Arcane Missiles

Arcane Missiles is a a level 13 channeled Arcane mage spell that shoots a series of missiles at the target dealing direct arcane damage.

Improvements

 * Clearcasting (mage ability) - For every X mana spent, you have a 1% chance of making Arcane Missiles cast 20% faster and cost no mana. Mana spent per 1% proc chance depends on the Mage's level. At Level 120, every 500 mana spent grants a 1% chance to proc Clearcasting.


 * Talents
 * Amplification - Causes Arcane Missiles to fire one additional missile when Clearcasting is active.
 * Rule of Threes - Reduces the cost of Arcane Missiles by 100% every time you gain your third Arcane Charge.
 * Slipstream - Clearcasting allows Arcane Missiles to be channeled while moving.


 * PvP talents
 * Arcane Empowerment - Clearcasting stacks up to 3 times and increases Arcane Missiles damage by 5% per stack while active.


 * Azerite traits
 * Arcane Pummeling - Each wave of Arcane Missiles deals more damage than the previous one.
 * Anomalous Impact - Arcane Missiles deals additional damage per each Arcane Charge.


 * Artifact traits


 * Rule of Threes (artifact trait)

Tips and tactics
A known disadvantage of the spell is that it requires you to stay in one space for the 2.5 second duration, making you a sitting duck in PvP situations (A sitting duck that happens to be shooting magic missiles at foes, anyways) and keeping you from gaining space between you and your enemies.

An often overlooked PvP benefit is the rapid speed with which it hits opponents causes regular spell interruption. Between this and Slow, an Arcane mage can make it exceedingly difficult for an enemy player to get off spells with a cast time.

A notable effect of the fact is that "on spell hit" abilities, such as Mark of Defiance, can proc off each missile, similar to "on spell crit" abilities. However, "on spell cast" abilities, such as Mystical Skyfire Diamond, only have a chance to proc on each casting of the spell, not on each bolt.

Trivia

 * This spell is likely based on Magic Missile, a classic spell in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.
 * Arcane Missiles is a basic Mage spell in Hearthstone. The flavor text reads: "You'd think you'd be able to control your missiles a little better since you're a powerful mage and all."

Patches and hotfixes