World of Warcraft Mage - Spec change after patch 2.3.2

World of Warcraft Mages who raid PVE have known for some time that THE spec with the best damage was 10/47/3 (with 1 point to spare). That spec standard will likely change with the upcoming 2.3.2 patch.


There are two factors that will likely make the shift from 10/47/3 (+1) to 2/48/11.

First, the Mana Emeralds are getting upgraded. Instead of restoring 1136-1364 mana, it will restore 2340-2460. That's a big increase. In addition, the Mana Emerald now gets 3 uses, not just one! So instead of using Mana Emerald, then the Ruby, then the Citrine, etc., we can now use the Emerald 3 times!

Second, there's a new ability called Icy Veins. It's going into the Cold Snap location in the frost tree (11 point spot). This ability decreases casting time of all spells by 20% and increases the chance your chilling effects will freeze the target by 10%. Lasts 20 sec. 3 min cooldown. Without any other Haste gear or Heroism, Bloodlust, etc., that's 2 extra Fireballs every 3 minutes.

Because of the buff to the mana gems, mages will probably feel less compelled to need Clearcasting. The gem buff actually surpasses the mana gained from having Clearcasting. And it's not very often that Blizzard adds a spell that actually increases damage. Specifically one that can be called upon for burst damage. (Can you imagine timing your Icy Veins with some of the other classes haste buffs?!)

As an aside...Ice Block will now be trainable to all mages over 30, so expect to see some Frost Mages that were relying on that to experiment with the ever-powerful Fire spec.

So, expect to see World of Warcraft raiding mages move their points out of Clearcasting and over to the Frost tree to pickup the new damage ability after patch 2.3.2.