Arcane Blast

Arcane Blast is a level 10 Arcane mage spell that deals direct arcane damage, with increasing damage levels and mana costs with each stack of Arcane Charge. With careful management, the mage can use this spell to trade off damage per mana versus damage per second.

Improvements

 * Mastery: Savant

Talents

 * Rule of Threes
 * Touch of the Magi

Azerite Traits

 * Equipoise
 * Galvanizing Spark

Tips and tactics
The mana cost increase makes spamming this spell with 4 stacks of Arcane Charge very inefficient and unsustainable under most circumstances. However, this can be managed and manipulated by the mage by properly utilizing Arcane Charges' effects.

Arcane Blast (and Arcane Charge) management defines the playstyle for an Arcane spec'd mage. In PvE combat, this playstyle is handled in a continuous cycle known as "phases": a "burn phase" followed by a "conserve phase", repeating throughout the encounter. The basics of these phases are as follows:

A "burn phase" may begin when you have Arcane Power available, 4 Arcane Charges, and >50% mana. Focus on casting Arcane Blast during Arcane Power to rapidly deal high amounts of damage. After Arcane Power has ended, continue to cast Arcane Blast and Arcane Missiles (only with Clearcasting (mage ability)) until oom. At this point, use Evocation and begin a "conserve phase."

During a "conserve phase", the goal is to cast as many 4-charge Arcane Blasts as possible while remaining above 50% mana. Once you approach or fall below 50% mana, use Arcane Barrage to dump your charges. The conserve phase generally ends when Arcane Power comes off cooldown, but may be delayed for important boss mechanics.

Arcane Blast, like Scorch (and unlike Fireball, Frostbolt, and Arcane Missiles), has no projectile animation or travel time. This may make the mage a bit less obvious in PvP combat as Arcane Blast won't leave a brilliant pointer back to the caster.

Trivia

 * Arcane Blast is an epic Mage spell in the Grand Tournament expansion of Hearthstone. The flavor text reads: "Now with 100% more blast!"