Fire mage at level 23 = can't beat level 23 Shaman in duel

[Turak]

While waiting for a Dwarf NPC to respawn in the Southern Barrens, a level 23 Shaman and I were dueling. Since I have only limited PvP experience with this mage, I thought the practice would be good. We were both similarly geared with greens. The best I did was get him down to 5-10% health, but most of the duels ended with him at about 25% health.

The main problem from my experience was his ability to heal mid-fight and my lack of Counterspell (which comes at level 24). My initial duel opening was a Polymorph followed by my destroying his totems, then a Pyroblast. I also tried Polymorph, then Fireball both with ignoring and not ignoring his totems. I would Frost Nova to get range and use fast casting Scorches and Fire Blasts. (We dueled about eight times.)

My belief is that Counterspell would have given me then win in all duels since I could drop him to half health in a matter of seconds only to have him heal from 25% to 75%+ health. (I know Shaman can be very worthy opponents in the 20s.)

Here's my talent build at level 23:

Improved Fireball Rank 5
Ignite Rank 5
Flame Throwing Rank 2
Pyroblast Rank 1
Burning Soul Rank 1

Is there something I'm overlooking that would also have made a difference? Am I correct in assuming that Counterspell would have made a significant difference? And how can someone play this game so long and never know about Feegly the Exiled?

[Potpie]

What totems was he using?

[Turak]

What totems was he using?

The one that shoots out a little fireball every few seconds was always used (Searing Totem, I believe). The second totem was a green one, but he only put it out at the beginning of some of the fights (not sure which one it was).

[Aessina]

Probably Earthbind to make sure you wouldn't run away. The recast time would explain why he didn't drop a new one when you ganked it.

[Chofunga]

It's been a long time since beta... does the tremor totem still wake players from polymorph?

[Warcaster]

I forget when you get Fireward but with it you can pretty much ignore the searing totem.

[Myrkris]

No, Tremor totem does nothing against Polymorph. Charm, Fear, and Sleep.

Hmmm, Charm, like Mind Control? I'm thinking we need these down on Luci fights, for starters. I'm so used to using them only for Fear that I forgot about the other parts. Too bad they are an Earth totem, so it's a choice between Tremor and Earthbind in PvP.

As for the original issue, while I'm sure you *can* beat a 23 Shaman with a 23 Mage, it's most likely an issue of luck to pull it off. The PvP duel powercurve for shamans is sick pre-50 or so.

[Sol]

glad you picked up on that!

tremor totems for the Locks and Tanks on luci... yes please.

new policy!

[Turak]

As for the original issue, while I'm sure you *can* beat a 23 Shaman with a 23 Mage, it's most likely an issue of luck to pull it off. The PvP duel powercurve for shamans is sick pre-50 or so.
I don't think I need luck. I think I need Counterspell, at least against this particular Shaman. Perhaps, against other Shaman I would need luck...

I remember a long, long time ago, when levelling Turak and dueling before honor or BGs, Shaman were the toughest fight for me.

[Myrkris]

I don't think I need luck. I think I need Counterspell, at least against this particular Shaman. Perhaps, against other Shaman I would need luck...

I remember a long, long time ago, when levelling Turak and dueling before honor or BGs, Shaman were the toughest fight for me.

Well, maybe so, but since you can never have Counterspell at level *23*, you need luck. :)

In all honesty, I don't find counterspell impairing my ability to kill mages in PvP all that much, but maybe that's just due to learning how to deal with it.