Arcane Mage DPS PVE Guide – WotLK

Welcome to the PVE Arcane Mage DPS Guide for World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King!

This guide will teach you how to play an Arcane Mage in a raid. It covers talents, glyphs, gems, enchantments, rotation, and gameplay tips.

Talents in the Fire and Frost trees shouldn’t be changed, however points can be adjusted in the Arcane tree as needed. New players might opt for Arcane Barrage to reset the Arcane debuff, which can help with mana issues.

Major Glyphs

• Glyph of Molten Armor
• Glyph of Arcane Missiles
• Glyph of Arcane Blast

Minor Glyphs

• Glyph of Slow Fall
• Glyph of Frost Ward
• Glyph of Fire Ward

Gems are situational and depend on the build and equipment. They are used to reach the required stat caps.

• Meta – Chaotic Skyflare Diamond
• Red – Runed Cardinal Ruby
• Yellow – Reckless Ametrine
• Blue – Purified Dreadstone x2

Notes

• Runed Cardinal Ruby is used only if the socket bonus is +7 or +9 Spell Power.
• Purified Dreadstone x2 is needed to activate the Meta Gem.

• Head – Arcanum of Burning Mysteries
• Shoulder – Greater Inscription of the Storm
• Cloak – Enchant Cloak – Greater Speed
• Chest – Enchant Chest – Powerful Stats
• Bracers – Enchant Bracers – Superior Spellpower
• Gloves – Enchant Gloves – Exceptional Spellpower
• Waist – Eternal Belt Buckle
• Legs – Brilliant Spellthread
• Boots – Enchant Boots – Icewalker or Enchant Boots – Tuskarr’s Vitality
• Weapon
  • One Handed: Enchant Weapon – Mighty Spellpower or Enchant Weapon – Black Magic
    Staves: Enchant Staff – Greater Spellpower

• Cast Arcane Blast x4
• Cast Arcane Missiles if Missile Barrage activated
• Cast Arcane Blast or use Arcane Barrage if you have it to reset the Arcane debuff

• Use Presence of Mind
• Cast Arcane Blast x3
• Use Mirror Image if you have 4 T10 pieces
• Use Icy Veins
• Use Arcane Power
• Cast Arcane Blast
• Cast Arcane Missiles if Missile Barrage activated