There are many different specializations that players can choose from in World of Warcraft Dragonflight. Each one of them brings with it a unique take on a class – granting them a specific playstyle that comes along with its own set of strengths and weaknesses.

The Mage class is a strong ranged magical damage dealer, and the Arcane specialization is a powerful and very burst-heavy build. However, in order to ensure that you are able to deal enough damage with this interesting specialization, you should first learn the proper rotation.

Here is everything players need to know about the Arcane Mage rotation in World of Warcraft Dragonflight.

How to play Arcane Mage in World of Warcraft Dragonflight

One of the first things you will notice about the Arcane playstyle, is that it is divided into two distinct phases of damage. These phases are known as the “burn” phase and the “conserve” phase. These are based on the availability of cooldowns, specifically the Evocation spell.

How it works is that players in the conserve phase will spend time dealing damage in a specific way to conserve mana. Once they are ready to enter the burn phase, they will give it everything they have, using up all their cooldowns and mana to deal immense damage.

This rotation makes the Arcane Mage a very strong and rewarding character to play – yet difficult to master. 

Here is what players will need to get started in the rotation of an Arcane Mage.

Burn Phase:

During the burn phase, players will want to make sure they have the following cooldowns up:

Touch of the Magi

Radiant Spark

Rune of Power

4 Arcane Charges – or – 2 Arcane Charges and Arcane Orb ready

1. Once cooldowns are ready, begin the fight by channeling Evocation to gain the Siphon Storm effect and gain Intellect.
2. Cast Time Warp.
3. Cast Arcane Missles to gain 20 stacks of Arcane Harmony.
4. Cast Arcane Orb, Radiant Spark, and Rune of Power.
5. Cast Arcane Blast 3 times, then cast Arcane Surge (otherwise cast Arcane Blast 4 times) this should grant 4 stacks of Radiant Spark.
6. Cast Arcane Barrage and then while the missile is going towards the target, immediately cast Touch of the Magi.
7. With Touch of the Magi up, cast Arcane Blast when Nether Precision is active.
8. With Touch of the Magi up, cast Arcane Missiles when Clearcasting is active.
9. If the target is below 35% health, cast Arcane Barrage to proc the Arcane Bombardment effect; ensure this happens before Touch of the Magi ends for maximum potency.
10. Cast Arcane Blast during downtime.

Related: Vault of the Incarnates Raid Guide – Dragonflight

Conserve Phase:

The conserve phase is necessary to regenerate mana after the long burn phase. Since Evocation is required to gain a lot of mana, it is important to maximize mana usage while waiting for the next burn phase to keep damage up and contribute to the fight.

1. Cast Arcane Orb on cooldown when not having 4 Arcane Charges.
2. Cast Shifting Power when off cooldown.
3. Cast Arcane Missiles when Clearcasting reaches 3 stacks.
4. Cast Arcane Blast when using Nether Precision.
5. Cast Arcane Missiles with Clearcasting.
6. Cast Arcane Barrage with 4 Arcane Charges and less than 60% mana. Otherwise, save this for the burn phase.
7. Cast Arcane Blast during downtime.

With this basic rotation, players will be able to deal immense damage as an Arcane Mage. For more information and builds in World of Warcraft Dragonflight, check out our other features and guides here.