or her do it. In fact, the only shape shifting Shamans do is to turn into wolves to travel faster.

There is a solitary mark that makes the Shaman stand out from other classes, and this is their access to totems which when planted in nearby ground gives them and fellow party members extra beneficial buffs while fighting opponents. The thing that makes Shamans challenging and fun to play the most is how to use the totems effectively.

There are four types: Earth, Fire, Water and Air and each require split second decision and sound judgement when used in tricky combat situations or group play. Shammys can also resurrect themselves with the Reincarnation spell and other members in their group every hour of played time which can also be reduced to forty minutes as more talents are assigned to that ability. This adds to the list of abilities that make them an asset in a group and great to have if you play solo.

It’s not just Horde that can now play Shamans. After the Burning Crusade expansion, now Dranei, the new alliance race, can also play Shaman. Arguably this is possibly one of the best classes that Draenei can choose thanks to some of the attributes they have which allows them to exploit this class to the max.

Any world of warcraft shaman guide worth its salt will tell you that when you reach the maximum level it is time for your shaman to specialize as either an Enhancement, Elemental or Restoration shaman. The directive of elemental shamans is to deal out high damage, something which comes in useful when you are levelling up. The restoration shamans are more adept at being able to heal effectively, making them worthy back up healers in group play.

This small world of warcraft guide on shamans barely scratches the surface to give you an idea of how complex and multi talented this wow class is. It’s the very fact that they are jack of all trades and master of none that makes them a class to consider because as you play it you will be able to determine whether you enjoy casting, tanking or healing. But be under no illusion, Shamans can indeed master of these talents and skills just as proficiently as any of the classes that are more specialized in them, making them expert of all of these abilities and definitely the jack of none. And find out at your peril if you belong to a class that thinks this. Shamans are quite simply no pushovers.