Ray of Frost

Active Skill · Secondary · Wizard

5 Runes
From level 2

Effect

Cost: 16 Arcane Power

Project a beam of frozen ice that blasts enemies within 5 yards of the first enemy hit for 430% weapon damage as Cold and Slows their movement by 60% for 3 seconds.

Ray of Frost damage is increased by 405% weapon damage every second, up to a maximum total of 1240% weapon damage as Cold.

Runes

5 Runes

Cold Blood

from level 7 · Cold damage · Proc coefficient 0.333

Reduce channeling cost to 11 Arcane Power.
Numb

from level 15 · Cold damage · Proc coefficient 0.333

Ray of Frost has a 10% chance to Freeze enemies for 1 second and increases the Slow amount to 80% for 3 seconds.
Black Ice

from level 28 · Cold damage · Proc coefficient 0.333

Enemies killed by Ray of Frost leave behind a patch of ice that deals 1625% weapon damage as Cold to enemies moving through it over 3 seconds.
Sleet Storm

from level 38 · Cold damage · Proc coefficient 0.188

Create a swirling storm around you that grows up to a 22 yard radius, dealing 300% weapon damage as Cold to all enemies caught within it.

Ray of Frost damage is increased by 220% weapon damage every second, up to a maximum total of 740% weapon damage as Cold.
Snow Blast

from level 53 · Cold damage · Proc coefficient 0.333

Enemies hit by Ray of Frost take 15% increased damage from Cold for 4 seconds.

The proc coefficient scales the chance of on-hit effects (e.g. legendary powers, gems, Life per Hit) for each hit of the skill. Game files, version 2.8.0.

Ray of Frost

Ray of Frost channels a beam of ice that strikes enemies, slows them heavily and builds its damage the longer you hold it. The spell thus pairs steadily rising damage with reliable control and excels against tough single enemies and bosses that give you time to channel.

The runes adapt it for resources and reach. Cold Blood noticeably lowers the channeling cost and is the obvious choice when you want to sustain the beam as long as possible without constantly watching Arcane Power. Sleet Storm, by contrast, turns the beam into a swirling storm around you that hits every enemy in a growing radius, delivering pack damage rather than pure single-target damage. If you want to maximize control, Numb offers a freeze chance and an even stronger slow. Depending on the rune, Ray of Frost covers single-target or area roles.

How fast the beam reaches its peak

The base beam starts at 430% weapon damage and rises by 405% every second, up to a maximum of 1240%. So after 2 seconds of channeling the peak is reached. Sleet Storm works similarly: 300% grows by 220% per second to 740% after 2 seconds. If you break the beam often, you waste that build-up. Ray of Frost is available from level 2.

Snow Blast and Black Ice

Black Ice (level 28): enemies killed by Ray of Frost leave a patch of ice that deals 1625% weapon damage over 3 seconds to enemies moving through it.
Snow Blast (level 53): enemies hit take 15% increased Cold damage for 4 seconds.

Cold Blood (level 7) lowers the channeling cost from 16 to 11 Arcane Power.

Items for channelers

Ray of Frost is one of the spells named by several channeling items:

Deathwish (sword): 250–325% more damage once you have channeled for at least 1 second.
Hergbrash's Binding (belt): 50–65% lower Arcane Power cost.
Etched Sigil (source): while channeling you cast an Energy Twister every second with 200–250% more damage.
Light of Grace (source): the beam pierces enemies.
Mantle of Channeling: 20–25% more damage and 25% less damage taken while channeling.

by eRnstl