After playing the Shaman class now, I have changed my mind and would play these 2 characters:
Horde: Orc Shaman (using a 1H-Axe/Shield), Herbalism/Alchemy
Alliance: Night Elf Druid (using a Staff), Herbalism/Alchemy
Both are strong, interesting solo classes and offer a bit of everything (Mage, Fighter, Healer) as hybrid classes while still being different regarding the hybrid implementation. The Shaman is more a blend of classes (Mage, Fighter, Healer) while the Druid can later better focus on any single role (Mage, Fighter, Healer) at a time. Herbalism/Alchemy fits both classes perfectly, and the potions combined with the buffs make top equipment much less necessary. Shamans as well as Druids are always welcome in (raid) parties because of their great flexibility.
Horde: Orc Shaman (using a 1H-Axe/Shield), Herbalism/Alchemy
Alliance: Night Elf Druid (using a Staff), Herbalism/Alchemy
Both are strong, interesting solo classes and offer a bit of everything (Mage, Fighter, Healer) as hybrid classes while still being different regarding the hybrid implementation. The Shaman is more a blend of classes (Mage, Fighter, Healer) while the Druid can later better focus on any single role (Mage, Fighter, Healer) at a time. Herbalism/Alchemy fits both classes perfectly, and the potions combined with the buffs make top equipment much less necessary. Shamans as well as Druids are always welcome in (raid) parties because of their great flexibility.
"Man only plays when in the full meaning of the word he is a man, and he is only completely a man when he plays." -- Friedrich von Schiller