Magic schools

In World of Warcraft, every ability, power or spell has a school, which is a label that defines what can be done to absorb, immunize against, resist or undo it.

See also: Resistance

There are seven schools (five of which appear as Resistances in your character information):

Schools of Magic

The most important thing about ability schools is this: If you are a caster, and an opponent uses [Counterspell], [Spell Lock], [Kick], [Shield Bash], etc. on you while you're casting a spell, these and other abilities have the ability not only to interrupt that spell but also to prevent you from casting any spell in that school for some amount of time. It's good to know what schools your abilities are in so you can switch to another when this happens. It's fairly clear for Mages (the ability school = the ability category: Arcane, Fire, Frost) and Warlocks (if it doesn't involve fire, it's Shadow), but for others it's not always clear.

Physical

Not technically magic, but for in-game mechanics can be treated like a school of magic.

Attacking with a weapon falls into this school; the target can use Defense to avoid the attack, a shield to Block it, the Parry skill to block it with a weapon, and Armor to resist some of the damage if all else fails. Damage taken is Physical damage. Most Warrior and Rogue abilities are Physical.

• Used by: All classes, but primarily Warrior, Rogue, and Hunter.

Arcane

Arcane magic typically inflicts direct damage.

Obviously any spell from a Mage's Arcane ability category is of the Arcane school, including both spells that do damage ( [Arcane Missiles], [Arcane Explosion]) and spells that don't ( [Polymorph], [Arcane Intellect]). But Mages aren't the only class; Hunters have [Arcane Shot], and Druids' [Moonfire] and [Starfire] spells do Arcane damage. Hostile Arcane spells can be resisted; there are items that increase one's Arcane resistance.

• Used by: Mage, Druid.

Fire

Spells of the Fire school typically inflict damage, which can be direct damage and/or damage over time.

Many spells and environmental effects (such as lava) do Fire damage. A Shaman's [Flame Shock], a Mage's [Fireball], and a Warlock's [Immolate] are all quite capable of causing damage in this school, but a mage's [Fire Ward] and a shaman's [Frost Resistance Totem] are non-damaging abilities in the Fire school. Like Arcane resistance, Fire resistance is a statistic that can be affected by spells and items.

• Used by: Mage, Warlock, and Shaman

Nature

The Nature magic School is usually used for nature based attacks, buffs, and curative spells. Nature damage can be direct damage (like lightning) or damage over time (like poison).

Acids, diseases and poisons inflict Nature damage, and damage from lightning is also considered part of the Nature school. Shamans' and Druids' healing spells are Nature spells, and other nondamaging spells such as [Entangling Roots] and [Faerie Fire] are in this school as well. There is also a Nature resistance statistic.

• Used by: Shaman, Hunter, and Druid

Frost

The Frost school is effective both for attack (doing damage) and defense (raising armor value). Frost spells often inflict snare or root effects, as well.

Mages also have a Frost ability category, and obviously any spell in that category is of the Frost school. Of course, Shamans' [Frost Shock] is of the Frost school too, as well as the Hunter's [Freezing Trap]. Frost resistance exists as a statistic as well. A Warlock's [Curse of the Elements] can reduce a target's Fire and Frost resistances.

• Used by: Mage and Shaman

Shadow

The opposite of Holy magic, Shadow magic is most effective at harming living things.

Shadow damage is dealt by dark spells such as those of the Priest's  [23G] Shadow Magic ability category and most of the Warlock's repertoire. The [Blood Pact] that a Warlock's Imp pet casts to boost the entire party's Stamina is a Shadow effect, as are the creation of a  [Healthstone] or [Soulstone] and the summoning of demons. Most importantly for Warlocks, Enslave Demon is in the Shadow school, and the Warlock [Curse of Shadow] reduces the target's Shadow and Arcane resistances. The Priest spell [Shadow Protection] increases an ally's Shadow resistance, as can various items.

• Used by: Warlock and Priest

Holy

The Holy magic School is usually based to heal and aid living beings. However, do not be fool by its humble appearance unless you want to be smited 'til kingdom comes. Holy magic is especially useful at dispatching the Undead back to their resting places. Beware the Light!

Priests and Paladins have a lot of abilities in the Holy school, including all their healing and resurrection abilities. There aren't many spells that do Holy damage, but there are a few: [Smite] and [Holy Nova], for example.

Holy magic apparently doesn't have a resistance indicator in character information, but the game does track it. Case in point: Holy Protection Potion.

• Used by: Paladin and Priest