Frost Mage AoE Leveling — AoE Leveling · WoW Wrath of the Lich King

Key talents

• 

  Improved Blizzard · Frost, up to 3

  Blizzard chills what it hits.

  Adds a chill effect to your Blizzard spell. This effect lowers the target's movement speed by 50%. Lasts 1.5 sec.

• 

  Permafrost · Frost, up to 3

  Longer chills.

  Increases the duration of your Chill effects by 3 secs, reduces the target's speed by an additional 10%, and reduces the target's healing received by 20%.

• 

  Arctic Reach · Frost, up to 2

  Longer Blizzard range; wider Frost Nova and Cone of Cold.

  Increases the range of your Frostbolt, Ice Lance, Deep Freeze and Blizzard spells and the radius of your Frost Nova and Cone of Cold spells by 20%.

• 

  Frost Channeling · Frost, up to 3

  Cheaper frost spells.

  Reduces the mana cost of all spells by 10% and reduces the threat caused by your Frost spells by 10%.

• 

  Ice Barrier · Frost, up to 1

  Absorbs damage.

  Instantly shields you, absorbing 454 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, spellcasting will not be delayed by damage.

• 

  Fingers of Frost · Frost, up to 2

  Chilling spells can make the next spells act as if the target were frozen.

  Gives your Chill effects a 15% chance to grant you the Fingers of Frost effect, which treats your next 2 spells cast as if the target were Frozen. Lasts 15 sec.

• 

  Brain Freeze · Frost, up to 3

  Chances for an instant, free Fireball or Frostfire Bolt.

  Your Frost damage spells with chilling effects have a 15% chance to cause your next Fireball or Frostfire Bolt spell to be instant cast and cost no mana.

• 

  Summon Water Elemental · Frost, up to 1

  Its Freeze is a second Nova.

  Summon a Water Elemental to fight for the caster for 45 sec.

• 

  Deep Freeze · Frost, up to 1

  Stuns a dangerous enemy.

  Stuns the target for 5 sec. Only usable on Frozen targets. Deals 2369 to 2641 damage to targets permanently immune to stuns.

Abilities

• 

  Blizzard · level 20, 9 ranks

  Main damage over the pack.

  Ice shards pelt the target area doing 3408 Frost damage over 8 sec.

• 

  Frost Nova · level 10, 6 ranks

  Roots the bunched pack.

  Blasts enemies near the caster for 368 to 418 Frost damage and freezes them in place for up to 8 sec. Damage caused may interrupt the effect.

• 

  Cone of Cold · level 26, 8 ranks

  Slows and damages enemies that break out.

  Targets in a cone in front of the caster take 709 to 775 Frost damage and are slowed by 50% for 8 sec.

• 

  Arcane Explosion · level 14, 10 ranks

  Finishes enemies around you.

  Causes an explosion of arcane magic around the caster, causing 538 to 582 Arcane damage to all targets within 10 yards.

• 

  Ice Barrier · talent, 8 ranks

  Before each pull.

  Instantly shields you, absorbing 3300 damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, spellcasting will not be delayed by damage.

• 

  Summon Water Elemental · talent

  Summon before pulling; Freeze when Nova is down.

  Summon a Water Elemental to fight for the caster for 45 sec.

• 

  Deep Freeze · talent

  Stun the toughest enemy.

  Stuns the target for 5 sec. Only usable on Frozen targets. Deals 2369 to 2641 damage to targets permanently immune to stuns.

• 

  Ice Lance · level 66, 3 ranks

  Instant damage on frozen targets.

  Deals 223 to 257 Frost damage to an enemy target. Causes triple damage against Frozen targets.

• 

  Ice Block · level 30

  Emergency immunity.

  You become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells. Also causes Hypothermia, preventing you from recasting Ice Block for 30 sec.

• 

  Cold Snap · talent

  Resets your frost cooldowns.

  When activated, this spell finishes the cooldown on all Frost spells you recently cast.

• 

  Blink · level 20

  Out of melee range.

  Teleports the caster 20 yards forward, unless something is in the way. Also frees the caster from stuns and bonds.

• 

  Evocation · level 20

  Mana on long pulls.

  While channeling this spell, you gain 60% of your total mana over 8 sec.

The pull

1. Ice Barrier, armor and the Water Elemental; full mana.
2. Gather the pack and lead it behind you.
3. Turn and Frost Nova.
4. Step out and channel Blizzard.
5. Water Elemental's Freeze when the Nova breaks; Cone of Cold the leaders.
6. Ice Lance or Arcane Explosion to finish.

Pulling

Run through the herd: six to ten beasts is comfortable.

Grouping

Keep moving until they are all behind you.

Positioning

Open tundra and grassland: kite in wide arcs.

Crowd control

Frost Nova, Freeze, Cone of Cold, Deep Freeze, Polymorph.

Defensives

Ice Barrier, Ice Block, Blink, Mana Shield.

Mana and health

Drink between pulls; Evocation and a mana gem for long fights.

Common mistakes

• Pulling casters
• Forgetting the elemental
• Kiting into another herd

Gear and consumables

Gear

Quest gear with Stamina, Intellect and spell power is enough; Northrend quest rewards replace it quickly.

Stats

Stamina, Intellect and spell power.

Enchants

Stamina and spell power on chest and bracers; speed on boots.

• Runic Mana PotionMana in an emergency.
• Runic Healing PotionHealth in an emergency.
• Elixir of Mighty FortitudeMore health.

Farming spots

In the order you reach them. Each opens its area on the World Map.

• Shoveltusks in central Howling Fjord

  Howling Fjord · Levels 68–70

  Easy

  Shoveltusks and Shoveltusk Stags at levels 68–69 on Howling Fjord's central grasslands: beasts in open country, with tail hair that vendors for 12 silver and Borean Leather for skinners.

  Spawn points

  134

  Respawn

  about 5 min

  Coin per kill

  None

  Vendor loot per kill

  39 silver 13 copper3913

  Creatures

  • ShoveltuskLevel 68 · 76 spawns
  • Shoveltusk StagLevel 69 · 58 spawns

  Pros

  • Very dense and open
  • Melee beasts
  • Skinning: Borean Leather

  Cons

  • No coin
  • Calves add kills worth little

  Requires:

  Any AoE class: frost mage, protection paladin, death knight.

  How to farm it, step by step

  1. 1.Where to stand: Start in open grass.
  2. 2.Pull: Gather six to ten shoveltusks.
  3. 3.Group them up: Lead them in a line and turn.
  4. 4.Abilities: Frost Nova as they bunch up, step out of melee range, then channel Blizzard over the pack; Improved Blizzard and Permafrost keep them crawling through it. Cone of Cold and a second Frost Nova (after its cooldown or Cold Snap) cover the last seconds. Paladins: Avenger's Shield to pull, Consecration, Holy Shield and Hammer of the Righteous. Death knights: Death and Decay, then Pestilence and Blood Boil.
  5. 5.Kite: Open country in every direction.
  6. 6.Finish: Arcane Explosion, Holy Wrath or Blood Boil.
  7. 7.Recover: Drink conjured water and eat between pulls; save Evocation and a mana gem for a pull that runs long. Rebuff Frost or Ice Armor and Ice Barrier before the next pull.
  8. 8.Avoid: Dragonflayer Guardians stand at the edges.

  Show the area on the World Map

• Steam Ragers in eastern Borean Tundra

  Borean Tundra · Levels 70–72

  EasyGood value

  Steam Ragers at levels 70–71 among the geysers of eastern Borean Tundra: melee elementals with Crystallized Air on one kill in seven.

  Spawn points

  51

  Respawn

  about 5 min

  Coin per kill

  None

  Vendor loot per kill

  57 silver 62 copper5762

  Creatures

  • Steam RagerLevels 70–71 · 51 spawns

  Materials

  • Crystallized Air15% of kills · vendor price 6 silver6Used in Leatherworking (2), Blacksmithing (1), Engineering (1) recipes10 combine into Eternal Air, used in Leatherworking (26), Engineering (6), Alchemy (5), Blacksmithing (5), Jewelcrafting (3), Enchanting (1) recipes

  Pros

  • Melee only
  • Crystallized Air on one kill in seven
  • Elemental Fragments vendor for 12 silver

  Cons

  • No coin

  Requires:

  Any AoE class.

  Value:

  Ten Crystallized Air make Eternal Air, used most by Leatherworking; price depends on your realm.

  How to farm it, step by step

  1. 1.Where to stand: Work the steam field from its edge.
  2. 2.Pull: Gather five to eight ragers.
  3. 3.Group them up: Let them bunch behind you.
  4. 4.Abilities: Frost Nova as they bunch up, step out of melee range, then channel Blizzard over the pack; Improved Blizzard and Permafrost keep them crawling through it. Cone of Cold and a second Frost Nova (after its cooldown or Cold Snap) cover the last seconds. Paladins: Consecration and Holy Shield. Death knights: Death and Decay and Blood Boil.
  5. 5.Kite: Open ground between the geysers.
  6. 6.Finish: Arcane Explosion, Holy Wrath or Blood Boil.
  7. 7.Recover: Drink conjured water and eat between pulls; save Evocation and a mana gem for a pull that runs long. Rebuff Frost or Ice Armor and Ice Barrier before the next pull.
  8. 8.Avoid: Nerub'ar Tunnelers surface nearby.

  Show the area on the World Map

• Tallhorn Stags in western Grizzly Hills

  Grizzly Hills · Levels 72–74

  Easy

  Tallhorn Stags at levels 72–73 in western Grizzly Hills: over a hundred melee beasts with tail hair that vendors for 15 silver and Borean Leather for skinners.

  Spawn points

  102

  Respawn

  about 5 min

  Coin per kill

  None

  Vendor loot per kill

  61 silver 3 copper613

  Creatures

  • Tallhorn StagLevels 72–73 · 102 spawns

  Pros

  • More than a hundred spawns
  • Thick Tail Hair on four kills in five
  • Skinning: Borean Leather

  Cons

  • No coin
  • Entropic Oozes and bears share the forest

  Requires:

  Any AoE class; hunters also farm them.

  Watch out for:

  Seething Hate (73, elite)

  How to farm it, step by step

  1. 1.Where to stand: Start in a clearing.
  2. 2.Pull: Gather six to ten stags.
  3. 3.Group them up: Lead them into open ground.
  4. 4.Abilities: Frost Nova as they bunch up, step out of melee range, then channel Blizzard over the pack; Improved Blizzard and Permafrost keep them crawling through it. Cone of Cold and a second Frost Nova (after its cooldown or Cold Snap) cover the last seconds. Paladins: Consecration and Holy Shield. Death knights: Death and Decay and Pestilence.
  5. 5.Kite: Through the clearings; trees break line of sight.
  6. 6.Finish: Arcane Explosion, Holy Wrath or Blood Boil.
  7. 7.Recover: Drink conjured water and eat between pulls; save Evocation and a mana gem for a pull that runs long. Rebuff Frost or Ice Armor and Ice Barrier before the next pull.
  8. 8.Avoid: Entropic Oozes, Graymist Hunters, Grizzly Bears, and the elite Seething Hate.

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• Mangal Crocolisks in Sholazar Basin

  Sholazar Basin · Levels 75–77

  Medium

  Mangal Crocolisks at levels 75–76 along Sholazar's rivers: beasts with flippers that vendor for 19 silver and Borean Leather on almost every skin.

  Spawn points

  33

  Respawn

  about 5 min

  Coin per kill

  None

  Vendor loot per kill

  75 silver 80 copper7580

  Creatures

  • Mangal CrocoliskLevels 75–76 · 33 spawns

  Pros

  • Severed Flippers on four kills in five
  • Borean Leather on 99% of skins

  Cons

  • Emperor Cobras and Servants of Freya share the river

  Requires:

  Any AoE class.

  How to farm it, step by step

  1. 1.Where to stand: Start on the bank, not in the water.
  2. 2.Pull: Gather four to six crocolisks.
  3. 3.Group them up: Lead them onto the bank.
  4. 4.Abilities: Frost Nova as they bunch up, step out of melee range, then channel Blizzard over the pack; Improved Blizzard and Permafrost keep them crawling through it. Cone of Cold and a second Frost Nova (after its cooldown or Cold Snap) cover the last seconds. Paladins: Consecration and Holy Shield. Death knights: Death and Decay and Blood Boil.
  5. 5.Kite: Along the bank.
  6. 6.Finish: Arcane Explosion, Holy Wrath or Blood Boil.
  7. 7.Recover: Drink conjured water and eat between pulls; save Evocation and a mana gem for a pull that runs long. Rebuff Frost or Ice Armor and Ice Barrier before the next pull.
  8. 8.Avoid: Emperor Cobras and Servants of Freya.

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• Frozen Earth in central Zul'Drak

  Zul'Drak · Levels 76–78

  MediumGood value

  Frozen Earth elementals at levels 76–77 in central Zul'Drak: melee elementals with Crystallized Water on a fifth of kills and crystals that vendor for nearly 20 silver.

  Spawn points

  49

  Respawn

  about 5 min

  Coin per kill

  None

  Vendor loot per kill

  80 silver 41 copper8041

  Creatures

  • Frozen EarthLevels 76–77 · 49 spawns

  Materials

  • Crystallized Water23% of kills · vendor price 6 silver6Used in Blacksmithing (8), Leatherworking (6), Engineering (4), Alchemy (1), Enchanting (1) recipes10 combine into Eternal Water, used in Leatherworking (35), Blacksmithing (11), Engineering (4), Jewelcrafting (4), Tailoring (4), Alchemy (3), Enchanting (1) recipes

  Pros

  • Crystallized Water on 22% of kills
  • Hoary Crystals on four kills in five

  Cons

  • Elemental Rifts and Priests of Rhunok cast
  • Elite Guardians of Zim'Rhuk nearby

  Requires:

  Any AoE class.

  Watch out for:

  Elemental Rift (77, caster), Priest of Rhunok (76–77, caster), Guardian of Zim'Rhuk (76–77, elite)

  Value:

  Ten Crystallized Water make Eternal Water, used by Leatherworking and Blacksmithing most; price depends on your realm.

  How to farm it, step by step

  1. 1.Where to stand: Start away from the temple's elite guardians.
  2. 2.Pull: Gather four to six elementals.
  3. 3.Group them up: Let them bunch.
  4. 4.Abilities: Frost Nova as they bunch up, step out of melee range, then channel Blizzard over the pack; Improved Blizzard and Permafrost keep them crawling through it. Cone of Cold and a second Frost Nova (after its cooldown or Cold Snap) cover the last seconds. Paladins: Consecration and Holy Shield. Death knights: Death and Decay and Blood Boil.
  5. 5.Kite: Open ground.
  6. 6.Finish: Arcane Explosion, Holy Wrath or Blood Boil.
  7. 7.Recover: Drink conjured water and eat between pulls; save Evocation and a mana gem for a pull that runs long. Rebuff Frost or Ice Armor and Ice Barrier before the next pull.
  8. 8.Avoid: Elemental Rifts and Priests of Rhunok (casters) and the elite Guardians of Zim'Rhuk.

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• Jotunheim Warriors in western Icecrown

  Icecrown · Levels 79–80

  HardGood value

  Jotunheim Warriors at levels 79–80 in the vrykul camps of western Icecrown: melee vrykul with Frostweave on a quarter of kills and up to 37 silver of coin each — but casters stand among them.

  Spawn points

  64

  Respawn

  about 5 min

  Coin per kill

  23 silver 16 copper2316

  Vendor loot per kill

  68 silver 28 copper6828

  Creatures

  • Jotunheim WarriorLevels 79–80 · 64 spawns

  Materials

  • Frostweave Cloth23% of kills · vendor price 12 silver 50 copper1250Used in Engineering (3), Tailoring (2), First Aid (2) recipes

  Pros

  • Frostweave on 23% of kills
  • Coin on every kill
  • Dense

  Cons

  • Njorndar Spear-Sisters and Mjordin Water Magi (casters) are just as common

  Requires:

  Level 79+; good AoE control.

  Watch out for:

  Njorndar Spear-Sister (79–80, caster), Mjordin Water Magus (79–80, caster), Water Terror (77–78, caster)

  Value:

  Frostweave Cloth is used by Tailoring, Engineering and First Aid; price depends on your realm.

  How to farm it, step by step

  1. 1.Where to stand: Start at a camp's edge and check where the casters stand.
  2. 2.Pull: Gather Warriors only, four to six.
  3. 3.Group them up: Lead them away from the casters.
  4. 4.Abilities: Frost Nova as they bunch up, step out of melee range, then channel Blizzard over the pack; Improved Blizzard and Permafrost keep them crawling through it. Cone of Cold and a second Frost Nova (after its cooldown or Cold Snap) cover the last seconds. Paladins: Avenger's Shield, Consecration, Holy Shield. Death knights: Death Grip a caster in if one joins, then Death and Decay.
  5. 5.Kite: Away from the camp.
  6. 6.Finish: Arcane Explosion, Holy Wrath or Blood Boil.
  7. 7.Recover: Drink conjured water and eat between pulls; save Evocation and a mana gem for a pull that runs long. Rebuff Frost or Ice Armor and Ice Barrier before the next pull.
  8. 8.Avoid: Njorndar Spear-Sisters, Mjordin Water Magi and Water Terrors cast; Valhalas Vargul wander.

  Show the area on the World Map

Related

• The full build in the talent calculator
• Gold farming for a mage
• Mage class guide
• Every mage spell
• Leveling guide: quests and zones
• Popular mage builds