Is Highmountain Tauren Good for Shaman?
Yes, Highmountain Tauren are a solid choice for Shaman, though not unequivocally the absolute “best” in every scenario. Their racial traits offer a blend of defensive utility, versatility, and a minor boost to resource gathering, which can synergize well with various Shaman playstyles. While not providing direct offensive enhancements like some other races, the Highmountain Tauren’s inherent resilience and flexibility make them a viable and enjoyable option for both casual and hardcore Shaman players.
Strengths of Highmountain Tauren Shaman
Enhanced Survivability
The primary strength of the Highmountain Tauren Shaman lies in their increased survivability. The racial trait Rugged Tenacity reduces damage taken by a scaling amount based on the character level. This is particularly beneficial for Shaman, who can sometimes be vulnerable due to their relatively light armor. This reduction is a consistent passive buff, making the Shaman more durable in both PvE and PvP encounters.
Versatility Boost
Mountaineer, which increases versatility by 1%, is another valuable racial for Highmountain Tauren Shaman. Versatility is a useful stat for all Shaman specs as it provides a flat damage increase as well as damage reduction. Whether you’re an Elemental Shaman looking to hit harder, a Restoration Shaman needing to pump out more healing, or an Enhancement Shaman desiring a boost in both, the versatility increase is a welcome addition.
Resource Gathering Utility
While not directly combat-related, the Pride of Ironhorn racial that increases mining skill is a small but helpful utility. The chance to loot extra meat and fish through Waste Not, Want Not can also be useful for crafting and saving some gold. These add up over time, providing passive benefits that are hard to ignore.
How Highmountain Tauren Shaman Fit Different Specs
Elemental Shaman
For Elemental Shaman, the survivability offered by Rugged Tenacity can be quite advantageous, especially when dealing with melee-heavy encounters. While the 1% versatility is nice, Highmountain tauren doesn’t directly enhance casting throughput. Other races provide more direct casting benefits. Nevertheless, a more survivable Elemental Shaman is often a better performing one.
Restoration Shaman
Restoration Shamans appreciate the extra durability and versatility as it means they are able to heal more effectively and take fewer hits. This is a consistent boost to effectiveness and survivability, something that is always welcome.
Enhancement Shaman
Enhancement Shamans also benefit from the versatility boost, increasing their damage and resilience. As a melee-focused hybrid spec, the extra survivability offered by Rugged Tenacity makes them more self-sufficient in battles.
Alternatives and Considerations
While Highmountain Tauren are a solid choice, it’s important to consider other options.
- Tauren offer a larger stamina pool, which can scale well with certain tanking builds.
- Orcs provide offensive power through Blood Fury.
- Trolls offer Berserking, a powerful haste boost.
- Dwarves (for Alliance Shamans) provide Stoneform, a potent defensive cooldown.
Ultimately, the “best” race depends on the specific player’s priorities. However, the Highmountain Tauren’s combination of defensive and versatile traits makes them a compelling option for many Shaman players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main racial abilities of Highmountain Tauren that benefit Shaman?
The primary benefits come from Rugged Tenacity (damage reduction based on level), Mountaineer (1% versatility increase), Pride of Ironhorn (increased mining skill), and Waste Not, Want Not (chance to loot extra meat and fish).
2. How does the Highmountain Tauren’s damage reduction compare to other races’ defensive abilities?
Rugged Tenacity provides a flat damage reduction based on character level. While this is less effective at lower levels, it scales very well at higher level, making them consistently more durable across all levels. Other races might have specific conditional defenses, but Highmountain’s damage reduction is constant.
3. Is Highmountain Tauren better than regular Tauren for Shaman?
This depends on the playstyle and specialization. Tauren offer a higher stamina pool, which is generally more useful for tanking. Highmountain Tauren’s versatility and damage reduction can be more immediately beneficial for a wider range of Shaman roles, particularly in a DPS or healing role.
4. Does Mountaineer’s 1% Versatility make a noticeable difference for Shaman?
Yes, 1% versatility is always beneficial. It increases damage output for all specs and healing effectiveness for Restoration Shaman, while also providing a small amount of damage reduction. It’s not game changing but it is impactful.
5. Does the mining bonus from Pride of Ironhorn benefit Shaman gameplay?
The mining skill is a utility rather than a direct benefit to Shaman combat abilities. But this additional skill can be valuable for making gold and obtaining materials needed for professions.
6. How do Highmountain Tauren fare in PvP as Shaman?
Rugged Tenacity offers solid survivability, while the added 1% versatility provides both damage and damage mitigation which can greatly help in PvP combat.
7. Are Highmountain Tauren Shaman viable for Mythic+ dungeons?
Yes, the added survivability from Rugged Tenacity is very helpful in Mythic+, and the versatility increase is always useful, meaning they are more than viable for Mythic+ dungeons.
8. How do Highmountain Tauren compare to other Horde races for Shaman healing?
They are a good option for a healing Shaman. While they may not directly increase healing output, the added survivability can help prevent them from being targeted. Tauren stamina and Orc’s damage bonus can also be useful, but Highmountain’s versatility boost is versatile.
9. What is the best spec for a Highmountain Tauren Shaman?
Highmountain Tauren are viable for all Shaman specs. However, given their racial traits, they may be especially good for Restoration, which benefits from both survivability and versatility, as well as Enhancement, which requires both damage and survivability.
10. Do Highmountain Tauren racial traits have any synergy with Shaman talent trees?
Their traits work well with all Shaman specs and talent trees. It’s a boost that’s useful to all, rather than a niche benefit.
11. What are the best professions to pair with a Highmountain Tauren Shaman?
Leatherworking allows you to make armor, Jewelcrafting provides caster-oriented equipment, and Alchemy is always useful for all classes. Engineering can also be very useful to Shaman.
12. Does the lore of Highmountain Tauren make sense for Shaman?
Absolutely! The Highmountain Tauren have a strong connection to the earth and the spirits, making them natural fits for Shaman.
13. Can I create a Highmountain Tauren Shaman on my existing account?
Yes, if you have already unlocked the Highmountain Tauren as an allied race on that account.
14. Are there any downsides to playing a Highmountain Tauren Shaman?
There are no significant downsides. However, Highmountain Tauren doesn’t offer direct offensive enhancement such as racial abilities that increase main stats, but survivability and versatility is useful to all classes.
15. Where can I learn more about Highmountain Tauren and their Shaman lore?
You can learn more by completing quests in the Highmountain zone in Legion and by exploring the official World of Warcraft lore. Various online resources are also available to dive deeper into this area.