Difference between revisions of "Wizard skills"

Latest revision as of 15:28, 2 December 2012

The skill tree, circa 2009. Skills no longer appear in anything like this format. Image by Muldric.

This page lists all the Wizard skills. Follow the links to the individual skill pages for full discussion of every skill, including first hand reports and screenshots.

Useful skill links:

Skills - General skill design and mechanics.
- Skill runes - The huge skill customization and improvement system.
Wizard - a ranged class who's a glass cannon.
- Arcane Power - The Wizard's energy resource.
- Wizard skills - A list of all the Wizard's active skills.
  - Signature spells - Wizard spells that are free to cast. Previously they were called Academic spells.
  - Armor spells - Provide defensive buffs to the Wizard.
- Wizard passives - A list of all the Wizard's passive skills.
Wizard skill archive - Removed Wizard skills.
Wizard traits - Passive skills in Diablo III were called traits for a while before reverting back.

Active Skills[edit | edit source]

Click to the individual skill pages for more details about these skills including numbers, screenshots, skill rune information, blue quotes, and much more.

Primary[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Description

<skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Magic Missile</skill> <skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Shock Pulse</skill> <skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Spectral Blade</skill> <skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Electrocute</skill>

Secondary[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Wizard">Ray of Frost</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Arcane Orb</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Arcane Torrent</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Disintegrate</skill>

Defensive[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Wizard">Frost Nova</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Diamond Skin</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Slow Time</skill> <skill subcat="Movement ability" class="Wizard">Teleport</skill>

Force[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Wizard">Wave of Force</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Energy Twister</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Hydra</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Meteor</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Blizzard</skill>

Conjuration[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Description

<skill subcat="Armor spell" class="Wizard">Ice Armor</skill> <skill subcat="Armor spell" class="Wizard">Storm Armor</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Magic Weapon</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Familiar</skill> <skill subcat="Armor spell" class="Wizard">Energy Armor</skill>

Mastery[edit | edit source]

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Wizard">Explosive Blast</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Mirror Image</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Archon</skill>

Passive Skills[edit | edit source]

Passive skills replaced Traits during late game development in 2011. A few Traits were simply changed to passive skills, but most are all new. See the Wizard traits page for a full list of those passives.

Name	Level	Description

<skill class="Wizard">Blur</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Power Hungry</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Evocation</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Glass Cannon</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Prodigy</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Astral Presence</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Illusionist</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Cold Blooded</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Conflagration</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Paralysis</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Galvanizing Ward</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Temporal Flux</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Critical Mass</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Arcane Dynamo</skill> <skill class="Wizard">Unstable Anomaly</skill>

Skill Distribution[edit | edit source]

A useful player-made chart showing when the Wizard gains access to skills, passives, and rune effects.

Wizard skill progression. Stats as of May 5, 2012.

Development[edit | edit source]

See the Wizard skill archive for a full listing of skill changes over time.

July 2011 Press Event[edit | edit source]

The following skills were removed or renamed prior to the July 2011 Press Event:

Charged Bolt - Renamed to Shock Pulse
Energy Shield - Renamed to Energy Armor

References[edit | edit source]

Full Wizard Skill Trees
Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report -- IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
HardRock's Wizard Passive Skills -- IncGamers 6th Sep 2011

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer primary

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer secondary

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer corpses

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer bloodandbone

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer reanimation

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer curses

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-An ongoing listing of Wizard skills, as seen on the Blizzard site and transcribed from footage during Blizzcon 2008 demo gameplay.
+[[Image:Skill-tree-blizzcon09-wiz-muldric.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The skill tree, circa 2009. Skills no longer appear in anything like this format. Image by [http://forums.diii.net/showthread.php?t=739038 Muldric].]]
+This page lists all the [[Wizard]] skills. Follow the links to the individual skill pages for full discussion of every skill, including first hand reports and screenshots.
-=Storm Tree=
+'''Useful skill links:'''
-==Tier I Skills==
-===Charged Bolt===
-Rank 1/1: Launch a volley of 3 electric bolts that deal 1-8 lightning damage each. Mana cost: 8.  Critical hits from lightning damage stun targets for 2 sec.
-===Thunderstruck===
+* [[Skill]]s - General skill design and mechanics.
-Rank 2/15: Increases the critical hit chance of all lightning spells by 10%.  Critical hits from lightning damage stun targets for 2 sec.
+** [[Skill rune]]s - The huge skill customization and improvement system.
+* [[Wizard]] - a [[ranged]] class who's a [[glass cannon]].
+** [[Arcane Power]] - The Wizard's energy [[resource]].
+** [[Wizard skills]] - A list of all the Wizard's active skills.
+*** [[Signature spell]]s - Wizard spells that are free to cast. Previously they were called Academic spells.
+*** [[Armor spell]]s - Provide defensive [[buffs]] to the Wizard.
+** [[Wizard passives]] - A list of all the Wizard's passive skills.
+* [[Wizard skill archive]] - Removed Wizard skills.
+* [[Wizard traits]] - Passive skills in Diablo III were called [[traits]] for a while before reverting back.
-===Empowered Magic===
-Rank 2/15: Increases the effect of willpower on your spell damage by 20%.
-===Lightning Speed===
+==Active Skills==
-Rank 0/15: Increases casting speed by 3%
+Click to the individual skill pages for more details about these skills including numbers, screenshots, skill rune information, blue quotes, and much more.
-==Tier II Skills (5 points req.)==
+===Primary===
-===Storm Armor===
+{{Skill description header}}
-Rank 0/1: Surround yourself in electrical energy.  Electrical bolts are automatically fired at attackers for 1 to 8 damage.  Mana cost: 15
+<skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Magic Missile</skill>
+<skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Shock Pulse</skill>
+<skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Spectral Blade</skill>
+<skill subcat="Signature spell" class="Wizard">Electrocute</skill>
-===Frost Nova===
-[[Image:Skill_wizard_frostnova.jpg|thumb|left|Chill out!]]
-Official Skill Description: (Rank 0/1) An explosion of ice pelts nearby enemies for 1-3 cold damage.  Has an additional 25% chance of a critical hit. Critical hits from cold damage freeze targets.
+===Secondary===
+{{Skill description header}}
+<skill class="Wizard">Ray of Frost</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Arcane Orb</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Arcane Torrent</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Disintegrate</skill>
-Mana cost: 25.
-Cooldown: 12 sec.
+===Defensive===
+{{Skill description header}}
+<skill class="Wizard">Frost Nova</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Diamond Skin</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Slow Time</skill>
+<skill subcat="Movement ability" class="Wizard">Teleport</skill>
-A long cooldown on this skill may prevent it from being a staple of a Wizard's arsenal, and more of a panic button when things get a little too close for comfort, since cold damage will slow or freeze enemies in their tracks.  This skill has been borrowed from the DII Sorceress, but with some added features, including an increased chance of critical strikes.  Storm Power and Lethal Energy will both add to this skill's lethality by adding to its critical strike chance and damage.
-===Deep Freeze===
+===Force===
-Rank 0/15: Increases the critical hit chance of all cold spells by 5%.  Critical hits from cold damage freeze targets.
+{{Skill description header}}
+<skill class="Wizard">Wave of Force</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Energy Twister</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Hydra</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Meteor</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Blizzard</skill>
-===Power Armor===
-Rank 0/15: Increases the damage dealt by your storm armor charged bolts by 10%.
-===Static Charge===
+===Conjuration===
-Rank 0/15: Convert 5% of all damage taken into mana.
+{{Skill description header}}
+<skill subcat="Armor spell" class="Wizard">Ice Armor</skill>
+<skill subcat="Armor spell" class="Wizard">Storm Armor</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Magic Weapon</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Familiar</skill>
+<skill subcat="Armor spell" class="Wizard">Energy Armor</skill>
-==Tier III Skills (10 point req.)==
-===Electrocute===
-[[Image:Skill_wizard_electrocute.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Electrocute]]
-Official Skill Description: (Rank 0/1) Lightning arcs from the wizard’s fingertips towards enemies, electrocuting them for 4-5 damage.  Electrocute affects up to 2 targets. Critical hits from lightning damage stun targets for 2 sec.
-Mana cost: 8.
+===Mastery===
+{{Skill description header}}
+<skill class="Wizard">Explosive Blast</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Mirror Image</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Archon</skill>
-This skill is reminiscent of the Sorceress's Chain Lightning from Diablo II.  Most useful for taking down groups of closely packed enemies since the lightning will hop from one target to the next.  During one of the videos at Blizzcon 2008, it was shown that Electrocute can be enhanced with a Multi-Strike Rune, upping the amount of targets that the Electrocute's Chain Lightning effect will hit.  A Lethality Rune was also shown in conjunction with Electrocute, which caused some enemies to explode in an AoE electric Nova upon death.
-===Ray of Frost===
+==Passive Skills==
-[[Image:Skill_wizard_rayoffrost.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Ray of Frost]]
-Official Skill Description: (Rank 0/1) Project a beam of cold energy that deals 6 cold damage per sec.  Critical hits from cold damage freeze targets.  Requires 10 points in Storm tree.
-Mana cost: 16 mana per sec.
+Passive skills replaced [[Traits]] during late game development in 2011. A few Traits were simply changed to passive skills, but most are all new. See the [[Wizard traits]] page for a full list of those passives.
-This skill is similar to the fire-based Disintegrate spell; however, it does not pass through targets or increase damage over time.  This spell seems useful for freezing and keeping enemies at bay, adding to the Wizard's arsenal of offensive spells that double as insurance against melee creatures.
+{{Skill description header}}
+<skill class="Wizard">Blur</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Power Hungry</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Evocation</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Glass Cannon</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Prodigy</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Astral Presence</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Illusionist</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Cold Blooded</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Conflagration</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Paralysis</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Galvanizing Ward</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Temporal Flux</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Critical Mass</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Arcane Dynamo</skill>
+<skill class="Wizard">Unstable Anomaly</skill>
-===Static Residue===
-Rank 0/15: Enemies damaged by your lightning spells discharge an additional 1 to 3 lightning damage per sec to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.  Requires 10 points in Storm tree.
-===Lethal Energy===
-Rank 0/15: Increases the chance to score critical hits with melee and spell attacks by 5%.  Requires 10 points in Storm tree.
-===Improved Charged Bolt===
+==Skill Distribution==
-Rank 0/15: Increase the number of bolts released by your charged bolt spell by 1.  Requires 10 points in Storm tree.
-==Tier IV Skills (15 points req.)==
+A useful player-made chart showing when the Wizard gains access to skills, passives, and rune effects.
-===Tornado===
-[[Image:Skill_wizard_tornado.jpg|right|thumb|150px|We're not in Kansas anymore...]]
-Official Skill Description: (Rank 0/1) Summon a large tornado that damages everything in its path.
-Mana cost: 15.
+[[File:Char-prog-wiz.png|center|frame|Wizard skill progression. Stats as of May 5, 2012.]]
-Akin to the Druid's Twister skill from Diablo II, however these tornadoes are formed from pure energy.  In the released 5-1/2 minute gameplay trailer of the Wizard, multiple tornadoes are cast one after another, each lasting for close to 5 seconds.  Their path seems to take random lefts and rights as it moves away from the casting point, stopping only when its timer has expired.  Expect some interesting Rune uses with this spell, as by itself, it seems a little too sporadic and short-lived to be of much useful combative use.
-As in DII with the Druid, the best use of the tornadoes will likely be multiple, concentrated casts in a small area packed with enemies, to ensure the most damage in the shortest period of time.  Higher levels of the skill may increase their size or may simply increase raw damage.  Epic Storm will increase the number of simultaneous tornadoes you can cast, and Lethal Energy will increase the chance to score critical strikes.
+==Development==
+* See the [[Wizard skill archive]] for a full listing of skill changes over time.
-===Blizzard===
-Official Skill Description: (Rank 0/1) Call down shards of ice to pelt an area dealing 6-10 cold damage per sec for 3 sec. Critical hits from cold damage freezes targets.
-Mana cost: 70.
+===July 2011 Press Event===
+The following skills were removed or renamed prior to the July 2011 Press Event:
-===Storm Power===
+* [[Charged Bolt]] - Renamed to [[Shock Pulse]]
-Rank 0/15: Increase damage of all lightning and ice spells.  Requires 15 points in Storm tree.
+* [[Energy Shield]] - Renamed to [[Energy Armor]]
-===Epic Storms===
-Rank 0/15: Increases size of Blizzard and number of twisters you can have for your energy twister.
-=Arcane Tree=
-=Conjuration Tree=
+==References==
+* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/full-wizard-skill-trees/ Full Wizard Skill Trees]
+* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7960229#post7960229 Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report] -- IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
+* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8008951#post8008951 HardRock's Wizard Passive Skills] -- IncGamers 6th Sep 2011
+{{Skill_navbox_Diablo_III|Wizard}}
 [[Category:Wizard]]
+[[Category:Wizard skills]]
 [[Category:Skills]]
+[[Category:Featured articles]]

Fan-made Classes			Fan-made Skills [e]
• Alchemist • Arcane Warrior • Artisan • Aurian Mage • Bard • Channeller • Dragon Warrior	• Flagellant • Giant (U) • Hollow Man • Nomad • Onaga Manji • Phase Knight	• Ranger • Slayer (U) • Techpriest (U) • Telepath • Untainted (U) • Zealot	Dragon Warrior Skills • Bow and Throwing Skill Tree • Dragon Disciplines Skill Tree • Martial Arts Skill Tree	Untainted Skills • Divine Skill Tree	Aurian Mage Skill • Holy Power Skill Tree • Shadow Spells Skill Tree • Nature Forces Skill Tree
(U) = Unfinished				Untainted Skills • Divine Skill Tree