RaceOrcThe orc mage is a new combo in Forever: orcs couldn't be mages in Classic, but now they get their own first mage quest and can train right in the Valley of Trials. A step-by-step route to 30: Durotar with the new Forever quests, the Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains, the Eastern Kingdoms, Ashenvale and Thousand Needles. Where to learn spells when Razor Hill and the Barrens have no trainer, when to take the class quests (Ju-Ju Heaps[10], Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16]), how to live off your own water and food, what to finish mobs with when you're out of mana, which professions to pick and what 
Blood Fury does for a mage.
What to install from CurseForge for Forever: the useful and the fun
Rune of Teleportation) and lights up when they run out. Command: /mpd. Made for Forever (file 1.60.1 from September 27), not many downloads yet - optional.
Fingers of Frost, Clearcasting, 
Missile Barrage) are shown by the built-in Cooldown Manager. Want them bigger and with sound? Use ForeverAuras from the “Don't look” card.Builds for 10–30: which one to pick and in what order to spend points
Your first talent point comes at level 10, then one per level: 21 points by level 30. Not sure what to pick? Go “Frost: Ice Lance”: every beta guide (Icy Veins, Mobalytics, Method, wow.gg, Zockify) levels a mage as Frost. Until 20 the builds play almost the same: 
Frostbolt and your wand do the work in all of them. The big moment is 20: in three builds out of four the 11th point in a tree unlocks a new button - 
Ice Lance, 
Arcane Blast or 
Pyroblast. The next “big” talents come at 25 and 30. Orc racials don't change which tree to pick: Blood Fury boosts every school the same. You can reset your talents at a mage trainer in a capital - for example, Deino in Orgrimmar. Hover a talent for its Wowhead tooltip; the button at the bottom opens the build in the Wowhead calculator with the same order.
Frostbolt slows, 
Frost Nova holds, and Ice Lance hits a frozen target several times harder. Icy Veins, Mobalytics, Method and wow.gg use almost the same set.Improved Frostbolt 5/5 at 10–14 - Frostbolt casts half a second faster: more damage and fewer hits on you. 
Frostbite 3/3 at 15–17 - any chill effect sometimes freezes the target for 5 seconds on its own.Ice Lance: instant, no cooldown, +200% against frozen targets since the October 15 patch. The combo: the mob runs up - Frost Nova, step back a couple of yards and hit it with Ice Lance while the freeze holds. At 25–27 - 
Shatter: +50% crit chance against frozen targets, so Ice Lance almost always crits. At 30 - Fingers of Frost: chill effects sometimes give you a charge, and your next spell hits as if the target were frozen.
Frost Channeling 3/3 at 21–23 - Frost spells cost 15% less: mana is the number one complaint of mages on the beta. If you rarely drink, put those 3 points into 
Piercing Ice instead (+6% Frost damage).Frostbolt. You handle packs of mobs worse than with the “Frost: Blizzard AoE” build.
Improved Frostbolt 5/5
Frostbite 3/3
Ice Shards 2/5
Ice Lance 1/1
Frost Channeling 3/3Ice Shards 3/5
Shatter 3/3Ice Shards 5/5
Fingers of Frost 1/2
Permafrost - chill effects last a third longer; 
Improved Frost Nova - Frost Nova every 21 seconds instead of 25; 
Improved Blizzard 3/3 by 22 - mobs in Blizzard are slowed by 40%. At 25 - 
Ice Block: 10 seconds of immunity if a pull goes wrong; at 30 - 
Cold Snap resets your Frost cooldowns.Frost Channeling lowers your threat by 30%.
Cone of Cold - 40% for 6 seconds. This build doesn't take Ice Lance, so you kill single mobs more slowly. It skips Frostbite on purpose: a random freeze breaks up your AoE pack.Improved Frostbolt 5/5
Permafrost 3/3
Improved Frost Nova 2/2
Improved Blizzard 3/3Frost Channeling 2/3
Ice Block 1/1Frost Channeling 3/3
Arctic Reach 2/2
Piercing Ice 1/3
Cold Snap 1/1Pyroblast from range, then 
Fireball, and 
Fire Blast finishes the job. The Icy Veins variant: 
Improved Fire Blast before Improved Fireball.Improved Fire Blast - Fire Blast every 6 seconds, with 15 yards more range; the old bonus after a kill is gone. 
Ignite - your Fire crits also set the target burning. At 20 - Pyroblast: you open every fight from range. At 25 - the 
Heating Up talent: crits speed up your next Pyroblast. At 26–28 - 
Master of Elements: crits refund 30% of the mana cost. At 30 - 
Blast Wave: damage around you and a slow.Blood Fury: +10% spell power for 15 seconds. With it, your opening Pyroblast on an elite or a tough mob hits even harder.Frostbolt and Cone of Cold: solo it's riskier than Frost.Frostbolt.
Improved Fire Blast 2/2
Improved Fireball 3/5
Ignite 5/5
Pyroblast 1/1Improved Fireball 5/5
Flame Throwing 2/2
Heating Up 1/1
Master of Elements 3/3
Burning Soul 1/3
Blast Wave 1/1
Wand Specialization 2/2 at 10–11 - your wand hits 25% harder, and at 10–20 it does most of your damage. 
Arcane Concentration - a 10% chance for Clearcasting: your next spell is free.Missile Barrage 2/2: a proc makes 
Arcane Missiles faster and free. At 20 - Arcane Blast: don't chain long strings of expensive Blasts, switch to the free Missiles when they proc. At 25 - 
Arcane Wrath, at 26–28 - 
Arcane Meditation: 50% of your mana regeneration keeps going while you cast. At 30 - 
Presence of Mind for an instant spell.
Wand Specialization 2/2
Missile Barrage 2/2
Improved Channeling 1/5
Arcane Concentration 5/5
Arcane Blast 1/1
Arcane Resilience 2/2Improved Channeling 3/5
Arcane Wrath 1/1
Arcane Meditation 3/3
Arcane Focus 1/5
Presence of Mind 1/1The orc and troll starting valley · your first mage quest, the Den and Burning Blade Coven
All the quests are around the Den: pick them up in a batch, do them in a loop, turn them in as a batch. About 40 minutes to level 5–6. An orc mage gets a first quest of their own here: Gornek gives you the parchment, and the mage trainer Mai'ah stands at the entrance to the Den. Fighting is simple: Fireball from range, a second one while the mob runs at you, then finish it with your staff. Keep 
Frost Armor on yourself at all times: a mob that hits you gets slowed. Don't buy water before level 4 - your starting water is enough, and after that you make your own.
Frostbolt: a slowed mob takes longer to reach you, and you get one more spell off.Kaltunk at the entrance to the Den: accept !Your Place in the World[1]. Gornek : turn in ?Your Place in the World[1], accept !Cutting Teeth[2] and the new !Wayward Weapons[2].
Around the Den: Mottled Boars - 10 of them, Cutting Teeth[2]. Abandoned training weapons lie on the ground all over the valley - 6 of them, Wayward Weapons[2].
Sell your gray items: the first spell from the trainer costs 10.
Gornek: turn in ?Cutting Teeth[2] (pick 
Soft Wool Boots from the rewards), accept !Sting of the Scorpid[3] and the class quest !Glyphic Parchment[1]. 
Glyphic Parchment appears in your bags - read it. The mage trainer Mai'ah at the entrance to the Den: turn in ?Glyphic Parchment[1]; your first spell is 
Arcane Intellect (10). Kzan Thornslash : turn in ?Wayward Weapons[2].
Glyphic Parchment[1] is a new Forever quest, only for orc mages: 40 experience and +50 reputation with Orgrimmar. In Forever Arcane Intellect lasts an hour - put it on yourself and everyone around you.
Galgar : accept !Galgar's Cactus Apple Surprise[3]. Zureetha Fargaze : accept !Vile Familiars[4].
Foreman Thazz'ril by the Den: accept !Lazy Peons[4] (from level 3; not level 3 yet - do the scorpids and cacti first, then come back to the foreman). South and west of the valley: Scorpid Workers - 10 tails, Sting of the Scorpid[3]; Cactus Apples on the bushes - 10 of them, Galgar's Cactus Apple Surprise[3]; sleeping Lazy Peons - wake up five, Lazy Peons[4]: 
Foreman's Blackjack is in your bags, use it on them.
Drops from: Scorpid Worker Tail - Scorpid Worker, Sarkoth
The Den:
Soft Wool Belt from the rewards) and ?Sarkoth[5] (pick 
Soft Wool Vest from the rewards)Level 4, Mai'ah : Frostbolt and 
Conjure Water, 1 each.
From now on you don't buy water: conjure it on the road and drink when you're below a third of your mana. Frostbolt is your main spell until 20: the mob is slowed and takes longer to reach you.
The book: if an enchanter friend will make your wands, you need 
Wild Harvest: read it to learn Herbalism. Making the wand yourself? You don't need the book: you'll learn Enchanting and Tailoring in Orgrimmar at 12 (step).
Why - see the “Professions” section.
North of the valley: Vile Familiars - 12 of them, Vile Familiars[4]. The pick lies at the entrance to the Burning Blade Coven - Thazz'ril's Pick[4].
The familiars stand in a bunch: hit them from the edge, one at a time. A second one comes running? Frostbolt on it: slowed, it'll lag behind while you finish off the first one.
The Den: Zureetha Fargaze - turn in ?Vile Familiars[4] (pick 
Primitive Walking Stick from the rewards), accept !Burning Blade Medallion[5]; Foreman Thazz'ril - turn in ?Thazz'ril's Pick[4].
Primitive Walking Stick hits almost twice as hard as your starting staff - finish mobs off with it.
Burning Blade Coven : Yarrog Baneshadow deep inside - the medallion, Burning Blade Medallion[5].
The cave is cramped and the mobs stand close together: pull them one at a time from the edge, opening with Frostbolt. Back to the Den with a death run: before level 10 it costs almost nothing.
Zureetha Fargaze: turn in ?Burning Blade Medallion[5] (pick 
Ripped Pants from the rewards), accept !Report to Sen'jin Village[5]. A lost journal lies on the ground by the Den - accept the new !The Adventurer[6].
Ripped Pants is the only cloth item among the rewards; the rest are leather and mail.
Level 6, Mai'ah: Fireball (rank 2), 
Conjure Food and Fire Blast, 1 each.
Fire Blast is instant with an 8-second cooldown: use it to finish off a mob that's already next to you. From now on you make your own food too. Not level 6 yet? You'll learn them in Sen'jin (step).
Leave the valley by the road southeast, toward Sen'jin Village.
Darkspear trolls, a mage trainer, centaurs and spiders on the road to Razor Hill
The Darkspear troll village in the southeast. You pick up a lot of quests here at once: some you do now (Kolkar Crag, the coast), some at 9 (the Echo Isles). Keep the island quests in your log. Un'Thuwa stands here too - your trainer until level 10.
Conjure Water from level 4, Conjure Food from 6. The silver you save goes into a wand and spells.
Small Brown Pouch ≈ 5 - 6 slots.On the road out of the valley - Ukor : accept !A Peon's Burden[5] (a delivery to Razor Hill).
Sen'jin Village:
Also there:
The village mage trainer is Un'Thuwa : new in Forever - 
Comprehend Scroll, free according to Wowhead. Didn't learn the level 6 spells in the valley? Get them here: Fireball (rank 2), Conjure Food and Fire Blast, 1 each.
Comprehend Scroll deciphers the scrolls that drop from mobs (details in the “Mage” section). You come back to him at 8 and 10 (step): Razor Hill has no mage trainer.
The shore east of the village : makrura - 4 eyes, crabs - 8 Crawler Mucus, A Solvent Spirit[7].
Drops from: Intact Makrura Eye - Makrura Clacker, Makrura Shellhide, Makrura Snapclaw and others · Crawler Mucus - Pygmy Surf Crawler, Surf Crawler, Encrusted Surf Crawler and others
Kolkar Crag to the west: three attack plans - , and , Thwarting Kolkar Aggression[8]. In the camp - Pal'juh : accept the new !Lost in the Shadows[8] and lead her out of the camp - Lost in the Shadows[8].
The centaurs walk in pairs: lure out the one standing at the edge and fight outside the camp. A second one comes running? Frostbolt on it, then finish the first. According to RestedXP, Pal'juh isn't always there: if she's missing, don't wait.
The village: Lar Prowltusk - turn in ?Thwarting Kolkar Aggression[8] (pick 
Seasoned Fighter's Cloak or 
Heavy Cord Bracers from the rewards, either one is fine); Master Vornal - turn in ?Lost in the Shadows[8] and ?A Solvent Spirit[7].
Lost in the Shadows[8]: a mage can't use the mace or the bow - take whichever sells for more.
North along the road to Razor Hill: spiders on both sides of the road - 6 and 6, Legging It[6].
Leave the elite spider alone - you'll come back for it at 10.
Brakk at the campfire south of Razor Hill: turn in ?The Adventurer[6], accept !The Great Outdoors[6]. Sit by the campfire (/sit) and wait for the “Boosted Rest” buff - The Great Outdoors[6]. Turn in ?The Great Outdoors[6], accept !Camping 101: Cooking[6].
Durotar's main town · Kul Tirans on the coast
Razor Hill is your base until level 12: an inn and almost all the quests of the north. There's no mage trainer here: you'll learn your level 8 spells in Sen'jin on the way to the Echo Isles (step). Set your hearthstone here.
Small Brown Pouch ≈ 5 and Brown Leather Satchel ≈ 25 - 6 and 8 slots. Carry Your Weight[7] gives you one bag.
Linen Cloth from the Kul Tirans goes into bandages (
Linen Bandage) or Tailoring. Sell the extra cloth at the Orgrimmar auction house.Innkeeper Grosk : turn in ?A Peon's Burden[5] and set your hearthstone in Razor Hill.
Gar'Thok : turn in ?Legging It[6], accept !Vanquish the Betrayers[7]. Orgnil Soulscar : turn in ?Report to Orgnil[7], accept !Dark Storms[12]. Cook Torka : talk to him - Camping 101: Cooking[6], turn in ?Camping 101: Cooking[6]: you learn Cooking.
Furl Scornbrow on the watchtower: accept !Carry Your Weight[7]. Turroc : accept the new !For Honor[6].
Tiragarde Keep to the east : 10 sailors and 8 marines, plus Lieutenant Benedict on the top floor - Vanquish the Betrayers[7]; the Canvas Scraps drop from them too - Carry Your Weight[7]; three raider items by the keep's walls - , and , For Honor[6]. The lieutenant drops 
Benedict's Key - use it to open the chest nearby : inside is 
Aged Envelope, which starts !The Admiral's Orders[7].
Drops from: Canvas Scraps - Kolkar Drudge, Kolkar Outrunner, Kul Tiras Sailor and others
The Kul Tirans stand in groups. Pull them one at a time toward the exit: Frostbolt from max range, a second one while the mob runs at you; once it's in your face - Fire Blast. Fight the lieutenant with full mana.
Razor Hill:
Handmade Leather Bag)Shipwrecks, level 8 and 10 spells, Zalazane, the Ju-Ju Heaps and the Razormane Grounds
South along the coast, with Sen'jin and your level 8 spells on the way, then the Echo Isles and the turn-ins in the village. At 10 the trainer has the class quest Ju-Ju Heaps[10] waiting for you: the Ju-Ju Heaps are on the same islands, so it's a second short swim. Back north through the Razormane Grounds.
Faintly Glowing Skull - don't sell it: it drains 75–125 health from an enemy, a spare heal for a hard fight.The shipwreck shore east of Razor Hill : Gnomish Toolboxes in the wreckage - 3 of them, From The Wreckage....[8].
South along the shore:
Drops from: Durotar Tiger Fur - Durotar Tiger, Shal'ma
Before the islands, stop by Sen'jin - it's close. Mage trainer Un'Thuwa : level 8 - 
Polymorph, Frostbolt (rank 2) and Arcane Missiles, 2 each.
Polymorph changes fights against two mobs: sheep the second one, finish the first, then deal with the second. It only works on beasts and humanoids, and the island trolls are humanoids. Arcane Missiles is for the Arcane tree; as Frost you can skip it.
The Echo Isles , swim over from the shore: 8 Hexed Trolls and 8 Voodoo Trolls - Zalazane[10]; Zalazane in the center - his head, also Zalazane[10]; the prisoner's remains nearby - the skull, Minshina's Skull[9]; Forgotten Loa Idols on the ground across the islands - 8 of them, Forgotten Loa Idols[9]; the trolls drop Hexed Pendants - use them, you need 3 Luminous Residue, A Pain in the Neck[8].
Zalazane is surrounded by trolls - pull them one at a time, kill him last and sheep one of his guards. The Voodoo Trolls cast from range: lure them behind a rock or a tree - they'll come to you. The pendants only drop while A Pain in the Neck[8] is in your log.
Sen'jin Village:
Faintly Glowing Skull), ?Zalazane[10] and ?Forgotten Loa Idols[9]Zalazane[10] gives leather and mail, Bloodtalon Matriarch[8] gives mail pants: take whichever sells for more.
Level 10, Un'Thuwa: Frost Nova, 
Conjure Water (rank 2) and Frost Armor (rank 2), 4 each. Accept the class quest !Ju-Ju Heaps[10] from him.
Frost Nova changes every fight: the mob runs up - freeze it, step 10 yards away and keep hitting. Not level 10 yet? You'll learn the level 10 spells in Orgrimmar at 12 (step), and skip Ju-Ju Heaps[10]: you'll get a better staff a level later from Stormy Potential[11].
Swim back to the Echo Isles: Ju-Ju Heap - 4 of them among the trolls , walk up and click each one, Ju-Ju Heaps[10].
The trolls have respawned by now, and the heaps are right under their feet: clear your way in. Two at once - sheep one; both ran up to you - Frost Nova and step back.
Sen'jin, Un'Thuwa: turn in ?Ju-Ju Heaps[10]. Pick your reward - 
Ley Staff or 
Ley Orb.
Take the staff: the orb goes in your off hand, and you can't use it with a two-handed staff. Ley Staff is only for a short while: at 11 you'll get 
Makeshift Stormcaller (step).
North along the road: Ukorsbane - an elite level 8 spider; it drops the pack - !Ukor's Lost Pack[8]. Go back south for a minute: Ukor - turn in ?Ukor's Lost Pack[8].
The spider only hits in melee. Start with full mana: Frostbolt from max range, a second one while it runs at you; once it's close - Frost Nova, step back and cast another Frostbolt. Didn't work out? Skip it: the quest starts from its loot and doesn't unlock anything.
The Razormane Grounds west of Razor Hill : Prickly Pear Fruit - 8 of them, This Fruit Could Bite Back[6]; Razormane Quilboars and Scouts , Dustrunners and Battleguards farther north - 4 of each, Encroachment[10].
The Razormane are humanoids and walk in pairs: sheep one, hit the other.
Razor Hill: Cook Torka - turn in ?Break a Few Eggs[8] and ?This Fruit Could Bite Back[6]; Gar'Thok - turn in ?From The Wreckage....[8] (pick 
Dirt-trodden Boots from the rewards) and ?Encroachment[10].
Talents open at 10 - see the “Leveling talents” section.
New Razor Hill quests, Drygulch Ravine, Thunder Ridge and the naga on the coast
New Forever quests around Razor Hill, Drygulch Ravine and Thunder Ridge, plus the naga on the northern coast. The reward for Stormy Potential[11] is Makeshift Stormcaller, your first staff with spell power. By the end you're about level 12 at the gates of Orgrimmar.
Frost Nova is your main trick from 10 on: the mob runs up - freeze it, step 10 yards away and hit it. It works on everything that fights in melee: lizards, crocolisks, the Razormane.Frost Nova won't stop them. Lure them behind a rock - they'll come to you, and then you hit them.Razor Hill, Orgnil Soulscar: accept the new !A Missing Hand[11].
Heglan Shadeeye north of Tiragarde Keep: turn in ?A Missing Hand[11], accept !Threat from Below[11]. Three clues near him - , and , Threat from Below[11].
Razor Hill, Orgnil Soulscar: turn in ?Threat from Below[11], accept !Threat from Below[11].
Threat from Below[11]: the naga are on the northern coast, on the way to Orgrimmar (step).
North along the road: Misha Tor'kren at Tor'kren Farm - accept !Lost But Not Forgotten[11]; Rezlak by Drygulch Ravine - accept !Winds in the Desert[9].
Stolen Supply Sacks along the road south of Rezlak - 5 of them, Winds in the Desert[9]. Rezlak: turn in ?Winds in the Desert[9], accept !Securing the Lines[11].
Drygulch Ravine : 12 Dustwind Savages and 8 Dustwind Storm Witches - Securing the Lines[11]. The Storm Witches and Eggtenders drop a Dull Storm Orb, which starts !A Simmering Storm[11].
The witches throw lightning from range: lure them behind a rock so they come to you. Harpies are humanoids: if a second one comes running, sheep it.
Rezlak: turn in ?Securing the Lines[11] and ?A Simmering Storm[11], accept !Stormy Potential[11].
Securing the Lines[11]: take whichever sells for more - you'll get a staff with spell power a couple of steps later, from Stormy Potential[11].
Thunder Ridge : Thunder Lizards in the south and Lightning Hides in the north - 5 Charged Thunder Lizard Organs, Stormy Potential[11]. Fizzle Darkstorm on the ridge - the claw, Dark Storms[12]. Dreadmaw Crocolisks in the river nearby - the amulet, Lost But Not Forgotten[11].
Drops from: Kron's Amulet - Dreadmaw Crocolisk, Corrupted Dreadmaw Crocolisk
Fizzle Darkstorm is level 12, a caster, and has his imp next to him. He's a humanoid himself: sheep him, kill the imp, then fight him with full mana. The amulet doesn't drop from every crocolisk - plan on roughly 10–15 minutes.
Optional: Halikor is an elite level 12 lizard that roams Thunder Ridge . It drops a hoof - !Halikor's Hoof[12], turned in in Orgrimmar.
You need full mana, a potion and all your cooldowns: Blood Fury with the first Frostbolt. It only hits in melee: Frostbolt and keep your distance; once it's close - Frost Nova, step back and cast another Frostbolt. Solo at 11 it's borderline: if you meet another player, invite them.
Rezlak - turn in ?Stormy Potential[11] (reward - Makeshift Stormcaller). Misha Tor'kren - turn in ?Lost But Not Forgotten[11] (reward - 
Handsewn Cloak). Take the western road to Razor Hill: Orgnil Soulscar - turn in ?Dark Storms[12], accept !Margoz[12].
Makeshift Stormcaller gives +2 Intellect and +4 spell power: equip it right away, mages can use staves from the start. Dark Storms[12] gives leather boots - sell them.
North along the eastern shore: naga on the coast - 9 Naga Spinefins, Threat from Below[11].
Drops from: Naga Spinefin - Spitelash Scout, Spitelash Attendant
Farther north an elite sea giant, Aggor the Young, walks around - leave him alone: the quest for him comes later and is for a group only.
Margoz in the camp above the shore: turn in ?Margoz[12], accept !Skull Rock[12]. Then on to the gates of Orgrimmar.
Flight path, mage trainers in the Valley of Spirits, professions and a wand, new quests in the city and “Hidden Enemies”
Orgrimmar is on your way: the flight path, mage trainers, new Forever city quests and the “Hidden Enemies” chain. The insignia for it drops at Skull Rock, right outside the gates - the collars for Skull Rock[12] are there too. So you go into the city twice: before Skull Rock and after.
Lesser Magic Wand (level 5) is made by enchanters - look for it at the auction house, ask a friend or make it yourself (step). Katis in the Cleft of Shadow: according to the game files, his wands start at level 15.Linen Cloth in there. The class quest Gathering Materials[15] at 23–24 asks for them, and by then you'll have used up or sold your linen.Lesser Magic Wand is there too, if you don't have an enchanter of your own.The gates of Orgrimmar . Doras : get the flight path.
Valley of Strength: Thatog - accept the new !Meal Appeal[15]. Borstan : turn in ?Meal Appeal[15], accept !Favorite Food[15]. If you killed Halikor - Kamari : turn in ?Halikor's Hoof[12].
Kor'geld : accept the new !Yelmak's Medley[15]. Cattails and speargrass grow by the water in the Valley of Honor - Yelmak's Medley[15].
Making the wand yourself? Learn Enchanting on the way (Jhag ); the materials for Lesser Magic Wand - Kithas ; Tailoring - Snang . Details in the “Professions” section.
Valley of Spirits, mage trainer Uthel'nay or any of the others next to him. Level 12: 
Conjure Food (rank 2), Fireball (rank 3), 
Dampen Magic and 
Slow Fall, 6 each. Didn't learn the level 10 spells in Sen'jin? Get them here: Frost Nova, Conjure Water (rank 2) and Frost Armor (rank 2), 4 each.
Conjure Food is a must - it's a new rank of food. Fireball - if you level as Fire. Dampen Magic and Slow Fall can wait: Slow Fall needs 
Light Feather, and the Forever database has no feather vendor yet.
Kor'geld: turn in ?Yelmak's Medley[15]. Yelmak : accept !Whuut's the Rush[15] and deliver the potion - Whuut : turn in ?Whuut's the Rush[15].
The reward is 
Healing Potion: save it for elites.
Behind Grommash Hold: Migi - turn in ?Favorite Food[15]; Thra - accept !Rocks to Rests[15].
Smooth Boulders lie all over the city - 8 of them, Rocks to Rests[15]. Thra: turn in ?Rocks to Rests[15] (pick 
Mogra's Friendship Bracelet from the rewards).
Mogra's Friendship Bracelet is the only cloth bracer of the five, +1 Spirit.
Valley of Wisdom: Nazgrel - turn in ?The Admiral's Orders[7]; Thrall - accept !Hidden Enemies[12].
Out of the city to Skull Rock outside the gates : Burning Blade fanatics and apprentices - 6 Searing Collars (Skull Rock[12]) and a Lieutenant's Insignia (Hidden Enemies[12]). Deep in the cave - Gazz'uz : he drops 
Eye of Burning Shadow, which starts !Burning Shadows[12].
Drops from: Searing Collar - Burning Blade Thug, Burning Blade Neophyte, Burning Blade Fanatic and others · Lieutenant's Insignia - Burning Blade Fanatic, Burning Blade Apprentice
The Burning Blade are humanoids: sheep the second one. Gazz'uz is level 14 and a caster, so Frost Nova won't stop him. Clear the cave on the way in so nothing is behind you, and go at him with full mana: Blood Fury, Frostbolt, another one, and up close - Fire Blast. Too tough? Skip him: Burning Shadows[12] doesn't unlock anything.
Margoz : turn in ?Skull Rock[12], accept !Neeru Fireblade[12].
The rewards are melee weapons: take whichever sells for more.
Back to Orgrimmar, the Cleft of Shadow: Neeru Fireblade - turn in ?Neeru Fireblade[12] and ?Burning Shadows[12], accept !Ak'Zeloth[13]. Thrall: turn in ?Hidden Enemies[12], accept !Hidden Enemies[12]. Neeru Fireblade: talk to him - Hidden Enemies[12]. Thrall: turn in ?Hidden Enemies[12].
Ak'Zeloth[13] leads to Far Watch Post - that's where you go next.
From Orgrimmar through Razor Hill into the Barrens
The last errands in Durotar and the way out into the Barrens. From Orgrimmar - hearthstone to Razor Hill (that's where it's set) or walk south, 3–4 minutes.
Flawed Power Stone appears in your bags - you need it at the altar in the cave on Dreadmist Peak.Flawed Power Stone lasts 30 minutes (according to RestedXP): go straight from the stone to the altar, don't get distracted by mobs on the way.Razor Hill: Orgnil Soulscar - turn in ?Threat from Below[11]; Takrin Pathseeker - accept !Conscript of the Horde[12].
Have a group? Threat from Below[12] is waiting right here: an elite sea giant on the northern coast. A mage barely needs the rewards - don't take it without a group.
Take the western road over the bridge across the Southfury River to Far Watch Post: Kargal Battlescar - turn in ?Conscript of the Horde[12], accept !Crossroads Conscription[12]; Ak'Zeloth - turn in ?Ak'Zeloth[13], accept !The Demon Seed[14]. The power stone at his feet - !Flawed Power Stone[14]: turn it in right there (?Flawed Power Stone[14]), and Flawed Power Stone appears in your bag.
Crossroads Conscription[12] is turned in at the Crossroads - that's your next stop.
West to Dreadmist Peak : take the path up to the cave. The Altar of Fire is inside - use the stone at the altar, The Demon Seed[14].
On the way up there's level 10–14 Burning Blade, and the casters stand in pairs: sheep one, hit the other. Frost Nova doesn't stop them from casting.
The best zone for 12–20 on the Horde side · the Razormane and the pirates near Ratchet
The Barrens have lots of quests and long runs. The rule: take everything at the Crossroads at once, do it along the way and turn it all in together. Keep your hearthstone at the Crossroads all the way to level 20.
Heavy Brown Bag ≈ 2 - 10 slots.Polymorph) and hit the other. A sheep regenerates health quickly - leave it alone until you've finished off the first.Head south down from the peak to the Crossroads: Devrak - flight path; Innkeeper Boorand Plainswind - set your hearthstone at the Crossroads.
The Crossroads:
Thorn Hill to the northeast:
Drops from: Plainstrider Beak - Greater Plainstrider, Ornery Plainstrider, Fleeting Plainstrider · Raptor Head - Sunscale Lashtail, Sunscale Screecher, Sunscale Scytheclaw and others
Far Watch Post to the northeast: Ak'Zeloth - turn in ?The Demon Seed[14].
The reward is 
Banshee Armor: cloth, +3 Stamina. Equip it.
Ratchet:
The pirate camp south of Ratchet : 12 Brigands and 6 Cannoneers - Southsea Freebooters[14]; parts in the upper camp - Parts and Pieces[14].
The pirates are humanoids and stand close together: pull from the edge, sheep the second one.
Ratchet:
Back to the pirate camp: the “Drizzlik's Emporium” crate and the “Fragile - Do Not Drop” crate - Stolen Booty[16]. Then Gazlowe: turn in ?Stolen Booty[16] (pick 
Wayfaring Gloves from the rewards).
Wayfaring Gloves is cloth, +3 Spirit.
Fly to the Crossroads: Thork - turn in ?Disrupt the Attacks[12] and ?Supplies for the Crossroads[14], accept !The Disruption Ends[15]; Sergra Darkthorn - turn in ?Plainstrider Menace[12], accept !The Zhevra[13].
Back east to the Razormane: Geomancers and Defenders and the leader Kreenig Snarlsnout - The Disruption Ends[15]. Zhevras on the way - hooves, The Zhevra[13].
Drops from: Zhevra Hooves - Zhevra Runner, Zhevra Charger, Zhevra Courser
Geomancers throw fire from range - start with them and lure them behind a rock, and sheep the Defender. Kill the leader last.
The Crossroads: Thork - turn in ?The Disruption Ends[15] (the leather and mail belts - to sell); Sergra Darkthorn - turn in ?The Zhevra[13], accept !Prowlers of the Barrens[15].
Regthar, the Forgotten Pools, the Witchwing harpies
West and northwest of the Crossroads. By the end of this section you're about level 16: then a short flight to Orgrimmar for your level 14–16 spells and a wand.
West of the Crossroads, Regthar Deathgate : accept !Kolkar Leaders[16] and !Centaur Bracers[14].
Around Regthar:
Drops from: Centaur Bracers - Kolkar Wrangler, Kolkar Stormer, Kolkar Pack Runner and others
Barak Kodobane hits hard and has guards: pull the guards one at a time and don't let him close - Frostbolt from max range; when he gets to you - Frost Nova, step back and Frostbolt again. There are centaurs nearby - don't back up into them.
Regthar Deathgate: turn in ?Kolkar Leaders[16] and ?Centaur Bracers[14], accept !Verog the Dervish[18].
Centaur Bracers[14]: a mage doesn't need the axe, the hammer or the bow - take whichever sells for more.
Northwest, the Dry Hills : Witchwing harpies - 8 talons, Harpy Raiders[15]. Savannah Prowlers on the way - claws, Prowlers of the Barrens[15].
Drops from: Witchwing Talon - Witchwing Harpy, Witchwing Roguefeather, Witchwing Slayer and others
The Crossroads:
The follow-up to Fungal Spores[15] is Apothecary Zamah[15], timed, to Thunder Bluff. Don't take it: the orc route only gets there at 22. The exception is a group for the Wailing Caverns (section).
A delivery chain for orcs and trolls · mage trainers in the Valley of Spirits
There are no mage trainers in the Barrens. The delivery chain for orcs and trolls sends you to Orgrimmar and back with experience - the perfect time for your level 14 and 16 spells and a wand.
Smoldering Wand ≈ 33 (level 15) and Gloom Wand ≈ 39 (level 16). No wand yet? Gloom Wand will last you until 21–22. Don't want to spend the money? A level later The Escape[18] gives you almost the same one (step).
Greater Magic Wand (from 13) - the best wand until 26 if you don't have an enchanter of your own.The Crossroads: Zargh - accept !Meats to Orgrimmar[10]. Devrak: turn in ?Meats to Orgrimmar[10], accept !Ride to Orgrimmar[10] and fly to Orgrimmar - Ride to Orgrimmar[10].
In Classic this flight cost money - keep a little silver on you.
Orgrimmar: Innkeeper Gryshka - turn in ?Ride to Orgrimmar[10], accept !Doras the Wind Rider Master[10]; Doras - turn in ?Doras the Wind Rider Master[10], accept !Return to the Crossroads[10].
Valley of Spirits, mage trainer Uthel'nay or any of the others next to him: level 14 - Frostbolt (rank 3), Arcane Intellect (rank 2), 
Arcane Explosion and Fire Blast (rank 2), 9 each; level 16 - Arcane Missiles (rank 2) and 
Flamestrike, 15 each.
As Frost you can put off both level 16 spells: Flamestrike is for groups, Arcane Missiles is for Arcane. Uthel'nay offers the class quest Report to Anastasia[15] from level 15, but it leads to Undercity, and the route only gets there at 22–23 - you'll take it at 20, on your next visit (step). Not 16 yet? You'll learn the level 16 spells at 20.
Zor Lonetree in the Valley of Wisdom: accept !The Spirits of Stonetalon[17] - it's turned in on the Stonetalon border (at 18).
Have a group? Now's the time for Ragefire Chasm: the entrance is right here, in the Cleft of Shadow (section). Run it with your group before you fly back.
Fly to the Crossroads: Zargh - turn in ?Return to the Crossroads[10].
A 13–18 dungeon right inside Orgrimmar · the best staff until 20
The entrance is in the Cleft of Shadow. The main reward here is Hidden Enemies[16]: 
Staff of Orgrimmar (+18 spell power and +6 Intellect), the best staff until 20. No group? Don't take the quests from here. How to play a mage in a group - see the “Dungeons” section.
Thrall: accept !Hidden Enemies[16]. Neeru Fireblade: accept !Slaying the Beast[16].
Before going in, conjure water for the whole group and buff everyone with Arcane Intellect.
Ragefire Chasm, entrance : Taragaman the Hungerer - his heart, Slaying the Beast[16]; Bazzalan and Jergosh the Invoker - Hidden Enemies[16].
Troggs and cultists (humanoids) can be polymorphed - agree with your group on which ones. Arcane Explosion only after the tank has gathered the pack and hit it a couple of times. Hit fire elementals with Frost.
After the Chasm:
Staff of Orgrimmar).
Kris of Orgrimmar is weaker: +11 spell power versus the staff's +18, and you'd have to learn Daggers too. According to the Forever database Hidden Enemies[16] gives a choice of weapons; in Classic Era players reported that it has no reward - if the quest window is empty, let us know.
The Sludge Fen, Ratchet, the southern oases and Camp Taurajo
A big loop: the north (Venture Co. goblins, the Sludge Fen), Ratchet, then the south - the oases, the centaurs, Camp Taurajo. In Ratchet you get the wand Flaring Baton from The Escape[18]. There's no mage trainer in the Barrens: you'll learn your level 18 spells together with the level 20 ones in Orgrimmar.
The north:
The Sludge Fen : Wizzlecrank's Shredder - accept !Ignition[18]. Supervisor Lugwizzle carries the Ignition Key - Ignition[18]. Turn in ?Ignition[18], accept !The Escape[18] and escort the shredder (The Escape[18]) - it's turned in at Ratchet.
Ratchet:
The Escape[18]: pick the wand Flaring Baton (+2 Intellect) from the rewards if yours is weaker; if you have Greater Magic Wand, that one's stronger, so take the pants to sell. Samophlange[16]: a mage doesn't need the hammer or the shield - take whichever sells for more.
The pirate camp south of Ratchet : Baron Longshore (level 16) with guards - WANTED: Baron Longshore[16]. Then Gazlowe: turn in ?WANTED: Baron Longshore[16].
Pull the guards one at a time; two ran up - sheep one, freeze the other (Frost Nova) and step back. Kill the Baron last, at full mana.
Fly to the Crossroads: Sergra Darkthorn - turn in ?Echeyakee[16], accept !The Angry Scytheclaws[17].
Northwest, the Dry Hills: Witchwing Slayers - 6 rings, Harpy Lieutenants[16].
The Crossroads, Darsok Swiftdagger: turn in ?Harpy Lieutenants[16], accept !Serena Bloodfeather[20].
Serena Bloodfeather is level 20: you'll kill her at 18–19.
South of the Crossroads, a loop:
Drops from: Intact Raptor Horn - Sunscale Scytheclaw, Ishamuhale, Takk the Leaper
Ratchet is close, Mebok Mizzyrix: turn in ?Raptor Horns[18] (pick 
Barkeeper's Cloak from the rewards). Fly to the Crossroads: Gazrog - turn in ?Stolen Silver[18]; Tonga Runetotem - turn in ?The Stagnant Oasis[16], accept !Altered Beings[16]; Sergra Darkthorn - turn in ?The Angry Scytheclaws[17], accept !Jorn Skyseer[18]; Mankrik - accept !Lost in Battle[20]. To the west, Regthar Deathgate: turn in ?Verog the Dervish[18], accept !Hezrul Bloodmark[19].
Stolen Silver[18]: the leggings and boots aren't cloth - sell them. You'll turn in Jorn Skyseer[18] at Camp Taurajo (step).
Lushwater Oasis to the south : Oasis Snapjaws - shells, Altered Beings[16]; Hezrul Bloodmark with guards by the water - Hezrul Bloodmark[19]. Further south - the Beaten Corpse : Lost in Battle[20].
Hezrul Bloodmark walks with two centaur guards, and centaurs are humanoids: sheep one, freeze the other (Frost Nova) and hit him. The leader goes last.
Camp Taurajo in the south: Omusa Thunderhorn - flight path; Jorn Skyseer - turn in ?Jorn Skyseer[18].
Don't take the follow-up (Ishamuhale[19]) yet: you'll be back here at 20 (step).
Fly to the Crossroads: Tonga Runetotem - turn in ?Altered Beings[16], accept !Hamuul Runetotem[16]; Mankrik - turn in ?Lost in Battle[20]. Walk west to Regthar Deathgate: turn in ?Hezrul Bloodmark[19] (reward - 
Bounty Hunter's Ring).
Hamuul Runetotem[16] leads to Thunder Bluff - you'll take it there at 22, or earlier with a group going to the Wailing Caverns (step).
Level 18: there's no mage trainer in the Barrens. You'll learn 
Remove Lesser Curse, 
Amplify Magic and Fireball (rank 4) together with the level 20 spells in Orgrimmar (step).
Remove Lesser Curse is for dungeons - removing curses from your group; Fireball - if you level as Fire; Amplify Magic can wait.
Serena, the Stonetalon border, the Grimtotem tauren
The last stretch of part one: Serena Bloodfeather in the Dry Hills and the Grimtotem tauren on the Stonetalon border.
Blink, Blizzard, 
Evocation, 
Mana Shield, new ranks and 
Teleport: Orgrimmar from the portal trainer. Together with the level 18 spells and five runes (Rune of Teleportation) it comes to about 305 - save up in advance.Frost Nova holds them - kill those first.Frost Nova and run, then Frostbolt: slowed, they usually can't catch you. You only get Blink at 20, but the orc 
Hardiness already makes enemy stuns 20% shorter.The Dry Hills: Serena Bloodfeather among the harpies - Serena Bloodfeather[20].
She's level 20 and calls harpies for help: clear the ones standing nearby first. Go at her with full mana, Blood Fury with your first spell. A harpy comes to help her? Sheep it.
The Crossroads, Darsok Swiftdagger: turn in ?Serena Bloodfeather[20].
The rewards are melee weapons: take whichever sells for more. Don't take the follow-up (Letter to Jin'Zil[20]) yet: you'll take it at 20 (step).
The Stonetalon border to the west : Seereth Stonebreak - turn in ?The Spirits of Stonetalon[17], accept !Goblin Invaders[19]; Makaba Flathoof - accept !Avenge My Village[18].
Stonetalon Mountains, Kaya Flathoof : accept !Protect Kaya[18].
Stonetalon Mountains:
Kill the Grimtotem casters first: they keep casting even while Frost Nova holds them. During the escort, meet the attackers yourself: if two come running, sheep one.
Makaba Flathoof: turn in ?Avenge My Village[18] and ?Protect Kaya[18], accept !Kill Grundig Darkcloud[18] and !Kaya's Alive[18].
Kaya's Alive[18] is turned in at Sun Rock Retreat - at ~22.
Grundig Darkcloud and 6 Grimtotem Brutes - Kill Grundig Darkcloud[18].
Brutes hit in melee: Frost Nova, step back and take them one at a time. Pull the leader with full mana.
Makaba Flathoof: turn in ?Kill Grundig Darkcloud[18]. Seereth Stonebreak: turn in ?Goblin Invaders[19], accept !The Elder Crone[18].
The Elder Crone[18] is turned in at Thunder Bluff - at 22.
Set your hearthstone at the Crossroads. Level 20: next, fly to Orgrimmar - the mage trainer, Teleport: Orgrimmar and the second part of the route (step).
Dungeon 17–24 · quests in Thunder Bluff, Ratchet and at the entrance
Have a group? The Wailing Caverns complete eight quests, and three of the rewards are great for a mage: Leaders of the Fang[22] - 
Crescent Staff (+26 spell power), Deviate Eradication[21] - the wand Sizzle Stick, Deviate Hides[17] - 
Deviate Hide Pack with 10 slots. No group? Don't take a single quest from here. How to play a mage in a group - see the “Dungeons” section.
The Crossroads, Apothecary Helbrim: accept !Apothecary Zamah[15] - a timed quest. Fly straight to Camp Taurajo and run west through Mulgore to Thunder Bluff.
Thunder Bluff:
Apothecary Zamah[15]: pick 
Cauldron Stirrer (+8 spell power) from the rewards if you didn't get Staff of Orgrimmar. Only the portal trainer in Orgrimmar itself teaches Teleport: Orgrimmar.
Ratchet: Mebok Mizzyrix - accept !Smart Drinks[18] (offered after Raptor Horns[18]); Crane Operator Bigglefuzz - accept !Trouble at the Docks[18].
The hill above the cave entrance: Nalpak - accept !Deviate Hides[17]; Ebru - accept !Deviate Eradication[21].
Wailing Caverns, entrance : Deviate Hides - Deviate Hides[17]; Deviate beasts - Deviate Eradication[21]; Serpentbloom - Serpentbloom[18]; the gems of the four Fanglords - Leaders of the Fang[22]; Wailing Essence - Smart Drinks[18]; Mad Magglish's port - Trouble at the Docks[18]. The last boss, Mutanus the Devourer, drops 
Glowing Shard, which starts !The Glowing Shard[26].
Drops from: Deviate Hide - Deviate Coiler, Deviate Stinglash, Deviate Creeper and others · Gem of Cobrahn - Lord Cobrahn, Cobrahn Snake Form · Gem of Anacondra - Lady Anacondra · Gem of Pythas - Lord Pythas · Gem of Serpentis - Lord Serpentis · Wailing Essence - Devouring Ectoplasm, Evolving Ectoplasm, Nightmare Ectoplasm and others
Druids of the Fang are humanoids, they heal themselves and cast Sleep: polymorph them. The packs of Deviate raptors are for AoE, but only after the tank. The caverns are long: conjure water for everyone in advance.
After the caverns:
Deviate Hide Pack)Sizzle Stick). Ratchet: Mebok Mizzyrix - turn in ?Smart Drinks[18]Falla Sagewind southwest of the Crossroads, on the way to the Wailing Caverns: turn in ?The Glowing Shard[26], accept !In Nightmares[25]. Fly to Thunder Bluff: Apothecary Zamah - turn in ?Serpentbloom[18] (pick Apothecary Gloves from the rewards, +4 spell power); Nara Wildmane - turn in ?Leaders of the Fang[22] (reward - Crescent Staff); Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem - turn in ?In Nightmares[25].
Level 18 and 20 spells, the teleport to Orgrimmar, Camp Taurajo, the Field of Giants and the elite Chol'aruk
Level 20 is a mage's big training moment: Blink, Blizzard, Evocation, Mana Shield and new ranks, plus Teleport: Orgrimmar from the portal trainer. So first a short flight to Orgrimmar, then finish clearing the Barrens to 21: Camp Taurajo, the Field of Giants, the elite Chol'aruk (only with a partner). Keep your hearthstone at the Crossroads.
Rune of Teleportation ≈ 10, one per teleport. According to the game files, Horthus and Hagrus sell them in Orgrimmar, and Hula'mahi at the Crossroads. The route uses two runes before 30, three if you go to the Ruins of Lordaeron with a group: buy 5 to be safe.Burning Wand ≈ 58 and 
Dusk Wand ≈ 58 (level 20, 17.5 DPS). Buy one only if your wand is weaker: Flaring Baton - 13.7, Gloom Wand - 14.4; Greater Magic Wand and Sizzle Stick hit just as hard, 17.5. The next step up is Charred Wand at 26 (step).
Blood Shard from Bristlebacks: Mangletooth gives you a Spirit buff for them (step).Blink on long runs (Taurajo → Thunder Bluff, Undercity → the Sepulcher) - an extra 20 yards every 15 seconds. But in Forever it costs 35% of your base mana: Blink while you're above half mana, and don't reach the mob empty.Blink: an Alliance rogue stuns you - Blink, the stun breaks, then Frost Nova and back off. Blink doesn't remove slows: against a warrior, Frost Nova first, then step back. Arathi Basin only opens at 20 on launch: on the beta, according to testers, only the new battleground from 30 works.The Crossroads, Devrak: fly to Orgrimmar. Valley of Spirits, mage trainer Uthel'nay or any of the others next to him: level 18 - Remove Lesser Curse, Amplify Magic and Fireball (rank 4), 18 each; level 20 - Blink, Blizzard, Evocation, Frostbolt (rank 4), 
Conjure Water (rank 3), Polymorph (rank 2), Frost Armor (rank 3), Mana Shield and 
Fire Ward, 20 each. Uthel'nay: accept the class quest !Report to Anastasia[15]. Portal trainer Thuul : Teleport: Orgrimmar (20). Runes - see the “Shopping and useful stuff” block.
All of it together with the teleport is about 254. Short on money? Amplify Magic, Fire Ward and, unless you're Fire, Fireball can wait. Your talent at 20 is the 11th point in a tree (“Leveling talents”); in the main build it's Ice Lance. Conjure a stack of the new water right away and throw out the old: rank 3 restores almost twice as much mana. You'll turn in Report to Anastasia[15] in Undercity (at 22–23); if he doesn't offer it, no big deal - you get the follow-up without it.
Doras: fly to Camp Taurajo. Jorn Skyseer - accept !Ishamuhale[19]; Mangletooth - accept !Tribes at War[21]; Grunt Logmar - accept the new !Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23] if you have a partner.
Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23] has a level 23 elite pillager and level 22–23 Alliance soldiers: solo at 20–21 you have almost no chance. The reward for a mage is 
Traveler's Shawl: +4 Stamina and +5 Spirit.
Fly to the Crossroads:
Letter to Jin'Zil[20] is a letter to Stonetalon; you'll deliver it on the next loop (step).
Northeast of the Crossroads, if you took the quest: Chol'aruk with elite guards - his head, Chol'aruk the Ravener[21]. Ishamuhale doesn't roam: while you have the quest, any zhevra drops a fresh carcass - use it at the withered tree and he comes running. The fang - Ishamuhale[19].
Drops from: Chol'aruk's Head - Chol'aruk
Chol'aruk is a level 20 elite and his guards are elite too: only with a partner. Your job is the guards: sheep one, Frost Nova the rest. Didn't work out? Drop Chol'aruk the Ravener[21]: the quest doesn't unlock anything. Ishamuhale hits hard, but only in melee: Frostbolt from range; when he runs up - Frost Nova, step back and hit him again.
Back south toward Taurajo:
Drops from: Bristleback Quilboar Tusk - Bristleback Hunter, Bristleback Water Seeker, Bristleback Thornweaver and others
The rare elite Swinegart Spearhide fears everyone around him - go around him. The Bristlebacks walk in twos and threes: sheep the second, Frost Nova the third. Geomancers keep casting even while Frost Nova holds them - kill them first.
The Field of Giants south of Taurajo : 12 Silithid Eggs from the mounds and the Digging Claw - Egg Hunt[22]. Farther south - Burned-Out Remains : inspect them, that's the new !Stepping Stones[24]. Took Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23]? The Dustwallow Marsh border to the southeast : soldiers and the elite pillager, Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23].
Silithid Swarmers call a bunch of small critters - kill the Swarmers first, and Arcane Explosion takes care of the small fry at your feet. The pillager is too tough? Drop Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23]: at 29 you can solo it (step). The quest Stepping Stones[24] leads to Stonetalon - you'll turn it in there.
Camp Taurajo: Mangletooth - turn in ?Tribes at War[21], accept !Blood Shards of Agamaggan[21] and turn it in right away ?Blood Shards of Agamaggan[21], then the same with !Rising Spirit[20] (?Rising Spirit[20]): a Spirit buff. Jorn Skyseer - turn in ?Ishamuhale[19] and ?Lakota'mani[22], accept !Enraged Thunder Lizards[18]. Grunt Logmar - turn in ?Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23].
Spirit is mana between fights: with it you drink less often. You already have the Blood Shard - they drop from the same Bristlebacks. Don't skip Blood Shards of Agamaggan[21]: without it you won't get Betrayal from Within[25] at 29.
South of the camp - Thunder Lizards : 3 Thunder Lizard Blood, Enraged Thunder Lizards[18]. Jorn Skyseer: turn in ?Enraged Thunder Lizards[18], accept !Cry of the Thunderhawk[20].
Drops from: Thunder Lizard Blood - Stormhide, Thunderhead, Stormsnout
Thunderhawks around the camp - wings, Cry of the Thunderhawk[20]. Jorn Skyseer: turn in ?Cry of the Thunderhawk[20] (reward - Wind Rider Staff).
Drops from: Thunderhawk Wings - Thunderhawk Hatchling, Greater Thunderhawk, Thunderhawk Cloudscraper
Wind Rider Staff: +12 spell power and +6 Spirit - three times the spell power of Makeshift Stormcaller. If you have Staff of Orgrimmar or Crescent Staff, they're stronger: take whichever sells for more. Thunderhawks are beasts: sheep the second one.
Fly to the Crossroads:
Rewards: Consumed by Hatred[20] - 
Grassland Sash (+3 Stamina and +3 Intellect); Egg Hunt[22] - 
Harlequin Robes (+2 Intellect and +6 Spirit), better than Banshee Armor; Chol'aruk the Ravener[21] - the dagger 
Quilboar Toothpick, +16 spell power: a little stronger than Wind Rider Staff, but you still have to learn Daggers - Sayoc in Orgrimmar, on the way to the zeppelin at 22 (step).
Malaka'jin, Windshear Crag, Sun Rock Retreat
Level 20–22 quests on the way through the mountains and the flight path at Sun Rock Retreat - you'll need it at 27. From the Retreat, fly to Camp Taurajo and walk to Thunder Bluff.
Rune of Teleportation ≈ 10 (according to the game files) - if you're running out of runes.Frost Channeling: Frost spells cost 15% less, so you drink noticeably less. “Frost: Blizzard AoE”: by 22 you have Improved Blizzard 3/3 - Blizzard slows by 40%, so you can pull two or three mobs at a time (the “Mage” section, the AoE card). Fire and Arcane: until 25 nothing changes in combat.From the Crossroads go west to the mountain border , then take the same path as to the Grimtotem into Stonetalon. Malaka'jin : Witch Doctor Jin'Zil - turn in ?Letter to Jin'Zil[20]; Xen'Zilla - accept !Blood Feeders[19].
Spiders northwest of Malaka'jin: Deepmoss Creepers in the southern valley and Venomspitters - Blood Feeders[19]. The “Wanted” poster - !Arachnophobia[21]: the elite Besseleth , only with a friend (Arachnophobia[21]).
Spiders are beasts: sheep the extra one. The spiderlings can call a level 22 matriarch: sheep the matriarch, and Frost Nova holds the spiderlings that come running. Besseleth only hits in melee: with a partner, keep her on your partner while you hit from range.
Xen'Zilla: turn in ?Blood Feeders[19].
Ziz Fizziks by the road north: accept !Super Reaper 6000[21].
Windshear Crag : Venture Co. Operators - blueprints, Super Reaper 6000[21]. Piznik : accept !Gerenzo's Orders[22], protect him for 5 minutes (Gerenzo's Orders[22]), turn in ?Gerenzo's Orders[22] and accept !Gerenzo's Orders[22].
Two rare elites roam here - a Venture Co. overseer and a foreman. Go around them. If the goblin dies, the quest fails: abandon Gerenzo's Orders[22] and take it again when he's back. Doesn't work the second time either? Abandon it and later turn in only Super Reaper 6000[21]. While the goblin works, attackers come in waves of two or three: sheep one, Frost Nova the rest right next to him and Frostbolt them after a step back. As “Frost: Blizzard AoE” - Blizzard on the whole wave.
Ziz Fizziks: turn in ?Super Reaper 6000[21] and ?Gerenzo's Orders[22].
Gerenzo's Orders[22]: the reward is the mail 
Dredge Boots - sell them. Don't take the follow-up Further Instructions[21]: it leads to Ratchet, and the route doesn't go back there.
Sun Rock Retreat:
Arachnophobia[21]: the reward is Clear Crystal Rod (it's a staff, even though it's called a rod): +14 spell power and +5 Intellect, stronger than Wind Rider Staff. Didn't manage the spider? Keep the quest: you're back here at 27 (step), and by then you can handle Besseleth solo.
Mirkfallon Lake : 10 Gaea Seeds by the water - Cycle of Rebirth[23]. On the way back, west of the Retreat - Pocket Litter : turn in ?Stepping Stones[24] (the reward is 
Old Toolbox, a 12-slot bag), accept !Scramble[24]; Mound of Dirt nearby - turn in ?Scramble[24].
The next quest in the chain, Wet Job[32], leads to Loch Modan in Alliance land - don't take it.
Tammra Windfield: turn in ?Cycle of Rebirth[23].
You'll take the follow-up (New Life[25]) at 27 - right now it would just take up space in your log.
Sun Rock Retreat, Tharm: fly to Camp Taurajo, then walk to Thunder Bluff (step).
Want another 6–7 thousand experience and the Zoram'gar flight path? Visit western Ashenvale first (optional). Leveling without a group? Definitely go: you won't have dungeon quests, and the experience will come in handy. Did the Wailing Caverns? Then you already have the Thunder Bluff flight path: fly straight to Thunder Bluff (step).
New Forever quests and the Zoram'gar flight path
About 6–7 thousand experience and the Zoram'gar flight path (useful for Blackfathom Deeps). Skipping it now? You'll get the flight path at 28.
From Windshear Crag - Talondeep Path → Ashenvale.
Va'xug Firefure : accept !Never Coming Back[22] - 6 Shadowhorn Stags and 6 Ashenvale Bears around (Never Coming Back[22]). Turn in ?Never Coming Back[22], accept !A Void Path[22]: lead Eye of Kilrogg to the road (A Void Path[22]) and turn in ?A Void Path[22] right there.
Zoram'gar Outpost: Andruk - flight path. Marukai : accept !Naga at the Zoram Strand[19] - 20 naga heads on the Zoram Strand (Naga at the Zoram Strand[19]), then turn in ?Naga at the Zoram Strand[19].
Drops from: Wrathtail Head - Wrathtail Myrmidon, Wrathtail Razortail, Wrathtail Wave Rider and others
Naga are humanoids: sheep the second one. Sirens cast from range, and Frost Nova won't stop them: lure them behind a rock - they'll come to you.
From Zoram'gar, fly to Camp Taurajo, then on to Thunder Bluff.
Did the Wailing Caverns? Then you already have the Thunder Bluff flight path: fly straight to Thunder Bluff (step).
Magatha's chain, the mage trainers on Spirit Rise, the teleport to Orgrimmar and the zeppelin
On foot from Camp Taurajo through Mulgore to Thunder Bluff: this is where you turn in The Elder Crone[18], which you've been carrying since level 19, and the trainers on Spirit Rise teach your level 22 spells. Then Teleport: Orgrimmar - 10 seconds instead of a long flight - and the zeppelin to Undercity.
Rune of Teleportation ≈ 10 (in the game files) - if you're running out of runes.Quilboar Toothpick (step), Sayoc teaches Daggers for 10.Thunder Bluff: Magatha Grimtotem - turn in ?The Elder Crone[18], accept !Forsaken Aid[18]; Apothecary Zamah on Spirit Rise - turn in ?Forsaken Aid[18], accept !Journey to Tarren Mill[18].
Journey to Tarren Mill[18] is turned in at Tarren Mill - the route gets there at ~25.
Elder Rise: Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem - turn in ?Hamuul Runetotem[16], accept !Nara Wildmane[16]; Nara Wildmane - turn in ?Nara Wildmane[16].
Did the Wailing Caverns? Then this is already done. The follow-up, Leaders of the Fang[22], is a Wailing Caverns quest: don't take it without a group.
Level 22, Spirit Rise - Thurston Xane (with Ursyn Ghull and Archmage Shymm next to him): 
Conjure Food (rank 3), Arcane Explosion (rank 2), Fire Blast (rank 3), 
Frost Ward and 
Scorch, 30 each.
Frost Ward comes in handy at 23 against the Dalaran mages (step): they hit with Frost. Scorch is only for Fire. Short on money? Put it off, and if you level as Frost solo, Arcane Explosion too: it's for dungeons and the “Frost: Blizzard AoE” build. Not 22 yet? You'll learn them in Undercity (step).
Teleport: Orgrimmar - and you're in Orgrimmar. The zeppelin tower outside the gates has two zeppelins. Frezza sends you to Undercity - that's yours. Snurk Bucksquick goes to Grom'gol (Stranglethorn Vale) - not that one.
Not sure? Talk to the zeppelin master: he'll tell you where his zeppelin goes. While you wait, conjure food and water for the next leg.
Hearthstone, the teleport to Undercity, the alchemist shop and the Shadowfang quest
The zeppelin lands in Tirisfal, next to Undercity. Here you get your hearthstone, 
Teleport: Undercity and the next part of the class quest right in the city: Report to Anastasia[15] → Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16]. Dungeons are done in a group of five: no group - don't take The Book of Ur[26], or it'll just sit in your log. You'll take the Ruins of Lordaeron quests right before the run (at 24). Without dungeons you'll fall about 2 levels behind (by our estimate from beta data, the dungeon quests at 22–29 are worth about 75 thousand experience): western Ashenvale, Dangerous![28] in Hillsbrad (step), the southern Barrens and the backup quests in Thousand Needles (step) cover part of it, and you'll make up the rest with mobs along the way.
Linen Cloth, from the bank or the auction house; 6 
Dalaran Mana Gem, from the Dalaran mages near Ambermill (step). The gems only drop while the quest is in your log.Linen Cloth if you put them away at 12. The bank is shared across all cities, so the linen from Orgrimmar is here too. Didn't save any? Auction house.The zeppelin lands in Tirisfal, not far from Undercity: follow the road to the ruins of the capital, then take the elevator down into the city.
Undercity: Michael Garrett - flight path; Innkeeper Norman - set your hearthstone in Undercity.
You'll need your hearthstone at the end of Hillsbrad: from Dun Garok straight to the trainer at 26 (step). And you get from Undercity back home by teleport - no more zeppelins.
Magic Quarter: portal trainer Lexington Mortaim - Teleport: Undercity (20). Anastasia Hartwell : turn in ?Report to Anastasia[15], accept !Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16]. The scroll and the chest of coffers are right behind her - take both.
Didn't take Report to Anastasia[15]? No big deal: she gives Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16] without it. According to Questie, the level 15 chain is only offered to undead and trolls, but Wowhead Forever lists orcs too: if she doesn't give you the quest, let us know and don't collect the gems at Ambermill. Didn't learn your level 22 spells in Thunder Bluff? The mage trainers are right here, next to her.
The Apothecarium , four spots close together: read the scroll and Rift Spawn appears. Hit the creature until it stops resisting, then use the chest - a filled coffer is left behind, pick it up. You need 3 - Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16].
The order is the same as in Classic but hasn't been tested on the beta: if something's different, check the quest text in your log. The creatures are level 16–17 and come one at a time: you're 22, so the fights are short.
Anastasia Hartwell: turn in ?Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16], accept !Gathering Materials[15].
The linen is in the bank (Mortimer Montague ) or at the auction house. The gems drop from the Dalaran mages near Ambermill (step).
Undercity, if you have a group for Shadowfang Keep: Keeper Bel'dugur - accept !The Book of Ur[26].
Walk to Silverpine: from Undercity take the road southwest through Tirisfal to the Sepulcher. You can only get the Sepulcher flight path by reaching it on foot.
The Sepulcher, Ambermill, Beren's Peril and new Forever quests
It's an orc's first time here, but skip the early Silverpine quests: they give little experience now. Take the level 20–22 quests around the Sepulcher. At Ambermill you also collect the gems for Gathering Materials[15].
Wool Cloth from the Dalaran mages and refugees goes into Tailoring and Wool Bandages; sell the extra at the auction house.The Sepulcher : Karos Razok - flight path.
The Sepulcher:
Ambermill: 8 Dalaran Wizards and 8 Dalaran Watchers - Watching the Roads[20]; they also drop Dalaran Mana Gem, 6 of them - Gathering Materials[15].
Drops from: Dalaran Mana Gem - Dalaran Apprentice, Dalaran Watcher, Dalaran Wizard and others
Dalaran mages keep casting even while Frost Nova holds them, and they hit with Frost: Frost Ward cast before the fight absorbs that damage. Lure them behind a house or a tree - they'll come to you; sheep the second one. Dalaran Spellscribe (rare, level 21) freezes you and calls for help; protectors summon snakes. Fewer than 6 gems? Kill a couple more mages right here.
Beren's Peril : 6 Ravenclaw Drudgers and 6 Ravenclaw Guardians - Beren's Peril[21].
They drop a Note Scrap - it starts The Offering Stone[23], a new Forever chain. Don't start it: it isn't part of the route, and its last fight is elite.
Pyrewood Village : 5 Haggard Refugees and 5 Sickly Refugees - Stop the Spread[20].
The Sepulcher: Dalar Dawnweaver - turn in ?Stop the Spread[20]; Shadow Priest Allister - turn in ?Watching the Roads[20] and ?Beren's Peril[21].
Rewards: Watching the Roads[20] - 
Roadwatcher's Confidence (+3 Spirit); Beren's Peril[21] - 
Wand of Decay, 15.7 DPS. Equip it only if your wand is weaker: Flaring Baton - 13.7, Gloom Wand - 14.4; Greater Magic Wand and Dusk Wand do 17.5.
Silverpine dungeon · with a group
According to beta data, dungeon quests in Forever give 2–2.5 times more experience than normal ones - the three keep quests are worth it. After that, everything depends on a group for the Ruins of Lordaeron: if you have one, teleport from the Sepulcher to Undercity (step); if not, go from the Sepulcher straight to Hillsbrad (step), and do Gathering Materials[15], your level 24 spells and The Book of Ur[26] (if you went to the keep) in Undercity at 26 (step).
Shadowfang Keep (entrance ), with a group. Inside, Deathstalker Vincent: turn in ?Deathstalkers in Shadowfang[25] (pick 
Ghostly Mantle from the rewards: cloth, +6 Spirit). 
The Book of Ur - in the room where Fenrus the Devourer stands, The Book of Ur[26]; 
Head of Arugal - Arugal Must Die[27].
Drops from: Head of Arugal - Archmage Arugal, Arugal
Worgen are humanoids: before the pull, agree with the tank on who you'll polymorph. Worgs attack in packs - AoE only after the tank; Remove Lesser Curse removes curses from the group. The blade for the rare Comprehension scroll drops from Baron Silverlaine, according to testers (see the “Mage” section).
The Sepulcher, Dalar Dawnweaver: turn in ?Arugal Must Die[27] (reward - 
Seal of Sylvanas: +8 Stamina).
Have a group for the Ruins of Lordaeron? Teleport: Undercity: 10 seconds instead of a flight. Undercity: Morbin Lightbane - accept !Light's Justice[22]; Theodore Griffs - accept !The New Plague[22]. The Ruins themselves are in the ruined capital right above the city.
After the Ruins you'll turn in Gathering Materials[15] right here and learn your level 24 spells (step). No group for the Ruins? Don't teleport: go from the Sepulcher straight to Hillsbrad (step), and do all of this in Undercity at 26 (step).
A new Forever dungeon above Undercity · the class robe and level 24 spells
A group of five, six bosses in any order. The quests are level 21–22, and dungeon quests in Forever give 2–2.5 times more experience than normal ones - one of the most rewarding stops at 20–30. The main reward here is 
Gnarled Necromancer's Staff, the best staff on the route (from The Wrath of Rath'mael[22]). After the Ruins, in Undercity - Gathering Materials[15] → Spellfire Robes[15] and the trainer at 24. No group for the Ruins? Go from the Sepulcher straight to Hillsbrad (step).
Arcane Intellect. Out of mana while the group is already running to the next pack? Evocation (8-minute cooldown) instead of drinking.Before you go in - Deathguard Kristof at the guard post on the road to Brill: accept !The Wrath of Rath'mael[22]. Ruins of Lordaeron with a group (5 players) - the entrance is in the ruins of the capital, immediately to the left as you enter Lordaeron: 25 Intact Limbs - Light's Justice[22]; Rath'mael - The Wrath of Rath'mael[22]; Witherfang drops the toxic strain - The New Plague[22]; Edward's fate - A Frightened Request[22], look for him in the same place as Rath'mael; The Baron drops an abomination head - it starts !Unending Torment[21]; somewhere inside you'll find a crest - !Crest of Lordaeron[22].
Drops from: Intact Limbs - Skeleton, Cadaver, Ragged Ghoul and others
The Ruins are almost all undead, and Polymorph doesn't work on them: your job is damage. Blizzard and Arcane Explosion once the tank has gathered the pack and hit it 2–3 times; Frost Nova - only if the pack runs at the healer.
Once you're out of the Ruins, first go to the guard post on the road to Brill: Deathguard Kristof - turn in ?The Wrath of Rath'mael[22] (reward - Gnarled Necromancer's Staff).
+26 spell power and +10 Spirit - you won't find a stronger staff before 30. The other reward is a two-handed axe - sell it.
Undercity:
Rewards for a mage: The New Plague[22] - 
Blight Gloves (+5 spell power); Unending Torment[21] - 
Slain Baron's Signet if you have a free ring slot; The Book of Ur[26] - 
Tattered Mittens if you don't have gloves from the Ruins (they only give +3 spell damage, the rest is healing); Light's Justice[22] - neither reward is for you, take the one that sells for more.
The tailor Josef Gregorian : turn in ?Gathering Materials[15], accept !Spellfire Robes[15] and turn it in right away ?Spellfire Robes[15] (reward - 
Lesser Spellfire Robes).
+6 Intellect - better than Harlequin Robes.
Level 24, Magic Quarter - Anastasia Hartwell or the trainers next to her: 
Counterspell, Fireball (rank 5), Arcane Missiles (rank 3), Flamestrike (rank 2) and Dampen Magic (rank 2), 40 each.
Also learn Frost Blast here from 24: a 1.5-second cast and a 40% slow help you get your distance back. Counterspell is a must: it interrupts a spell and locks that whole school for 10 seconds - use it on mob healers and casters first. Fireball is for Fire, Arcane Missiles for Arcane, Flamestrike for dungeons, and Dampen Magic can wait. Took the Pyroblast talent? Its rank 2 costs 2. Not 24 yet? You'll learn them here at 26 (step).
Michael Garrett: fly to the Sepulcher. Tabitha Heartweaver - turn in ?A Frightened Request[22] (reward - 
Tabitha's Cuffs).
Cloth bracers: +4 Stamina and +3 spell power. The other reward is a dagger - sell it.
The road southeast into Hillsbrad Foothills: Deathstalker Lesh at the border - accept !Time To Strike[20]. Then follow the road east to Tarren Mill.
Tarren Mill, Durnholde Keep, the Hillsbrad fields and a wand for “Dangerous!”
Tarren Mill is the Forsaken stronghold in Hillsbrad: this is where you turn in Journey to Tarren Mill[18], which you've been carrying since level 22. A mage also gets a wand here: Dangerous![28] rewards Charred Wand; three of its targets are in the fields where you're questing anyway, and the fourth - Miner Hackett (29) - is in the mine to the south (step). Don't go into Southshore (Alliance) - it has guards.
Heavy Brown Bag ≈ 2 - 10 slots.Wool Cloth from the Hillsbrad humans - for Tailoring and Wool Bandages; sell the extra at the auction house.Frost Nova, move 10–15 yards away and Blizzard. You'll learn Cone of Cold at 26 (step); until then, freeze the ones that reach you again (Frost Nova) and step back. In Classic this was an AoE mage spot; it hasn't been tested on the beta. In the other builds your Blizzard doesn't slow - fight one at a time: Frost Nova and step back.Shatter, you almost always crit a frozen target, so the Frost Nova → Ice Lance combo hits even harder; “Frost: Blizzard AoE” - Ice Block in case a pull goes wrong; “Fire: Pyroblast” - Heating Up; “Arcane: Arcane Blast and Wand” - Missile Barrage.Blink, Frost Nova and back off; Counterspell interrupts heals and long casts, if you've learned it already.Tarren Mill:
South first: gray bears and creepers on the way - tongues and ichor, Elixir of Suffering[22]. New in Forever: Deathstalker Masoj by Dun Garok - turn in ?Scout Support[25], accept !Valuable Vantages[25]. The first peak for a vial is southeast of him (Valuable Vantages[25]).
Drops from: Gray Bear Tongue - Gray Bear, Vicious Gray Bear, Elder Gray Bear and others · Creeper Ichor - Elder Moss Creeper, Giant Moss Creeper, Forest Moss Creeper and others
According to beta data, the exact spot where Deathstalker Masoj stands is still being confirmed - follow the quest marker. South of the vantage point, in Dun Garok itself , there are level 28–30 dwarves, and the riflemen shoot from range: approach the vantage point from the north and don't go down.
Durnholde Keep : 10 Syndicate Rogues and 10 Syndicate Watchmen - WANTED: Syndicate Personnel[22]; 5 Vials of Innocent Blood from the shadow mages - Blood of Innocents[23]; Jailor Eston and Jailor Marlgen - the keys to the cells holding Tog'thar and Drull (The Rescue[22]); on the way back to the Mill - the second vantage point (Valuable Vantages[25]).
Drops from: Vial of Innocent Blood - Syndicate Shadow Mage
The Syndicate stand close together - pull them one at a time from the edge and sheep the second one. Shadow mages keep casting even while Frost Nova holds them: kill them first. If you visited the trainer at 24 (step), Counterspell interrupts their casts.
Tarren Mill:
The Rescue[22]: neither reward is for you (Grunt Vest has Strength) - take the one that sells for more. WANTED: Syndicate Personnel[22] gives mail shoulders to sell. You'll turn in Return to Thunder Bluff[23] at Thunder Bluff (at 27).
On the way to the fields - the third peak , above the yeti cave (Valuable Vantages[25]). Hillsbrad Fields : 6 Farmers, 6 Farmhands, Farmer Ray and Farmer Getz - Battle of Hillsbrad[24]; mountain lions - blood, Elixir of Pain[24]. While you're at it, three targets of Dangerous![28]: Citizen Wilkes , Farmer Kalaba and Clerk Horrace Whitesteed in the town hall .
Drops from: Mountain Lion Blood - Starving Mountain Lion, Feral Mountain Lion, Mountain Lion and others
Hillsbrad Footmen shield bash and interrupt your casts - slow them and keep them at range, and don't pull them into an AoE pack. There are guards in the town hall nearby: pull them one at a time. Don't go into Southshore.
Tarren Mill:
Firewalker Boots from the rewards), accept !Elixir of Pain[24].Firewalker Boots is cloth, +5 Spirit and +2 spell power.
Back to the fields:
Drops from: Hillsbrad Human Skull - Farmer Ray, Syndicate Shadow Mage, Syndicate Rogue and others
Miner Hackett is level 29, 3–4 levels above you: more misses and resists. Start with full mana, sheep the miner next to him, Blood Fury with your first spell; when he gets close - Frost Nova and step back. Can't do it at all? Drop Dangerous![28]: the route doesn't come back here.
Tarren Mill: High Executor Darthalia - turn in ?Battle of Hillsbrad[25] and ?Dangerous![28]; Deathguard Samsa - turn in ?Souvenirs of Death[25].
Dangerous![28]: the reward is Charred Wand, 22.2 DPS (Greater Magic Wand - 17.5). Souvenirs of Death[25]: 
Skull Ring (+3 Stamina and +3 Intellect). Leave the follow-ups (Battle of Hillsbrad[26] and on) for 30+.
South to Deathstalker Masoj near Dun Garok: turn in ?Valuable Vantages[25].
With a staff, both rewards are for selling: take the one that sells for more. Fighting with the dagger Quilboar Toothpick? Take 
Expended Apothecary Vial for your off hand: +3 Intellect and +3 Spirit.
Hearthstone to Undercity, level 26 spells, teleport to Orgrimmar
Hillsbrad is done - hearthstone to Undercity for the trainer at 26, then home with Teleport: Orgrimmar: no zeppelin needed.
Rune of Teleportation in your bags.Counterspell: against priests, shamans, warlocks and mages, interrupt a heal or a long cast and that whole school is locked for 10 seconds. It's useless against rogues and warriors - there Frost Nova, Cone of Cold and Blink save you.From Dun Garok - Hearthstone → Undercity.
Haven't done Shadowfang Keep and only found a group now? Keeper Bel'dugur is right here - accept The Book of Ur[26]. Then Michael Garrett: fly to the Sepulcher; there High Executor Hadrec - accept Deathstalkers in Shadowfang[25], Dalar Dawnweaver - accept Arugal Must Die[27]. Then run the keep, turn in at the Sepulcher and fly back to Undercity.
Magic Quarter, level 26 - Anastasia Hartwell or the trainers next to her: Cone of Cold, Frost Nova (rank 2) and Frostbolt (rank 5), 50 each. Skipped the trainer at 24? Get the level 24 spells too (list). Didn't go to the Ruins? The tailor Josef Gregorian : turn in Gathering Materials[15], accept and turn in right away Spellfire Robes[15] (Lesser Spellfire Robes). Did Shadowfang and haven't turned in The Book of Ur[26] yet? Keeper Bel'dugur .
Cone of Cold slows everything in front of you by 40% for 6 seconds: the freeze wore off - cone, step back, Frostbolt. If Anastasia Hartwell offers you Speak with Deino, the robe chain has been opened to orcs: let us know and we'll add it to the route. While you're here, sell the wool and everything else you don't need at the auction house, and if you didn't get Charred Wand, look for Lesser Mystic Wand there (level 26, 25.4 DPS).
Teleport: Orgrimmar - straight to Orgrimmar, no zeppelin needed.
Out of runes? Hannah Akeley in the Magic Quarter (in the game files).
The Ashenvale Hunt, turn-ins in Thunder Bluff, Sun Rock Retreat, the Charred Vale
The Sun Rock Retreat chains lead into Ashenvale and Thousand Needles - so the mountains first, then the forest. Along the way you do two quests from Thunder Bluff.
Fire Ward (if you learned it at 20) absorbs their damage.Blink and Frost Nova ready.You're in Orgrimmar: Warcaller Gorlach - accept !The Ashenvale Hunt[20]. Doras: fly to Thunder Bluff.
Thunder Bluff:
The Flying Machine Airport[23] and Pigments for Paints[26] are done in Stonetalon, The Sacred Flame[25] in Ashenvale; you'll turn them in right here at 29 (step).
Fly to Sun Rock Retreat:
Mirkfallon Lake : 
Mirkweed Pods - 30 of them in the water and on the shore, Pigments for Paints[26]. There are no mobs at the lake.
Stonetalon Peak in the north : 4 each of Sons of Cenarius, Daughters of Cenarius and Cenarion Botanists - Cenarius' Legacy[25].
Daughters of Cenarius heal themselves - Counterspell interrupts their heals. The Cenarion mobs stand in twos and threes: pull them one at a time. The rare elite Sorrow Wing (27) flies around here - it drains health.
The Charred Vale in the southwest:
Drops from: Incendrites - Rogue Flame Spirit, Burning Ravager, Burning Destroyer · Glittering Sunstone - Bloodfury Harpy, Bloodfury Roguefeather, Bloodfury Slayer and others
Harpies are humanoids: sheep the second one. Bloodfury Slayers can execute you when your health is low - kill them first. Go around the rare elite Sister Riven (28).
Sun Rock Retreat:
Rewards: New Life[25] - Windseeker Boots (cloth, +6 Spirit); Bloodfury Trinkets[26] - 
Harpy Claw Ring (+5 Spirit). Arachnophobia[21] still in your log? Besseleth is now doable solo - , turn it in right here.
Windshear Crag, the Venture Co. airport : place the sprayer - The Flying Machine Airport[23].
Talondeep Path → Ashenvale.
Didn't visit western Ashenvale at 22? Not far from the tunnel exit, Va'xug Firefure - Never Coming Back[22] and A Void Path[22], new Forever quests.
Splintertree Post, Thistlefur, Zoram'gar · the best wand before 30
Splintertree Post is a big Horde quest hub. The eastern loop first, then Zoram'gar and, if you have a group, Blackfathom Deeps: Blackfathom Villainy[27] from there gives Gravestone Scepter, the best wand before 30. You'll also finish The Sacred Flame[25] from Thunder Bluff here.
Wool Cloth and your first 
Silk Cloth: for Tailoring, bandages or the auction house.Cone of Cold will hold off the pursuit.Splintertree Post: Vhulgra - flight path; Innkeeper Kaylisk - set your hearthstone in Splintertree.
Splintertree:
The eastern loop:
Drops from: Satyr Horns - Xavian Rogue, Xavian Betrayer, Xavian Felsworn and others
Pull the guards one at a time; if both come at you - sheep one, Frost Nova the other and step back. Satyrs are demons: you can't sheep them.
The south and Mystral Lake:
The rare Eck'alom (27) stuns for 15 seconds - leave it alone. You can't sheep the water elementals.
Splintertree Post:
Torek's Assault[24]: pick 
Polished Walking Staff from the rewards, +16 spell power and +7 Intellect. If you have Gnarled Necromancer's Staff or Crescent Staff, they're stronger: take whichever sells for more.
Zoram'gar (fly if you got the flight path at 22, otherwise walk west): Andruk - flight path; Je'neu Sancrea - turn in ?Je'neu of the Earthen Ring[27] and ?Trouble in the Deeps[22]; Karang Amakkar - accept !Between a Rock and a Thistlefur[24]; Mitsuwa - accept !Troll Charm[24].
Je'neu of the Earthen Ring[27]: pick Soft Willow Cape from the rewards, +5 Intellect. No Zoram'gar flight path? It's about 8–10 minutes on foot (an estimate); give Astranaar a wide berth: the Alliance guards will attack.
Thistlefur Village : Thistlefur Avengers and Shamans - Between a Rock and a Thistlefur[24]; 8 Troll Charms in the cave - Troll Charm[24]; Ruul Snowhoof - accept !Freedom to Ruul[24] and escort him (Freedom to Ruul[24]).
Clear the way to the village exit before the escort - you'll be attacked on the way. Furbolgs are humanoids: sheep the second one. Shamans heal themselves - Counterspell interrupts their heals.
Zoram'gar: Karang Amakkar - turn in ?Between a Rock and a Thistlefur[24], accept !King of the Foulweald[26]; Mitsuwa - turn in ?Troll Charm[24]. Hearthstone → Splintertree Post.
West of Splintertree, the Foulweald, Greenpaw Village : plant the banner at the totem and fight off the furbolg waves, Chief Murgut comes last - King of the Foulweald[26]. Back at Splintertree: Yama Snowhoof - turn in ?Freedom to Ruul[24].
The furbolgs come in twos and threes: sheep one, Frost Nova the rest and cast Frostbolts as you step back; as “Frost: Blizzard AoE” - Blizzard on the whole wave while it's frozen. Start with full mana.
Fly to Zoram'gar, Karang Amakkar: turn in ?King of the Foulweald[26].
Both rewards are leather and mail: take whichever sells for more.
Blackfathom Deeps with a group (through the ruins on the Zoram Strand ). Before you go: Je'neu Sancrea - accept !The Essence of Aku'Mai[22] and !Amongst the Ruins[27]. Inside: 20 Sapphires of Aku'Mai - The Essence of Aku'Mai[22]; 
Damp Note starts !Allegiance to the Old Gods[22]; 
Fathom Core - Amongst the Ruins[27]; Baron Aquanis drops 
Strange Water Globe, which starts !Baron Aquanis[30]; Argent Guard Thaelrid - accept !Blackfathom Villainy[27]: Twilight Lord Kelris drops the head (Blackfathom Villainy[27]).
Half the dungeon is underwater: watch your breath bar and only fight in the water near the air bubbles. Naga are humanoids, so you can sheep them; Counterspell interrupts the priests and oracles who heal.
After Blackfathom, Zoram'gar, Je'neu Sancrea: turn in ?The Essence of Aku'Mai[22], ?Amongst the Ruins[27], ?Allegiance to the Old Gods[22] and ?Baron Aquanis[30].
Baron Aquanis[30]: 
Witch's Finger is an off-hand item - you can't use it with a staff: take whichever sells for more.
Fly from Zoram'gar to Thunder Bluff.
Skipped Blackfathom? Fly right after the Foulweald.
Turn-ins, the Gravestone Scepter and the trainer at 28 · a new Forever camp on Skywatcher Plateau
Turn-ins of the Stonetalon and Ashenvale quests, the trainer at 28 - and something new in Forever: in northwestern Mulgore, above Thunder Bluff, an Earthen Ring camp on Skywatcher Plateau. Three level 30 quests worth ~2.5 thousand experience each, and the level 27–29 mobs are spiders - that is, beasts: you can sheep them.
Thunder Bluff:
Blackfathom Villainy[27]: the reward is Gravestone Scepter, 29 DPS: the best wand before 30.
Level 28, Spirit Rise - Thurston Xane : 
Conjure Mana Agate, Arcane Intellect (rank 3), Blizzard (rank 2), Mana Shield (rank 2) and Scorch (rank 2), 70 each. Took the Ice Lance talent? Its rank 2 costs 30.
Conjure Mana Agate is mana in the middle of a fight (375–425): conjure it right away and keep it in your bags. Arcane Intellect is a must. Blizzard - for “Frost: Blizzard AoE”, Mana Shield and Scorch - optional. Not 28 yet? You'll learn them here at 30 (step).
Skywatcher Plateau northwest of Thunder Bluff : Muln Earthfury - accept !Defending the Dead[30], and if you have a group, !The Broodmother[31] too; Yorn Grimtotem - accept !Stronger than Steel[30]; Mazu'kon - accept !Talkin' bout Toxins, Mon[30].
Thunder Bluff has two elevators - on the southwest and northeast sides. The plateau is northwest of the bluff: take either one down and go around the bluff (which elevator is closer hasn't been checked yet).
Gloomrise at the northern edge of Mulgore : Gloomrise Hatchling and Gloomrise Soldier - Defending the Dead[30]; Gloomrise Spinner - 3 strands of Crystalline Silk, Stronger than Steel[30]; Gnawed Corpse - 5 Gloomrise Toxin Samples with the Toxin Extractor from the quest, Talkin' bout Toxins, Mon[30].
The spiders move in packs: pull from the edge, sheep the second one, and Frost Nova or Cone of Cold the ones that run up. As “Frost: Blizzard AoE” - Blizzard on the pack while it's frozen.
Group only: Broodmother Valraxx (level 31 elite) - The Broodmother[31]. She drops 
Bloody Parchment, which starts !A Darker Truth[30].
Skywatcher Plateau:
Spidersilk Pouch with 12 slots)The Broodmother[31]: the reward is 
Transformative Cocoon: it absorbs damage and stuns you for 5 seconds, then gives +60% speed for 8 seconds. Good for escaping.
Back to Thunder Bluff by the same elevator. Tal: fly to Camp Taurajo.
Is your level 29 experience bar less than half full? Do the Southern Barrens first (about 15 thousand experience, by an estimate), otherwise Thousand Needles might not be enough to reach 30.
Razormane camps, Bael Modan, a dungeon
About 15 thousand experience near Taurajo, on the way to Thousand Needles. Useful if you're short of 30 or you've got a group for Razorfen Kraul.
Camp Taurajo: Mangletooth - accept !Betrayal from Within[25]; Tatternack Steelforge - accept !Weapons of Choice[24]. Didn't take Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23] at 21, or abandoned it? Grunt Logmar: take it now - you can handle the pillager solo by now (step).
Betrayal from Within[25] is only offered if you've turned in Blood Shards of Agamaggan[21]: didn't do it at 20? First accept and turn in Blood Shards of Agamaggan[21] (you need one Blood Shard from the Bristlebacks).
The Razormane camps in the south:
Drops from: Razormane Backstabber - Razormane Pathfinder, Razormane Stalker · Charred Razormane Wand - Razormane Seer · Razormane War Shield - Razormane Warfrenzy
Kuz is a mage: Frostbolt, Frost Nova and Fire Blast. Interrupt his casts with Counterspell and sheep his guards.
The Dustwallow Marsh border : soldiers and the elite pillager - Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23], if you took it now.
The soldiers are humanoids: sheep the second one. Open on the pillager with full mana, Blood Fury with your first spell, and keep Frost Nova ready: at 29 you can solo him.
Gann Stonespire : accept !Gann's Reclamation[23]. Bael Modan : 15 Excavators, 5 Foremen and the prospector's journal - Gann's Reclamation[23].
Bael'dun Officers speed up their attacks - kill them first, and sheep the second dwarf.
Gann Stonespire: turn in ?Gann's Reclamation[23], accept !Revenge of Gann[26] - 6 each of Nitroglycerin, Wood Pulp and Sodium Nitrate from the dwarves (Revenge of Gann[26]); turn in ?Revenge of Gann[26], accept !Revenge of Gann[26] and blow up the flying machine (Revenge of Gann[26]); turn in ?Revenge of Gann[26].
Drops from: Nitroglycerin - Bael'dun Soldier, Bael'dun Rifleman, Bael'dun Officer and others · Wood Pulp - Bael'dun Soldier, Bael'dun Rifleman, Bael'dun Officer and others · Sodium Nitrate - Bael'dun Soldier, Bael'dun Rifleman, Bael'dun Officer and others
Revenge of Gann[26]: the reward is 
Totemic Clan Ring (+3 Intellect and +3 Spirit).
Razorfen Kraul (entrance ), with a group: inside, in a cage - Willix the Importer. Free him, accept !Willix the Importer[30], escort him to the exit (Willix the Importer[30]) and turn in ?Willix the Importer[30] - a ring of your choice. The last boss, Charlga Razorflank, drops a heart - A Vengeful Fate[34], if you took the quest.
For a mage - 
Snake Hoop: +5 Intellect and +6 spell power. The boars and quilboar come in packs - the best AoE spot before 30, but only after the tank; quilboar can be sheeped.
Camp Taurajo:
Weapons of Choice[24]: 
Everglow Lantern is an off-hand item - you can't use it with a staff, and a mage doesn't need 
Demolition Hammer: take whichever sells for more.
Freewind Post, the Galak centaurs, the sacred flame · spells and a teleport in Thunder Bluff
This is where you finish level 30, then a short flight to Thunder Bluff: the trainer at 30 and 
Teleport: Thunder Bluff. Set aside about 640 for 30: the spells are 80 each, 560 for all of them, and the teleport is another 80. The rest of Thousand Needles is already part of 30+.
Heavy Brown Bag ≈ 2 - 10 slots.Teleport: Thunder Bluff: keep your hearthstone out in the field and teleport to any of the three Horde capitals.Ice Armor: anyone hitting you in melee is slowed by 30% and attacks more slowly - against rogues and warriors it's a mage's best armor.From Taurajo, head south to the Great Lift and ride it down into Thousand Needles: Grish Longrunner - turn in ?Calling in the Reserves[28]; Brave Moonhorn - accept !Message to Freewind Post[25].
Freewind Post:
Galak centaurs - Pacify the Centaur[25]; the ancient brazier north of their camp - the cloven hoof, The Sacred Flame[29]; the Alien Egg in one of three places - , or - Alien Egg[26]. Dorn Plainstalker : accept !Test of Faith[26], jump off his platform (Test of Faith[26]) and turn in ?Test of Faith[26] - the start of the trials that lead to the Scarlet Monastery.
Galak Windchasers cast spells - start with them; Counterspell interrupts their casts. Centaurs are humanoids: sheep the second one. Thousand Needles is all cliffs: near the edge of a mesa, only press Blink with your back to the drop - it moves you in the direction you're facing.
Freewind:
The Sacred Flame[29]: neither reward is for you - take the one that sells for more. Not 30 yet? Finish it right here: Cliffwatcher Longhorn now offers Grimtotem Spying[28] - three notes in crates on Darkcloud Pinnacle , in the Grimtotem tauren camp (reward - 
Desert Shoulders: +5 Intellect and +5 Spirit); Elu - Wind Rider[29]: 10 wyvern eggs at Highperch in the west . Both quests go back to whoever gave them.
Level 30. Nyse: fly to Thunder Bluff. Spirit Rise - Thurston Xane : Ice Armor, 
Conjure Water (rank 4), Fireball (rank 6), Arcane Explosion (rank 3), Fire Blast (rank 4), Fire Ward (rank 2) and Amplify Magic (rank 2), 80 each; skipped 28? Get the level 28 spells too (list). Portal trainer Birgitte Cranston : Teleport: Thunder Bluff (80). Took A Vengeful Fate[34] and got the heart? Auld Stonespire : turn in ?A Vengeful Fate[34].
Ice Armor and Conjure Water are must-haves; the rest depends on your tree and your money. The level 30 talent is the tree's 21st point: Fingers of Frost, Cold Snap, Blast Wave or Presence of Mind. Took the Arcane Blast talent? Its rank 2 costs 80; with the Pyroblast talent, its rank 3 costs 4. A Vengeful Fate[34]: the reward is Berylline Pads, +10 Intellect and +7 spell power.
Hearthstone → Freewind Post.
What's next (30+): the rest of Thousand Needles, Ordanus[29] → The Den[29] in Stonetalon, the Shimmering Flats, Hillsbrad and the Arathi Highlands, “Excavation Site: Wetlands” and the Scarlet Monastery. At 30 the mage class chain for a wand opens too: according to Wowhead, Ursyn Ghull in Thunder Bluff gives the first quest, Journey to the Marsh. That will be the next part of the guide.
Quests offered far from the entrance, and what a mage does in a group
Polymorph is your main job. Before a pack, agree with the tank on who you sheep (usually the target with the moon). Polymorph only works on beasts and humanoids - you can't sheep undead or elementals. Any damage wakes the sheep: don't AoE next to it.Arcane Explosion (from 14) and Blizzard (from 20) are a mage's main damage in dungeons.Frost Nova only as a last resort: frozen mobs hit whoever is closest, and that's often the healer.Frost Channeling (Frost) and 
Burning Soul (Fire) lower your threat by 30%.Remove Lesser Curse (from 18) removes curses from the group, Counterspell (from 24) interrupts mob heals and dangerous spells. Orcs also have Shatter Curse: it removes curses from yourself and gives −5% magic damage taken for 8 seconds.Arcane Intellect on everyone. “Mage, water!” has been the number one request to mages since Classic: make it in advance, not in the middle of a fight.Staff of OrgrimmarFor a mage: the end of the chain is Hidden Enemies[16], and the reward is Staff of Orgrimmar, the best staff until 20. Troggs and cultists can be sheeped; hit the fire elementals with Frost. No group? Don't take a single quest from here.
Deviate Hide Pack (10 slots) and the wand Sizzle StickCrescent Staff (+26 spell power)Glowing Shard drops from Mutanus the DevourerFor a mage: the Druids of the Fang heal themselves and put you to sleep - they're humanoids, so sheep them. Packs of deviate raptors are your AoE targets, but only after the tank.
The Wrath of Rath'mael[22]: the reward is Gnarled Necromancer's Staff, +26 spell power, the best staff on the route. You can't sheep undead: your job here is damage and water for the group.
The run itself is at 23–24 (step). Worgs attack in packs - AoE after the tank; Remove Lesser Curse removes curses from the group. Baron Silverlaine drops a blade; according to testers, a rare Comprehension scroll turns it into a sword for mages (see the “Mage” section).
Blackfathom Villainy[27]: the reward is Gravestone Scepter, the best wand before 30. Naga are humanoids, so you can sheep them.
The packs of boars and quilboar are the best AoE spot before 30, but only after the tank. Geomancers and Charlga Razorflank heal themselves - Counterspell interrupts their heals.
What to train and where, how to fight, how to drink less and what's different in Forever - up to level 30
Fireball by 20–33%, Frostbolt by up to 23% from rank 2), but there's more spell power on gear and it works better. Frost Nova hits harder, Arcane Intellect lasts an hour, Cone of Cold slows by 40% for 6 seconds (it used to be 50% and 8). New talents at 20: Ice Lance and Arcane Blast; Ice Block is a level 25 talent and Cold Snap a level 30 one, with a 10-minute cooldown. Low ranks scale worse with spell power and trigger effects less often - cast your highest ranks. Since September 24, wands get no damage from spell power. The new minor skill is Comprehension (see below).How to kill a mob (Frost, before 20). Frostbolt from range, then a second one while the mob runs at you: it's slowed and takes a while to get there. If it reaches you - Frost Nova (from 10), move more than 10 yards away and keep casting. Almost dead? Use your wand or Fire Blast, not another bolt: spending mana stops your mana regeneration for 5 seconds. A second mob goes into a sheep (Polymorph, from 8). From 20 in Frost: Frost Nova, step back, then Ice Lance on the frozen target while the ice holds. Always keep Frost Armor and Arcane Intellect on yourself, and recast them after you die.
Where an orc trains. 1–6 - Mai'ah in the Valley of Trials. 6, 8 and 10 - Un'Thuwa in Sen'jin Village: Razor Hill has no mage trainer. From 12 - Orgrimmar's Valley of Spirits: Uthel'nay , Pephredo , Enyo and Deino . The Barrens have no trainer: you learn the level 18 spells together with the level 20 ones in Orgrimmar (step). Further along the route: 22, 28 and 30 - Spirit Rise in Thunder Bluff (Thurston Xane ; 22, 28, 30), 24 and 26 - the Magic Quarter in Undercity (Anastasia Hartwell ; 24, 26).
| Lvl | Spells | Cost | Take it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arcane Intellect | 10 | Yes; you start with Fireball and Frost Armor |
| 4 | Frostbolt, Conjure Water | 1 each | Yes - from now on you make your own water |
| 6 | Conjure Food, Fire Blast, Fireball (rank 2) | 1 each | Yes |
| 6 | Comprehend Scroll | - | New in Forever - for Comprehension scrolls, taught by Un'Thuwa |
| 8 | Polymorph, Frostbolt (rank 2), Arcane Missiles | 2 each | Polymorph and Frostbolt - yes; Arcane Missiles - for Arcane |
| 10 | Frost Nova, Conjure Water (rank 2), Frost Armor (rank 2) | 4 each | Yes - Frost Nova changes every fight |
| 12 | Conjure Food (rank 2), Fireball (rank 3), Dampen Magic, Slow Fall | 6 each | Food - yes; Fireball - for Fire; the rest can wait |
| 14 | Frostbolt (rank 3), Arcane Intellect (rank 2), Arcane Explosion, Fire Blast (rank 2) | 9 each | Yes |
| 16 | Arcane Missiles (rank 2), Flamestrike | 15 each | Can wait in Frost |
| 18 | Remove Lesser Curse, Amplify Magic, Fireball (rank 4) | 18 each | Remove Lesser Curse - for dungeons; the rest depends on your tree |
| 20 | Blink, Blizzard, Evocation, Frostbolt (rank 4), Conjure Water (rank 3), Polymorph (rank 2), Frost Armor (rank 3), Mana Shield, Fire Ward | 20 each | Yes - a mage's key level; Fire Ward can wait |
| 20 | Teleport: Orgrimmar, Teleport: Undercity | 20 each + a rune | Only portal trainers teach them: Thuul in Orgrimmar, Lexington Mortaim in Undercity |
| 20 | Ice Lance, Arcane Blast or Pyroblast | talent | The tree's 11th point - see “Leveling talents” |
| 22 | Conjure Food (rank 3), Arcane Explosion (rank 2), Fire Blast (rank 3), Frost Ward, Scorch | 30 each | Conjure Food, Arcane Explosion and Fire Blast - yes; Frost doesn't need Scorch |
| 24 | Counterspell, Fireball (rank 5), Arcane Missiles (rank 3), Flamestrike (rank 2), Dampen Magic (rank 2) | 40 each | Counterspell - yes; also Frost Blast; the rest depends on your tree |
| 24 | Pyroblast (rank 2) | 2 | Only if you took the Pyroblast talent |
| 26 | Cone of Cold, Frost Nova (rank 2), Frostbolt (rank 5) | 50 each | Yes |
| 28 | Arcane Intellect (rank 3), Blizzard (rank 2), Conjure Mana Agate, Mana Shield (rank 2), Scorch (rank 2) | 70 each | Conjure Mana Agate and Arcane Intellect - yes; Blizzard - if you AoE |
| 28 | Ice Lance (rank 2) | 30 | Only if you took Ice Lance |
| 30 | Ice Armor, Conjure Water (rank 4), Fireball (rank 6), Arcane Explosion (rank 3), Fire Blast (rank 4), Fire Ward (rank 2), Amplify Magic (rank 2) | 80 each | Ice Armor and Conjure Water - yes; the rest depends on your tree |
| 30 | Teleport: Thunder Bluff | 80 + a rune | Only Birgitte Cranston in Thunder Bluff |
| 30 | Arcane Blast (rank 2), Pyroblast (rank 3) | 80 and 4 | Only with your tree's talent |
Prices are from the mage page on Wowhead Forever (beta). Training everything up to level 20 costs about 3.7 gold, including the teleport to Orgrimmar; from 22 to 30 it's about 15 gold more, 6.4 of that at 30. Skip what can wait and you'll save a couple of gold. And keep saving: at 40, riding training costs 100 gold (the first mount itself is free).
Frostbolt slows, Frost Nova holds, and from 20 Ice Lance hits several times harder on a frozen target. The safest and fastest tree for solo play.Frostbolt. Pyroblast (the level 20 talent) opens a fight from range, and an orc gets to use Blood Fury before it.Arcane Blast from 20. You drink less than anyone, but mobs reach you more often. Without an enchanter you won't have a wand of your own in Durotar until 16–17, so this tree comes alive late.Blood Fury - in Forever it's +10% attack power and spell power for 15 seconds, 3-minute cooldown; there's no healing penalty anymore. The bonus is based on the spell power from your gear: before 20 it's small, by 30 it's more noticeable. Press it with your first spell on an elite and in tough fights; as Fire, use it first and follow up with Pyroblast.Shatter Curse (new) - removes all curses with no immunity afterward, and for 8 seconds you take 5% less magic damage; 3-minute cooldown. Against casters and elite spellcasters it's your shield, and you only get Remove Lesser Curse at 18.Hardiness - stuns are 20% shorter: useful in PvP against warriors and rogues.Conjure Water from level 4, Conjure Food from 6. Water ranks come at 4, 10, 20 and 30; food at 6, 12, 22 and 32. Learn a new rank the same day: higher-rank water restores noticeably more.Frostbite and Clearcasting less often - the Classic habit of “rank 1 for the slow” doesn't work here.Evocation (from 20, 8-minute cooldown) replaces drinking when a tough fight leaves you with zero mana. Conjure Mana Agate (from 28) is mana in the middle of a fight - conjure it in advance.Frost Channeling (Frost), Master of Elements (Fire), Arcane Meditation and Arcane Concentration (Arcane). Ley Orb from Ju-Ju Heaps[10] gives 80–240 mana once every 30 minutes - but only if you're not holding a two-handed staff.Polymorph (from 8) only works on beasts and humanoids. A second mob runs up? Sheep it, finish the first one, then the second. A sheep heals quickly - leave it alone until you're ready.Frost Nova (from 10, 25-second cooldown) freezes everything around you for 8 seconds. Move more than 10 yards away and then attack; damage can break the freeze early.Frost Nova holds them. Kill them first or pull them around a corner - they'll come to you; from 24 - Counterspell.Blink (from 20) removes stuns and roots. Watch where you're going: teleporting into the next pack or off a cliff is a classic.Mana Shield (from 20) costs 2 mana per point of damage absorbed - it's for emergencies, not for every mob.Arcane Explosion (from 14) only hits up close and is expensive. It's good against three or more weak mobs that Frost Nova is already holding.Frost Nova, move 10–15 yards away and cast Blizzard on them. When they reach you - Frost Nova again or Cone of Cold (from 26), step back and cast it again.Improved Blizzard slows by 40% at most, Cone of Cold by 40% for 6 seconds. Start with two or three mobs, not ten.Ice Block saved you.
Shoot) costs no mana and doesn't stop mana regeneration - that's what you finish mobs with. In Frost it saves mana, and in Arcane, with the Wand Specialization talent, it's half your damage.Lesser Magic Wand - Enchanting 10, the auction house or an enchanter friend (step). No quest in Durotar gives a wand.Smoldering Wand (level 15) and Gloom Wand (level 16) (step). 17–18: Flaring Baton from The Escape[18] (step) - almost the same, so don't spend money twice.Greater Magic Wand - Enchanting 70 or an enchanter friend. Alternatives: Sizzle Stick from the Wailing Caverns (step), and from 20 - Burning Wand and Dusk Wand: according to the game files, Katis sells them (all three do 17.5 DPS). Wand of Decay from Beren's Peril[21] in Silverpine (step) is weaker, 15.7.Charred Wand from Dangerous![28] in Hillsbrad (step) - 22.2 DPS, or Lesser Mystic Wand (25.4) - Enchanting 155 or the auction house. 29: Gravestone Scepter from Blackfathom Villainy[27] in Blackfathom Deeps (step) - 29, the best wand before 30. Without a group - Combustible Wand (level 29, 25.9): according to the game files, Katis in Orgrimmar sells it.Teleport: Orgrimmar and Teleport: Undercity come at 20, Teleport: Thunder Bluff at 30. They're taught by portal trainers, not mage trainers, and each one only teaches the teleport to their own city: Thuul (Orgrimmar, 20), Lexington Mortaim (Undercity, 20), Birgitte Cranston (Thunder Bluff, 80).Rune of Teleportation (≈ 10, stacks to 10). According to the game files, reagent vendors sell the runes: Hagrus and Horthus in Orgrimmar, Hula'mahi at the Crossroads, Hannah Akeley in Undercity.Teleport: Orgrimmar replaces the flight from Thunder Bluff to the zeppelin at 22 (step) and the zeppelin itself from Undercity at 26 (step), and Teleport: Undercity replaces the flight from the Sepulcher to Undercity before the Ruins of Lordaeron (step). Keep your hearthstone at the camp where you turn in quests. Two runes before 30, three if you go to the Ruins of Lordaeron with a group.Slow Fall (from 12) needs Light Feather, and the Forever database has no feather vendor yet - learn it once you find feathers.Bent Staff and apprentice gear, the same as a troll mage's.Primitive Walking Stick (Vile Familiars[4]), 10 - Ley Staff (Ju-Ju Heaps[10]), 11 - Makeshift Stormcaller (Stormy Potential[11], +4 spell power), 16 - Staff of Orgrimmar (Hidden Enemies[16], Ragefire Chasm, with a group), 18–22 - Cauldron Stirrer (Apothecary Zamah[15]) or Crescent Staff (Leaders of the Fang[22], Wailing Caverns, with a group), 21 - Wind Rider Staff (Cry of the Thunderhawk[20], solo, step), 22 - Clear Crystal Rod (Arachnophobia[21], an elite - with a partner), 24 - Gnarled Necromancer's Staff (The Wrath of Rath'mael[22], Ruins of Lordaeron, with a group, step) - the best before 30. Without the Ruins, at 28 - Polished Walking Staff (Torek's Assault[24], step). The dagger Quilboar Toothpick (Chol'aruk the Ravener[21], an elite - with a partner) gives +16 spell power, but you have to learn Daggers.Soft Wool Boots, Soft Wool Vest, Ripped Pants, Dirt-trodden Boots, Mogra's Friendship Bracelet, Banshee Armor (+3 Stamina), Wayfaring Gloves (+3 Spirit), Barkeeper's Cloak. The other rewards here are leather, mail and melee weapons: sell them.Grassland Sash (Consumed by Hatred[20]), Harlequin Robes (Egg Hunt[22]), Ghostly Mantle (Deathstalkers in Shadowfang[25], with a group), Blight Gloves and Tabitha's Cuffs (Ruins of Lordaeron), Firewalker Boots (Elixir of Pain[24]), Skull Ring (Souvenirs of Death[25]), Windseeker Boots (New Life[25]), Soft Willow Cape (Je'neu of the Earthen Ring[27]).Ley Staff or Ley Orb; Spellfire Robes[15] - Lesser Spellfire Robes (+6 Intellect).Ley Staff or Ley Orb. Speak with Un'thuwa[10] from the Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff trainers just sends you to him - you don't need it.Linen Cloth (10) and Dalaran Mana Gem (6) from the Dalaran mages near Ambermill (turned in to Josef Gregorian). The reward is Lesser Spellfire Robes. On the route: Report to Anastasia[15] - at 20 in Orgrimmar (step), Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16] - at 22–23 in Undercity (step), the gems - at Ambermill (step), the turn-in - after the Ruins of Lordaeron (step) or at 26 (step).Comprehend Scroll, taught by Un'Thuwa from level 6 (step); the button is in the General tab of your spellbook.Frost Nova (and from 20 also Blink) is on cooldown, don't pull the next one.Frost Armor on: a mob that hits you gets slowed. It drops when you die - put it back on, along with Arcane Intellect.Frost Nova and back off.Frost Nova ready. If it goes wrong - Polymorph on one and run to the guards.What to take, where to learn it and what to collect - up to level 30
Lesser Magic Wand at skill 10, Greater Magic Wand at 70), and the tailored gear you don't need gets disenchanted. Both professions are taught in Orgrimmar at 12. If someone in your group is an enchanter who makes wands for everyone, take gathering professions for gold: Herbalism and Skinning or Mining.Lesser Magic Wand: Enchanting 10, 
Lesser Magic Essence and 
Simple Wood. You need Runed Copper Rod, which is made from 
Copper Rod.Greater Magic Wand: Enchanting 70, essences and Simple Wood. The materials cost about 15 silver - skill is the only thing holding you back.Lesser Magic Essence and 
Strange Dust - in Orgrimmar, Kithas ; stock is limited. Check on the spot whether they sell them on the beta; if they do, buy some every time you're in town.
Mining for Dummies (Mining), Wild Harvest (Herbalism) or 
Pelt Collecting for Beginners (Skinning). A mage only needs it if you take a gathering profession.Linen Bandage from linen, from skill 40 - 
Heavy Linen Bandage, then wool ones. In Forever, First Aid also makes healing potions.Comprehend Scroll). Details are in the “Mage” section.Linen Cloth at 1–20, Wool Cloth at 20–30 - from humanoids. It goes into Tailoring and bandages; sell the extra at the auction house. Linen Cloth: put 10 in the Orgrimmar bank at 12 - the class quest Gathering Materials[15] asks for them at 23.Only what matters for this route
Polymorph, Blink, teleports from 20, and conjuring your own water and food.Makeshift Stormcaller: the first such staff on this route.Ice Lance (the 11th Frost point, level 20; rank 2 from the trainer at 28), Arcane Blast (the 11th Arcane point, rank 2 at 30), Fingers of Frost, Missile Barrage, Heating Up, Improved Fire Blast.Ice Block - the 16th Frost point (level 25), Cold Snap - the 21st (level 30), 10-minute cooldown.Cone of Cold slows by 40% for 6 seconds, Improved Blizzard by 40% at most. Low ranks trigger Frostbite and Clearcasting less often.Arcane Meditation - 50% mana regeneration while casting, Master of Elements also returns mana on Frost crits, Arcane Intellect lasts an hour, Dampen Magic and Amplify Magic are 50% stronger.Blood Fury now boosts spell power too, with no healing penalty; the new racial is Shatter Curse, against curses and magic. What they give a mage - see the “Mage” section, the “Orc mage: racials” card.Frost Nova plus Ice Lance is the most talked-about combo of the beta, and testers are asking for a nerf. Casting Arcane Intellect on a PvP-flagged player flags you too - on “Normal” rulesets as well. Against an enemy warlock - Shatter Curse.Where to train, the hearthstone, dangerous mobs, what not to forget
| Lvl | Key points | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Glyphic Parchment[1]; Frostbolt and Conjure Water at 4, Conjure Food at 6 - Mai'ah | Boar meat - for Cooking |
| 6–7 | Sen'jin: Un'Thuwa - Comprehend Scroll | A gathering book only if a friend will make your wand |
| 7–9 | Hearthstone in Razor Hill, First Aid | No mage trainer in Razor Hill |
| 9–10 | Sen'jin: Polymorph at 8, Frost Nova at 10; Ju-Ju Heaps[10] | The Admiral's Orders[7] - keep it until Orgrimmar |
| 11 | Stormy Potential[11]: Makeshift Stormcaller | Lure witches and casters behind a rock |
| 12 | Orgrimmar: Valley of Spirits, Enchanting and Lesser Magic Wand, city quests | Linen Cloth - put 10 in the bank |
| 13 | Hearthstone - at the Crossroads | The Demon Seed[14]: Banshee Armor - equip it |
| 16 | Orgrimmar: level 14 and 16 spells, a wand, Ragefire Chasm | The Meats to Orgrimmar[10] chain - orcs and trolls only |
| 17–18 | The Escape[18]: Flaring Baton; the Taurajo flight path | Apothecary Zamah[15] is timed - only with a group |
| 19–20 | Serena Bloodfeather[20], the Grimtotem tauren | Level 18 spells - at 20 in Orgrimmar |
| 20 | Orgrimmar (step): Blink, Blizzard, Evocation, Teleport: Orgrimmar; Report to Anastasia[15] | Runes (Rune of Teleportation) - the teleport doesn't work without them |
| 21 | Southern Barrens: Cry of the Thunderhawk[20] - Wind Rider Staff | Chol'aruk the Ravener[21] and Wrongly Blamed, Justly Corrected[23] - only with a partner |
| 22 | Thunder Bluff (step): level 22 spells; then Teleport: Orgrimmar and the zeppelin | You've been carrying The Elder Crone[18] and Kaya's Alive[18] since 19 |
| 23 | Undercity (step): Teleport: Undercity, Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16], hearthstone | Linen Cloth from the bank - for Gathering Materials[15] |
| 24 | Ruins of Lordaeron: Gnarled Necromancer's Staff; Undercity: Lesser Spellfire Robes, Counterspell | No group - don't take dungeon quests |
| 25–26 | Hillsbrad: Dangerous![28] - Charred Wand | From Dun Garok - hearth to Undercity |
| 26 | Undercity (step): Cone of Cold, Frost Nova; home with Teleport: Orgrimmar | Speak with Deino isn't offered to orcs yet |
| 27–28 | Stonetalon and Ashenvale: Torek's Assault[24] - Polished Walking Staff | Trouble in the Deeps[22] - even without a group |
| 29 | Thunder Bluff (step): Conjure Mana Agate, Arcane Intellect; Blackfathom - Gravestone Scepter | Ordanus[29] - you'll turn it in at 30+ |
| 30 | Thunder Bluff (step): Ice Armor, Conjure Water and Teleport: Thunder Bluff | Talent resets - at a trainer in a capital |
Teleport: Orgrimmar, from 23 Teleport: Undercity (only taught in Undercity), and from 30 Teleport: Thunder Bluff: keep your hearthstone at the camp where you turn in quests, and teleport to the capitals. On the route: Thunder Bluff → Orgrimmar at 22, the Sepulcher → Undercity at 24, Undercity → Orgrimmar at 26. Don't forget the runes - Rune of Teleportation.Frost Nova holds them: Dustwind Storm Witches, the Burning Blade, Razormane Geomancers, Grimtotem Sorcerers. Kill them first or pull them around a corner.Frost Nova won't help against a caster: it keeps casting while rooted.Frost Nova is on cooldown, and you haven't learned Blink yet.Linen Cloth - but you need 10 for Gathering Materials[15] at 23.Rune of Teleportation) - the teleport doesn't work without one.
Arcane 0
Fire 0
Frost 21
