Obtaining the Artifact: Fist of Ra-Den, Elemental Shaman

by Magistrate - 8 years ago show comments

Today, we take a look at the Elemental shaman artifact questline. The Elemental artifact, the Fist of Ra-Den, should bring back memories of an expansion not to long ago.

In Mists of Pandaria, heroes fought through the stronghold of Lei-Shen, the Thunder King, to find and defeat this imprisoned Titan on Heroic mode. The Fist came into the White Tiger’s possession at some point, and shamans must pass his trials to obtain it.

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment (Official Post)

Aman’Thul the Highfather, leader of the titan Pantheon, entrusted his greatest servant, Highkeeper Ra, with this artifact, which could channel the fury of the storms. Ra used it to bestow life on the titan-forged mogu race, and he wielded it in battle against the Black Empire for years beyond counting. Later lost to Ra, the weapon was ultimately recovered by the August Celestial Xuen, who saw its immense and dangerous power, and chose to safeguard it until someone worthy could take up the weapon in a righteous cause once again.

The Fist of Ra-Den, Elemental Shaman

Lei-Shen had long ago begun using Ra-Den’s blood and power for his own purposes, but according to Xuen, the “tools of the storm god” were a power even Lei-Shen feared to harness.

At the Temple of the White Tiger, shamans will be tested in three trials–with a couple throwbacks to the trials during the Pandaria dailies along the way. But you can relax–you won’t have to carry any torches up the steps of the temple this time. You can just glare at Lin Tenderpaw on your way up. And the whirlwinds are a lot slower.

The first trial will put you against Sigurd the Giantslayer, a vrykul presumably from the Broken Isles. Going mano a mano with this angry viking primarily involves slowing him with Frost Shock, interrupting him with Thunderstorm and Wind Shear, and dodging his wind-up attack with Gust of Wind. I also used Earth Elemental to get him off my ass for a little, but as with all of the fights it’s more about exploring your skills and how to use them than pushing you to your limits.

The second trial is designed to “test your cunning.” With Rehgar at your side, you’ll face Chen and Lili Stormstout. Chen acts a bit like a Brewmaster tank, up in your face, rolling around as a beer keg, and, it seems from some combat dialog, stealing your “aggro” (loss of control). Lili is basically his healer. I just used Hex on Lili the whole time and burned down Chen (while also using the tactics for Sigurd above).

The third and final trial is to master the artifact. After picking up the Fist of Ra-Den, you’ll momentarily undergo some kind of power overload, and then the Legion will attack.

If you put the themes of the trials together–fighting as a team and using your abilities wisely–the battle is pretty easy. I burned down each of the demons imprisoning my companions so I’d have their help. After the minions are dispatched, you’ll have to face the big baddie in the back–I macro’d all of my stuff like Totemic Fury, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Blood Fury, and Bloodlust (Orc) together for a quick burn. You’ll also notice that the weapon makes you significantly stronger.

Overall, it’s neat to see a race not commonly associated with shamanism to get some time in the limelight (Pandaren), have a trip back to a really well-developed zone, and see that the August Celestials haven’t been twiddling their thumbs at the thought of a Legion invasion.