Which race to pick for Shaman?

[Johntek]

All of the races have a lot going for them. Unlike some classes, when rolling a Shaman you really can't choose wrong for a race. However, I really like Iksar. They have regen, yes, but that's only part of it. They also have the highest WIS of any Shamans, meaning you will have more mana and less resists than other Shamans. Plus, it's easier to hit the 200 soft-cap.

Yes, they lose the JBB, but really, that's a single item you don't really even need, so there's no point in making your decision solely on this. Besides, it becomes irrelevant come Velious, when Iksar gear becomes vastly more powerful.

The combination of high WIS and regen means that Iksar Shamans have, hands-down, the largest possible mana pool of all Shamans. Something to consider.

[Ishio]

I like the benefits you get with Iksar, the only biggest downfalls I see about them is

• They are hated
• They have a hell of a time getting OFF Kunark
• 20% exp penalty does show it's ugly face in hell levels
• Unless you're willing to do a lot of faction work, can only bank in Cabilis
• They miss out on a few key items that are vanilla

However, this can be offset by higher mana pool, easy soft cap, being right in FoB and Kurn's, and LoIO, and OT. Can easily go 1-40 there. It will just take a really long time to get there.

Regardless, I'm tossed between Troll and Iksar. I know Iksar's will get a lot of love in the next expansion, but Trolls get some nice clickies. I ended up with a Barb Shaman, which I may just go ahead and kill off to move to Iksar/Troll. It'll just be a bit of a bitch to get the items over there.

[DrKvothe]

Iksar have 39 less stamina and 20 more wis than troll. The stam offsets about a quarter of the difference in wis. Troll also has 38 more str, for whatever that's worth to you. JBB isn't the only jaundiced bone armor that people often equip. Anybody know anything about how bugged AC is atm? I've heard varying information. If AC still works, then the other jaundiced bone pieces are very nice for the price.

[Zeonick]

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

Iksar have 39 less stamina and 20 more wis than troll. The stam offsets about a quarter of the difference in wis. Troll also has 38 more str, for whatever that's worth to you. JBB isn't the only jaundiced bone armor that people often equip. Anybody know anything about how bugged AC is atm? I've heard varying information. If AC still works, then the other jaundiced bone pieces are very nice for the price.

Someone here posted a link to a thread where someone did some ac testing. I dont remember the details but it showed that ac does have some significant effect on damage reduction. Not sure what their data showed, if someone knows what I'm talking about maybe they could link the thread.

[ncapatina]

Only one race has an ability that cannot be duplicated by another through items, spells etc: frontal stun immunity. If you are a min/maxer there is no other choice but ogre for this ability alone.

Slam also wasn't mentioned as iksars lose out on that.

Wisdom is an overrated stat, how often do you blow your entire mana pool during a fight? Shamans get the best mana regen of any class so a lower mana pool is insignificant.

Regen is helpful but by max level isn't significant.

All the other crap like better starting area, better faction, etc...not only is it a bad reason to create a race that will be less powerful in the end, but it will be entirely worthless in Velious when everyone is on an even playing field faction wise.

[pasi]

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

All the other crap like better starting area, better faction, etc...not only is it a bad reason to create a race that will be less powerful in the end, but it will be entirely worthless in Velious when everyone is on an even playing field faction wise.

Just to nitpick:

Ogre Shaman are actually on a better field than other shaman come Velious. Rallos Zek worshippers are non-kos in Kael initially. Hence everyone and their brother having level 1 Ogres to face track Kael on live!

[ncapatina]

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

Just to nitpick:

Ogre Shaman are actually on a better field than other shaman come Velious. Rallos Zek worshippers are non-kos in Kael initially. Hence everyone and their brother having level 1 Ogres to face track Kael on live!

That sir is an excellent nitpick and you should not feel guilty whatsoever posting it!

[NegaStoat]

Out of just plain curiosity, how would an Iksar shaman go about attempting to complete this quest line?

http://wiki.project1999.com/Cazic_Thule_Symbol_Quests

What strategy(s) might best work for attaining the needed faction? Make the assumption that the character is around level 29-34, so that Invis and/or pet might be available.

[Lojik]

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

Out of just plain curiosity, how would an Iksar shaman go about attempting to complete this quest line?

http://wiki.project1999.com/Cazic_Thule_Symbol_Quests

What strategy(s) might best work for attaining the needed faction? Make the assumption that the character is around level 29-34, so that Invis and/or pet might be available.

Same way troll does. Head to erudin and kill guards. Not sure how long you'll have to as an iksar, but 2 or 3 hours slaughtering them as a ~38 shaman was enough to get me to indifferent faction. Doable by 35 definitely, kill the guards by the dock.

[fishingme]

I went barb, got him to 49 so far. I enjoy him, the best race for a shaman im not sure. Only thing that bothers me is usual lack of mana and eventually using canni to drop down so far on hp that i need to med/sit to regen hp. Probably would re-roll iksar/troll. Looks like the choices of ogre is for stun immunity/higher stamina? Probably a good thing, havent needed either yet. I wouldn't particularly bother with choosing a race strictly for velious, still at least another year away. I've only been outleveled by one race as a shaman and it's been troll, guy seems to play a few more hours than me though. But I've definitely caught up to him through 40-49, Twinked barb shaman mind you, no fungi/jbb though. I can say that JBB does kind of seem worthless, but i can see some applications of it in certain group compositions/duos if you can keep a solid mana bar the entire time. 50+ though id probably say it gets a bit more useless unless duoing with a monk in KC. I think a couple months back everyone was on the troll train about being the shaman class and seems to of switched to ogre so id just say play what you want to play/enjoy.