This gave me some ideas as to how to maximize a shaman group's dps in a raid. One method is to spread the shaman out to different groups, but this makes it very difficult to co-ordinate for the Mbox player since in most encounters the groups are spread in different locations. Thus grouping all the shaman is a much easier alternative. However this means using 5x totems of wrath, and minimizing the loss of the overlapping buffs.

I found that most of the badge reward loot pretty much has no crit or hit, maximizing returns with spell damage, spell haste, and int. This uses the assumption that having more spell crit after a certain point provides diminishing returns in terms of dps.

So in theory you could outfit your whole team in badge rewards (400+ badges) and kick absolute butt. Not sure how well this strategy actually works in reality. But this would be what I would gun for if I was hoping to outfit my team.


However gearing up in this manner means that you would limit the benefit of your presence to the other players.

1. Other than stoneskin, not much real benefit from earth totems. Excess could be more effectively used in a melee group.
2. 1 spell dmg, 1 threat reduction, 3 grounding? Excess could be more effectively used in a melee group, or spread out to other casters.
3. 1 mana spring, 4 healing stream. Unless there's a lot of periodic damage, this would be wasted as well.
4. 5xWrath. Maximum utilization, making full use of crit and hit.