The Honor Codex

Class PvP guides for WoW Forever

Pick your class below. Learn how it wins, the buttons that matter, and how to beat every class you meet.

Each guide: talents, key buttons, your opener, every matchup, and your job in each battleground.

Mage

Controls the whole fight from a safe distance.

Mages control fights from range. Freeze enemies with Frost Nova, sheep one with Polymorph and Blink away to keep casting. In Forever, Ice Block is a Frost talent, so every build here spends points to reach it. Frost and Fire builds also get Ice Lance, a new instant spell that hits frozen targets four times as hard. Frost is the easiest build to learn.

PvP roles
Ranged damageControl
Newcomer friendlyGood first pick
PvP gearOne set for all specs.

Mage basics

What powers you

Mana powers every spell. Your mana regeneration mostly stops while you cast, so drink conjured water between fights and use Mage Armor if you run dry.

Cloth armor. Shoot lets you attack with a wand. The PvP sets are caster sets with Stamina, Intellect and spell power.

Three schools

Your spells are Arcane, Fire or Frost. Counterspell locks one school for 10 sec, so if you get countered, cast from another school. Frost slows and freezes, Fire hits hard, Arcane gives you Blink and big burst.

Water and food

Conjure Water (level 4) and Conjure Food (level 6) make free drinks and food for you and your team. Hand them out before the gates open. They vanish if you log out for more than 15 minutes. From 28 you can also conjure mana gems for instant mana in a fight.

Frost control

Frostbolt slows by 40%. Frost Nova freezes everyone near you for up to 8 sec, but damage can break it. Freeze, step away, then cast. Ice Lance deals four times the damage to frozen targets.

Ice Block is a talent

Trainers do not sell Ice Block in Forever. It sits in row 4 of the Frost tree, so you need 15 points in Frost. Every PvP build here takes it.

Abilities you unlock, by level

  1. 8Polymorph
    Takes one enemy out of the fight. Any damage breaks it.
  2. 10Frost Nova
    Freezes melee in place so you can walk away.
  3. 20Blink
    Teleports you 20 yards and frees you from stuns and roots.
  4. 20Ice Lance
    (talent) Instant hit, four times the damage on frozen targets.
  5. 24Counterspell
    Interrupts a heal or CC and locks that school for 10 sec.
  6. 25Ice Block
    (talent) Immune to all attacks for 10 sec. Your best escape.
  7. 26Cone of Cold
    Instant damage and a slow on everyone in front of you.
  8. 30Cold Snap
    (talent) Resets Frost Nova and Ice Block for a second round.
  9. 40Ice Barrier
    (talent) Instant shield, and damage no longer slows your casts.

PvP while you level

10-19

Warsong Gulch only. You have Frostbolt, Fire Blast, Polymorph and Frost Nova, but no Blink yet. Stay behind your team, slow chasers with Frostbolt and Nova anyone who reaches you.

20-29

Arathi Basin opens. Blink and Evocation arrive at 20, Counterspell at 24 and Cone of Cold at 26. Frost builds get Ice Lance at 20 and Ice Block at 25. This is where Mages start to feel safe.

30-39

Darkspear Islands opens. Cold Snap (Frost), Blast Wave (Fire) or Presence of Mind (Arcane) come at 30. Ice Armor at 30 and Mage Armor at 34 give you a choice of armor spell. Nova players off capture points.

40-49

Ice Barrier, Combustion or Arcane Power come at 40, along with Frostfire Bolt and Polymorph that lasts up to 40 sec. You can now control a fight for a long time. Sheep the healer, then kite the rest.

50-59

Alterac Valley opens at 51. At 55 you can buy the rare PvP set with Honor and Marks. Its 4 piece bonus cuts Blink's cooldown by 2 sec.

60

Train every max rank. Rank 1 spells lose power at 60. Work toward the epic set through the rank system, and keep your control first and damage second.

Set up your bars

Keys 1-4Frostbolt, Ice Lance or Fire Blast, then your big damage spell (Fireball, Pyroblast or Arcane Blast for your build).
Q and ECounterspell and Polymorph. These must be instant reactions.
R and FFrost Nova and Blink. Nova first, then Blink away.
Shift + keysCone of Cold, Ice Barrier or Mana Shield, Frost Ward, Fire Ward and Remove Lesser Curse.
Z X C VIce Block, Cold Snap, mana gem, PvP trinket. Keep Evocation and your conjure spells on a side bar.
ControllerIn Gamepad mode put Counterspell, Polymorph, Frost Nova and Blink on the left trigger layer and damage on the right trigger layer. Blizzard and Flamestrike land around your target, since you cannot aim ground spells by hand yet.

New Mage questions

Why can't I buy Ice Block at the trainer?

In Forever it is a Frost talent in row 4. You need 15 points in Frost, so the earliest is level 25.

Which spec should I start with?

Frost. It has the most slows and roots and is the easiest to learn. Fire and Arcane hit harder but still put points in Frost for Ice Block.

Why did my Frost Nova end early?

Damage can break it. Step away first, then use Ice Lance or a cast while they are still frozen.

How do I get mana back during a fight?

Use a mana gem (from 28) or Evocation, which boosts your mana regeneration by 1,500% for 8 sec on an 8 min cooldown. Mage Armor keeps half your regeneration while casting.

Can my team use my water and food?

Yes. Conjured water and food are made for you and your allies. Trade stacks to your team before the battleground starts.

Talents and PvP builds

New to talents?

  • You get your first talent point at level 10 and one more each level. That is 51 points at level 60.
  • Every class has three trees. Each row opens once you spend 5 points per row above it in that tree.
  • A line between two talents means the lower one needs the upper one maxed first.
  • Changed your mind? Your class trainer resets your talents for a fee.
  • Pick a PvP build below. Lit icons show where its points go. Hover or tap any talent to read what it does.

Frost Control

Freeze them, shatter them, never get caught.

17Arcane0Fire34Frost

You slow and freeze enemies, then hit them with Ice Lance and Frostbolt while they cannot move. Ice Barrier and Ice Block keep you alive when melee get close.

Best for: Battlegrounds, duels and new players

Level 60: the full build, all 51 points.

Arcane17 pts
Fire0 pts
Frost34 pts

Gold = fully rankedGreen = some ranksGlow = key talentBlue dot = new in Forever

Full leveling order, level 10 to 60
  1. Levels 10–14Improved Frostbolt 5/5 Frost
  2. Levels 15–17Precision 3/3 Frost
  3. Levels 18–22Ice Shards 5/5 Frost
  4. Level 23Ice Lance 1/1 Frost
  5. Levels 24–26Frostbite 3/3 Frost
  6. Level 27Ice Block 1/1 Frost
  7. Levels 28–30Shatter 3/3 Frost
  8. Level 31Cold Snap 1/1 Frost
  9. Levels 32–33Fingers of Frost 2/2 Frost
  10. Levels 34–35Improved Frost Nova 2/2 Frost
  11. Levels 36–37Permafrost 2/3 Frost
  12. Levels 38–40Frost Channeling 3/3 Frost
  13. Level 41Ice Barrier 1/1 Frost
  14. Levels 42–43Arctic Reach 2/2 Frost
  15. Levels 44–46Improved Channeling 3/5 Arcane
  16. Levels 47–49Arcane Resilience 3/3 Arcane
  17. Levels 50–51Arcane Subtlety 2/2 Arcane
  18. Levels 52–53Magic Absorption 2/2 Arcane
  19. Levels 54–58Arcane Concentration 5/5 Arcane
  20. Levels 59–60Improved Counterspell 2/2 Arcane

Key talents in this build

Ice Barrier
Instant shield every 30 seconds that also stops pushback on your casts.
Ice Block
Ten seconds of immunity; in Forever it is a talent, so you must take it.
Ice Lance
Instant hit that deals four times the damage to frozen targets.
Shatter
Big crit chance on frozen targets, so Nova into Ice Lance hurts.
Fingers of Frost
Your slows can let you treat the target as frozen, even when it is not.
Improved Counterspell
Your interrupt also silences for 4 seconds.
Cold Snap
Resets Frost Nova, Ice Block and Ice Barrier for a second round.

Strengths

  • Very safe against melee
  • Lots of slows and roots
  • Easy to learn

Weaknesses

  • Lower burst than Fire
  • Struggles against Druids who shift out of roots

Open this build in the talent calculator

Your action bar

Put these on keys you can reach without looking. Buttons marked Talent only exist if your build takes that talent.

Frost Nova
Freezes enemies near you for up to 8 sec. Damage can break it.
Blink
Teleport 20 yards forward. Frees you from stuns and roots.
Polymorph
Turns one enemy into a sheep. Damage breaks it.
Counterspell
Interrupts a cast and locks that school for 10 sec.
Talent
Ice Block
Immune to all attacks for 10 sec. A Frost talent now.
Cone of Cold
Damage and a slow on everyone in front of you.

The opener, in order

  1. Polymorph the enemy healer.
  2. Frostbolt the main target to slow it.
  3. When melee reach you, Frost Nova, then Blink away.
  4. Counterspell their next big heal.
  5. Ice Block when you are low.

Know your enemy

How a Mage usually fares one on one. Pick the class you are fighting.

MageRogue
Hard

Blink frees you from their stun. Then Nova and get away.

  1. FirstIf your build has Ice Barrier, keep it up before the fight. When they open on you, Blink out of the stun, then Frost Nova and run.
  2. ThenKeep distance with Frost Nova and Cone of Cold and hit them with Frostbolt. If your build has Ice Lance, use it while they are frozen.
  3. Watch forBlind and Kidney Shot lock you down, so keep Blink for the stun. Kick stops your cast, so use instants while they are in melee.
  4. If it goes wrongIce Block, then Nova and Blink when it ends. Run toward your team and call for help.
Their buttons to watch
  • Cheap Shot
  • Kidney Shot
  • Gouge
  • Blind
Your answers
  • Frost Nova: Freezes enemies near you for up to 8 sec. Damage can break it.
  • Blink: Teleport 20 yards forward. Frees you from stuns and roots.
  • Polymorph: Turns one enemy into a sheep. Damage breaks it.
  • Counterspell: Interrupts a cast and locks that school for 10 sec.

Your job in each battleground

Warsong Gulch

Levels 10–60 · 10 vs 10

Slow the enemy carrier with Frostbolt and Cone of Cold. Nova anyone chasing yours.

Arathi Basin

Levels 20–60 · 15 vs 15

Sheep a defender, then help take the base.

Darkspear Islands

Levels 30–60 · 15 vs 15 · new

Frost Nova enemies standing on capture points.

Alterac Valley

Levels 51–60 · 40 vs 40

Use Blizzard and Cone of Cold on groups at the bridges.

Gear

Your PvP gear path

One set for all specs. Honor and Marks buy the gear; your rank unlocks the upgrades.

  1. Blue PvP setLevel 55. Buy each piece with Honor plus Marks from battlegrounds. No rank needed.
  2. PvP trinketRank 2. Removes slows and loss-of-control effects, 5 min cooldown. Get it first: it wins more fights than any armor.
  3. Faction cloakRank 3.
  4. Epic upgradesTurn a blue piece in with an Emboldened Seal. Wrist and waist at Rank 8, feet 9, hands 10, legs and shoulders 12, chest and head 13.
  5. Rank 14 weaponGrand Marshal or High Warlord. Earliest in week 10 of a season.

Don’t sit on Honor: you can hold 25,000 at most, and anything past that is lost. Beta prices and ranks may change.

Stats to look for

Stamina first, then spell power and Intellect, plus crit. Based on the set stats.12

Forever has no Resilience. Developers said they are not adding it. Stamina gives 10 health per point, like Classic. Hit and crit are one stat each now, for spells and attacks alike. Hit cap against players of your level: 5% melee and ranged, 4% spells, 24% dual wield (beta client). A beta bug halved crit damage in PvP. Blizzard called it a bug and fixed it in the Oct 8 notes. Most damage and healing over time can crit now. Expertise is new. It lowers the target's dodge and parry chance. Every PvP set piece is Stamina-heavy. The sets are the clearest guide to what each spec should stack.

Honor and Marks, in plain words

  • Rare pieces need level 55 and no rank. You pay Honor plus Marks of Honor.
  • Each slot needs Marks from one battleground: WSG for hands, legs, wrists; AB for shoulders, chest, waist, cloaks; AV for head and two-handers; Darkspear for feet, necklace, one-handers, ranged, shields, off-hands.
  • A win gives 3 Marks, a loss 1. You can carry up to 30 of each.
  • Full rare set of 8 pieces (6 set + wrist + waist): 59,200 Honor plus Marks (35 WSG, 35 AB, 15 AV, 10 Darkspear).
  • Epic seals for 8 pieces: 14,000 Honor plus the head seal (price unknown).
  • Honor cap is 25,000, so you will visit the vendor several times.
  • Vendors: Champions' Hall in Stormwind (Captain Dirgehammer armor, Captain O'Neal weapons, Master Sergeant Biggins accessories) and Hall of Legends in Orgrimmar (Lady Palanseer, Sergeant Thunderhorn, Brave Stonehide).
13467891011121314

Your PvP sets

Lieutenant Commander's Regalia (Alliance) / Champion's Regalia (Horde)All specs (caster)Rare (blue), item level 60, needs level 55
  • 2 pieces: Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 23.
  • 4 pieces: Reduces the cooldown of your Blink spell by 2 sec.
  • 6 pieces: +20 Stamina.
6 pieces · 6 pieces together: 48,700 Honor + 75 Marks of Honor
  • Head: Premier Silk Crown (Alliance) / Premier Magus Hood (Horde). +25 Sta, +12 Int, +0.5% crit, +11 spell power. 9,000 Honor + 15 AV Marks.
  • Shoulders: Premier Silk Spaulders (Alliance) / Premier Magus Mantle (Horde). +20 Sta, +10 Int, +7 spell power. 6,350 Honor + 10 AB Marks.
  • Chest: Premier Silk Raiment (Alliance) / Premier Magus Robes (Horde). +25 Sta, +10 Int, +0.5% crit, +14 spell power. 9,350 Honor + 15 AB Marks.
  • Hands: Premier Silk Gloves (Alliance) / Premier Magus Gloves (Horde). +19 Sta, +10 Int, +12 spell power. 7,500 Honor + 10 WSG Marks.
  • Legs: Premier Silk Leggings (Alliance) / Premier Magus Pants (Horde). +26 Sta, +11 Int, +14 spell power. 9,000 Honor + 15 WSG Marks.
  • Feet: Premier Silk Boots (Alliance) / Premier Magus Footwraps (Horde). +19 Sta, +12 Int, +9 spell power. 7,500 Honor + 10 Darkspear Marks.
12
Field Marshal's Regalia (Alliance) / Warlord's Regalia (Horde)All specs (caster)Epic, item level 65, needs level 60
  • 2 pieces: +20 Stamina.
  • 3 pieces: Reduces the cooldown of your Blink spell by 2 sec.
  • 6 pieces: Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 23.
6 pieces · Seals for 6 pieces: 11,300 Honor + the head seal (price not known yet)
  • Head: Premier Field Marshal's Silk Coronet (Alliance) / Premier Warlord's Magus Cowl (Horde). +37 Sta, +15 Int, +1% crit, +14 spell power. Seal at rank 13, earliest week 9.
  • Shoulders: Premier Marshal's Silk Spaulders (Alliance) / Premier General's Magus Amice (Horde). +26 Sta, +17 Int, +12 spell power. Seal at rank 12, earliest week 8, 2,250 Honor.
  • Chest: Premier Field Marshal's Silk Vestments (Alliance) / Premier Warlord's Magus Raiment (Horde). +34 Sta, +12 Int, +1% crit, +18 spell power. Seal at rank 13, earliest week 9, 2,650 Honor.
  • Hands: Premier Lieutenant Commander's Silk Gloves (Alliance) / Premier Champion's Magus Handguards (Horde). +26 Sta, +15 Int, +14 spell power. Seal at rank 10, earliest week 7, 2,250 Honor.
  • Legs: Premier Marshal's Silk Leggings (Alliance) / Premier General's Magus Trousers (Horde). +34 Sta, +17 Int, +0.5% crit, +18 spell power. Seal at rank 12, earliest week 8, 2,650 Honor.
  • Feet: Premier Knight-Champion's Silk Footwraps (Alliance) / Premier Centurion's Magus Boots (Horde). +26 Sta, +15 Int, +14 spell power. Seal at rank 9, earliest week 6, 1,500 Honor.
12

Items worth chasing

Greater Insignia of the Alliance / Greater Insignia of the HordeRank 2, 5,250 Honor

PvP trinket. Removes all movement impairing and loss of control effects. 5 min cooldown. Same trinket for every class.1513

Premier Sergeant's CapeRank 3, 4,500 Honor + 10 AB Marks

+16 Sta, +67 bonus armor. Every class can wear it.1

Premier Sergeant's CloakRank 3, 4,500 Honor + 10 AB Marks

+8 to Str, Agi, Sta, Int and Spi. Every class can wear it.1

Premier Master Sergeant's Insignia (Alliance) / Premier Senior Sergeant's Insignia (Horde)Rank 4, 7,500 Honor + 10 Darkspear Marks

Necklace, +16 Sta, +7 Spi.1

Premier Grand Marshal's Stave (Alliance) / Premier High Warlord's War Staff (Horde)Rank 14, 22,500 Honor + 20 AV Marks

Staff. +36 Sta, +20 Int, +94 spell power, +5 spell penetration. Caster staff, +94 spell power.12

Premier Grand Marshal's Mageblade (Alliance) / Premier High Warlord's Spellblade (Horde)Rank 14, 12,000 Honor + 10 Darkspear Marks

Main hand dagger. +8 Sta, +7 Int, +94 spell power, +1% crit. Main hand dagger, +94 spell power, +1% crit.12

Premier Grand Marshal's Tome of Power (Alliance) / Premier High Warlord's Tome of Destruction (Horde)Rank 14, 10,500 Honor + 10 Darkspear Marks

Held in off-hand. +15 Sta, +14 Int, +18 spell power. Caster off-hand to go with the Mageblade.12

Sentinel's Silk Leggings (Alliance) / Outrider's Silk Leggings (Horde)Exalted with Silverwing Sentinels or Warsong Outriders, level 60 version

Level 60 legs from Warsong Gulch. Stats not checked in Forever.4

Highlander's Epaulets (Alliance) / Defiler's Epaulets (Horde)Exalted with The League of Arathor or The Defilers, level 60

Level 60 shoulders from Arathi Basin. Stats not checked in Forever.4

Tome of Arcane Domination, Tome of Fiery Arcana, Tome of Shadow Force, Tome of the Ice LordExalted with Stormpike Guard or Frostwolf Clan, level 55

AV caster off-hands. Stats not checked in Forever.4

Darkspear Insurgent's Spellblade (Horde) / Clever Expeditionary's Spellblade (Alliance)Revered with Darkspear Raiders or Theramore Expeditionary Force

Caster weapon from the new battleground. Stats not checked.5

Tome of the Darkspear Prophecy (Horde) / Insurgent's Manifesto (Alliance)Revered with Darkspear Raiders or Theramore Expeditionary Force

Off-hand from the new battleground. Stats not checked.5

Stormpike Sage's Pendant and Cloak (Alliance) / Frostwolf Advisor's Pendant and Cloak (Horde)Honored with Stormpike Guard or Frostwolf Clan, level 55

Caster neck and back from AV. Stats not checked in Forever.4

Premier Knight-Captain's Silk Sash (Alliance) / Premier Legionnaire's Magus Sash (Horde)Honor vendor, Epic waist. Seal at rank 8, earliest week 5, 1,500 Honor

+26 Sta, +15 Int, +14 spell power. Not part of the set bonus.12

Premier Silk Sash (Alliance) / Premier Magus Belt (Horde)Honor vendor, Rare waist. 6,000 Honor + 10 AB Marks

+20 Sta, +10 Int, +8 spell power. Not part of the set bonus.12

Premier Knight-Captain's Silk Bracers (Alliance) / Premier Legionnaire's Magus Cuffs (Horde)Honor vendor, Epic wrists. Seal at rank 8, earliest week 5, 1,200 Honor

+20 Sta, +10 Int, +12 spell power. Not part of the set bonus.12

Premier Silk Cuffs (Alliance) / Premier Magus Cuffs (Horde)Honor vendor, Rare wrists. 4,500 Honor + 10 WSG Marks

+15 Sta, +6 Int, +7 spell power. Not part of the set bonus.12

Gear tips

  • The set cuts Blink cooldown by 2 sec (4 rare or 3 epic pieces).
  • Rank 1 spells at level 60 lose power and procs in Forever. Use max ranks.

Enchants

  • All Classic Era enchants remain, so Crusader is still the melee weapon pick. Spell Power and Healing Power for casters and healers.
  • New 2H weapon: Strength (+25 Str), Mighty Spell Power (+55), Mighty Healing Power (+100 healing).
  • New 1H weapon: Recovery (heal 5% max health on parry or dodge), Revelation (next spell +100% crit, diminishing), Insight (Spirit proc).
  • New chest: Absorption (25% chance to absorb 50 damage per hit).
  • New necklace enchants: +5 Str, +5 Agi, spell power, healing power, +5 defense.
  • New bracer and cloak options include Superior Agility (+9), Superior Intellect (+9) and cloak Agility (+5).

Consumables

  • Rank 5 reward: Combat Potions (contents not detailed by Blizzard).
  • BG quartermasters sell Superior and Major Healing and Mana Draughts, bandages and rations from Friendly or Honored.
  • Minor, Lesser and plain Healing Potions moved to First Aid.
  • Alchemists get Mixology: their own elixirs and flasks last twice as long and are stronger.
  • Draught of Predatory Senses is now a potion on the shared combat potion cooldown.

Professions

  • Engineering is the most common PvP pick. Bombs and gadgets give burst and control.
  • SAF-T and EZ-Thro explosives can be used by non-engineers, so you can buy them.
  • Mining at 300 is reported to give +5% max health. Good for PvP, check on live.
  • Gnome racial no longer gives +15 Engineering. It makes devices more reliable.
  • Alchemy's Mixology helps if your battleground allows your elixirs.

Not published yet: Price of the Emboldened Head Seal (rank 13) is not published. All set stats and prices are beta data. Check the vendor on live realms. No tested PvP stat priority at level 60 yet. The beta stopped at level 30. Stats of the battleground reputation rewards in Forever are not checked here.

Racials and mistakes

Racials

Horde: Undead (Will of the Forsaken breaks Fear), Troll (Berserking) or Orc, new for Mages (Blood Fury, shorter stuns). Alliance: Gnome (Escape Artist, Eureka!), Human (Will to Survive breaks stuns) or the new Skyborne (High Order) with 2% Haste.

Common mistakes

  • Casting long spells while a Warrior is on you.
  • Using Blink before Frost Nova.
  • Skipping Ice Block in your talents. Trainers no longer sell it.

Veteran tip

Control first, damage second.

How ranks work

Battlegrounds and weekly PvP quests give Rank Points. Everyone needs the same points, and nothing takes them away.

Fourteen ranks

From Private or Scout up to Grand Marshal or High Warlord. Rank 2 gives the PvP trinket; Rank 14 gives the epic weapons.

Weekly cap

The highest rank you can reach rises each week. Rank 14 opens in week 10 of a season at the earliest.

Read the full rank guide