Shamans are basically one half of a normal MMO’s cleric or priest class. The other half is the Mystics. However, in ESO, Both classes have their own unique ways of playing.
Many players would think that, being a cleric or healer, you would need the help of a party, since you would be fairly low on the defensive side. That is not the case for a Shaman. Shamans are also used as the secondary tank in ESO.
Primary Elemental Affinities
First of all, if you have started playing ESO already, you will realize that you can only put in stat points every 5 levels. You get 5 stat points every 5 levels, and the cap for stats right now is at half your level, rounded up. This being the case means that you are able to invest your points in two of your chosen affinities.
However, in ESO, all classes have spells/skills that have a certain affinity to a specific element, and that’s where all the questions arise.
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Widu
Widu will add the following:
+ 1 INT
+ 1 Resistance
+ 0.2 Resilience/Evasion
+ 0.05% Critstrike Bonus Damage
This is a Shaman’s main and only affinity, 3 of your spells have an affinity to Widu
*NOTE* Having only one elemental affinity leaves room for different builds to play around with.
Optional Elemental Affinities
As a Shaman, you can always play around with the affinities, as long as you have Widu Affinity, your spells will be doing decent damage given by the + 1 INT.
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Pyra
Pyra adds the following:
+ 3 INT
+ 0.05% Critstrike
IF, for some reason, you want your spells/skills to do even more damage, your second affinity would be Pyra. Adding a massive +3 INT would give you the extra power you need. Keep in mind, though, that the Shaman is a secondary tank class. This build would give you no defense at all and no physical attack power whatsoever. Use this if you plan on healing or skill spamming.
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Unda
Unda adds the following:
+ 20 HP
+ HP/MP regen.
Not much to write about Unda. Add affinity to this if you want more HP basically, not as useful as the other affinities though.
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Oora
Oora will add the following benefit:
+ 3 STR
+ 0.05% Critcast
This is the powerhouse stat. +3 STR is a huge boost in physical damage for anyone. But, it only boosts physical damage. Useful for a Shaman Tank you would think, but remember, you do not get any HP or defense bonuses from this build. no point being strong if you cant survive long enough to hit a mob.
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Erda
Erda will add the following benefit:
+ 1 STR
+ 1 Defense
+ 0.2 Accuracy
+ 0.05% Critcast Bonus Damage
Using Erda and Widu would probably be the best combination for a Shaman Tank. +1STR means you would get a decent amount of attack power. +1DEF so you can actually withstand some hits while you tank. +Accuracy so you dont miss too much and Critcast for spell criticals.
Paired up with Widu, you got some pretty decent Stat bonuses that you can mess around with
Active Skills
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Hammer of Tushin Max Level:30 Obtain at Level 3
This is your first skill, nothing special. It does Physical damage so its not affected by INT, only STR. This skill has no cooldown, so its good for spamming when you just started playing. This skill is also good for anyone going with the Oora Build since you can do lots of damage with this skill by going STR.
Smell the Flowers Max Level:30 Obtain at Level 7
This is the only healing spell you get, and it HoT(heals over time). At Level 1, it heals for 11, every 2 seconds, for 7 seconds (33 in total). slightly better than that of the Mystics, but not by much.
Void Clap Max Level:5 Obtain at Level 12
This is your first magic attack skill, and it has Widu Affinity, so if you have been putting in some Widu points, you got your first decent attack. Cooldown is 3 seconds, so not really spammable like your first skill.
Sprint Max Level:5 Obtain at Level 15
All classes get this skill, you do a small leap forward and gets a small speed boost for a few seconds. Has over 100 seconds cooldown at Level 1. You can’t have a mount or be invisible to use it.
Presence of the Spirit Max Level:5 Obtain at 20
This is a Resurrection skill, both Mystics and Shamans have it. However, the Shamans ress revives a player with 70% of their HP, while the Mystics revives with only 10%.
From glasglow:
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The Shaman Revive has 5 minutes cooldown while the Mystic Revive has 28 seconds, so thats why its better.
Miasmic Cyclone Max Level:30 Obtain at Level 30
This is your second Widu skill, and it really out damages your first one. Cooldown is shorter as well, at 2 seconds, so its more spammable.
Divine Inspiration Max Level:5 Obtain at Level 40
This is your first Buff skill, it gives you an increase in Critical hit rate by 6% for 60 seconds at Level 1.
Lotus Array Max Level:10 Obtain at Level 70
This is another Spell, like the rest of your Widu skills, damage output is better if you got points in Widu Affinity. Does a tonne of damage at Level 1.
Sanguine RiteMax Level:10 Obtain at Level 80
This is your second buff skill, but this one has a catch.
When you use this skill, you get an extra 220 INT and STR for 10 seconds, that’s a huge increase in any game. However you lose 5% of your HP every 2 seconds, thats 25% in total. you decide if its worth it.
Ethereal InfusionMax Level:10 Obtain at Level 90
Your final Skill and your last buff. It Increases your targets elemental affinities for 60 seconds. Great for get extra damage out of your elemental skills.
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Affinity Buff skills works on targets that are only in Elemental form which will limit the monsters you can kill off.
Passive Skills
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Wise Advice Max Level:5 Obtain at Level 16
Your first passive. Increase your INT by 2 and your Max HP by 40 every level.
Very useful for a support/tank Shaman.
Beastial ImpulseMax Level:10 Obtain at Level 60
Your last passive. Increases your Max HP by specific percentage (Level 1: Increase of 3%). Again, very Useful for a Tanking Shaman.
*NOTE* You can obtain every skill, you just need the appropriate amount of Spirit Points(SP) and the correct Level
Ethyr Skills
Ethyr Skills are extra skills you can obtain by doing quests, or meeting certain requirements. Every class has 6 ethyr skill unique to them, that can be obtained through quests, the first one being at Level 35.
Other than those, there are more Ethyr skills that are generic that everyone can get by completing quest, you can get these at Level 15. It is up to you which skill you want to get, but remember, your affinity to an element will make a spell stronger.
*NOTE* Shamans should probably concentrate on getting the Widu Ethyr skills to go with your Widu affinity. According to glasglow, there are some Widu Ethyr spells in the higher Levels.
Birthday Skills
There is no right or wrong birthday for your character. Again, this is up to you to choose which birthday suits your style of play
*NOTE* This is only a GUIDE, its meant to help you decide what to do with your Shaman, these are only suggested Builds that you may decide on making
Credits go to thienshin1.
