DPS Rotation & Cooldowns
This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Arcane Mage, along with additional details on important cooldowns at the bottom. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.0.5).
Single Target
Start with Evocation to gain Clearcasting and Intellect buff.
- Gain Clearcasting and Intellect buff.
- Consume Clearcasting from Evocation, gain Nether Precision.
- Use if less than 2 Arcane Charges.
- Activate for burst damage.
- Use when at 4 Arcane Charges.
- Cast while Arcane Barrage is traveling.
- Use when cooldowns are inactive.
- Use as filler to generate Arcane Charges.
Begin with Evocation for buffs, then follow with Arcane Missiles and Arcane Surge. Use Arcane Barrage at 4 charges and Touch Of The Magi while Barrage travels.
AoE
Use AoE rotation on 3+ targets, or 5+ if all are below 35% health.
- Gain Clearcasting and Intellect buff.
- Use when available and you have 0 or 1 Arcane Charge.
- Consume Clearcasting from Evocation, gain Nether Precision.
- Use when at 4 Arcane Charges and conditions are met.
- Cast while Arcane Barrage is traveling.
- Use when cooldowns are inactive.
- Use as filler to generate Arcane Charges.
Start with Evocation for buffs, then use Arcane Orb and Arcane Missiles. Follow with Arcane Barrage at 4 charges and Touch Of The Magi while Barrage travels.
Cooldowns
Activate cooldowns during burst phases.
- Fully regenerates Mana.
- Grants high mana regen after draining.
- Increases damage on the target.
- Drops Arcane Charges to zero.
Use Evocation for mana, Arcane Surge for regen, and Touch Of The Magi to boost damage. Arcane Barrage resets charges.