What… are they gameplay wise?
In my exploration into high single target/cleave caster spec (Worgen only), I’ve done a Warlock, MM Hunter (technically a caster), but I’ve come across Arcane Mage and I’m a bit perplexed at their playstyle.
It seems like they’re a mix of buffs, instant casts, and CD’s (which is good); and it requires a bit of skill to line up CD’s (also good); and it seems like its resource spending is limited (which I find limited resource pools sort of a skill check).
I watched videos on their rotation (not talent trees because I like to build blind), and I’m still a bit confused on how fluid it really is because it seems complex like fire, but simple like Frost and that scares/delights me at the same time.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve played arcane, but when I did the main gist of the spec was balancing your mana between burst and conserve phases. That said, I hear people talking about how complex it has become so I don’t know where it is now.
I am under the impression that it’s getting a major re-work for TWW which is making it simpler. If you’re wanting to check it out, may be best to go on the beta and look at it with the changes since all the current info may be outdated in a month.
They are burst casters. Their primary focus is around their cooldowns and lining them up properly.
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Now are you referring to burst as in using CD’s or burst through their procs (kind of like enhance shamans for example)?
You enter burst windows by stacking your CDs and then try to use as many Precision and Clearcasting procs as possible within the window.
Or in the case of AoE, trying to get as many Barrages off as possible by hitting the Arcane Orb lottery.
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So outside of CD’s, Arcane’s pretty bad?
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If you’re fairly new to Arcane, I highly suggest waiting until 11.0 drops. Arcane is getting a rework that allows it to be played at a less complicated level. They’re making it more casual friendly and more appealing to players since it is currently a very high end spec that’s overly complicated.
I haven’t touched Arcane at all this expansion except for Break the Meta and when I did line things up properly the damage was insanely beautiful. I’m looking forward to the “How to Play Arcane for Dummies” builds coming with 11.0.
I don’t mind complication at all. As long as the APM doesn’t kill your wrists (like Outlaw), complexity is actually a really good boon.
My only worry is that outside of CD’s would Arcane’s complexity/damage be reduced to a flat tire?
Yes and no. The burst itself makes up for it. It’s definitely at it’s weakest outside of CDs. But the burst is huge and you have a window every 45 seconds. Buf if you go into a pack with nothing up you’re gonna have a bad time.
See that’s what makes me a bit leery. Marksman is also CD dependent (well, it only has one CD) and its pretty middling outside of True Shot.
Yes. If you mess up your cooldowns or you have to move during them or you have to keep putting off using them for mechanics then your damage will drop.
Arcane is one of the specs with the largest range between top and bottom parsers.
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So Arcane has a really high skill ceiling… Oh, that is super tempting. It looks like Arcane has a bit of everything I want in a spec; ranged, thought-oriented, CD’s, buffs(debuffs) to keep things active.
I’ll give it a shot. Plenty of time between now and TWW to do a playtest.
i’ve heard arcane characterized as a more extreme version of fire (this was a bit ago though). the highs are higher, the lows are lower. this was very early df maybe?
though the few arcane mages i’ve played with tend to perform than most fire mages. less fotm so they tend to know their spec better
They’re just a caster that has to ramp up for 20 seconds every time they enter combat before being able to do the same damage other casters do instantly.
Would not recommend.
Arcane is changing in TWW and I’ll bet that prepatch will implement the change.
I’ve loved Arcane but as it stands in the Beta at the moment I would not recommend it. It’s a major change from my point of view and while some like it, some like me, are not fans.
What you learn about Arcane now will be quite different in TWW if things stand as they are.
I’ll be scratching my head trying to figure out what to main, myself as my two favorites don’t feel good to play at the moment in Beta. I’m hoping things change, but we’ll see I guess.