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In-depth Discussion about Mage Specs
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Post by
Darkwraith01
Hey everyone!
I'm creating this thread so we can have some in-depth discussion about mage specs. I've read a lot of things on the internet, read a lot of threads here at Wowhead and Elitistsjerks, but I have never found one solid discussion about mage specs
post patch 3.1.
I am currently using a slightly modified version of the 57/3/11 Arcane spec. Check my character here:
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Frostwolf&n=Arcanesoul
Basically I took some points from Arcane Concentration and put into Magic Absorption. The reason for that is simple: Ulduar. Frost and Fire resistances have really made a difference in the Thorim and Ignis fights. And that is just an example.
About the specs: I used a frost-fire (deep frost) spec when I was leveling up, pretty much like everyone else. When I hit level 80, about 5 months ago, I switched to frost-fire deep fire. I was pretty happy with that spec. Then, following suggestions I had seen on blogs, I changed to 57/3/11 deep Arcane spec about 2 months ago.
The DPS was awsome, so I was happy. However, months have passed and I have noticed something that is really bothering me: my DPS is always top notch, but my damage isn't. I started to read some forums and got some possible theories (like arcane has no DoTs, so if you are constantly moving and casting, your overall damage will be lower), but I really would like some help to find a trully awsome spec for raids (for that I mean Ulduar 25). A spec that gives good DPS and Damage, without the need to have 445 Hit (like the Arcane/Fire spec).
Any help?
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150866
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Post by
Achloryn
Don't we already have a stickied thread like this?
Post by
Darkwraith01
About my specs: First spec is for PvE, second for PvP.
Post by
Darkwraith01
But in all seriousness - why not try FFB?
Well YJMark, I used to raid as FFB. Actually, I like playing with that spec more the the one I use now. But my dps and damage as FFB was considerable lower than with my current spec.
Maybe Blizzard needs to take another look at the mage class. The past patches haven't really changed the mage talents significantly (as opposed to Shaman, DK or even Rogue). I suppose they believe the mage class is well balanced (and maybe it is), but I haven't been able to keep up in the damage meters with DKs, Shadow Priests and Rogues, even when their gear wasn't all top notch Epics.
Post by
220531
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Post by
Darkwraith01
I went back to FFB spec and tested it for about a week. I got some Hit gear back on, enough to get hit capped (as everyone knows, arcane spec requires less hit bonus from gear), glyphs, and took it for a spin.
I got the glyphs: Molten Armor, Improved Scorch and Living Bomb.
I ran about 4 heroics (AN, Nexus, UP and UK), and 10 man VoA. I also ran 2 bosses in Ulduar: Yogg-Saron (10 man) and Freya (25 man) and what I have found out is that even though on Heroics FFB spec was pretty close, even above on dps and damage then arcane spec, for raids the FFB was not even close. The difference in dps for Yogg-Saron, for example, was about 1000 dps.
I have yet to try the "Torment Spec", (arcane/fire - deep fire), but I still don't have 440 hit without losing a lot of spellpower, crit and haste..
The class leader from my guild is doing some more extensive testing with the Torment Spec. I'll post the results here.
Post by
Achloryn
mytba, if you guys are raiding with a boomkin or shadow priest then you don't need the full 440 hit because of
improved faerie fire
or
misery
. they don't stack unfortunatly.
Anyways, as i said before:
There's already a thread for this
and any posts should be directed there.. Also.. As mathron said, FFB seems to be outdoing the other specs in ulduar gear as there's much more crit involved in them than there is in the t7/7.5 raids. ulduar fights are long, and even fire has mana issues in comparison to FFB on terribly long fights like those are.
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243348
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220531
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Post by
Darkwraith01
Having scorch glyph is not that important to me, since all Ulduar 25s my guild runs are 100%-guaranteed to have a Warlock with Improved Shadow Bolt.
I've been playing around for many hours with RAWR, trying to see what gear goes better with what spec (Torment or Arcane). Can anyone help me out with the Scailing charts? I don't think I quite understand them very well (what is the point where crit becomes more important than haste for Arcane spec, for example...).
I also gave some thought about the casting process as well.. I believe this is a topic heavily overlooked by most mages. So, for that reason, I decided to keep playing with the rotations RAWR suggested, and installed DrDamage and Quartz add-ons (Quartz is VERY nice by the way). I had no idea the effect of latency on my casting was
so huge
. I belive that, with a little improvement on my movements around the fight, and the use of Quartz, I can increase my DPS about 10%, just with that.
Anyone has good suggestions regarding Arcane x Torment x FFB specs for each boss encounter of Ulduar?
Post by
220531
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Post by
Darkwraith01
Something I found to spice-up our discussions:
Top class for each Ulduar encounter:
http://www.wowmeteronline.com/rank/classrank/7
Top players (worldwide) for each Ulduar encounter:
http://www.wowmeteronline.com/rank/clazz/dps/all/7/0/3
Post by
382918
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Post by
Darkwraith01
Stop looking at JUST DPS. Look at damage done.
We are not considering just DPS. When I opened this thread, the idea was to discuss Mage Specs from dps, damage, survivability (PvE - solo, PvP) and raid support.
One reason Arcane can put out more DPS is the way Recount considers DPS. Arcane has no DoTs. If you stop casting for 2 seconds (running) your DPS stops counting. As FFB you almost always have dots up on the mob (Living Bomb, Ignite, FFB ticks) and it is always counting toward your DPS. Your DPS is obviously LOW during those movement phases but still higher damage done than an Arcane mage who quits casting.
And yes, you are correct about this affirmation. You can see this very clearly in shorter fights with the Arcane Spec when you burn all your cooldowns.
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382918
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