I have a new mage, fire spec (insofar as 13 talent points is a "spec") and I just got my shiny new Scorch spell. I can see its usefullness in PVP given the short cast time and I get that it's mana efficient, but since in solo PVE a fire mage's first job is to kill things fast before they can touch you (yes?) I don't see its place versus the stronger damage spells.
When I'm soloing I generally open with Pyroblast then Fireball stuff til it's dead, with a Fire Blast/Frost Nova thrown in there if the mob(s) get to me. Once I get Improved Scorch I'd want to use it to keep the debuff up, but I don't see how else it would fit into my rotation (insofar as spamming one spell is a "rotation").
Yet people talk about this spell as if it's capable of turning back time and rolling that ball back from under Bill Buckner's knees and into his glove, so I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Where do you experienced mages place this spell in everyday PVE?
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Typically in PVE scorch is handy as a mana efficient finisher, or used to stack fire vulnerability on bosses. Not much else. With a fire build you want to put out your best DPS, which means that you want to open with Pyro for mana efficiency and then Fireball away. If your target is not dead by the time they're in range, Frost Nova, back up, Fireball again. Cook until crispy.
Now, in PVP Scorch takes a bigger role, as you want something with a short cast time so that you can stay on the move. But with PVE generally you're lead footed, anchored to the ground and dishing the big nukes.
Now, in PVP Scorch takes a bigger role, as you want something with a short cast time so that you can stay on the move. But with PVE generally you're lead footed, anchored to the ground and dishing the big nukes.
Rate up for using insofar twice in a post.
This is a common topic amongst us mages. Mana efficient finisher while grinding and PvP use have been covered, so I'll leave them be. The one thing I want to add is that, at 70, until you have sufficient +spelldmg, Scorch spam is a helluva easy way to climb up the dmg charts in instances with a 40/21/0 build. Properly talented, Scorch crits quite a bit. Ignites add up quickly.
Also, don't bother "stacking" the Scorch debuff while PvE grinding. The fights are short enough that the effect is not worth it.
This is a common topic amongst us mages. Mana efficient finisher while grinding and PvP use have been covered, so I'll leave them be. The one thing I want to add is that, at 70, until you have sufficient +spelldmg, Scorch spam is a helluva easy way to climb up the dmg charts in instances with a 40/21/0 build. Properly talented, Scorch crits quite a bit. Ignites add up quickly.
Also, don't bother "stacking" the Scorch debuff while PvE grinding. The fights are short enough that the effect is not worth it.
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I have a fire mage (65 at this time) and when pve'ing i use scorch to maximize my damage to time spent on the mob. Here's what I do (which may be dumb but it works great for me :) )
[40+ yds away] Pyro>Fireball>Scorch>Fireblast
Now think about it, by the time you hit fireblast, the mob is just getting to you (this is assuming you're fighting a normal-speed, melee mob). If you get some decent crits, ignite (you have it, right?!?!) and the little extra damage from scorch in many situations kills the mob before it touches me. I very very rarely have to frost nova and get distance, or use mana shield, and I always need to drink before eating.
Why not fireblast before scorch? because scorch has a cast time, albeit a short one, by the time it hits your little 1 sec waiting time is done and fireblast is ready, so there's no actual downtime.
In instances this is my rotation, given the tank is doing well holding aggro, which he usually is:
Fireball>Fireblast>Fireball>Scorch>Fireblast
If you have the short cooldown for fireblast, this rotation sets you up to use fireblast as soon as it's ready, every time. This means you're always doing good dmg, of course if you're pulling aggro you gotta hold back so this isn't for all situations.
Sorry if this makes no sense, I don't really pay attention to what I type. :)
[40+ yds away] Pyro>Fireball>Scorch>Fireblast
Now think about it, by the time you hit fireblast, the mob is just getting to you (this is assuming you're fighting a normal-speed, melee mob). If you get some decent crits, ignite (you have it, right?!?!) and the little extra damage from scorch in many situations kills the mob before it touches me. I very very rarely have to frost nova and get distance, or use mana shield, and I always need to drink before eating.
Why not fireblast before scorch? because scorch has a cast time, albeit a short one, by the time it hits your little 1 sec waiting time is done and fireblast is ready, so there's no actual downtime.
In instances this is my rotation, given the tank is doing well holding aggro, which he usually is:
Fireball>Fireblast>Fireball>Scorch>Fireblast
If you have the short cooldown for fireblast, this rotation sets you up to use fireblast as soon as it's ready, every time. This means you're always doing good dmg, of course if you're pulling aggro you gotta hold back so this isn't for all situations.
Sorry if this makes no sense, I don't really pay attention to what I type. :)
Scorch can also be useful on more mobile fights where sometimes you don't have time to stand still for the 3 seconds it takes to cast a fireball.
I actually use scorch quite a bit in PvE. The extra bonus fire damage is great...I mean more damage = faster kills = faster leveling. Also, when I have to fight 2 mobs at the same time, and I've burned my frost nova, scorch is *much* easier to get off than fireball. It seems like the cast time is 5+ seconds when you have 2 mobs taking shots at you.
Also, I don't think the other posters mentioned it, because as fire mages scorching bosses is second nature. That extra 15% damage is BEYOND GODLIKE (DotA anyone?) in long boss fights. Its the fire mage's bread and butter, if you will.
Its basically required to work in 5 scorches in your spell rotation (plus the odd scorch when you need to reapply the effect) for you to do the most damage.
Also, I don't think the other posters mentioned it, because as fire mages scorching bosses is second nature. That extra 15% damage is BEYOND GODLIKE (DotA anyone?) in long boss fights. Its the fire mage's bread and butter, if you will.
Its basically required to work in 5 scorches in your spell rotation (plus the odd scorch when you need to reapply the effect) for you to do the most damage.
AynLoD wrote:
This is a common topic amongst us mages.
Woops. Sorry folks. I've been lurking a couple weeks and read the stickies but I admit I didn't search page 14 to see if it was there before I posted.
Thank you very much for all these replies! Like anything else, it's situational, I just needed some examples.
Quote:
Quote:
AynLoD wrote:
This is a common topic amongst us mages.
This is a common topic amongst us mages.
Woops. Sorry folks. I've been lurking a couple weeks and read the stickies but I admit I didn't search page 14 to see if it was there before I posted.
Oh that wasn't meant as a reprimand for beating a dead horse, but rather as an assurance that it wasn't a stupid question.
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