Mage (WoW)  

See also: Mage ability list, Mage talent trees
For a more detailed set of information about the class, see Mage FAQ.

Theme

Magic has long been a part of the world of Azeroth, coming in different qualities. Demonic magic, natural magic, elemental magic...the practitioners of the latter of which call themselves mages. Harnessing the powers of fire, frost, and simply raw magical energy itself, mages can wield powerfully destructive spells when angered.

Available Races

High Elves were the first mages, and were even expelled from Night Elven culture for their use of arcane magics following The Sundering. Magic has remained a part of Highbourne society, and the Blood Elves are incredibly addicted to its power. Mage is the most appropriate class for a Blood Elf.

The High Elves also taught the Humans the art of magic in exchange for help defending their lands. Magic has become a very prominent part of Human culture, and the city of Dalaran is entirely one of mages, an order known as the Kirin Tor. The last Guardian of Tirisfal, Medivh, and his apprentice Khadgar are two very renowned human mages. Another important human mage in Warcraft history was Jaina Proudmoore, leader of the human defenses at the Battle at Mount Hyjal.

And essentially anything the humans could do became a part of the Undead as well. Many mages exist within the undead, helping to supplement the more physical ranks of the Horde. Trolls can also be mages, although their magic tends to be more closely tied toward shamanism and witch doctoring.

For the Alliance, the Gnomes are extremely intelligent beings, often too smart for their own good, that will practice nearly any kind of magic that they can study. The Draenei are also very accomplished spellcasters that are familiar with the ways of the mage.

Class capabilities

Weapon proficiencies:

• Staff
• Daggers
• Swords
• Wands

Armor proficiencies:

• Cloth

Mages are known primarily for their damaging spells, but are also capable of certain other arcane manipulations, such as teleportation and conjuration of food and drink.

The three talent trees for mage are Arcane, Fire and Frost. Fire tends to focus on raw damage capability. Frost is slightly more defensive in nature, slowing enemies down or freezing them completely so they cannot harm the mage or others. Arcane is essentially anything else, and does have some important general talents.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Mages can do a tremendous amount of damage, especially as area effect damage. However, they are limited by their mana pool and can eventually push themselves too hard. More importantly, mages are very frail. Although their spells can kill opponents at a distance, if one manages to close in, they will be able to kill the mage very quickly.

Group roles and expectations

Mages are expected to deal damage, especially to groups of creatures when the situation calls for it. However, often the most important reason to bring a mage to a group is Polymorph, aka "sheep", which disables a humanoid or beast target. Since most instance enemies tend to be humanoids, mages are appreciated for their ability to apply an easily-repeatable crowd control effect with no restrictions.

In a group, mages should conjure enough water for the group's other mana-users, and portal the group out when they are finished.

Class Quests

Mage has very few special class quests. There is a quest at level 60 to enable a higher rank of Conjure Water, which has become obsolete with the expansion. There is also a series of quests around level 40 from the human mage Tabetha in Dustwallow Marsh. She will speak to either faction.

For a complete list of Mage quests, look here.