Yeah, I've fought it a few more times. It's 8 random strikes that are powerful to kill a normal unit most of the time. My commander has never survived the first round, it's uncanny. When you add in the spirits they send on any poorly defended commander, the AI plays the shaman extremely well. I usually just conquer the rest of the world minus the totem pole, and then come back later with a junk commander and 60 or so units. Just to be safe.
