For the WoW Forever beta at the level 30 cap, build Frost around Frostbolt, Frostbite and Ice Lance, then add Ice Shards, Shatter and Fingers of Frost as points allow. The single-target plan is to spam Frostbolt and spend freeze and Fingers of Frost procs on Ice Lance, while AoE shifts to Shatter fishing at 3+ targets and full AoE spam at 5+.
Level 30 talent order
The opening is 5 points in Improved Frostbolt, 2 in Elemental Precision and 3 in Frostbite.
- Improved Frostbolt: 5/5 first, for cast speed and DPS.
- Elemental Precision: 2 points early, since a missed spell costs DPS and helps against enemies above level 30.
- Frostbite: 3/3, granting a freeze chance that sets up bonus Ice Lance damage.
- Ice Lance: pick it up once the early points are placed.
- Ice Shards and Shatter: taken together, they make Ice Lance hit hard on frozen targets.
- Fingers of Frost: unlocked at 21 talent points, it lets Ice Lance and Shatter bonuses apply without the target being frozen.
If you take the 5 extra points from the Talented Legacy perk, put 3 in Piercing Ice, 1 in Elemental Precision and 1 in Winter's Chill. Another recommended order runs Improved Frostbolt, then Ice Shards, Shatter, Ice Block and finally Fingers of Frost at level 30.
Single-target rotation
Cast Frostbolt constantly as your filler, slowing the target while you fish for procs. When Frostbite freezes the target, queue Ice Lance so it lands right after your next Frostbolt finishes. Fingers of Frost applies to you on cast, so you can react quickly, and it is consumed by any spell cast.
Freeze is unreliable on dungeon bosses: any damage can break it, including your own Ice Lance, and allies' attacks may break it before you cast. Use Frost Nova for extra damage and to open distance when a mob closes in.
AoE rotation
At around 3+ targets, fish for Shatter bonuses and work targets by priority; at 5+ targets, switch to full AoE spam. Cone of Cold the group to fish for Fingers of Frost and Frostbite procs, and use Arcane Explosion when you have aggro and cannot safely channel Blizzard. Blizzard is the AoE filler, with Frost Nova to root clustered mobs and Cone of Cold to buy kiting room.
Note that Improved Blizzard's chill was reduced to 15/25/40% for 1.5 sec, down from 30/50/65 in Classic, which affects AoE farming.
Stats and gear
Aim for Spell Damage, Frost Damage and Crit, plus Spirit for mana regeneration. Hit Chance is a high priority, but the cap is not yet known. Exact ideal stats are not confirmed for the beta, but a gear table of dungeon drops, quest rewards and crafted gear is available.
Tailoring crafts Bind-on-Pickup rare leveling gear, starting as low as level 10 with the Novice Arcanist's Sash, and Enchanting pairs with it for consumables and wands. Wands are strong early: Lesser Magic Wand at level 5 and Greater Magic Wand at level 13, cheap on the auction house.
If you would rather have the 1-60 trip handled for you, a WoW Forever Leveling Boost has an experienced player run the optimal routes on your character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I cancel Frostbolt when Fingers of Frost procs?
Finish the cast and queue Ice Lance next.
Do I need Shatter and Winter’s Chill in the beta?
Fingers of Frost works without them, but without Shatter and Winter's Chill it is less exciting than it will be at level 60.
