Mage

For the manga, see World of Warcraft: Mage.

“

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. - Official site

”

The mage is a DPS caster that specializes in burst damage and area of effect spells. Their primary role in a group is damage dealing and crowd control through the use of [Polymorph]. At end-game levels, mage damage is supplemented with spells like Counterspell and Spellsteal. Mage utility spells also include conjuring food and drink and the ability to teleport to major cities and open portals for party members. In PvP, magi deal ranged damage while using snare effects and Polymorph to control enemy players.

Lore

Magi, the most common of arcanists, are found all over Azeroth. They focus on magic that creates and 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 a focused mage. Magi also understand the workings of arcane energy so well they can counter most magic with great effectiveness. Those who have dedication to and natural predilection for one of the schools of specialization becomes more entrenched. At this point they choose either evocation or transmutation as a preferred school. The magi of the Kirin Tor first mastered the art of casting spells using the elements of ice and fire. Magi are also known for being able to summon elementals, usually water elementals, but can also summon air, earth, and fire elementals. The greatest mortal mage ever to have lived is the naga, Queen Azshara. In fact, she may no longer be mortal.

The first known magi on Azeroth were elves. They existed 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 tremendous magic powers.

Origins

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

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 the attention of Sargeras and the Burning Legion; 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 dissipate 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 were exiled 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 art of magic in exchange for military aid from Arathor. From these two races, the arcane arts have spread to various races all over Azeroth.

Dalaran

Although masters of their art, the Conjurers of Azeroth who fell during the First War were unprepared for the rigors of warfare. A new breed of magi, once students of the Conjurers, were determined to avoid a similar fate. This new order was forced to discover untapped magical forces to command in their war against the ruthless orcs, 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 Kirin Tor are resolute in their efforts to defend the people.

The most powerful magi of the Eastern Kingdoms were perhaps the Archmagi of Dalaran. The city was transported to Northrend when the magi believed they were in danger from the Lich King and further moved to the Broken Isles to assist in thwarting the Burning Legion's most recent invasion. The Kirin Tor are quick to recognize fellow magi as allies, but outsiders must prove themselves.

Notable magi

Queen Azshara   Kel'Thuzad   Khadgar   Krasus   Medivh

Rhonin   Illidan Stormrage (now a demon hunter)   Kael'thas Sunstrider (specifically a blood mage)   Modera   Lord Victor Nefarius

Jaina Proudmoore   Aegwynn   Antonidas   Nielas Aran   Aethas Sunreaver   Grand Magister Rommath

Races

Main article: Mage races

• Playable races
• TCG images

The mage class can be played by the following races:

Race		Strength	Agility	Stamina	Intellect	Spirit	Armor	Health	Mana
	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	?	?	?
	Pandaren	20	18	21	22	24	37	??	40
	Worgen	23	22	20	19	21	?	?	?
	Blood elf	17	22	20	26	20	44	52	210
	Forsaken	19	18	20	21	27	36	52	135
	Goblin	17	22	20	26	20	33	52	210
	Orc	23	17	22	20	25	?	?	?
	Troll	21	22	20	19	23	44	52	119

Draenei

Dwarf

Gnome

Human

Night elf

Worgen

Blood elf

Forsaken

Goblin

Orc

Gear

A female blood elf mage in magister's gear with the  [Staff of the Shadow Flame].

See also: Mage sets

Magi can use wands, daggers, one-handed swords, or staves. Wands go in the main hand, continue to shoot once manually started, and do not require any form of ammunition. A mage can only wear cloth armor.

Spell types

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

• 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.

• 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 magi 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.

Specializations/stats

“

Manipulate the arcane, destroying enemies with overwhelming power. - Official description

”

Stat priority

• Intellect
• Versatility
• Critical Strike
• Haste
• Mastery

Arcane Blast

Ability	Min Level
Arcane Barrage	10
Arcane Blast	10
Arcane Missiles	12
Arcane Explosion	18
Evocation	20
Prismatic Barrier	26
Slow	32

Ability	Min Level
Arcane Barrage (2)	34
Arcane Power	40
Displacement	48
Presence of Mind	54
Evocation (2)	56
Greater Invisibility	65
Mastery: Savant	78

“

Ignite enemies with balls of fire and combustive flames. - Official description

”

Stat priority

• Critical Strike
• Intellect
• Mastery
• Versatility
• Haste

Pyroblast

Ability	Min Level
Fireball	10
Critical Mass	10
Pyroblast	12
Fire Blast (2)	14
Hot Streak	14
Scorch	18
Flamestrike	20
Blazing Barrier	26

Ability	Min Level
Dragon's Breath	32
Enhanced Pyrotechnics	35
Combustion	40
Invisibility	42
Fire Blast (3)	48
Cauterize	52
Critical Mass (2)	65
Mastery: Ignite	78

“

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

”

Stat priority

• Intellect
• Haste
• Critical Strike
• Versatility
• Mastery

Fingers of Frost

Ability	Min Level
Ice Lance	10
Summon Water Elemental	12
Shatter	14
Blizzard	18
Flurry	20
Fingers of Frost	24
Ice Barrier	26
Brain Freeze	28
Freeze	32
Cone of Cold	34

Ability	Min Level
Shatter (2)	36
Icy Veins	40
Invisibility	42
Brain Freeze (2)	48
Cold Snap	52
Frozen Orb (mage)	57
Blizzard (2)	63
Water Jet	65
Mastery: Icicles	78

Skills/Glyphs

Note: Players technically start in Frost spec; if a player chooses another specialization at level 10, the following are removed: Frostbolt. Arcane magi lose Fire Blast.

Frost Nova

Ability	Min Level
Frostbolt	Starts with
Fire Blast	3
Frost Nova	5
Polymorph	8
Conjure Refreshment	13
Blink	16

Ability	Min Level
Counterspell	22
Slow Fall	38
Ice Block	50
Spellsteal	70
Time Warp	80

These are learned at the portal trainers in each main city, with the exception of the Ancient versions.

Portal

Ability	Min Level
Teleport Teleport Teleport Teleport Teleport	17
Teleport Teleport Teleport Teleport	17
Portal (spell) Portal (spell) Portal (spell) Portal (spell) Portal (spell)	42
Portal (spell) Portal (spell) Portal (spell) Portal (spell)	42
Portal (spell) Teleport	52

Ability	Min Level
Teleport	62
Portal (spell)	66
Teleport Teleport	71
Portal (spell) Portal (spell)	74
Portal (spell) Teleport	85
Portal (spell) Teleport	90
Portal (spell) Teleport	92
Portal (spell) Teleport	92
Teleport	105
Portal (spell)	110

Level	Abilities (choose one)
15	Arcane Familiar Pyromaniac Ray of Frost	Presence of Mind Conflagration (mage talent) Lonely Winter	Words of Power Firestarter (mage talent) Bone Chilling
30	Shimmer	Cauterize	Cold Snap
45	Mirror Image	Rune of Power	Incanter's Flow
60	Supernova Blast Wave Ice Nova	Charged Up Flame On Frozen Touch	Resonance Controlled Burn Splitting Ice
75	Ice Floes	Ring of Frost	Ice Ward
90	Nether Tempest Living Bomb Frost Bomb	Unstable Magic	Erosion Flame Patch Arctic Gale
100	Overpowered (mage talent) Kindling Thermal Void	Quickening (mage talent) Cinderstorm Glacial Spike (mage talent)	Arcane Orb (mage talent) Meteor Comet Storm

Name	Specialization
Glyph of Crittermorph	All
Glyph of Evaporation	Frost
Glyph of Polymorphic Proportions	All
Glyph of Smolder	Fire
Glyph of Sparkles	All
Glyph of the Unbound Elemental	Frost

Honor Level	Talent
1	Gladiator's Medallion
2	Train of Thought (honor talent)
4	Netherwind Armor
6	Temporal Shield
8	Concentrated Power, Tinder, Chilled to the Bone
10	Master of Escape, Firestarter (honor talent), Concentrated Darkness
13	Adaptation (honor talent)
16	Mind Quickness
19	Burning Determination
22	Dense Ice
25	Torment the Weak, World in Flames, Frostbite (honor talent)
28	Rewind Time, Flamecannon, Burst of Cold
31	Relentless (honor talent)
34	Initiation
37	Prismatic Cloak
40	Kleptomania
43	Time Anomaly, Flare Up, Deep Shatter
46	Mass Invisibility, Greater Pyroblast, Ice Form

Suggested professions

Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking  Edit to the right of the section title.

•  [Tailoring] and  [Enchanting] are logical choices for any cloth armor-wearing class. This allows crafting decent armor and various enchants from [disenchanting] created items as one levels. Tailoring also increases cloth drops at higher levels.
•  [Alchemy] can be useful for those who need quick potion heals and various buffs from elixirs and flasks. This profession is also good all around for making money and supplying guild runs.
•  [Herbalism] provides ingredients for  [Alchemy] and  [Inscription], and is also good all around for making money.
•  [Cooking] is good for non-combat health regeneration and provides good buff foods, but is less needed than other non-healing classes, since magi can conjure basic regen foods.
•  [First Aid] is good for in-combat health regeneration and low downtime regeneration.
•  [Fishing] is good for leveling cooking.

Endgame expectations

A human mage in art.

In a group or raid environment, magi are usually tasked with ranged DPS, AoE, Counterspell, Spellsteal, Crowd Control, and providing food.

The endgame mage also acts as a utility class, providing drink, food, buffs and portals. It is expected that magi provide their party or raid with food and drink for free.

PvP

PvP-wise, magi are considered "glass cannons" - a design philosophy which gives them generous burst damage at the cost of generally low health and armor values. 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, they will stay back and focus on crowd control with Polymorph and pick off targets from range. Depending on the battleground and the situation, magi 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 mostly consists of stuns and max damage output at the cost of time and mana. Arcane consists of medium damage output at a low cost of mana and time. Arcane is most useful in battlegrounds if opponents are frozen first. When an enemy approaches or is attacking, the mage uses Freeze, then Blinks away and attacks. On average, the freeze ability gives about five uninterrupted seconds to attack.

Trivia

Goblin fire mage art

• The Wrath of the Lich King faction of Dalaran, the Kirin Tor, start with a neutral reputation standing with all other classes. Magi, however, are automatically friendly with the Kirin Tor, making it possible to purchase and wear the Tabard of the Kirin Tor at level one.

• Dr. Bill Lee, a reoccurring 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.

Videos

See also

• List of mages
• Mage (Warcraft II)

Patch changes

• See Cataclysm changes.

External links

Wowhead Mage

WoWDB Mage

Official

WoW Official Game Site (US) Mage

WoW Official Game Site (EU) Mage

General

WoW Insider Arcane Brilliance — Mage weekly feature at WoW Insider

Guides

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

WoW Insider Mage guides at WoW Insider

Lore

WoW Insider Know Your Lore: Mages by Matthew Rossi Jun 19th 2014 3:00PM

News

WoW Insider Do mages really need 3 competitive PvE specs? by Christian Belt Feb 4th 2012 at 4:00PM