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Changes: Ice Block

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(The correct term here is "threat", not "aggro")
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<onlyinclude>{{Infobox ability
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{{#data:infobox ability
 
|name=Ice Block
  
|name=Ice Block
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|icon=spell_frost_frost
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|image=Spell_Frost_Frost.png
  
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|description=You become encased in a block of ice, protecting you from all physical attacks and spells for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move or cast spells. Also causes Hypothermia, preventing you from recasting Ice Block for 30 sec.
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|description=Encases you in a block of ice, protecting you from all attacks and damage for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move, or cast spells.<br/><br/>Causes Hypothermia, preventing you from recasting Ice Block for 30 sec.
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|class=[[Mage]]
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|class=Mage
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|school=Frost
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|type=Defensive
  
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|school=[[Frost]]
  
 
|cast_time=Instant
  
|cast_time=Instant
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|cooldown=5 min
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|cooldown=4 minutes
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|type=talent
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|improvement=[[Ice Floes]]
  
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|ranks=1
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|row=2
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|talent_req=[[Prismatic Barrier]] or [[Blazing Barrier]] or [[Ice Barrier]]
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|requirements=
  
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|improvements=[[Cryo-Freeze]], [[Ice Cold (mage talent)]], [[Winter's Protection]]
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|buff_type=magic
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|buff_type=Magic
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|buff_desc=Immune to all attacks and spells. Cannot attack, move or use spells.
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|buff_desc=Immune to all attacks and damage. Cannot attack, move, or use spells.
 
|buff_dur=10 seconds
  
|buff_dur=10 seconds
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|debuff_name=Hypothermia
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}}</onlyinclude>
  
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|debuff_icon=spell_fire_blueimmolation
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[[File:Ice Block TCG.jpg|thumb|In the [[WoW TCG]].]]
  
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|debuff_type=
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|debuff_desc=Cannot be made invulnerable by Ice Block.
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|debuff_dur=30 seconds
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}}
   
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'''Ice Block''' is a row 2 [[mage]] talent. It makes the caster [[immune]] to damage and negative effects for a short time.
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'''Ice Block''' is a [[mage]] spell that gives short-term immunity to all damage and attacks (except [[priest]] [[Mass Dispel]] and [[warrior]] [[Shattering Throw]]), at the cost of being able to take no action. Ice Block also purges most [[debuff]]s.
  
   
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Using Ice Block debuffs the caster with '''Hypothermia''', preventing them from using Ice Block again for 30 seconds.
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Using Ice Block debuffs the mage with '''Hypothermia''' for 30 seconds, which prevents him from using Ice Block during that time. This is only relevant for Frost mages with the [[Cold Snap]] talent, which will reset the cooldown for Ice Block. It prevents the mage from casting Ice Block, then resetting the cooldown and immediately casting it again. The effect is similar to the [[paladin]] debuff [[Forbearance]].
  
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"Ice Block" is often used as a verb, meaning to use Ice Block to avoid an attack, as in "I Ice Blocked that [[rogue]]'s [[Eviscerate]]." When Ice Block is used to remove a debuff, it is commonly referred to as "Ice Blocking out of ~", as in "I Ice Blocked out of [[polymorph|sheep]]."
  
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== Rank table ==
  
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{| class="darktable" style="text-align: center;"
  
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|-
  
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! Rank !! Level !! Cost
  
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|-
  
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|| 1 || 30 || {{cost||80}}
  
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|}
  
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== Improvements ==
  
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=== Talents ===
  
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*With 2 talents into [[Ice Floes]], the cooldown time for Ice Block to reduced to 4 minutes; with 1 point the cooldown is 4 minutes, 30 seconds.
  
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*Ice Block also becomes 12 mana with [[Elemental Precision]] (3% less mana) and [[Frost Channeling]] (15% less mana).
  
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=== Equipment ===
  
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Wearing 4 pieces of [[Aldor Regalia]] reduces the cooldown of Ice Block an additional 40 seconds.
  
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With [[Ice Floes]], you can reduce the cooldown of Ice Block to 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
  
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=== Glyphs ===
  
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{{:Glyph of Ice Block}}
  
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{{clrl}}
  
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==Notes==
  
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Casting the spell while you're already Ice Blocked (hitting the hotbar key again) will cancel the spell. It won't cancel itself on a second tap until the [[global cooldown]] has finished.
  
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Ice Block removes almost any harmful debuff(s) on caster, even if the caster is not in control of his/her actions. This includes Polymorph and all of a rogue's stuns. Due to the technicality that it "purges" the harmful effect without specifically dispelling it, on-dispel effects like Unstable Affliction's damage and silence will not be triggered. Certain raid-level debuffs are not dispellable by Ice Block, but it will still prevent you from taking damage.
  
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Ice Block can be removed via [[Mass Dispel]], [[Shattering Throw]], and in rare cases [[Purge]] and [[Dispel Magic]] only if these spells are cast at the same time as Ice Block.
  
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Ice Block will not protect you or other raid members from [[Gruul]]'s [[Shatter]] effect, only the slowing effect from being [[Stoned]] by [[Gruul]].
  
   
 
==Tips and tactics==
  
==Tips and tactics==
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[[File:Mage Iceblock example.jpg|thumb|left|A [[gnome]] mage using Ice Block.]]
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[[File:Mage Iceblock example.jpg|thumb|A gnome mage using Ice Block.]]
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*When Ice Block is active, casting it again will cancel it.
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Ice Block is useful for escaping from incapacitating effects and crowd-control spells, waiting for your cooldowns, blocking a large single-hit attack (such as Pyroblast, Eviscerate), or buying time for a healer to heal you.
  
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*Ice Block can be removed by an enemy's [[Mass Dispel]].
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*Ice Block can be used while afflicted by loss of control effects such as [[stun]]s or [[fear effect]]s.
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*Ice Block can prevent [[fall damage]]. It can also prevent damage from [[drowning]] and [[fatigue]], but it will not reset the breath bar or the fatigue bar, so as soon as the block ends the damage will continue.
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*Since [[mob]]s will not attack immune targets, Ice Block causes them to ignore the caster for its duration. It does not reduce [[threat]] levels.
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*A [[stopcasting]] macro can be used to make Ice Block more responsive, by having it immediately stop any in-progress spellcasts when its button is pressed:
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*:<code>/stopcasting</code>
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*:<code>/cast Ice Block</code>
   
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==Notes and trivia==
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In a one-on-one battle, Ice Block may give your opponent time to cool down abilities, heal, or run. You should rarely let Ice Block expire on its own, but instead cancel when the timing is right, usually immediately after casting.
  
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[[File:Ice Block TCG.jpg|thumb|In the TCG.]]
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*Ice Block is...
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**A [[Ice Block (Through the Dark Portal)|rare mage ability]] in the ''[[Trading Card Game]]''.
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**An [[hswiki:Ice Block|epic mage spell]] in ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]''. Its flavor text reads: ''"Ice is nice, and will suffice!"''
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*"Improved Ice Block" is one of {{hots|Jaina}}'s abilities in ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''. It functions similarly to Ice Block, but with the added effect of chilling nearby enemies when it ends.
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*This spell has been occasionally used in the lore. [[Khadgar]] uses it to protect himself from {{Au|Garona Halforcen}} on {{Au|Draenor|alternate Draenor}}, and again against Gul'dan within the Tomb of Sargeras. Several formerly captured magi use it to shield themselves from [[Sindragosa]] in the [[Pit of Saron]] after the defeat of [[Scourgelord Tyrannus]].
   
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==Patch changes==
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If used in conjunction with [[Cold Snap]], Ice Block can be used up to 3 times every 10 minutes, and with [[Ice Floes]] every 8 minutes.
  
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*{{Patch 10.0.0|note=Now a row 2 class talent (was a level 22 ability).}}
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*{{Patch 9.0.1|note=Now learned at level 22 (was 50).}}
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*{{Patch 7.1.5|note=Now learned at level 50 (was 26). Cooldown reduced to 4 minutes, down from 5 minutes. Mana cost removed (was 15 mana).}}
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*{{Hotfix|date=2016-12-06|bluenote=Ice Block's cooldown will correctly reset at the end of an encounter.}}
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*{{Patch 7.0.3|note=Now learned at level 26 (was 15).}}
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*{{Patch 6.0.2|note=Now learned at level 15 (was 26).}}
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*{{Hotfix|date=2012-10-12|bluenote=No longer incorrectly removes [[Battle Fatigue]].}}
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*{{Patch 5.0.4|note=Now learned at level 26 (was 30).}}
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*{{Patch 2.3.2|note=Ice Block is no longer a talent, and is now trainable at level 30 (was a tier 5 Frost talent).}}
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*{{Patch 2.3.0|note=Ice Block has been reverted back to its old behavior.|comment=Originally, a player who Ice Blocked in midair would continue to fall normally. At one point this was changed so an Ice Blocked player hovered while the spell was active, then began to fall when it expired.}}
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*{{Patch 2.1.0|note=Hypothermia [[debuff]] added.|comment=Prior to this, a mage with Ice Block and [[Cold Snap]] could be protected for 20 consecutive seconds, with only a short interruption to use Cold Snap.}}
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*{{Patch 2.0.3|noteIce Block will now make a mage immune to [[Avenger's Shield]].}}
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*{{Patch 1.12.0|note=Fixed a bug that was causing Ice Block to trigger a 5 minute cooldown on the [[Gnomish Cloaking Device]].}}
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*{{Patch 1.4.0|note=Fixed race condition where damage would sometimes be applied after Ice Block was activated.}}
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*{{Patch 0.9|note=
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**Duration slightly increased.
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**Now a buff instead of a debuff (you can cancel it).}}
   
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==External links==
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Ice Block can be used to avoid [[fall damage]] (see [[Blink]] and [[Slow Fall]] for other ways). While Ice Blocked your character falls normally, but doesn't take any damage when hitting the ground. (In previous patches, an Ice Blocked mage would hover in the air, then begin to fall when the spell expired.)
  
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<!-- Please read https://wowpedia.fandom.com/Wowpedia:External_links_policy before adding new links. -->
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{| class="darktable"
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! Ice Block !! Hypothermia
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|-
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|{{Elinks-spell|45438}}
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|{{Elinks-spell|41425}}
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|}
   
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{{classfooter|Mage}}
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Ice Block will prevent drowning and fatigue damage, and reset the damage counter (not the bar) to zero. You will still lose breath and become fatigued while iceblocked.
  
   
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Ice Block is powerful enough to remove almost any debuff, including [[Living Bomb]] or [[Baron Rivendare]]'s 45-minute debuff. (However, doing so will not prevent you from completing the 45-minute Stratholme run.) Some notable exceptions are [[Resurrection Sickness]], [[Vaelastrasz the Corrupt|Vaelastrasz's]] [[Burning Adrenaline]], [[Deathbringer Saurfang|Deathbringer Saurfang's]] [[Mark of the Fallen Champion]] and the [[Deserter]] debuff from battlegrounds.
  
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Contrary to popular belief, Ice Block will NOT reduce your current [[threat]] level. The reason for this misunderstanding is that enemy AI is programmed to ignore you if you are invincible and move on to the next-highest target on its hate list. As soon as the effect fades the enemy may resume attacking you. However, it will prevent you from performing any actions that generate threat, allowing others (who are still attacking, healing, etc) to rise ahead of you on the mob's hate list. Use [[Invisibility]] to remove threat.
  
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It is worth noting that a level 70 [[priest]] can use [[Mass Dispel]] to remove ice block. This may be followed with a [[Shadow Word: Death]] for a quick kill if the mage is low on health. [[Improved Counterspell]] could be useful here if you manually break ice block while the priest is casting, but act quickly.
  
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Using this [[macro]] a mage can instantly stop casting a spell and ice block to protect themselves with no delay. This makes it very useful in PvP or PvE situations which requires you to have fast reflexes to a changing situation.
  
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/stopcasting
  
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/cast ice block
  
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For those that have the skill of Herbalism, casting [[Lifeblood]] right before Ice Block give your health a reprieve (albiet a low one)
  
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== Patches and hotfixes ==
  
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{{Patch 2.3.2|note=Ice Block is trainable for mages of all talent builds at level 30.}}
  
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{{Patch 2.3.0|note=In [[Patch 2.3.0]], Ice Block was reverted back to its old behavior.|comment=Originally, a player who Ice Blocked in midair would continue to fall normally. At one point this was changed so an Ice Blocked player hovered while the spell was active, then began to fall when it expired.}}
  
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{{Patch 2.1.0|note=Hypothermia [[debuff]] added.|comment=Prior to this, a mage with Ice Block and [[Cold Snap]] could be protected for 20 consecutive seconds, with only a short interruption to use Cold Snap.}}
  
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== External links ==
  
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<!-- Read http://www.wowwiki.com/WoWWiki:External_links before posting your links here.
  
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Links that do not conform to the rules will be DELETED.
  
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Repeat violations may result in a BAN.
  
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Have a nice day. :) -->
  
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{{Elinks-spell|45438}}
  
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{{classfooter|Mage}}
  
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[[Category:Mage abilities]]
  
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[[Category:Frost spells]]
  
 
[[Category:Magic buffs]]
  
[[Category:Magic buffs]]
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[[Category:Hearthstone cards]]

Latest revision as of 01:08, 29 August 2023

Ice Block
Spell frost frost
  • Ice Block
  • Row 2 mage talent
  • 4 min cooldown
  • Instant
  • Encases you in a block of ice, protecting you from all attacks and damage for 10 sec, but during that time you cannot attack, move, or cast spells.

    Causes Hypothermia, preventing you from recasting Ice Block for 30 sec.
Properties
Class Mage
School Frost
Cooldown 4 minutes
Talents
Talent required Spell magearmor [Prismatic Barrier] or Ability mage moltenarmor [Blazing Barrier] or Spell ice lament [Ice Barrier]
Improvements Spell frost icefloes [Cryo-Freeze], Spell fire bluefire [Ice Cold], Spell ice rune [Winter's Protection]
Related buff
Spell frost frost
  • Magic
  • Ice Block
  • Immune to all attacks and damage. Cannot attack, move, or use spells.
  • Duration: 10 seconds
Related debuff
Spell fire blueimmolation
  • Hypothermia
  • Cannot be made invulnerable by Ice Block.
  • Duration: 30 seconds

Ice Block is a row 2 mage talent. It makes the caster immune to damage and negative effects for a short time.

Using Ice Block debuffs the caster with Hypothermia, preventing them from using Ice Block again for 30 seconds.

Tips and tactics

Mage Iceblock example

A gnome mage using Ice Block.

  • When Ice Block is active, casting it again will cancel it.
  • Ice Block can be removed by an enemy's Spell arcane massdispel [Mass Dispel].
  • Ice Block can be used while afflicted by loss of control effects such as stuns or fear effects.
  • Ice Block can prevent fall damage. It can also prevent damage from drowning and fatigue, but it will not reset the breath bar or the fatigue bar, so as soon as the block ends the damage will continue.
  • Since mobs will not attack immune targets, Ice Block causes them to ignore the caster for its duration. It does not reduce threat levels.
  • A stopcasting macro can be used to make Ice Block more responsive, by having it immediately stop any in-progress spellcasts when its button is pressed:
    /stopcasting
    /cast Ice Block

Notes and trivia

Ice Block TCG

In the TCG.

Patch changes

  • Dragonflight Patch 10.0.0 (2022-10-25): Now a row 2 class talent (was a level 22 ability).
  • Shadowlands Patch 9.0.1 (2020-10-13): Now learned at level 22 (was 50).
  • Legion Patch 7.1.5 (2017-01-10): Now learned at level 50 (was 26). Cooldown reduced to 4 minutes, down from 5 minutes. Mana cost removed (was 15 mana).
  • Legion Hotfix (2016-12-06): Ice Block's cooldown will correctly reset at the end of an encounter.
  • Legion Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Now learned at level 26 (was 15).
  • Warlords of Draenor Patch 6.0.2 (2014-10-14): Now learned at level 15 (was 26).
  • Mists of Pandaria Hotfix (2012-10-12): No longer incorrectly removes Ability creature cursed 05 [Battle Fatigue].
  • Mists of Pandaria Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): Now learned at level 26 (was 30).
  • Bc icon Patch 2.3.2 (2008-01-08): Ice Block is no longer a talent, and is now trainable at level 30 (was a tier 5 Frost talent).
  • Bc icon Patch 2.3.0 (2007-11-13): Ice Block has been reverted back to its old behavior.
    Originally, a player who Ice Blocked in midair would continue to fall normally. At one point this was changed so an Ice Blocked player hovered while the spell was active, then began to fall when it expired.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.1.0 (2007-05-22): Hypothermia debuff added.
    Prior to this, a mage with Ice Block and Spell frost wizardmark [Cold Snap] could be protected for 20 consecutive seconds, with only a short interruption to use Cold Snap.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.0.3 (2007-01-09):
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.12.0 (2006-08-22): Fixed a bug that was causing Ice Block to trigger a 5 minute cooldown on the Inv gizmo 01 [Gnomish Cloaking Device].
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.4.0 (2005-04-19): Fixed race condition where damage would sometimes be applied after Ice Block was activated.
  • Test-inline Patch 0.9 (2004-08-17):
    • Duration slightly increased.
    • Now a buff instead of a debuff (you can cancel it).

External links

Ice Block Hypothermia
Playable classes
Classes
About mages
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