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Frost Mage

Frost Mage Overview

Rotation & DPS

Overview Single-Target Priority Multi-Target / AoE Cooldowns Mana Management Keep These Up

Pre-Raid Gear

Overview Head Necklace Shoulder Back Chest Wrist Hands Waist Legs Feet Rings Trinkets Main Hand Off Hand Wand

Badge Priority

Spending Order

Raid Phases

Phase 1 (Kara/Gruul/Mag) Head Neck Shoulder Back Chest Wrist Hands Waist Legs Feet Rings Trinkets Main Hand Off Hand Wand Phase 2 (SSC/TK) Head Neck Shoulder Back Chest Wrist Hands Waist Legs Feet Rings Trinkets Main Hand Off Hand Wand Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5

Gems

Overview

Enchants

Overview

Talents

Overview

Consumables

Overview

Raid Buffs

Overview Class Buffs Boss Debuffs Caster Party

Quest Strategy

Overview Pre-Flight Checklist Fresh 70 Sweep Raid Attunements

Reputation

Overview Priority Reps Aldor vs Scryers

Resources

Useful Links

WoW Classic Anniversary TBC - Frost Mage DPS Guide

Your fast track to a raid-ready Frost Mage in WoW Classic Anniversary (TBC). Pre-raid BiS, per-phase raid upgrades, gems, enchants, consumables, talents, and the max-DPS rotation, with every pick ranked by consensus across the major mage guides and checked against live item stats. Hover any item, boss, or ability for full Wowhead tooltips.

Overview

Frost is the safe, consistent ranged caster: rock-steady single-target damage from Frostbolt, a Water Elemental pet, and built-in survivability (snares, Frost Nova, Blink). It is not the top raid parser (Fire and Arcane out-scale it), but it is forgiving, great for PvP and farming, and brings real raid utility: the Winter's Chill debuff (stacking +crit to frost damage on the boss), Arcane Brilliance, sheep CC, and conjured food/water/mana gems. The whole build is about feeding Frostbolt and hitting one cap first:

Rotation & DPS

Frost is a simple, low-APM rotation: keep Frostbolt rolling, layer your cooldowns into haste windows, and manage mana so you never go dry. Built from the Icy Veins Frost Mage rotation guide.

Single-Target Priority

1. Summon Water Elemental on cooldown. The pet adds free sustained damage, keep it out whenever it is up.
2. Icy Veins on cooldown for a +20% spell-haste burst window (line it up with Bloodlust and trinkets).
3. Frostbolt is your entire filler. Cast it back to back; it also stacks Winter's Chill on the target (up to 5 = +10% crit to frost spells for the raid).
4. While moving: Fire Blast if the target is not frozen, or Ice Lance if it is (a guaranteed Shatter crit). Do not stand still casting nothing.

Multi-Target / AoE

• Blizzard is your main AoE (talented Improved Blizzard also snares the pack).
• Cone of Cold for tight clumps in melee range, and to proc freezes for Shatter.
• Arcane Explosion if you are surrounded, but it is very mana-hungry; Flamestrike for stacked packs.
• Frost Nova + Blink to root and peel away when kiting.

Cooldowns

Cooldown	Effect	When to use
Icy Veins	+20% spell haste for 20 sec	On cooldown; stack with Bloodlust, trinkets and a potion for burst
Summon Water Elemental	Summons a pet that nukes and can Freeze targets	Keep it out on cooldown; its Freeze sets up Shatter
Cold Snap	Instantly resets all your Frost cooldowns	Use Icy Veins + Water Elemental, then Cold Snap to do both again
Bloodlust / Heroism	+30% party haste for 40 sec	Shaman/raid cooldown; pool nothing, just cast through it

Mana Management

• Conjure a Mana Emerald before the pull and use the Mana Gem the moment you dip (it is free mana on a short cooldown).
• Evocation on cooldown whenever it is safe to channel; it restores a big chunk of your mana bar.
• Carry mana potions and a Dark/Demonic Rune and alternate them (separate cooldowns) on long fights.
• Drink to full between pulls. Molten Armor is the DPS armor (crit); swap to Mage Armor only if a fight is a true mana marathon.

Keep These Up

• Arcane Brilliance on the raid (or Arcane Intellect on yourself).
• Your Molten Armor buff for the crit.
• Five stacks of Winter's Chill on the boss (you apply it with Frostbolt; it helps every frost caster).

Pre-Raid Best in Slot

Gear to target before stepping into Karazhan. Frost is a caster set: stack spell hit to cap, then spell damage and crit. The Tailoring sets (Frozen Shadoweave for frost/shadow damage, Spellstrike head+legs) and Badge of Justice pieces carry most slots. Ranked by value; notes are from live item stats.

Head

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Spellstrike Hood	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +46 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Mana-Etched Crown	💀Caverns of Time - Black Morass - Aeonus	sta/int, +34 spell dmg, 2 sockets
Alt	Mana-Binders Cowl	🎖️Shattrath - 50 Badge of Justice	sta/int, +34 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	Incanter's Cowl	💀Netherstorm - Mechanar - Pathaleon the Calculator	sta/int/spi, +29 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets

Necklace

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Brooch of Heightened Potential	💀Terokkar Forest - Shadow Labyrinth - Blackheart the Inciter	sta/int, +22 spell dmg, hit, crit
Alt	Pendant of Dominance	⚔️PvP - Honor & EotS Marks	sta/int, +26 spell dmg, 1 socket
Alt	Natasha's Ember Necklace	!Quest: The Hound-Master	int, +29 spell dmg, crit
Good	Torc of the Sethekk Prophet	!Quest: Brother Against Brother	int, +19 spell dmg, crit

Shoulder

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Mana-Etched Spaulders	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Slave Pens - Quagmirran	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Frozen Shadoweave Shoulders	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +50 frost, +50 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	High Warlord's Silk Amice	⚔️PvP - Honor & AB Marks	sta/int, +25 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	Spaulders of Oblivion	💀Terokkar Forest - Shadow Labyrinth - Murmur	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, 2 sockets

Back

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Shawl of Shifting Probabilities	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	sta/int, +21 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Cloak of the Black Void	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	int, +35 spell dmg
Alt	Ogre Slayer's Cover	!Quest: Cho'war the Pillager	int/spi, +20 spell dmg, crit
Good	Cloak of Woven Energy	!Quest: Hitting the Motherlode	sta/int/spi, +29 spell dmg, crit

Chest

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Frozen Shadoweave Robe	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +72 frost, +72 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	Auchenai Anchorite's Robe	!Quest: Everything Will Be Alright	int, +28 spell dmg, hit, 3 sockets
Alt	Mana-Etched Vestments	💀Caverns of Time - Old Hillsbrad Foothills - Epoch Hunter	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets
Good	Will of Edward the Odd	🌍World Drop (BoE)	int, +53 spell dmg, crit

Wrist

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	General's Silk Cuffs	💀Vendor - Honor & WSG Marks	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 1 socket
Alt	Bracers of Havok	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	int, +30 spell dmg, 1 socket
Alt	Shattrath Wraps	!Quest: The Soul Devices	sta/int, +21 spell dmg, 1 socket
Good	Bands of Negation	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Mana-Tombs - Nexus-Prince Shaffar	sta/int, +29 spell dmg

Hands

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Manaspark Gloves	💀Zangarmarsh - Underbog - Hungarfen	sta/int/spi, +16 spell dmg, hit, 2 sockets
Alt	Mana-Etched Gloves	💀Hellfire Peninsula - Heroic - Ramparts - Omor the Unscarred	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Gloves of Pandemonium	🌍World Drop (BoE)	int, +25 spell dmg, hit, crit
Good	Gloves of the Deadwatcher	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Auchenai Crypts - Shirrak the Dead Watcher	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, hit

Waist

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Girdle of Ruination	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +39 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Glyph-Lined Sash	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Mana-Tombs - Nexus-Prince Shaffar	sta/int, +30 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	A'dal's Gift	!Quest: How to Break Into the Arcatraz	int, +34 spell dmg, crit
Good	Belt of Depravity	💀Netherstorm - Heroic - Arcatraz - Harbinger Skyriss	sta/int, +34 spell dmg, hit

Legs

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Spellstrike Pants	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +46 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Breeches of the Occultist	💀Caverns of Time - Heroic - Black Morass - Aeonus	sta/int, +36 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Aran's Sorcerous Slacks	💀Caverns of Time - Heroic - Old Hillsbrad Foothills - Lieutentant Drake	sta/int, +23 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets
Good	Kirin Tor Master's Trousers	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Shadow Labyrinth - Murmur	sta/int/spi, +36 spell dmg, 3 sockets

Feet

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Frozen Shadoweave Boots	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +57 frost, +57 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	Sigil-Laced Boots	💀Netherstorm - Arcatraz - Harbinger Skyriss	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Shattrath Jumpers	!Quest: Into the Heart of the Labyrinth	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, 2 sockets
Good	General's Silk Footguards	⚔️PvP - Honor & EotS Marks	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit

Rings

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Band of Frigid Elements	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Sethekk Halls - Anzu (Summoned Boss)	int, +34 frost, crit
Alt	Ring of the Fallen God	!Quest: The Savior of Kalimdor	sta/int, +37 spell dmg, hit
Alt	Sparking Arcanite Ring	💀Caverns of Time - Heroic - Old Hillsbrad Foothills - Epoch Hunter	sta/int, +22 spell dmg, hit, crit
Good	Ring of Cryptic Dreams	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	sta/int, +23 spell dmg, crit

Trinkets

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Icon of the Silver Crescent	🎖️Shattrath - 41 Badge of Justice	+43 spell dmg, on-use
Alt	Quagmirran's Eye	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Slave Pens - Quagmirran	+37 spell dmg, haste
Alt	Scryer's Bloodgem	📜The Scryers - Revered	hit, on-use
Good	Xi'ri's Gift	📜The Sha'tar - Revered	crit, on-use

Main Hand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Gladiator's Spellblade	⚔️PvP - Arena Season 1	sta/int, +199 spell dmg
Alt	Eternium Runed Blade	🔨Crafted - Blacksmithing	int, +168 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Stormcaller	📜Thrallmar - Exalted (H)	sta/int, +159 spell dmg, crit
Good	Blade of Wizardry	🌍World Drop (BoE)	+159 spell dmg, haste

Off Hand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Sapphiron's Wing Bone	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	+51 frost, hit
Alt	Khadgar's Knapsack	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	+49 spell dmg
Alt	Lamp of Peaceful Radiance	💀Netherstorm - Arcatraz - Harbinger Skyriss	sta/int, +21 spell dmg, hit, crit
Good	Karrog's Shard	💀Skettis Summoned Boss - Karrog	+35 spell dmg, crit

Wand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	The Black Stalk	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Underbog - The Black Stalker	sta, +20 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Nether Core's Control Rod	💀Netherstorm - Arcatraz - Dalliah the Doomsayer	sta/int, +13 spell dmg, hit
Alt	Rod of Dire Shadows	!Quest: The Will of the Warchief	int, +11 spell dmg, crit
Good	Nesingwary Safari Stick	!Quest: The Ultimate Bloodsport	+14 spell dmg, crit

Badge of Justice Spending Priority

Spend your first ~150 Badges of Justice for the most spell damage per badge. The trinket is the priority buy.

Priority	Item	Cost	Why
1	Icon of the Silver Crescent	41 Badges	+spell dmg trinket with a huge on-use spell-power burst. Best-value buy.
2	Shawl of Shifting Probabilities	25 Badges	Top pre-raid cloak: spell dmg + hit.
3	Sapphiron's Wing Bone	25 Badges	Best off-hand until raid drops; spell dmg + crit.
4	Mana-Binders Cowl	50 Badges	Strong head, but expensive; buy after the cheaper upgrades.

Phase 1 - Karazhan / Gruul's Lair / Magtheridon's Lair

Phase 1 adds Karazhan, Gruul and Magtheridon caster drops plus the Tier 4 mage set (Aldor/Tirisfal pieces). The crafted Tailoring sets are still strong, so most slots are a mix of tier, off-set drops and crafted. Ranked by value.

Head

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Spellstrike Hood	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +46 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Collar of the Aldor	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Prince Malchezaar	sta/int/spi, +41 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Mana-Etched Crown	💀Caverns of Time - Black Morass - Aeonus	sta/int, +34 spell dmg, 2 sockets
Good	Mana-Binders Cowl	🎖️Shattrath - 50 Badge of Justice	sta/int, +34 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets

Necklace

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Adornment of Stolen Souls	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Prince Malchezaar	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Brooch of Unquenchable Fury	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Moroes	sta/int, +26 spell dmg, hit
Alt	Brooch of Heightened Potential	💀Terokkar Forest - Shadow Labyrinth - Blackheart the Inciter	sta/int, +22 spell dmg, hit, crit
Good	Pendant of Dominance	⚔️PvP - Honor & EotS Marks	sta/int, +26 spell dmg, 1 socket

Shoulder

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Mana-Etched Spaulders	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Slave Pens - Quagmirran	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Frozen Shadoweave Shoulders	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +50 frost, +50 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	Pauldrons of the Aldor	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - High King Maulgar	sta/int/spi, +27 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	High Warlord's Silk Amice	⚔️PvP - Honor & AB Marks	sta/int, +25 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets

Back

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Ancient Spellcloak of the Highborne	🐉World Boss - Doom Lord Kazzak	int, +36 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Brute Cloak of the Ogre-Magi	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - High King Maulgar	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Ruby Drape of the Mysticant	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Prince Malchezaar	sta/int, +30 spell dmg, hit
Good	Shadow-Cloak of Dalaran	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Moroes	sta/int, +36 spell dmg

Chest

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Frozen Shadoweave Robe	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +72 frost, +72 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	Vestments of the Aldor	🐉Hellfire Peninsula - Magtheridon's Lair - Magtheridon	sta/int/spi, +49 spell dmg, 3 sockets
Alt	Auchenai Anchorite's Robe	!Quest: Everything Will Be Alright	int, +28 spell dmg, hit, 3 sockets
Good	Mana-Etched Vestments	💀Caverns of Time - Old Hillsbrad Foothills - Epoch Hunter	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets

Wrist

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	General's Silk Cuffs	💀Vendor - Honor & WSG Marks	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 1 socket
Alt	Bracers of Havok	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	int, +30 spell dmg, 1 socket
Alt	Bands of Nefarious Deeds	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Maiden of Virtue	sta/int, +32 spell dmg
Good	Shattrath Wraps	!Quest: The Soul Devices	sta/int, +21 spell dmg, 1 socket

Hands

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Anger-Spark Gloves	🐉World Boss - Doomwalker	+30 spell dmg, hit, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Soul-Eater's Handwraps	🐉Hellfire Peninsula - Magtheridon's Lair - Magtheridon	sta/int, +36 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Manaspark Gloves	💀Zangarmarsh - Underbog - Hungarfen	sta/int/spi, +16 spell dmg, hit, 2 sockets
Good	Handwraps of Flowing Thought	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Attumen the Huntsman	sta/int, +35 spell dmg, hit, 2 sockets

Waist

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Girdle of Ruination	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +39 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Belt of Divine Inspiration	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - High King Maulgar	sta/int, +43 spell dmg, 2 sockets
Alt	Glyph-Lined Sash	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Mana-Tombs - Nexus-Prince Shaffar	sta/int, +30 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	Malefic Girdle	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Terestian Illhoof	sta/int, +37 spell dmg, crit

Legs

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Spellstrike Pants	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +46 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Leggings of the Seventh Circle	🐉World Boss - Doom Lord Kazzak	int, +50 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Trial-Fire Trousers	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Opera Event (Shared)	sta/int, +49 spell dmg, 3 sockets
Good	Breeches of the Occultist	💀Caverns of Time - Heroic - Black Morass - Aeonus	sta/int, +36 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets

Feet

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Frozen Shadoweave Boots	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +57 frost, +57 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	Boots of Foretelling	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Maiden of Virtue	sta/int, +26 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Sigil-Laced Boots	💀Netherstorm - Arcatraz - Harbinger Skyriss	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	Shattrath Jumpers	!Quest: Into the Heart of the Labyrinth	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, 2 sockets

Rings

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Ring of Recurrence	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Chess Event	sta/int, +32 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Band of Frigid Elements	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Sethekk Halls - Anzu (Summoned Boss)	int, +34 frost, crit
Alt	Violet Signet of the Archmage	📜The Violet Eye - Exalted	sta/int, +29 spell dmg, crit
Good	Band of Crimson Fury	!Quest: The Fall of Magtheridon	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, hit

Trinkets

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Icon of the Silver Crescent	🎖️Shattrath - 41 Badge of Justice	+43 spell dmg, on-use
Alt	Quagmirran's Eye	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Slave Pens - Quagmirran	+37 spell dmg, haste
Alt	Scryer's Bloodgem	📜The Scryers - Revered	hit, on-use
Good	Xi'ri's Gift	📜The Sha'tar - Revered	crit, on-use

Main Hand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Talon of the Tempest	🐉World Boss - Doomwalker	int, +194 spell dmg, hit, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Bloodmaw Magus-Blade	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - Gruul the Dragonkiller	sta/int, +203 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Nathrezim Mindblade	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Prince Malchezaar	sta/int, +203 spell dmg, crit
Good	Gladiator's Spellblade	⚔️PvP - Arena Season 1	sta/int, +199 spell dmg

Off Hand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Sapphiron's Wing Bone	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	+51 frost, hit
Alt	Khadgar's Knapsack	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	+49 spell dmg
Alt	Talisman of Nightbane	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Nightbane	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit
Good	Jewel of Infinite Possibilities	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Netherspite	sta/int, +23 spell dmg, hit

Wand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Eredar Wand of Obliteration	🐉Hellfire Peninsula - Magtheridon's Lair - Magtheridon	sta/int, +16 spell dmg, crit
Alt	The Black Stalk	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Underbog - The Black Stalker	sta, +20 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Tirisfal Wand of Ascendancy	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Shade of Aran	sta/int, +15 spell dmg, hit
Good	Nether Core's Control Rod	💀Netherstorm - Arcatraz - Dalliah the Doomsayer	sta/int, +13 spell dmg, hit

Phase 2 - Serpentshrine Cavern / Tempest Keep

Phase 2 brings the Tier 5 mage set (Tirisfal Regalia) plus SSC and Tempest Keep off-pieces. Crafted (Belt/Boots of Blasting, Spellstrike) and a couple of P1 holdovers still appear. Ranked by value.

Head

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Cowl of Tirisfal	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Lady Vashj	sta/int/spi, +55 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Destruction Holo-Gogs	🔨Crafted - Engineering	sta/int, +64 spell dmg, crit, on-use, 2 sockets
Alt	Cowl of the Grand Engineer	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - Void Reaver	sta/int, +53 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Good	Spellstrike Hood	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +46 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets

Necklace

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	The Sun King's Talisman	!Quest: Kael'thas and the Verdant Sphere	sta/int, +41 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Adornment of Stolen Souls	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Prince Malchezaar	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Brooch of Unquenchable Fury	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Moroes	sta/int, +26 spell dmg, hit
Good	Brooch of Heightened Potential	💀Terokkar Forest - Shadow Labyrinth - Blackheart the Inciter	sta/int, +22 spell dmg, hit, crit

Shoulder

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Mantle of Tirisfal	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - Void Reaver	sta/int/spi, +40 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Mana-Etched Spaulders	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Slave Pens - Quagmirran	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Illidari Shoulderpads	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Morogrim Tidewalker	sta/int, +39 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	Frozen Shadoweave Shoulders	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +50 frost, +50 shadow, 2 sockets

Back

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Ancient Spellcloak of the Highborne	🐉World Boss - Doom Lord Kazzak	int, +36 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Royal Cloak of the Sunstriders	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - Kael'thas Sunstrider	sta/int, +44 spell dmg
Alt	Brute Cloak of the Ogre-Magi	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - High King Maulgar	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit
Good	Ruby Drape of the Mysticant	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Prince Malchezaar	sta/int, +30 spell dmg, hit

Chest

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Vestments of the Sea-Witch	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Lady Vashj	sta/int, +57 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Robes of Tirisfal	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - Kael'thas Sunstrider	sta/int/spi, +55 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Robe of Hateful Echoes	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Hydross the Unstable	sta/int, +50 spell dmg, crit, 3 sockets
Good	Frozen Shadoweave Robe	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +72 frost, +72 shadow, 2 sockets

Wrist

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Mindstorm Wristbands	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - Al'ar	sta/int, +36 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Crystalweave Bracers	📜Sha'tari Skyguard / Ogri'la - Apexis vendor	int, +23 spell dmg, crit, 1 socket
Alt	General's Silk Cuffs	💀Vendor - Honor & WSG Marks	sta/int, +20 spell dmg, crit, 1 socket
Good	Bracers of Havok	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	int, +30 spell dmg, 1 socket

Hands

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Anger-Spark Gloves	🐉World Boss - Doomwalker	+30 spell dmg, hit, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Soul-Eater's Handwraps	🐉Hellfire Peninsula - Magtheridon's Lair - Magtheridon	sta/int, +36 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Manaspark Gloves	💀Zangarmarsh - Underbog - Hungarfen	sta/int/spi, +16 spell dmg, hit, 2 sockets
Good	Gloves of Tirisfal	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Leotheras the Blind	sta/int/spi, +41 spell dmg, crit

Waist

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Belt of Blasting	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	+50 spell dmg, hit, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	Cord of Screaming Terrors	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - The Lurker Below	sta/int, +50 spell dmg, hit, 2 sockets
Alt	Girdle of Ruination	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +39 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets
Good	Belt of Divine Inspiration	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - High King Maulgar	sta/int, +43 spell dmg, 2 sockets

Legs

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Spellstrike Pants	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +46 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Leggings of the Seventh Circle	🐉World Boss - Doom Lord Kazzak	int, +50 spell dmg, hit, crit, 3 sockets
Alt	Leggings of Tirisfal	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Fathom-Lord Karathress	sta/int/spi, +54 spell dmg, hit, crit, 1 socket
Good	Trousers of the Astromancer	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - High Astromancer Solarian	sta/int/spi, +54 spell dmg, 3 sockets

Feet

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Frozen Shadoweave Boots	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +57 frost, +57 shadow, 2 sockets
Alt	Boots of Blasting	🔨Crafted - Tailoring	sta/int, +39 spell dmg, hit, crit
Alt	Velvet boots of the Guardian	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - The Lurker Below	sta/int/spi, +49 spell dmg, crit
Good	Boots of Foretelling	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Maiden of Virtue	sta/int, +26 spell dmg, crit, 2 sockets

Rings

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Band of Eternity	!Quest: The Vials of Eternity	sta
Alt	Ring of Endless Coils	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Lady Vashj	sta, +37 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Ring of Recurrence	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Chess Event	sta/int, +32 spell dmg, crit
Good	Band of Frigid Elements	💀Terokkar Forest - Heroic - Sethekk Halls - Anzu (Summoned Boss)	int, +34 frost, crit

Trinkets

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Icon of the Silver Crescent	🎖️Shattrath - 41 Badge of Justice	+43 spell dmg, on-use
Alt	Quagmirran's Eye	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Slave Pens - Quagmirran	+37 spell dmg, haste
Alt	Sextant of Unstable Currents	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Fathom-Lord Karathress	crit
Good	Scryer's Bloodgem	📜The Scryers - Revered	hit, on-use

Main Hand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Fang of the Leviathan	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Leotheras the Blind	sta/int, +221 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Talon of the Tempest	🐉World Boss - Doomwalker	int, +194 spell dmg, hit, crit, 2 sockets
Alt	The Nexus Key	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - Kael'thas Sunstrider	sta/int, +236 spell dmg, crit
Good	Bloodmaw Magus-Blade	🐉Blade's Edge Mtns - Gruul's Lair - Gruul the Dragonkiller	sta/int, +203 spell dmg, crit

Off Hand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Sapphiron's Wing Bone	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	+51 frost, hit
Alt	Fathomstone	🐉Zangarmarsh - Serpentshrine Cavern - Hydross the Unstable	sta/int, +36 spell dmg, crit
Alt	Khadgar's Knapsack	🎖️Shattrath - 25 Badge of Justice	+49 spell dmg
Good	Talisman of Nightbane	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Nightbane	sta/int, +28 spell dmg, crit

Wand

Rank	Item	Source	Notes
BiS	Wand of the Forgotten Star	🐉Netherstorm - Tempest Keep - High Astromancer Solarian	+23 spell dmg, hit, crit
Alt	Eredar Wand of Obliteration	🐉Hellfire Peninsula - Magtheridon's Lair - Magtheridon	sta/int, +16 spell dmg, crit
Alt	The Black Stalk	💀Zangarmarsh - Heroic - Underbog - The Black Stalker	sta, +20 spell dmg, crit
Good	Tirisfal Wand of Ascendancy	🐉Deadwind Pass - Karazhan - Shade of Aran	sta/int, +15 spell dmg, hit

Phase 3 - Black Temple / Hyjal Summit

Slot	Item	Source	Notes
Awaiting data

Phase 4 - Zul'Aman

Slot	Item	Source	Notes
Awaiting data

Phase 5 - Sunwell Plateau

Slot	Item	Source	Notes
Awaiting data

Gems

Frost gemming is simple: stack spell damage. Use hit gems only until you reach the spell hit cap, then go pure spell damage. Match socket colors just enough to keep a good socket bonus.

Socket	Best Gem	When
Meta	Chaotic Skyfire Diamond	+3% spell crit and +12.5% crit damage. The frost meta (needs 2 red + 1 blue or similar).
Meta (mana)	Insightful Earthstorm Diamond	On-use mana restore; only if you have mana trouble.
Red	Runed Living Ruby	Default everywhere: +9 spell damage.
Yellow (hit)	Veiled Noble Topaz	+5 spell dmg, +4 spell hit. Use until you hit the spell hit cap.
Yellow (crit)	Potent Noble Topaz	+5 spell dmg, +4 crit. After hit cap, for socket bonuses.
Blue	Glowing Nightseye	+5 spell dmg, +6 stamina. To activate a worthwhile socket bonus.

Enchants

Every slot wants spell damage. Hit enchants only matter until you cap. Sourced from the standard frost mage enchant set.

Slot	Enchant	Effect
Head	Glyph of Power	+22 spell dmg, +14 spell hit (Keepers of Time - Revered)
Shoulder (Scryers)	Greater Inscription of the Orb	+12 spell dmg, +15 spell crit
Shoulder (Aldor)	Greater Inscription of Discipline	+18 spell dmg, +10 spell crit
Cloak	Enchant Cloak - Subtlety	-2% threat (or Spell Penetration vs casters)
Chest	Enchant Chest - Exceptional Stats	+all stats
Bracer	Enchant Bracer - Spellpower	+15 spell damage
Gloves	Enchant Gloves - Major Spellpower	+20 spell damage
Legs	Runic Spellthread	+35 spell dmg, +20 stamina
Boots	Enchant Boots - Boar's Speed	+9 sta, +8% run speed
Ring (enchanter)	Enchant Ring - Spellpower	+12 spell damage (each ring, enchanters only)
Weapon	Enchant Weapon - Major Spellpower	+40 spell damage (Soulfrost +54 frost/shadow if you can get the formula)

Talents

The raid build is deep Frost (about 10/0/51), dipping into Arcane for Elemental Precision (spell hit) and Arcane Concentration (free casts/mana). Open the Wowhead TBC talent calculator to build and export it.

Consumables

Flask or the elixir pair, food, and mana sustain. Run these every raid night.

Type	Item	Effect
Flask	Flask of Pure Death	+80 fire/frost/shadow spell damage for 2 hours (persists through death)
Elixir (battle)	Adept's Elixir	+24 spell dmg, +24 spell crit
Elixir (guardian)	Elixir of Major Mageblood	+16 mana per 5 sec (pair with Adept's instead of a flask)
Food	Blackened Basilisk	+23 spell dmg, +20 spirit
Mana potion	Super Mana Potion	~2400 mana; alternate with a rune
Rune	Dark Rune	Restores mana for a little health; separate cooldown from potions
Burst potion	Destruction Potion	+120 spell dmg, +2% crit for 15 sec; pop in burst windows
Drums	Drums of Battle	+80 haste rating to the party (Leatherworking)

Raid Buffs & Debuffs

As a caster your damage scales hard with the right party. Build a caster group and make sure the spell-damage debuffs land on the boss.

Class Buffs That Benefit a Frost Mage

Class	Buff	Effect
Mage	Arcane Brilliance	+int to the raid (you bring this)
Paladin	Greater Blessing of Wisdom	mana regen
Paladin	Greater Blessing of Kings	+10% all stats
Priest	Prayer of Spirit	+spirit (regen + some spell power)
Shaman	Wrath of Air Totem	+101 spell damage to the party
Shaman	Bloodlust / Heroism	+30% haste for 40 sec

Debuffs to Keep on the Boss

• Curse of the Elements (Warlock), +10% magic damage taken, the big one
• Misery (Shadow Priest), +3% spell hit and damage taken (also helps you reach the hit cap)
• Winter's Chill (you), stacking +crit to frost spells; keep it at 5

Ideal Caster Party

This 5-man subgroup gives a Frost Mage everything. An Elemental Shaman is the must-have.

Slot	Spec	Brings
1	Frost Mage (you)	Winter's Chill, Arcane Brilliance
2	Elemental Shaman	Totem of Wrath (+3% crit, +spell dmg), Wrath of Air, Bloodlust
3	Balance Druid	Moonkin Aura (+5% spell crit party-wide)
4	Shadow Priest	Misery + mana return from Vampiric Touch
5	Warlock	Curse of the Elements

Questing Strategy

Quests reward caster gear, gold, rep, and XP all at once, but only if you batch them. Pick up everything at a hub before you start killing, and most slots in your pre-raid set come from solo questing.

Pre-Flight Checklist (Before Any Heroic Run)

Grab these dailies before you queue or summon, they stack rep and badges onto a run you are doing anyway.

Pickup	NPC / Location	Why
Sha'tar daily heroic	Almaador - Terrace of Light, Shattrath	+250 Sha'tar rep + bonus badge
Lower City daily heroic	Nakodu - Lower City, Shattrath	+250 Lower City rep
Cooking / Fishing dailies	The Rokk / Old Man Barlo - Shattrath & Terokkar	Lower City rep + gold
Aldor or Scryers daily	Aldor Rise / Scryers' Tier, Shattrath	+250 to your chosen faction (sets your shoulder enchant)
Skyguard / Ogri'la dailies (Phase 2+)	Blade's Edge Plateaus	Rep, gold, and gems

Fresh 70 Caster Quest Sweep

Newly 70 or on an alt? Run these zones and take the spell-power reward from each quest. Together they fill most of your starting set.

Terokkar Forest

Slot	Quest	Reward
Wrist	The Soul Devices	Shattrath Wraps
Feet	Into the Heart of the Labyrinth	Shattrath Jumpers
Neck	Brother Against Brother	Torc of the Sethekk Prophet
Off Hand	Terokk's Legacy	The Saga of Terokk
Chest	Everything Will Be Alright	Auchenai Anchorite's Robe

Nagrand

Slot	Quest	Reward
Head	Cho'war the Pillager	Ogre Slayer's Cover
Wand	The Ultimate Bloodsport	Nesingwary Safari Stick

Blade's Edge Mountains

Slot	Quest	Reward
Neck	The Hound-Master	Natasha's Ember Necklace

Netherstorm

Slot	Quest	Reward
Waist	How to Break Into the Arcatraz	A'dal's Gift
Back	Hitting the Motherlode	Cloak of Woven Energy
Ring	Shutting Down Manaforge Ara	Manastorm Band
Wand	Turning Point	Wand of the Seer

Shadowmoon Valley

Slot	Quest	Reward
Shoulder	The Cipher of Damnation	Spaulders of the Torn-heart
Ring	Dissension Amongst the Ranks...	Evoker's Mark of the Redemption

Raid Attunement Quests (Gear + Access)

These attunement chains unlock raids and hand out strong caster pieces. Do them as you gear up for each tier.

Slot	Quest	Reward
Ring	The Fall of Magtheridon	Band of Crimson Fury
Neck	Kael'thas and the Verdant Sphere	The Sun King's Talisman
Ring	The Vials of Eternity	Band of Eternity

Reputation

Reputation unlocks heroic dungeons, your head and shoulder enchants, and key items. Grind these early to bring your gear online.

Caster Priority Reputations

• Keepers of Time (Revered) for Glyph of Power, your head enchant, and the CoT heroic key.
• The Sha'tar, Lower City, Cenarion Expedition, Honor Hold / Thrallmar (Revered) for their heroic keys.
• The Violet Eye (Karazhan) for Violet Signet of the Archmage, a top caster ring; wear the lower ranks while grinding.
• The Consortium and The Scale of the Sands (later) for rings and trinkets.

Aldor vs Scryers

Pick one Shattrath faction (mutually exclusive). For a Frost Mage it mainly sets your shoulder enchant:

• Scryers: Greater Inscription of the Orb (+12 spell dmg, +15 crit), the higher-crit option that pairs well with Shatter.
• Aldor: Greater Inscription of Discipline (+18 spell dmg, +10 crit), slightly more raw damage.

Both are close; pick whichever matches your guild, trinket plans, and what your other casters are running.

Useful Links

The sources behind these rankings, plus handy tools:

• wowtbc.gg, Frost Mage BiS list (per-phase, the basis for these gear tables)
• Icy Veins, Frost Mage guide (rotation, talents, stat priority)
• Wowhead, Mage DPS Best in Slot
• Wowhead TBC database and talent calculator

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