DPS Rotation & Cooldowns
This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Frost 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
Pre-cast Frostfire Bolt at 2 seconds on the countdown.
- To start cooldown and trigger Shatter.
- Should land as the encounter begins.
- Activate on pull.
- Consume first stack of Winters Chill.
- Use one of your two Fingers Of Frost.
- Or Ice Lance depending on proc luck.
- Use when cooldowns are available.
The core rotation involves casting Frostfire Bolt, followed by Flurry to trigger Shatter. Use Icy Veins on pull and follow up with Comet Storm and Ice Lance to maximize damage.
AoE
Start with Icy Veins to boost damage.
- Cast until you have 9 stacks of Deaths Chill.
- If targets can be frozen, otherwise cast Glacial Spike.
- If Fingers Of Frost is available or Winters Chill is on the target.
- If Winters Chill is not on the target.
For AoE, begin with Icy Veins and Frozen Orb, then follow with Blizzard and Frostbolt until you reach 9 stacks of Deaths Chill. Use Comet Storm and Ice Nova as needed.
Cooldowns
Use cooldowns strategically for maximum impact.
- Use to boost spell casting speed.
- Cast for AoE damage.
- Best used after Flurry for maximum effect.
- Use when Winters Chill is active.
- Cast into Winters Chill for increased damage.
- Use when other cooldowns are on cooldown.
Prioritize Icy Veins for speed, followed by Frozen Orb and Comet Storm for burst damage. Use Ray Of Frost and Glacial Spike strategically to maximize damage output.