Fireball

From WoWWiki

A ball, of fire... that burns you up! What did you expect?

Fireball is a mage spell that deals direct damage with a small DoT. It is one of the primary damage spells for fire mages.

Contents 1 Background 2 Rank table 3 Improvements 4 Notes 5 Tips and tactics 6 Past changes 7 References and notes

Background

Fireball was originally a warlock spell before mages started learning how to use a version of it.

The basic fire spell which all followers of the Orcish cults (the underworld) first learn. It channels the flames of Hades through the caster’s body, allowing the wielder to direct it as a missile at anyone he chooses. It is a dangerous magic to employ, but the effects seem to delight even the lowest circle of Warlock to no end.^{W1Man #?}

Magics involving the cardinal elements of the universe are favorites of the Mages. The Fireball is launched from the palms of the Mage and streaks like a comet blazing across the battlefield - slamming its fiery bulk into whatever stands in its path.^{W2Man #?}

Rank table

Rank	Mana Cost	Cast Time	Damage	Damage over time	Level	Cost
1	23% Base Mana	1.5 s	14-22	2 over 4 sec.	1	Free[1]
2	23% Base Mana	2.0 s	31-45	3 over 6 sec.	6	1
3	23% Base Mana	2.5 s	53-73	6 over 6 sec.	12	6
4	23% Base Mana	3.0 s	84-116	12 over 8 sec.	18	18
5	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	139-187	20 over 8 sec.	24	40
6	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	199-265	28 over 8 sec.	30	80
7	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	255-335	32 over 8 sec.	36	1 30
8	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	318-414	40 over 8 sec.	42	1 80
9	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	392-506	52 over 8 sec.	48	2 80
10	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	475-609	60 over 8 sec.	54	3 60
11	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	561-715	72 over 8 sec.	60	4 20
12	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	596-760	76 over 8 sec.	60[2]	4 20 [2]
13	23% Base Mana	3.5 s	633-805	84 over 8 sec.	66	7 80
14	19% Base Mana	3.5 s	717-913	92 over 8 sec.	70	8 50
15	19% Base Mana	3.5 s	783-997	100 over 8 sec.	74	??
16	19% Base Mana	3.5 s	888-1132	116 over 8 sec.	78	??

Improvements

Improved Fireball will lower the cast time of Fireball by up to .5 seconds at max rank. Empowered Fireball will increase the amount of fire spell damage that applies to the spell by 15% at max rank.

Flame Throwing extends the range of Fireball to 41 yards at max rank.

Fireball deals fire damage, and thus gains the benefit of the talents Impact, Ignite, Burning Soul, Master of Elements, Critical Mass, Fire Power, Pyromaniac, and Elemental Precision.

As with all mage spells capable of critical hits Arcane Instability, Spell Power, Molten Fury, Playing with Fire and Shatter can increase the effective damage output of this spell.

Glyph of Fireball trades its DoT for a better chance at burst damage: it will increase its critical strike chance by 5%, but will remove the damage over time effect.

Notes

The duration of the DoT stacks with the same Rank version of itself: casting Fireball(Rank 1) two seconds after they are hit with the same rank Fireball(Rank 1) will extend the duration of the DoT, damaging the enemy for an additional 6 seconds (8 total). Higher rank Fireballs will overwrite the DoTs of lower rank Fireballs.

The DoT effect stacks with the secondary DoT from Pyroblast.

Tips and tactics

The DoT effect will bring a Rogue using Vanish back out of stealth. If you suspect he's trying to get away, hit him with one of the lower ranks, which cast very fast.

Past changes

Prior to Patch 2.0, rank 12 was available only as a Tome drop from bosses in the Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj instance. The spell can now be bought from a trainer at level 62. Rank 14 was added with Patch 3.0.2.

References and notes

1. ^ Mages begin the game with this rank
2. ^ ^{2.0 2.1} Rank 12 can be learned by Tome of Fireball XII or at the trainer as of TBC at level 60.

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