Apotheosis
09-20-2006, 02:54 PM
I've thought about this quite a bit, and came up with some builds immediately and some builds after consideration.
First, I don't think full Ice will be quite as viable for PvE in BC as it is now. Currently, one could make the argument that full Ice lacks the burst of Fire but is more sustainable over time, so that short/mid range PvE fights favor Fire while long range ones favor Ice. Not saying that's completely true, especially with heavy use of consumables, but for now let's not argue the point. My real point is: I could imagine a 31-35 point fire build that puts the rest into Arcane for utility and mana conservation simply overpowering any Ice build. So my first PvE spec is as follows:
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?2030550000230110000000505202012303331 05013000000000000000000000000
The second build I only recently thought up, but the more I consider it, the more I like it. While the first build I listed I'm quite positive would be a PvE winner, this second build I'd like some discussion on.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?2050350000230143331050000000000000000 00000000535000310030010000000
The idea, here, is to spam Frostbolts until getting a Clearcast, then using Arcane Power/Arcane Missiles with a 30 percent increased crit chance. Just doing the math with the +damage I have now, these AM would hit really hard, in the range of 600 per missiles non-crit. So, this build gives you extremely viable AM in PvE, along with a significant boost to your Frostbolt DPS and Iceblock for PvE emergencies. Critique and discuss.
PvP wise, I'm looking at either a hybrid Fire/Frost or a heavy Frost with some arcane.
The first is my choice du jour, as I'm using something fairly similar right now, with 10 less talents points.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?0000000000000000000000555232010300031 25010002030323011205010000000
Almost every point spent in Frost is intended to enhance survivability: more armor, Frostbite, better snaring, better/more Frost Novas, and Ice Block. The exceptions are shatter elemental preceision, which help my Fire DPS.
This second build is an intensive Frost build, built for survivability and utility more than raw damage.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?2050052010200000000000000000000000000 00000002535320310225011251001
There are definitely points in Ice that I'd want to tinker with, but the purpose is to be highly survivable with strong utility. Possible Arena PvP build, but I'll have to see how that goes. Some people may remark on my choice to take Imp. Scorch and Winter's Chill for PvP: first, I happen to run with another very good Mage, and we always coordinate as both Fire or both Frost. Second, this debuff really puts a damper on Cleansing/Dispelling more important CCs, which I very much appreciate. The water elemental doesn't seem to be the bee's knees, but it's one point in an already heavy Frost build, so I took it.
Any comments? Suggestions? Let's get thinking! :o
First, I don't think full Ice will be quite as viable for PvE in BC as it is now. Currently, one could make the argument that full Ice lacks the burst of Fire but is more sustainable over time, so that short/mid range PvE fights favor Fire while long range ones favor Ice. Not saying that's completely true, especially with heavy use of consumables, but for now let's not argue the point. My real point is: I could imagine a 31-35 point fire build that puts the rest into Arcane for utility and mana conservation simply overpowering any Ice build. So my first PvE spec is as follows:
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?2030550000230110000000505202012303331 05013000000000000000000000000
The second build I only recently thought up, but the more I consider it, the more I like it. While the first build I listed I'm quite positive would be a PvE winner, this second build I'd like some discussion on.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?2050350000230143331050000000000000000 00000000535000310030010000000
The idea, here, is to spam Frostbolts until getting a Clearcast, then using Arcane Power/Arcane Missiles with a 30 percent increased crit chance. Just doing the math with the +damage I have now, these AM would hit really hard, in the range of 600 per missiles non-crit. So, this build gives you extremely viable AM in PvE, along with a significant boost to your Frostbolt DPS and Iceblock for PvE emergencies. Critique and discuss.
PvP wise, I'm looking at either a hybrid Fire/Frost or a heavy Frost with some arcane.
The first is my choice du jour, as I'm using something fairly similar right now, with 10 less talents points.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?0000000000000000000000555232010300031 25010002030323011205010000000
Almost every point spent in Frost is intended to enhance survivability: more armor, Frostbite, better snaring, better/more Frost Novas, and Ice Block. The exceptions are shatter elemental preceision, which help my Fire DPS.
This second build is an intensive Frost build, built for survivability and utility more than raw damage.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/bc-mage/talents.html?2050052010200000000000000000000000000 00000002535320310225011251001
There are definitely points in Ice that I'd want to tinker with, but the purpose is to be highly survivable with strong utility. Possible Arena PvP build, but I'll have to see how that goes. Some people may remark on my choice to take Imp. Scorch and Winter's Chill for PvP: first, I happen to run with another very good Mage, and we always coordinate as both Fire or both Frost. Second, this debuff really puts a damper on Cleansing/Dispelling more important CCs, which I very much appreciate. The water elemental doesn't seem to be the bee's knees, but it's one point in an already heavy Frost build, so I took it.
Any comments? Suggestions? Let's get thinking! :o