Fireball

Fireball
Fireball 40 yd range 9% of base mana 2.5 seconds cast Hurls a fiery ball that causes X Fire damage.
Usable by
Class	Mage
Properties
Type	Offensive
School	Fire
Cooldown	None/Global Cooldown
Talents
Improvement talents	[Ignite], [Fire Power], [Brain Freeze]
Other information
Modified by	[Glyph of Fireball]

Fireball is the mage starter spell, known by all mages upon creation. It deals direct damage, and is one of the primary damage spells for Fire mages.

Background

A gnome mage casting Fireball.

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Table

Level	Cast time	Damage
1	1.5 sec	22 - 26
10	1.97 sec	29 - 37
15	2.24 sec	38 - 48
20	2.5 sec	51 - 63
30	2.5 sec	77 - 97
40	2.5 sec	124 - 158
50	2.5 sec	160 - 202
60	2.5 sec	413 - 525
70	2.5 sec	643 - 819
80	2.5 sec	945 - 1203
85	2.5 sec	982 - 1252

Improvements

Fireball deals fire damage, and thus gains the benefit of the talents [Fire Specialization], [Ignite] and [Fire Power].

[Brain Freeze] gives Frost damage spells with chilling effect a 15% chance to cause the next Fireball to cost no mana and be an instant cast.

 [Glyph of Fireball] increases the critical strike chance of the Fireball spell by 5%.

[Arcane Concentration] and [Presence of Mind] work with Fireball, making it free and/or instant cast.

As with all mage spells capable of critical hits [Piercing Ice], [Shatter], [Arcane Potency] can increase the effective damage output of this spell.

Notes

Prior to Patch 4.0.1, Fireball applied a minor periodic damage effect.

Patch changes

• Patch 4.3.2 (2012-01-31): Fireball damage has been reduced by roughly 6%.
  
• Patch 4.3.0 (2011-11-29): Damage increased by approximately 17%.
  
• Patch 4.0.6 (2011-02-08): Mana cost has been reduced to 9% of base mana.
  
• Hotfix (2011-01-18): "The mana costs of the following mage spells have been reduced, but they still require the previous percentage of base mana in order to be cast: [Arcane Barrage] (11% of base mana), [Arcane Blast] (7% of base mana), and Fireball (12% of base mana). As an example, Fireball requires 16% base mana to cast, but only consumes 12% of base mana."
  
• Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): DoT effect removed.
  
• Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04): Periodic damage from this spell can no longer trigger Combustion.
  
• Patch 2.0.1 (2006-12-05): Rank 12 can now be purchased from trainers at level 62.
  
• Patch 1.4.0 (2005-05-05): Pyroblast and Fireball damage over time will now stack together.
  

External links

• Wowhead