| Detect Magic | |
|---|---|
| |
| Properties | |
| Class | Mage |
| Race | All |
| School | Arcane |
| Cooldown | None |
| Improvements | None |
| Related debuff | |
| |
[[Category:mage abilities]][[Category:mage abilities]]
Detect Magic allows the mage (and others) to see the magical buffs on an enemy target. Normally, you can only see debuffs put there by you or others. With the default Blizzard UI, the target's buffs appear directly below the row of debuffs on the target's unit frame. The Detect Magic debuff placed on the target is dispellable as a magic debuff. The spell causes no threat, and can be cast on enemies without aggroing them, similar to 
[Hunter's Mark].
| Rank | Mana Cost | Level | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35 | 16 | 13 50
|
Tips and tactics
Detect Magic is useful in many PvE encounters where a boss may use a special self buff throughout the fight. Some bosses have a damage shield or a reflect shield that can be dangerous if not detected quickly. While these buffs also usually have a casting animation with them, it can be difficult to spot it amongst the visual clutter when many other players are attacking the target. Detect magic will show the buff clearly on the target's unit frame.
Detect magic is good for finding buffs to 
[Spellsteal].
There's no cooldown on this (aside from the Universal Cooldown), so just recast when it drops.
This spell has an unusually long range, so if you're in a group of allies facing down a group of enemies, you can use it to cause panic when enemy troops see you casting something from very far away.
Mages often use this spell to mark targets. "The one that just had the swirling, glowing ball around it is the one I will polymorph."
Since it is a debuff, this spell can be dispelled; but you can also use it to "insulate" other debuffs. Debuffs are dispelled in the order they are cast, putting this on an enemy before your Warlock friend casts his curses will make your enemy have to dispel your Detect Magic before he can get to the more harmful effects. Most dispels are instant cast and very cheap, so it's main benefit is the time it takes.
When facing a hostile Warlock with a Felhunter in a one-on-one fight, cast this spell on him before 
[Polymorph], so the Felhunter will have to dispel it (with 
[Devour Magic]) first then wait the Cooldown of 8 seconds to dispel your Polymorph. Eight seconds are often priceless in this kind of encounter.
Patch 2.3
Detect Magic will be removed and all players will be able to see all magic on player and monsters.
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