With the changes coming in the next patch, Ice Block becomes a trainable skill. I have a 45 Mage, spec'd Fire all the way so far (aiming for 10/48/3 ultimately), so you can imagine my joy at this news ;-)
Now my question is this .. under what circumstances should/could this be used. Pardon the apparent noobishness of the question, but how does suddenly being encased in ICE and invulnerable for x seconds help me if I can't do anything at all while I'm in the block of afforementioned ICE.
A Pally can make himself invulnerable for periods of time, but can't do anything offensive while he's in his bubble, but he can heal / run away / bandage (if oom), etc. Ice block is different, cos you can't do any of that.
From a PvP perspective, I play a warrior (70), and while I find it hard to beat a Frost Mage generally, I have to laugh when I'm able to get a Mage to 10% hp and he Ice Blocks. All I do is stand there waiting for it to wear off, then deliver the killing blow. Sometimes he'll blink away as soon as the block wears off, but then an intercept is all that's required.
From a PvE perspective, if I've (as a mage now ... stick with me here ;->) gotten myself into problems in a fight, and I ice block, does that make the mob run away, or will he stand there trying to hurt me until the block wears off, at which stage he'll kill me anyway.
From a Raid perspective, I can see a benefit ... pulling agro is quickly dealt with with Ice block, allowing the tank to regain agro while I'm not being pounded into the ground. Can you be healed while Ice-blocked?
Apologies if I'm missing something glaring, but I would really like to know how to use this skill when it becomes available, and not waste it the way I see so many other Mages waisting it. I've heard a fair number of mages saying what an amazing ability this, going so far as saying that this can be used very effectively in an offensive role (although I battle to see how).
tks in advance guys, I know it's a little long-winded, but hey, it's the only way I can get my thoughts across ;-)
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Ice Block .. what's the best way to use it.Follow
Just seen this
Ice Block - You become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 seconds, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells. (5 minute cooldown)
Possibly the most powerful spell a mage has. Most people tend to use Iceblock as an "OH sh*t!" button, which it is in PvE. But in PvP, learning to use this spell offensively can be devastating to whomever is on the recieving end of the *** whooping you are handing out. Yes, it is that good. If you need me to elaborate on how to use a defensive spell on the offense, feel free to send me a PM, if I am not having a bad day and don't tell you to "omg STFU noob!" I'll lay it all out for you
in the sticky, which kinda re-inforces my question .. HOW is this spell so great, and how is it not something that simply delays the inevitable.
Baron wrote:
Ice Block - You become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 seconds, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells. (5 minute cooldown)
Possibly the most powerful spell a mage has. Most people tend to use Iceblock as an "OH sh*t!" button, which it is in PvE. But in PvP, learning to use this spell offensively can be devastating to whomever is on the recieving end of the *** whooping you are handing out. Yes, it is that good. If you need me to elaborate on how to use a defensive spell on the offense, feel free to send me a PM, if I am not having a bad day and don't tell you to "omg STFU noob!" I'll lay it all out for you
in the sticky, which kinda re-inforces my question .. HOW is this spell so great, and how is it not something that simply delays the inevitable.
robertlofthouse wrote:
in the sticky, which kinda re-inforces my question .. HOW is this spell so great, and how is it not something that simply delays the inevitable.
In PvP, when you have support, this doesn't just delay the inevitable, this buys a few precious seconds for your healer to save your life or for your opponents to have to focus on someone a little less damaging long enough for you to do a bit more damage than you otherwise could have. It also removes DoTs and effects like Fear and Polymorph. And don't forget the fact that if a rogue is coming at you with Cloak of Shadows on, nothing will irritate him more than iceblocking through it.
In group/raid PvE, this ability can be used to save yourself from life threatening damage that you know is about to happen. An excellent example is in Karazhan. There is a boss in there by the name of Terestian Illhoof who does an ability called Sacrifice that will encase you in demon chains and drain a ton of life from you, killing you if your healers aren't fast enough. It also heals him. You can escape this if you use iceblock. And the fight becomes a bit easier. There are also bosses with painful DoTs you can clear off if you use this ability. Additionally, if you make a mistake and overaggro, you can pop iceblock to get the monster to leave you alone(he will continue to leave you alone so long as you do nothing to cause threat until the tank is back over you), and then drop it and pop invisibility(at higher levels, naturally) to drop all threat.
In Solo PvE, it can buy you the precious seconds you need for life saving abilities like Frost Nova to cooldown(this also helps in PvP). Or if you make mistakes and fall from a high place without a light feather, well, now you can iceblock near the bottom rather than risking blink.
As for the offensive usage of Ice Block...it's mainly offensively used to iceblock with a water elemental out so it can do damage while you're untouchable. Though I'd imagine it could be used while a Pyro is ticking, but that seems like a waste.
Edit: Oh, and just a correction, at higher levels, paladin bubbles allow offensive actions too, just at a slower attack speed.
Edited, Nov 22nd 2007 3:43am by Poldaran
only real use ive found sofar at lv45 is when pulling many mobs for aoe. just ride around gathering as many as possible and the ice block and see them come from everywhere gathing nice and tight around you. made the gathering soo much easier for a "fresh" aoer :D
I suppose in a PVE group it would make an excellent panic button. 10 seconds is a long time to get someone's attention to heal you or slap a bandage on, am I right?
Also, would mana re-gen from spells such as Mage Armor continue to work?
Edited, Nov 22nd 2007 8:00am by Reknotz
Also, would mana re-gen from spells such as Mage Armor continue to work?
Edited, Nov 22nd 2007 8:00am by Reknotz
Reknotz wrote:
I suppose in a PVE group it would make an excellent panic button. 10 seconds is a long time to get someone's attention to heal you or slap a bandage on, am I right?
Also, would mana re-gen from spells such as Mage Armor continue to work?
Edited, Nov 22nd 2007 8:00am by Reknotz
Also, would mana re-gen from spells such as Mage Armor continue to work?
Edited, Nov 22nd 2007 8:00am by Reknotz
Actually, mage armor doesn't actually add regen, it allows spirit based regen that you already have on you to continue while casting, at least in part.
I'm pretty sure you continue to regain mana in IceBlock, but it's been quite a while since I had it.
Aah, the one and only comes to my aid ;-)
In PvP, when you have support, this doesn't just delay the inevitable, this buys a few precious seconds for your healer to save your life or for your opponents to have to focus on someone a little less damaging long enough for you to do a bit more damage than you otherwise could have.
Ok then, so while YOU can't do anything ... you can be healed or bandaged by somebody else ?
It also removes DoTs and effects like Fear and Polymorph. And don't forget the fact that if a rogue is coming at you with Cloak of Shadows on, nothing will irritate him more than iceblocking through it.
Ok, wow, that right there clinches it for me ... I did not know that about IB.
Thanks Pol, I knew you would come to the party .. nice explainations.
The One and Only Poldaran wrote:
In PvP, when you have support, this doesn't just delay the inevitable, this buys a few precious seconds for your healer to save your life or for your opponents to have to focus on someone a little less damaging long enough for you to do a bit more damage than you otherwise could have.
Ok then, so while YOU can't do anything ... you can be healed or bandaged by somebody else ?
The One and Only Poldaran wrote:
It also removes DoTs and effects like Fear and Polymorph. And don't forget the fact that if a rogue is coming at you with Cloak of Shadows on, nothing will irritate him more than iceblocking through it.
Ok, wow, that right there clinches it for me ... I did not know that about IB.
Thanks Pol, I knew you would come to the party .. nice explainations.
The best part about IceBlock is the ability to remove dots/stuns/almost anything.
If you are in a BG and there are a couple warlocks following you and tossing a couple dots and you are waiting for reinforcements go ahead and iceblock, let them die and then pop out and get that killing blow. As was stated by Pold a few posts ago it is also very helpful for some of the raid bosses and such when they put a DoT on you or make it possible to cause a lot of damage (another example would be for the SSC boss Morogrim Tidewalker).
If you are in a BG and there are a couple warlocks following you and tossing a couple dots and you are waiting for reinforcements go ahead and iceblock, let them die and then pop out and get that killing blow. As was stated by Pold a few posts ago it is also very helpful for some of the raid bosses and such when they put a DoT on you or make it possible to cause a lot of damage (another example would be for the SSC boss Morogrim Tidewalker).
Along with removing DoT's etc, Iceblock is a great way to buy time for cooldowns to be ready. I know without proof people will call bs, but...
A SPriest buddy of mine and myself were doing some 2v2 arena, just ******** around. We got a game vs 2 x BM hunters, and they both immediately popped Beastial Wrath and killed him friend rather quickly.
Being frost, having Ice Barrier, and all that Jazz, I managed to 1v2 them and pull out a win. Best part was when I had one hunter left, he had range on me and my Blink was down. I popped my Elemental, hit Iceblock and sent it after the hunter, while his pet was clawing away at my block. My pet got a few hits on him, and as soon as my Blink was up, I hopped out of IB, blinked to him, popped Frost Nova, Icelance crit, 2.2k, Fireblast crit, 1.8k. Pet nova, Ice Lance crit, 2k, Ice Lance crit, 2.1k.
Dead hunter.
My friend was quiet on vent for about ten seconds after we won. Then he goes.. "HOLY ****, I can't believe I just ******* saw that, DID YOU FRAPS IT? Oh my god, that was insane, jesus dude, you are a god."
I wish I'd frapsed it, Frost Mage in arena for the win.
A SPriest buddy of mine and myself were doing some 2v2 arena, just ******** around. We got a game vs 2 x BM hunters, and they both immediately popped Beastial Wrath and killed him friend rather quickly.
Being frost, having Ice Barrier, and all that Jazz, I managed to 1v2 them and pull out a win. Best part was when I had one hunter left, he had range on me and my Blink was down. I popped my Elemental, hit Iceblock and sent it after the hunter, while his pet was clawing away at my block. My pet got a few hits on him, and as soon as my Blink was up, I hopped out of IB, blinked to him, popped Frost Nova, Icelance crit, 2.2k, Fireblast crit, 1.8k. Pet nova, Ice Lance crit, 2k, Ice Lance crit, 2.1k.
Dead hunter.
My friend was quiet on vent for about ten seconds after we won. Then he goes.. "HOLY ****, I can't believe I just ******* saw that, DID YOU FRAPS IT? Oh my god, that was insane, jesus dude, you are a god."
I wish I'd frapsed it, Frost Mage in arena for the win.
ALSO, another good way to use it in PvP is...to block incoming spells!
Here's an example: You are fighting a mage, and you see him pop Arcane Power, and then he does PoM+Pyroblast. Don't panic, just ice block before it hits you :). Also, you can block an incoming deathcoil...actually, block pretty much anything. It's extremely useful in PvP, and I love it :D
Here's an example: You are fighting a mage, and you see him pop Arcane Power, and then he does PoM+Pyroblast. Don't panic, just ice block before it hits you :). Also, you can block an incoming deathcoil...actually, block pretty much anything. It's extremely useful in PvP, and I love it :D
I also think ice-block kills all aggro? I've used it a few times in instances and whenever i used ice-block, mobs run to another dude.
=D
=D
It doesn't remove aggro, it just makes mobs ignore you while it's up.. but if you're the only one left, they'll attack you anyway.
And if you take it off too early, they just come right back at you.
And if you take it off too early, they just come right back at you.
Ehcks wrote:
It doesn't remove aggro, it just makes mobs ignore you while it's up.. but if you're the only one left, they'll attack you anyway.
And if you take it off too early, they just come right back at you.
And if you take it off too early, they just come right back at you.
Unless they changed the mechanic since Pre-TBC when I was still a frost mage, they won't come back to you unless you perform an action that causes even 1 point of threat. If you click off IB and sit there, they continue ignoring you. But even look at a bandage, and you're toast.
One thing I found teh most uber in this spell:
What's the standardish combo of a PoM Pyro Mage in 1v1? You Poly, and when your opponent can't do nun, calmly put on AP, Pyro and then immediately PoM Pyro after that. A much shorter hp bar guaranteed.
Now imagine, you throw the first Pyro and then hit PoM and are ready to (or already threw) the second Pyro and... what you see is a sheep turning into an Iceberg right before it gets hit and laughing at the pitiful loss of your main abilities for 3 minutes, while still having full HP.
Powned.
That's the magic of Ice Block.
What's the standardish combo of a PoM Pyro Mage in 1v1? You Poly, and when your opponent can't do nun, calmly put on AP, Pyro and then immediately PoM Pyro after that. A much shorter hp bar guaranteed.
Now imagine, you throw the first Pyro and then hit PoM and are ready to (or already threw) the second Pyro and... what you see is a sheep turning into an Iceberg right before it gets hit and laughing at the pitiful loss of your main abilities for 3 minutes, while still having full HP.
Powned.
That's the magic of Ice Block.
Ooookay then, I'm starting to see the full picture now ... ofc, now I can't wait until Patch 2.3.2 :-D
And IB can be used once every 30 secs? Sorry, too lazy to look at the spell on any one of the numerous database sites available - incl this one ;->, but you people are soo helpful, I just can't get enough of y'all ;-)
And IB can be used once every 30 secs? Sorry, too lazy to look at the spell on any one of the numerous database sites available - incl this one ;->, but you people are soo helpful, I just can't get enough of y'all ;-)
robertlofthouse wrote:
Ooookay then, I'm starting to see the full picture now ... ofc, now I can't wait until Patch 2.3.2 :-D
And IB can be used once every 30 secs? Sorry, too lazy to look at the spell on any one of the numerous database sites available - incl this one ;->, but you people are soo helpful, I just can't get enough of y'all ;-)
And IB can be used once every 30 secs? Sorry, too lazy to look at the spell on any one of the numerous database sites available - incl this one ;->, but you people are soo helpful, I just can't get enough of y'all ;-)
Once every 3 or 5 minutes, iirc(I also am feeling too lazy to look). The 30 seconds figure comes from the Hypothermia debuff, which prevents you from chaining iceblocks via the use of Cold Snap.
Ice Block - 5 minute cooldown, puts Hypothermia debuff on you, preventing you from using it again within 30secs.
Cold Snap - Talent skill. Zeroes cooldowns on all Frost spells, including Ice Block. Keep hypothermia in mind. Has 10 minute cooldown.
Ice Floes - important Frost talent, lowest on the left side of the tree. Having 2/2 Ice Floes reduces cooldowns by 20% for Ice Barrier, Block, Cold Snap and CoC. This means that with 2/2 IF you'll have your Ice Block on 4 minute cooldown, and your Cold Snap on 8 minute cd.
Edited, Nov 23rd 2007 4:35am by XanNerull
Cold Snap - Talent skill. Zeroes cooldowns on all Frost spells, including Ice Block. Keep hypothermia in mind. Has 10 minute cooldown.
Ice Floes - important Frost talent, lowest on the left side of the tree. Having 2/2 Ice Floes reduces cooldowns by 20% for Ice Barrier, Block, Cold Snap and CoC. This means that with 2/2 IF you'll have your Ice Block on 4 minute cooldown, and your Cold Snap on 8 minute cd.
Edited, Nov 23rd 2007 4:35am by XanNerull
5 minute CD, can be lowered to 4 with talents.
Basically it's a panic button, it can get you out of anything, anytime, anywhere, just watch out for priests.
Edit: Heh, was beat to the punch.
Edited, Nov 23rd 2007 10:38am by Kapot
Basically it's a panic button, it can get you out of anything, anytime, anywhere, just watch out for priests.
Edit: Heh, was beat to the punch.
Edited, Nov 23rd 2007 10:38am by Kapot
XanNerull wrote:
Ice Block - 5 minute cooldown, puts Hypothermia debuff on you, preventing you from using it again within 30secs.
Cold Snap - Talent skill. Zeroes cooldowns on all Frost spells, including Ice Block. Keep hypothermia in mind. Has 10 minute cooldown.
Ice Floes - important Frost talent, lowest on the left side of the tree. Having 2/2 Ice Floes reduces cooldowns by 20% for Ice Barrier, Block, Cold Snap and CoC. This means that with 2/2 IF you'll have your Ice Block on 4 minute cooldown, and your Cold Snap on 8 minute cd.
Edited, Nov 23rd 2007 4:35am by XanNerull
Cold Snap - Talent skill. Zeroes cooldowns on all Frost spells, including Ice Block. Keep hypothermia in mind. Has 10 minute cooldown.
Ice Floes - important Frost talent, lowest on the left side of the tree. Having 2/2 Ice Floes reduces cooldowns by 20% for Ice Barrier, Block, Cold Snap and CoC. This means that with 2/2 IF you'll have your Ice Block on 4 minute cooldown, and your Cold Snap on 8 minute cd.
Edited, Nov 23rd 2007 4:35am by XanNerull
Just a quick "something" : Coold down on Cold Snap is being lowered in 2.3.2, according to PTR notes :)
So with Ice Floes, and the patch, Cold Snap will have an even lower CD than that :)
Best ways to use Ice Block
1.(the pve way) If your in an instance for say and you get aggroe, hit ice block mob hits you once, and whadya know?! you've lost aggroe!
2.PvP: whipes all debuffs and such which is a nice restart to a close fight.
3. More PvP: you see a mage pyroblastin' away at ya, and you dont have counterspell up, pop an ice block and your immune :) (just an example could be used on shadow bolt or mind blast or whatever)
4.very simple way. Breaking Your Fall!
5.Arena: if you have low health and you're buddy doesnt (im saying this in a case of 2v2) and the focus is right on ya, just ice block let him take some hits and take a look at whats going on.
i think that is enough to satisfy!
1.(the pve way) If your in an instance for say and you get aggroe, hit ice block mob hits you once, and whadya know?! you've lost aggroe!
2.PvP: whipes all debuffs and such which is a nice restart to a close fight.
3. More PvP: you see a mage pyroblastin' away at ya, and you dont have counterspell up, pop an ice block and your immune :) (just an example could be used on shadow bolt or mind blast or whatever)
4.very simple way. Breaking Your Fall!
5.Arena: if you have low health and you're buddy doesnt (im saying this in a case of 2v2) and the focus is right on ya, just ice block let him take some hits and take a look at whats going on.
i think that is enough to satisfy!
Loooopie wrote:
Best ways to use Ice Block
1.(the pve way) If your in an instance for say and you get aggroe, hit ice block mob hits you once, and whadya know?! you've lost aggroe!
2.PvP: whipes all debuffs and such which is a nice restart to a close fight.
3. More PvP: you see a mage pyroblastin' away at ya, and you dont have counterspell up, pop an ice block and your immune :) (just an example could be used on shadow bolt or mind blast or whatever)
4.very simple way. Breaking Your Fall!
5.Arena: if you have low health and you're buddy doesnt (im saying this in a case of 2v2) and the focus is right on ya, just ice block let him take some hits and take a look at whats going on.
i think that is enough to satisfy!
1.(the pve way) If your in an instance for say and you get aggroe, hit ice block mob hits you once, and whadya know?! you've lost aggroe!
2.PvP: whipes all debuffs and such which is a nice restart to a close fight.
3. More PvP: you see a mage pyroblastin' away at ya, and you dont have counterspell up, pop an ice block and your immune :) (just an example could be used on shadow bolt or mind blast or whatever)
4.very simple way. Breaking Your Fall!
5.Arena: if you have low health and you're buddy doesnt (im saying this in a case of 2v2) and the focus is right on ya, just ice block let him take some hits and take a look at whats going on.
i think that is enough to satisfy!
It is important to remember that when facing mobs in an instance/raid it doesn't wipe your threat, it just attacks the person next on the threat list. If the tank (or whomever) does not surpass your threat when you get out of iceblock then it will charge back at you.
6 posts
wow, i'm glad i read this post. I never quite new the wonders of IB until now. I honestly think a fire mage with the securities of IB will be a scary thing.
now i know, and knowing is half the battle.
-Dredj
now i know, and knowing is half the battle.
-Dredj
Best ice blocks ever are the ones where you stop a spell right in its tracks. I've made deathcoils hit my ice blocks, pyros, mind blasts, aimed shots, I love it.
My best use of an offensive ice block was while AoE grinding.
Rogue starts beating on me while i have 10+ mobs running after me. He's put in combat with the mobs due to fighting me. When i iceblock ALL the mobs turned to him and proceeded to wtfpwn him. Still makes me smile thinking about it.
I think otherwise offesive usage would be a warlock fears => dots you up. You iceblock just before the dots tick, cancel it and carry on fighting. Also good for canceling high damage moves such as pyro (PoM'd or not), mind blast while feared and the like.
Rogue starts beating on me while i have 10+ mobs running after me. He's put in combat with the mobs due to fighting me. When i iceblock ALL the mobs turned to him and proceeded to wtfpwn him. Still makes me smile thinking about it.
I think otherwise offesive usage would be a warlock fears => dots you up. You iceblock just before the dots tick, cancel it and carry on fighting. Also good for canceling high damage moves such as pyro (PoM'd or not), mind blast while feared and the like.
Can you iceblock while falling?
digitalcraft, Goblin in Disguise wrote:
Can you iceblock while falling?
Yes.
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