Mage spec guide

Frost Mage

Everything for Frost Mage on one page: role, talent order by level, Frost abilities and recommended gear for each level range. Talent and gear picks are calculated from the tooltip values in official game data plus the assumptions Forever Tool states below.

All Mage abilities Open the level 60 build in the calculator

Gear focus: Spell DPS
Talent calculation: Frost
Level 60 build: 12/5/34
Estimated DPS: +89.1%

Frost Mage at a glance

Summarized from Blizzard's class deep-dive articles. They were published during the beta, so live numbers and talents may differ.

Mage as the developers describe it

Mages are about choosing the right spell for the moment. Arcane empowers follow-up casts, Fire rewards critical strikes and timing, and Frost keeps its control strengths while gaining links to the other schools.[1]

Mages are among the most powerful and resourceful damage dealers, with the strongest and most varied ranged area damage of any class. But they're extremely fragile and die easily if caught in melee.

Frost talents in Forever

Ice Lance (11-point gold medal): an instant spell whose damage is increased by 300% against Frozen targets.
Ice Block is now the 16-point gold medal and Cold Snap the 21-point one. Cold Snap's cooldown is increased to 10 minutes.
Fingers of Frost (new row 5 talent): Chill effects can grant charges that make your spells treat the target as if it were Frozen.
Improved Blizzard now slows by at most 40% instead of 65%, to cut down on AoE farming.

Frost talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Frost tree is filled to 31 points first, and the remaining points go where they raise estimated DPS the most in the other trees.

The level 60 build uses the same method as the calculator's "Recommended build" (estimated DPS from tooltip values + judgment weights for talents the math can't capture, such as rage, energy and mana talents), with the extra rule "Frost tree to 31 points first". The order picks, one point at a time, the talent that raises the score the most on the way to that build. Estimated DPS is a rough "compared with no talents" figure and leaves out the damage of newly learned abilities. Talent point rules (starting at level 10) follow classic, since nothing has been announced officially.

Builds by level

Level	Points	Tree split	Est. DPS	Calculator
Level 20	11 points	0/0/11	+26.8%	Open
Level 30	21 points	0/0/21	+42.2%	Open
Level 40	31 points	0/0/31	+87.9%	Open
Level 50	41 points	2/5/34	+89.1%	Open
Level 60	51 points	12/5/34	+89.1%	Open

Talent order by level

Consecutive levels spent on the same talent are grouped on one line.

Levels 10–14Improved Frostbolt1→5/5
Levels 15–17Precision1→3/3
Levels 18–19Ice Shards1→2/5
Level 20Ice Lance1/1
Levels 21–23Frost Channeling1→3/3
Level 24Ice Shards3/5
Levels 25–27Shatter1→3/3
Levels 28–29Ice Shards4→5/5
Level 30Ice Block1/1
Level 31Cold Snap1/1
Levels 32–34Improved Cone of Cold1→3/3
Level 35Winter's Chill1/5
Levels 36–37Fingers of Frost1→2/2
Levels 38–39Permafrost1→2/3
Level 40Ice Barrier1/1
Level 41Permafrost3/3
Levels 42–46IncinerationFire1→5/5
Level 47Improved Frost Nova1/2
Level 48Winter's Chill2/5
Levels 49–50Improved ChannelingArcane1→2/5
Levels 51–53Arcane ResilienceArcane1→3/3
Levels 54–55Arcane SubtletyArcane1→2/2
Levels 56–60Arcane ConcentrationArcane1→5/5

Key talents of the level 60 build

Talents with a large share of estimated DPS, plus talents that grant abilities or handle resources. Descriptions are the tooltip at the rank taken.

Arcane Concentration5/5 · Arcane
Resource / utility
Gives you a 10% chance of entering a Clearcasting state after any damage spell hits a target. The Clearcasting state reduces the mana cost of your next damage spell by 100%.
Incineration5/5 · Fire
Est. DPS +0.6%
Increases the critical strike chance of your Fire Blast, Ice Lance, Arcane Blast, and Scorch spells by 10%.
Improved Frostbolt5/5 · Frost
Est. DPS +13.9%
Reduces the casting time of your Frostbolt and Frost Blast spells by 0.5 sec.
Precision3/3 · Frost
Est. DPS +7.2%
Improves your chance to hit with all spells by 6%.
Ice Shards5/5 · Frost
Est. DPS +9.4%
Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 100%.
Frost Channeling3/3 · Frost
Resource / utility
Reduces the mana cost of your Frost spells by 15% and reduces the threat caused by your Frost spells by 30%.
Ice Lance1/1 · Frost
Ability
Deals 28 to 33 Frost damage to an enemy target. Deals 300% increased damage to Frozen targets.
Ice Block1/1 · Frost
Ability
You become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move, or cast spells.
Shatter3/3 · Frost
Est. DPS +9.0%
Increases the critical strike chance of all your spells against Frozen targets by 50%.
Improved Cone of Cold3/3 · Frost
Est. DPS +5.0%
Increases the damage dealt by your Cone of Cold spell by 35%.
Cold Snap1/1 · Frost
Ability
Finishes the remaining cooldown on all your other Frost spells.
Winter's Chill2/5 · Frost
Est. DPS +9.0%
Gives your Frostbolt, Frost Blast, and Fingers of Frost empowered Ice Lance spells a 40% chance to apply Winter's Chill, increasing the target's damage taken from your next Cone of Cold by 20% and it gains an additional 7% of your spell damage, stacking up to 5 times.
Ice Barrier1/1 · Frost
Est. DPS +17.7%Ability
Shield yourself, absorbing 480 damage and increasing your Frost damage by 15% for 1 min. While shielded, your Frost damage is increased by an additional 5% and you do not lose casting time when you take damage.

Frost abilities

Frost abilities in the order you first learn them. The numbers are the levels at which each rank is learned; the description is rank 1 without gear or stats.

Frost Mage gear by level

The 3 highest-scoring items for each slot in every level range. Only items whose required level falls inside the range are compared.

How were these picked?

The score is the sum of the item's tooltip lines from official game data (Strength, Stamina, Spell Power, damage per second and so on) multiplied by the weights below. There is no official formula, so the weights are Forever Tool's rough estimates (assumptions). Compare scores only within the same slot.
Equip, use and chance-on-hit effects, set bonuses and resistances are not scored. Items without fixed stats (only armor in the tooltip) are left out.
Only Uncommon and Rare items, plus craftable Epic items, of item level 65 or lower are included (no raid loot). Items that require a profession to use and crafts that need raid materials are left out.
Items without a required level count as item level minus 5. Only armor types a Mage wears are included, with mail and plate counted from level 40 (classic rules, since nothing has been announced).
Sources list only crafting (professions) and quest rewards. Dungeon drops are being collected from player reports; check the item page.

Frost weights (assumed)

Stat	Score per point
Wand damage per second	2
Spell Power	1
Spell Damage	1
Frost Damage	0.9
Hit	0.8
Critical Strike	0.6
Haste	0.5
Mana Regeneration per 5 sec	0.5
Intellect	0.4
Stamina	0.2
Spell Piercing	0.2
Spirit	0.1

Levels 1–20

Hall of Thanes 13–18 Ruins of Lordaeron 15–20 Level 1–10 quest zones Level 11–20 quest zones

Head

Silky CircletScore 11.9
Req. 20 · Frost Damage +11 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine CircletScore 8.0
Req. 20 · Spell Damage +6 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Tailoring
Flame CircletScore 2.0
Req. 20 · Stamina +10
Crafted: Tailoring

Neck

Scholarly PendantScore 0.8
Item level 23 · Stamina +3 · Spirit +2
Erudite's AmuletScore 0.6
Item level 23 · Stamina +3
Scout's MedallionScore 0.4
Req. 18 · Stamina +2
Same stats: Sentinel's Medallion

Shoulder

Reinforced Woolen ShouldersScore 6.6
Req. 19 · Spell Power +5 · Intellect +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Double-Stitched Woolen ShouldersScore 4.8
Req. 17 · Spell Power +4 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring

Back

Heavy Woolen CloakScore 4.4
Req. 16 · Spell Power +4 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Battle Healer's CloakScore 4.0
Req. 18 · Spell Damage +3 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +2
Same stats: Caretaker's Cape
Pearl-clasped CloakScore 3.2
Req. 14 · Spell Power +2 · Intellect +3
Crafted: Tailoring

Chest

Filigreed Silky GownScore 11.2
Req. 15 · Frost Damage +9 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +3
Crafted: Tailoring
High Robe of the AdjudicatorScore 8.8
Item level 24 · Spell Power +8 · Intellect +2
Quest: Assault on Fenris Isle (Silverpine Forest)
Filigreed Pristine GownScore 8.1
Req. 15 · Spell Damage +5 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +4 · Spirit +3
Crafted: Tailoring

Wrist

Tabitha's CuffsScore 3.8
Item level 24 · Spell Power +3 · Stamina +4
Quest: A Frightened Request (Ruins of Lordaeron)
Owlbeard BracersScore 2.0
Item level 20 · Spell Power +1 · Intellect +2 · Stamina +1
Quest: Earthen Arise (Stonetalon Mountains)
Windsong BanglesScore 1.0
Item level 13 · Spell Power +1
Quest: Breaking the Breaker (Zephras Isle)

Hands

Silky GlovesScore 8.3
Req. 15 · Frost Damage +7 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine GlovesScore 6.0
Req. 15 · Spell Damage +4 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Heavy Woolen GlovesScore 2.8
Req. 12 · Spell Power +2 · Intellect +2
Crafted: Tailoring

Waist

Silky SashScore 8.9
Req. 17 · Frost Damage +7 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine SashScore 6.6
Req. 17 · Spell Damage +4 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +5
Crafted: Tailoring
Novice Arcanist's SashScore 5.8
Req. 10 · Spell Power +4 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +3
Crafted: Tailoring

Legs

Filigreed Silky LeggingsScore 13.7
Req. 20 · Frost Damage +11 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Filigreed Pristine LeggingsScore 9.8
Req. 20 · Spell Damage +6 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5 · Spirit +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Rumpled KiltScore 6.4
Req. 20 · Spell Power +5 · Stamina +7
Reputation required

Feet

Spidersilk BootsScore 9.4
Req. 20 · Spell Power +7 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Silky BootsScore 7.4
Req. 12 · Frost Damage +6 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring
Pristine BootsScore 5.0
Req. 12 · Spell Damage +3 · Intellect +3 · Stamina +4
Crafted: Tailoring

Finger

Advisor's RingScore 6.4
Req. 18 · Spell Power +5 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +2 · Stamina +2
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Ring
Minor Channeling RingScore 5.8
Item level 24 · Spell Power +5 · Intellect +2
Quest: WANTED: Chok'sul (Loch Modan)
Sacred BandScore 2.4
Item level 25 · Spell Power +2 · Spirit +4
Quest: The Den (Stonetalon Mountains)

Trinket

Rune of PerfectionScore 0.8
Req. 20 · Stamina +4
Same stats: Rune of Duty

Two-hand

Icicle RodScore 10.6
Item level 25 · Damage per second 12.5 · Frost Damage +10 · Intellect +4
Quest: Return the Statuette (Wetlands)
Advisor's Gnarled StaffScore 4.7
Req. 18 · Damage per second 19.7 · Intellect +4 · Stamina +8 · Mana Regeneration per 5 sec +3
Same stats: Lorekeeper's Staff
Polished Walking StaffScore 3.4
Item level 24 · Damage per second 11.7 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +3
Quest: Torek's Assault (Ashenvale)

Main hand

Royal DaggerScore 1.6
Item level 25 · Damage per second 8.5 · Intellect +4
Quest: A Friend of the Family (Stormwind City)
Quilboar ToothpickScore 1.0
Item level 24 · Damage per second 8.1 · Intellect +2 · Spirit +2
Quest: Chol'aruk the Ravener (The Barrens), Quest: Chol'aruk the Ravener (The Barrens)
Night Watch ShortswordScore 0.8
Req. 15 · Damage per second 13.5 · Stamina +4

Held in off-hand

Mathystra Channeling OrbScore 2.6
Item level 21 · Intellect +5 · Stamina +3
Quest: Baron Marinous (Darkshore)
Defective SamophlangeScore 2.5
Req. 20 · Intellect +5 · Spirit +5
Reputation required
Tear of GriefScore 1.7
Item level 16 · Intellect +5 · Spirit +-3
Quest: For Love Eternal (Darkshore)

Wand

Restored WandScore 89.4
Item level 1 · Damage per second 44.7
Greater Magic WandScore 37.0
Req. 13 · Damage per second 17.5 · Spell Power +2
Crafted: Enchanting
Torchlight WandScore 33.6
Item level 21 · Damage per second 15.8 · Spell Power +2
Quest: The Coastal Menace (Westfall)

Levels 21–40

Excavation Site 24–29 City of Dalaran 28–33 The Drowned City 35–40 Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45 Level 21–30 quest zones Level 31–40 quest zones

Head

Twilight Mine LightScore 15.4
Item level 45 · Spell Power +13 · Stamina +12
Quest: A Miner Problem (Riverglades)
Filigreed Silky CircletScore 15.0
Req. 25 · Frost Damage +14 · Stamina +12
Crafted: Tailoring
Blackwater CapScore 12.8
Item level 45 · Intellect +17 · Spell Power +6
Quest: The Bloodsail Buccaneers (Stranglethorn Vale)

Neck

Scorn's Icy ChokerScore 10.4
Req. 30 · Spell Power +7 · Intellect +6 · Stamina +5
Seal of the ExpeditionScore 5.0
Req. 38 · Intellect +7 · Stamina +11
Reputation required
Same stats: Darkspear Warding Pendant
Amulet of ForgivenessScore 4.7
Item level 43 · Spell Damage +4 · Spirit +7
Quest: Forlorn Necklace (Shen'dralas)