Last updated on Mar 08, 2024 at 00:00by EMP1241
This is the perfect leveling guide for new players wanting to start with Shaman!This page will cover everything and anything you could need to know about leveling the class,including which skills to use, what stats to prioritize, and what uniques are useful early inthe game.
1.
Introduction
This version of the Shamans's leveling build is focused around consistant high area damageand amror and endurance. The build is extremely beginner friendly and can be used all theway to level 70 without any issue. It is very possible to leave this guide earlierfor an end-game build guide if proper equipment is picked up. However, it is recomended towait until level 70.
This build uses 
Avalanche as it's main damage skill. This build also utilizes 
Fury Leapwhich is automated to work with 
Upheaval as our movement skill. Upheaval will also add amassive amount of a Armor and Endurance with Upheaval from Primal Bulwark. We also capitalizeon automation with 
Maelstrom, which will give us AoE damage and a massive boost in movement speed.
Defensively, this build relies on the EHP received from Resistances, Armor, Endurance and stacking flat HP.We will also generate ample of extra endurance and armor through our skills. The base class of Primalist isnotorious for being tanky, this leveling build is no exception.
2.
Shaman Leveling Passive Trees
Class PassivesSkill Passives
PrimalistShamanDruidBeastmaster
AvalancheFury LeapMaelstromUpheavalWarcry
2.1.
Primalist Passive Tree
Primalist passives are mostly used to provide a defensive boost to our character with Cold and Lightning Resistance.These nodes will increase our Attunement, Base HP, and HP Regen.
Plan to only invest 20 points in this tree, as that's the minimum requirement needed to unlock the Shaman, Druid and Beastmaster passive trees.
2.2.
Shaman Passive Tree
This build will also utilize Druid and Beastmaster passive trees, albeit a small number of points. We prioritize majority point into Shaman,as this tree will provide majority of our offensive base damage. This build will use mostly base skills from the Primalist, but Avalanche is thesole mastery specific skill that is used. Avalanche is scaled to last for 8 seconds, which will match the cooldown of the skill. Sincewe are not channeling, we will regen mana while the boulders are falling. Most of this build will be a player casting Avalanche, leapinginto combat with Fury Leap, which will proc Upheaval, which gives armor and endurance when it hits an enemy. As you kill enemies,you have a 25% chance to generate a stack of Maelstrom, which upon reaching 6 stacks, will give you a massive speed boost. 
Warcrycan be used to as a heal, cleanse, instantly generate four stacks of Maelstrom, and will also pull enemies into you, which makes them easierto hit with your Avalanche.
To start off, place the max amount of points into Natural Attunement, five points into Hunter's Restoration andthen seven points into Primal Strength. Natural Attunement will give us a strong start to our Attunement. Attunmentwill be important for both Primal Bulwark and Maelstrom. Attunement also is imperative for our base mana pool.
At the point of reaching level 70 and having finished all quests, you should have a total of 20 points into Primalist and49 points into Shaman. You will also have 8 points in the Beastmaster and 6 points in the Druid.
2.3.
Druid Passive Tree
Druid passives are just limited to the singular node of Chitinous Plating where six points are allocated for the sole purposeof buffing Armor and Endurance.
2.4.
Beastmaster Passive Tree
Beastmaster passives are also limited to a single node. This node is for a flat damage reduction from Ursine Strengthwhere we've allocated 8 points.
2.5.
Avalanche
Our main damage skill used for this build is Avalanche.This skill has a large AoE that randomly hits in a large area around our character.Avalanche will allow us to run around and while we Fury Leap generating Maelstrom stacks.
While pathing Avalanche, prioritize Hailstorm before other nodes. This will ensure our Avalanchecontinues to fall around us while we traverse the campaign. Once you collect that node, move to Frost to full convertthe damage to cold, this is where our damage will come online. We then focus on Snow Storm in order to create theseboulders of frost more often. We do not have a mana generator, however, since we are not channeling, we still regenerate manawhile the skill is on cooldown.
2.6.
Fury Leap
Fury Leap is our primary traversal skill and is how we set up automation with Upheaval. We use the tree toreduce the cooldown and reduce Mana cost.
Initially, path towards Violent Upheaval. Once there we work towards Warrior's Entrance to boost ourSpell Damage. From there path we go to Panther Strike in order reduce the cooldown.
2.7.
Maelstrom
Maelstrom is going to pump out decent AoE Spell Damage as well as increase your movespeed. This will be automaticallygenerated from killing with 
Gathering Storm. This also has significant damage boost from Turbulence, considering weshould be well over 60 Attunement.
When scaling this, you should work towards Gathering Storm firstfollowed by Windfury to boost Movement Speed.
2.8.
Upheaval
Upheaval is a massive boost to our defensive scalers. It also helps with the upkeep of six stacks of Maelstrom we needin order to keep our area DPS and Movement Speed up.
Initially, path towards Through Muck and Clay, being sure to max the nodes Terrain Delving and Primal Bulwark.We then path to Glacial Cascade, to take advanatage of some extra damage by converting to Cold. The remainder of pointsjust help us hit more enemies, ensuring that Primal Bulwark does get its stacks. If you ever fall below six stacks of Maelstrom,the Earth Armor will be consumed to give you more Maelstrom.
2.9.
Warcry
Warcry is used primarily as a heal and a way to generate four stacks of Maelstrom on use. However, itdoes some damage and purposely pulls enemies closer to us. This ensures they are close enough to be hit by theAvalanche constantly dealing damage around us.
Path towards the node Whirlpool, being sure to max it and also grab the singular point in Purging Shout.We then path towards Shallow Breath, grabbing only the minimum points along the way. We will then convert the skillto cold with Jormun's Wrath, and finish at Apprehend.
Image courtesy of Last Epoch Tools
3.
Damage Rotation
Clearing and Bossing will follow the same approach. The only difference would be positioningand the avoidance of high damage mechanics. Open up with Avalanche and use Upheaval manuallywhen needed to generate stacks of Earth Armor. Fury Leap into packs ONLY when Avalancheis active and not about to run out.
4.
Gearing and Affixes
The Primalist Avalanche leveling build utilizes a easy to obtain wand and low level off-hand catalyst.The affixes shown in the planner are ideal, but was tested with T3-T5 rolls with no issues. We try to targetaffixes like Attunement, Vitality, Increased Spell Critical Strike Chance, and Added Critical Strike Multiplier.It is possible to mix and match the shown defensive affixes amongst the gear, this is just how it was balanced.Mana Regeneration is important in this build, as we do not use a mana generating skill, however, Mana ReductionCost is used where we can.
Below is a list of Affixes you should aim for to better suit the playstyle of this build. This Primalistscales well with Attunement, thus it should be prioritized on gear pieces when possible for bothdamage and look to Vitality for survivability.
| Attributes | Offensive | Defensive |
|---|---|---|
| Attunement Vitality | Increased Spell Crit Strike Chance Crit Strike Multiplier Shred Armor on Hit Increased Mana Regen Increased Cold Damage | Increased Health Resistances Flat Health Increased Armor Endurance Threshold Endurance |
5.
Progressing to Endgame
This build will carry you all the way to the start of the Monolith, whereyou will need to decide on an Endgame build to follow. Below are the optionsavailable for Shamans.
Tempest Strike Totem Master BuildAvalanche Build
6.
Changelog
- 30 Nov. 2023: Guide added.
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