WoW Forever

    Frost Mage build and talents in WoW Forever

    The key Frost talents, what to raise first, and when to press Ice Lance. A ranged damage build for dungeons and raids, explained for new players.

    Based on betaChecked Patch Launch (Nov 4)

    At a glance

    RoleRanged caster DPS
    Stat priority
    1. Spell damage (Frost spell damage counts too)
    2. Hit, until your spells stop missing
    3. Critical strike, which Shatter makes stronger on frozen targets
    4. Intellect, for a bigger mana pool
    Key gear
    • Cloth armor with spell damage.
    • A staff, or a one-hand weapon with an off-hand. Pick the one with more spell damage.
    • A wand for when you are out of mana.
    Tips
    • Press Ice Lance when the target is frozen or Fingers of Frost is active. Otherwise save it.
    • Ice Lance and Fire Blast share one 8-second cooldown. You can only use one of them at a time.
    • Cast Ice Barrier before the pull. It also raises your Frost damage.

    Talent plan by level

    The level-by-level talent order is being written.

    Is Frost right for you?

    Frost is the Mage’s control spec. Your spells slow and freeze enemies, and frozen enemies take much more damage. It is one of the safest ways to play a Mage, because enemies struggle to reach you.

    It suits players who like to plan ahead and react to procs. Much of your damage comes from short windows when a target is frozen. In WoW Forever, Frost works in dungeons and raids, and it is also a good way to level. See the Mage leveling guide.

    Key talents

    These are the talents experienced players build Frost around. For the exact points, use the Wowhead talent calculator until we add a full order.

    • Improved Frostbolt. Makes Frostbolt, your main spell, stronger.
    • Precision. Up to 6% more hit chance with all spells. Since November 2 it also covers what Arcane Focus used to do.
    • Ice Shards. Your Frost critical strikes deal more damage.
    • Ice Lance (11 points). An instant spell that deals 300% more damage to frozen targets. It shares an 8-second cooldown with Fire Blast.
    • Shatter. More critical strike chance against frozen targets. This is the heart of the spec.
    • Fingers of Frost. Your chill effects can make a target count as frozen. This lets Ice Lance and Shatter work on bosses that can’t be frozen.
    • Ice Block (16 points). Makes you immune to damage for a short time. In WoW Forever it is a talent, not a trained spell.
    • Cold Snap (21 points). Resets your Frost cooldowns. 10-minute cooldown.
    • Ice Barrier. A shield. When you cast it, you also get 15% more Frost damage for 1 minute, and 5% more while the shield holds.
    • Frost Channeling. Your Frost spells cost less mana and cause less threat.

    Most builds then spend the remaining points in Arcane for mana and procs:

    • Missile Barrage. Sometimes gives you a free Arcane Missiles.
    • Arcane Concentration. Sometimes makes your next spell free.
    • Arcane Meditation. Lets you regain some mana while casting.

    A few more notes:

    • Winter’s Chill was redesigned. It now makes Cone of Cold stronger and only helps the Mage who cast it. Builds often take just 1 point.
    • Frostbite does not stack with Fingers of Frost. Leveling guides often skip it once Fingers of Frost is in.
    • Frostfire Bolt is a trained spell at level 40, not a talent. It counts as both Fire and Frost and slows the target.

    How to play

    Before the pull, buff Arcane Intellect, Mage Armor and Ice Barrier. Then use your abilities in this order:

    1. Ice Lance if the target is frozen or Fingers of Frost is active.
    2. Arcane Missiles if Missile Barrage is active.
    3. Frostbolt as your main spell. Use it when nothing above is ready.

    When enemies get close, use Frost Nova to freeze them, then hit them with Ice Lance or step away. Use Cone of Cold to slow a group.

    For three or more enemies, use Blizzard from a safe distance, or Frost Nova followed by Cone of Cold and Arcane Explosion when it’s safe to stand close.

    Tips for new players

    • Watch for procs. Fingers of Frost and Missile Barrage give you your strongest moments. Use them before they fade.
    • Make water before you play. Conjure plenty so you can keep casting.
    • Save Evocation for long fights. It refills your mana.
    • Don’t waste Blink or Ice Block. In a group, a healer can often cover you.
    • Get hit chance first. A missed spell does no damage, and missing is common on higher-level bosses.

    Sources

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