In this article, we explain what the best statistics are for Frost Mages (WoW 4.3), how the class benefits from each of them, and what your reforging strategy should be. We also detail what the various caps are and why they should be attained. The statistics priority is important as it influences reforging strategies as well as itemisation choices (gear, enchants, and gems).

Make sure to check our Gear Optimisation Guide, which serves as a support guide for this article. The other articles of our Frost Mage guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

1. Basics↑top

The stat priority for a Frost Mage is:

1. Intellect;
2. Hit Rating (until 17%);
3. Critical Strike Rating (until 33.33%);
4. Haste Rating;
5. Mastery Rating.
6. Critical Strike Rating (after 33.33%);

If you are unsure what the optimal reforging strategy is for this priority, please refer to the reforging section of our Gear Optimisation Guide.

2. Getting a Better Understanding↑top

2.1. Statistics Explanations

Intellect is your most important stat, which provides the most benefit; you should look for this stat in all of your upgrades, as point for point it surpasses any other stat. It provides you with Spell Power and a higher mana pool, and increases your critical strike chance.

Hit Rating is your second most important stat as it determines your chances to miss a target when casting a spell. Once you have reached the spell hit cap, at 17%, it is no longer necessary to increase your Hit Rating.

Critical Strike Rating increases your chance to critically hit. Remember that your chance of critically hitting a target is multiplied by 3 when consuming a charge of Fingers of Frost.

Haste Rating influences the cast speed of your spells.

Mastery Rating increases the damage you deal against frozen targets ( Frostburn). This is your worst stat by far.

2.2. Caps

As for all caster classes, after 17% hit chance, additional Hit Rating becomes useless. Draenei require 1640 Hit Rating to reach the hit cap, while other races need 1742 Hit Rating.

Because of Shatter, at 33.33% critical strike chance, you are hitting a soft cap for your Critical Strike Rating. The term soft cap means that additional Critical Strike Rating will not benefit you as much as it used to once you have passed the cap. Indeed, as a Frost Mage, Deep Freeze, Ice Lance, and Frostfire Bolt will benefit from Shatter, as they are always cast when Fingers of Frost is up. It means that only Frostbolt and Flame Orb will continue benefiting from an increase in Critical Strike Rating once you have reached the cap. At that point, it makes Critical Strike Rating less attractive than Haste Rating or Mastery Rating.