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Frost Mage

Mirrors the current rank-1 Sinister Single parse — every slot is what the best Frost Mage actually wears.

166,439 1 target
204,161 2 targets · 23%
241,837 3 targets · 45%
319,092 5 targets · 92%

Simulated DPS on the best-in-slot profile below, five-minute patchwerk. Compare every spec →

The short version

Hero tree: Spellslinger
Stat priority: Critical Strike > Mastery > Haste > Versatility
Content: Raid

How it plays

Measured on the reference parse below, not a description of the spec — so it changes when the tuning does.

Stat priority

Critical Strike > Mastery > Haste > Versatility

These are not weights pulled from a spreadsheet — they are the live ratings on the reference character this build is taken from, so the order reflects what the best-performing Frost Mage is actually stacking right now.

SECONDARIES Critical Strike
Critical Strike38%
Mastery31%
Haste23%
Versatility8%

Source: 凜冽寒风 — the log. Rank 1 Frost Mage on Sinister Single (Dummy Dome), avg ilvl 335.

Talent build

Laid out exactly as the in-game talent UI draws it, hero tree Spellslinger. Lit nodes and gold lines are the path this build takes; everything dimmed was passed over. Hover any node for what it does.

Mage · 34 points

Ice BarrierShields you with ice, absorbing $<shield> damage and increasing your armor by for . Melee attacks against you reduce the attacker's movement speed by %.
Alter TimeAlters the fabric of time, returning you to your current location and health when cast a second time, or after ${+} sec. Effect negated by long distance or death.
Ice BlockEncases you in a block of ice, protecting you from all attacks and damage for , but during that time you cannot attack, move, or cast spells. While inside Ice Block, you heal for ${*10}% of your maximum health over the duration. Causes Hypothermia, preventing you from recasting Ice Block for .
Temporal RealignmentUpon dropping below health, your past self corrects your timeline, casting Alter Time and instantly returning % of your maximum health and healing you for an additional ${*}% over .
Choice node
1/2 Master of TimeReduces the cooldown of Temporal Realignment by ${/-1000} sec.
2/2 Winter's ProtectionThe cooldown of Ice Block is reduced by ${/-1000} sec.
Frost ConditioningHypothermia's duration is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
2/2 Arcane WardingReduces magic damage taken by .
Inspired IntellectArcane Intellect grants you an additional Intellect.
Mirror ImageCreates copies of you nearby for , which cast spells and attack your enemies. While active, you generate significantly reduced threat. Taking direct damage will cause one of your images to dissipate.
SpellstealSteals all beneficial magic effects from the target. These effects lasts a maximum of 2 min.
Not taken
Quick WittedCounterspell's cooldown is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
SupernovaPulses arcane energy around the target enemy or ally, dealing Arcane damage to all enemies within yds, and knocking them upward. A primary enemy target will take increased damage.
Choice node
Remove CurseRemoves all Curses from a friendly target. If any Curses are successfully removed, you deal % additional damage for .
Not taken
2/2 Improved ConjurationMirror Image's cooldown is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Improved SpellstealSpellsteal repeats its effect after , but it now has a cooldown of ${/1000}.1 sec.
Not taken
ShimmerTeleports you yds forward, unless something is in the way. Unaffected by the global cooldown and castable while casting. Gain a shield that absorbs % of your maximum health for after you Shimmer.
Choice node
Improved CounterspellCounterspell prevents casting for an additional ${/1000}.1 sec.
Not taken
Overflowing EnergyEach time your $?a137021[Arcane Barrage]?a137019[Fireball]?a137020[Frostbolt][Arcane Barrage, Fireball, or Frostbolt] fails to critically strike, it gains $?a137021[]?a137019[]?a137020[][]% increased critical strike chance. Critical strike bonus is removed when the affected spell critically strikes.
Improved Remove CurseCasting Remove Curse on a friendly target also casts it on yourself, but its cooldown is increased by ${/1000} sec.
Not taken
Greater InvisibilityMakes you invisible and untargetable for , removing all threat. Any action taken cancels this effect. Increases your movement speed by ${}% for .
Improved Frost NovaFrost Nova duration is increased by ${/1000} sec.
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Captured ThoughtsThe duration of $?a137019[Hot Streak]?a137020[Brain Freeze][Clearcasting] is increased by ${/1000} sec.
Tome of RhoninIncreases critical strike chance by .
Improved WardingDamage taken from area of effect attacks reduced by .
Not taken
Tome of AntonidasIncreases Haste by .
2/2 Incantation of SwiftnessGreater Invisibility increases your movement speed by for .
Master of EscapeReduces the cooldown of Invisibility by ${-/1000} sec.
Charm of AegwynnThe critical strike damage of your spells is increased by .
BrainstormGaining $?a137021[Clearcasting]?a137020[Brain Freeze][Hot Streak] increases your Intellect by % for . Multiple instances may overlap.
Flow of TimeThe cooldowns of Blink and Shimmer are reduced by ${/-1000} sec.
Mana ConfluenceYour mana costs are reduced by ${-}%.
Not taken
Charm of MedivhYour Mastery is increased by .
Permafrost BaubleThe cooldown of Ice Block and Ice Cold are reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Freezing ColdEnemies hit by Cone of Cold are frozen in place for instead of snared. When your roots expire or are dispelled, your target is snared by %, decaying over .
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Time ManipulationThe cooldowns of your loss of control spells are reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Not taken
Ring of FrostSummons a Ring of Frost for at the target location. Enemies entering the ring are incapacitated for . Limit 10 targets. When the incapacitate expires, enemies are slowed by % for .
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Energized BarriersCasting your barrier removes all snare effects.
Mass InvisibilityYou and your allies within yards instantly become invisible for . Taking any action will cancel the effect. $?a415945[] [Does not affect allies in combat.]
Not taken
Barrier DiffusionWhen your Barrier is removed, reduce its cooldown by ${/1000} sec.
Ice ColdIce Block now reduces all damage taken by % for but no longer grants Immunity, prevents movement, attacks, or casting spells. Does not incur the Global Cooldown.
Spatial ManipulationShimmer gains an additional charge.
Choice node
Improved Ice BarrierIce Barrier gains an additional charge and reduces your physical damage taken by ${-}%.

Spellslinger · 13 points

Splintering SorceryCasting Arcane Blast or Arcane Pulse conjures an Arcane Splinter. $?c1[ $@spellicon443763that ability: $@spelldesc443763 ] [ $@spellicon443722that ability: $@spelldesc443722 ]
Augury AboundsConjuring one or more Arcane Splinters has a chance to conjure a burst of Arcane :Splinters;.
Force of WillCasting Arcane Barrage conjures an Arcane Splinter for every Arcane Salvo stacks consumed.
Splintering OrbsEnemies damaged by your Arcane Orb conjure Arcane :Splinters;, up to . Arcane Orb damage is increased by .
Shifting ShardsGaining Clearcasting conjures Arcane :Splinters;.
Choice node
Slippery SlingingYou have increased movement speed during Alter Time and Evocation.
Choice node
Controlled Instinctsof the direct damage dealt by an Arcane Splinter is also dealt to nearby enemies. Damage reduced beyond targets.
Reactive BarrierYour Prismatic Barrier can absorb up to more damage based on your missing health. Max effectiveness when under health.
Choice node
Infused SplintersDirect damage from Arcane Splinters have a chance to grant :stacks; Arcane Salvo. $@spellicon1242974 that ability $@spellaura1242974
Archmage's WrathArcane Surge damage increased by . Your chance to gain Clearcasting is increased by .
Signature SpellArcane Blast and Arcane Pulse damage increased by . Casting Touch of the Magi conjures Arcane Splinters.
Spellfrost TeachingsDirect damage from Arcane Splinters reduces the cooldown of Arcane Orb by ${/1000}.2 sec.
Polished FocusCasting Arcane Barrage while at or more Arcane Salvo stacks refunds Arcane Salvo :stacks;. Arcane Barrage damage increased by .
SplinterstormCasting Arcane Surge generates Arcane Splinters. During Arcane Surge, your chance to conjure an additional Arcane Splinter is increased to .

Frost · 34 points

Ice LanceQuickly fling a shard of ice at the target, dealing Frost damage. |CFFffffffShatters stacks of Freezing.|R
BlizzardIce shards pelt the target area, dealing ${*8} Frost damage over and reducing movement speed by % for . This spell is cast at a selected location
Choice node
Fingers of FrostFrostfire Bolt has a chance to grant a charge of Fingers of Frost. Fingers of Frost causes your next Ice Lance to deal Shatter damage equal to stacks of Freezing and does not consume Freezing stacks. Maximum :charges;.
FrostbiteWhen Frostfire Bolt critically strikes, it applies additional :stacks; of Freezing. Each stack of Freezing that you Shatter deals damage to nearby enemies. Damage reduced beyond targets.
IciclesWhile in combat, Frost crystallizes around you, generating an Icicle every ${}.1 sec. Upon generating Icicles, Frostfire Bolt upgrades to Glacial Spike for its next cast. $@spellicon199786 that ability $@spelldesc199786
FlurryUnleash a flurry of ice, striking the target times for a total of ${*} Frostfire damage. |CFFffffffApplies ${*} :stacks; of Freezing.|R
Glacial BulwarkIce Block now has an additional charge and its cooldown is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Choice node
Frozen OrbLaunches an orb of swirling ice in front of you, dealing up to ${20*} Frost damage to all enemies it passes through over . After a short delay, Frozen Orb will pursue its target. Deals reduced damage beyond targets. Enemies damaged by the Frozen Orb are slowed by % for .
Brain FreezeFrostfire Bolt has a chance to reset the remaining cooldown on Flurry and cause your next Flurry to deal % increased damage.
Piercing ColdFrostfire Bolt and Flurry critical strike damage increased by .
Ray of FrostChannel an icy beam at the enemy for , dealing Frost damage every ${}.2 sec. |CFFffffffApplies ${/} :stacks; of Freezing over its duration.|R
Everlasting FrostCasting Frozen Orb grants :stacks; of Fingers of Frost. Damaging one or more enemies with Frozen Orb has a chance to grant Fingers of Frost.
Permafrost LancesFrozen Orb increases Shatter's damage by % for its duration.
Frozen TouchFrostbolt grants you Fingers of Frost more often and Brain Freeze more often.
Splitting IceYour Flurry and Frostfire Bolt spells strike additional target at effectiveness.
Not taken
Flash FreezeCasting Glacial Spike has a chance to grant you Fingers of Frost.
Frigid FocusRay of Frost damage increased by .
Choice node
Winter's BlessingYour Haste is increased by . You gain more Haste from all sources of Haste.
Freezing RainFrozen Orb makes Blizzard instant cast. Blizzard damage increased by .
Not taken
Cone of FrostIce Nova now applies :stacks; of Freezing to up to enemies.
Not taken
Fractured FrostIce Lance strikes additional :targets; at effectiveness, preferring enemies with more stacks of Freezing.
Not taken
Improved ShatterShatter damage has a increased chance to critically strike.
Deep ShatterShatter's critical strike damage is increased by of your critical strike chance.
WintertideFrozen Orb has a chance to grant Brain Freeze.
Choice node
2/2 Glacial AttunementFlurry and Blizzard damage increased by .
Heart of IceIce Lance Shatters additional :stacks; of Freezing.
2/2 RimecasterFrostfire Bolt and Glacial Spike damage increased by .
Freezing WindsShattering enemies inside your Blizzard increases Shatter's area damage by .
Not taken
Improved FlurryFlurry fires additional :missiles;.
Glacial AssaultFlurry has a chance each hit to call down an icy comet, crashing into your target and nearby enemies for Frost damage. |CFFffffffApplies :stacks; of Freezing.|R
Not taken
Crystalline RefractionRay of Frost generates :stacks; of Fingers of Frost over its duration.
Not taken
Lonely WinterSpell damage increased by .
Choice node
Glacial ShatterGlacial Spike no longer applies Freezing, and instead Shatters :stacks; of Freezing.
Choice node
HailstonesThe time it takes to generate an Icicle is reduced by ${-/1000}.1 sec.
Not taken
Thermal VoidConsuming Brain Freeze has a chance to cause your next Ice Lance to Shatter additional stacks of Freezing.
GlaciateWhen Ice Lance Shatters a stack of Freezing, the cooldown of Ray of Frost is reduced by ${/1000}.2 sec.
Comet StormCasting Ray of Frost replaces your Ray of Frost with Comet Storm, calling down a series of 7 icy comets on and around the target, that deals up to ${7*} Frost damage to all enemies within yds of its impacts. |CFFffffffEach Comet Shatters :stacks; of Freezing.|R
Not taken
4/4 Hand of FrostShattering an enemy has a chance to summon a Hand of Frost to pursue your target, dealing Frost damage and applying :stacks; of Freezing on contact.
Choice node
Paste into the in-game talent UI to load this build exactly.

Rotation

Frost is a Shatter spec: Ice Lance into a frozen target hits several times harder. Flurry is what freezes it, so Flurry is what sets up almost every hit that matters.

Single target Four or more targets

Priority

  • Comet Storm on cooldown.
  • Flurry on Brain Freeze, cast into a Frostbolt or Glacial Spike that is already in the air.
  • Ice Lance at two Fingers of Frost, then at one.
  • Frozen Orb on cooldown.
  • Glacial Spike at full Icicles.
  • Ray Of Frost when Icicles are low and nothing above wants the global.
  • Frostbolt for everything else.

Cooldowns

  • Frozen Orb is the cooldown that matters most — it is Fingers of Frost, and Fingers of Frost is Ice Lance.
  • Trinkets and racials with Frozen Orb, not on their own timers.
  • A Flurry cast at nothing is a wasted Brain Freeze. It goes out while a hard cast is still travelling, never on its own.

Openers

Single target

  1. Frostbolt into the pull.
  2. Frozen Orb, then Comet Storm.
  3. Flurry into the Frostbolt already in the air.
  4. Ice Lance through the Shatter, then the normal priority.

Where the damage comes from

Measured on the reference log — a 300-second single-target parse. Worth comparing against the rotation above: the button you press most is rarely the one doing the most.

AbilityShare
Shatter34.2%
Ray of Frost16.9%
Glacial Spike12.8%
Frost Splinter12.3%
Flurry9.3%
Frozen Orb6.4%
Ice Lance4.1%
Frostbolt3.3%

Source: Sinister Single, 300s.

Best in slot

The finished loadout, built by Pathfinder — the strongest item available for every slot, with the item level to chase and where it drops. 334 average item level across 15 slots, gathered from 3 places.

Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ✦ Empowered Hex of Leeching
Aqirbane Reliquary 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ◆ Powerful Eversong Diamond
Primal Leywarden's Manaflux 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers ✦ Silvermoon's Mending
Adherent's Silken Shroud 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Tailoring
Crest of the Primal Leywarden 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Mark of the Worldsoul
Venom-Singed Cuffs 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Entombed Sentinels
Venomancer's Winged Channeler 334 · Myth 6/6 · Two-handed The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Acuity of the Ren'dorei
Frost Mage 334 average item level
Primal Leywarden's Manashapers 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Entombed Sentinels ✦ Gloves Enchant (+3 Stamina)
Arcanoweave Cord 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Tailoring
Primal Leywarden's Tailored Legwraps 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Sunfire Silk Spellthread
Nek'zali's Spiritwalkers 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Nek'zali the Soulcoiler ✦ Lynx's Dexterity
Vile Alchemist's Band 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Apex Brute's Claw Ring 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Gebbo's Bottomless Bag 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers
Freightrunner's Flask 334 · Myth 6/6 Murder Row — Zaen Bladesorrow

Where to spend bonus rolls as Frost Mage

A Voidcore pays out an item every time — the question is only whether it is one you wanted. For this build, in order:

Roll Vashnik the Malignant — 3 of its 4 drops are on your list

75% of every roll here lands something on the list. In The Venomous Abyss, it owes you chest, ring 1 and main hand.

Then The Lost Explorers — 2 of its 3 drops are on your list

67% of every roll here lands something on the list. In The Venomous Abyss, it owes you shoulder and trinket 1.

The general principles behind this — knockout protection, why finishing one boss beats spreading rolls, and the crests a roll quietly costs you — are in the bonus roll guide.

Week-by-week route

  1. Pre-season: the campaign, a world tour of Mythic 0s for a 292 loadout, and the weekly Spark quest. No Myth crests exist yet — bank the Spark.
  2. Week 1: farm +10 keys to a full Hero 3/6 (311) loadout and fill the vault. The first Myth crests arrive, so spend the banked Spark on Adherent's Silken Shroud. Every Hero crest goes into lifting pieces toward 6/6 (321).
  3. Week 2: first Voidcore — roll Vashnik the Malignant, where 3 of 4 drops are on this list. Catalyse the set slots for the 4-set. Second Spark goes to Arcanoweave Cord.
  4. Weeks 3–6: one Voidcore a week down the order above — finish a boss before starting the next. Keep spending Hero crests; every slot should sit at 321 by about Week 6.
  5. Week 7 onward: two Voidcores a week (the vault and Orin Straylight). Roll Myth-track bases in the set slots, re-catalyse them, and take each to 6/6 for 80 Myth and 20 Hero crests.
  6. Late season: everything here caps at Myth 6/6 (334); this list has no end-boss item to chase past it.

The fast variant

Same stat priority, 3 slots moved. Pathfinder builds the list above for raw power and does not care how many bosses that takes; Slate prices the route as well, and takes an equal-strength item from a boss you are already farming over one that sends you somewhere new. It visits 3 places against the strongest list's 3, at the same average item level.

Errant Scrollsage's Hood 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers ✦ Empowered Hex of Leeching
Aqirbane Reliquary 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ◆ Powerful Eversong Diamond
Primal Leywarden's Manaflux 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers ✦ Silvermoon's Mending
Adherent's Silken Shroud 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Tailoring
Crest of the Primal Leywarden 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Mark of the Worldsoul
Aetherlume Silken Cuffs 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Engineering
Venomancer's Winged Channeler 334 · Myth 6/6 · Two-handed The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Acuity of the Ren'dorei
Frost Mage 334 average item level
Primal Leywarden's Manashapers 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Entombed Sentinels ✦ Gloves Enchant (+3 Stamina)
Caustic Chain-Wrapped Sash 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak
Primal Leywarden's Tailored Legwraps 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Sunfire Silk Spellthread
Nek'zali's Spiritwalkers 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Nek'zali the Soulcoiler ✦ Lynx's Dexterity
Vile Alchemist's Band 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Apex Brute's Claw Ring 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Gebbo's Bottomless Bag 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers
Freightrunner's Flask 334 · Myth 6/6 Murder Row — Zaen Bladesorrow

Load this into a plan

GearPath can load this build straight into a full season plan — the BiS list, the talents, and the route — then price it against the crests, sparks and vault choices you will actually earn, and tell you when the plan is impossible. Free while in open beta.

Plan your Frost Mage →