How do Barbarian Shamans and their toys hold up in Velious?

[Orruar]

It's been said a million times, but here's one million and one.

Ogre frontal stun immunity is so overrated. A slowed mob bashes once every 32 seconds. Half of those don't land. Many mobs kick half the time instead of bash. Stun immunity means 1 less interrupt every minute or two. The majority of interrupts come from straight damage push, not from bash. If you're playing your level 60 shaman right, the majority of your casts is canni 3. Being interrupted on canni 3 is not something to cry about. Ogres are shit.

For leveling, barb is where it's at. The BS hammer is just straight amazing for killing stuff, period. It's less important at 60, especially once you have epic, but it's still nice.

Troll and Iksar regen is quite nice, far more useful than ogre stun immunity. Regen is not inconsequential at level 60. And whoever said shamans don't wear fungi at level 60, you're an undiluted idiot.

If you're starting a shaman now, I'd go troll. The regen and snare neck are far more useful than other racial benefits. If you don't like looking like a giant piece of crap, go Iksar.