Also see: Shaman Spells, Talent Build Suggestions

Shaman are a multi-tasking class and provide good defense while providing many beneficial and offensive buffs and effects via droppable totems. Only one of each totem may be dropped at a time. Shaman also have the unique ability to self-ressurect, providing effective wipe-recovery.

Class Role
The old phrase "jack of all trades, master of none" is an excellent way to describe the Shaman; they are the only real "hybrid" class in World of Warcraft. While they do not excel at any one aspect of their repertoire, they function passing well when performing most tasked called upon by a party. Need a support healer? Looking for a secondary tank? After another damage-dealer? Have an empty slot that needs someone to support the group in general? The Shaman can provide. They have a number of utility spells as well that help make life easier for any party.

Strengths

• Can heal themselves and resurrect other players after battle
  
• Can transform into a Ghost Wolf, allowing for fast travel
  
• Can use totems of earth, air, fire and water
  
• Able to use instant cast damage spells
  
• Can use spells to walk on water or breath underwater
  

Weaknesses

• Most totems are easily destroyed when attacked directly
  
• High dependence on mana pool for offense and survival
  
• No long duration party buffs available
  

Eligible Races: Orc, Tauren, Troll, Draenei
Standard Bars: Health/Mana
Armor: Cloth, Leather, Mail (with training)
Weapons: One-Handed Maces, Staves, Fist Weapons, One-Handed Axes (with training), Daggers (with training), Axes (with talents), Two-Handed Maces (with talents).

Suitable Professions
Suitable professions for a shaman are Skinning and Leatherworking. With leatherworking you will be able to create leather armor for yourself and later when you learn to equip Mail armor you can specialize in Dragonscale Leatherworking and make mail armor.
Another suitable combo of professions is Mining and Skinning. Here is how it would work. You will be Minner and Skinner up to level 40 when you learn to equip mail. At that level you would have gathered a good sum of money by selling ores and skins in the Auction House. Now you can give up on being a Skinner and take up Blacksmithing. It shouldn't be too difficult to train in Blacksmithing, buy some "low level" ores from the Auction House or go to a starting area and mine some.

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