Arcane Mage DPS Guide — Dragonflight 10.0.7
Welcome to our Arcane Mage guide for World of Warcraft — Dragonflight 10.0.7. Here, you will learn how to play as an Arcane Mage in both raids and Mythic+ dungeons: from the very beginning to maximizing your DPS.
If you were looking for WotLK Classic content, please refer to our WotLK Classic Arcane Mage guide.
Arcane Mage Overview
The Arcane specialization is very singular in the current state of World of
Warcraft. The core gameplay revolves around Mana expenditure, presenting the
player with two distinct "phases" of the rotation; "Burn" and "Conserve".
During the "Conserve" phase, the player aims to remain Mana neutral until
the Evocation cooldown is available. During the "Burn" phase, the
player expends all their available Mana while their cooldowns are active,
restoring their Mana to full with Evocation when they run dry and re-entering
the "Conserve" phase. This dichotomy offers the player a unique experience that
is both challenging and rewarding.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Very high burst damage.
Able to move around quickly.
Good at avoiding or reducing damage taken.
Gains bonus single target damage from additional targets (funnel)
Able to do a lot of its damage whle on the move
Reliant on cooldowns for single-target damage.
Best builds require good encounter knowledge to be able to be played well.
Patch 10.0.7. Changes for Arcane Mages
Arcane Mages have not received any changes in Patch 10.0.7. However, the new Primordial Gems system does impact Arcane Mages. See our Enchants and Gems page for more info on this.
Patch 10.0 Changes for Arcane Mages
Patch 10.0, also called the pre-patch for Dragonflight, contains a large number of changes for Arcane Mages. There is the new talent system, which comes with a lot of new spells and passives for Arcane Mages. Below we have listed some of the most important changes:
Arcane Surge is a new spell replacing
Arcane Power that will expend all your Mana to do a significant amount of damage, after which it will increase your damage and Mana Regen.
- Arcane Mages can pick up a lot of spells that let you cast while
moving at the same time, making the spec have very little downtime from movement
compared to previously, due to being able to combine talents like
Shimmer,
Foresight and
Slipstream.
- A lot of previous borrowed power effects are coming back as talents, combining the playstyles of multiple previous expansions into one.
Leveling an Arcane Mage
If you want to play an Arcane Mage, but currently do not have one at max level, you can check out our leveling guide for tips on your journey.
Once you reach the max level, it can be somewhat overwhelming to completely change the way you play by suddenly implementing a large number of addons in a short space of time, especially if they have a heavy visual impact on your UI. We recommend using some of the more basic addons recommended on our Addons page below while leveling so that you have more time to get used to them during the easier phases of playing your class.
Basics of Arcane Mage Gameplay
Arcane Mage is all about maximizing the damage you can do per point of Mana. Most of your damage will be done in a phase we will refer to as the "Burn" phase, during which you will quickly burn through all your Mana doing very high damage. Outside of this burn phase, you will be in your "Conserve" phase during which you are doing a bit lower damage waiting for your cooldowns to become available again.
Most of your time will be spent casting Arcane Blast as this is your
main Mana expenditure spell. Additionally, Arcane uses various cooldowns, like
Arcane Surge to boost the damage you do while burning through your Mana.
The main way for Arcane to regenerate Mana will be via
Evocation.
Conserve phases are made possible via
Arcane Barrage as this allows you
to drop your Arcane Charges to reduce the Mana cost of your spells.
If you are a beginner to the spec and would like to learn the basic fundamentals of the class, or would like to learn some of the oddities of some of the Arcane spells, we recommend looking through the Spell Summary first, as well as the Easy Mode page linked below.
If you are already somewhat familiar with Arcane Mages, you can head straight to the Talents and Rotation pages to jump right into the more complex, detailed information.
How to Gear Up as an Arcane Mage
We have a dedicated page that goes over all the intricacies of gearing an Arcane Mage in the current patch, including the Best in Slot gear from the current tier.
After you have obtained some gear via the gearing guide above, you will want to make sure you are using the correct consumables, gems, enchants, and more. To help you with this process, we have a page on exactly this. Additionally, we have a stats page that goes over the stat priority and necessary changes that might occur from changing stat priorities.
Arcane Mage in Dragonflight
Since the launch of the Dragonflight pre-patch (10.0), all classes have access to the newly revamped Talent system. For the most common and strongest builds, we strongly suggest checking out the talent page.
End-Game as an Arcane Mage
Starting as an Arcane Mage is very different from end-game progression content. Because of this, we have dedicated pages that guide you on how to play optimally in Mythic+ and PvP. We will also give raiding tips closer to the release of the first raid.
Improving as an Arcane Mage
If you feel like you are making mistakes, or are not sure what to improve on, you can check out the pages below for tips and answers to questions you might have.
Arcane Mage Viability in the Current Patch
Arcane is currently looking to be the best raiding and Mythic+ spec out of the Mage specs. It has very strong AoE and single target, while having all of the utility of the other specs as well. Addiitonally, it has very strong burst and can do good cleave damage while focusing on single target damage, compared to the other Mage specs. The only downside is that Arcane is often considered a bit harder to play than the other Mage specs, making it more difficult to reach this advantage over the other specs if you are not comfortable with the spec.
Changelog
- 20 Mar. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7 and provided some small phrasing tweaks.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (Legendaries): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Added Onyx Annulet information and reviewed for patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Added Primordial Stone gem suggestions and reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (this page): Added link to enchants and gems page for primordial gems.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (talents page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (this page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 10 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated the burn phase conditions to account for Siphon storm talents.
- 26 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Removed disclaimer about tips as tips remained relevant on live servers.
- 17 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated crafted gear due to bronzed grip changes.
- 17 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Updated bosses with more tips due to changes from beta to live.
- 14 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Added weapon imbuement advice.
- 13 Dec. 2022 (rotation page): Improve burn rotation slightly and add more clarity to end of the burn phase.
- 13 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Updated phial advice.
- 13 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Further updated crafted gear info with latest theorycrafting knowledge.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Page added.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated gear advice based on season 1 available gear and crafted gear.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Added more info for crafted gear.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Updated phial advice.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Updated gems advice based on better simulations.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (stats page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (spells page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (rotation page): Added section explaining rotational changes due to the tier set.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (talents page): Minor change to the suggested talent trees to split them more into raiding vs dungeons instead of single target vs aoe.
- 30 Nov. 2022 (rotation page): Updated burst rotation slightly based on new theorycrafting.
- 30 Nov. 2022 (spells page): Updated Temporal Warp description for changed time warp functionality.
- 30 Nov. 2022 (talents page): Updated Temporal Warp vs Time Anomaly description to be more informative.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Legendaries): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Torghast): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Castle Nathria page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Sanctum of Domination page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Oct. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 24 Jan. 2022 (gear page): Added Voidmenders Shadowgem to list of trinkets.
- 22 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated for Patch 9.2.
- 20 Jan. 2022 (gear page): Fixed typo.
- 18 Jan. 2022 (rotation page): Updated burst rotation based on latest theorycrafting and expanded on the AoE rotation.
- 16 Jan. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated suggested talents to Mana Gem build and some minor tip changes.
- 16 Jan. 2022 (talents page): Added information about the mana gem build and when to pick Harmony or Mana gem builds.
- 15 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Page added with initial thoughts and information.
- 13 Jan. 2022 (rotation page): Improve mana gem rotation and added talon usage.
- 12 Jan. 2022 (enchants page): Added spellthreads advice.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Reviewed and approved for Patch 9.1.5.
- 13 Jul. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated for Patch 9.1 raid release.
- 25 Apr. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Page Created.
- 12 Oct. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 13 Jan. 2020 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
- 13 Jan. 2020 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
- 13 Jan. 2020 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
- 13 Jan. 2020 (The Eternal Palace page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
- 20 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Added Azshara tips.
- 16 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Removed disclaimer.
- 14 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Added boss tips.
- 10 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Added initial talent suggestions.
- 07 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Page added.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 12 May 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Added more tips.
- 15 Apr. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed and no changes are necessary for the release of the Crucible of Storms raid.
- 15 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
- 15 Apr. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed and no changes are necessary for the release of the Crucible of Storms raid.
- 03 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Added tips for Opulence.
- 30 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Updated for Jaina stun hotfixes.
- 28 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Added more Jaina info and suggestions.
- 21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Added Battle of Dazar'alor guide for Arcane Mages.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
- 30 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Added guides and talent recommedations for Heroic and Normal modes.
- 10 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Added Arcane Mage Boss by Boss page (empty for now).
More Mage Guides
Guides from Other Classes
This guide has been written by Dutchmagoz. Dutchmagoz is a Mythic raider in one of the top raiding guilds, Turtles and the owner of the Mage Discord server, Altered Time, where he is involved in all things Mage, and you can reach out to him directly for feedback or questions about the guide.
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