Cataclysm Class Preview: Mage

In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, we’ll be making lots of changes and additions to class talents and abilities across the board. In this preview, you’ll get an early look at what’s in store for the mage class, including a rundown of some of the new spells, abilities, and talents, and an overview of how the new Mastery system will work with the different talent specs.

New Mage Spells

Flame Orb (available at level 81): Inspired by Prince Taldaram’s abilities in Ahn’kahet and Icecrown Citadel, this spell allows the mage to cast a flaming orb that travels in front in a straight line, sending beams that cause fire damage to passing targets. Once it’s cast, the mage is free to begin casting other spells as the Flame Orb travels. While the spell will be useful to any spec, Fire mages will have talents that improve it, possibly causing the Flame Orb to explode when it reaches its destination.

Time Warp (level 83): Grants a passive Haste effect much like Bloodlust or Heroism to party or raid members. It also temporarily increases the mage’s own movement speed. Time Warp will be exclusive with Bloodlust and Heroism, meaning you can’t benefit from both if you’ve got the Exhaustion debuff, though the movement-speed increase will still work even when under the effects of Exhaustion.

Wall of Fog (level 85): Creates a line of frost in front of the mage, 30 yards from end to end. Enemies who cross the line are snared and take damage. The mana cost will be designed to make Wall of Fog efficient against groups, not individuals. This spell is intended to give mages a way to help control the battlefield, whether the mage is damaging incoming enemies (Blizzard can be channeled on top of Wall of Fog) or protecting a flag in a Battleground. 10-second duration. 30-second cooldown.

Changes to Abilities and Mechanics

In addition to introducing new spells, we’re planning to make changes to some of the other abilities and mechanics you’re familiar with. This list and the summary of talent changes below it are by no means comprehensive, but they should give you a good sense of what we intend for each spec.
Arcane Missiles is being redesigned to become a proc-based spell. Whenever the mage does damage with any spell, there is a chance for Arcane Missiles to become available, similar to how the warrior’s Overpower works. The damage and mana cost of this spell will be reworked to make it very desirable to use when available. This change should make gameplay more dynamic for the mage, particularly at low levels.
We are planning to remove spells that don’t have a clear purpose. Amplify Magic, Dampen Magic, Fire Ward, and Frost Ward are being removed from the game, and we may remove more.
The ability to conjure food and water will not become available until higher levels (likely around level 40), as we’re making changes to ensure mages generally won’t run out of mana at lower levels. Once mages learn how to conjure food and water, the conjured item will restore both health and mana.
Scorch will provide a damage bonus to the mage’s fire spells. Our goal is for Scorch to be part of the mage’s rotation and a useful damage-dealing ability, even if someone else is supplying the group with the spell Critical Strike debuff. Scorch will provide the mage with more specific benefits, which can also be improved through talents.

New Talents and Talent Changes
Arcane Focus will now return mana for each spell that fails to hit your target, including Arcane Missiles that fail to launch. We want Arcane mages to have several talents that play off of how much mana the character has and give the player enough tools to manage mana.
The talent Playing with Fire will reduce the cooldown of Blast Wave when hit by a melee attack, instead of its current effect.
Pyromaniac will grant Haste when three or more targets are getting damaged by the effects of your damage-over-time (DoT) fire spells.
The Burnout talent will allow mages to cast spells using health when they run out of mana.

Mastery Passive Talent Tree Bonuses

Arcane
Spell damage
Spell Haste
Mana Adept

Fire
Spell damage
Spell Crit
Ignite

Frost
Spell damage
Spell Crit damage
Deathfrost

Mana Adept: Arcane will deal damage based how much mana the mage has. For example, Arcane mages will do much more damage at 100% mana than at 50% mana. If they begin to get low on mana, they will likely want to use an ability or mechanic to bring their mana up to increase their damage.

Ignite: All direct-damage fire spells will add a damage-over-time (DoT) component when cast. The flavor will be similar to how Fireball works; however, the DoT component will be much stronger.

Deathfrost: Casting Frostbolt places a buff on the mage that increases the damage for all frost, fire, and arcane spells. The only damage spell that won’t be affected by this buff is Frostbolt.

Cataclysm Guild Achievements

General

Profit Sharing – Loot 50,000 gold from creatures.
Time To Open A Savings Account – Loot 200,000 gold from creatures.
Extended Storage – Purchase the 7th guild bank tab.
Critter Kill Squad – Kill 10,000 critters
A Class Act – Reach level 85 on each of the classes listed below.
Stay Classy (Horde) – Complete the classy achievmenets listed below.
Classy Orcs – Reach level 85 of each of the Orc classes listed below.
Classy Tauren – Reach level 85 of each of the Tauren classes listed below.
Classy Trolls – Reach level 85 of each of the Troll classes listed below.
Classy Blood Elves – Reach level 85 of each of the Blood Elf classes listed below.
Classy Undead – Reach level 85 of each of the Undead classes listed below.
Classy Goblins – Reach level 85 of each of the Goblin classes listed below.
Stay Classy (Alliance) – Complete the classy achievmenets listed below.
Classy Humans – Reach level 85 of each of the Human classes listed below.
Classy Night Elves – Reach level 85 of each of the Night Elf classes listed below.
Classy Gnomes – Reach level 85 of each of the Gnome classes listed below.
Classy Dwarves – Reach level 85 of each of the Dwarven classes listed below.
Classy Draenei – Reach level 85 of each of the Draenei classes listed below.
Classy Worgen – Reach level 85 of each of the Worgen classes listed below.

Raids & Dungeons

We Are Awesome – Obtain three of the legendary weapons listed below.
We Are Hardcore – Obtain all of the legendary weapons listed below.
Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros – Guild Edition – Wielder of Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros.
Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker – Guild Edition – Wielder of Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Warglaives of Azzinoth – Guild Edition (WIP) – Wielder of a set of Warglaives of Azzinoth.
Thori’dal, the Stars’ Fury – Guild Edition – Wielder of Thori’dal, the Stars’ Fury
Val’anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings – Guild Edition – Wielder of Val’anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings
Shadowmourne – Guild Edition – Wielder of Shadowmourne

WoW Classic Raids

Guild Classic Raider – Complete the classic raid achievements listed below while in a guild group.
Molten Core Guild Run – Defeat Ragnaros.
Blackwing Lair Guild Run – Defeat Nefarian.
Temple of Ahn’Qiraj Guild Run – Defeat C’Thun.
Ruins of Ahn’Qiraj Guild Run – Defeat Ossirian the Unscarred.

The Burning Crusade Raids

Guild Outland Raider – Complete the Burning Crusade raid achievements listed below while in a guild group.
Karazhan Guild Run – Defeat Prince Malchezaar in Karazhan.
Zul’Aman Guild Run – Defeat Zul’jin in Zul’Aman.
Gruul’s Lair Guild Run – Defeat Gruul the Dragonkiller in Gruul’s Lair.
Magtheridon’s Lair Guild Run – Defeat Magtheridon in Magtheridon’s Lair.
Serpentshrine Cavern Guild Run – Defeat Lady Vashj in Serpentshrine Cavern.
Tempest Keep Guild Run – Defeat Kael’thas Sunstrider in Tempest Keep.
The Battle for Mount Hyjal Guild Run – Defeat Archimonde in The Battle for Mount Hyjal.
The Black Temple Guild Run – Defeat Illidan Stormrage in The Black Temple.
Sunwell Plateau Guild Run – Defeat Kil’jaeden in Sunwell Plateau.

Wrath of the Lich King Raids

Glory of the Lich King Raider – Complete the Northrend raid achievements listed below while in a guild group.
The Twilight Zone – Guild Edition – With all three Twilight Drakes still alive, engage and defeat Sartharion the Onyx Guardian while in a guild group..
Alone in the Darkness – Guild Edition – Defeat Yogg-Saron without the assistance of any Keepers while in a guild group.
Just Can’t Get Enough – Guild Edition – Defeat Kel’Thuzad in Naxxramas while killing at least 18 abominations in his chamber while in a group group.
You Don’t Have an Eternity – Guild Edition – Defeat Malygos in 6 minutes or less while in a guild group.
He Feeds On Your Tears – Guild Edition – Defeat Algalon the Observer while in a guild group without any raid member dying to Algalon at any point during that raid lockout period.
Call of the Crusade – Guild Edition – Defeat every boss in the Trial of the Crusader while in a guild group.
The Twilight Destroyer – Guild Edition – Defeat Halion in The Ruby Sanctum while in a guild group.
The Frozen Throne – Guild Edition – Defeat the Lich King in Icecrown Citadel while in a guild group.

Cataclysm Raids

Guild Glory of the Cataclysm Raider – Complete the Cataclysm raid achievements listed below while in a guild group.
Blackwing Descent Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in Blackwing Descent while in a guild group.
Throne of the Four Winds Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in Throne of the Four Winds while in a guild group.
The Bastion of Twilight Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in the Bastion of Twilight while in a guild group.

WoW Classic Dungeons

Ragefire Chasm Guild Run – Defeat Taragaman the Hungerer.
Deadmines Guild Run – Defeat “Captain” Cookie.
Wailing Caverns Guild Run – Defeat Mutanus the Devourer.
Shadowfang Keep Guild Run – Defeat Lord Godfrey.
Blackfathom Deeps Guild Run – Defeat Aku’mai.
Stormwind Stockade Guild Run – Defeat Hogger.
Razorfen Kraul Guild Run – Defeat Charlga Razorflank.
Gnomeregan Guild Run – Defeat Mekgineer Thermaplugg.
Razorfen Downs Guild Run – Defeat Amnennar the Coldbringer.
Scarlet Monastery Guild Run – Defeat the Scarlet Crusade within the Scarlet Monastery.
Uldaman Guild Run – Defeat Archaedas.
Zul’Farrak Guild Run – Defeat Chief Ukorz Sandscalp.
Maraudon Guild Run – Defeat Princess Theradras.
Sunken Temple Guild Run – Defeat Shade of Eranikus.
Blackrock Depths Guild Run – Defeat Emperor Dagran Thaurissan.
Lower Blackrock Spire Guild Run – Defeat Overlord Wyrmthalak.
King of Dire Maul Guild Run – Defeat each wing of Dire Maul.
Scholomance Guild Run – Defeat the leaders of Scholomance.
Stratholme Guild Run – Defeat the evil masterminds inhabiting Stratholme.

The Burning Crusade Dungeons

Guild Outland Dungeon Hero – Complete the heroic Burning Crusade dungeon achievements listed below while in a guild group.

Heroic: Hellfire Ramparts Guild Run – Defeat the leaders of Hellfire Ramparts on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Blood Furnace Guild Run – Defeat Keli’dan the Breaker on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Slave Pens Guild Run – Defeat Quagmirran on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Underbog Guild Run – Defeat The Black Stalker on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Mana-Tombs Guild Run – Defeat Nexus-Prince Shaffar on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Auchenai Crypts Guild Run – Defeat Exarch Maladaar on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Escape From Durnholde Guild Run – Defeat Epoch Hunter on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Sethekk Halls Guild Run – Defeat Talon King Ikiss on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Shadow Labyrinth Guild Run – Defeat Murmur on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Opening of the Dark Portal Guild Run – Defeat Aeonus on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Steamvault Guild Run – Defeat Warlord Kalithresh on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Shattered Halls Guild Run – Defeat Warchief Kargath Bladefist on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Mechanar Guild Run – Defeat Pathaleon the Calculator on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Botanica Guild Run – Defeat Warp Splinter on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Arcatraz Guild Run – Defeat Harbinger Skyriss on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Magister’s Terrace Guild Run – Defeat Kael’thas Sunstrider on Heroic Difficulty.

Wrath of the Lich King Dungeons

Guild Northrend Dungeon Hero – Complete the heroic Northrend dungeon achievements listed below while in a guild group.
Heroic: Utgarde Keep Guild Run – Defeat the Utgarde Keep bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Nexus Guild Run – Defeat The Nexus bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Azjol-Nerub Guild Run – Defeat the Azjol-Nerub bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom Guild Run – Defeat the Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Drak’Tharon Keep Guild Run – Defeat the Drak’Tharon Keep bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Violet Hold Guild Run – Defeat Cyanigosa in The Violet Hold on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Gundrak Guild Run – Defeat the Gundrak bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Halls of Stone Guild Run – Defeat the boss encounters in the Halls of Stone on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Halls of Lightning Guild Run – Defeat the Halls of Lightning bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Oculus Guild Run – Defeat The Oculus bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Utgarde Pinnacle Guild Run – Defeat the Utgarde Pinnacle bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Culling of Stratholme Guild Run – Defeat the Caverns of Time: Stratholme bosses on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: Trial of the Champion Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in the Trial of the Champion on Heroic Difficulty.
Heroic: The Forge of Souls Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in The Forge of Souls on Heroic difficulty
Heroic: The Pit of Saron Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in The Pit of Saron on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: The Halls of Reflection Guild Run – Defeat the bosses in The Halls of Reflection on Heroic difficulty.

Cataclysm Dungeons

Guild Cataclysm Dungeon Hero – Complete the heroic Cataclysm dungeon achievements listed below while in a guild group.
Heroic: Blackrock Caverns Guild Run – Defeat Ascendant Lord Obsidius on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Throne of the Tides Guild Run – Defeat Ozumat in Throne of the Tides on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: The Stonecore Guild Run – Defeat High Priestess Azil in the Stonecore on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: The Vortex Pinnacle Guild Run – Defeat Grand Vizier Ertan in the Vortex Pinnacle on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Grim Batol Guild Run – Defeat Erudax in Grim Batol on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Halls of Origination Guild Run – Defeat Rajh in Halls of Origination on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Lost City of the Tol’vir Guild Run – Defeat Siamat, Lord of the South Wind in the Lost City of the Tol’vir in Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Shadowfang Keep Guild Run – Defeat Lord Godfrey in Shadowfang Keep on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Deadmines Guild Run – Defeat “Captain” Cookie in Deadmines on Heroic difficulty.
Heroic: Shadowfang Keep Guild Run – Defeat Lord Godfrey in Shadowfang Keep on Heroic difficulty.

Reputation

Diplomacy – Raise 15 reputations to Exalted.
Ambassadors – Raise 25 reputations to Exalted.
United Nations – Raise 55 reputations to Exalted.
Dungeon Diplomat – Earn exalted with the dungeon reputations listed below.
Raid Representation – Earn exalted with the raid reputations listed below.
Classic Battles – Earn exalted reputation with the classic battlegrounds listed below.

Player vs. Player

Are You Not Entertained?! – Earn a 2200 rating in the arena with a team composed entirely of guild members.
Now That’s an Achievement – Earn 5000 guild achievement points.
Kill Squad – Get 500,000 honorable kills.
Guild Gankers – Get 1,000,000 honorable kills.
Creepjackers – Get 2,500,000 honorable kills.
City Attacker – Kill 500 enemy players in any Horde home city.
City Attacker – Kill 500 enemy players in any Alliance home city.
Active Duty – Win 500 Battlegrounds while in a guild group.
Call of Duty – Win 1000 Battlegrounds while in a guild group.
Tour of Duty – Win 1500 Battlegrounds while in a guild group.
5-Cap Crew – Win 10 Arathi Basin matches while controlling all 5 flags in a guild group.
Horde Slayer – Complete the slayer achievements listed below.
Alliance Slayer – Complete the slayer achievements listed below.
Orc Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Orc races listed below.
Human Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Human races listed below.
Night Elf Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Night Elf races listed below.
Dwarf Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Dwarf races listed below.
Draenei Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Draenei races listed below.
Worgen Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Worgeni races listed below.
Tauren Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Tauren races listed below.
Undead Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Undead races listed below.
Troll Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Troll races listed below.
Blood Elf Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Blood Elf races listed below.
Goblin Slayer – Get an honorable kill on each of the level 85 Goblin races listed below.

Professions

Skinnin’ For A Livin’ (WIP) – Skin 10,000 corpses.
Mix Master – Craft 10,000 flasks.
Dust, Dust and more Dust! – Disenchant 10,000 items.
Dinner Party – Place 5,000 Feasts.
Bushels and Bushels – Gather 50,000 herbs.
Mighty Miners – Mine 50,000 ore and rocks.
Gemcrafter Extrodinare – Cut 10,000 gems.
Master Crafter – Craft 1,000 Epic items.