Mage Fire Spec

Patch 4.3 Fire Mage Quick Start Guide – Stats, talent spec, glyphs, reforging and gems, enchants, priorities and rotation


Fire Mage changes in Patch 4.3

Fire Mages have been seriously buffed in the new patch. Hurrah! The buffs aren’t subtle, either – “Pyroblast’s initial damage has been increased by approximately 26%, and its damage over time has been increased by approximately 100%. Fireball damage has been increased by approximately 17%, and Living Bomb damage over time has been increased by approximately 10%, and its explosion damage has been increased by approximately 120%”, according to the patch notes.

What does this mean? Well, we’re going to do more DPS. Beyond that, it initially appears – theorycrafting is still in flux – that Living Bomb moves to be higher priority than Pyroblast, meaning that the priority list is now Combustion > Flame Orb > Living Bomb > Pyroblast. It’s also going to mean that it’s significantly more practical to cast Fireball than Scorch now if there’s any chance so to do.

It also slightly changes Fire’s glyphing – see below. Talent build is unchanged.

Fire Rotation / Priorities

Like most DPS classes in Cataclysm, Fire Mages don’t have a rotation. Instead, they have a fairly simple and flexible priority system – cast the highest-priority spell you can at any time.

Keep Molten Armor and Arcane Brilliance up at all times.

Top Priority: If you have at least two DOTs ticking on the target (Ignite, Living Bomb and the Pyroblast DOT), cast Combustion.
Second Priority: Refresh Living Bomb if it needs to be refreshed and cast Flame Orb if it’s available
Third Priority: Cast Pyroblast if Hot Streak has procced, and refresh Critical Mass with Scorch likewise if needed (it shouldn’t be, normally).
Fourth Priority: If you have nothing else to do, cast Fireball, or if you HAVE to move, Scorch. Use Fireball in preference to Scorch.

AOE: For very short-lived targets, use Blast Wave, then Dragon’s Breath, then Flamestrike. For longer-lived targets, use Living Bomb on multiple targets if they will last long enough, then use Blastwave when you can and otherwise spam Flamestrike.

For AOE on elites, you can also simply proceed with your single-target rotation on one of the targets, and use Fire Blast when Impact procs to spread your DOTs to all three targets. In this case, also use Blast Wave when it’s available.



Fire Talent Spec

This is the Standard Fire Spec

Stats, reforging and gemming

Intellect is the most important stat for Fire followed by Hit, then Haste, then Crit. Mastery is your worst stat. If you reach 15% Haste, then Crit and Haste swap places.

Reforging: Reforge to the Hit Cap (1,742). If you hit this, then reforge to Haste to 15%, then Crit. Reforge from Mastery (and Spirit if you have any) first. After that, reforge Haste if you’re above 15% Haste, or Crit if you’re below 15% Haste.

Gems: Use a Brilliant Inferno Ruby unless the socket bonus provides 10 or more Intellect or 20 or more of another stat. In that case, use Veiled Demonseye for blue sockets and Reckless Ember Topaz (before 15% Haste) or Potent Ember Topaz (after 15% Haste) for yellow sockets.

Fire Mage enchants

Remember, your professions may provide more suitable enchants than these. Check the stat weights above.

Head Arcanum of Hyjal
Shoulders Greater Inscription of Charged Lodestone
Back Enchant Cloak – Greater Intellect
Chest Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats
Wrist Enchant Bracer – Mighty Intellect
Hands Enchant Gloves – Haste
Belt Ebonsteel Belt Buckle
Legs Powerful Ghostly Spellthread
Feet Enchant Boots – Haste
Weapon Enchant Weapon – Power Torrent
Off-Hand Weapon Enchant Weapon – Superior Intellect

Glyphs

Prime: Fireball, Pyroblast, Molten Armor. If your Living Bomb damage is 2x or more your Fireball damage, glyph Living Bomb instead.
Major: Evocation, Polymorph, Dragon’s Breath. If you’re sure you won’t use Polymorph, choose Blast Wave or Blink instead.
Minor: Slow Fall – others are your preference.