Scorch

Scorch
Scorch (9 ranks) Mage ability 30 s. yd range 180 Mana 1.5 sec cast Scorch the enemy for X Fire damage.
Properties
Class	Mage
School	Fire
Cooldown	None/Global Cooldown
Improvements	[Improved Scorch],  [Impact], Ignite, [Incineration], [Burning Soul], [Master of Elements], [Critical Mass],  [Fire Power], Elemental Precision, [Arcane Instability], Spell Power, [Playing with Fire],  [Molten Fury], [Shatter]

[[Category:mage abilities]][[Category:mage abilities]]

All mages are pyromaniacs…at least a little bit.

Scorch is a mage spell that deals fire direct damage. Its short cast time offers proportional damage output when compared to other direct damage fire spells. Scorch’s damage is instant once the spell is cast. It is a blast effect rather than a missile or projectile. This makes it hard to trace back to the casting mage. Scorch has the best damage per mana ratio of all fire spells.

Rank	Mana Cost	Damage	Level	Cost
1	50	53 - 65	22	30
2	65	77 - 93	28	70
3	80	100 - 120	34	1 20
4	100	133-159	40	1 50
5	115	162 - 192	46	2 60
6	135	200 - 239	52	3 50
7	150	233 - 275	58	4
8	165	269 - 317	65	7
9	180	305 - 361	70	12

Talent improvements

[Flame Throwing] extends the range of Scorch to 36 yards at max rank.

The talent [Improved Scorch] adds a debuff to the spell target that increases all fire damage. This debuff stacks up to 5 times, increasing fire damage done by a maximum of 15% for 30 seconds. The 2 point talent [Incineration] increases the critical strike chance of scorch by 2% and 4%.

Scorch deals fire damage, and thus gains the benefit of the talents  [Impact], Ignite, [Burning Soul], [Master of Elements], [Critical Mass],  [Fire Power], [Pyromaniac], and Elemental Precision.

As with all mage spells [Arcane Instability], Spell Power,  [Molten Fury] and [Playing with Fire] will increase the effective damage output of this spell.

Tips and tactics

This spell has excellent DPM, and when combined with [Arcane Concentration] is a great way for the mage to do good single-target damage without needing to rest often. A mage can constantly cast Scorch (each immediately after the the last, since the cast time is the same as the Universal Cooldown) until he reaches the clearcasting state, which he can then "cash in" for a free heavy damage spell like [Arcane Missiles]. This is a group-only technique, however, as Scorch's DPS is too low for you to kill even-leveled mobs (especially while losing casting time to damage) without being killed yourself.

The [Improved Scorch] talent is a wonderful way to stack on the damage done to mobs when working in groups. A 3% fire vulnerability debuff that stacks up to 5 times gives a whopping 15% increased damage from fire spells, and combined with  [Fire Power] and  [Molten Fury] talents, can increase fire damage by 45% for the mage. The scorch debuff is also not just something that not only fire mages can enjoy, but Shamans and Warlocks as well.

Scorch is a much overlooked primary attack spell in raids. When used with appropriately high levels of critical strike rating as part of a scorch and fireblast rotation, in conjuction with the fire and arcane talents that boost critical strike damage and rate it produces perfectly viable raid DPS with excellent mana efficiency. Fireball is preferrable is most situations however, as it has a higher coefficient to cast time ratio from the talents [Improved Fireball] and [Empowered Fireball] receiving a larger benefit from one's spell damage gear.