Home News Shaman Feature in WoW Patch 11.1 Divides Players

Shaman Feature in WoW Patch 11.1 Divides Players

Author : Isaac Update : May 14,2025

World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 brings a host of exciting visual updates, particularly for Shamans, with abilities like Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and more receiving significant makeovers. While many classes across the game are getting refreshed ability visuals, Shamans have captured the spotlight with their extensive updates. However, not all fans are on board with these changes, expressing mixed feelings about the new particle effects.

Currently available on the Public Test Realm, Patch 11.1, dubbed Undermined, offers players a sneak peek at the forthcoming changes. In addition to a new zone, instances, and various activities and rewards, the patch includes balance adjustments for all classes, featuring a notable rework for Hunters.

Shamans, in particular, have seen a lion's share of visual enhancements. Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and Fire Nova have undergone complete visual overhauls, while Frost Shock boasts new visual effects and sounds when used with Ice Strike. Ghost Wolf now scales with character models and has increased transparency, and the Glyph of Spirit Raptors has been updated to work with the Flowing Spirits talent. Content creator Doffen has provided side-by-side video comparisons to showcase these updates and many others.

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 broad range of updates, some Shaman enthusiasts are not entirely convinced by the new VFX. While the community largely appreciates the enhancements to Crash Lightning, Fire Nova, and other abilities, opinions on the Lightning Bolt animation vary. Although the channeling effect has been significantly improved, many miss the unique, instantaneous bolt from Cataclysm and feel the return to the classic projectile lightning ball is a step back.

Overall, the visual updates in Patch 11.1 are well-received by the player base. There is hope that Blizzard will introduce new Glyphs allowing players to revert to some of the original, beloved VFX, similar to the Shaman Ascendance forms introduced in Patch 11.0.5.

In addition to visual overhauls, Patch 11.1 introduces new skills to World of Warcraft, such as Primordial Storm for Shamans, Symbiotic Relationship for Druids, and Slicing Winds for Windwalker Monks. These new talents, along with the revamped visuals for existing abilities, will be available for players to explore in the upcoming update, expected around February 25.