Q: Ele Shaman & Shield Block, how much does it really matter?

[Mac]

This being my first shaman, I'm still learning a lot about them and have a question about sheilds from a multi-boxer perspective.

I was looking at shields as a result of another post that mentioned the Sunward Crest and it got me wondering about ele shaman's use of block value.

I searched here, wow forums, and elitistjerks and saw some sideways references to the fact that ele shaman can't make use of block while casting? However many people on here have questioned others in a negative way for not having shields on their shaman so they must be worth equipping for defensive purposes, at least seemingly worth more then the extra dps a staff would give for example. Everyone is doing it, so it must be true right?

I was wondering about this in the context of 5 man shaman groups that have no tank, and what happens in large group pulls where you can get one mob down immediately, another to half hp that you can kill by the time they get to you or a cast thereafter which is fine for the small pulls, but in the large pulls, you still have two or three to deal with at that point.

In that case, usually stoneclaw will keep them busy for a short while, but I'm finding that stoneclaw doesn't last too long and soon I have a few guys focus firing one or a couple of my toons. I'm noticing this in mana tombs where in addition to the melee, they are getting a heavy dot also. I noticed it in Ramps from the Destroyers, and melee in BF too.

I was wondering if Block value made any difference in the case of having mobs in your group, or if block value just doesn't matter, if so, then why the focus on having a shield if ele are casting most of the time anyway not taking advantage of block, wouldn't it be better to have the extra dps a staff or something would give?

I guess I could test this by getting some staffs, but I figure someone probably has done this already.

Just curious. Sorry if its been covered before, I tried to search around first.

[Akoko]

Mazthoril Honor Shield?

I think I've heard that you can't block while casting, so go with a DPS shield.

Mace + Shield > 2 Hand staff.

[Dominian]

You cant block while casting and also hit from behinde you wont be able to block... But thats not the reason why we use shield its because of the armor.. The pvp shield grants us 5k armor and that adds ALOT of damage reduction and is our protection against meele while warlocks got high stamina,fear etc...

[Mac]

Ok thanks for the response. If armor is the primary stat, then given a variety of drops, would you take a shield with higher armor over one that had additional casting stats?

[Vyndree]

Ok thanks for the response. If armor is the primary stat, then given a variety of drops, would you take a shield with higher armor over one that had additional casting stats?

Perhaps, if you're having problems getting hit by melee.

Where do these problems occur? PvP.

[Mac]

Ok thanks for the response. If armor is the primary stat, then given a variety of drops, would you take a shield with higher armor over one that had additional casting stats?

Perhaps, if you're having problems getting hit by melee.

Where do these problems occur? PvP.

I think you missed that in my first post, I guess I was too verbose

Mostly instancing, I haven't had too many mellee encounters in world pvp , mostly ranged, and aoe mages :S

[Ughmahedhurtz]

I didn't think anyone used it for block value, only for the added stats and AF.

[Stealthy]

Putting aside the block rating stat on the shield, what else does it offer shams?

1. +31 Stam - great for PvE & PvP

2. Improves spell hit rating by 13 - handy for PvE

3. Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 26. - spell damage is a primary stat for Ele shams.

4. 4872 Armor - nice damage reduction, great for both PvP & PvE (esp if you are running a 5 shaman team).

Ideally this is a Pally shield, but it works well for Shams as a placeholder for better PvP shields (i.e. Merciless Gladiator's Barrier, Vengeful Gladiator's Barrier, Brutal Gladiator's Barrier) and is one of the best PvE shields you can get short of raiding (the other being Mazthoril Honor Shield, which costs 33 badges).

For either PvP or PvE this shield offers a great increase in survivability. All the DPS in the world isn't going to help as a corpse.

Cheers,
S.

[Mac]

Great input folks, thank you, I understand Shaman use of shields better

[Steph]

I used the Battle Mage-Baton from the ring of blood quests first - just for the spellpower. While leveling you won't be needing the armor bonus from a shield a lot anyway. For an easy to get shield, I would recommend the Spellbreaker's Buckler (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=30984) which as quest reward is no problem to get for all your chars. As others have said, get the PvP shield. You can not get any better shield as easy and reliable as the Merciless Gladiator's Barrier.

The block value on the shields is there more of less by default, but only really of use to a warrior or paladin tank. Sure, you could build an enchancement shaman tank if you really really wanted, but in the absence of any real tanking talents, moves and mechanics, that is going to be a gag-gimmick. As elemental shaman, your block chance is not augmented by any gear, therefore you will hardly ever block and use your block value - even if you are not casting. A paladin tank must be careful not to use spells with casting time while tanking by the way, because doing that prevents avoidance such as parry, dodge and block, making each non-miss a hit, rather than none or about 10% of the hits for a geared tank without holy shield or shield block up.