A Greenskin’s Identity Crisis: Hybrid Shaman vs. Ranged Squig Herder – Seeking Veteran Advice

[Ziorah]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently at a crossroads with my Greenskin journey (CR 11-15) and I’m struggling to find my "true calling." I absolutely love the aesthetic and the dark humor of the Goblins, but I’m torn between two very different paths. I’m mostly focusing on Scenarios and unorganized PUG Warbands.

I’d love some veteran insight into my specific dilemmas for both classes:

1. The Shaman (Kharrk Khaz): The 70/30 "Combat Healer"
I’ve realized that I hate being a "backline heal-bot." Standing 30 feet back and just watching green bars go up feels reactive and, honestly, a bit dull. Especially in unorganized PUGs where Tanks rarely use "Guard," I feel like a sitting duck.

The Concept: I’m aiming for a 70% Healing / 30% Pressure hybrid.

The Logic: I want to use my Intelligence (approx. a 35%/35% split with Willpower) to land my DoTs and debuffs reliably. I want to earn my instant heals through active combat, acting like a "poisonous snake" that keeps the pressure on enemy healers while keeping my own group alive.

The Fear: Am I just making life harder for myself? Is a 70/30 Shaman actually viable in R40 Scenarios, or will I be "nothing half and nothing whole" – failing to save my teammates while doing negligible damage?

2. The Squig Herder: The "Archer Dream" vs. The "Meatball Meta"
I love the visual of a Goblin with a bow that’s twice his size. The "Big Shootin'" and "Quick Shootin'" styles look amazing. But here is my big problem: I absolutely DESPISE the Big Squig form.

The "Meatball" Hate: I want to play a Goblin, see my gear, and feel like a scout. I don't want to spend 99% of my playtime inside a giant, hopping meatball (Melee/Stabbin' meta).

The Archer Reality: Every time I ask, people say "Go Melee or go home." Is Ranged SH (Longbow or Shortbow) actually a "dead" spec in the current meta for Scenarios?

Can a well-played Ranged SH provide enough "Dakka" and utility (traps/kicks) to be an asset in a PUG Warband, or will I just be a free kill for every Witch Hunter because I refuse to go Melee?

The Big Question:
Which of these paths feels more "complete" in the long run for a player who wants to be active and impactful?

Does the Hybrid Shaman offer more "clutch" moments in unorganized play?

Or is the Ranged Squig Herder a viable way to enjoy pure DPS without being forced into the Melee-form I hate?

I don’t want to be a "pro-meta-slave," but I also don't want to be dead weight for my realm. I want to be a Greenskin icon!

Thanks for your advice, and WAAAGH!

Edit:

I've been following the recent discussions about the 'Defensive Meta' and solo roaming. It seems players like nat3s suggest that Healer-Hybrids (RP, AM, Sham) are actually among the most 'oppressive' solo classes when geared correctly, specifically mentioning that the problem is often 'glass cannon' players (5sov 4tri) not knowing how to counter survival-based builds.

This confirms my 70/30 Hybrid idea. But I'm curious: As a Shaman, how do I avoid the '5sov 4tri' trap? Should I prioritize Toughness and Initiative over pure Willpower to truly become that 'oppressive' solo roamer nat3s is talking about? And how does a Ranged Squig Herder fit into this? Is an Archer-SH also capable of being that 'oppressive' survivor, or does he lack the self-sustain that makes the Shaman/RP so strong?

[Sever1n]

Its old hybrid sham build ton of shammies practiced. Def gobos tactics, woundstick, and healing tree, tacticsmay differ on what you need. Nobody can burst you down because detaunt is staking with tactic detaunt wich means 70% burst negation. You have 2 hots, one wich gives 240tough on top detaunts and previosly divine fury worked only on casted heals, after rework dont remember. U just go to semicap int, survive any pathetic attemt on yor life by some hats etc and then start to kite shielding hoting and doting ap suking pudling gorksezstoping into horizon. If target failed to burst you, you autowin watching how enemy slowly rots in dots. Extremely boring, designed just to take advantage on people that dont have sustaine. In case of RP, they have tactic constantly proking slow on dot making them fat kiting armored unreachable abominations. I used similar spec on AM to add some dmg when we roamed with my friend on SW, it mimics to some degree gobs sham+rsh- prob one of best legendary roaming setups. Rsh took some hits from nerfbat but still strong. But if you met anything with pocket healing your carriage instantly turnes into pumpkin.

[DirkDaring]

Here`s a vid of MDVP on his Shammy it is dps but he is all way up in mork tree for Doin sumthin useful. it is several years old

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C8ZBZIghP8&t=22s

Here`s a good Ranged Squig vid as well roaming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO3Ekl-WPc0&t=822s