On the other hand, haste is really only a DPS boost when you chain cast. If you have to cast, move, cast, move, cast, you're really not getting very much benefit from haste. I suppose there's some argument that maybe a 1.8 second Lightning Bolt might let you get it off ahead of a Pummel/Kick here and there, but I think crit/damage are much more useful stats.

I think stacking crit/damage or having a balance between the two depends on what you're doing. In the traditional 5v5 role (Gclol or Kollektiv's vids) there are precious few times you will see them doing anything but dropping totems and purging. Having the option of using Elemental Mastery and Nature's Swiftness together means that you can perform your damage role (instant burst when the target is low) and have a degree of reliability doing it. In that role, I think stacking damage would allow you to perform to the fullest.

On the other hand, haste would reduce the GCD on Purge. Given that many shaman are chain-casting purge at the start of the fight, haste might be a legit stat to stack. I remember watching Xantims' old movies and noting that he pretty much just spams Dispel at the start in 5s.

I had considered that, too. [Reckless Noble Topaz] and [Reckless Pyrestone] could be attractive gems to socket.

How good could an Elemental Shaman and Lock team do in 2v2? Anyone ever try this? People say that Elemental is gimped in 2v2, but I think if the Shaman knows what he's doing (has good pvp gear too of course) and coupled with a lock that knows what he's doing, they could really do good. I may be wrong though

Shaman/Warlock don't really complement each other very well... spriest/warlock are great in that the priest adds to the warlock DPS. Shamans and Warlocks both tend to get destroyed by rogues, so any team with a rogue + healer would dominate that. Heck, any team with melee at all would destroy that comp.

Also, why do you have Blood Elf Druid as your character? You can't have blood elf druids...

There are very few ele shaman overall and even fewer seriously trying to compete in the 2v2 bracket, so there aren't any tried and true cookie cutter combos like there are for most specs. This thread is proof: 4 pages over a six month period and only 5 or 6 discussed something other than the 5v5 bracket. If you want to PVP as ele outside of 5v5, you're pretty much on your own. Don't bother looking up ele shaman on sk-gaming or the armory; many of the top "ele shaman" are pretty obviously resto shaman that respecced for the 5v5 bracket.

Your best bet is double-DPS. Grab someone that has synergy with your totems (destro?) and go blow something up.

41 elemental + Boomkin = gg warrior teams.

What? Why 41 elemental?

What are your thoughts about S4, will the 2345 and 2346 comps still be viable?

Im running with a slight modified(druid instead of paladin) 2345 setup atm, we did reach 2k, however during the last two weeks we have lost a lot of points, could have been the lack of pratice and just bad luck.
But we have had some troubles with cleave- and eurocomp teams, which we seem to face more often lately.

(armory Marder @ Jaedenar)

2345 will still be good, sadly with all the "trip physical" teams running around I dont see 2346 being a very good comp anymore.

How does the 3% extra crit translate into "gg warrior teams" ?

You are so dumb it hurts to read your posts.

Umm it might sound funny from a guy like me (if you check out my current ratings), but in these resilience-capped days, that little 3% is not like an instant healup or an instant nuke on a low-hp foe, no?

Yea, I think it's pretty stupid but I was giving him a chance to explain himself before I called it as much.

A quick question, i have around 1k SD 21% crit (without talents) and about 100 spell haste. Is it worth stacking spell penetration for pvp. Lowering your targets resistance seems like a worthwhile investment.. however i dont want to gimp myself so i thought id ask before i act. Any info would be great, thnx

Spell pen isn't worth putting anything into beyond the rings and the cloak enchant, it's too rare to find people with nature resist where it's useful.

When considering stats for elemental shaman just remember that the main reason we are viable in arena is burst damage. I find it best to focus on these occasions. Say casting two lightning bolts followed by NS+EM chain lightning, and an earth shock to go for a kill. How can you best increase your damage here? Given the choice between having the combo finish 0.1 seconds earlier, and having a 1% chance to have one of the spells crit, I'll always go for the crit chance.

1% crit can be negated by gear/talents, basically everyone runs around in 300+ resilience nowdays. -0.1sec cast time can't (and can help on pushback with some luck). Not arguing, just some facts.

Yes, but that -1% crit would be there anyway. And yes, I'm talking about high end arena where everyone is wearing 300-400 resilience.

I've seen Elemental Shaman + BM Hunter work.

Most double DPS teams rely on some form of MS effect, and the BM hunter will usually be able Aimed Shot off fairly easy with TBW. You've also got purge and arcane shot to strip off most HoTs when facing Druid teams, and you have a number of defensive options against double-dps teams that try to disrupt you with CC.

This makeup is obliterated by LOS though, so it tends to plateau against teams that have LOS manipulation down to a fine art.

I've been following shaman discussions on the board for a while now, and have just decided to sign up.

Which doesn't bring me to my question, but I'll ask anyways:
Elemental Shaman in the 2v2 Bracket. I play it casually, and have had retribution paladins, soullink warlocks, rogues, and warriors to be teamed up with. Neither of these combinations worked out.

So, is there a difference in gearing and speccing for 2v2 instead of 3v3 or 5v5, and how (with what partner) do you make an elemental shaman work in that bracket?

A tad about my playstyle:
I constantly see me being the focused target. All I seem to be able to do is stomp beneficial totems for my partner, and then run like hell using frostshock+earthbind, sneaking in heals whenever possible. When my partner's target is low, I pop NS+EM for chain lightning, if I manage to live that long. I tried some matches with imp ghostwolf, but that didn't seem to help much with the kiting, especially against warriors and rogues.

I'll agree that teaming an elemental with a healer is a bad idea, mostly because, well, we don't work under pressure.
Running double dps doesn't seem to do well, too, for a reason I can't quite put my finger on... I've also seen Healers simply heal out anything I throw at them, waiting for me to go oom.

I think I'll have to add that I haven't been at PvP for too long, and was never a huge fan of it. It just frustrates me to be unable to add to my team. It seems to me I am trying to do a resto's job with my elemental, at least in the 2v2 bracket.
I guess I'll try to grab a BM hunter for a few matches.
Any suggestions?

Can you describe how you're being assisted by your partners? This, more than anything, will affect how enjoyable PvP is for you. Also, playing as defensively as you do, you might want to try playing Elemental with a few pieces of Resto Gear.