# Mage leveling guide 1–60: talents and class quests

> Level as Frost (the safest: slows, freezes and Ice Barrier) or Fire (more damage, with Pyroblast openers and Blast Wave). Arcane builds around Arcane Blast and Arcane Power and wants more mana between pulls.

Page: https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage

Polestar is a free, open-source (GPL-3.0) leveling guide addon for World of Warcraft: Forever. Every guide here ships inside the addon: in game, `/polestar guides` opens the guide menu, and the guide window shows the steps with a waypoint arrow.

## Who can be a Mage

- Human (Alliance): starts with [Elwynn Forest](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/human/01-elwynn-forest.md) (levels 1–13), 26 guides to level 60
- Gnome (Alliance): starts with [Dun Morogh](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/dwarf-gnome/01-dun-morogh.md) (levels 1–13), 26 guides to level 60
- Skyborne (Alliance): starts with [Zephras Isle](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/skyborne/01-zephras-isle.md) (levels 1–15), 26 guides to level 60
- Orc (Horde): starts with [Durotar](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/orc-troll/01-durotar.md) (levels 1–12), 25 guides to level 60
- Troll (Horde): starts with [Durotar](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/orc-troll/01-durotar.md) (levels 1–12), 25 guides to level 60
- Undead (Horde): starts with [Tirisfal Glades](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/undead/01-tirisfal-glades.md) (levels 1–13), 24 guides to level 60

## Leveling talent plans

Polestar marks the next pick on the talent frame (`/polestar talents`; Options, Questing, Talents) and never spends a point for you. Written for Polestar; a community talent site served only as a reference for Forever's new and changed talents. Checked on game build 1.60.1.70450.

### Arcane (32/0/19, 51 picks, levels 10–60)

| Levels | Talent | Ranks | Tree | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–14 | Improved Channeling | 1–5 | Arcane | Improved Channeling first: Arcane Missiles, and later Arcane Blast, keep going when a mob hits you. |
| 15–19 | Arcane Concentration | 1–5 | Arcane | Arcane Concentration gives free casts now and then, and opens Arcane Meditation. |
| 20 | Arcane Blast | 1 | Arcane | Arcane Blast is Forever's Arcane builder: each cast adds spell power for the next. |
| 21–23 | Arcane Impact | 1–3 | Arcane |  |
| 24 | Missile Barrage | 1 | Arcane | Missile Barrage: Arcane Blast, Arcane Wrath, Fireball and Frostbolt can make your next Arcane Missiles faster and cheaper. |
| 25–27 | Arcane Meditation | 1–3 | Arcane | Arcane Meditation keeps mana coming back while you cast, so you drink less. |
| 28 | Arcane Wrath | 1 | Arcane | Arcane Wrath, opened by Arcane Blast, is a nuke that grows with your maximum mana. Its point does not count toward the Arcane tiers, so the plan spends 32 points in Arcane. |
| 29 | Arcane Subtlety | 1 | Arcane |  |
| 30 | Missile Barrage | 2 | Arcane |  |
| 31 | Presence of Mind | 1 | Arcane | Presence of Mind makes one spell instant: an opener, or a finisher on a runner. |
| 32–36 | Arcane Mind | 1–5 | Arcane |  |
| 37–39 | Arcane Instability | 1–3 | Arcane |  |
| 40 | Arcane Subtlety | 2 | Arcane |  |
| 41 | Arcane Power | 1 | Arcane | Arcane Power is the capstone: more damage for more mana, best with Presence of Mind on a tough target. |
| 42–46 | Improved Frostbolt | 1–5 | Frost | The remaining 19 points go to Frost for a quicker Frostbolt, a shorter Frost Nova cooldown, longer slows and Ice Block. |
| 47–48 | Improved Frost Nova | 1–2 | Frost |  |
| 49–51 | Permafrost | 1–3 | Frost |  |
| 52–54 | Frost Channeling | 1–3 | Frost |  |
| 55–57 | Piercing Ice | 1–3 | Frost |  |
| 58 | Ice Block | 1 | Frost |  |
| 59 | Arctic Reach | 1 | Frost |  |
| 60 | Ice Lance | 1 | Frost |  |

### Fire (20/31/0, 51 picks, levels 10–60)

| Levels | Talent | Ranks | Tree | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–14 | Improved Fireball | 1–5 | Fire | Improved Fireball first: a faster Fireball is more damage every fight. |
| 15–19 | Ignite | 1–5 | Fire | Ignite adds burn damage to every Fire crit. |
| 20 | Pyroblast | 1 | Fire | Pyroblast is a big opener from range; cast it first, then Fireball. |
| 21–23 | Incineration | 1–3 | Fire |  |
| 24 | Impact | 1 | Fire |  |
| 25–27 | Master of Elements | 1–3 | Fire | Master of Elements gives mana back on crits, so you rest less. |
| 28 | Heating Up | 1 | Fire |  |
| 29 | Impact | 2 | Fire |  |
| 30–32 | Critical Mass | 1–3 | Fire | Critical Mass and Blast Wave: more crits, and an area attack and daze for when two mobs reach you. |
| 33 | Blast Wave | 1 | Fire |  |
| 34 | Impact | 3 | Fire |  |
| 35–36 | Critical Mass | 4–5 | Fire |  |
| 37–39 | Fire Power | 1–3 | Fire | Fire Power raises your Fire damage for each of your Fire effects on the target: Ignite, Pyroblast's burn and the like. |
| 40 | Combustion | 1 | Fire | Combustion is the capstone: a crit cooldown for elites and big pulls. |
| 41–42 | Wand Specialization | 1–2 | Arcane | The last 20 points go to Arcane: a stronger wand for finishing mobs, then Arcane Concentration's free casts and Arcane Meditation's regen while casting. |
| 43–45 | Arcane Focus | 1–3 | Arcane |  |
| 46–50 | Arcane Concentration | 1–5 | Arcane |  |
| 51–52 | Arcane Subtlety | 1–2 | Arcane |  |
| 53–54 | Arcane Resilience | 1–2 | Arcane |  |
| 55 | Magic Absorption | 1 | Arcane |  |
| 56–58 | Arcane Meditation | 1–3 | Arcane |  |
| 59 | Magic Absorption | 2 | Arcane |  |
| 60 | Arcane Shielding | 1 | Arcane |  |

### Frost (20/0/31, 51 picks, levels 10–60)

| Levels | Talent | Ranks | Tree | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–14 | Improved Frostbolt | 1–5 | Frost | Improved Frostbolt first: a faster Frostbolt is your main gain for the early levels. |
| 15–19 | Ice Shards | 1–5 | Frost | Ice Shards makes Frost crits hit much harder. |
| 20–22 | Piercing Ice | 1–3 | Frost |  |
| 23–24 | Improved Frost Nova | 1–2 | Frost | Improved Frost Nova and Ice Block are your escapes: freeze, step back, keep casting. |
| 25 | Ice Block | 1 | Frost |  |
| 26–28 | Shatter | 1–3 | Frost | Shatter adds a large crit chance against frozen targets: Frost Nova, then Frostbolt or Ice Lance. |
| 29 | Permafrost | 1 | Frost |  |
| 30 | Cold Snap | 1 | Frost |  |
| 31–33 | Frost Channeling | 1–3 | Frost |  |
| 34 | Ice Lance | 1 | Frost |  |
| 35–39 | Winter's Chill | 1–5 | Frost |  |
| 40 | Ice Barrier | 1 | Frost | Ice Barrier is the capstone: an absorb shield that also stops pushback while you cast. |
| 41–42 | Wand Specialization | 1–2 | Arcane | The last 20 points go to Arcane: a stronger wand for finishing mobs, then Arcane Concentration's free casts and Arcane Meditation's regen while casting. |
| 43–45 | Arcane Focus | 1–3 | Arcane |  |
| 46–50 | Arcane Concentration | 1–5 | Arcane |  |
| 51–52 | Arcane Subtlety | 1–2 | Arcane |  |
| 53–54 | Arcane Resilience | 1–2 | Arcane |  |
| 55 | Magic Absorption | 1 | Arcane |  |
| 56–58 | Arcane Meditation | 1–3 | Arcane |  |
| 59 | Magic Absorption | 2 | Arcane |  |
| 60 | Arcane Shielding | 1 | Arcane |  |

## Mage class quests

- [Ju-Ju Heaps](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/ju-ju-heaps.md) (levels 10–12): Horde, Mage; reward: Ley Staff, Ley Orb
- [Manaweave Robe](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/manaweave-robe.md) (levels 15–17): Alliance, Mage; reward: Manaweave Robe
- [Spellfire Robes](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/spellfire-robes.md) (levels 15–18): Horde, Mage; reward: Lesser Spellfire Robes
- [Astral Knot Garment](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/astral-knot-garment.md) (levels 26–30): Alliance, Human and Gnome, Mage; reward: Astral Knot Robe, Astral Knot Blouse
- [Nether-lace Garment](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/nether-lace-garment.md) (levels 26–30): Horde, Undead and Troll, Mage; reward: Nether-lace Robe, Nether-lace Tunic
- [Mage's Wand](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/mages-wand.md) (levels 30–40): Both factions, Mage; reward: Icefury Wand, Nether Force Wand, Ragefire Wand
- [Celestial Orb and Stave](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/celestial-orb.md) (levels 35–40): Both factions, Mage; reward: Celestial Orb, Celestial Stave
- [Destroy Morphaz](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/destroy-morphaz.md) (levels 50–54): Both factions, Mage; reward: Experience
- [Conjure Water (Arcane Refreshment)](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/arcane-refreshment.md) (levels 60): Both factions, Mage; reward: Conjure Water, Shen'dralar reputation
- [Polymorph: Pig](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/mage/polymorph-pig.md) (levels 60): Both factions, Mage; reward: Polymorph: Pig

## Mage steps on the leveling routes

### Alliance

- [Dun Morogh](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/dwarf-gnome/01-dun-morogh.md) (levels 1–13): quests Glyphic Memorandum, Mirror Lake
- [Elwynn Forest](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/human/01-elwynn-forest.md) (levels 1–13): quests Glyphic Letter, Speak with Jennea, Mirror Lake
- [Zephras Isle](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/skyborne/01-zephras-isle.md) (levels 1–15): quests A Student of the Arcane, Speak with Belann, Boughs in the Wind, Mirror Lake
- [Westfall](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/02-westfall.md) (levels 12–17): 1 class step

### Horde

- [Durotar](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/orc-troll/01-durotar.md) (levels 1–12): quests Glyphic Parchment (Orc), Glyphic Tablet (Troll)
- [Tirisfal Glades](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/undead/01-tirisfal-glades.md) (levels 1–13): quests Glyphic Scroll, Speak with Anastasia, The Balnir Farmstead

## Mage gear

What Polestar's gear advice counts as a Mage's. Before any talent points are spent it uses Frost.

- Armor: Cloth
- Weapons: One-handed swords, Staves, Daggers, Wands

Stat weights per point while leveling, against 1 for the spec's main stat:

| Spec | Stats | Own weights |
|---|---|---|
| Arcane | Intellect 1, Stamina 0.55, Spirit 0.55 | To level 39 |
| Fire | Intellect 0.9, Stamina 0.55, Spirit 0.5 | To level 39 |
| Frost | Intellect 0.9, Stamina 0.6, Spirit 0.6 | To level 39 |

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Index for language models: https://polestar.guide/llms.txt