Home News World of Warcraft Players are Torn on One Patch 11.1 Shaman Feature

World of Warcraft Players are Torn on One Patch 11.1 Shaman Feature

Author : Daniel Update : Feb 25,2025

World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: A Visual Feast for Shamans, But Some Reservations Remain

WoW Patch 11.1 brings a significant visual refresh for Shaman abilities, notably Lightning Bolt and Crash Lightning. While many classes receive updated visuals, Shamans enjoy a more extensive overhaul. However, the reception among players is mixed.

The Public Test Realm (PTR) offers a sneak peek at these changes, alongside new zones, instances, and class balance adjustments, including a substantial Hunter rework. Shamans see complete visual overhauls for Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and Fire Nova, with Frost Shock receiving both new visual and audio effects when paired with Ice Strike. Ghost Wolf now scales with character models and boasts increased transparency, and the Glyph of Spirit Raptors now functions with the Flowing Spirits talent. Detailed comparisons are available in videos created by WoW content creator Doffen.

Visual Update Highlights (WoW 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 with Ice Strike
Hunter	Explosive Shot	Faster projectile
Hunter (Beastmaster)	Dire Beast	New visual, leaps at target
Hunter (Marksman)	Intimidation	New visual (no pet)
Hunter (Sentinel)	Lunar Storm	New visual
Warrior	Enrage	New visual
Warrior	Spell Reflect	New visual

While many appreciate the improvements to Crash Lightning and Fire Nova, some find the Lightning Bolt animation underwhelming, preferring the instantaneous effect of Cataclysm over the projectile style reminiscent of WoW Classic. The hope is that Blizzard might introduce Glyphs to allow players to select preferred visual effects, similar to the Ascendance form Glyphs in Patch 11.0.5.

Beyond visual updates, Patch 11.1 introduces new abilities: Primordial Storm (Shamans), Symbiotic Relationship (Druids), and Slicing Winds (Windwalker Monks). These additions, coupled with the visual enhancements, promise a significant gameplay refresh, anticipated around February 25th.