Spells

How do spells and abilities work?
Each character class in World of Warcraft has access to a set of spells and/or special abilities. Spell and abilities are classified by several attributes, including cast time, maximum range, cooldown, and cost, in addition to their unique effects. To use a spell or ability, simply click its icon from your spellbook, click its icon on your action bar, or press the corresponding bound key on your keyboard. Some spells and abilities require that you have a player or enemy targeted before using it.


Where can I learn spells and abilities?
As your character advances in level, you can acquire new spells and abilities from trainers. Some spells and abilities can only be learned through special items such as books, or even as quest rewards.


How often can I use a spell or ability?
Using spells and abilities generally requires mana, energy, or rage, according to class. Classes who cast spells use mana to do so. These classes include mages, priests, paladins, shamans, warlocks, hunters, and druids. Warriors have a rage bar, and rogues an energy bar, as these two game mechanics are the source for their abilities. Some spells also require reagents, which are purchased from vendors and are consumed upon casting the spell. Most spells that require reagents are buffs, resurrection spells, or teleportation spells. Warlocks have many spells that use their class-specific reagent, soul shards.


What is a "cooldown" for a spell or ability?
The cooldown is simply the length of time you must wait before using that spell or ability again. Not every spell or ability has a cooldown.


Are there any spells or abilities that are restricted by race?
Yes, every race has racial abilities that are unique to that race. Priests, in addition, have extra spells that vary by what race they are.


Are there "crowd control" spells and abilities?
Yes. In addition to crowd-control spells such as Fear, Polymorph, and Seduce, there are crowd-control abilities such as Sap and Freeze Trap. There are a wide assortment of other spells and abilities that will give players tactical options to better handle multiple enemies. Each class has access to different spells or abilities. Some other examples are Silence, Cyclone, Mind Control, and Blind.


Do spells and abilities improve, whether over time, with use, or any other method?
Many spells and abilities have higher ranks, which are learned from trainers or from one of the other methods described above. These higher ranks become available at higher levels of experience.


Are there spells that require more than one player to cast?
Yes. One example of a group spell is the Warlock's ritual of summoning. This spell summons a distant party member to the Warlock's location. In order to complete the spell, the Warlock must first channel the spell while two other party members then touch the portal. After all three do this, the spell is complete and the party member soon appears at the spot of the portal.


Can you cast a spell while running or falling?
Spells and abilities that are instant-cast can be cast while on the move, even while falling.