Ice Shards

Mage · Frost · Row 2 of 7 · 5 ranks

Ice Shards sits in row 2 of the Mage Frost tree. A talent tree is simply the grid of talents for one class role. It can take up to 5 points. Max it fully, or put in a few points just to open the rows below.

What Ice Shards does at each rank

A rank is one level of a talent. Every rank makes the effect a bit stronger. The list below uses the exact wording from the beta client, word for word.

Rank 1: Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 20%.
Rank 2: Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 40%.
Rank 3: Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 60%.
Rank 4: Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 80%.
Rank 5: Increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Frost spells by 100%.

How to reach Ice Shards

Row 2 opens after you spend 5 points in the earlier Frost rows. Level 15 is the earliest you can pick up Ice Shards.

Is Ice Shards worth the points?

Every rank makes the effect stronger, so putting in a few points while leveling is totally fine. Max it when the final rank is the heart of your endgame build. And if you only need it as a stepping stone, no shame in stopping early.

Starter builds that take it

These starter builds already put points into Ice Shards. Open one and see how it fits in a real build:

Frost Control (PvP · Control)

Try Ice Shards in the Mage calculator

Elsewhere in Frost

Planning the rest of the tree? These talents sit right next to Ice Shards:

Frost Warding · Improved Frostbolt · Elemental Precision · Permafrost · Improved Frost Nova · Frostbite · Piercing Ice · Frost Channeling · Ice Lance · Improved Blizzard · Arctic Reach · Ice Block