WoW Forever · Spell damage and control

Frost Mage

Frost makes enemy movement part of the fight. Frostbolt’s slow, Frost Nova’s root and the Ice Lance talent give different ways to turn control into damage. Keep a useful distance and decide whether the next cast should finish the enemy or preserve the space you have created.

Current beta play is capped at level 30. Level 60 reference models and deeper talents are identified as later planning. Client descriptions and server updates can differ.

In this guide

What this build asks you to do

Shatter works against Frozen targets. Fingers of Frost can treat following spells as if the target were Frozen without physically rooting it. That distinction matters against enemies you cannot hold in place. Ice Block is protection with a loss of actions, not free damage time; Cold Snap is a deliberate reset of eligible Frost cooldowns. Deeper Ice Barrier is later planning.

Control creates safer single-target choices and useful reset options.
Some targets resist control; a treated-as-Frozen state does not immobilise them.

Sources for this section

TalentsForever: current beta talents and spell tooltips Forever beta report · 1.60.1.70170 · 2026-10-04
CC-BY-4.0 author-client export generated October 4. Build 70170 with dated research/hotfix annotations; client descriptions do not establish every current server effect or trainer offer.
Method: Mage levelling advice Forever author guide · 2026-10-04
Original creator playstyle and spending advice. Exact unlocks are cross-checked against beta data; dated Blizzard changes override stale details.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.
Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.

Choose the next action

Pull from a position where Frostbolt’s slow has value. Another cast is useful only if you still have the space and time to finish it.
Use Frost Nova when a real root solves the situation, then decide whether to move or attack. Damage can change a control state, so do not treat a rooted enemy as permanently harmless.
Fingers of Frost is a prepared spell interaction, not a physical root. At the ordinary level 30 first rank, the next eligible spell consumes the illustrated opportunity.
Choose Ice Lance when its Frozen-target interaction fits the current state. Shatter and Fingers do not imply that every uncontrolled enemy is actually Frozen.
Keep Ice Block and Cold Snap as deliberate defensive/reset choices. Deep Ice Barrier is later planning, and being unable to act in a defensive state is not free damage time.

Sources for this section

TalentsForever: current beta talents and spell tooltips Forever beta report · 1.60.1.70170 · 2026-10-04
CC-BY-4.0 author-client export generated October 4. Build 70170 with dated research/hotfix annotations; client descriptions do not establish every current server effect or trainer offer.
Method: Mage levelling advice Forever author guide · 2026-10-04
Original creator playstyle and spending advice. Exact unlocks are cross-checked against beta data; dated Blizzard changes override stale details.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.
Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.

Treated as Frozen does not mean rooted

Click through an illustrative sequence. Conditional effects require the named spells and talents; this is not a damage, resource, threat or timing simulation.

Apply a chill: An eligible chill can trigger Fingers of Frost when that talent is learned.
Read Fingers of Frost: In this conditional example, the proc treats following spells as if the target were Frozen.
Choose Ice Lance: Use the learned talent while the illustrated rank-one state is available, consuming that one-spell benefit.
Keep real distance: The proc did not root the enemy. Reposition or use an actual control spell when needed.

Inspect the interaction

The scene explains this named mechanic. The saved level 60 priority reference, where present, is separate.

Treated as Frozen does not mean rooted Current beta · use the spells and talents you know

Treated as Frozen does not mean rooted

Click through an illustrative sequence. Conditional effects require the named spells and talents; this is not a damage, resource, threat or timing simulation.

This scene illustrates a named interaction. Playback does not simulate combat timing, damage, resource costs or enemy behaviour.

Sources for this section

TalentsForever: current beta talents and spell tooltips Forever beta report · 1.60.1.70170 · 2026-10-04
CC-BY-4.0 author-client export generated October 4. Build 70170 with dated research/hotfix annotations; client descriptions do not establish every current server effect or trainer offer.
Method: Mage levelling advice Forever author guide · 2026-10-04
Original creator playstyle and spending advice. Exact unlocks are cross-checked against beta data; dated Blizzard changes override stale details.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.
Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.

Build the toolkit

Learn Frostbolt and the control spells you actually use; Ice Lance is a talent option, not a default early spell. Deeper defensive talents are future point choices. Check the rank of Fingers before expecting more than one following-spell opportunity.

Build the toolkit
Level	Decision or milestone	Scope
10	Check Frost Nova in the spellbook.	Current beta
20	Ice Lance is a talent choice.	Current beta
25	Ice Block and Shatter are talent-row options.	Current beta
30	Fingers of Frost and Cold Snap become options.	Current beta
40	Ice Barrier is deeper planning.	Later planning

Sources for this section

TalentsForever: current beta talents and spell tooltips Forever beta report · 1.60.1.70170 · 2026-10-04
CC-BY-4.0 author-client export generated October 4. Build 70170 with dated research/hotfix annotations; client descriptions do not establish every current server effect or trainer offer.
Method: Mage levelling advice Forever author guide · 2026-10-04
Original creator playstyle and spending advice. Exact unlocks are cross-checked against beta data; dated Blizzard changes override stale details.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.
Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.

Understand the upgrade

A slower enemy can improve your usable casting time; raw spell damage alone misses that benefit.

Shatter and Frozen-related effects use specific target states, not one universal crit value.

These examples describe the pinned client baseline. Learned talents, buffs, attack type and actual encounter change the useful result; they are not universal stat weights. Spirit’s value must be compared through the full and casting regeneration your character reports, rather than a fixed Spirit-to-MP5 rule.

Understand the upgrade
Comparison	Meaning
+10 Intellect	+150 mana if existing effective Intellect is at least 20, before further modifiers; about +0.366 percentage points of spell crit at level 30.
+7 Intellect from 19	The first-20 breakpoint gives +91 mana, not +105.
Spell/healing power	Compare the affected spell or heal and learned rank; the coefficient and useful outcome differ.

Sources for this section

Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.

Questing and group play

Frost’s solo appeal is room to make decisions rather than a guarantee that every enemy can be rooted. Use terrain carefully and stop a pull that threatens to bring extra packs. In groups, decide whether a root is useful control or an obstacle to the tank moving enemies into position.

Sources for this section

TalentsForever: current beta talents and spell tooltips Forever beta report · 1.60.1.70170 · 2026-10-04
CC-BY-4.0 author-client export generated October 4. Build 70170 with dated research/hotfix annotations; client descriptions do not establish every current server effect or trainer offer.
Method: Mage levelling advice Forever author guide · 2026-10-04
Original creator playstyle and spending advice. Exact unlocks are cross-checked against beta data; dated Blizzard changes override stale details.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.
Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.

Choose useful equipment

Compare affected Frost spell damage with Intellect, useful crit and the safety gained from maintaining distance. An item that improves a stationary cast may not help while you are moving. Keep early wand upgrades in the solo budget, with wand damage evaluated separately from spell power.

Sources for this section

TalentsForever: current beta talents and spell tooltips Forever beta report · 1.60.1.70170 · 2026-10-04
CC-BY-4.0 author-client export generated October 4. Build 70170 with dated research/hotfix annotations; client descriptions do not establish every current server effect or trainer offer.
Method: Mage levelling advice Forever author guide · 2026-10-04
Original creator playstyle and spending advice. Exact unlocks are cross-checked against beta data; dated Blizzard changes override stale details.
Matching Forever attribute breakpoints Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
First 20 effective Intellect and Stamina breakpoints; Intellect above 20 has 15 mana per point in the client display. HP above the Stamina breakpoint uses a runtime getter.
Forever client regeneration evidence Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Reported rate display and accepted class/retention evidence. No universal Spirit-to-MP5 conversion or invented server tick formula.
Forever class attribute coefficients Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Class baseline attack-power coefficients; form-specific branches and modifiers are separate.
Matching Forever character-stat display Client interface source · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Client display basis: 14 AP per nominal ordinary weapon DPS, 2 Armor per Agility, and Cat-specific Agility branch. Not a special-attack or shapeshifted damage model.
Forever item reference: build 70205 Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Item names and requirements; client presence does not establish a drop source or current access.

Level 60 reference priorities

Human; saved 16/3/32 talent split; level 60; 10,000 iterations; one level 63 target; nominal 120 seconds with ±15 seconds variation.

These are the visible core spell decisions in this saved model’s effective rotation, in source priority order. Check the first usable higher-priority action; later entries can be skipped. Item, racial and other auxiliary management remains in the full report, and execute-phase percentages are encounter settings rather than proc chances. The proc-gated Arcane Missiles entry uses the engine’s carried-over Missile Barrage assumption; it is not a verified current proc rate or timing rule.

Level 60 reference priorities
Action	Condition in this saved model
Evocation	(Mana % < 20% AND fight time remaining > 25s)
Ice Lance	active effect: Fingers of Frost
Arcane Missiles	(known model effect: Missile Barrage (model effect) AND active effect: Missile Barrage (model effect))
Frostbolt	No additional priority test

Sources for this section

MythicSim: Frost Mage Model documentation · 2026-10-05
Saved level 60 reference, inspected October 5, 2026. Engine forever-f43215d07e51fc228c2e32366d7563b03d76fec8. Its priorities and events describe this model, not tested live gameplay.
MythicSim engine: Missile Barrage assumption Model documentation · 2026-10-05
Identifies model aura 44404 as Missile Barrage. The source explicitly carries this effect over because its generated tables lack the rows; its chance and timing are not confirmed live-game values.

Inspect the saved opening

These timestamps show selected events from one recorded model opening. A row can be a triggered event; it is not automatically another button press. Negative times are preparation before the encounter.

Saved endgame model · later planning

Saved level 60 reference

Inspect events from this saved setup.

Level 60 single-target damage reference · later planning

Inspect the saved opening

These rows are events from one model timeline. A triggered hit or effect is not automatically an extra player cast.

Saved model event · 0 sCold Snap

Inspect the original setup and full report →

Sources for this section

MythicSim: Frost Mage Model documentation · 2026-10-05
Saved level 60 reference, inspected October 5, 2026. Engine forever-f43215d07e51fc228c2e32366d7563b03d76fec8. Its priorities and events describe this model, not tested live gameplay.

Equipment in this reference

The publisher describes these sets as primarily dungeon and crafted equipment, rather than optimized BiS. The Survival and Holy / Protection references have beta-gear exceptions. This is an item sample without inferred inventory slots.

Equipment in this reference
Reference item	How to use this comparison
Robe of the Archmage	Fixed reference item; verify your level, source and current access.
Gloves of Spell Mastery	Fixed reference item; verify your level, source and current access.

Sources for this section

MythicSim: Frost Mage Model documentation · 2026-10-05
Saved level 60 reference, inspected October 5, 2026. Engine forever-f43215d07e51fc228c2e32366d7563b03d76fec8. Its priorities and events describe this model, not tested live gameplay.
Forever item reference: build 70205 Client data · 1.60.1.70205 · 2026-10-04
Item names and requirements; client presence does not establish a drop source or current access.
MythicSim: reference-model methodology Model documentation · 2026-10-04
Dated level 60 damage-model references; selected profiles are not gameplay or healer-performance evidence.