Ray of Frost

Ray of Frost is a Wizard Tier 5 skill unlocked at level 14, shooting a constant beam of cold from the hands of the Wizard.

Background

Diablo III Active Skill [e]
Ray of Frost
Used by:	Wizard
Enabled at:	Clvl 14
Skill Description
Project a beam of cold energy that deals X cold damage per second.
Type:	Direct Damage
Resource Use:	Costs Arcane Power/time
Skill Rune Effects
Alabaster rune:	Enemies slain by Ray of Frost have a chance to leave an area of ice on the ground where they die, damaging other enemies if they move through it.
Crimson rune:	Beam increases in damage the longer it remains in use, to a cap.
Golden rune:	Arcane Power cost reduced.
Indigo rune:	Wizard is surrounded by a swirling vortex of sleet, damaging any foes that come into contact.
Obsidian rune:	Decreases beam damage, but increases reduction in target movement and attack speed.

The Wizard uses her powers of the elements to gush forth a beam of pure cold, damaging anyone that comes in its way.

Skill Design

This skill sounds like a cold based Disintegrate, minus the piercing ability, but it's never been seen in use since the very first Wizard gameplay movie, from BlizzCon 2008. It was too high level to try out at BlizzCon 2009.

Skill Rank Table

• Rank 1: 8 damage per second.

Trait Synergies

Ray of Frost benefits directly from the following Wizard traits:

• Black Ice: Frozen targets take 25% more damage from all sources.
• Glass Cannon: Increases damage done by spells and increases armor.
• Intimidation: Increases damage done and reduces vendor costs.
• Quickening: Increases spell casting speed.
• Beast Hunter: Damage bonus against beasts.
• Demonsbane: Damage bonus against Demons.
• Just...Stay...Dead!: Damage bonus against undead.
• Power Surge: Increase critical strike damage.
• Penetrating Spells: Reduces the resistances of your target to your spells by 20%.

Note: The current trait list is very out-of-date and will no doubt be overhauled before game release.

Skill Rune Effects

• Crimson Rune - Beam increases in damage the longer it remains in use, to a cap.

• Indigo Rune - Wizard is surrounded by a swirling vortex of sleet, damaging any foes that come into contact.

• Obsidian Rune - Decreases beam damage, but increases reduction in target movement and attack speed.

• Golden Rune - Arcane Power cost reduced.

• Alabaster Rune - Enemies slain by Ray of Frost have a chance to leave an area of ice on the ground where they die, damaging other enemies if they move through it.

The video below demonstrates these runes' effects.

Development

Ray of Frost was first seen at BlizzCon 2008, but only in the gameplay movie; the Wizard used it against the trap laid out by the Skeleton King. It was available in the gameplay demo at BlizzCon 2009, but was unfortunately too high level to try out by the fans. The skill is assumed to still be available in Blizzard's internal game build today.

Previous Versions

See the Wizard skill archive for more details on previous versions of Ray of Frost and other Wizard skills.

Trivia

This is one of the spells that seem to be coming from the dungeons & Dragons inspiration we've seen in Diablo III. The new D3 Team obviously spent a lot of time in mom's basement...

Media

Ray of Frost can be seen in action on video here:

• Cinematic: Wizard
• Gameplay: Blizzcon 2008
• Runestone Effects on Ray of Frost

You can find pictures in the Diablo III screenshot and picture gallery:

• Diablo III screenshots and pictures
• Ray of Frost specific gallery contents

• 

  Ray of Frost used in the middle of the Skeleton King trap.

• 

  Casting the spell before the hordes of skeletons arrive.

• 

  Ray of Frost with all five rune effects.

References

• BlizzCon 2009 Full Wizard Skill Trees