Mage changes in next patch
by John Himes 
Nov 21st 2007 at 4:30PM
A few weeks ago, Eliah reported that buffs to the Mage class were slated for an upcoming patch and more details were released today. A few hours ago, Eyonix posted a listing of the changes that will be included in the next patch, 2.3.2. It sounds like the frost tree will be getting some nice buffs, but magi of all types will have reason to rejoice. Read the entirety of his post below.Eyonix on Worldofwarcraft.com:
There are a few nice improvements we're making to the mage class in patch 2.3.2 (a small patch that will be on the public test realms soon) and we wanted to share them with you. First, we'll start out with two changes affecting all mages. Ice block will become a core ability, trainable by all mages at level 30. Additionally, conjure mana (rank 6) will restore 1800-3000 mana and will now have three charges, meaning you can use it three times before having to create a new one.
To be sure we're clear here, yes, the same cooldown will still apply between usages. :P
Cold snap will be moved to Ice block's position in the talent tree and its cooldown will be reduced. As a side note, it will no longer reset the cooldown on fire ward. Moving in to Cold snap's spot will be a brand new ability called Icy Veins. This new ability will decrease casting time for all spells by 20% and increases the chance that chilling effects freeze the target by 25%. It's an active ability, lasting 20 seconds and has a 3 minute cooldown.
Not playing a mage myself, it's hard to grasp the exact magnitude of these changes (although they sound pretty awesome from what I do know). What do you think about them?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Midknite Nov 21st 2007 4:36PM
I have a little 39 Frost mage, and these sound fantastic!
My only gripe with frost was the long cast times, I love the idea of a mini haste buff to pewpew frostbolts a tad faster!
Rizel Nov 21st 2007 4:36PM
-_- what about (Elemental)Shammies omg >_
lockness Nov 21st 2007 4:37PM
Holy Shh.....
Kel Dec 16th 2007 3:02PM
mmhhh ice block
Johan Nov 21st 2007 4:58PM
AWESOME. Trainable ice block... now every mage you see won't be an ice mage just to survive in arena... hurrah!
Lenny Nov 21st 2007 4:56PM
Yeah, sweet ice changes!
makabak Nov 21st 2007 5:01PM
"Additionally, conjure mana (rank 6) will restore 1800-3000 mana and will now have three charges, meaning you can use it three times before having to create a new one.
To be sure we're clear here, yes, the same cooldown will still apply between usages. :P "
What the hell is this, exactly? Is it sharing a CD with pots? Gems? Evoc?
Blake Nov 21st 2007 5:06PM
@6 - It replaces the current mana gems (or just buffs the Mana Emerald). They are on the same cool down as healthstones, etc.
Daimore Nov 21st 2007 5:12PM
20% less casting time for *all spells*? If this is really it, Blizz wants to see some elementals mages again as Scorch will be super fast.
Finally mages get some love
Matt Nov 21st 2007 5:15PM
im...so...excited...im pwning fire mages in my guild on the dps charts, icy veins is only gonna help me more!!!! muahahaha =P
Naix Nov 21st 2007 5:17PM
I see some OP here, but that cool. Mages need some love in the DPS field.
Phil Butcher Nov 21st 2007 5:26PM
This will be a decent boost in dps for the duration. It will take the 2.5s cast frostbolt down to 2s for a 20s duration. If you have NO latency problems, that is a theoretical 2 extra frostbolts cast in that time.
My question is whether this will stack with other spell haste effects. I have Quags eye which also gives (I believe) a 20% boost to casting speed. If the two were to stack, that would be awesome. Combine this with a trinket + spell damage, the Spellstrike proc, and Arcane Power and it is 20 seconds very well spent.
Most of this time will likely be spent dead though. Apparently mages are meant to spend their time on their backs.. ;)
FireStar Nov 21st 2007 5:25PM
Those are cooooool changes :p.
Markymark Nov 21st 2007 5:32PM
I might just roll me a frosty now.... :).
amasen Nov 21st 2007 6:19PM
These are fantastic changes.
As a troll mage, this will be huge for me. Pop icy veins, pop troll berserking (at full hp it's 10%, at reduced hp it's up to 30% casting speed increase)...
Top that with a 40% chance to freeze the target in place (assuming you have frostbite), and the fast cast, this will make the frost mage amazing for burst DPS in arena. This increase in casting time will help a lot also since frost mages have to way to prevent spell pushback other than ice barrier and mana sheild.
The mana gem is also sweet... joy
Zechleton Nov 21st 2007 6:22PM
How come mages whining gets results? This is going to be retarded and mages will destroy everyone in PvP now. It's like the dark mages-drominated days of pre-BC. I'm so glad i stopped having my warrior be my main.
TotalBiscuit Nov 21st 2007 7:06PM
@15 Ok, let's just ignore the fact that with the deathwish change any warrior worth their salt can kill a mage in a matter of seconds shall we? Oh yeah, it's more fun just to make stupid remarks.
Ambril Nov 21st 2007 9:56PM
"8. 20% less casting time for *all spells*? If this is really it, Blizz wants to see some elementals mages again as Scorch will be super fast."
Not likely. Scorch is inhibited by the global cooldown, meaning you can't really get it to cast any faster than its current 1.5 second speed. The spell finishes faster, sure, but you cannot begin casting another until the GCD is finished, so you don't really gain any dps.
It would certainly help out fireball, however.
Aigarius Nov 22nd 2007 12:06AM
Those are grat changes boosting the already nice dps of frost mages. Reduced cooldown on cold snap means that not only mages will be able to use an ice block twice per boss fight, but might even get it off 3-4 times (important for such fights as Moroes and Illhof). That also increases the dps of frost mages by increasing the time that our water elemental can be out.
We go a nice boost already in 2.3 as the damage bonus penalty was removed from improved frostbolt and improved fireball talents and now these buffs .. frost mages will top the damage meters once again!
Pratley Nov 22nd 2007 2:43AM
I'd rather see "always on" spell haste for frost spells, maybe 1/5/10% or something. Hell, even something to reduce the chance of spell pushback for frost spells. Fire gets it, it would just make sense here.