Hi all,
I've been asked by a few different mages in the guild recently for tips and tricks etc for playing a mage in MoP. I thought I'd put all my thoughts down in a post here for everyone's reference. I'll try to keep this updated for each patch/hot fix as it comes out.
Before I start going through everything, allow me to dispel a common myth.... Arcane is not the highest DPS spec for a mage. At present, many websites, in cluding Noxxic (http://www.noxxic.com), list Arcane as the highest DPS, with Frost second and Fire third. This is based on BiS gear, a Patchwerk style SimCraft, and optimum conditions. All of which we know don't occur in reality. Arcane is only good if you use Rune of Power (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=116011)and can keep your mana between 90 - 99% for the entirity of the fight.
Right now that's out of the way, I'll get on with the guide!
Race Selection
Draenei
Gift of the Naaru (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=59545) - Use this in conjuction with Ice Block (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=45438) to heal as you hide!
Heroic Presence (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=28878) - 1% hit, very handy at lower gear levels to help get that 15%
Shadow Resistance (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=59539) - 1% shadow damage reduction, a bit meh really.
Gnomes
Arcane Resistance (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=20592) - Arcane damage reduction (1%)
Escape Artist (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=20589) - Removes movement impairing effects
Expansive Mind (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=20591) - 5% increased mana pool
Shortblade Specialisation (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=92680) - 1% spell hit when using a sword or dagger
Humans
Every Man for Himself (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=59752) - Removes movement impairing or loss of control effects
Sword Specialisation (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=20597) - +1% spell hit when using a sword.
Worgen
Aberration (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=68976) - Reduces shadow and nature damage taken by 1%,
Viciousness (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=68975) - +1% crit
Darkflight (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=68992) - Good for those "Don't stand in the fire" moments.
Spec
To maximise DPS I would recommend Frost at less than 27% crit, once you have the magic 27%, switch to Fire. This guide focusses on Fire.
Stats
Intellect > Hit/Expertise > Critical Strike > Haste > Mastery
For haste breakpoints please see this handy table from Totem Spot.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1735[/ATTACH]
Talents
Tier 1
Scorch (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=2948)
Tier 2
Temporal Shield (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=115610)â€" for fights with burst damage (e.g. Garalon’s Crush or Feng’s Epicenter)
Ice Barrier (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=11426) â€" for fights with knock back or AoE damage
Tier 3
Any of these depending on what type of control you need at the time
Tier 4
Cauterize (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=86949)
Tier 5
Living Bomb (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=44457)
Tier 6
Invocation (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=114003)
Glyphs
Major Glyphs
Combustion (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=56368)
Evocation (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=56380)
Fire Blast (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=89926)
Minor Glyphs
Mirror Image (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=63093)
Any other two.
Rotation
More of a priority queue, but here we go….
Molten Armor (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=30482) on
Arcane Brilliance (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=1459) on
Evocate (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=12051)6 seconds before pull
Pre-pot 1 second before pull
Open with Living Bomb (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=44457)(and keep it refreshed always when =< 2 seconds on the debuff)
When Heating Up (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48107) procs hit Inferno Blast
When Pyro! (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48108) procs cast Pyroblast (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=99850)
When you have a Pyro! (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48108)DoT and a large (15k â€" 20k) Ignite (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=12654)DoT on the target hit Combustion
On occasion where you get Pyro! (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48108) and Heating Up (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48107) proc’d at the same time cast Fireball (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=133)then Pyroblast (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=99850)
Filler â€" If Pyro! (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48108) DoT is on target use Fireball (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=133), if no Pyro! (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=48108) DoT use Scorch (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=2948)
Alter Time (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=108978) â€" Use this when you have Invocation up/Mirror Images/Time Warp (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=80353)with about 6 seconds remaining on the shortest buff. This will extend the buff duration by 6 seconds. Remember during boss fights you will be moved back to where you were, so mind those Cobalt mines!
Enchants
Shoulder â€" Greater Crane Wing Inscription (http://www.wowhead.com/item=87559)(Secret Crane Wing Inscription if scribe)
Back â€" Superior Intellect (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74712)(Lightweave Embroidery if tailor)
Chest â€" Glorious Stats (http://www.wowhead.com/spell=104395)
Bracers â€" Super Intellect (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74703)(Fur Lining â€" Intellect if leather worker)
Hands â€" Greater Haste (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74719)(can take Superior Expertise if hit is still a problem)
Belt â€" Living Steel Belt Buckle (http://www.wowhead.com/item=90046)
Legs â€" Greater Cerulean Spellthread (http://www.wowhead.com/item=82445)(Master’s Spellthread if tailor)
Feet â€" Greater Haste (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74715) or Pandaren’s Step (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74718)if you prefer movement speed
Rings â€" Enchant if you can
Weapon â€" Jade Spirit (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74724)
Off-hand â€" Major Intellect (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74729)
Gems
Meta â€" Burning Primal Diamond (http://www.wowhead.com/item=76885)
Red â€" Potent Vermillion Onyx (http://www.wowhead.com/item=76660)(Int/Crit)
Yellow â€" Smooth Sun’s Radiance (http://www.wowhead.com/item=76697)(Crit)
Blue â€" Piercing Wild Jade (http://www.wowhead.com/item=76641)(Hit/Crit)
Reforging
Once you’re gemmed with the above, you just want to reforge to hit/exp until cap, then everything else possible into Crit.
Consumables
Potion of the Jade Serpent (http://www.wowhead.com/item=76093)
Flask of the Warm Sun (http://www.wowhead.com/item=76085)
Mogu Fish Stew (http://www.wowhead.com/item=74650)
Banquet of the Pot (http://www.wowhead.com/item=87234)
All feedback appreciated!
Haven't played a Mage at top lvl so I can't really add or comment too much....
Will say though thanks alot for composing this as I'm sure it will be a great help for the mages in guild :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk and technology
Thank you, picked up a few tips for my mage here which I had not picked up elsewhere :thumbsup:
thanx for a few tips midd i'll put them into practise.
I didn't want to start a new thread for this, so I'll just post a link to some good news from the MMO-Champion Mage community, from the PTR for 5.2 regarding Frost:
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1269207-Frost-5-2-10-Minute-Parse-T15-4PC-Problems?p=20389687&viewfull=1#post20389687