Arcane Mage leveling guide
Arcane is the least common way to level a Mage in Classic Era. Before level 40 it deals less damage than Frost or Fire, but it keeps you casting longer. Arcane Concentration and Arcane Meditation save mana, and Improved Arcane Explosion kills rooted groups up close.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Fewer breaks to drink thanks to free spells and mana regeneration while casting.
- Frost Nova followed by Arcane Explosion kills groups of weaker enemies.
- Presence of Mind and Arcane Power at level 40 give strong burst when needed.
- Single enemies die more slowly than with Frost or Fire before level 40.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
- Arcane Subtlety 2/2 and Improved Arcane Missiles 3/5.
- Wand Specialization 2/2 and Arcane Concentration 5/5 for free spells.
- Improved Arcane Explosion 3/3, Arcane Meditation 3/3 and Improved Mana Shield 2/2.
Level 31 to 40
- Arcane Mind 5/5 for more mana, and Presence of Mind.
- Arcane Instability 3/3, then Arcane Power at level 40.
Level 41 to 60
- The rest goes into Frost: Improved Frostbolt 5/5, Elemental Precision 3/3, Permafrost 3/3, Improved Blizzard 3/3, Piercing Ice 3/3 and Frost Channeling 3/3.
- At level 60 that gives 31 points in Arcane and 20 in Frost.
Rotation
One enemy
- Open with Frostbolt, the best single-target spell for leveling in every spec.
- Frost Nova when the enemy reaches you, step back and cast Arcane Missiles.
- Finish with a wand: Wand Specialization adds damage without costing mana.
Groups of enemies
- Pull a group, let it gather around you and cast Frost Nova.
- Arcane Explosion a few times, move away before the root ends and repeat when Frost Nova is ready.
- Pull only as many enemies as your mana can kill, and pick groups a few levels below you.
Staying alive
- Mana Shield with Improved Mana Shield when an enemy reaches you.
- Blink to break away, and Polymorph a second enemy.
- Presence of Mind turns your next spell into an instant cast for an emergency Polymorph or Frostbolt.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 1-12 | Elwynn Forest, Dun Morogh, Teldrassil | Durotar, Mulgore, Tirisfal Glades |
| 12-20 | Westfall, Loch Modan, Darkshore | The Barrens, Silverpine Forest |
| 20-30 | Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Wetlands | The Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles |
| 30-40 | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace |
| 40-50 | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands |
| 50-60 | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring |
Dungeons worth the detour: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Intellect first, for more mana and more Arcane Mind, then Stamina and Spirit.
- A good wand matters more than for other specs because of Wand Specialization.
- Enchants: Mana or Stats on the chest and Intellect on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Tailoring for cloth armor and bags, with Enchanting to craft your own wands.