Arcane - impressive, or /facepalm?

Post by Amry

I currently have a level 60 Arcane Mage, and I could use some advice in regards to running dungeons.

In the past, my rotation would involve using Arcane Barrage, using Arcane Missiles whenever it procs, and Arcane Blast as filler. If you say, "but Amry, that won't give you maximum DPS", then you are correct; however, I used this because:
a) the swirly and machine gun-like spell effects are pretty
b) I took all the talents for maximizing AM DPS, and
c) I thought I'm supposed to use Arcane spec's signature move

And for the record, I received no complaints, QQs or /kick. I may not be topping the DPS charts, but I do pull my weight.

Now that I'm starting Outlands, I decided to finally get into the program. As it turns out, the "program" consists of:
Step 1: spam AB
Step 2: just kidding. There's no step 2

I tried to experiment by switching between this new "rotation" (and I use the word loosely here) and my previous, prettier one, and the DPS difference is quiet significant.

So right now, I don't know if I should be impressed that the Arcane spec is so streamlined, or /facepalm because I have no rotation. Sure, it deals a good amount of damage, and I almost never go OOM (and even if I did, Evocation is on a 2min CD, and I can always Cannibalize). But pressing just one button gets so incredibly boring, I'm surprised that people actually play this spec up until level 85.

So tell me wowhead, is there a way to add variety to the "rotation" without compromising on the DPS (much)? Or is Arcane doomed to be the one-button spec?

Post by nickseng

The variety to the Arcane rotation only comes at level 85, where Arcane Blast spam isn't sustainable. :)

Until then, just spam away, or dual spec.

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Post by nickseng

YBut when you get to 85 the rotation would be AB x4, then AM, use ABarrage when your moving out of fire or something. I would say its the easiest rotation out there.

/facepalm

Post by StrangerWifCandy

level 60

Nothing matters until 85.

Post by Rawveggie

Is AB spam really the max DPS until 85? Even at 70 and 80?

Post by Nathanyal

Post by Bawkxy

Is AB spam really the max DPS until 85? Even at 70 and 80?

Unless you are running out of mana, it is the best. When the Shattering happened, the patch before Cata came out that changed the talents and all that, I was able to AB spam at 80 and not worry about mana at all.

It was so fun in ICC during the shattering lol, had a guild group with druids innervating me and priests hymm of hope-ing whenever i asked for it since GL/RL wanted to see what the max deeps was on a boss, had a good laugh on vent also :D
Edit: I was impressed that the tank kept aggro until i realised that the hunter was popping MD every single CD and the rogue (was of course) ToTTing just to keep the tank above me on Omen.

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Post by Rawveggie

So with AB being the "Rotation", what would be the best Glyph setup
to totally max out the DPS?

I would also be interested in this information. I haven't played my mage much buy I'll try checking a few configurations.

Edit: Actually, a quick glance at the glyphs and I'm pretty sure the setup would be:

Prime:
Glyph of Mage Armor
Glyph of Arcane Blast
Glyph of Arcane Missiles

Major:
Glyph of Arcane Power

Minor:
Glyph of Mirror Image

Those are the only glyphs I could see having an impact on dps for an arcane mage.

Post by xiani

So with AB being the "Rotation", what would be the best Glyph setup
to totally max out the DPS?

Glyph of Arcane Blast (duh!)
Glyph of Mage Armor (more mana = more Arcane blasts)
Glyph of Arcane Barrage ('cause you have to break the blast buff chain sometime, mana ain't infinite)

Missiles could work as the third too, there's not much in it, but you'll tend to use barrage more 'cause it's your only option when moving as it's instant.

None of the majors do anything for DPS directly, though arcane power might save you a few seconds here and there, and I'd take evocation for emergencies (and to take pressure of the healer) and invisibility, 'cause if you needed to pop that you probably need to be far away quickly!

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Arcane - impressive, or /facepalm?

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