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Arcane Mage Guide
With the release of WoW: The War Within, Arcane Mages have received a variety of impactful changes. In this updated Arcane Mage guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about mastering this spec, from rotation tips and hero talents to ideal builds and leveling advice. There’s no time to lose—get ready to enhance your gameplay! For even more details on The War Within, be sure to check out our comprehensive The War Within Expansion Overview.
Arcane Mage Overview
Arcane Mages in WoW are true masters of manipulating time and space. Their ability to rewind time faster and more frequently than other Mage specializations gives them a unique edge in both healing and mobility, while their unmatched burst damage makes them a force to be reckoned with.
In terms of gameplay, Arcane Mages are a powerful ranged Cloth DPS specialization that excels in burst and direct damage. When playing this spec, careful planning of cooldowns—both offensive and defensive—is essential. Although Arcane Mages have strong defensive capabilities, their lack of self-healing means they need to manage their abilities wisely. As a Mage, you can wield daggers, one-handed swords, staves, and wands.
One of the standout features of Arcane Mages is their ability to create portals to capital cities, making them a highly valuable addition to any group. They also have access to various versions of the Polymorph spell, including fun variations like Tome of Polymorph: Bumblebee, allowing them to transform enemies into a variety of cute animals like pigs, monkeys, turtles, and bees.
Arcane Mages can unleash massive damage every 70-90 seconds, depending on how efficiently they use Shifting Power. This adaptability allows them to handle fight mechanics more smoothly than many other specializations. Plus, with mobility-enhancing spells like Blink, Arcane Mages can navigate the battlefield quickly and avoid damage more effectively.
Arcane Mage Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| ✅High burst damage output. | ⛔️AoE DPS requires melee range. |
| ✅Great utility for your party. | ⛔️Almost zero self-heal options. |
| ✅Lots of saving abilities. | ⛔️Cooldown dependant DPS windows. |
| ✅Decent mobility. | ⛔️Requires good mana management. |
Arcane Mage Changes in The War Within
- Conjure Mana Gem and its connected ability, Cascading Power, have been removed;
- Foresight has been eliminated;
- Radiant Spark and its synergy with Harmonic Echo have also been removed;
- Arcane Surge now grants an additional stack of Clearcasting;
- Arcane Missiles can now only be cast during Clearcasting;
- Surging Urge now boosts damage based on your Arcane Charges.
Additionally, Arcane Mages, like all other classes in WoW, now have access to the Warband Bank, allowing resource and gear sharing across characters. Need help unlocking this feature? Our team is ready to assist.
Arcane Mage Hero Talents
The latest expansion introduces Hero Talent Trees, adding exciting new options for all classes. For Arcane Mage, the Hero Talents are focused around Spellslinger and Sunfury, both offering unique ways to enhance your playstyle.
Below, we’ve outlined the full list of new Hero Talents for Arcane Mages:
Basics of Arcane Mage Gameplay
Arcane Mage Rotation
Arcane Mage offers a distinct playstyle that centers around efficient Mana management, making it unique among other specs. However, mastering Arcane Mage goes beyond just managing your Mana pool. Effective use of cooldowns, proper timing, and a well-executed rotation are crucial to maximizing your damage output in WoW. While Mana management is vital, it’s just one aspect of the broader Arcane Mage rotation strategy.
Single-Target Arcane Mage Rotation
- When Touch of the Magi is coming off cooldown, cast Arcane Barrage, then castTouch of the Magi while Arcane Barrage is in the air, try to have Nether Precision if possible.
- Cast Arcane Orb whenever you have less than 2 Arcane Charge.
- Cast Shifting Power after all of your cooldown buffs expire.
- Cast Arcane Barrage if your mana falls below 70% and Evocation is on cooldown for more than 45 seconds OR if Arcane Tempo is about to expire.
- Queue Arcane Barrage after Arcane Blast with Nether Precision at 1 stack if you have 4 Arcane Charge, 13 or more stacks of Arcane Harmony, and either aClearcasting proc or Arcane Orb.
- CastArcane Blast withNether Precision.
- Cast Arcane Missiles with Clearcasting when you don’t have Nether Precision or are at max stacks, clip the cast once you have max Arcane Charge and after the GCD ends.
- Cast Arcane Blast.
- Cast Arcane Barrage if you run out of mana.
- Don’t cast Arcane Barrage if Touch of the Magi will be up within 5-6 seconds.
AoE Arcane Mage Rotation
- Cast Arcane Blast once during Touch of the Magi for Magi’s Spark.
- Cast Shifting Power if you run out of Arcane Orb charges OR after your cooldowns run out.
- Cast Arcane Barrage whenever you have 4 Arcane Charge.
- Cast Arcane Orb to quickly recover Arcane Charge.
- Cast Shifting Power after all of your cooldown buffs expire and you run out ofArcane Orb.
- Cast Arcane Missiles with Clearcasting, and clip the cast after the GCD ends.
- Cast Arcane Explosion.
Specialization Skills
Here’s a list of essential abilities every Arcane Mage should be familiar with. Your talent choices will dictate which abilities you prioritize:
Arcane Blast
Arcane Barrage
Arcane Missiles
Arcane Explosion
Arcane Orb
Understanding these abilities is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness in combat.
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Arcane Blast | Your main damage ability. Generates 1 Arcane Charge. |
| Arcane Barrage | An instant-cast spell that clears your Arcane Charges and makes your Arcane Blast cheaper to cast again. |
| Clearcasting | Procs from any Arcane Spell. Increasing damage by 8%. |
| Arcane Missiles | A channeling spell which spends your Clearcasting proc |
| Arcane Explosion | Instant AoE damage spell required to have Clearcasting and to be in melee range. |
| Arcane Orb | Shoots an orb which generates 1 Arcane Charge and 1 more Charge for each target hit. |
| Time Warp | Damage cooldown. Don’t stack with Bloodlust like spells. |
| Invisibility | Reduces threat, removes the Mage from combat, and hides the Mage from enemies. |
| Polymorph | Your main long Crowd Control spell. Breaks with damage. |
| Frost Nova | Instant root in small AoE. |
| Slow Fall | Allows the Mage to avoid damage from falling. |
| Arcane Intellect | Intellect buff for you and your party. |
| Blink | Your mobility spell. |
| Counterspell | Interrupt target spell casting. |
| Conjure Refreshment | Creates food for you and your party to restore your mana and health. |
Arcane Mage Talents
WoW Arcane Mages have a wide array of impactful talents that can elevate your gameplay. In this section, we will discuss the key talents you should consider. Keep in mind that various encounters require distinct talent priorities; adjusting your talents according to the specific challenges of each encounter can significantly enhance your performance.
Arcane Mage Build
Your choice of build as a WoW Arcane Mage plays a crucial role in determining your DPS output. A well-optimized build can propel you to the top of the DPS charts, while a poorly selected combination of talents may limit your potential to just 10% of your capabilities. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most effective builds for maximizing your performance as an Arcane Mage in World of Warcraft.
Solo Target Sunfury Build
AOE Spellslinger Build
Arcane Mage Stats
Your primary focus as an Arcane Mage should always be maximizing Intellect, as it directly increases your spell power. However, don’t overlook the importance of secondary stats. These stats have a multiplicative scaling effect, meaning that their overall value increases as you accumulate more.
For secondary stats, Arcane Mages typically aim for a balanced distribution across all stats. However, certain scenarios can shift this priority. In AOE situations, Haste tends to outperform others due to its synergy with rapid casting. Additionally, the talent Prodigious Savant significantly enhances the scaling of Mastery, making it more effective than usual under the right conditions.
| Single Target | Prodigious Savant | AoE |
|---|---|---|
| Intellect; | Intellect; | Intellect; |
| Versatility; | Versatility; | Haste; |
| Haste; | Mastery; | Versatility; |
| Critical Strike; | Haste; | Critical Strike; |
| Mastery. | Critical Strike. | Mastery. |
Note: This is a general overview of the stat priority for WoW Arcane Mages. To determine the best stats for your specific character, gear, and talents, it’s recommended to use a tool like Simcraft to generate personalized stat weights.
Arcane Mage Leveling
Arcane Mage Leveling Tips for The War Within
- Chrono Shift provides a significant boost to your mobility, making it excellent for kiting enemies in open-world situations where movement is crucial.
- Temporal Shield stands out as one of the top defensive cooldowns for Arcane Mages. With its short cooldown and being off the GCD, it’s perfect for mitigating burst damage.
- Master of Escape along with Mass Invisibility are invaluable when navigating densely populated areas, allowing you to bypass unnecessary mobs and optimize your movement in dungeons or crowded zones.
Best Gear for Arcane Mage
This is a list of Overall WoW Arcane Mage BiS Gear for you, but you always can simulate your character with Simcraft for better options. Some of the variants can be worth hunting for even if they are not included in this list. And if you want to get the Nerub’ar Palace Full Gear, which is highly beneficial for Arcane Mages, you can ask our team for the assistance.
| Slot | Item | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Devotee’s Discarded Headdress | Rasha’nan |
| Neck | Sureki Zealot’s Insignia | Sikran |
| Shoulders | Beacons of Violet Rebirth | Catalyst / Raid / Vault |
| Cloak | Royal Emblem of Nerub-ar | Ulgrax the Devourer |
| Chest | Runecoat of Violet Rebirth | Catalyst / Raid / Vault |
| Wrist | Skeinspinner’s Duplicitous Cuffs | Anub’arash The Silken Court |
| Gloves | Jeweled Gauntlets of Violet Rebirth | Catalyst / Raid / Vault |
| Belt | Acrid Ascendant’s Sash | Queen Ansurek |
| Legs | Coattails of Violet Rebirth | Catalyst / Raid / Vault |
| Boots | Assimilated Eggshell Slippers | Broodtwister Ovi’nax |
| Ring | Seal of the Poisoned Pact | Queen Ansurek |
| Ring | Experiment 08752’s Band | City of Threads |
| Trinket | Ara-Kara Sacbrood | Ara-Kara, City of Echoes |
| Trinket | Spymaster’s Web | Anub’arash The Silken Court |
| Main Hand | Scepter of Radiant Magics | Crafting |
| Off Hand | Vagabond’s Torch | Crafting |
Best Arcane Mage Trinkets
When selecting Trinkets for your Arcane Mage, it’s often best to pick ones that complement your preferred playstyle or enhance your key stats. However, the most effective way to determine the optimal choice is by using Simcraft to run simulations tailored to your character. To help you get started, here’s a recommended Tier List of top-performing trinkets for your spec, but always prioritize your personal sim results for maximum effectiveness.
When it comes to selecting the best trinkets for your Arcane Mage, the right choice can significantly boost your performance. While it’s important to **Simcraft** your character to get personalized results, here’s a refined Tier List to guide you:
- Ara-Kara Sacbrood – Strong overall performance, great for sustained damage.
- Mereldar’s Toll – A solid trinket, ideal for balancing your stats and boosting key Arcane abilities.
- Empowering Crystal of Anub’ikkaj – A great choice for enhancing Arcane burst damage.
- Treacherous Transmitter – Versatile and dependable for most situations.
- Ovi’nax’s Mercurial Egg – A good all-rounder but not the best in any specific category.
- Hadal’s Nautilus – A trinket with a solid AOE boost, useful in multi-target encounters.
- Unbound Changeling – A flexible trinket offering decent stat boosts.
C Tier
- Satchel of Misbegotten Minions – Decent but typically outclassed by other trinkets in higher tiers.
- Harvester’s Edict – A niche pick, not optimal for most situations.
- Aberrant Spellforge – Situationally useful but often replaced by better alternatives.
- Imperfect Ascendancy Serum – A lower-priority trinket with limited potential.
Many of these powerful trinkets are found in a variety of dungeons, which can make acquiring the right one a time-consuming process. If you’re looking to speed things up, consider reaching out to our team for assistance with farming the exact Dungeon Trinket you need. We’ll help you secure the perfect item for your character efficiently.
Tier Set Bonuses for Arcane Mage
Sparks of Violet Rebirth is the Arcane Mage Tier Set for Season 1 in the War Within.
| 2-set | Arcane Blast and Arcane Barrage damage increased by 6%. |
|---|---|
| 4-set | Casting Arcane Blast or Arcane Barrage has a 5% chance to make your next Arcane Barrage deal 20% increased damage and generate 4 Arcane Charges. |
If you’re looking to acquire this or any other Tier Set for your Warband, our expert players are here to help. With their extensive experience, they can efficiently guide you through the process, ensuring you get the gear you need with ease.
Best Items to Upgrade with Harbinger Crests for Arcane Mage
- Slippers of the Woven Dusk — pleasing tailoring option;
- Gloves of the Woven Dusk — another acceptable tailoring option;
- Cool Sunset Bracers — craft this exclusively with additional set parts;
- Ring of Earthen Craftsmanship — with valid stats, it can be one of the most suitable rings;
- Charged Hexsword — Main Hand weapon, straightforward and trustworthy with decent stats.
Best Crafted Gear for Arcane Mage
Crafted Gear provides Arcane Mages with an excellent opportunity to boost their stats and overall performance. This type of gear not only offers a significant power increase but also allows for customization through optional crafting reagents, giving you flexibility in tailoring your character’s build. Here are some of the top crafted gear options for Arcane Mages to maximize your potential
- Two-Hand Weapon + Darkmoon Sigil: Ascension;
- Consecrated Cuffs +Writhing Armor Banding;
- Low Item Level Piece + Spark of Omens.
Best Consumables for Arcane Mage
Consumables are single-use items that provide specific effects for a limited duration, enhancing your gameplay experience. While many of these items can be beneficial in various scenarios, some may not suit your needs at all. To maximize your effectiveness, it’s essential to select consumables that align with your stat priorities and gear setup. By making informed choices, you can ensure that you are always ready for any challenge that comes your way.
| Type | Best | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Flask | Flask of Alchemical Chaos | Flask of Tempered Swiftness |
| Combat Potion | Tempered Potion | — |
| Health Potion | Algari Healing Potion | — |
| Weapon Buff | Algari Mana Oil | — |
| Augment Rune | Crystallized Augment Rune | — |
| Food | The Sushi Special | Deepfin Patty |
| Diamond | Culminating Blasphemite | — |
| Other Gems | Masterful Emerald | Quick Onyx |
Best Arcane Mage Enchants
| Slot | Best Enchant | Cheaper Version |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Enchant Weapon – Authority of the Depths | Enchant Weapon – Authority of Radiant Power |
| Cloak | Enchant Cloak – Chant of Winged Grace | Enchant Cloak – Whisper of Silken Avoidance |
| Chest | Enchant Chest – Crystalline Radiance | — |
| Bracers | Enchant Bracer – Chant of Armored Leech | — |
| Legs | Daybreak Spellthread | Sunset Spellthread |
| Boots | Enchant Boots – Defender’s March | — |
| Ring – Regular | Enchant Ring – Radiant Haste | Enchant Ring – Glimmering Haste |
| Ring – Cursed | Enchant Ring – Cursed Haste | — |
Arcane Mage End-Game
Arcane Mages excel in both Area of Effect (AoE) damage and priority target damage, making them formidable in many combat scenarios. However, they do have two notable drawbacks in Mythic+ dungeons. Firstly, to achieve optimal AoE damage, Arcane Mages must sacrifice some single-target damage potential. Secondly, their AoE capabilities require them to be in close proximity to enemies, which can be risky for a caster. In raid encounters, the focus on single-target damage is more prevalent, allowing Arcane Mages to showcase their strengths without the frequent need for extensive AoE engagements. This makes them particularly valuable in raid settings where their unique damage capabilities can truly shine.