Summary
- Shaman abilities such as Lightning Bolt and Crash Lightning receive significant visual updates in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1.
- Shamans receive more visual attention compared to other classes, though not all fans are convinced by the changes.
- New skills like Primordial Storm for Shamans and Symbiotic Relationship for Druids are introduced in WoW Patch 11.1.
World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 brings a remarkable visual overhaul to Shaman abilities, including Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and several others. While many classes benefit from updated visuals, Shamans stand out with the most extensive changes, although not all fans are fully on board with the new particle effects.
Currently available on the Public Test Realm, Patch 11.1, known as Undermined, allows players to preview the upcoming update. This patch not only introduces new zones, instances, and rewards but also includes balance adjustments for all classes, with a significant rework to the Hunter class.
Among the visual updates, Shamans receive a lion's share of attention. Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and Fire Nova undergo complete visual makeovers, while Frost Shock gets new visual effects and sounds when used with Ice Strike. Additionally, Ghost Wolf now scales with character models and is slightly more transparent, and the Glyph of Spirit Raptors now works with the Flowing Spirits talent. WoW content creator Doffen has provided side-by-side comparison videos showcasing these and other visual updates.
Visual Updates in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1
| Class (Specialization) | Ability | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Death Knight | Raise Ghoul/Apocalypse | New visual, instantaneous summon |
| Death Knight (Frost) | Frost Strike | New animation for Worgen |
| Death Knight (Unholy) | Defile | New visual |
| Death Knight (Unholy) | Army of the Damned | New spell effects for Magus of the Dead |
| Death Knight (Rider of the Apocalypse) | Darion Mograine's Death and Decay | New visual |
| Priest (Discipline) | Evangelism | New visual |
| Shaman | Ghost Wolf | Scales with character model, more transparent |
| Shaman | Lightning Bolt | New casting and projectile effects |
| Shaman (Enhancement) | Crash Lightning | New visual |
| Shaman (Enhancement) | Fire Nova | New visual on targets |
| Shaman (Enhancement) | Frost Shock | New visual and sounds when used with Ice Strike |
| Hunter | Explosive Shot | Faster projectile |
| Hunter (Beastmaster) | Dire Beast | New visual, now leaps at target |
| Hunter (Marksman) | Intimidation | New visual to account for no pet |
| Hunter (Sentinel) | Lunar Storm | New visual |
| Warrior | Enrage | New visual |
| Warrior | Spell Reflect | New visual |
Despite the extensive visual updates for Shamans, not all fans are completely satisfied. While most appreciate the enhancements to Crash Lightning, Fire Nova, and other abilities, some believe the Lightning Bolt animation could use further refinement. The channeling effect has improved significantly, but the return to the projectile lightning ball visual reminiscent of World of Warcraft Classic, instead of the instantaneous bolt from Cataclysm, has disappointed some players.
Overall, the community largely supports the visual updates in Patch 11.1. There's hope that Blizzard will introduce new Glyphs allowing fans to revert to some of the more beloved original visual effects, similar to the Shaman Ascendance forms added in World of Warcraft Patch 11.0.5.
In addition to visual enhancements, Patch 11.1 introduces several new skills to World of Warcraft. Notable additions include Primordial Storm for Shamans, Symbiotic Relationship for Druids, and Slicing Winds for Windwalker Monks, the first Empowered spell outside the Evoker class, Earthen racial abilities, or Plunderstorm. Players can look forward to experimenting with these new abilities, alongside the revamped visuals, when the update launches around February 25.
