Fire Mage leveling guide
Fire gives a Mage the most damage while leveling. Empowered Fireball and Fire Power make every Fireball hit harder, Ignite adds damage after each critical strike, and Blast Wave and Dragon’s Breath stop enemies that reach you. It gives up most of the control of Frost, so a pull that goes wrong is more dangerous.
Strengths and weaknesses
- The highest damage of the Mage specs against single enemies.
- Master of Elements returns mana on critical strikes.
- Blast Wave and Dragon’s Breath knock back and disorient enemies close to you.
- Less control and more risk than Frost when several enemies attack.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Fire: Improved Fireball 5/5, Impact 5/5, Ignite 5/5, Improved Fire Blast 3/3, Incineration 2/2, Pyroblast and Master of Elements 3/3.
- Critical Mass 3/3, Blast Wave, Playing with Fire 1/3, Fire Power 5/5, Combustion, Empowered Fireball 5/5 and Dragon’s Breath, for 41 points.
- In Arcane: Arcane Subtlety 2/2, Arcane Focus 3/5 and Arcane Concentration 5/5.
Level 61 to 70
- Magic Absorption 5/5 for more resistance and some mana back.
- Arcane Meditation 3/3 and Improved Mana Shield 2/2, for 20 points in Arcane.
Rotation
One enemy
- Open with Pyroblast from maximum range when you have the time, otherwise with Fireball.
- Fireball until the enemy is low, then Fire Blast to finish it.
- Molten Armor from level 62, and Combustion for a fight that must end quickly.
Two enemies
- Blast Wave when both reach you, then Dragon’s Breath and step back.
- Frost Nova holds them while you cast Fireball on the first.
Staying alive
- Blink and Frost Nova to gain distance, and Ice Block as a last resort.
- Polymorph an extra enemy, and Mana Shield when you take hits.
- 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 first, then Crit, Intellect and Hit. Fire Damage counts as well.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, with as much Spell Damage as possible.
- 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.