Instantly shields you, absorbing X damage. Lasts 1 min. While the shield holds, spellcasting will not be delayed by damage.
Ice Barrier is a mage talent available at level 30. It shields the caster for up to 60 seconds, absorbing damage similar to a priest's Power Word: Shield spell. The shield absorbs physical, magical, and most environmental damage (fall damage is not absorbed.) Damage from DoTs such as poison is also absorbed.
Patch 4.1.0 (26-Apr-2011): Ice Barrier base absorption value has been increased by approximately 120%. In addition, the benefit from spell power has been increased by approximately 8%.
Patch 3.2.0 (04-Aug-2009): The mana cost on these spells has been reduced by approximately 15%.
Patch 2.4.0 (25-Mar-2008): Using low ranks of this spell will now be penalized the same way healing spells are penalized.
Patch 2.3.0 (13-Nov-2007): Ice Barrier will gain an additional benefit from frost spell damage gear, however the base amount of damage absorbed for ranks 5 and 6 has been lowered.
Patch 2.1.0 (22-May-2007): Ice Barrier Rank 6 was added.
Patch 1.11.0 (20-Jun-2006): Ice Barrier received an overhaul in the 1.11 mage talent review. The spell was changed to stack with Power Word: Shield (which previously overwrote it), had its cooldown reduced from 2 minutes to 30 seconds, gained the benefit of frost spell damage, and was prioritized to absorb damage before Mana Shield, thus saving mana when using both shields.