Mage - PvE Build

Overview

Class: Mage

Designed for: Open World, Dungeon and PvE

Focused on: DPS

Difficulty:

Easy

Strengths

• Great for Group PvE
• Great AOE DPS
• Easy to Play

Weaknesses

• Squishy

Overview

This Mage build focuses on delivering high AOE DPS and performs particularly well when used in group content such as dungeons, AOE mob farming and any even boss hunting as this build does well in all PVE content currently available in Ashes of Creation, remaining one of the top choices for all groups that are looking to challenge the existing PVE content.

Skills

20

19

22

23

21

24

18

17

10

12

11

14

16

5

8

7

9

13

15

2

1

4

3

6

Equipment

Weapons

Wand

Greatsword

Stamina

14

10

21

13

9

20

12

8

19

11

7

18

3

6

17

2

5

16

1

4

15

As a Mage, you shouldn't be prioritizing the Sustained Guard as you are mostly aiming to dodge and sprint. Instead, prioritize Escape Velocity first to increase your movement speed while sprinting in combat (default key C). This becomes crucial later in the game, as it lets you kite mobs while waiting for cooldowns or quickly escape danger when needed.

Next, put points into Recuperation Training and Evasive Maneuver to boost your evasion rate during dodges. This will also unlock Springstep, which greatly improves your mobility by enhancing your dodge distance.

Finally, invest your remaining points in Guard Training to reduce stamina usage when blocking (default key E). Adding Mental Fortification can also be beneficial, as it reduces the likelihood of being crowd-controlled (CC’d) while blocking, which can be helpful in certain situations.

Rotations

Single Target Rotation ↴

• This is one of your earliest rotations and perfect for dealing with single mobs or to finish off elite mobs that are already low on HP. Start the rotation by channeling a full cast of Lightning Strike and continue by casting 3 Firebolts before using Combust for extra burn damage boosted by Fuse.

AOE Rotation ↴

• You generally want to use this rotation for group PVE where you have a Tank pulling and holding aggro on the mobs so you can properly deal damage without being attacked. Start by placing down Arcane Circle to boost the damage you deal with the next abilities but make sure to stay in the Arcane Circle radius to not lose the damage buff. This also allows you to stack multiple elemental effects at once, greatly improving your overall DPS.

• Use Hoarfrost to apply Chill and then use Cone of Cold to freeze the mobs together and also make it much easier for teammates to apply their own DPS. Channel Ball Lightning so it hits all enemies you've frozen in order to deal damage through the Shatter proc.

• Followup with Chain Lightning and Magma Field for quick AOE damage while Magma Field applies constant DoT fire damage. Finish the rotation by casting Prismatic Beam.

Shell: Perfect when used as a panic button, this skill creates a large shield that protects you from damage. Don't use it on cooldown as you might need it when your group makes pulls that do AOE damage or when your tank loses aggro.