Patch 2.2 notes, and looking towards 2.3

Patch 2.2 just went live this week, bringing with it not very much indeed that is specific to shamans. Just for posterity, here are the notes:

• Earthbind Totem: This totem will no longer break Rogue stealth.
• Earth Shield: It is no longer possible to Earth Shield two targets at the same time in the outdoor world.
• Earth Shield is now canceled at logout.
• Elemental Focus: The free spell triggered by a Lightning Overload will no longer consume this effect.
• Flametongue Weapon: Damage lowered slightly on rank 6 so that it is never better than rank 7.
• Focused Mind (Restoration) now reduces duration of Silence/Interrupt mechanics by 10/20/30%.
• Lightning Shield: This ability will now work properly even when the Shaman is stunned, fleeing, or incapacitated.
• Nature's Guardian: This ability can now trigger while the Shaman is sitting.
• Totems: Totems that grant only friendly beneficial effects will no longer trigger attacks from neutral city guards.

These changes are all to our benefit, but they're all pretty weak tea. Blue posts indicate that all the neat enhancement changes I was anticipating are due to arrive in 2.3. To quote from WoW Insider:

• Shamanistic rage will also reduces all damage taken by 30% for the duration of the ability (30 seconds), in addition to its current effect
• Spirit Weapons will also reduce melee threat by a total of 30% rather than 15% (source)
• Yes, all shaman will be able to equip 2-handed axes and maces (proper training required of course), without having to spend a talent.
  
• In the place of the two-hander talent will be Elemental Focus. Basically, what it offers is this -- after landing a melee critical strike, you'll enter a "focused state". The focused state will reduce the mana cost of your next shock spell by 60%. (source)

In addition, Eyonix has hinted that there are other buffs to enhancement coming. Oooh, mysterious. The changes that have been laid out all address serious shortcomings of Enhancement raiding, such as our explosive aggro and lack of mana sustainability. Looking over the planned class changes for 2.3, it looks like a lot of classes are also getting buffed for PvP and arenas, while Shamans are not. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I'll take the PvE changes, and gladly.