Fire Mage leveling guide
Fire deals the most damage per cast of the three Mage specs in Classic Era. 
Fireball, 
Pyroblast and 
Ignite kill single enemies quickly. The price is safety: Fire has no talent slows, so 
Frost Nova and distance do all the work when an enemy reaches you.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Enemies die in fewer casts, with Ignite adding damage on every critical strike.
- Pyroblast opens a fight with a large hit before the enemy reaches you.
Blast Wave from the 30s knocks back and slows a whole group.- Without Frost talents, fights with several enemies are riskier than with
Blizzard.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
- Improved Fireball 5/5 for a faster Fireball, then Ignite 5/5.
Improved Fire Blast 3/3, Pyroblast and Flame Throwing 2/2 for extra range.
Incinerate 2/2 and 
Master of Elements 3/3 for mana back from critical strikes.
Level 31 to 40
Critical Mass 3/3 and Blast Wave.
Fire Power 5/5, then 
Combustion at level 40.
Level 41 to 60
- Impact 5/5,
Burning Soul 2/2 and 
Improved Scorch 3/3, for 41 points in Fire. - In Arcane:
Arcane Subtlety 2/2 and 
Arcane Focus 3/3, then 
Arcane Concentration 5/5 for free spells.
Rotation
One enemy
- Open with Pyroblast at maximum range, then Fireball while the enemy walks toward you.
- Fire Blast when it gets close, Frost Nova, step back and finish with Fireball.
- Finish enemies with low health with a wand to save mana.
Groups of enemies
- Frost Nova, step back, then Blast Wave and
Arcane Explosion while the group is rooted. 
Flamestrike on groups that stand still, for example while they attack a tank in a dungeon.- Keep pulls small: two or three enemies at a time.
Staying alive
- Frost Nova and
Blink when an enemy reaches you. 
Mana Shield absorbs damage when you cannot get away.
Polymorph a second enemy, and use 
Evocation when your mana runs out.
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 and Stamina while leveling, and Spirit for less drinking. Crit feeds Ignite and Master of Elements.
- The wand is the most important weapon slot while leveling.
- 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.