Dalaran Mage

Dalaran Mage is a neutral minion card, inducted into the Legacy set, formerly from the Basic set.

Strategy
Dalaran Mage is a straightforward Spell Damage minion, increasing the output of your damaging spells by 1. With 4 health it can survive a few hits, and can even be used for killing weaker minions. Ideally though, players will want to shield the Mage behind a Taunt or two, and use him to boost any of your damaging spells that come along.

Compared to Ogre Magi, the Mage is a cheaper option, exchanging lower mana cost for the lack of Attack. The Mage is also a lot sturdier than the cheaper Kobold Geomancer, although he has less Attack than him, too.

Quotes

 * Summon
 * I am master of magics!


 * Attack
 * Vaporization commencing!

Lore

 * '' was one of several kingdoms that emerged as the declined. Long ago, most  magicians lived in . Many fledgling wizards left the restraining confines of Strom behind and traveled to Dalaran, where they hoped to use their new powers with greater freedom. Wanting a place more suited to extensive use and study of magic, they traveled north to the recently founded city of Dalaran, located in the  region. There, these magicians used their skills to construct the enchanted spires of Dalaran and reveled in the pursuit of their studies. More wizards followed, and the city became a haven for magi and a center of  study. The citizens of Dalaran tolerated the magicians' endeavors and built up a bustling economy under the protection of their magic-using defenders. With the mages of Dalaran protecting non-magic using inhabitants with powerful protection spells, Dalaran became a decadent, extravagant paradise. Dalaran was also built atop a massive ley line.


 * ''The wizards's overuse of magic with no proper protection or regulation, though, acted as a beacon for the, luring them back to . Demons slipped through the gaps in reality, terrorizing the locals until the ruling Magocrats were forced to turn to the elves for aid. wizards quickly realized what had happened and warned that humanity would have to give up magic to subdue the threat completely. The Magocrats, unwilling to sacrifice their power, instead proposed selecting a mortal champion to protect them from the Legion. This Guardian would have access to all their might, and would form a secret defense for the world. The elves agreed and, through the newly formed , provided guidance in the selection. At the same time, the Magocrats sent some of their number to research and catalog all human magic. These wizards became the Kirin Tor.


 * ''The became the city’s ruling power. Dalaran, though not a large city, was a beautiful place of towering spires and glittering streets, and the people there were happy and well protected. The Kirin Tor’s headquarters was the Violet Citadel, an impressive building so named for its stone walls which gave off a faint violet light. The building had many libraries, research chambers, testing rooms, classrooms, meeting alcoves, and bedrooms.

Trivia

 * The card art depicts, a mage found in , as depicted in the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game "Icecrown" series. Apparently his title is well-deserved, as he appears too grumpy to give passers-by directions to nearby locations.
 * A gnome very similar in appearance to the Dalaran Mage appears as a minor character in Forest for the Weary and Freedom, two of the web comics released prior to the launch of Knights of the Frozen Throne.

Patch changes

 * Moved from Basic to Legacy set.
 * Rarity changed from Common to Free.
 * Attack lowered to 1, down from 2. Spell Damage +1 [3 mana, 1 attack, 4 health, Common]
 * Previously: Spell Damage +1 [3 mana, 2 attack, 4 health, Common]