Mage

Mage
Ruby Gemsparkle, a gnome mage.
Available to	Blood elf  Dwarf  Draenei  Forsaken  Gnome  Goblin  Human  Night elf  Orc  Pandaren  Troll  Worgen
Specializations	Arcane (ranged DPS) Fire (ranged DPS) Frost (ranged DPS)
Resource(s)	Mana, Arcane Charge
Primary attribute	Intellect
Weapon skills	Staff, Wand, Dagger, One-handed Sword and held in off-hand items excluding shields and weapons
Armor type	Cloth
Signature abilities	[Conjure Refreshment] Teleport [Polymorph] [Frost Nova] [Pyroblast]

Classes
Class races	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	Ev	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior
Quests	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	Evuid	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior
Abilities	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	Evuid	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior
Trainers	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	-	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior
Armor sets	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	Evuid	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior
Useful macros	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	-	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior
Class Halls	Death Knight	Demon Hunter	Druid	-	Hunter	Mage	Monk	Paladin	Priest	Rogue	Shaman	Warlock	Warrior

For the manga, see World of Warcraft: Mage.

The mage is a damage-dealing spell-caster that specializes in burst damage and area of effect spells. Mages are well known for their formidable damage output, as well as their range of crowd control abilities. Mages are also capable of performing a number of utility roles, from conjuring refreshments for their allies to teleporting or opening Portals to major cities.

Mages wear only cloth armor, but compensate for this with a range of armor spells, wreathing themselves in flame, frost or even arcane energies. Nonetheless, when fighting melee opponents, mages stay alive by incapacitating attackers and always keeping one step ahead - and well out of reach. Mages are quick and can [Blink] away from attackers, deploy a [Frost Nova] to freeze whole groups in their tracks or even use [Invisibility] to slip into the shadows. Mages are masters of kiting, and can use their enviable range of snares and crowd control abilities to defeat whole groups of opponents without putting a hair out of place.

Mages' primary role in groups at lower levels is damage dealing and crowd control through the use of [Polymorph], temporarily changing humanoids and beasts into harmless critters. At end-game levels, mages' impressive damage output is supplemented with useful abilities such as [Counterspell], [Remove Curse], and [Spellsteal].

In PvP, mages deal ranged damage while using snares, stuns and [Polymorph] to control enemy players. Mages are the archetypal "glass cannons", capable of dealing an immense amount of damage if left uninterrupted, but vulnerable to attack. Mages compensate for this with a range of snares, stuns and incapacitation effects, and must keep on their toes if they are to survive.

Mages can be an extremely fun class to play, with enviable damage output, strong crowd control and some interesting utility spells. Whether blasting foes with [Dragon's Breath] or freezing attackers in a [Ring of Frost], mages are a powerful presence on the battlefield. Masters of the arcane, mages can use their mental powers to alter the very fabric of reality, turning snarling attackers into harmless sheep or even altering time itself. Quick of mind and fleet of foot, mages stay one step ahead of their enemies, summoning frost and ice to entrap their assailants, and great fireballs and walls of flame to decimate their foes. Undisputed masters of the very fabric of reality, only the foolish do not fear the coming of a mage.

Class overview

Students gifted with a keen intellect and unwavering discipline may walk the path of the mage. The arcane magic available to magi is both great and dangerous, and thus is revealed only to the most devoted practitioners. To avoid interference with their spellcasting, magi wear only cloth armor, but arcane shields and enchantments give them additional protection. To keep enemies at bay, magi can summon bursts of fire to incinerate distant targets and cause entire areas to erupt, setting groups of foes ablaze. Masters of ice can command blizzards that tear into flesh and limit movement. Should enemies manage to survive this assault, the mage can shrink them into harmless sheep in the blink of an eye.

Powerful magi can even generate enhancements and portals, assisting allies by sharpening their minds and transporting them instantly across the world.

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

An elderly mage from the Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual.

Mages, the most common of arcanists, are found all over Azeroth. They focus on magic that creates and that changes things, most often with the purpose of damaging their enemies and boosting the power of their allies. Such beings can obtain a familiar, which is a normal animal that gains new powers and becomes a magical beast when summoned to service by a mage, while others choose to become focused mages. Mages also understand the workings of arcane energy so well that they can counter most magic with great effectiveness. An adept mage who has dedication to and natural predilection for one of the schools of specialization becomes more entrenched. At this point the mage chooses either evocation or transmutation as a preferred school, and casts spells from his chosen school. The mages of the Kirin Tor first mastered the arts of casting spells using the elements of ice and fire. Mages are also known for being able to summon elementals, usually water elementals, but can also summon air, earth and fire elementals as well. The greatest mortal mage ever to live is the Naga Queen Azshara, who still lives. In fact, she may no longer be mortal.

The first known mages on Azeroth were elves, before the breaking of the Well of Eternity and the  [Exile of the High Elves], who lived on the shores of the Well of Eternity and wielded its powers.

Origins

A blood elf mage.

Early kaldorei civilization was defined by direct manipulation of magic drawn from the Well of Eternity to create and sustain their society. The constant use of the well attracted attention from Sargeras and the Burning Legion, and their coming resulted in a massive war known as the War of the Ancients. The war had grave consequences, for even though the combined might of Azeroth's mortal races were victorious, the continent of Kalimdor was shattered, and a swirling, raging miasma of sea storms flowed into the vacant area where the Well of Eternity used to reside. This Great Sundering caused the Well's waters to be permeated into the atmosphere and spread magic all over the world.

This event convinced the majority of night elves to reject arcane magic and embrace Malfurion Stormrage's call for druidism. Many of the Highborne refused this lifestyle, and left in self-imposed exile to Lordaeron where they eventually founded their kingdom of Quel'Thalas and became the high elves. When their kingdom came under siege by the trolls of Zul'Aman the high elves agreed to teach one hundred humans the arts of magic in exchange for military aid from the human nation of Arathor. From these two races, the arcane arts have spread to various races all over Azeroth.

Dalaran

A human mage concept art.

Goblin fire mage art.

Once students of the Conjurers of Azeroth, this new order of mages had been forced to discover untapped magical forces to command in their war against the ruthless orcs. Although masters of their arts, the Conjurers who fell during the First War were unprepared for the rigors of warfare. Determined to avoid a similar fate, the mages began to undertake a regimen equally demanding on body and soul, thus dedicating themselves to the command of more aggressive and destructive magic. Whether in their sanctum at the Violet Citadel in Dalaran or on the many battlefields of Lordaeron, the mages are resolute in their efforts to defend the people.

The most powerful mages of the Eastern Kingdoms were perhaps the Archmagi of Dalaran. The city was transported to Northrend when the mages believed they were in danger. It now hovers in the skies over Crystalsong forest and is ruled by the Kirin Tor. The Kirin Tor are quick to recognize fellow mages as allies where outsiders must do more to prove themselves.

Notable mages

Alliance

•   Antonidas (Deceased)
•   Modera
•   Jaina Proudmoore
•   Mordent Evenshade
•   Khadgar

Horde

•   Grand Magister Rommath
•   Aethas Sunreaver

Other

•  Nielas Aran (Undead)
•  Aegwynn (Deceased)
•  Azshara
•  Illidan Stormrage (Deceased)
•  Kael'thas Sunstrider (Deceased)
•  Kel'Thuzad (Undead)
•  Krasus (Deceased)
•  Medivh
•  Rhonin (Deceased)

Races

Kallipssa, a draenei mage.

File:KarinaOfSilvermoon.jpg

Karina of Silvermoon, another blood elf mage.

File:ZiMoTheEmpowered.jpg

Zi'mo the Empowered, a troll mage.

File:ExauraTheCryptkeeper.jpg

Exaura the Cryptkeeper, a forsaken mage.

Main article: Mage races

The mage class can be played by the following races:

			Strength	Agility	Stamina	Intellect	Spirit	Armor	Health	Mana
Alliance	Draenei		21	17	20	23	24	34	52	165
	Dwarf		22	16	23	22	21	33	62	150
	Gnome		15	22	20	27	22	44	52	225
	Human		20	20	20	23	22	40	52	165
	Night elf		17	25	19	23	22	N/A
	Worgen		23	22	20	19	21	N/A
	Void elf		N/A
	Lightforged		N/A
	Dark Iron		N/A
	Kul Tiran		N/A
	Mechagnome		N/A
Neutral	Pandaren		20	18	21	22	24	37	113	50
Horde	Blood elf		17	22	20	26	20	44	52	210
	Goblin		17	22	20	26	20	N/A
	Orc		23	17	22	20	25	24	62	120
	Troll		21	22	20	19	23	44	52	119
	Undead		19	18	20	21	27	36	52	135
	Nightborne		N/A
	Mag'har		N/A
	Zandalari		N/A
	Vulpera		N/A

Mage Beneficial Racial Abilities:

Draenei

• [Heroic Presence] is one of the most important mage beneficial racial abilities for PvE encounters as it increases the spell hit by 1%.
• [Gift of the Naaru] is a minor heal.

Dwarf

• [Stoneform] is a minor defence trait which can be used in PvP and PvE.

Gnome

• [Expansive Mind] is one of the most important mage beneficial racial abilities as it increases mana by 5%. Note that it increases mana pool but not Intellect, spell power or spell critical.
• [Escape Artist] removes snares and speed reduction effects. Usable to PvP and certain PvE encounters. (Note: does not remove stun effects).

Human

• Every Man for Himself is another beneficial trait enabling players to remove all incapacitating effects on the character (Slow, stun, fear, immobilize effects)
• [Diplomacy] grants a 10% extra reputation gains for every faction.

Night Elf

• [Quickness] mainly useful in PvP, gives a slight advantage over receiving damage.
• [Shadowmeld] acts as a minor and temporary focus distraction from PvE encounters. However, the player is still vulnerable (in contrast with [Ice Block]), does not reduce threat (unlike [Invisibility] but it removes Combat status (similar to [Vanish]). Shadowmeld can also be used when an enemy is casting a spell on the mage, forcing the enemy to lose their target and acting as an interrupt.

Worgen

• [Viciousness] is another of the most mage beneficial racial abilities as it increases spell critical strike by 1%
• [Darkflight] enables the player to move faster. Usable in both PvP and PvE encounters.

Blood Elf

• [Arcane Torrent] has similarities with [Counterspell] and restores a percentage of mana. Due to its limit in AoE range, it has limited use in Boss PvE encounters and is half effective on PvP.
• [Arcane Acuity] increases spell critical strike rate by 1%, therefore is handy in both PvP and PvE, especially considering higher possibility of an instant cast [Pyroblast] of the Fire specialization.

Goblin

• [Rocket Barrage] as small damage ability.
• [Rocket Jump] similar to [Blink] for use in PvE and PvP.
• [Time is Money] is a slight reduction in casting time.

Orc

• [Blood Fury] gives an increase in spell power whenever activated.
• [Hardiness] a reduction in the total time of stun effects.

Tauren

• Mages are not available for the Tauren race.

Troll

• [Berserking] has similar effects to [Time Warp], has 10 seconds duration, 3 minutes cooldown but the most important is that unlike [Bloodlust] does not place a 10 minutes debuff thus making it an extremely beneficial racial ability.
• [Regeneration] is useful as an additional health regeneration effect, especially beneficial on long encounters.
• [Da Voodoo Shuffle] has use in both PvE and PvP.

Undead

• [Will of the Forsaken] is usable in all cases in PvP and PvE when losing control of character (does not include slow or immobilize effects)

The above list includes only the abilities that interact directly with the mage abilities, playstyle and needs over specific situations. Other traits are available and are usable as to what a player wishes to do with the character.

Overview

The mage is a pure DPS class, with all mage specializations focusing on dealing damage, and as such is capable of enviable damage output, whether launching an [Ice Lance] against a frozen target or invoking a [Blizzard] to decimate whole groups of opponents. However, mages also have an extremely diverse selection of crowd control and utility abilities, making them far more than just damage-dealers. From [Spellsteal] and Slow Fall to [Ice Block] and [Mirror Image], mages have some fun and interesting spells at their disposal.

Spells

Jubilee Arcspark, a female gnome mage

For a full list, see Mage abilities

Mages have a wide variety of spells which fall into three schools of magic: arcane, fire and frost. All spell schools include damage spells. Arcane includes some crowd control and utility, and most Frost spells provide a movement-slow effect supplementing their damage.

• Fire spells are primarily damage-dealing spells, including direct single-target damage and area of effect damage. Many Fire spells include damage over time effects. Fire mages trust heavily on RNG in raid situations.

• Frost spells are primarily single-target and area of effect damage-dealing spells, but with more emphasis on chilling effects. Nearly every frost spell has a chill or freeze effect that fully or partially immobilizes an enemy. This includes freezing it in place (called a root) or slowing its movement speed (called a snare). Frost specialized mages can further improve these chilling effects and increase frost damage output to respectable levels. Frost spells help the mage use kiting as a combat tactic.

• Arcane spells include single-target damage spells and utility. Arcane spells allow the mage to remove curses, provide crowd control, absorb damage, teleport himself or others to major capital cities, Slow Fall, [Counterspell], buff players' spell power and mana pools, save mana for later use in the form of mana gems, conjure food for himself or others, and provide many other conveniences.

Mages' in-combat mana regeneration is provided by abilities such as [Nether Attunement] and [Evocation], and the use of low-mana casting cycles (such as [Scorch] for fire mages or heavy use of [Arcane Missiles] for arcane mages).

Gear

See also: Mage sets

A mage can only wear cloth armor.

A mage is able to wield staves, wands, daggers, one-handed swords, and can use items with the slot "Held in Off-hand" if using a dagger or one-handed sword in the main hand. Wands go in the main hand slot and will continue to shoot once manually started.

Attributes

As a spell-caster, a mage's primary stat is intellect, which directly increases the mage's spell power and spell critical strike chance. Secondary stats beneficial to mages are hit rating (until reaching the hit cap), critical strike rating, haste rating and mastery rating. Stamina also benefits mages, but should not be focused on at the expense of other stats unless gearing for PvP. Agility, strength, spirit, and the other secondary stats should be ignored completely.

Specializations

For a full list of specialization abilities, see Mage abilities

Mages can choose one of three specializations, gaining access to unique abilities and bonuses. Mage specializations focus on enhancing individual schools of magic – quick, aggressive Fire spells; efficient, controlling Frost spells and punishing Arcane spells.

Arcane

File:ArcanistLyronia.jpg

Arcanist Lyronia, another blood elf mage.

Manipulates the arcane, destroying enemies with overwhelming power.

Arcane mages' damage focuses on [Arcane Blast] and [Arcane Missiles]. The Arcane specialization includes [Slow], a powerful instant single-target slowing effect, and [Arcane Barrage], an instant-damage ranged attack. Arcane mages can provide substantial burst damage with [Arcane Power] and [Presence of Mind]. Leveling as an arcane mage was once very difficult, but with the signature arcane spells ( [Arcane Barrage], [Arcane Missiles], and [Arcane Blast]) learned much earlier it is now a far more feasible leveling build.

Fire

Ignites enemies with balls of fire and combustive flames.

[Scorch] in the TCG.

Fire mages' damage output is oriented around [Pyroblast] procs; whenever a Fire mage deals two critical strikes in a row, their next [Pyroblast] spell is instant. Fire is very strong in AoE where [Combustion], [Pyroblast], and [Living Bomb] can be spread via [Inferno Blast]. Fights in which players are forced to move frequently can also benefit Fire mages, as [Scorch] and instant Pyroblasts can fill the movement time which Arcane mages can only use [Arcane Barrage]. The Fire spec provides few survival tools. This has historically made Fire a good choice for high-end raiders who seek to maximize damage output, but poor in PvP due to Arena's survival requirements.

"Chillhands" Spigotgulp, another gnome mage.

Frost

Freezes enemies in their tracks and shatters them with Frost magic.

Frost mages specialize in crowd control and snaring foes with their various chills, allowing for powerful kiting, and providing good AoE capability. Frost mages also learn [Summon Water Elemental], gaining a pet which has a Freeze ability similar to [Frost Nova]. Frost's AoE makes it the spec best suited to five-player dungeons. Frost is most effective in PvP, as Frost mages learn [Deep Freeze] to supplement their snare effects with a stun.

Endgame expectations

In a group or raid environment, mages are usually tasked with ranged DPS, AoE, [Counterspell], [Spellsteal], crowd control and finally providing food.

A human mage in art.

With the introduction of patch 1.11, mages enjoyed a high degree of flexibility in the endgame. Previous to patch 1.11, it was expected that most mages would spend at least 11 talent points in the arcane tree for [Evocation], as it is a quite powerful mana-regenerative spell. It was given free without the use of talent points. New changes to all three trees also made investing points into both the fire and the frost trees much more viable. This still holds true with the release of Burning Crusade. It should be mentioned that a build predominantly using the fire tree will usually contribute greater DPS in multiple-target encounters; those using a predominantly arcane tree will usually contribute greater DPS in single-target encounters; and finally, those using a predominantly frost tree will contribute a fair amount of control.

The endgame mage also acts as a utility class, providing drink, food, buffs and portals. Originally, when it came to providing drink and food, mages were by some considered equal to "vending machines" due to their unique ability to create food and drink and provide them with no cost except mana and time. In Wrath of the Lich King, Refreshment Tables may also be created at level 80 at the cost of five  [Arcane Powder]; the table lasts for three minutes or 50 charges of  [Conjured Mana Strudel], whichever comes first. It is expected that a mage provides his party or raid with food and drink for free. A second (or third) table can sometimes be called for while mustering players at the beginning of a raid if the first expires before everyone has received their strudel.

PvP

PvP-wise, mages are considered "glass cannons" - a design philosophy which gives mages generous burst damage at the cost of generally low health and armor values. Aided by talents such as [Presence of Mind] and [Arcane Power], they are one of the classes with the potential for dealing out the greatest amount of damage in the shortest amount of time. In group PvP, mages will stay back and focus on crowd control with [Polymorph] and pick off targets from range. Depending on the Battleground and the situation, mages typically AoE to prevent node captures or nuke flag carriers as fast as possible. In solo PvP, a skilled frost mage is a formidable opponent. Fire mages are in PVP well known for their burst damage, and arcane mages are known as venerable supporters.

Videos

• Official Crash Course: Level 90 Mage (Arcane)
• Cataclysm Class Changes
• Arcane DPS Rundown (Cataclysm)
• Fire DPS Rundown (Cataclysm)
• Frost DPS Rundown (Cataclysm)

Trivia

• The Wrath of the Lich King faction of Dalaran, the Kirin Tor, start with a neutral reputation standing with all other classes. Mages, however, are automatically friendly with the Kirin Tor, making it possible to purchase and wear the  [Tabard of the Kirin Tor] at level 1. However, reputation cannot be gained in non-level 80 dungeons.

• Dr. Bill Lee, a re-occurring character from the TV Series 'Stargate SG-1' and 'Stargate Atlantis,' states that he plays a mage, and makes multiple references to the game, including Elwynn Forest. While his character's race is not explicitly stated, it's assumed from that statement that he plays a human.

See also

Game mechanics:

• Mage theorycraft
• Spell power coefficients
• Mages as tanks
• Mage (Warcraft II)

Lore:

• Arcane magic
• The eight categories of arcane and divine magic (often used by mages)
• List of mages
• Wizard
• Sorcerer

External links

World of Warcraft Official Game Guide - Mage

[1] Mage forums (US)

[2] Mage forums (EU)

Icy Veins Arcane, Fire, and Frost Mage Raiding Guides (Mists of Pandaria)

WowInsider Arcane Brilliance — Mage weekly feature at WoW Insider

WowInsider Mage guides at WoW Insider

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