Build a Shaman around the engine you actually have

Fresh character: build one working damage source

The inspected picker shows Lightning Bolt as the default and 195 health before race changes. For a first attempt, our editorial preference is lightning: improve the attack already available, take Chain Lightning when offered and keep a retreat path. A totem offer can help, but splitting every choice among unrelated damage engines delays each engine. This is a choice framework, not a measured strongest build.^[1]

Earlier Elemental and Restoration checkpoints

Enhancement changed in v0.139. Do not reuse the earlier Windfury / Maelstrom Weapon / Feral Spirit checkpoints. Use the Rockbiter / Stormstrike checks below →. The Elemental and Restoration rows retained here describe the dated v0.130 snapshot, not newly verified v0.139 allocations.^[1]

Route	10 / 20 / 30 points already spent	What changes your decisions
Elemental	Lightning Overload / Elemental Fury / Elemental Mastery	Extra lightning casts, then more Chain Lightning jumps without falloff; the capstone starts with Chain Lightning and adds a free cast every 3 seconds.
Restoration	Call of the Elements / Reincarnation / Totemic Wrath	Searing Totem start and paired totems; a periodic death save; then Magma Totem start and a free Searing Totem every 14 seconds.

A milestone needs a point of its own after the displayed gate. Rows open every five points in that tree and some nodes also require an earlier talent. Read the tooltip before moving points. The complete budget is at most 51; these checkpoints are not a verified optimal 51-point allocation. Understand gates and free respecs →^[1]

Developed totems versus lightning: a practical draft order

1. Read your starting spell after changing talents. A Magma Totem start means Totemic Wrath is active; do not wait for the fresh Lightning Bolt opening.
2. For the totem route, support Magma/Searing Totem and their cooldown or coverage needs. Add Healing Wave when offered if survival, rather than damage, is ending the run.
3. For lightning, strengthen repeated casts and coverage; against a lone boss, extra jumps have fewer targets and cannot be valued like a packed wave.
4. Keep movement and recovery available. If a boss is the failure point, compare boss damage at the same investment rather than a dense-wave DPS peak.

No universal card sequence, legendary necklace requirement or success rate is established here. The current displayed rank values take precedence over another version’s allocation.^[1]

Enhancement in v0.139: Rockbiter into Stormstrike

The older Windfury-and-wolves summary no longer describes this client’s Enhancement wording. Rockbiter Initiation changes the starter from Lightning Bolt to Rockbiter Weapon; the new capstone text changes it again to Stormstrike. Read your allocated endpoint before choosing support cards.^[1]

Verified interaction	What to do with it
Windfury Weapon names Rockbiter and Stormstrike; its chance remains a rank placeholder.	Support these attacks when allocated; do not assume the old Lightning Bolt/Shock repeat trigger.
Elemental Sunder makes enemies hit by Rockbiter or Stormstrike take 10% more Fire and Nature damage for 4 seconds.	Keep the triggering attack working before relying on that damage window.
Stormguard reduces damage while Lightning Shield is active; rank value unresolved.	Check shield uptime before treating it as permanent defence.
Shattering Elements rewards the next different Shock within 6 seconds.	Read which Shock spells you actually have; repeated identical casts do not satisfy that wording.
The capstone describes extra Enhancement proc triggers and healing for 1% of damage dealt.	Do not spend a full point plan from this guide: exact rank chances and prerequisites are not exported here.

These are original string-level checks, not measured proc rates or a proven optimal order. Earlier totem/lightning sections and the game screenshot keep their older capture dates. Find the two talent-learned spell names → · Point-budget checks →^[1]