02-13-2008, 10:40 PM
Quote:Any input from the mages?
I see this opening a couple potential options for mages:
1) re-opening up arcane to those willing to stack the hell out of INT, which in that build gets you +damage and regen, potentially allowing very high arcane blast usage.
2) creating a potential alternate fire build without icy veins but with Arcane Meditation that would be a longevity focused build. Less burst DPS for sure. Sustained though might be higher if the regen would allow for more fireblast usage or just not running out of mana on a very long fight.
I haven't done any of the math on this, just wondering if any of the mages have looked into it?
People are working out the math on this right now. The general consensus appears to be that it's definitely giving arcane builds a shot in the arm, but even max-stacked AB is only about 5% more DPS than firespec fireball spam. One particular issue is 2-piece T5; we don't know enough about the caster gear in Sunwell to tell how much of a sacrifice it might be and whether it's worth it or not. Still, there are definitely possibilities on that score: Arcane Mind and Arcane Meditation make for a potent combination.
An 18/40/3 fire build isn't really in the cards, though. Even in 2/47/11 +1, most mages can fireball effectively indefinitely in raid content. I haven't cast evocation in a raid for a while, even on Kaz'rogal where I occasionally eat mana drains. Obviously people in earlier gear may have some trouble, but not huge enough to rate this kind of build.