Shamans, a class exclusive to the Horde in WoW Classic, have a reputation for complex rotations and tanking strategies without much payoff. But in the Season of Discovery, Shaman Runes turn the class into an absolute powerhouse across all of its specs, but especially in the DPS and Tank roles. Though we don’t know if 2H Enhancement Shaman Runes will be added in later phases, for now, the class still seems very powerful in SoD.
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Though many of these WoW Shaman Runes have been found, their effects and power levels will change as the Season of Discovery progresses. Because only one Rune can be equipped to each slot, each section below ranks Shaman Runes against other Runes within the same gear category.
Updated November 6, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: Now that the Season of Discovery is in full swing a week after launch, all Shaman Runes SoD players can get have been found. Some are easy to get, and players will practically stumble across some Shaman SoD Runes in the starting zones, while others can only be used after long questlines (and long journeys across Azeroth). This guide to the best SoD Shaman Runes has been updated with all Discovery methods – but players who want to preserve the sense of adventure and mystery need not avert their gaze. Though the names and effects are spoiled below, the methods to get each of the best Shaman Runes in SoD are hidden by default. Only reveal this information if you are truly stumped on how to get the best Shaman Runes WoW SoD offers.
This guide to the best Shaman Runes in WoW SoD covers all 12 Phase One Runes. Later in the Season, check back for information on the best SoD Shaman Runes for other equipment slots when the 40, 50, and 60 level brackets unlock in later Phases.
Shaman Chest Runes, Ranked
Dual Wield Spec, Healing Rain, Overload, & Shield Mastery
Shamans, like Druids and Paladins, are capable of filling multiple roles in WoW Classic, but they’ve always been lacking a little bit in the Tanking department. With the Season of Discovery Shaman Runes have the potential to change that. Shield Mastery is a Tanking Rune Shamans can get on the chest that improves ability to block and recover Mana, a big boon to a typically Tank-deprived class.
Shamans can heal as well, and the Healing Rain Rune is a simple AoE heal-over-time skill that applies to a target party member and everyone around them. It’s not an emergency heal by any means, but can be nice in certain group settings. Dual Wield Spec will be great for Enhancement Shamans (sorry, 2H enjoyers), but the best Rune in the Shaman Chest Slot is undoubtedly Overload.
Like Wild Strikes or Windfury, Overload has a 33% chance to cast a similar spell when several different options are cast – including healing spells. The potential here is through the roof, and is sure to be one both spellcaster and healing Shamans should look out for while leveling.
Healing Rain
Healing Rain Effect |
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Dual Wield Spec
Dual Wield Spec Effect |
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Shield Mastery
Shield Mastery Effect |
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Overload
Overload Effect |
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Shaman Legs Runes, Ranked
Ancestral Guidance, Earth Shield, Shamanistic Rage, & Way of Earth
In terms of the best Shaman Legs Runes in SoD, there’s some competition, as two runes seem to be Support oriented and two seem to be Tank focused. The two Healing Runes include Ancestral Guidance and Earth Shield, which heal party members based on the Shaman’s own damage output, and reduces casting pushback while healing the target, respectively. Either can be good in different settings, but Earth Shield seems to be the more versatile, useful Rune.
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Way of Earth and Shamanistic Rage tell a similar tale, and Tanks can feel confident choosing either of these for the legs slot. Way of Earth is a multi-faceted passive buff that only applies when Rockbiter is active on the main weapon, and the buffs are extremely conducive to Tanks. Shamanistic Rage, however, is an active ability that increases the Shaman’s defensives while also granting mana regeneration to themselves and the party.
Of the two, Way of Earth is likely easier to play around (being a passive ability), while Shamanistic Rage can be great for finishing off a boss.
Ancestral Guidance
Ancestral Guidance Effect |
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Earth Shield
Earth Shield Effect |
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Way of Earth
Way of Earth Effect |
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Shamanistic Rage
Shamanistic Rage Effect |
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Shaman Gloves Runes, Ranked
Lava Burst, Lava Lash, Molten Blast, & Water Shield
Shamans are getting a ton of great damage options for the Glove Rune Slot, as well as the Water Shield Rune. Water Shield isn’t bad by any means, and allows both melee and Tank Shamans to regenerate Mana faster. But it pales in comparison to the DPS potential of Lava Lash and Lava Burst, and the Threat generation of Molten Blast.
Lava Lash is a melee Enhancement-oriented ability that instantly strikes enemies and deals extra damage with the Flametongue enhancement. Lava Burst, on the other hand, is a ranged spell that deals immense Fire damage, and will be a guaranteed critical hit if the target is affected by Flame Shock too. Of the two, Lava Burst has the higher potential for damage bursts, as well-timed Crits can be better than simple bonus damage.
Molten Blast, on the other hand, is a tanking-oriented spell that melee players may find useful, too (just not in group content). This ability blast enemies in a cone for big damage and big Threat generation – this will be the Tank Shaman’s most useful ability in group content, but if you have this slotted as a DPS in dungeons, be prepared to get yelled at.
Water Shield
Water Shield Effect |
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Lava Burst
Lava Burst Effect |
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Lava Lash
Lava Lash Effect |
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Molten Blast
Molten Blast Effect |
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World of Warcraft
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- November 23, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)