Cataclysm Classic Frost Mage Rotation and Cooldowns

Last updated on Sep 17, 2024 at 12:00 by Wrdlbrmpft

On this page, you will learn how to optimize the rotation of your Frost Mage in both single-target and multi-target PvE situations in Cataclysm Classic. We also have advanced sections about cooldowns, procs, etc. in order to minmax your DPS.

1.

Frost Mage Rotations

Before diving deeper into a rotation, make sure you always have Molten Armor Icon Molten Armor up. There are weakauras to help you remind you, if any of your self-buffs is missing. If you have mana issues, you need to use Mage Armor Icon Mage Armor instead.

1.1.

Single-Target Rotation

The Frost Mage Single Target rotation is more of a priority list:

  • Deep Freeze Icon Deep Freeze (Fingers of Frost Icon Fingers of Frost must be up).
  • Flame Orb Icon Flame Orb whenever it is off cooldown, it can proc Fingers of Frost Icon Fingers of Frost.
  • Freeze Icon Freeze (from the Water Elemental).
  • Frostfire Bolt Icon Frostfire Bolt when Brain Freeze Icon Brain Freeze and Fingers of Frost Icon Fingers of Frost are up.
  • Ice Lance Icon Ice Lance when you have 2 charges of Fingers of Frost Icon Fingers of Frost.
  • Frostfire Bolt Icon Frostfire Bolt when Brain Freeze Icon Brain Freeze is running out and Fingers of Frost Icon Fingers of Frost is not proccing.
  • Ice Lance Icon Ice Lance when you have 1 charge of Fingers of Frost Icon Fingers of Frost and it is running out.
  • Frostbolt Icon Frostbolt.
1.2.

AoE Rotation

If you need to move and your foes are close, cast Arcane Explosion Icon Arcane Explosion if they are spread around you, cast Cone of Cold Icon Cone of Cold if they are in front of you. On range, alternate between Blizzard Icon Blizzard and Flamestrike Icon Flamestrike.

2.

Cooldowns

Icy Veins Icon Icy Veins and Cold Snap Icon Cold Snap are your main DPS cooldowns for Frost. Mirror Image Icon Mirror Image gives you a small dps boost. Make sure the Mirror Images live through their entire duration, or it will not be worth using that global cooldown. Mirror Images can also be used to mask your threat, allowing you to continue pumping. But be careful to not overaggro, reset your threat with Invisibility Icon Invisibility, if you must. If you are low on mana, use Evocation Icon Evocation.