Arcane AOE?

Post by phatlewtz

When CC isn't an issue and AOE is required, what should an arcane mage do? Run to melee range (eek!) and spam Arcane Explosion? Cast Blizzard and Flamestrike from long range like we did last expansion? Or just stick to single target burn and let someone else do AOE?

I suppose the better answer is to spec as a fire mage for such fights! But I'm assuming I'm in my Arcane spec for CC and counterspell/silence utility.

Post by 555017

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Post by phatlewtz

If Arcane Explosion does get buffed, does that mean we should risk running to melee range at times? Or are we still better off standing back and using something like Blizzard (which is getting buffed too)? As Arcane, I'm sure AE will do more damage for my spec. I just wasn't sure if it was worth risking death and having 0 DPS! Knowing the specific fight will help make the decision I'm sure.

Maybe I'm just a bit paranoid... in Wrath, mages had low HP and could die quite quickly. Maybe we have more HP now in Cata, here it's worth the risk on AOE fights.

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Post by Pens1566

I think we'll have to see some numbers first. I really should copy my mage over to the PTR and see what kind of data i can pull with an Arcane Spec.

And as for being in Melee range or not, i doubt it will matter, and is situational. You aren't going to pull threat unless your tank is bad or dies. Not to mention the distance you are from mobs has no effect on the aggro you generate, but i see where you are coming from. Being closer in the event of a mishap leaves you with less of a chance to escape, but a Quick Iceblock will always save you.

AoE has changed a lot for us in terms of best spec/spell.
In wrath i would do the old 2 ranks of Flamestrike followed by a Blizzard, as an Arcane mage.

But i'm thinking Blizzard will give some good numbers, and Arcane explosion will be an interesting twist into Arcane specs... seeing as how it's modified by AB stacks, which don't stay up forever. So Who knows?

Care to rephrase?

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Post by Phaleux

All DPS classes have basically the same HP, and Vanish is about as good in PVE as Invisibility. The only real difference is armor, and while leather is better than cloth, it's not like it's orders of magnitude better.

Post by Zakkhar

The real problem with aoe in raids or bosses with adds on heroics (not heroic trash) is that usually you want to be as far away as possible from it.

Few examples:
Corborus in Stonecore. crystal barage spawns small adds that need to be aoed down asap. Standing near them can be deadly, you dont even need to get hit.

Magmaw Lava Parasites shouldnt hit you a single time preferably. 1 hit equals you eating them and spawning more (we loved when our lock went on hellfiring them, i think he ate pretty much all).

Blobs on Chogall, hit you even when they are far away (no clue whether its some aura or they are just ninja psychic). I always drop to like half HP and get a healthy chunk of corruption when trying to Nova them in place. I can imagine what Arcane Explosion could do.

Arcane AOE?

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