DPS Rotation & Cooldowns (5.3)
Maintaining a proper Rotation and using the right Cooldowns is essential to maximizing your Arcane Mage. Use this guide to optimize your single target and AoE rotations while learning how to get the most out of your cooldowns.
Single Target Rotation
Armor: Frost Armor
DPS Priority: Execute the following priority for optimal DPS.
- Nether Tempest maintain at all times.
- Arcane Missiles when you have 2 charges saved.
- Arcane Barrage with 4 Arcane Charge.
- Arcane Blast to build Arcane Charge.
The goal of the Arcane Mage DPS rotation is to stay above 80% Mana as much as possible for the damage buff from Mastery Mana Adept. To execute the Arcane DPS rotation, apply and maintain Nether Tempest on your target. After that, cast Arcane Missiles whenever you have a 2nd charge stored. Use Arcane Barrage when you have 4 Arcane Charge. Build Arcane Charge by casting Arcane Blast as a filler ability. In addition to executing the DPS priority, you should always remain within a Rune of Power to maximize your Mana regen and DPS.
Arcane Power: Use Arcane Power on cooldown and stack with as many trinkets and pots as possible. With Arcane Power active, spam Arcane Blast and Arcane Missiles while using your Mana Gem to keep Mana up. When Arcane Power ends, follow the normal priority. Every other Arcane Power should be used with Alter Time.
Alter Time: Try to use Alter Time when you have 2x Arcane Missiles, 4x Arcane Charge, and Arcane Power is up. When Alter Time is active, quickly use the Arcane Missiles procs and then spam Arcane Blast. Use Arcane Barrage just before Alter Time resets your buffs. At this point, continue with the normal rotation.
AoE Rotation
At <= 4 enemies, maintain the single target rotation, but apply Nether Tempest to all targets. With > 4 enemies, maintain Nether Tempest on multiple-targets and cast Flamestrike on cooldown. Use Arcane Explosion as a filler and to generate Arcane Charge. Cast Arcane Barrage when Arcane Charge stacks equal the number of enemies in the group.
Effective Cooldowns
These effective cooldowns are available if you chose them in your talent build.
- Nether Tempest Maintain at all times.
These are effective cooldowns to try and incorporate into most all encounters.
- Alter Time See the detailed description in the single target DPS section.
- Arcane Power Use as directed in the single target DPS section.
- Evocation Replaced by Rune of Power. Always stand on a Rune of Power.
- Mana Gem Stack with other cooldowns to slow Mana loss for more Mastery benefit.
- Mirror Image Use on cooldown for a moderate DPS boost.
- Time Warp Use as directed by your raid or party leader.