Shaman 5 box questions

[Xaero37]

I have been fooling around my private server I use for testing purposes and have some questions for you shaman boxers. Is it better to go 41/0/20 for Totem of Wrath x 5 or 40/0/21 for Nature's Swiftness for quick heals or extra damage when needed? Do you use a standard set of totems or do they vary based on the encounters? Is it better to use a Staff, 1H and Shield, or 1H and off-hand? What gems are ideal for socketing? Is not having a main tank an issue? I was thinking of using a Prot Pally with 4 Shamans as an alternative, even though it isn't as good of a synergy compared to 4 Shadow Priests and a Prot Pally. Does a higher crit rating matter more than extra spell damage when choosing gear? Is spell hit an issue without the use of Totem of Wrath? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Toned]

I have been fooling around my private server I use for testing purposes and have some questions for you shaman boxers. Is it better to go 41/0/20 for Totem of Wrath x 5 or 40/0/21 for Nature's Swiftness for quick heals or extra damage when needed? Do you use a standard set of totems or do they vary based on the encounters? Is it better to use a Staff, 1H and Shield, or 1H and off-hand? What gems are ideal for socketing? Is not having a main tank an issue? I was thinking of using a Prot Pally with 4 Shamans as an alternative, even though it isn't as good of a synergy compared to 4 Shadow Priests and a Prot Pally. Does a higher crit rating matter more than extra spell damage when choosing gear? Is spell hit an issue without the use of Totem of Wrath? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

For pve 41/0/20 for pvp 40/0/21

[Xaero37]

I was thinking that +15% crit for all 5 would make chain lightning spams that much sweeter. The only problem I'm having is keeping up with heals when one of them gets mobbed. I probably just need to work on my macros for targeting heals when needed. I was thinking of trying two Shaman with 41/0/20 to keep spell hit capped at 16%, while allowing the other 3 to use 40/0/21 for the NS when a heal is a must. Another idea is to spec one of the shaman Restoration to be able to use Mana Tide Totems when mana is an issue as well as Earth Shield and better heals across the board. This would allow the 4 DPSers to continue puting out damage while the 5th shaman keeps the party healed and full of mana.

[Remote]

You really don't need to spec one resto or spec for nature's swiftness. Though I did find healing more difficult pre-70.

Everything changes when you get Heroism/Bloodlust. Seriously. 5 shaman are not that special without it. Lesser healing wave spam with 30% cast speed buff? You'll never have a problem.
On the flip side...pre 70 nothing really hits that hard...

[Ellay]

Always use 1h + shield.

41/0/20 for PvE
40/0/21 for PvP

You can kite anything in an instance with earthbind totems, bosses you can use Earth Elementals.

[Xzin]

NS over Wrath? I guess for the instant cast chain lightnings in PvP?

Seems reasonable.

[Remote]

NS over Wrath? I guess for the instant cast chain lightnings in PvP?

Seems reasonable.
Without NS in pvp I find it very hard to take on 5 people. With NS + Chain Lightning followed by a shock, you're guaranteed one man down right off the bat with 2 other damaged.
Without that advantage it can be tough...at least it has been for me.