Frost Mage leveling guide
Frost is the most popular way to take a Mage from 60 to 70. Summon Water Elemental adds a second caster that can freeze enemies in place, Icy Veins speeds up your casts, and Ice Lance at level 66 hits frozen enemies for triple damage. Slows and roots keep almost every enemy in Outland from reaching you.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Frost Nova, the Water Elemental’s Freeze and slows keep enemies away.
- Ice Barrier and Ice Block make the spec forgiving.
- Blizzard with Improved Blizzard still clears groups of weaker enemies.
- Mana runs out quickly, so you drink after most fights.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Frost: Improved Frostbolt 5/5, Elemental Precision 3/3, Ice Shards 5/5, Permafrost 3/3, Improved Frost Nova 2/2, Piercing Ice 3/3, Icy Veins and Improved Blizzard 3/3.
- Frost Channeling 3/3, Shatter 5/5, Cold Snap, Ice Floes 2/2, Ice Barrier, Empowered Frostbolt 3/5 and Summon Water Elemental, for 41 points.
- In Arcane: Arcane Subtlety 2/2, Arcane Focus 3/5 and Arcane Concentration 5/5.
Level 61 to 70
- Magic Absorption 5/5 for more resistance and some mana back.
- Arcane Meditation 3/3 and Improved Mana Shield 2/2, for 20 points in Arcane.
Rotation
One enemy
- Summon Water Elemental for a tough enemy, then Frostbolt from maximum range.
- Frost Nova or the elemental’s Freeze when the enemy gets close, step back and use Frostbolt, or Ice Lance from level 66 while it is frozen.
- Fire Blast or Ice Lance while you move, and your wand to save mana.
Groups of enemies
- Pull a group of weaker enemies, Frost Nova, move away and cast Blizzard.
- Cone of Cold on enemies that get through, and Cold Snap to reset Frost Nova.
- Molten Armor from level 62 is best for one enemy; Ice Armor helps when many enemies hit you.
Staying alive
- Ice Barrier before a pull, Ice Block when it goes wrong, and Blink to get away.
- Polymorph an extra enemy that joins the fight.
- Evocation and a Mana Emerald from level 68 when your mana is empty.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 | Hellfire Peninsula (Honor Hold) | Hellfire Peninsula (Thrallmar) |
| 62-64 | Zangarmarsh (Telredor) | Zangarmarsh (Zabra’jin) |
| 64-65 | Terokkar Forest (Allerian Stronghold) | Terokkar Forest (Stonebreaker Hold) |
| 65-67 | Nagrand (Telaar) | Nagrand (Garadar) |
| 67-68 | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Sylvanaar) | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Thunderlord Stronghold) |
| 68-70 | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Wildhammer Stronghold) | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Shadowmoon Village) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Hellfire Ramparts and The Blood Furnace from level 60, The Slave Pens and The Underbog around 62, and Mana-Tombs and Auchenai Crypts from 64.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Damage first, then Intellect, Stamina and Hit. Frost Damage counts as well.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, with as much Spell Damage as possible.
- Enchants: Major Spellpower on the weapon and the gloves, and Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Tailoring for the Frozen Shadoweave set, with Enchanting to disenchant what you replace.