[Moonkin Aura + Heart of the Crusader] vs [Ebon Plaguebringer + Totem of Wrath]

[Owltoid]

I'm pretty sure moonkin aura and heart of the crusader stack:

Blizzard's official comment about changes to stacking buffs in WOTLK. Comprehensive list of buffs inside. ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&postID=112866&highlight=crusader+moonkin#post112866')

Although shamans are far and away the most popular DPS class with 5-boxing, it's really seeming to polarize into DK+shammy teams and Pally+moonkin teams. DKs offer the debuff (Ebon Plaguebringer) that moonkins provide (Earth and Moon), whereas pallys offer the debuff (Heart of the Crusader) that totem of wrath applies.

Since it's probably recommended to have at least one shaman in the group (fear protection) the DK team (with shaman DPS) does get the benefit of choosing a non-shaman healer. They also get the healing stream totems that seem to be worth their weight in gold. And, of course, four elemental shamans can probably DPS + heal much better than moonkin DPS + heal due to the AoE heals and not having to shapeshift for maximum damage.

Anyway, I'm just researching my team and found this interesting. It's probably well known to the seasoned boxers, but some new folks may want to consider the mixture when rolling a new group.

[Hachoo]

If the choice is between tank + 3 shaman + druid or tank + 4 shaman, I would go with tank + 4 shaman every time. Also I'm a die hard 4x elemental shaman fan, I will not respec a shaman resto.

With ebon plaguebringer as you pointed out earth and moon is pointless, and so you have to look at what a Druid would bring that a 4th shaman wouldn't bring. IMO the 4th shaman has more advantages - an extra healing stream or mana spring totem is invaluable, an extra magma totem for AoE, an extra grounding totem, and extra tremor totem for slightly less time between pulses, etc. Also, less complex macros because all 4 clones will be able to run the same cast sequences/spells/etc vs having to be more complex by using different macros for the druid.

This of course is just my opinion - I'm all for simplifying 5-boxing - I want it to feel fun and fluid, not like a job :)

[Owltoid]

I was really comparing tank, 3 identical DPS, healer groups. I think it's pretty well accepted that tank, 4 DPS group need to be shaman teams. The ability to have passive healing and AoE healing on a DPS spec is just too much goodness.

[Hachoo]

Well my post still holds up - the 4th shaman (whether resto or not) brings all the things I mentioned and has the option to respec elemental for PvP or whatnot.

[Owltoid]

I agree :) I think there are many good reasons 4 shammys and a tank is the most popular PvE boxing group.

[Lyonheart]

i think i will be leveling a DK for my 4 shaman. I have my paly tank now ( love him ) and a choice of 3shaman and a druid..or 4 shaman. I can get the job done with either team. I love the simplistic feel of 4 shaman. I also love the extra totems,self rez..ect. BUT when i play them i miss the big DPS numbers I get when the Moonkin is in the group.

I think I will like Dk+4 shaman, if not ill have a DK to PvP with 8) win win!

[emesis]

If the choice is between tank + 3 shaman + druid or tank + 4 shaman, I would go with tank + 4 shaman every time. Also I'm a die hard 4x elemental shaman fan, I will not respec a shaman resto.

With ebon plaguebringer as you pointed out earth and moon is pointless, and so you have to look at what a Druid would bring that a 4th shaman wouldn't bring. IMO the 4th shaman has more advantages - an extra healing stream or mana spring totem is invaluable, an extra magma totem for AoE, an extra grounding totem, and extra tremor totem for slightly less time between pulses, etc. Also, less complex macros because all 4 clones will be able to run the same cast sequences/spells/etc vs having to be more complex by using different macros for the druid.

This of course is just my opinion - I'm all for simplifying 5-boxing - I want it to feel fun and fluid, not like a job :)

The simplicity of the 4 ele shammy setup is what's keeping my running my DK + 4 shammies atm instead of adding one of my druids to the mix.

From a buff perspective, however, a boomkin would bring plenty to the table even though E & M and Ebon Plaguebringer do not stack. For one thing, you can save 3 talent points for your DK. As far as buffs:

1. M/GOTW - that's a constant +75 to all resists, +51 to all stats, +1050 armor for everyone in your party. The resistance doesn't stack with shammy totems, which give higher resists for fire, nature, and ice. But they're up constantly without thinking and you get a bit of shadow/arcane resist.

2. Insect Swarm - decreased chance for boss to hit by 3% - that's a lot of mitigation.

3. Improved Fairie Fire - increased chance for party to hit boss by 3%. You can forget about hit pretty much from gear for heroics, or save the class specific talent points on all your toons for increasing hit.