Patch 2.doh

Patch 2.4 news is pretty big on the Shaman front, specifically in regards to PvP viability. Sadly, some of these changes translate to significant PvE nerfs. For example, even though Shamanistic Rage now increases mana regained from 15% to 30%, the duration of the ability is reduced by half. Doh! I often use this to mitigate damage during boss and AOE fights (SR reduces damage taken by 30%), so the reduced duration is a serious PvE nerf.

Flametongue (both weapon imbue and totem) now cause a debuff that lowers healing on the target by 50% during a 5-second refreshable duration. Again, great for PvP, but kinda meh for PvE except on certain fights when bosses take healing in some form. Ghost Wolf cast time reduced to 2 seconds, so conceivably a fully talented Improved GW will make it insta-cast, good for PvP and perhaps for a soloing non-Enhancement Shaman, I guess. For Enhancement those points are still better spent elsewhere.

And the biggie - ZOMG Karazahn attunement removed.

Shoulders

Have I mentioned that I'm obsessed with finding better shoulders? No doubt it's some form of epeenery, but my Netherstorm Shoulderguards of the Soldier just ain't cuttin' it. The stats are decent enough for an Enhancement Shaman, but they're undersized and look like an auction house green - because, they are, in fact, an auction house green.

Enter Patch 2.4, where we'll supposedly be able to buy a matched set of PvP-geared armor for a smidge of gold and rep. Throw in a few PvE gems and I should be ready to rock with some decent looking kit. Currently I have enough rep to get the shoulders and gloves, and with a few more Keepers of Time runs (3?) I'll have enough rep to get the skirt. Err, kilt? Then, it's either grinding Sha'tar or Honor Hold rep to get the 4-piece set bonus of a faster Stormstrike cooldown. Woot.

UPDATE: KoT revered!
UPDATE 2: All pieces only require Honored now?!

Keyed

Over the weekend I finished the Karazahn attunement, and now possess The Master's Key. Woot. I can haz raid?

Nope, not quite yet - the next big challenge is logistics. Being a relatively casual player, I usually can't really participate in my guild's regular Friday/Saturday night runs. Next quest: find a Kara group that can run Tues/Thurs nights. Hmm...

Endgame

Getting over the 70 hump felt like a huge accomplishment, but luckily there's still plenty to do:

Shadow Labs - Got my first Kara key frag last night, but it's really not an Enhancement-Shammy-friendly place... I got owned by our mind-controlled hunter (that was embarrassing), and then again on Murmur's sonic blast (twice). Ugh. Makes me consider respecc'ing Elem/Enh so I have more options for doing ranged DPS.

PvP - Finally entered Arathi Basin for the first time. The first match was haxored by the Horde: they had captured two nodes before our gates even opened. WTF, reported. The 2nd match was close but it seemed that everyone fell into place as far as knowing where they should be and what they should be doing. Four marks and a handful of honor kills, not bad for an hour of play. I always feel like PvP makes me a better PvE player anyway, so it's something I'll be doing more because...

Gear - I seem to be obsessed with getting better shoulders (and matching armor). After some research, Welfare Epics are starting to look nice - the Arena Season 1 rewards are decent, and it's conceivable that after a few weeks of occasional PvP I'll be able to build a nice set that I can gem for PvE, too.

Oh, and I'm still enamored with flying, but after re-amassing almost 1k gold after the flyer purchase, I don't think I'll be actively working on an epic flyer just yet - maybe after Wrath when income is likely to take another boost.