The following compares the current state of Elemental Shamans to Windwalker Monks using the latest SimulationCraft data for end-game PvE in World of Warcraft The War Within patch 11.0.2.
Comparison
Category
Winner
Windwalker Monk
+5.88%
When simulating boss fight encounters, Windwalker Monks averaged 5.88% more DPS than Elemental Shamans (+94K DPS).
Windwalker Monk
+15.51%
When simulating AoE DPS, Windwalker Monks averaged 15.51% more DPS than Elemental Shamans (+153K DPS).
Windwalker Monk
+54.18%
Windwalker Monks have higher spike damage potential, achieving +4.7M more DPS than Elemental Shamans.
Spike damage is the peak DPS achieved in any given moment and is not sustained DPS.
Windwalker Monk
+1.16%
When upgrading the gear for both specs by +44 ilvl, Windwalker Monk DPS improved the most, +1.16% more than Elemental Shaman. In total, Windwalker Monks DPS increased by 68.31% and Elemental Shamans by 67.15%.
Windwalker Monk
+5.63%
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 8.84% for Windwalker Monks.
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 14.47% for Elemental Shamans.
When introducing occasional movement and real-world latency, Windwalker Monks performed better, as Elemental Shamans suffered a +5.63% DPS loss.
Elemental Shaman
When evaluating abilities used during boss encounters, Elemental Shamans had fewer damaging abilities in total, indicating a potentially less complex rotation.
The comparisons above highlight some of the key differences between Elemental Shaman and Windwalker Monk in the current meta, which can hopefully help you determine which spec to play or group up with.
Windwalker Monk
Elemental Shaman