Mage Guide (PvE)

[Amokster]

I have played my mage using multiple builds over the course of his lifetime and just thought I would share my experiences with those that follow...

Builds

Fire Mage

Arcane Magic
Improved Arcane Missile 5/5
Arcane Concentration 5/5
Imp. Arcane Explosion 5/5
Evocation 1/1
Improved Counterspell 2/2

Fire Magic
Improved Fireball 5/5
Ignite 5/5
Improved Fire Blast 5/5
Flame Throwing 2/2
Incinerate 2/2
Pyroblast 1/1
Improved Flamestrike 3/3
Critical Mass 3/3
Blast Wave 1/1
Fire Power 5/5
Combustion 1/1

This build does some crazy damage. I have played every class but warlock and paladin so far, and this is by far the fastest farming/soloing setup. I imagine a rogue might be able to match it but he would need some very good gear to do so. I would suggest maxing out Improved Arcane Missiles at first since when soloing you will quite a few mobs in your face. Then move over to fire and start building up your Fireball, as this will be your main attack spell for a LONG time. You can then alternate back and forth (Some like getting Improved AE quickly) but I would reccomend getting your fire skills up first if you plan on mostly soloing. Arcane is useful but most of the time if you pull multiple mobs your best bet is to retreat and try again. Soloing is simple:

1) Get mob at max range and cast Pyroblast/Fireball.
2) Once that is done casting immediately cast another fireball.
3) By this time the mob should be right up next to you, cast Frost Nova and fall back some.
4) Cast another fireball then scorch or fireblast once or twice.
5) Loot.

With the exception of resists every mob around your level should die in under 10 secs. You can kill 3-4 mobs without needing to rest, then simply drink up and repeat. In instance situations your goal is to do as much damage as possible without drawing aggro. Simply cast scorch repeatedly until you get Clearcasting State, once you do pop off an Arcane Missile. Use Arcane Explosion, Polymorph, Blast Wave, and Blizzard when neccessary. I would reccomend using this build to level to at least level 50, you will be able to solo a LOT easier and gain exp MUCH faster.

Ice Mage

Arcane Magic
Improved Arcane Missile 5/5
Arcane Concentration 5/5
Imp. Arcane Explosion 5/5
Evocation 1/1
Improved Counterspell 2/2


Frost Magic
Improved Frostbolt 5/5
Permafrost 1/5
Ice Shards 5/5
Improved Frost Nova 2/2
Cold Snap 1/1
Improved Blizzard 3/3
Frost Channeling 3/3
Shatter 5/5
Ice Block 1/1
Improved Cone of Cold 1/3
Frost Bite 5/5
Ice Barrier 1/1

This is pretty much my endgame setup. When groups are looking for mages for Scholomance, Stratholme, UBRS and such they need two things: Crowd Control and Area of Effect damage. Ice builds excel at both of these things (and are a lot more durable then fire mages). I have found they also do a suprising amount of damage. They have a nasty combination of talents that work together nicely to do some awesome crit damage:

Ice Shards = +100% more damage from crits, x2 damage.
Shatter = +50% Higher crit chance against frozen targets.
Frost Bite = 15% chance to freeze any chilled target.

So in essence any ice spell that chills, you have a chance to freeze. You will then gain 50% higher chance to crit which will do double damage...just sick.

Equipment

Level
1-10 Rough it and just use whatever you can find
10-20 Quest rewards and drops are your best bet.
20-30 I have found that the "Silver-Thread" and "Nightsky" items are very good for this level range. Also Archmage Arugal in Shadowfang Keep drops a nice robe and the boss mob before him drops some decent shoulders. There is a nice staff that drops off a boss mob in Blackfathom Deep.
30-40 Quest rewards and instance drops are your best bet. Red Mageweave items are also very nice. Amnennar the Coldbringer in Razorfen Downs drops a good robe as well. Scarlet Monestary is also a very good place to find items. Whitemane drops a very good hat.
40-50 Once again instance drops and quest rewards. Do Princess runs till you get all of the blue items for casters here...Charstone Dirk or Inventor's Focal Sword (I prefer the sword, still using it), Cloud Stone, Eye of Theradras, and Rotgrip Mantle. There are also some items in Zul'farak like Bad Mojo Mask and Zum'rah's Vexing Cane.
50-60 The "Arcane" items are nice but you are mostly trying to gain some levels till high 50's so you can start getting Magister's Regalia Set. An easier, cheaper alternative is the Necropile Set...which is easy to find since just about every boss mob in Scholomance drops pieces for it. Regardless you be doing repeated runs of UBRS, Scholomance, and Stratholme for items

Tradeskills

There are several routes you can go here. If this is your first character I would reccomend Tailoring/Skinning. This will save you money in the long run by being able to make your own gear and bags. Higher level bags require leather which is where the skinning comes into play. In addition skinning can be done "On the Run", is easy to gain, and extra leather sold off for cash.

If this is an alt tailoring/enchanting is another option. You can make your own gear as well as make items for yourself to disenchant, handy combination.

Alchemy/Herbalsim is a good pick for soloing, as potions can be a lifesaver and help reduce downtime.

I would reccomend ALL mages take up First Aid. I cannot recall the number of times where it has saved my but. When things start to get hectic or you get an add simply forst nova or polymorph then heal yourself up. Works wonders, trust me.

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If you disagree or want to add something or find a mistake feel free to post.

Last of all, I hope this helps all you mages out there!

Great post.....thanks for taking the time to share

[Trynot]

This was very helpful.

[Ryza]

really helpfull thanks