Mage Talent Guide

This guide provides an overview of the most popular mage talent builds, how to use them and what they are for. CHECK OUT THIS EXTREMELY in depth mage guide, it covers everything you'll ever want to know about your mage.

The mage is your bread-and-butter spell DPS, the baseline against which other classes are compared. There really aren't too many mage tricks: No DoTs to speak of, no pets, just nukes. Of course, the mage is also known for having the most useful crowd control spell in the game, with a couple other snares to help them keep their distance, and a few talents that do something besides direct damage... but for the most part, all of these skills exist to help the mage get into place to launch a nuke. If that sounds good to you, then the mage is your class.

Pure Arcane - 61/0/0

Not too much confusion about this build, skipping two clearly subpar talents and getting everything else. Getting everything in the Arcane tree allows you all of the Arcane tree's benefits: mana management, a bit of survivability, some utility (i.e. Slow), and great burst damage largely thanks to the ever popular Arcane Power and Presence of Mind. Pure Arcane is primarily a raiding PvE spec, but there are some talents thrown in that increase PvP effectiveness as well, even if it's not to your ultimate potential. Something a bit different to consider if you grow weary of your mage throwing fireballs.

Arcane/Fire - 34/27/0

This build sacrifices some of the more frivolous utility spells in Arcane to make Fire your primary damage vehicle, while still keeping some of the damage, mana management, and burst capabilities of the Arcane tree. Fire is the heavy DPS tree, and your offensive capabilities will show it; nothing compares to an Arcane Power + Presence of Mind Pyroblast. You're also able to pick up Blast Wave, a powerful AoE that's great for escaping in PvP. While not a purist in either tree, this build picks up essentials and gives you the best parts of both.

Pure Fire - 0/58/3

If you want to do damage, and that's all you really want to do, this is something to consider. The entire Fire tree is all about raw DPS, and when your opponent takes a 4000 Pyroblast crit to the face, they'll know it. This mage build does about equally well in both PvP or PvE, while being specialized in neither. A solid choice If you want to be somewhat adaptable with huge numbers across the board.

PoM Fire - 21/40/0

Sacrificing some of the more PvE oriented fire talents to get enough in Arcane for Presence of Mind opens up considerable burst potential, always a very welcome thing for PvP. The only thing better than a 4000 Pyroblast crit to the face is a 4000 instant cast Pyroblast crit to the face. In addition, you pick up Improved Counterspell, which is invaluable when staring down enemy spellcasters. Sacrificing Dragon's Breath and a small bit of damage for such potential is probably a good exchange if all you plan to do with your mage is PvP.

Pure Frost - 0/0/61

Frost is probably the lowest DPS of the mage trees in a PvE setting, but Shatter coupled with Ice Lance makes that statement somewhat less certain for PvP. Either way, Frost's survival is unmatched by any other Mage talents, and in getting nearly everything from the Frost tree you can be effective in either PvE or PvP situations. While great for one who often switches their focus, there are some refinements that can be made to specialize.

PvP Frost/Fire - 0/21/40

While you'll still be using primarily Frost spells for your main source of damage, the points in Fire focus on instant casts that you'll always find useful in a PvP situation. Impact, Improved Fire Blast, Incinerate, and Blast Wave are all great talents that serve to give you damage and mobility while still having the survivability Frost affords. A high-damage, high-survivability build that should most definitely be considered for anyone who wishes to PvP.