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.

Then you might read in forums and other online sites, that they are not as good in these abilities as the classes that specialise in them. However when you consider that Druids can heal in tree form or that they can tank as bears, or give damage when turning into a cat, remember that Shamans is able to do all of of this at the same time without the need to shape shift - though they can turn into wolves to travel faster.

There is one feature that makes the world of warcraft Shaman stand out, and this is their use of totems which when planted into nearby ground gives them and fellow members various benefits such as healing and aid in fighting opponents. It’s the use of these totems which is what makes playing a Shaman a challenging experience.

There are four categories of totems : Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Each totem requires split timing decisions and a cool head to implement properly whilst engaged in tricky combat situation or in a group. Useful is also how they can use the Reincarnation spell to resurrect themselves as well as other members. This is limited to once every played hour, cut down to 40 as more talents points are assigned to that ability. This is another feature that makes them fun to play solo and very useful when in a group.

With the release of the burning crusade expansion kit being a shaman is not only a class that is specific to the Horde. The new Dranei class in the alliance can also play as shamans, having attributes that makes them particularly adept at playing this class; some would argue that this is the best class to choose for this alliance race.

At end game (level 60 and 70 and beyond) you can specialize as either as an Elemental, Restoration or Enhancement Shaman each having their own specialized abilities. Elementals focus on high damage casting abilities and as such are regarded as the best choice for power levelling quickly. While Restoration Shamans have higher healing abilities and later in the game are useful healers and back up casters.

We have barely scratched the surface of what shamans can do in the game. It would require a far longer world of warcraft guide on shamans to list them all. Due to the fact that they are multi skilled, Shamans are often times regarded as a jack of all trades class. They are a very versatile class that allows the player to get a fuller experience in the game. Playing a shaman you will be able to tank, heal and tank as well as the more specialized classes making you effectively this 3 times as powerful if you exploit their abilities. Quite simply, Shamans are no pushovers.