05-23-2005, 07:52 PM
Hillary,May 23 2005, 11:53 AM Wrote:After having done a level twenty something instance with my baby mage, I've come to wonder if a mage is ever allowed to let loose outside of solo play? I was struggling with aggro control the other night. Admittedly, there was a slight level discrepency between Yva and the rest of the party - maybe one or two - but she drew aggro fast (fast enough that Quark had to tell me to back down or he couldn't prevent me from getting hurt). Is that pretty much a common thing? Or are there spells I should stick to that are going to keep me less hurt? Arcane missiles are okay, I know. I've seen people use them in the big kid instances, so I'm figuring those are all right to use. Scorch I've heard is good? But when does a mage feel free to let loose with fireballs and such?
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As the only DPS class with no method whatsoever to reduce their own aggro, mages have to be extremely sensitive to the level of hate the tank happens to have. Basically, it comes through experience - you just need to play more and get a better feel for how much hate the tank has at any given time. I couldn't quantify the sense I have, but I do know instinctively when I can use a particular attack.
Mages absolutely can let loose, to a certain degree, but it's only in what I call the third stage of mob engagement. The first stage is right after the pull, during which you do nothing. Nothing at all. Count to ten, or do whatever you need to resist the urge to cast. The first few seconds lay the foundation for the rest of the fight.
The second stage is light damage only. This is where Scorch shines; doesn't matter how you're specced, use Scorch here. If they're fire resistant, wand a bit or wait a few more seconds. This stage lasts longer in smaller groups and can be skipped entirely when you're raiding with 5 more than the intended group.
The third stage is when you can open up. Hate is securely locked to the tank, and you can blast away. You can still take aggro during this stage if you wildly chaincast, but allow a little bit of time between each cast and you'll do just fine. If you have any points in Arcane Subtlety at all, go for a couple volleys of missiles before you engage with fireball/frostbolt (whatever you've got Improved, since it'll be your highest-dps spell). Frost mages can start this stage earlier than fire mages.
If at any time you overnuke, pop a mana shield, move towards the tank and stay still. After the tank's got aggro back, start all over again. Wait a few seconds, then scorch, then back to volleying high damage stuff.