Arcane Mage leveling guide
Arcane is the Mage spec with the biggest bursts in WotLK Classic. 
Arcane Blast grows stronger with every cast, 
Missile Barrage gives fast free 
Arcane Missiles, and 
Arcane Power and 
Presence of Mind add even more. It needs to manage its mana carefully, but with decent gear enemies in Northrend melt.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very high burst with Arcane Blast, Arcane Power and Presence of Mind.
Arcane Barrage deals instant damage while you move.
Focus Magic and Arcane Intellect help your group.- Mana runs out fast if you keep stacking Arcane Blast, and there is little control.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Arcane:
Arcane Subtlety 2/2, 
Arcane Focus 3/3, Arcane Stability 5/5, 
Arcane Concentration 5/5, 
Spell Impact 3/3, Student of the Mind 3/3, Focus Magic, 
Arcane Meditation 3/3 and 
Torment the Weak 3/3. - Presence of Mind,
Arcane Mind 5/5, 
Arcane Instability 3/3, 
Arcane Potency 2/2, Arcane Empowerment 3/3, Arcane Power, 
Arcane Flows 2/2, Missile Barrage 5/5 and Arcane Barrage, for 51 points. - In Frost:
Improved Frostbolt 5/5, Precision 3/3 and 
Ice Shards 2/3.
Level 71 to 80
- Ice Shards 3/3, Icy Veins and
Piercing Ice 3/3. 
Improved Blizzard 3/3 and 
Arctic Reach 2/2, for 20 points in Frost.
Rotation
One enemy
- Arcane Blast two or three times, then Arcane Missiles when Missile Barrage lights up.
- Arcane Barrage to finish, or while you move.
- Arcane Power and Presence of Mind for a strong enemy, and Icy Veins from level 72 on top.
Two enemies
Frost Nova when both reach you, step back, and Arcane Explosion only against weak enemies.
Polymorph the second enemy, and Blizzard on a group.
Staying alive
Mana Shield and 
Ice Block, and 
Blink to get away.
Mirror Image at level 80 draws enemies away for a moment.
Evocation and a mana gem, and let your Arcane Blast stacks fall off when mana runs low.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Power first, then Hit, Haste, Crit and Intellect.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, with as much Spell Power as possible.
- Enchants: Mighty Spellpower on the weapon, Exceptional Spellpower on the gloves and Superior Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Tailoring for caster cloth and
Lightweave Embroidery, with Enchanting to disenchant what you replace.