Profession notes for the crafted tools, material flow, and choices that fit this class's leveling route.
Armor kits and crafted leather or mail pieces give beast-heavy routes a predictable gear path.
At 40, Shaman starts replacing leather with mail. Put Heavy Armor Kit on each new chest, legs, hands, and feet piece. Choose Skinning plus Leatherworking for a steady solo route. Choose Engineering for more pull control.
Class profession defaults, alternatives, and the tools each package adds to a difficult route.
Default: Herbalism plus Alchemy for steady solo play with totems, Ghost Wolf, and flexible damage. Alternate: Mining plus Engineering for dungeon and cave control. Skinning plus Leatherworking keeps the mail curve self-fed. Choose the package that covers the part of the kit you use least.
Both hybrids already carry emergency tools. Choose sustain or self-fed gear for a calm route. Choose Engineering for caves, dungeons, and unstable pulls.