World of Warcraft A Complete Mage Guide: Fire, Ice, and the Arcane (All About the Spells!)

Name	A Complete Mage Guide: Fire, Ice, and the Arcane (All About the Spells!)
Category	Class

Hyacintha, your very own Skryer Enchantress is here today, to tell you all about Mages. To help me, I have brought along Nadandren the Mage to help answer some of the most important questions you could possibly have. Never fear, anything you have ever wanted to know about Mages, from their skills to their armor to their talents, you will find, right here the in the pages of this interview. Prepare to take an in-depth look at this popular, yet underplayed class, and be ready to understand where is allure originates from!

In this second installment, Nadandren and I will hit on all of the mage spells that you will see in the game of World of Warcraft, right up to level 70! Be prepared!



Hyacintha: Well, from what I understand mages have a lot of spells. So, I guess that you are going to spend a lot of time here talking. Can you tell us about their spells?

Nadandren: Alright. I will start with Arcane spells.



The mage’s Arcane Magic gives a wide assortment of expediency spells to the Mage, along with a very few destructive spells like Arcane Missiles and Arcane Explosion. Their buff, Arcane Intellect, gives the mage or their party members an increase in intellect. Polymorph will turn the Mage's enemy into a Sheep for a short period of time. Dampen Magic, Amplify Magic, and Detect Magic all effect magical spells. Some of the other helpful spells include teleport spells to the major cities and the ability to conjure food, water, and mana gems. The mage class has a line of talents dedicated to improving Arcane Magic spells and adding new ones, which we will get into later. Here are the basic spell descriptions.



Amplify Magic (Levels 18, 30, 42, 54, 63, 69) – This spell amplifies magic used against the targeted party member, increasing the damage they take from spells by up to a certain amount, but at the same time, raises the amount that they can be healed be another higher amount. It lasts for 10 minutes.



Arcane Blast (Level 64) – This blasts the target with energy, dealing a range of Arcane damage. Each time you cast Arcane Blast, the casting time is reduced while mana cost is increased. This effect stacks up to three times and lasts for so many seconds.



Arcane Brilliance (Levels 56, 70) – This infuses the target’s party with brilliance, increasing their Intellect by a certain amount for one hour.



Arcane Explosion (Levels 14, 22, 30, 38, 46, 54, 62, 70) – This is an explosion of arcane magic that blows around the caster, causing a large amount of damage to all targets within 10 yards.



Arcane Intellect (Level 1, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70) – This standard buff that raises a target’s Intellect by so many points for 30 minutes.



Arcane Missiles (Levels 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 60, 63, 69) – This launches Arcane Missiles at the enemy, which causes so much damage each second for so many seconds.



Arcane Power (Level 40) – When activated, your spells deal additional damage, but they cost more mana to cost. It lasts for about 15 seconds.



Blink (Level 20)– A handy spell, this teleports the mage 20 yards forward, unless something is in their way. It also frees the caster from any stuns and bonds.



Conjure Food (Levels 6, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 60, 70)- Conjures X number of food items, providing the mage and his or her allies with something to eat. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 minutes.



Conjure Mana Agate (Level 28) - Conjures a mana agate that can be used to instantly restore 375 to 425 mana. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 minutes.



Conjure Mana Citrine (Level 48)- Conjures a mana citrine that can be used to instantly restore 775 to 925 mana. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 seconds.



Conjure Mana Emerald (Level 68)- Conjures a mana emerald that can be used to instantly restore 2340 to 2460 mana. 3 charges. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 minutes.



Conjure Mana Jade (Level 38) - Conjures a mana jade that can be used to instantly restore 550 to 650 mana. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 minutes.



Conjure Mana Ruby (Level 58) - Conjures a mana ruby that can be used to instantly restore 1000 to 1200 mana. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 minutes.



Conjure Water (Levels 4, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, 70) - Conjures X bottles of water, providing the mage and his or her allies with something to drink. Conjured items disappear if logged out for more than 15 minutes.



Counterspell (Level 24) - Counters the enemy's spellcast, preventing any spell from that school of magic from being cast for 10 sec. Generates a high amount of threat.



Dampen Magic (Levels 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 67) – This dampens magic used against the targeted party member, decreasing the damage that they take from spells by up to so much and by healing for a slightly higher amount. It lasts for 10 minutes.



Detect Magic (Level 16)– This detects beneficial magic effects on the target for 2 minutes.



Evocation (Level 20) - While channeling this spell, your mana regeneration is active and increased by 1500%. It lasts 8 seconds.



Invisibility – This spell fades the caster to invisibility over 5 sec, reducing threat each second. The effect is cancelled if you perform or receive any actions. While invisible, you can only see other invisible targets and those whom can see invisible. This lasts 20 sec.



Mage Armor (Levels 34, 46, 58, 69)– Another armor spell, quite like Ice Armor, this increases your resistance to all magic by a certain amount and allows so much of your mana regeneration to continue while casting. It lasts for 30 minutes.



Mana Shield (Levels 20, 28, 36, 44, 52, 60, 68) – Another shield, this spell absorbs so much physical damage, draining mana instead of health. It drains two mana for every one damage taken. It only lasts one minute.



Polymorph (Levels 8, 20, 40, 60) – This tricky spell transforms the enemy into a sheep, pig, or turtle (depending on your training), for up to 50 seconds at max rank. They will then wander aimlessly for such a time. They cannot attack or cast spells, however, all of their health will be regenerated. Any damage dealt to them will immediately transform them back into their original form. Only one target can be polymorph per mage. It only works on Beasts, Humanoids, and Critters.



Portal: Darnassus (Level 50) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Darnassus.



Portal: Exodar (Level 40) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Exodar.



Portal: Ironforge (Level 40) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Ironforge.



Portal: Orgrimmar (Level 40)- Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Orgrimmar.



Portal: Shattrath (Level 65) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Shattrath.



Portal: Silvermoon (Level 40) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Silvermoon.



Portal: Stormwind (Level 40) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Stormwind.



Portal: Thunder Bluff (Level 50) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to Thunder Bluff.



Portal: Undercity (Level 40) - Creates a portal, teleporting group members that run through it to the Undercity.



Presence of Mind (Level 30) - When activated, your next Mage spell with a casting time less than 10 sec becomes an instant cast spell.



Remove Lesser Curse (Level 18) - Removes 1 lesser curse from a friendly target.



Slow (Level 50) - Reduces target's movement speed by 50%, increases the time between ranged attacks by 50% and increases casting time by 50%. Lasts 15 sec. Slow can only affect one target at a time.



Slow Fall (Level 12) - Slows falling speed for 30 sec.



Teleport: Darnassus (Level 30)- Teleports the caster to Darnassus.



Teleport: Exodar (Level 20) - Teleports the caster to Exodar.



Teleport: Ironforge (Level 20) – Teleports the caster to Ironforge.



Teleport: Orgrimmar (Level 20) - Teleports the caster to Orgrimmar.



Teleport: Shattrath (Level 60) – Teleports the caster to Shattrath.



Teleport: Silvermoon (Level 20) - Teleports the caster to Silvermoon.



Teleport: Stormwind (Level 20) - Teleports the caster to Stormwind.



Teleport: Thunder Bluff (Level 30) - Teleports the caster to Thunder Bluff.



Teleport: Undercity (Level 20) – Teleport the caster to the Undercity.



Fire magic is the next big school. Fire Magic spells are basically just elemental fire spells. They deal fire damage to the enemy, and in some cases, like the case of Fireball, add damage over time fire effects. Flamestrike is an area of effect fire spell which causes great pillars of fire to smolder the enemies in the vicinity. Fire magic also includes a protection spell, Fire Ward, which protects the mage from fire damage. The mage class has a line of talents committed to improving existing fire magic spells and adding new ones. We shall discuss them at length here.



Blast Wave (Levels 30, 36, 44, 52, 60, 65, 70) – A wave of flame radiates outward from the caster, damaging all enemies caught within the blast for a range of Fire damage, and then dazing them for 6 seconds. It is instantly cast.



Combustion (Level 40) – When instantly activated, this spell gives your next Fire damage spell a 100% critical strike chance. It has a five minute cool down.



Dragon’s Breath (Levels 50, 56, 64, 70) – This deals fire damage in a short range sort of cone right in front of the mage. It shares a cooldown with Cone of Cold.



Fire Blast (Levels 6, 14, 22, 30, 38, 46, 54, 61, 70) – This is a simple, instant case, blast of fire for a range of damage. It is an instant cast, but has an 8 second cooldown.



Fire Ward (Levels 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 69)– This absorbs fire damage up to a certain amount, and lasts for 30 seconds. It is quite like Power Word: Shield. This is instant cast.



Fireball (Levels 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 62, 66) – This hurls a fiery ball that causes x to y Fire damage and an additional z Fire damage over so many seconds.



Flamestrike (Level 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64)– This is a fantastic AOE that burns all enemies in the area for so much damage and then an additional amount of damage, over 8 seconds. It takes about three seconds to cast.



Molten Armor (Level 62)– This causes 75 Fire damage when hit, increases your chance to critically hit with spells by 3%, and reduces the chance you are critically hit by 5%. Only one type of Armor spell can be active on the Mage at any time. It lasts for 30 min.



Pyroblast (Levels 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 70) – By hurling an immense fiery boulder at the enemy, this spell causes so much Fire damage and then an additional amount of damage over so many seconds. While quite powerful, it takes six seconds to cast. It has no cool down however.



Scorch (Levels 22, 28, 34, 40, 46, 52, 58, 65, 70) – A short cast ranged amount of fire damage, this spell is just a simple damage spell. It only takes a second and a half to cast, with now cooldown.



Our last section is about ice, or frost. Frost Magic spells are elemental ice spells. The damaging spells deal a good amount of frost damage, and several of them, such as Frostbolt or Frost Nova, have freezing or slowing effects on the enemy target. What is also included in Frost Magic are a couple protecting frost spells such as Frost Armor, Ice Armor, and Frost Ward. The area of effect frost spells, Frost Nova, Blizzard, and Cone of Cold have the chance to damage and slow multiple enemies in the area at a single time. The mage class has a line of talents dedicated to improving their present frost spells and adding new ones. I shall discuss them here.



Blizzard (Levels 20, 28, 36, 44, 52, 60, 68) – This is a channeled area of effect spell doing Frost damage over 8 seconds, it can be cast with in 30 yards.



Cold Snap ( Level 20)– This is an instant cast spell that when used clears the cool downs of your Frost spells. It has a 10 minute cool down, however, so use it wisely.



Cone of Cold (Levels 26, 34, 42, 50, 58, 65) – This is an instant cast spell, targets within the cone take frost damage and are slowed by 50% of their normal speed for 8 seconds. It has a 10 second cool down.



Frost Armor (Levels 1, 10, 20) – This is an instant cast spell, increases armor of the caster. If the caster is struck by melee the attackers’ movement is slowed by 70% and attacked by 20% for 5 seconds.



Frost Nova (Levels 10, 26, 40, 54, 67) – This is an instance cast spell, it blasts enemies near the caster for a small amount of Frost damage and freezes them in place for the up to 8 seconds. Damage done to the target may interrupt the effect. It has a 25 second cool down.



Frost Ward (Levels 22, 32, 42, 52, 60, 70)– This spell absorbs a small amount of Frost damage and it lasts for 30 seconds. It has a 30 second cool down.



Frostbolt (Levels 4, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, 50, 56, 60, 63, 69)– With a 1.5 second casting cast, it launches a bolt of frost at the target cause moderate frost damage, it has an effective range of 30 yards.



Ice Armor (Levels 30, 40, 50, 60, 69) – This is an instance cast spell, Increases the armor of the caster and gives frost resistance. If an enemy strikes the caster the may have their movement slowed by 70% and attacks slowed by 20% for 5 seconds. The spell lasts 30 minutes.



Ice Barrier (Levels 40, 46, 52, 58, 64, 70) – This is an instance cast spell, this instantly shields the caster and absorbs moderate damage, and this effect lasts one minute. While the shield holds spells cannot be interrupted. It has a 2 minute cool down.



Ice Block (Level 30) – This is an instance cast spell, the caster becomes encased in a block of ice protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 seconds, during that time you can not attack, move or cast spells. It has a 5 minute cool down.



Ice Lance (Level 66) – This is an instance cast spell, and has an effective range of 30 yards, it deals between 161 and 187 Frost damage, this causes triple damage against frozen targets.



Icy Veins (Level 11) – This is an instant cast spell which hastens the caster reducing the casting time of all spells by 20% and increases the chance your chilling effects will Freeze the target by 10%. It lasts for 20 seconds.



Summon Water Elemental – This is an instance cast spell. It summons a Water Elemental pet that will fight for you for 45 seconds. It has a 3 minute cool down.



Hyacintha: Wow, so they have a lot of spells to work with. I am to understand that most of the spells above are normal, and only a few of them come from talent points. Of course, we will get into those later, but, can you tell me what your most commonly used spells are depending on what spec you are?

Nadandren: Well, it is pretty simple really.

If you are frost specced, all you will want is to spam Frostbolt over and over again. It is a pretty simple specialization, and best for PvP, really. You will only really want to use other spells as they are needed, like if things get too close.

If you are fire specialized, it is the same store, only with Fireball. However, in this case, you will want to make sure that Scorch gets cast every thirty seconds. Other than that, stick to fireball unless needed.

For Arcane, it is going to depend a lot on the situation. The length of the fight, push back, mana regeneration, group set up, and your gear will all effect what you will want to do. However, Arcane Missiles should be your key spell. Arcane Blast is most efficient with low damage per second at low stacks. It is the highest DPS, but inefficient at higher stacks.



Hyacintha: Fantastic! Well, thank you Nadandren! In the next part of this guide we will be going over all of the mage talents and such! Be sure to check it out!