Crowd Control
Sleep and Tree may be the kings of CC, but in PvP they are deminished: both only last for eight seconds on a player. This means that they need to be more tactfuly cast. For example, at the start of a fight in order to start the fight with a delayed blast ticking away and a powerful spell winding up. Root appears to last longer in PvP, but I haven't tested this for sure. Root certainly is an epic pain in the rear when it's cast on me, that's for sure.
In addition, when cast on a flying player, CC doesn't pause their flight timer. With Sleep->Tree->Sleep->Root->Sleep, you've performed a massive hit to your opponent's flight bar. Brilliant if they're trying to run, or you're fighting over the open abyss.
But what's really special about Sleep and Tree? They only break if the target takes damage. Tree another sorcerer and go to town on their shield; the CC will only break when the shield is broken or the CC ends.
It's also great for comic relief. Didn't know the tree scaled...Delayed Blast
As mentioned above, it's great to cast on a CC'd player to improve your initial burst and get the damage edge. It's true that Tree/Sleep's elemental defense increase will nerf its damage, but that only gives DB an additional use: to break the CC. After casting DB you can follow up with a high damage nuke spell without fear of its damage being reduced into nothing; DB will end the CC before the nuke hits.
Winter Binding + Blind Leap
I stated that WB has a long animation, and this is true. However there is a point where before you can start moving again, you can use Blind Leap. This seems to cut the time you need to wait in half. It's risky to use two escape abilities at once but if you really need to stay out of melee range and don't have Root or similar available, this combination can save your hide.
And seriously, practice backleaping.
Ice Sheet
A stigma ability I failed to mention. It's our "second" AOE ability (if you count WB as the first), though on a three minute cooldown and with a small radius. Still, it's instant cast. It's a great spell to cast on a stationary ranged class (preferably one that already has been slowed or stunned); the damage is mediocre but the "FIRE OSHI-" instinct kicks in and your opponent will often prioritise moving out of it rather than doing something effective. If fighting against melee it has less of a use, but you can cast it between you and them if you need a slow in a snap. You might even try kiting them around it :).
Frozen Shock
Typically after casting Ice Chain you'll cast FS because it's chained or just because it's a nice ability to use in general. Consider saving it for when a healer or ranged class is at a point where you have a decent chance of nuking them to zero; the stun gives you plenty of time to wind things up and prevents them from moving out of range or healing or otherwise preventing your onslaught. To that end, it's best to either open with Ice Chain and then save FS until you're ready, or not cast IC at all if you anticipate needing FS before IC would cool down.
Freezing Wind
I've been mucking around with FW more and I've got to say, it's one of my favourites now. It's essentially a melee range flame harpoon with its castbar in reverse; instant cast with a 2 second cooldown. The huge thing about this is that with it, Sorcerers do the highest burst AND the highest DPS when in melee range. Yeah, read that again. Don't believe me? The next time you're in a group and your group mate is under attack, run up to the guy. Cast FW followed by a cast-time spell or chain, then repeat, eg:
Freezing Wind -> Flame Harpwn -> Freezing Wind -> IC+FS -> Freezing Wind -> Flame Harpoon -> Freezing Wind -> FB+Blaze -> Freezing Wind ... etc
They won't last long enough for the full chain. Or you won't, cause you're suddenly in melee range and they're not stupid. But then, if you're playing a Sorcerer, you're already open to taking risks ;). The other drawback to this is that it FW is quite mana expensive so you can't really keep it up in a PvE setting without resorting to potions or rest.
Finally, as an instant cast spell, it's great for casting on fleeing players if you can get in range. Backleap helps a lot there.
Next issue of Sorcery: Sorcerer professions
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