Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Guide

This page contains all relevant information needed for Arcane Mages for the release of Cataclysm Classic. Be sure to check back as we get closer to the release date, as this page will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available. This guide will be updated, if new theorycrafting findings require it.

Arcane Mage can make sense in some situations where burst is needed. Apart from that, Fire simply is the better spec for PVE content.

Strengths

• Best and most controllable burst damage of all Mage specs.
• Fun to play.
• Mana management is part of your rotation.

Weaknesses

• High damage output only when stationary.
• Worst AoE damage of all Mage Specs.
• Mana management needs to be timed with boss phases, in order to be at full mana when nuking is needed.

Alliance: Worgen. Viciousness gives 1% Critical Strike Chance. While Heroic Presence from Draenei can be better for Arcane, the Darkflight ability is what makes Worgens the best overall Alliance race.

Horde: Troll. Berserking gives 20% Haste for 10 seconds. Over it's 3 minute-cooldown, it is roughly the same average haste as Time is Money from Goblins. However, if Berserking is used correctly, in the Fire Meta spec, it boosts the damage of Combustion a lot. Therefore, Troll is considered to be the best choice, with Goblin being close. For Arcane it does not matter all too much if you are Goblin or Troll, but Troll is BiS overall.

Cataclysm aims to balance most professions to provide a roughly equal increase in bonus stats, with the average being around 80 stat points. However, each profession has its unique advantages and disadvantages, which can make some slightly stronger than others. However, two professions stand out:

1. Tailoring — provides the Lightweave Embroidery unique cloak enchant, which is an important proc, because it helps you maximize your damage during Arcane Power when all your damage procs are up during Time Warp.
2. Engineering — is very solid with Synapse Springs and can be used together with a regular enchant. Further, this enchant can be utilized to further amplify your damage during Arcane Power, because you can time it. Nitro Boosts and Grounded Plasma Shield, can both be very useful and Engineering allows you the continued use of of explosives, such as Saronite Bombs.

Addons and macros are beneficial to Mages in Cataclysm because they enhance gameplay efficiency by automating complex sequences of actions and providing crucial real-time information, such as cooldown timers and enemy debuffs. This allows Mages to maximize their damage output and responsiveness in both PvE and PvP scenarios.