Mage Spec Rotation Comparisons

Classes Mage
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This isn’t a guide to maximize DPS. This is an examination for what looks like Blizzard’s intentions behind how they want/expect the class to be played along with options that they’ve provided to alter the “default experience”. I’ll follow with some of my thoughts at the end of the list.

Arcane

Single Target

  1. Arcane Blast - Use until 4 arcane charges, or indefinitely if “burning” a target.
  2. Arcane Barrage - Use at 4 arcane charges, or not at all if “burning” a target.
  3. Arcane Missiles - Use with Clear Casting procs.

Multi Target

  1. Arcane Explosion - Use until 4 arcane charges.
  2. Arcane Barrage - Use at 4 arcane charges.

Talents (that can alter default intended rotations)

  • Rule of Threes - Encourages using Arcane Barrage at 4 arcane charges instead of spamming Arcane Blast to “burn” single targets.
  • Arcane Echo - Encourages spamming Arcane Missiles at Touch of Magi target for single and multi target scenarios.
  • Nether Tempest - Added to multi-target rotation just prior to expending charges with Arcane Barrage. Possible to work into single target rotations too just before expending arcane charges.
  • Arcane Orb - Added to both multi-target and single target rotations (primarily to generate arcane charges).
  • Enlightened - Like Rule of Threes, encourages a steadier single target rotation of gaining and expending arcane charges rather than spamming Arcane Blast to burn a target.

Frost

Single Target

  1. Frost Bolt - Use until proccing Brain Freeze or Fingers of Frost.
  2. Flurry - Use with Brain Freeze procs.
  3. Ice Lance - Use any time the target is considered as “Frozen”.

Multi Target

  1. Frozen Orb - Usually used as an opener.
  2. Blizzard - Usually used right after Frozen Orb.
  3. Frost Nova - Sometimes used to create frozen targets for Ice Lance.
  4. (See single target rotation)

Talents (that can alter default intended rotations)

  • Ice Nova - Added to single and multi-target rotations, fulfilling a similar role to Frost Nova to freeze targets for Ice Lance.
  • Ebonbolt - Added to single target rotations, effectively being a more powerful Frost Bolt with a guaranteed Brain Freeze proc.
  • Comet Storm - Added to multi-target rotations (and possibly single target rotations).
  • Ray of Frost - Added to single target rotations.
  • Glacial Spike - Added to single target rotations.

Fire

Single Target

  1. Fireball - Use until one stack of Hot Streak.
  2. Fire Blast - Use when at one stack of Hot Streak.
  3. Pyroblast - Use with Hot Streak.

Multi Target

  1. (See single target rotation to generate stacks of Hot Streak)
  2. Pyroblast - Use with Hot Streak.
  3. Phoenix Flames - Use on same target you hit with your Hot Streak Pyroblast to spread its Ignite to nearby enemies.
  4. (See single target rotation to generate stacks of Hot Streak)
  5. Flame Strike - Use with Hot Streak. *Does not trigger Hot Streak stacks

Talents (that can alter default intended rotations)

  • Alexstrasza’s Fury - Added to both single and multi-target rotations.
  • Living Bomb - Added to multi-target rotations.
  • Pyroclasm - Adds casting Pyroblast without Hot Streak to single target rotation.
  • Meteor - Added to both single and multi-target rotations.

Any multi-target rotation that defaults you to a single target rotation feels awkward, Fire being exceptionally awkward in this regard. I think Arcane has the right idea of keeping the base rotation simple while offering ways to add complexity/interest/performance through talents.

Idealistically, anything that adds complexity to the base rotation should perform slightly better than simply empowering the base rotation. Some talents accomplish this quite well.

2 Likes
3

You’re definitely right that this isn’t a dps guide. Why would you try writing a guide on rotations, without knowing the rotations? I recommend reading the APL’s for each spec to get a better understanding of the class.

3 Likes
4

What are APL’s?

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5

Yeah I’m not really sure what the OP’s purpose is, considering there are vastly better guides out there…

1 Like
6

Action priority lists. It’s what sims use to know what spells/abilities to use when certain conditions are met. People basically theorycrafted the best use of spells/when to use them and created a list of actions to make and when. They aren’t necessarily perfect for every situation but they are generally optimal.

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Thank you!

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Arcane Blast - Never. Use missiles instead.

Touch and Orbs can provide enough arcane charges

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I like the OPs list, I mean it’s really simple.

I think Rule of 3’s playstyle is 3 Arcane Blasts, a free Arcane Missiles, and 3 more Arcane Blasts, Barrage. That’s what rule of threes means to me, the guides for BFA said “NEVER EVER CAST AM ON PROC, DUM.” Which seemed dumb to me, proc a free 15% mana spell or a free 11% mana spell… wait… “DUM” you said?

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Arcane blast did more damage for less time spent in BfA. That’s why you didn’t spend it on missiles.

1 Like
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Frost single target >>> Frozen Orb: am I a joke?