Question about Mages

[Skandranon]

Hmm, ok so Frost Nova doesn't really help that much, it's more like a panic button than anything else?

Yes and no. It works well as a panic button, but for at least the first 20 levels you'll want it as a key part of your tactical arsenal. Nova as they come close, then take a few steps back and unload a spell.

Yeah, I wasn't quite clear with what I was saying - my question was that since you were going to put so many points into Missiles anyway, does Fireball really outdamage Missiles enough to justify the specialization?

Firstly, five points is not "so many" or even "many" at all. Five points is nothing, and these five are one of the best deals there are. Besides, all talent builds will be going at least 15 points into Arcane - given that you have to put five points into first-tier Arcane talents anyway, this isn't at all an out-of-the-way expenditure.

Secondly, define "enough". With five points in Improved Fireball, Fireball ends up with a 10-20% edge depending on what level you are. With Impact offering a chance to stun, and Flame Throwing extending its range, Fireball becomes something you want to be casting a lot before they reach you. Unfortunately that usually means just two, but you can get a third with Frost Nova.

Thirdly, even if it isn't "enough" - what else will you use the points on? Mage talents are pretty weak. We take what we can get.

For the Frost route, wouldn't it make more sense just to fire one Frostbolt to freeze, then Missile the rest of the way?

With Improved Frostbolt, Frostbolt is good enough to use the whole way in - the damage is either comparable or very slightly superior. All other things being equal, you'd rather score a critical with Frostbolt and Ice Shards than with Arcane Missiles (which has no such enhancing talent). The heavy frost build shoots Frostbolts all the way because each has a chance to freeze (with Frostbite) and therefore crit (via Shatter).