Classese
Class races	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Quests	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Abilities	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Trainers	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Talents	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Glyphs	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Talent builds	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Tactics	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Armor sets	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Starting a	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
PvE	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
PvP	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr
Useful macros	Dk	Dr	Hu	Ma	Pa	Pr	Ro	Sh	Wl	Wr

This article is meant to list theorycrafted raiding builds, cookie-cutter PvP specs and other mage standards/ideas for reference and new player guidance.

For help creating your own build and personalising the ones found here, take a look at our mage talent analysis.

Contents 1 PvE 1.1 Leveling 1.1.1 Arcane 1.1.2 Fire 1.1.3 Frost 1.2 Raiding 1.2.1 Arcane 1.2.1.1 Build 1 (33/5/3) 1.2.2 Fire 1.2.2.1 Build 1 (6/32/3) 1.2.3 Frost 1.2.3.1 Build 1 (6/4/31) 2 PvP 2.1 Arena 2.1.1 Arcane 2.1.1.1 Build 1 (34/4/3) 2.1.2 Fire 2.1.2.1 Build 1 (7/31/3) 2.1.2.2 Build 2 (7/31/3) 2.1.3 Frost 2.1.3.1 Build 1 (7/0/34) 2.1.3.2 Build 2 (7/0/34) 2.2 Battleground 2.2.1 Arcane 2.2.1.1 Build 1 (34/4/3) 2.2.2 Fire 2.2.2.1 Build 1 (7/31/3) 2.2.2.2 Build 2 (7/31/3) 2.2.3 Frost 2.2.3.1 Build 1 (7/0/34) 2.2.3.2 Build 2 (7/0/34) 2.3 See also 2.4 External links

PvEEdit

LevelingEdit

Arcane Edit

[Needs Cataclysm's Update]

Fire Edit

[Cataclysm Patch: 4.0.3]

The Fire tree lacks the survivability of frost, but has in exchange higher AOE(area of effect) damage and the ability to kill mobs faster one by one. It sacrifices mana-utility for higher power. A basic fire leveling build at by level 43 would be the following: Fire Leveling. In general it is not a good idea to begin leveling as a fire mage as of Cataclysm due to fire's complete dependence on spell crit chance. Though as a note, I've found fire to be highly enjoyable due to all the talent procs and the ability to cast scorch (a core spell) while moving if talented for Firestarter. Fire becomes more viable as a leveling build once you have full points in Improved Scorch and Firestarter. (Level 43)

Your first tallent taken should always be master of elements. You need the mana, trust me.

Fire relies on critical strikes to maximize its damage, so taking talents in Ignite is a must. Always pick up 1-point tallent Dragon's Breath as soon as it become available because in the 5 seconds the mob is "stunned" you can cast a larger spell, preferably Fireball, safely. If you play with a glass cannon approach then this is probably for you.

Frost Edit

[Updated for 4.0.6] Frost specializes in control, so this build maximises a balance between damage and control. I will list two builds here, one for AoE farming, one for single target grinding:

AoE

Level 27: AoE 27

Level 47: AoE 47

Level 67: AoE 67

Level 77: AoE 77

Single Target

Level 27: ST 27

Level 47: ST 47

Level 67: ST 67

Level 77: ST 77

RaidingEdit

Raiding mages generally want high single target DPS and/or lots of AoE power. Depending on your gear, length of the fight, movement, trash clearing, and interruptions, there's no real "perfect" raiding build. These are the standard builds for each school and how casting works to maximize DPS.

Arcane Edit

Build 1 (33/5/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Fire Edit

Build 1 (6/32/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Frost Edit

Build 1 (6/4/31)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

PvPEdit

ArenaEdit

Arcane Edit

Build 1 (34/4/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Fire Edit

Build 1 (7/31/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Build 2 (7/31/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Frost Edit

Build 1 (7/0/34)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Build 2 (7/0/34)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

BattlegroundEdit

Arcane Edit

Build 1 (34/4/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Fire Edit

Build 1 (7/31/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Build 2 (7/31/3)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Frost Edit

Build 1 (7/0/34)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

Build 2 (7/0/34)

Talent Link(s)	Wowhead
Tested patch	4.0.6

See also Edit

• Mage theorycraft

External linksEdit