Mages in World of Warcraft get much variety when it comes to glyphs, but have some of the smallest damage rotations out there. This gives them a lot of optimal glyphs that you can attach, and know that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. There is also a lot of glyphs that are only useful while you’re leveling up and a couple of glyphs that you may never need.

The following is a list of glyphs that are the best, the good, and the bad. The ugly glyphs couldn’t make it today (just kidding, all glyphs are beautiful). We’ve gone through and done the math and figured out what works, what kinda works, and what doesn’t.

Without further ado, the list:

The Best Glyphs by Build

Universal

These glyphs are good in any build.

Glyph of Molten Armor

Your Molten Armor grants an additional 20% of your spirit as critical strike rating.

There is no reason to have a build without this major glyph. This is a standard ~100 DPS while fully raid buffed and is a massive DPS increase. There is no reason to go without this glyph.

Glyph of Improved Scorch

The Improved Scorch talent now generates 5 applications of the Improved Scorch effect each time Scorch is cast.

This will keep you from having to cast the 5 initial casts of Scorch and will allow you to reapply Improved Scorch without a problem. It doesn’t increase your DPS in the sense it boosts damage, but it gives you more time from having to cast Scorch. If you have an Improved Scorch build then this glyph has to join in.

Glyph of Slow Fall (Minor Glyph)

Your Slow Fall spell no longer requires a reagent.

One of the only good Minor Glyphs. Get this no matter what! Unless you like farming Light Feathers so you don’t fall through some hole in an instance due to lag.

Frostfire Builds

Glyph of Living Bomb

The periodic damage from your Living Bomb can now be critical strikes.

This will be the highest DPS glyph you can have in a Frostfire Build. This can give upwards to 100+ raid buffed DPS alone.

Glyph of Frostfire

Use: Increases the initial damage dealt by Frostfire Bolt by 2% and its critical strike chance by 2%.

It is a lot and will give you another 100+ raid buffed DPS.

Arcane Builds

Glyph of Arcane Blast

Increases the damage from your Arcane Blast buff by 3%.

That might not seem like a lot, but it’ll be your 100+ raid buffed DPS glyph. Even without raid buffs you could see 70 to 80 DPS out of this one.

Glyph of Arcane Missiles

Increases the critical strike damage bonus of Arcane Missiles by 25%.

Not a lot to comment about because the DPS will come from your critical strike (with a good critical strike chance you may only see 40-50 raid buffed DPS out of this) but it’s nothing to cough at.

Frost Builds

Glyph of Frostbolt

Increases the damage dealt by Frostbolt by 5%, but removes the slowing effect.

This is for raiding only, if you’re leveling up with Frost look down below for an alternative. This is the big DPS increase. If you’re leveling try looking at the Water Elemental Glyph.

Glyph of Ice Lance

Four times the damage on targets who are frozen and higher than you.

This makes Ice Lance a great trash killer (when things are frozen) and a good instant ability in your rotation. You’re sadly lacking on a strong third Frost glyph. Improved Scorch and doing a Frost / Fire build is good for raiding Frost Mages.

Good Glyphs

The following are glyphs that are non-raid/build optimal. They’re still good though for when you’re leveling up.

Glyph of Evocation

Your Evocation ability also causes you to regain 60% of your health over its duration.

Gives you a quick self heal when you’re leveling and is good for an early glyph. It’ll help decrease downtime whenever you’re hurt.

Glyph of Water Elemental

Reduces the cooldown of your Summon Water Elemental spell by 30 sec.

The Water Elemental really helps out Frost Mages who level up and it used to provide replenishment (but doesn’t anymore). 30 seconds less can really help get that Water Elemental back out to tank and fight for you.

Glyph of Mana Gem

Increases the mana received from using a mana gem by 40%.

This is barely edging into the “good” category. This can increase your DPS because more mana = more damage, but you shouldn’t be running out that bad. Anyway, it’s good if you can’t think of anything else to jam into your slot.

Bad Glyphs

Anything that has not been discussed so far is probably bad or “not-optimal” which in WoW speak means that the rest are just stuff you jam in while you level and doesn’t work for a lot of builds. I would like to highlight some real bad offenders though.

Glyph of Mage Armor: 20% increase to mana regeneration while casting isn’t as much mana as you could get with Glyph of Mana Gem. Some builds DO use this, but you shouldn’t be hurting for so much mana, in my opinion.

Glyph of Blink: 5 yards increase is great for running away and for getting yourself killed. It’s more of a novelty than anything else.

Glyph of Arcane Intellect: 50% less mana is good, but you should be casting it during downtime where you can drink the small amount mana needed to cast the spell quickly.

Want to talk glyphs? Hop over on our forums and give our community a shout out. Be sure to bring your build.