Mage spec @ 60

[BradShields]

Hi

Getting back into the 60 bracket after playing 20-29 for so long. In the 20-29 bracket arcane reigns supreme, does this apply to 60 as well now or does it not really matter?

Cheers

 

[Lightfall]

Don't play any myself but from what I have heard/seen Arcane reigns supreme in 60s bracket also.

 

[Glorifyd]

Any spec in the 60 bracket can work. Nothing is at a serious disadvantage.

 

[Opek2]

PLay fire mage if you want to play something broken at 60

 

[101Warriors]

Hi

Getting back into the 60 bracket after playing 20-29 for so long. In the 20-29 bracket arcane reigns supreme, does this apply to 60 as well now or does it not really matter?

Cheers

Don't play any myself but from what I have heard/seen Arcane reigns supreme in 60s bracket also.

PLay fire mage if you want to play something broken at 60

As always, it depends on your play style and it generally looks like mage follows the same guideline in this bracket as higher up. Arcane is great when standing still against other casters, but when caught by melee they really cant do anything(yes, in bgs they do get caught by melee. Quicker than you would think as well.). Fire is a good overall spec being mobile against melee/doing damage and still pushing some burst against casters. Fire also has cauterize ice block combo to restore 50% health if timed right. Fire is a little reliant on chance but it's a bit better now than it was before. If you want melee to not even touch you then frost is the spec for you. Frost also has some decent burst against casters as well. All mages can use temporal shield to potentially fully restore your health as well. Most specs will do good even if you don't use them for their usually purpose.

 

[mfdoom]

Arcane is definitely better against melees than fire. 4 blinks and an instant slow > 2 blinks and dragons breath
imo

 

[Opek2]

I dont know what im talking about dont play fire. Lol

 

[Sadeian]

Short version:
All of them are viable, so play what you have fun with.

Long version:
Frost has the highest burst potential, as in you will remove half your enemies' health on a brain freeze proc (frostbolt+flurry proc+lance). This means that you will have to fish for the proc, which can be rather boring unless you spec into Ebonbolt. Spec into Deep Shatter for this.

Fire has the most predictable burst window thanks to Phoenix Flame, Fire Blast and Combustion. However, outside of that, it is extremely dull.

Arcane has currently the easiest to setup damage without relying too heavily on cooldowns, just do not make yourself look like a damn fool spamming missiles because some random twink told you its the bestest leet way of playing arcane, it is not.

 

[BradShields]

Thanks for all the responses! Seems like I'm pretty good to go for any spec.

Short version:
All of them are viable, so play what you have fun with.

Long version:
Frost has the highest burst potential, as in you will remove half your enemies' health on a brain freeze proc (frostbolt+flurry proc+lance). This means that you will have to fish for the proc, which can be rather boring unless you spec into Ebonbolt. Spec into Deep Shatter for this.

Fire has the most predictable burst window thanks to Phoenix Flame, Fire Blast and Combustion. However, outside of that, it is extremely dull.

Arcane has currently the easiest to setup damage without relying too heavily on cooldowns, just do not make yourself look like a damn fool spamming missiles because some random twink told you its the bestest leet way of playing arcane, it is not.

I've noticed a lot of mages just spamming missiles in most of the lower brackets, lol. How do you recommend using it? Arcane missiles with clearcasting and arcane blast/explosion otherwise?

 

[Sadeian]

The higher (bracket) you go, the less effective arcane missile spam becomes. Its use is highly situational, whenever you want to nuke someone AB is the spell to go. A rough guide would be something like this.

Use AM with Clearcasting proc when the enemy is not a priority target and you rather save some mana.
Use AM with or without CC proc when you know the enemy intends to break LoS or is trying to get away (the range will extend as long as you have already started the channeling).
Use AM with or without CC proc when you do not have 4 charges and need to kill something ASAP (as in the target is already in low health and building charges is unpractical at the moment) make sure you have enough mana. Haste buffs such as Time Warp make missile spam specially effective on this last scenario.

 

[Bestworld]

Hi

Getting back into the 60 bracket after playing 20-29 for so long. In the 20-29 bracket arcane reigns supreme, does this apply to 60 as well now or does it not really matter?

Cheers

All specs are viable. I personally like frost because of the control you have. What always intrigued me about mage since day 1, is that you are able pull out so much CC and kiting while still being fairly good at killing your opponents.