what is the best combo?

[Zaelar]

We don't know the best combo. Currently it appears to be shaman based but this is just a guess. Different combos do better in different situations and the effectiveness can vary greatly to the point where instead of figuring out the best combo we just figure out what we want to do and then combine what would be effective in that area and what we enjoy. That or we just copy someone else.

Also with "balance" changes, the best combo could change at any time, so unless you like leveling, I'd suggest going with something that you'll enjoy even if it isn't the best.

[Boylston]

We don't know the best combo. Currently it appears to be shaman based but this is just a guess. Different combos do better in different situations and the effectiveness can vary greatly to the point where instead of figuring out the best combo we just figure out what we want to do and then combine what would be effective in that area and what we enjoy. That or we just copy someone else.

Also with "balance" changes, the best combo could change at any time, so unless you like leveling, I'd suggest going with something that you'll enjoy even if it isn't the best.

This is a very accurate assessment of the current state of WoW multi-boxing. I think that even if there was some "best" out there, there's probably some amazing class combinations that are currently way under-represented because they haven't had good PR reps like the shammies have. For example, I think multi-hunters will show themselves to be very potent, in time.

[Vyndree]

Elemental SUCKS until level 40, so thats why I was enhancement...

Hey... I leveled from 20+ as elemental on my first shaman, which means solo. It wasn't THAT bad..

You don't gain much from enhancement pre-40 talents, so it's not like you can't swap to a melee weapon and start whacking away when things get into melee range. Honestly, actually being a HYBRID for the first few levels is kinda fun. Then you get deep into a spec and you never put a weapon buff on your caster dagger ever again... :/


The truth about classes is that we've got a limited number of tried-and-tested examples to choose from. You see alot of shaman because, well, shaman works out. Are they the best? Who knows. In theory, the totem system was designed with a 5-man group cap in mind. So, naturally, filling out the remaining 4 spots of your group with shaman makes sense. Are they the only thing that makes sense? No. Every class has good and bad points, and every group has good and bad points.

A few months ago, warlocks were all the rage. Because warlocks were tried and true and they absolutely ROCK battlegrounds, and make leveling instances pretty easy pie, too. Do shaman rock battlegrounds just like warlocks? Heck no. Shaman need to be in the same group to benefit from totem stacking, and they aren't as mobile due to the totem mechanic. Do warlocks rock arenas just like shaman? Who knows -- I haven't really heard too many groups actually trying to achieve this. Does that mean they can't? No, not yet. It just means that they haven't found a solution -- or perhaps a dedicated individual who is willing to try it out.

There's a risk with running on new territory -- the cost for failure (i.e. picking a "bad" group) means you may have to level a "better" group all the way up to 70 again. But the gains for finding the perfect group that works with YOUR playstyle.... If you know you don't have the time or energy to figure this out, then just copy someone successful who has similar goals as you do -- if that person even exists.

Identify your goals first, and then develop a team that works best to achieve those goals. That's the only way you can find your personal "best combo".


Alternately, try them all out. That's the only way you'll get a feel for the class. Suvega can attest -- I have all 10 character slots filled on all of my accounts. You need to play something past 20 to know a general idea of what they're like. Why not try out a few group setups before committing to one?

[Stabface]

Some guy leveled a naked hunter to 70, surely an elemental shaman is easier than that

Alternatively to leveling characters up, when it's up and testing is going on you can generally try out premade L70 characters on the PTR. They are usually stacked up with top end gear, but you can always just unequip some items (or run a few quests for items and swap them in), to get a better feel for a just-hit-70 gear level.

[Vyndree]

Some guy leveled a naked hunter to 70, surely an elemental shaman is easier than that

It was a hunter.

You could train zero skills other than auto-shoot/auto-attack, spec beast mastery, and just send in your pet. Pet classes make me jealous. :P

Hunter works very well with the "easy to play, difficult to master" mantra.

Alternatively to leveling characters up, when it's up and testing is going on you can generally try out premade L70 characters on the PTR. They are usually stacked up with top end gear, but you can always just unequip some items (or run a few quests for items and swap them in), to get a better feel for a just-hit-70 gear level.

Excellent suggestion

[Lyonheart]

Some guy leveled a naked hunter to 70, surely an elemental shaman is easier than that

Alternatively to leveling characters up, when it's up and testing is going on you can generally try out premade L70 characters on the PTR. They are usually stacked up with top end gear, but you can always just unequip some items (or run a few quests for items and swap them in), to get a better feel for a just-hit-70 gear level.

Great idea !