Project Lore

It's one of those signature Shammy abilities that sets them apart from all other classes and makes them, for some, an essential party member of any raid group: Bloodlust / Heroism. But a lesser version of the ability could soon become available through leatherworking drums, according to Blizz posters Eyonix and the fabled Ghostcrawler. Earlier this week, Eyonix replied to a thread inquiring  on the topic with this response:

We’re considering it. There are two big considerations at play here. One is we’re unsure the buff is as mandatory as some players think it is. It certainly feels like a big boost when it happens, but part of that is because so many groups use the Bloodlust / Heroism moment as the time to blow all their cooldowns and go all out. While it is unarguably a buff (though for some specs more than others), it’s role as “blow everything!” is significant too. Secondly, while we ultimately wouldn’t mind having a weaker consumable available (like Kings and Fortitude) for groups, we’re not crazy about the idea of every character running around leveling, using Bloodlust for every kill quest. At that point, it just feels like a mandatory consumable and anything designed to make it feel less mandatory (like an expensive cost) feels bad.

Even the slight possibility of this happening set of a rage of hundreds of responses, to which Ghostcrawler also contributed his own two cents. Check the forum post for his full diatribe on why "Shaman aren't a support class," but the gist of his point was summarized by his final paragraph:

We're not sure we'll make Bloodlust drums for the reasons we stated above. But we're not worried about the concern that shaman will never get invited again. You shouldn't be getting invited because of your buff today. You should get invited because you're not annoying and because you contribute to progress.

So the drums definitely aren't a for-sure thing, which isn't surprising. It's hard for Blizzard to commit to anything because if it later gets pulled from the table of consideration, there's bound to be upset fans. But as a skinner and leatherworker who only recently hit 450 and gained access to using Drums of Forgotten Kings and Drums of the Wild, (both of which are greatly useful in 5-man groups), I can say that the mere thought of a Bloodlust drum is quite exciting. I definitely can see the viewpoint that Shammies don't want that taken from them, but then my own greed sinks in and I want it for myself! What do you guys think of the prospect? And what do you make of the whole debate this has set off about whether Shaman are essential to every raid group (and whether a bloodlust drum would nullify that)?