Imp AM

[Pom]

I see people get 5/5 imp arcane missiles, is it really that good to get? Because i rarely use it in arena

[Tyveris]

Compared to the other options for a PvP mage, it is the best way to spend your first 5 points. It can also be handy as a finisher when someone pillars or if you get a focus proc.

[Karite]

I like it, it's won me a few games when someone is running around a pillar to buy a few seconds for a heal and our warrior can't get to them. It can also be used as a great way to push a spell back too.

[Kiing]

Compared to the other options for a PvP mage, it is the best way to spend your first 5 points. It can also be handy as a finisher when someone pillars or if you get a focus proc.

agree

[Roswend]

Compared to the other options for a PvP mage, it is the best way to spend your first 5 points. It can also be handy as a finisher when someone pillars or if you get a focus proc.

On the other hand, that +10% arcane resist is really nice. I'd take out other talents before I'd give up my +10% hit counterspell / polymorph talent.

[Mujica]

You have a 3% hit cap in pvp regardless of how much hit you stack, so anymore than 3% ( Overall or to a single spell ) you wont gain anymore after that.

[Roswend]

You have a 3% hit cap in pvp regardless of how much hit you stack, so anymore than 3% ( Overall or to a single spell ) you wont gain anymore after that.

Many classes have increased chance to resist counterspell through both talents and magic resistance. (Esp. Healers and Warlocks).

[Elaglo]

I'd much rather have 10 penetration and 6% additional hit on CS and Poly for anyone who has any sort of resistance, pretty helpful.

[Shaan]

Many classes have increased chance to resist counterspell through both talents and magic resistance. (Esp. Healers and Warlocks).

Wrong, resistance and increased resistance to spells is not the same thing. Sure, there are talents which reduces the chance of spells hitting you, but resistance such as the 70+ from felpuppy is not affected at all by Arcane Focus.

[ssmurphy]

right, but priests have a tier one talent that almost everyone takes in the disc tree that increases their chance to resist counterspell and silence, which the +10% does work on as i understand it. But, WAAAAAY more importantly, as I understand it, the +10% makes spellsteel that much more like to remove druid and preist spells where either class has invested points in the respective talent that reduces the chance for one of their spells to be dispelled.

[Tyveris]

right, but priests have a tier one talent that almost everyone takes in the disc tree that increases their chance to resist counterspell and silence, which the +10% does work on as i understand it. But, WAAAAAY more importantly, as I understand it, the +10% makes spellsteel that much more like to remove druid and preist spells where either class has invested points in the respective talent that reduces the chance for one of their spells to be dispelled.
As far as I have always understood it, the chance to prevent dispel and resist silence is a completely separate roll from chance to hit with a spell. I would be more than willing to test this with someone on the PTR if anyone has a character with silence resist or a talisman of the breaker.

First Roll: Does the spell hit (96% + 3% to hit cap)
Second Roll: Is the silence resisted.

[Shaan]

As far as I have always understood it, the chance to prevent dispel and resist silence is a completely separate roll from chance to hit with a spell. I would be more than willing to test this with someone on the PTR if anyone has a character with silence resist or a talisman of the breaker.

First Roll: Does the spell hit (96% + 3% to hit cap)
Second Roll: Is the silence resisted.

Exactly Tyveris.

If you have MSD, you should definitely get Imp AM.

[ssmurphy]

it appears that you're correct:

www.wowwiki.com/Dispel_(mechanic)

i guess i need to l2wowwiki mo betta. However, regarding AM, i have a hard time justifying its manacost and stun/spell lock exposure, even if i cast it with MSD focus up. Any way, guess ill be dropping two more points in magic absorption. damn there are a lot of wasted points in the lower arcane tree.

[puffyier]

I find that I will hardly ever use AM in arena... however, when I do need it, the 5 points is invaluable. There are several situations where uninterruptable non los check spell is needed. a few examples are:

1v1 vs a lock at the end of 2's or 3's
-he's burned his coil, you've locked his shadow, but you will die to dots soon... you need to finish him before he gets the 3rd fear off. AM does the job, especially with the pet hitting on you. you receive no pushback while he does when he tries to hit you with fear

-hunter's pet on you, same as above but less hectic :\

-A warrior is on you in 5's, but your team has a chance to finish off their priest - so you trust in your healers and AM their priest. A lot of times in 3's as well the opposing healer got away and went out of los... only to be finished by the last 2 am ticks.

-it's down to mage/mage. you've used your cs already on a mage, the best spell to use (unless you're really low on mana) is AM. you pushback on them, no push back on you, PLUS if they cs you, you'll have both fire and frost to own them with after 4 seconds, OR if they're 5/56, they just wasted their cs.

But... it IS highly situational... but for me personally - relative to what else i can pick up for arcane - i like to know i have it in my pocket when i need it.