beta question: can shaman off tank?

[zenga]

Well with the new dungeons in mind and the fact we won't outgear it from the start, I've more or less decided that having a tank class on more than one account might be a good idea. I have a 4x dk + disc priest as team B, which I intended to run only in pvp, but off speccing 1 dk as tank won't be a huge deal, he can help out my standard pally 4x shaman pve team if needed. That being said, I took a closer look at enhancement plans for cata and what I was wondering:

unleash elements sounds like a taunt to me and rockbiter weapon gives a 30% threat boost + 5% damage reduction (combinded with frost shock, thats quite some threat generation). Would it be a viable option to spec 1 shaman ele/enhance for certain encounters so that the enhance can taunt off a mob for a few hits? Like has anyone tried such thing on beta?

[Littleburst]

I know that there are enhancement shamans who allready OT in Wotlk, so it's definitely possible. But having a decent hppool is gonna suck, besides that you hardly have avoidance.

[EaTCarbS]

With how blizzard is making tanking, It will probably work for content you outgear.

[zenga]

I know that there are enhancement shamans who allready OT in Wotlk, so it's definitely possible. But having a decent hppool is gonna suck, besides that you hardly have avoidance.

yeah true, but it requires very specific gear and the raid needs to adapt, so i'd call it a niche. the fact that they gave us a taunt might mean it's becoming more viable in beta, would rock if someone could try it out

[Mickthathick]

I remember hearing that Shamans were orginally designed as a OT class, but the concept didn't make it to live realms. Given Enhancement shammies are such a niche class in the game, I could only imagine the tears if they lost their melee dps role!

[Khatovar]

My husband used to tank on his Shammy until Dire Maul was released. But then, in those days, I was trying to mainheal as a resto druid when all I was MEANT to do was Innervate ;P. We were just gluttons for punishment, but it was possible.

As far as the whole +threat thing, I'm kind of surprised it's still in game, but I'm guessing it's meant more for "kite-tanking" not real sword+board tanking. More for the new instances than what we currently have, anyway. UW:Rockbiter, Frost shock, Ghostwolf, rinse and repeat.

[Alemi]

My husband used to tank on his Shammy until Dire Maul was released. But then, in those days, I was trying to mainheal as a resto druid when all I was MEANT to do was Innervate ;P. We were just gluttons for punishment, but it was possible.

As far as the whole +threat thing, I'm kind of surprised it's still in game, but I'm guessing it's meant more for "kite-tanking" not real sword+board tanking. More for the new instances than what we currently have, anyway. UW:Rockbiter, Frost shock, Ghostwolf, rinse and repeat.

Don't forget battle rezz! And sit on dead people in cat form.

I think this is right though, kiting would be ideal and fit in with a hunters role. With the Unleash Elements effect, Frost Shock threat, instant ghost wolf + baseline speed increase, ghost wolf usable indoors + earthbind totems... I think that'll be the role shamans fit into.