Shaman

Blizzard's description is that shaman "use totems and spells to manipulate the elements" and push the fighters around them to greater strength. The 2004 guide called them the heart and soul of the Horde. They now belong to the Alliance as well, through the dwarves.

That changes more than one class. Blizzard has already lowered the warrior's Battle Shout to allow for both factions having both shaman and paladin buffs.

Who can be one

Alliance: Dwarf.
Horde: Orc, tauren, troll, Windshaper Skyborne.

What to wear

Armor: Leather, then mail later on.
Look for: A bit of everything.
Weapons: A one-hander and a shield, or a two-hander for melee. The guide says shaman "require almost everything" from their stats.

Decide whether you are healing, casting or hitting, and gear for that. Keep a shield either way. The gear guide has the rest.

What we don't know yet

There is no Blizzard deep dive for the shaman yet. We know hit and crit were merged partly to help Enhancement shaman, and nothing else for certain.

Where this comes from

How we verify

• Blizzard

  The class description, and which races can be shaman

  Blizzard: Create the Hero You Want to Be (races, classes and racial traits)
• Blizzard

  Battle Shout was reduced because both factions now have shaman and paladin buffs

  Blizzard: class deep dive, Priest and Warrior
• Blizzard

  Combined hit and crit help Enhancement shaman

  Blizzard: Deep Dive panel recap
• The 2004 guide

  The guide opens its shaman chapter by calling them the heart and soul of the Horde

  Read from the guide, printed page 147
• Not confirmed

  What has changed for shaman in Forever

  No Blizzard article on the shaman as of our last check.