Frost Mage guide

Rotation and opener

Use your chosen armor and begin at a range that leaves room to reposition. Do not root an enemy beside a vulnerable teammate.

Combat priority

1. 
   Frostbolt

   Begin at range and keep Frostbolt as your ordinary single-target cast. Its slow gives you time to position instead of taking unnecessary melee hits.

2. 
   Ice Lance

   Spend Fingers of Frost with Ice Lance. The talent treats the next spells as if the enemy were frozen, so reserve those casts for the proc instead of spamming unbuffed Lance.

3. 
   Arcane Missiles

   If your endgame hybrid build includes Missile Barrage, consume that proc with a complete Missiles channel. The level-30 Frost build does not require this cross-tree talent.

4. 
   Frostbolt

   Resume Frostbolt between procs. Start moving with an instant attack only when a mechanic or positioning change actually requires movement.

Multiple targets and dungeon pulls

Use Blizzard on a tanked pack that will stay in its area. Placing it on moving targets repeatedly wastes channel time and Mana.

For a solo pack, gather enemies, root them with Frost Nova, move clear, and use your slow and ranged damage to maintain separation. Do not stand inside the pack merely because its first attacks are delayed.

Cone of Cold provides another close-range slow when enemies reach you. Arcane Explosion can finish a low-health group, but should not turn a safe ranged pull into a melee gamble.

Resources and cooldowns

Do not keep casting Frostbolt while wasting capped proc opportunities. Ice Barrier and Ice Block are defensive decisions; use them to survive or prevent an interruption of your next useful casting window.

• Keep Cold Snap, when allocated, as a planned reset of eligible Frost abilities. Its purpose can be a second control or defensive window, not just pressing every button at the start.
• Ice Block can stop incoming damage while the tank re-establishes control. Have a safe position in mind when it ends; the enemies do not disappear when you become immune.
• Use Counterspell and Polymorph before a pull becomes unmanageable. Frost has strong control, but spending every control tool at once leaves the next add unanswered.

Specialization mechanics and group play

Fingers of Frost and Shatter make frozen-target interactions important even when a boss cannot be physically rooted. Read the proc state instead of assuming a visible Frost Nova is required.

Ice Barrier is the deep Frost defensive talent in the supplied tree. Prepare it when a dangerous incoming hit is expected, and keep the ordinary damage cycle centered on Frostbolt and proc-enabled Ice Lance.

Keep Mage armor and Arcane Intellect active, prepare food, water and your Mana Gem, then ask which mob is being controlled before the first Blizzard.

In PvP, use a root to create a cast window or escape route. Breaking every root immediately with weak damage can remove the space you needed to finish a stronger cast.

PvE talent choices

Standard Build 51 points · 16 / 3 / 32

Arcane

0/2Wand Specialization0/2 · PassiveIncreases your damage with Wands by 13%.5/5Arcane Focus5/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with your Arcane spells by 1%.0/5Improved Channeling0/5 · PassiveGives you a 20% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while channeling Arcane Missiles and a 14% chance while casting Arcane Blast.0/2Arcane Subtlety0/2 · PassiveReduces your target's resistance to all your spells by 8 and reduces the threat caused by your Arcane spells by 15%.2/2Magic Absorption2/2 · PassiveIncreases all your resistances by 5 and causes all spells you fully resist to restore 1% of your total mana. Cannot trigger more often than 1 time per sec.5/5Arcane Concentration5/5 · PassiveGives you a 10% chance of entering a Clearcasting state after any damage spell hits a target. The Clearcasting state reduces the mana cost of your next damage spell by 100%.0/2Arcane Resilience0/2 · PassiveIncreases your Armor by an amount equal to 25% of your Intellect.0/2Arcane Geometry0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Arcane spells by 3 yards.3/3Arcane Impact3/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Arcane spells by 2%.0/1Arcane Blast0/1 · ActiveBlasts the target with energy, dealing 95 to 104 Arcane damage. Each time you cast Arcane Blast, the damage of all your other spells is increased by 10% and the mana cost of Arcane Blast is increased by 175%. Effect stacks up to 4 times and lasts 8 sec or until any other damage spell is cast.0/2Arcane Shielding0/2 · PassiveDecreases the Mana lost per point of damage taken when your Mana Shield spell is active by 17% and increases the resistances granted by your Mage Armor spell by 25%.0/2Improved Counterspell0/2 · PassiveYour Counterspell also Silences the target for 2 sec.0/3Arcane Meditation0/3 · PassiveAllows 17% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.Requires Arcane Concentration1/1Missile Barrage1/1 · PassiveGives your Arcane Blast spell a 40% chance, and your Fireball, Frostbolt, and Frostfire Bolt spells a 20% chance to reduce the channeled duration of your next Arcane Missiles spell by 50%, reduce the Mana cost by 100%, and missiles will fire every 0.5 sec.0/1Presence of Mind0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, your next Mage spell with a casting time less than 10 sec becomes an instant cast spell.0/5Arcane Mind0/5 · PassiveIncreases your Intellect by 2% and increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Arcane spells by 20%.0/3Arcane Instability0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by all your spells by 1% and your critical strike chance with all attacks by 1%.0/1Arcane Power0/1 · ActiveFor the next 15 sec, your spells deal 30% more damage while costing 30% more mana to cast.Requires Presence of Mind

Arcane Focus 5/5Magic Absorption 2/2Arcane Concentration 5/5Arcane Impact 3/3Missile Barrage 1/1

Fire

0/2Wake of Fire0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Fire Blast spell by 1 sec. Killing a non-trivial target increases the critical strike chance of your next Fire Blast cast within 20 sec by 25%.3/3Incineration3/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Fire Blast, Ice Lance, Arcane Blast, and Scorch spells by 2%.0/5Improved Fireball0/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Fireball and Frostfire Bolt spells by 0.1 sec.0/5Ignite0/5 · PassiveYour critical strikes from Fire damage spells cause the target to burn for an additional 8% of your spell's damage over 4 sec.0/2Flame Throwing0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Fire spells by 3 yards.0/3Impact0/3 · PassiveGives your Fire spells a 3% chance to stun the target for 2 sec.0/3Burning Soul0/3 · PassiveGives your Fire spells a 23% chance to not lose casting time when you take damage and reduces the threat caused by your Fire spells by 10%.0/3Improved Flamestrike0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Flamestrike spell by 5%.0/1Pyroblast0/1 · ActiveHurls an immense fiery boulder that causes 155 to 185 Fire damage and an additional 76 Fire damage over 12 sec.0/3Improved Scorch0/3 · PassiveYour Scorch spell has a 33% chance to cause your target to be vulnerable to Fire damage. This vulnerability increases all Fire damage you deal to your target by 3% and lasts 30 sec, stacking up to 5 times.0/2Improved Fire Ward0/2 · PassiveCauses your Fire Ward to have a 10% chance to reflect Fire spells while active.0/1Hot Streak0/1 · PassiveYour non-periodic critical strikes with Fireball, Frostfire Bolt, Fire Blast, and Scorch grant Hot Streak for 15 sec. Hot Streak reduces the cast time of Pyroblast by 25%, stacking up to 3 times.Requires Pyroblast0/3Master of Elements0/3 · PassiveYour Fire and Frost critical strikes will refund 10% of their base mana cost.0/3Critical Mass0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Fire spells by 2%.0/1Blast Wave0/1 · ActiveA wave of flame radiates outward from the caster, damaging all enemies caught within the blast for 160 to 191 Fire damage, and Dazing them for 50% reduced movement speed for 6 sec.0/5Fire Power0/5 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by your Fire spells by 2%.0/1Combustion0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, this spell causes each of your Fire damage spell hits to increase your critical strike chance with Fire damage spells by 10%. This effect lasts until you have caused 4 non-periodic critical strikes with Fire spells.Requires Critical Mass

Incineration 3/3

Frost

0/2Frost Warding0/2 · PassiveIncreases the Armor and resistance given by your Frost Armor and Ice Armor spells by 15%. In addition, gives your Frost Ward a 10% chance to reflect Frost spells and effects while active.5/5Improved Frostbolt5/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Frostbolt spell by 0.5 sec.5/5Elemental Precision5/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with Frost and Fire spells by 1%.5/5Ice Shards5/5 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 100%.0/3Permafrost0/3 · PassiveIncreases the duration of your Chill effects by 11% and reduces the target's speed by an additional 3%.0/2Improved Frost Nova0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Frost Nova spell by 2 sec.0/3Frostbite0/3 · PassiveGives your Chill effects a 5% chance to freeze the target for 5 sec.3/3Piercing Ice3/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by your Frost spells by 6%.0/3Frost Channeling0/3 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Frost spells by 5% and reduces the threat caused by your Frost spells by 10%.1/1Ice Lance1/1 · ActiveDeals 28 to 33 Frost damage to an enemy target. Deals 300% increased damage to Frozen targets.0/3Improved Blizzard0/3 · PassiveAdds a Chill effect to your Blizzard spell. This effect lowers the target's movement speed by 15% for 1.5 sec.0/2Arctic Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Frostbolt and Blizzard spells and the radius of your Frost Nova and Cone of Cold spells by 10%.1/1Ice Block1/1 · ActiveYou become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells.3/3Shatter3/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of all your spells against Frozen targets by 17%.0/3Improved Cone of Cold0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage dealt by your Cone of Cold spell by 12%.1/1Cold Snap1/1 · ActiveFinishes the remaining cooldown on all your other Frost spells.2/2Fingers of Frost2/2 · PassiveGives your Chill effects a 15% chance to grant you the Fingers of Frost effect, which treats your next 1 spell cast as if the target were Frozen. Lasts 15 sec.Requires Ice Lance5/5Winter's Chill5/5 · PassiveGives your Frost damage spells a 20% chance to apply the Winter's Chill effect, which increases the chance your Ice Lance and Frostbolt spells will critically hit the target by 2% for 15 sec. Stacks up to 1 times.1/1Ice Barrier1/1 · ActiveInstantly shields you, absorbing 431 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, your spellcasts will not be interrupted or delayed from taking damage.Requires Cold Snap

Improved Frostbolt 5/5Elemental Precision 5/5Ice Shards 5/5Piercing Ice 3/3Ice Lance 1/1Ice Block 1/1Shatter 3/3Cold Snap 1/1Fingers of Frost 2/2Winter's Chill 5/5Ice Barrier 1/1

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Build reference · Level-60 allocations are beta plans, not final launch performance rankings.

Level 30 (Beta) 21 points · 0 / 0 / 21

Arcane

0/2Wand Specialization0/2 · PassiveIncreases your damage with Wands by 13%.0/5Arcane Focus0/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with your Arcane spells by 1%.0/5Improved Channeling0/5 · PassiveGives you a 20% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while channeling Arcane Missiles and a 14% chance while casting Arcane Blast.0/2Arcane Subtlety0/2 · PassiveReduces your target's resistance to all your spells by 8 and reduces the threat caused by your Arcane spells by 15%.0/2Magic Absorption0/2 · PassiveIncreases all your resistances by 5 and causes all spells you fully resist to restore 1% of your total mana. Cannot trigger more often than 1 time per sec.0/5Arcane Concentration0/5 · PassiveGives you a 2% chance of entering a Clearcasting state after any damage spell hits a target. The Clearcasting state reduces the mana cost of your next damage spell by 100%.0/2Arcane Resilience0/2 · PassiveIncreases your Armor by an amount equal to 25% of your Intellect.0/2Arcane Geometry0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Arcane spells by 3 yards.0/3Arcane Impact0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Arcane spells by 2%.0/1Arcane Blast0/1 · ActiveBlasts the target with energy, dealing 95 to 104 Arcane damage. Each time you cast Arcane Blast, the damage of all your other spells is increased by 10% and the mana cost of Arcane Blast is increased by 175%. Effect stacks up to 4 times and lasts 8 sec or until any other damage spell is cast.0/2Arcane Shielding0/2 · PassiveDecreases the Mana lost per point of damage taken when your Mana Shield spell is active by 17% and increases the resistances granted by your Mage Armor spell by 25%.0/2Improved Counterspell0/2 · PassiveYour Counterspell also Silences the target for 2 sec.0/3Arcane Meditation0/3 · PassiveAllows 17% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.Requires Arcane Concentration0/1Missile Barrage0/1 · PassiveGives your Arcane Blast spell a 40% chance, and your Fireball, Frostbolt, and Frostfire Bolt spells a 20% chance to reduce the channeled duration of your next Arcane Missiles spell by 50%, reduce the Mana cost by 100%, and missiles will fire every 0.5 sec.0/1Presence of Mind0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, your next Mage spell with a casting time less than 10 sec becomes an instant cast spell.0/5Arcane Mind0/5 · PassiveIncreases your Intellect by 2% and increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Arcane spells by 20%.0/3Arcane Instability0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by all your spells by 1% and your critical strike chance with all attacks by 1%.0/1Arcane Power0/1 · ActiveFor the next 15 sec, your spells deal 30% more damage while costing 30% more mana to cast.Requires Presence of Mind

Fire

0/2Wake of Fire0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Fire Blast spell by 1 sec. Killing a non-trivial target increases the critical strike chance of your next Fire Blast cast within 20 sec by 25%.0/3Incineration0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Fire Blast, Ice Lance, Arcane Blast, and Scorch spells by 2%.0/5Improved Fireball0/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Fireball and Frostfire Bolt spells by 0.1 sec.0/5Ignite0/5 · PassiveYour critical strikes from Fire damage spells cause the target to burn for an additional 8% of your spell's damage over 4 sec.0/2Flame Throwing0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Fire spells by 3 yards.0/3Impact0/3 · PassiveGives your Fire spells a 3% chance to stun the target for 2 sec.0/3Burning Soul0/3 · PassiveGives your Fire spells a 23% chance to not lose casting time when you take damage and reduces the threat caused by your Fire spells by 10%.0/3Improved Flamestrike0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Flamestrike spell by 5%.0/1Pyroblast0/1 · ActiveHurls an immense fiery boulder that causes 155 to 185 Fire damage and an additional 76 Fire damage over 12 sec.0/3Improved Scorch0/3 · PassiveYour Scorch spell has a 33% chance to cause your target to be vulnerable to Fire damage. This vulnerability increases all Fire damage you deal to your target by 3% and lasts 30 sec, stacking up to 5 times.0/2Improved Fire Ward0/2 · PassiveCauses your Fire Ward to have a 10% chance to reflect Fire spells while active.0/1Hot Streak0/1 · PassiveYour non-periodic critical strikes with Fireball, Frostfire Bolt, Fire Blast, and Scorch grant Hot Streak for 15 sec. Hot Streak reduces the cast time of Pyroblast by 25%, stacking up to 3 times.Requires Pyroblast0/3Master of Elements0/3 · PassiveYour Fire and Frost critical strikes will refund 10% of their base mana cost.0/3Critical Mass0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Fire spells by 2%.0/1Blast Wave0/1 · ActiveA wave of flame radiates outward from the caster, damaging all enemies caught within the blast for 160 to 191 Fire damage, and Dazing them for 50% reduced movement speed for 6 sec.0/5Fire Power0/5 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by your Fire spells by 2%.0/1Combustion0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, this spell causes each of your Fire damage spell hits to increase your critical strike chance with Fire damage spells by 10%. This effect lasts until you have caused 4 non-periodic critical strikes with Fire spells.Requires Critical Mass

Frost

0/2Frost Warding0/2 · PassiveIncreases the Armor and resistance given by your Frost Armor and Ice Armor spells by 15%. In addition, gives your Frost Ward a 10% chance to reflect Frost spells and effects while active.5/5Improved Frostbolt5/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Frostbolt spell by 0.5 sec.3/5Elemental Precision3/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with Frost and Fire spells by 1%.5/5Ice Shards5/5 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 100%.0/3Permafrost0/3 · PassiveIncreases the duration of your Chill effects by 11% and reduces the target's speed by an additional 3%.0/2Improved Frost Nova0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Frost Nova spell by 2 sec.0/3Frostbite0/3 · PassiveGives your Chill effects a 5% chance to freeze the target for 5 sec.3/3Piercing Ice3/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by your Frost spells by 6%.0/3Frost Channeling0/3 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Frost spells by 5% and reduces the threat caused by your Frost spells by 10%.1/1Ice Lance1/1 · ActiveDeals 28 to 33 Frost damage to an enemy target. Deals 300% increased damage to Frozen targets.0/3Improved Blizzard0/3 · PassiveAdds a Chill effect to your Blizzard spell. This effect lowers the target's movement speed by 15% for 1.5 sec.0/2Arctic Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Frostbolt and Blizzard spells and the radius of your Frost Nova and Cone of Cold spells by 10%.0/1Ice Block0/1 · ActiveYou become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells.3/3Shatter3/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of all your spells against Frozen targets by 17%.0/3Improved Cone of Cold0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage dealt by your Cone of Cold spell by 12%.0/1Cold Snap0/1 · ActiveFinishes the remaining cooldown on all your other Frost spells.1/2Fingers of Frost1/2 · PassiveGives your Chill effects a 15% chance to grant you the Fingers of Frost effect, which treats your next 1 spell cast as if the target were Frozen. Lasts 15 sec.Requires Ice Lance0/5Winter's Chill0/5 · PassiveGives your Frost damage spells a 20% chance to apply the Winter's Chill effect, which increases the chance your Ice Lance and Frostbolt spells will critically hit the target by 2% for 15 sec. Stacks up to 1 times.0/1Ice Barrier0/1 · ActiveInstantly shields you, absorbing 431 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, your spellcasts will not be interrupted or delayed from taking damage.Requires Cold Snap

Improved Frostbolt 5/5Elemental Precision 3/5Ice Shards 5/5Piercing Ice 3/3Ice Lance 1/1Shatter 3/3Fingers of Frost 1/2

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Build reference · Level-60 allocations are beta plans, not final launch performance rankings.

Leveling 1-60 51 points · 19 / 0 / 32

Arcane

2/2Wand Specialization2/2 · PassiveIncreases your damage with Wands by 25%.5/5Arcane Focus5/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with your Arcane spells by 1%.0/5Improved Channeling0/5 · PassiveGives you a 20% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while channeling Arcane Missiles and a 14% chance while casting Arcane Blast.0/2Arcane Subtlety0/2 · PassiveReduces your target's resistance to all your spells by 8 and reduces the threat caused by your Arcane spells by 15%.0/2Magic Absorption0/2 · PassiveIncreases all your resistances by 5 and causes all spells you fully resist to restore 1% of your total mana. Cannot trigger more often than 1 time per sec.5/5Arcane Concentration5/5 · PassiveGives you a 10% chance of entering a Clearcasting state after any damage spell hits a target. The Clearcasting state reduces the mana cost of your next damage spell by 100%.0/2Arcane Resilience0/2 · PassiveIncreases your Armor by an amount equal to 25% of your Intellect.0/2Arcane Geometry0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Arcane spells by 3 yards.3/3Arcane Impact3/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Arcane spells by 2%.0/1Arcane Blast0/1 · ActiveBlasts the target with energy, dealing 95 to 104 Arcane damage. Each time you cast Arcane Blast, the damage of all your other spells is increased by 10% and the mana cost of Arcane Blast is increased by 175%. Effect stacks up to 4 times and lasts 8 sec or until any other damage spell is cast.0/2Arcane Shielding0/2 · PassiveDecreases the Mana lost per point of damage taken when your Mana Shield spell is active by 17% and increases the resistances granted by your Mage Armor spell by 25%.0/2Improved Counterspell0/2 · PassiveYour Counterspell also Silences the target for 2 sec.3/3Arcane Meditation3/3 · PassiveAllows 17% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.Requires Arcane Concentration1/1Missile Barrage1/1 · PassiveGives your Arcane Blast spell a 40% chance, and your Fireball, Frostbolt, and Frostfire Bolt spells a 20% chance to reduce the channeled duration of your next Arcane Missiles spell by 50%, reduce the Mana cost by 100%, and missiles will fire every 0.5 sec.0/1Presence of Mind0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, your next Mage spell with a casting time less than 10 sec becomes an instant cast spell.0/5Arcane Mind0/5 · PassiveIncreases your Intellect by 2% and increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Arcane spells by 20%.0/3Arcane Instability0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by all your spells by 1% and your critical strike chance with all attacks by 1%.0/1Arcane Power0/1 · ActiveFor the next 15 sec, your spells deal 30% more damage while costing 30% more mana to cast.Requires Presence of Mind

Wand Specialization 2/2Arcane Focus 5/5Arcane Concentration 5/5Arcane Impact 3/3Arcane Meditation 3/3Missile Barrage 1/1

Fire

0/2Wake of Fire0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Fire Blast spell by 1 sec. Killing a non-trivial target increases the critical strike chance of your next Fire Blast cast within 20 sec by 25%.0/3Incineration0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Fire Blast, Ice Lance, Arcane Blast, and Scorch spells by 2%.0/5Improved Fireball0/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Fireball and Frostfire Bolt spells by 0.1 sec.0/5Ignite0/5 · PassiveYour critical strikes from Fire damage spells cause the target to burn for an additional 8% of your spell's damage over 4 sec.0/2Flame Throwing0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Fire spells by 3 yards.0/3Impact0/3 · PassiveGives your Fire spells a 3% chance to stun the target for 2 sec.0/3Burning Soul0/3 · PassiveGives your Fire spells a 23% chance to not lose casting time when you take damage and reduces the threat caused by your Fire spells by 10%.0/3Improved Flamestrike0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Flamestrike spell by 5%.0/1Pyroblast0/1 · ActiveHurls an immense fiery boulder that causes 155 to 185 Fire damage and an additional 76 Fire damage over 12 sec.0/3Improved Scorch0/3 · PassiveYour Scorch spell has a 33% chance to cause your target to be vulnerable to Fire damage. This vulnerability increases all Fire damage you deal to your target by 3% and lasts 30 sec, stacking up to 5 times.0/2Improved Fire Ward0/2 · PassiveCauses your Fire Ward to have a 10% chance to reflect Fire spells while active.0/1Hot Streak0/1 · PassiveYour non-periodic critical strikes with Fireball, Frostfire Bolt, Fire Blast, and Scorch grant Hot Streak for 15 sec. Hot Streak reduces the cast time of Pyroblast by 25%, stacking up to 3 times.Requires Pyroblast0/3Master of Elements0/3 · PassiveYour Fire and Frost critical strikes will refund 10% of their base mana cost.0/3Critical Mass0/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of your Fire spells by 2%.0/1Blast Wave0/1 · ActiveA wave of flame radiates outward from the caster, damaging all enemies caught within the blast for 160 to 191 Fire damage, and Dazing them for 50% reduced movement speed for 6 sec.0/5Fire Power0/5 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by your Fire spells by 2%.0/1Combustion0/1 · ActiveWhen activated, this spell causes each of your Fire damage spell hits to increase your critical strike chance with Fire damage spells by 10%. This effect lasts until you have caused 4 non-periodic critical strikes with Fire spells.Requires Critical Mass

Frost

0/2Frost Warding0/2 · PassiveIncreases the Armor and resistance given by your Frost Armor and Ice Armor spells by 15%. In addition, gives your Frost Ward a 10% chance to reflect Frost spells and effects while active.5/5Improved Frostbolt5/5 · PassiveReduces the casting time of your Frostbolt spell by 0.5 sec.4/5Elemental Precision4/5 · PassiveIncreases your chance to hit with Frost and Fire spells by 1%.5/5Ice Shards5/5 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 100%.3/3Permafrost3/3 · PassiveIncreases the duration of your Chill effects by 11% and reduces the target's speed by an additional 3%.0/2Improved Frost Nova0/2 · PassiveReduces the cooldown of your Frost Nova spell by 2 sec.3/3Frostbite3/3 · PassiveGives your Chill effects a 15% chance to freeze the target for 5 sec.3/3Piercing Ice3/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage done by your Frost spells by 6%.0/3Frost Channeling0/3 · PassiveReduces the mana cost of your Frost spells by 5% and reduces the threat caused by your Frost spells by 10%.1/1Ice Lance1/1 · ActiveDeals 28 to 33 Frost damage to an enemy target. Deals 300% increased damage to Frozen targets.0/3Improved Blizzard0/3 · PassiveAdds a Chill effect to your Blizzard spell. This effect lowers the target's movement speed by 15% for 1.5 sec.0/2Arctic Reach0/2 · PassiveIncreases the range of your Frostbolt and Blizzard spells and the radius of your Frost Nova and Cone of Cold spells by 10%.1/1Ice Block1/1 · ActiveYou become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells.3/3Shatter3/3 · PassiveIncreases the critical strike chance of all your spells against Frozen targets by 17%.0/3Improved Cone of Cold0/3 · PassiveIncreases the damage dealt by your Cone of Cold spell by 12%.1/1Cold Snap1/1 · ActiveFinishes the remaining cooldown on all your other Frost spells.2/2Fingers of Frost2/2 · PassiveGives your Chill effects a 15% chance to grant you the Fingers of Frost effect, which treats your next 1 spell cast as if the target were Frozen. Lasts 15 sec.Requires Ice Lance0/5Winter's Chill0/5 · PassiveGives your Frost damage spells a 20% chance to apply the Winter's Chill effect, which increases the chance your Ice Lance and Frostbolt spells will critically hit the target by 2% for 15 sec. Stacks up to 1 times.1/1Ice Barrier1/1 · ActiveInstantly shields you, absorbing 431 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, your spellcasts will not be interrupted or delayed from taking damage.Requires Cold Snap

Improved Frostbolt 5/5Elemental Precision 4/5Ice Shards 5/5Permafrost 3/3Frostbite 3/3Piercing Ice 3/3Ice Lance 1/1Ice Block 1/1Shatter 3/3Cold Snap 1/1Fingers of Frost 2/2Ice Barrier 1/1

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Build reference · Level-60 allocations are beta plans, not final launch performance rankings.

Important talent effects

Improved Frostbolt

Reduces the casting time of your Frostbolt spell by 0.1 sec.

5 ranks

Ice Shards

Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 20%.

5 ranks

Ice Lance

Deals 28 to 33 Frost damage to an enemy target. Deals 300% increased damage to Frozen targets.

1 rank

Shatter

Increases the critical strike chance of all your spells against Frozen targets by 17%.

3 ranks

Fingers of Frost

Gives your Chill effects a 15% chance to grant you the Fingers of Frost effect, which treats your next 1 spell cast as if the target were Frozen. Lasts 15 sec.

2 ranks · Requires Ice Lance

Ice Barrier

Instantly shields you, absorbing 431 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, your spellcasts will not be interrupted or delayed from taking damage.

1 rank · Requires Cold Snap

PvP talent choices and play

Frost Nova, Cold Snap and Ice Block support resets and creating distance. Use roots where your team can exploit them, then reposition rather than standing within melee reach of a rooted enemy.

Recommended gear & upgrades

Forever beta equipment options. Compare level requirements and sources; these are not final launch rankings.

Head

Source / location

Azure Silk Hoodcloth · Level 24

TailoringCrafted

Embalmed Shroudcloth · Level 30

Fallen ChampionScarlet Monastery

Enchanter's Cowlcloth · Level 28

TailoringCrafted

Filigreed Pristine Circletcloth · Level 25

TailoringCrafted

Filigreed Silky Circletcloth · Level 25

TailoringCrafted

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Chest

Source / location

Beguiler Robescloth · Level 29

Trash dropScarlet Monastery

Bristle Hills Mystic Robecloth

Ceremonial Gowncloth

Dro'zem's Tuniccloth · Level 20

Gnollblood Robecloth

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Main Hand

Source / location

Clever Expeditionary's Spellbladedagger · Level 28

Theramore Expeditionary Force - ReveredReputation

Darkspear Insurgent's Spellbladedagger · Level 28

Darkspear Raiders - ReveredReputation

Fallen Dragon's Scepterstaff

Stopping the CycleQuest (Alliance)

Glimmering Staffstaff · Level 25

EnchantingCrafted

Mindslicerdagger

Call to ArmsQuest (Horde)

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Off Hand

Source / location

A Lesson in Destruction

Alliance Outrunner Healing RodLevel 21

Hannah BladeleafRare Spawn (Horde)

Antipodean RodLevel 17

World drop

Insurgent's ManifestoLevel 28

Theramore Expeditionary Force - ReveredReputation

Omega Orb

Compendium of the FallenQuest (Horde)

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View equipment for every slot

Stats and equipment decisions

Enchanting equipment

For inexpensive leveling preparation, Enchant Bracer - Inferior Stamina and Enchant Chest - Inferior Stamina add survival to equipment you expect to keep. Prioritize an important weapon or role-specific item upgrade before spending heavily on temporary armor.

Consumables and preparation

Lesser Arcane Elixir

Use this sustained Spell Power buff for a dungeon run; short trash pulls rarely justify an expensive burst potion.

Lesser Spellblasting Potion

Save the temporary Spell Power increase for a boss damage window when you can stand still and cast.

Minor Wizard Oil

Apply the temporary weapon enhancement before the run. It supplies Spell Power without requiring a different weapon.

Healing Potion

Reserve for damage that would otherwise kill you. A dead caster loses every remaining cast in the fight.

Mana Agate

Conjure your Mana Gem before combat once the spell is trained; using preparation time for this avoids wasting a damage window.

Briny Seafood Stew

Eat before the pull for its Spell Power food buff, and keep conjured water ready for recovery between pulls.

Useful profession pairings

Engineering offers explosives for gathered enemies and target dummies for a dangerous solo pull. Budget materials and choose moments where an extra tool changes the outcome instead of using it without a plan.

Tailoring turns cloth into usable caster equipment, including the school-specific leveling pieces. Enchanting is an alternative when you want to improve equipment and use surplus drops as materials.

Alchemy with Herbalism provides your own elixirs and recovery consumables. Learn Cooking and First Aid independently for food buffs and recovery; primary profession choices do not prevent those secondary skills.

Tailoring · Enchanting · Herbalism · Alchemy · Recipe database · Camping buffs

Races and racial abilities

Gnome is a practical Alliance choice for a caster who values Escape Artist when rooted or slowed. That escape can preserve a cast window or prevent a melee opponent from reaching you.

Troll brings Berserking for a timed casting window, while Undead offers Will of the Forsaken against fear, charm and sleep. Choose between the active utility you will use rather than treating an unsupported beta damage ranking as settled.

Skyborne access and faction traditions are part of Forever. Choose the faction before comparing racial utility; do not apply a Human melee weapon racial to spell damage.

Leveling and solo play

1. Frost is a practical control-focused leveling choice. Pull with Frostbolt, retain distance, and use Frost Nova when a second enemy reaches you.
2. Take the displayed beta build as a complete allocation, then use the leveling allocation as the later-level destination. The visual tree preserves exact ranks and prerequisites.
3. Upgrade a weak wand early so a low-health enemy can be finished without another expensive spell. Drink before a difficult pull rather than after running out of Mana halfway through it.
4. For dungeon leveling, combine your damage with Polymorph and Counterspell. Tell the tank before rooting a loose melee target near the healer.

Leveling routes and preparation · Dungeon entrances and level ranges

Useful macros

#showtooltip Polymorph
/cast [@mouseover,harm,nodead][] Polymorph

#showtooltip Counterspell
/stopcasting
/cast Counterspell

Strengths and weaknesses

Common mistakes

• Wasting Fingers of Frost
• Rooting enemies away from the tank
• Channeling Blizzard while taking avoidable damage

Full Frost talent reference

Exact rank text and prerequisites from the calculator’s existing talent data. Use the interactive tooltip for additional ranks.

View every Frost talent

Frost Warding

Passive · Tier 1 · 2 ranks

Increases the Armor and resistance given by your Frost Armor and Ice Armor spells by 15%. In addition, gives your Frost Ward a 10% chance to reflect Frost spells and effects while active.

Improved Frostbolt

Passive · Tier 1 · 5 ranks

Reduces the casting time of your Frostbolt spell by 0.1 sec.

Elemental Precision

Passive · Tier 1 · 5 ranks

Increases your chance to hit with Frost and Fire spells by 1%.

Ice Shards

Passive · Tier 2 · 5 ranks

Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 20%.

Permafrost

Passive · Tier 2 · 3 ranks

Increases the duration of your Chill effects by 11% and reduces the target's speed by an additional 3%.

Improved Frost Nova

Passive · Tier 2 · 2 ranks

Reduces the cooldown of your Frost Nova spell by 2 sec.

Frostbite

Passive · Tier 2 · 3 ranks

Gives your Chill effects a 5% chance to freeze the target for 5 sec.

Piercing Ice

Passive · Tier 3 · 3 ranks

Increases the damage done by your Frost spells by 2%.

Frost Channeling

Passive · Tier 3 · 3 ranks

Reduces the mana cost of your Frost spells by 5% and reduces the threat caused by your Frost spells by 10%.

Ice Lance

Active · Tier 3 · 1 ranks

45 Mana | 30 yd range | Instant

Deals 28 to 33 Frost damage to an enemy target. Deals 300% increased damage to Frozen targets.

Improved Blizzard

Passive · Tier 3 · 3 ranks

Adds a Chill effect to your Blizzard spell. This effect lowers the target's movement speed by 15% for 1.5 sec.

Arctic Reach

Passive · Tier 4 · 2 ranks

Increases the range of your Frostbolt and Blizzard spells and the radius of your Frost Nova and Cone of Cold spells by 10%.

Ice Block

Active · Tier 4 · 1 ranks

15 Mana | Instant | 5 min cooldown

You become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells.

Shatter

Passive · Tier 4 · 3 ranks

Increases the critical strike chance of all your spells against Frozen targets by 17%.

Improved Cone of Cold

Passive · Tier 5 · 3 ranks

Increases the damage dealt by your Cone of Cold spell by 12%.

Cold Snap

Active · Tier 5 · 1 ranks

Instant | 10 min cooldown

Finishes the remaining cooldown on all your other Frost spells.

Fingers of Frost

Passive · Tier 5 · 2 ranks

Gives your Chill effects a 15% chance to grant you the Fingers of Frost effect, which treats your next 1 spell cast as if the target were Frozen. Lasts 15 sec.

Requires Ice Lance

Winter's Chill

Passive · Tier 6 · 5 ranks

Gives your Frost damage spells a 20% chance to apply the Winter's Chill effect, which increases the chance your Ice Lance and Frostbolt spells will critically hit the target by 2% for 15 sec. Stacks up to 1 times.

Ice Barrier

Active · Tier 7 · 1 ranks

305 Mana | Instant | 30 sec cooldown

Instantly shields you, absorbing 431 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, your spellcasts will not be interrupted or delayed from taking damage.

Requires Cold Snap

Changes from Classic