Arcane Mage leveling guide
Arcane is the strongest Mage spec at level 70, but it is the hardest to level with. 
Arcane Blast at level 64 deals big damage, 
Arcane Power and 
Presence of Mind add burst, and 
Slow keeps melee enemies from catching you. It needs a lot of mana and decent gear, so it suits players who already have good items at 60 or level through dungeons.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very high burst with Arcane Power and Presence of Mind.
Mind Mastery and 
Arcane Mind turn Intellect into more damage and mana.- Icy Veins and
Improved Frost Nova from the Frost tree help control a fight. - Mana runs out quickly, and weak gear makes leveling slow.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Arcane:
Arcane Subtlety 2/2, 
Arcane Focus 3/5, 
Arcane Concentration 5/5, 
Arcane Impact 3/3, 
Arcane Fortitude, 
Arcane Meditation 3/3 and 
Improved Mana Shield 2/2. - Presence of Mind, Arcane Mind 5/5,
Arcane Instability 3/3, 
Arcane Potency 3/3, Arcane Power, 
Empowered Arcane Missiles 3/3, Mind Mastery 5/5 and Slow, for 41 points. - In Frost:
Improved Frostbolt 5/5, 
Elemental Precision 3/3 and Improved Frost Nova 2/2.
Level 61 to 70
Ice Shards 5/5 and 
Piercing Ice 3/3.- Icy Veins and
Permafrost 1/3, for 20 points in Frost.
Rotation
One enemy
- Frostbolt from maximum range to slow the enemy, then Arcane Missiles.
- From level 64, Arcane Blast two or three times while your mana is high, then Frostbolt to let the stacks fall off.
- Presence of Mind and Arcane Power for a strong enemy, and your wand to save mana.
Two enemies
- Slow on the first enemy and
Polymorph on the second. 
Frost Nova when both reach you, step back, and Arcane Explosion only against weak enemies.
Staying alive
- Mana Shield and
Ice Block, and 
Blink to get away. - Icy Veins from level 69 helps you finish a fight faster.
Evocation and a 
Mana Emerald from level 68 when your mana is empty.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 |  Hellfire Peninsula (Honor Hold) |
Hellfire Peninsula (Thrallmar) |
| 62-64 | Zangarmarsh (Telredor) | Zangarmarsh (Zabra’jin) |
| 64-65 | Terokkar Forest (Allerian Stronghold) | Terokkar Forest (Stonebreaker Hold) |
| 65-67 | Nagrand (Telaar) | Nagrand (Garadar) |
| 67-68 | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Sylvanaar) | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Thunderlord Stronghold) |
| 68-70 | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Wildhammer Stronghold) | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Shadowmoon Village) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Hellfire Ramparts and The Blood Furnace from level 60, The Slave Pens and The Underbog around 62, and Mana-Tombs and Auchenai Crypts from 64.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Damage and Intellect first, then Crit, Hit and Spirit.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, with Spell Damage and Intellect.
- Enchants: Major Spellpower on the weapon and the gloves, and Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Tailoring for the Spellfire set, with Enchanting to disenchant what you replace.