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 : Thomas

Feb 20,2025

WoW Patch 11.1: A Visual Feast for Shamans (and Some Controversies)

World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 brings a visual overhaul to Shaman abilities, particularly Lightning Bolt and Crash Lightning, giving them a significantly updated look. While many classes receive visual enhancements, Shamans receive more attention than most, sparking mixed reactions from players.

The current Public Test Realm (PTR) build of Undermined, WoW Patch 11.1, offers a sneak peek at these changes. Beyond the new content, every class receives balance adjustments, including a substantial Hunter rework. Many classes also boast new visual effects for their abilities, with Shamans leading the charge. Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and Fire Nova receive complete visual overhauls, while Frost Shock gains new visual and audio effects when paired with Ice Strike. Furthermore, Ghost Wolf now scales with character models and features increased transparency, and the Glyph of Spirit Raptors now interacts correctly with the Flowing Spirits talent. Content creator Doffen provides detailed side-by-side comparisons of these and other visual updates.

Visual Updates in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: A Sample

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

While most players appreciate the updated visuals for Crash Lightning, Fire Nova, and others, the Lightning Bolt animation has drawn criticism. Many prefer the Cataclysm version's instantaneous bolt over the return to the World of Warcraft Classic projectile style.

Beyond these existing ability updates, Patch 11.1 introduces new skills: Primordial Storm for Shamans, Symbiotic Relationship for Druids, and Slicing Winds for Windwalker Monks (the first Empowered spell outside Evokers, Earthen racial abilities, or Plunderstorm). Players can anticipate experimenting with these new skills and the improved visuals of existing ones around February 25th.