How to group with a shaman?

[qinsteel]

Originally Posted by Raev [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

... Also, make sure you cast malo on all charmed pets; it significantly reduces the number of breaks.

I did not know that Malo was was something that helped. Does it matter when it is done. I.E., If already mezzed; if I cast Malo does it still help?

[lecompte]

harmful spells won't land on friendly pets so no. Have to malo it before it gets recharmed or charmed.

[evan1612]

Originally Posted by lecompte [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

harmful spells won't land on friendly pets so no. Have to malo it before it gets recharmed or charmed.

Yes, communication with the chanter is key at that point. If you have the mana for it you might as well!

[webrunner5]

Your MAIN job usually in a group is to HEAL people. To keep them alive. That should be your main mind set. Only buff the Melees and then even the Tank will get the most buffs. Give the Puller SoW and most everyone DPS wise a Strength Buff. And the hell with slows. To much of a mana hog just like haste is.

Like has been said, Canni, and you HAVE to Canni because the game is rigged against a Shaman for Mana regen. It is slower than say a Cleric to re new. So you HAVE to Canni like I said. You do come out ahead mana wise doing it, but it takes up a ton of your time dancing.

So between Dancing Sow Str buffs, and oh by the way heals, you are a busy as hell person. If the Chanter can't control adds and sucks at Charming you got some real problems. But that is really not your job if one is in the group.

It is even more hard to control mobs as a young Shaman with no CC person in the group like a Ranger Druid Chanter because your root sucks at lower levels. Not the case higher up.

A Shaman is NOT a class for a young mother taking care of 3 kids at home trying to play at the same time. It is a FULL time job. No real time to go AFK on one.

I have a love hate relationship with mine. In a GOOD group they are a thing of beauty to play, but in a bad group it is a nightmare trying to be the Jack of all Trades in it. It is stressful as crap and just no fun.

But you can group and solo on one, and they will be one of the few classes that can solo when Velious ever comes out in it. So they are worth having for sure as a toon. But they are BIG money to equip and buy high end spells for. I think probably either the Most expensive or second in the game. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Teppler]

I don't think slow is ever useless but for a long time I'd use the lowest level one which is like 20 mana only. Drowsy.

[webrunner5]

Originally Posted by Teppler [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I don't think slow is ever useless but for a long time I'd use the lowest level one which is like 20 mana only. Drowsy.

I never meant to say it is useless, but it is a AGRO magnet from hell and it does take away time to Canni and it takes away some other buff or Root you could be doing.

I think mana wise, time wise it is not worth the effort as fast a people can kill mobs in a good group now. In Velious that will be a completely different story. When you can kill top end Raid mobs on here in 30 seconds why the hell even bother with slow. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[eisley]

Paladins and SK's possess the tools to allow you to slow on inc, no problem. With a warrior, don't do it early or it is your fault.

Most lower level pal/SKs who are newish aren't familiar with efficient aggro techniques. I've grouped with a paladin who kept losing aggro and people were yelling at him. Rather than yell I just told him, once the mob is within melee range, immediately blind it 2-3 times in a row in rapid succession.

Just one example, point is, being positive, helpful and communicative can have a massive effect on a group.

[Jimjam]

At low level the only buffs I find that are of real value are ones that add AC (spell and item are capped separately), hp (obviously) and str.

Str melee. buff hp/ac on tanks, encs and maybe healers.

[BlkCamel]

Originally Posted by Teppler [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I don't think slow is ever useless but for a long time I'd use the lowest level one which is like 20 mana only. Drowsy.

/Agree, Once you get walking sleep I would use that until 39+, then you can start using upgraded versions. Slow reduces the damage a mob does which in turn reduces the amount you have to heal. Slow any monster that is going to do enough damage to cause you to cast heal more then once.

Slow is the Shaman's best spell, Torpor is a close 2nd.[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Udabut]

Originally Posted by webrunner5 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I never meant to say it is useless, but it is a AGRO magnet from hell and it does take away time to Canni and it takes away some other buff or Root you could be doing.

I think mana wise, time wise it is not worth the effort as fast a people can kill mobs in a good group now. In Velious that will be a completely different story. When you can kill top end Raid mobs on here in 30 seconds why the hell even bother with slow. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If the group is killing the mob in 30 seconds I would agree. Otherwise never say never slow. When I am the only healer in a duo/trio and hurting on mana, we would pull in a single, I would root with a low lvl root (20 mana?), then peeps would back off the mob till I got it slowed then they would attack. Most of the time I would only need one heal, or the regen would be enough. Can go all day this way with no/little down time.