well before viewing this thread completely I had a general assumption that nobody in here knew what they were talking about. However Push through some thoughts out onto the table I hadn't really thought about before. My old shaman spec was something of an experiment and the results were rather fun to watch hitting low resil clothy targets for 15k bursts can be too fun sometimes.
However Push you are right controlled bursts are much more usefull in arena before I was having a hard time sneaking in the correct amount of damage when needed. After checking your spec and reading your notes I took my points out of elemental and putting them into resto I actually improved survivability and my mana isn't a problem anymore either.
Old spec
Pros:
-melee swings will most likely land
-this spec is about hitting hard and unpredictably bursts from this spec can leave anything other then mail and plate wearers face down on the floor after only a couple of hits.
-Quick shocks that crit for double the damage add alot of spell damage to peirce through high armor targets.
-extra range of earthbind totem keeps close range targets in check
Cons:
-shocks are not as likely to land
-without shamanistic rage your easily bursted down
-mana comsumption is a major problem
-when mana is drained your damage becomes nerfed considerably
Current spec
Pros:
-more survivability with shamanistic rage
-relentess assault capability
-controlled bursts
-shocks are more likely to land
-more group buffing
-great spell pushback
Cons:
-top end burst is considerably lower
-melee swings are more likely to miss
-shocks are meant only for utility