RaceTroll
Berserking lets a Troll Mage cast 10% faster, and run out of mana about 10% sooner too. This guide takes you to 30 through Durotar, the Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains, the Eastern Kingdoms, Ashenvale, and Thousand Needles. You'll find where to train, when to grab the wand and class quests, and which elites are worth saving the racial for.
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.Small things about your route, mobs, mana, and speed that add up to hours over a whole leveling run
Pick a build for 10-30 and follow its point order
You get your first point at 10 and have 21 by 30. I'd choose Frost: Ice Lance, following Icy Veins, Mobalytics, Method, wow.gg, and Zockify. Before 20, the builds lean on 
Frostbolt and a wand. At 20, the 11th point gives three of the four builds a new spell, 
Ice Lance, 
Arcane Blast, or 
Pyroblast. Further major talents arrive at 25 and 30. Your racial Berserking speeds up casts from any school. Reset at a capital Mage trainer, such as Deino in Orgrimmar. At launch, a reset costs 1 gold or more. That's enough to hurt your early training budget, so choose a point order before you spend it. Hover a talent for its tooltip. The calculator button opens the same build and point order.
Frostbolt to slow a mob, 
Frost Nova to freeze it, and Ice Lance for a much harder hit while it's frozen. Icy Veins, Mobalytics, Method, and wow.gg use similar single-target builds.Improved Frostbolt 5/5 at 10-14 to shorten Frostbolt by half a second. More casts finish before the mob reaches you. At 15-17, 
Frostbite 3/3 gives chill effects a chance to freeze a target for 5 seconds.Ice Lance: instant, +300% against frozen targets, and since November 2 an 8-second cooldown shared with 
Fire Blast. The combo goes like this. A mob reaches you, you cast Frost Nova, step back a couple of yards, and Lance while the freeze holds. At 25-27, 
Shatter adds +50% crit against frozen targets, so the Lance almost always crits. At 30, Fingers of Frost lets chills sometimes grant a charge that makes your next spell treat the target as frozen.
Frost Channeling 3/3 makes Frost spells 15% cheaper, and mana is the main Mage complaint on the beta. Rarely drinking? Put those 3 points into 
Precision (+6% spell hit): 
Piercing Ice was removed on November 2.Frostbolt. Large pulls are harder than with the 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 makes chills last a third longer, 
Improved Frost Nova puts Frost Nova on a 21-second cooldown instead of 25, and 
Improved Blizzard 3/3 by 22 slows mobs in Blizzard by 40%. At 26, 
Ice Block: 10 seconds of immunity when a pull goes wrong. At 29, a point into Precision instead of the removed Piercing Ice. At 30, 
Cold Snap resets your Frost cooldowns.Frost Channeling reduces your threat by 30%, which helps you keep Blizzard on the mobs.
Cone of Cold slows by 40% for 6 seconds. This order skips Ice Lance, so solo targets take longer. It also skips Frostbite because random freezes split the pack you're trying to kite together.Improved Frostbolt 5/5
Permafrost 3/3
Improved Frost Nova 2/2
Improved Blizzard 3/3Frost Channeling 3/3
Ice Block 1/1
Arctic Reach 2/2
Precision 1/3
Cold Snap 1/1Pyroblast, follow with 
Fireball, and finish with Fire Blast. Since November 2, 
Improved Fire Blast sits in row 3, so start with Accelerant 5/5 and take Improved Fire Blast at 21-22.Accelerant 5/5 speeds up Fireball by 0.5 seconds from your first points, and 
Ignite at 15-19 makes Fire crits apply a burn. Improved Fire Blast at 21-22 puts Fire Blast on a 6-second cooldown and adds 15 yards of range. At 20, Pyroblast becomes your ranged opener. At 25, 
Heating Up lets crits speed up your next Pyroblast. At 26-28, 
Master of Elements makes crits refund 30% of the cost. At 30, 
Blast Wave deals area damage and slows.Berserking gives +10% casting speed. Use it before a long Pyroblast on a tough target when you can stand still.Frostbolt and Cone of Cold. I'd choose Frost for a safer first solo run.Frostbolt for those fights.
Accelerant 5/5
Ignite 5/5
Pyroblast 1/1
Improved Fire Blast 2/2
Flame Throwing 2/2
Heating Up 1/1
Master of Elements 3/3
Burning Soul 1/3
Blast Wave 1/1Arcane Blast at 20 and 
Arcane Wrath at 25.
Wand Specialization 2/2 adds 25% wand damage. Your wand handles much of the work at 10-20. Talent 
Arcane Concentration adds a 10% Clearcasting chance, making the next spell free.Missile Barrage 2/2 (in row 2 since November 2): a proc makes 
Arcane Missiles faster and free. At 20, Arcane Blast. Don't chain expensive Blasts; switch to the free Missiles when they proc. At 25, Arcane Wrath, then 
Arcane Meditation at 26-28 for 50% mana regeneration while casting. At 30, 
Presence of Mind for an instant spell.Frost Nova, but this build doesn't take Frost talents that improve control. Kiting is less forgiving than it is with a Frost build. Keep your wand up to date so you can finish mobs without another expensive cast.
Wand Specialization 2/2
Improved Channeling 3/5
Arcane Concentration 5/5
Arcane Blast 1/1
Missile Barrage 2/2
Arcane Resilience 2/3
Arcane Wrath 1/1
Arcane Meditation 3/3
Arcane Impact 1/3
Presence of Mind 1/1When to press them, and how a Troll compares to an Orc here
Trolls get four racials, and a Mage gets some use out of all of them. Two work on their own. The other two you have to remember to press. People forget them constantly. I'd put Berserking on a key you actually reach.
Berserking gives +10% attack and casting speed for 15 seconds on a 3-minute cooldown. For a Mage that's roughly one extra Frostbolt per use. Save it for the hard spots: the elite in northern Durotar (step), the Burning Blade warlock in the cave (step), the harpy leader on the Barrens border (step), the boss by the Hillsbrad mine (step), and the marauder in the southern Barrens (step).
Rapid Regeneration restores half your health over 6 seconds, also on a 3-minute cooldown. Moving, acting, or getting hit breaks the channel, so use it after the fight, somewhere safe. You'll eat less, and you already conjure your own water anyway.
Regeneration needs no button. Out of combat your health comes back 20% faster, and a fifth of your normal regen keeps going in combat.
Beast Slaying adds 5% damage against beasts. There are plenty on this route, from the tigers on the Echo Isles to the plainstriders, zhevras, and raptors of the Barrens.
Blood Fury instead (+10% spell power for 15 seconds, 2-minute cooldown), plus 
Hardiness, which makes stuns 20% shorter.The Orc and Troll starting valley · your first Mage quest, the Den and Burning Blade Coven
Collect the Den quests together, clear a loop, and return for the turn-ins. Allow about 40 minutes to reach 5-6. Get your class tablet from Gornek and visit Mai'ah at the Den entrance. Start with Fireball from range, cast again while the mob approaches, then finish with your staff. Keep 
Frost Armor up to slow anything hitting you. Your starting water should last until 4, when you can make more.
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] (take 
Soft Wool Boots), then accept !Sting of the Scorpid[3] and your class quest !Glyphic Tablet[1]. Read 
Glyphic Tablet when it appears in your bags. Mage trainer Mai'ah is at the Den entrance: turn in ?Glyphic Tablet[1] and train your first spell, 
Arcane Intellect (10). Kzan Thornslash : turn in ?Wayward Weapons[2].
Glyphic Tablet[1] is the Troll Mage starting quest, available after Cutting Teeth[2]. Arcane Intellect lasts an hour in Forever; keep it up. Rapid Regeneration restores 50% health over 6 seconds. Stand in a safe spot: movement, actions or damage interrupt the channel.
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
Collect the Sen'jin quests together. Clear Kolkar Crag and the coast now, but keep the Echo Isles quests for 9. Your trainer until 10, Un'Thuwa, is here too.
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
Clear the new Forever quests around Razor Hill, Drygulch Ravine, and Thunder Ridge, then the naga on the northern coast. Quest Stormy Potential[11] rewards Makeshift Stormcaller, your first spell-power staff. You'll reach Orgrimmar's gates around 12.
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.
Start at full mana, with a potion and all cooldowns ready. Use Berserking with your first bolt. He only attacks in melee: use Frostbolt and keep your distance. If he reaches you, use Frost Nova, back off and cast again. Soloing this at 11 is barely manageable; ask another player to join if one is nearby.
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"
Visit Orgrimmar before Skull Rock to open the flight path, train, and collect the new city quests and Hidden Enemies. The insignia and the collars for Skull Rock[12] come from that cave just outside the gates. Return to the city afterward for the turn-ins.
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: in 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
Burning Blade mobs are humanoids: sheep a second one. Gazz'uz is a level-14 caster, so Frost Nova won't stop his spells. Clear the cave as you go to leave room behind you, then start at full mana: Berserking, Frostbolt, another bolt, then Fire Blast at close range. Too hard? Skip him; Burning Shadows[12] unlocks nothing else.
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 means long runs between hubs. Collect the Crossroads quests together, clear a loop, and bring the turn-ins back together. Backtracking costs time here. 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 - Don't 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], Apothecary Zamah[15], is a timed delivery to Thunder Bluff. Skip it: this Troll route doesn't reach the city until 22, unless you take the Wailing Caverns branch (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, move away and cast Frostbolt. A slowed enemy usually can't catch you. Blink comes at 20. Once you have some distance, Berserking helps you get a cast off faster.The Dry Hills: Serena Bloodfeather among the harpies - Serena Bloodfeather[20].
She is level 20 and calls harpies for help. Clear nearby mobs first. Start at full mana and use Berserking with your first cast. Sheep any harpy that joins in.
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. in 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 (in 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.
Skipped Report to Anastasia[15]? You can still accept Investigate the Alchemist Shop[16]. If you missed your level-22 spells in Thunder Bluff, the Mage trainers are right here beside 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
This is your first visit, but skip the early Silverpine quests. They give too little XP now. Pick up the level 20-22 quests around the Sepulcher. Collect the gems near Ambermill for Gathering Materials[15] while you're there.
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, the Magic Quarter: train with Anastasia Hartwell or the nearby trainers. Learn 
Counterspell, Fireball (Rank 5), Arcane Missiles (Rank 3), Flamestrike (Rank 2) and Dampen Magic (Rank 2), at 40 each. After the October 15 patch, also train Frost Blast.
Prioritize Counterspell: it interrupts a cast and locks out that entire spell school for 10 seconds. Use it on healers and caster mobs first. Fireball is for Fire, Arcane Missiles for Arcane and Flamestrike for dungeons; Dampen Magic can wait. Took Pyroblast? Its second rank costs 2. Not 24 yet? Train these here at 26 (step). Frost Blast has a 1.5-second cast and slows by 40% for 9 seconds: a quick way to regain distance, though it deals little damage.
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" takes Ice Block at 26 in case a pull goes wrong. "Fire" takes Heating Up, "Arcane" takes Arcane Wrath.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]. Place the first vial on the peak 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, so expect more misses and resists. Start at full mana, sheep the nearby miner and use Berserking with your first cast. If he reaches you, use Frost Nova and step back. Can't manage it? Abandon Dangerous![28]; this route won't return 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.
The Magic Quarter, level 26: train with Anastasia Hartwell or the nearby trainers. Learn Cone of Cold, Frost Nova (Rank 2) and Frostbolt (Rank 5), at 50 each. Missed training at 24? Train those spells too (list). Skipped the Ruins? Tailor Josef Gregorian : turn in Gathering Materials[15], then accept and immediately turn in Spellfire Robes[15] (Lesser Spellfire Robes). Ran Shadowfang Keep but still have The Book of Ur[26]? Turn it in to Keeper Bel'dugur . Anastasia Hartwell: accept !Speak with Deino[26]; the next step is in Orgrimmar.
Cone of Cold slows everything in front of you by 40% for 6 seconds. Once a root ends, use the cone, step back and cast another bolt. Trolls can take Speak with Deino[26], which leads to a class robe; you'll complete the objectives along the Ashenvale route. Sell spare wool and other leftovers on the auction house. 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.Deino in Orgrimmar: turn in ?Speak with Deino[26] and accept !Waters of Xavian[26]. Warcaller Gorlach : accept !The Ashenvale Hunt[20]. Fly to Thunder Bluff with Doras.
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:
Eastern loop:
Deino's Flask at the Xavian Waterfall for Waters of Xavian[26]Drops from: Satyr Horns - Xavian Rogue, Xavian Betrayer, Xavian Felsworn and others
Pull the guards one at a time. Both came? Sheep one, use Frost Nova on the other and step back. Satyrs are demons, so you can't sheep them. Xavian satyrs are level 28-30; approach the waterfall from the west and avoid the camp center. Not 28 yet? Finish the other eastern-loop objectives first.
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.
Teleport to Orgrimmar (Teleport: Orgrimmar): Deino - turn in ?Waters of Xavian[26], accept !Laughing Sisters[26]. Then fly to Zoram'gar straight from Orgrimmar.
No Zoram'gar flight path (you didn't visit the west of the forest at 22)? Fly from Orgrimmar to Splintertree Post and walk west from there (step). Didn't take Speak with Deino[26]? Skip this step and head to Zoram'gar straight from Splintertree.
Zoram'gar:
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.
Head west from Splintertree Post to Greenpaw Village, home of the Foulweald furbolgs . Plant the banner by the totem and defend against furbolg waves, ending with Chief Murgut, for King of the Foulweald[26]. Nearby to the northeast, Laughing Sister : collect 12 hairs for Laughing Sisters[26]. Return to Splintertree Post: turn in ?Freedom to Ruul[24] to Yama Snowhoof .
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.
From Zoram'gar, fly to the Crossroads first to turn in your class quest, then fly to Thunder Bluff.
Skipped Blackfathom? Fly right after the Foulweald.
Fly to the Crossroads: turn in ?Laughing Sisters[26] to Kil'hala , then accept !Nether-lace Garment[26] and immediately turn in ?Nether-lace Garment[26]. Choose 
Nether-lace Robe (+6 Stamina, Intellect and Spirit) or Nether-lace Tunic (+6 Stamina, +9 Intellect). Then fly to Thunder Bluff.
The rewards have different stats; choose whichever appearance you prefer. After the turn-in, continue the route in Thunder Bluff.
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's, 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 a second one. Start the pillager fight at full mana, use Berserking with your first cast and keep Frost Nova ready. You can solo him at 29.
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 reach 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 party members. Counterspell (from 24) interrupts heals and dangerous mob casts. Rapid Regeneration restores health between fights if nothing is attacking you.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 from Rank 2 by up to 23%), but gear has more spell power and it contributes more. Frost Nova hits harder, Arcane Intellect lasts an hour, and Cone of Cold slows by 40% for 6 seconds instead of 50% for 8. New level-20 talents: Ice Lance and Arcane Blast. Ice Block is a level-25 talent. Cold Snap comes at 30 with a 10-minute cooldown. Lower ranks scale worse with spell power and proc effects less often, so use higher ranks. Wands haven't scaled with spell power since September 24. A new minor skill is Comprehension (below).Before 20, open from range with Frostbolt and cast again while the slowed mob approaches. If it reaches you, use Frost Nova from 10, move more than 10 yards away, and resume casting. Almost dead? Finish with your wand or Fire Blast. Another costly bolt delays regeneration for 5 seconds. Sheep a second mob with Polymorph from 8. In Frost from 20, freeze with Frost Nova, step back, and use Ice Lance while it holds. Keep Frost Armor and Arcane Intellect up, including after a death.
Where to train as a Troll. Levels 1-6: Mai'ah in the Valley of Trials. Levels 6, 8 and 10: Un'Thuwa in Sen'jin Village. Razor Hill has no Mage trainer. From 12: Orgrimmar's Valley of Spirits, with Uthel'nay , Pephredo , Enyo and Deino . The Barrens has no trainer. Learn your level-18 spells together with level 20 in Orgrimmar (step). Later stops are Spirit Rise in Thunder Bluff at 22, 28 and 30 (Thurston Xane . 22, 28, 30), and Undercity's Magic Quarter at 24 and 26 (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), Frost Blast | 40 each | Counterspell: yes; 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, freeze with Frost Nova, then use Ice Lance from 20 for much higher damage against the frozen target.Frostbolt to slow enemies. Pyroblast (a level-20 talent) is your ranged opener, and Berserking speeds up the cast.Arcane Blast from 20. You'll drink less, though mobs reach you more often. Without an Enchanter's help, Durotar doesn't give you a wand until 16-17. This build takes a while to get going.Berserking: +10% attack and casting speed for 15 seconds, with a 3-minute cooldown. Use it on a tough mob when you can stay on target and keep attacking.Rapid Regeneration: restores 50% of your maximum health over 6 seconds, with a 3-minute cooldown. Moving, taking an action or taking damage interrupts the channel. Use it between fights in a safe spot.Regeneration: health regeneration is 20% faster, and 20% of your normal health regeneration continues in combat. This changed in the October 15 beta update. Older guides still say 10%.Beast Slaying: +5% damage against beasts, useful against Durotar tigers and the Barrens' plainstriders, zhevras and raptors.Conjure Water at 4 and Conjure Food at 6. New water ranks come at 4, 10, 20, and 30. Food ranks come at 6, 12, 22, and 32. I'd learn the water upgrade promptly, since the extra restoration cuts your drinking time.Frostbite or Clearcasting less often in Forever. The old rank-1 slow trick loses value here.Evocation gives you another refill after a rough fight, with an 8-minute cooldown. From 28, conjure Conjure Mana Agate before combat so it's ready when you need mana during a fight.Frost Channeling in Frost, Master of Elements in Fire, and Arcane Meditation plus Arcane Concentration in Arcane. Item Ley Orb from Ju-Ju Heaps[10] restores 80-240 mana every 30 minutes. You'll need to unequip a two-handed staff to use it.Polymorph on beasts or humanoids. Sheep the extra mob, finish the first, then deal with it. The sheep regenerates health quickly, so leave it alone until you're ready.Frost Nova freezes nearby enemies for 8 seconds on a 25-second cooldown. Move more than 10 yards away before attacking again. Damage can break the roots early.Frost Nova holds them. Kill them first or pull them around a corner - they'll come to you. From 24 - Counterspell.Blink breaks stuns and roots. Look where you'll land first. Blinking into another pack turns an escape into a bigger problem.Mana Shield spends 2 mana for each damage point absorbed. Save it for emergencies. Shielding for every ordinary mob will empty your bar.Arcane Explosion arrives at 14, costs plenty of mana, and works at close range. It can finish three or more weak mobs held by Frost Nova, but it isn't a reason to grab a larger pack.Frost Nova, and move 10-15 yards clear before casting Blizzard. When they close in, use Frost Nova again or Cone of Cold from 26. Move back and repeat.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 has saved the pull for the second time in an hour.
Shoot to finish mobs without spending mana or stopping regeneration. It saves Frost some drinks. With talent Wand Specialization, it can supply half your Arcane 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: in 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): in 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). in 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 uses Light Feather. The Forever database doesn't list a feather vendor yet, so learn it once you have feathers.Bent Staff and the Apprentice set.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).Nether-lace Robe or Nether-lace Tunic.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.Berserking gives +10% attack and casting speed for 15 seconds, with a 3-minute cooldown. Rapid Regeneration restores half your health between fights. Since the October 15 patch, Regeneration gives +20% health regeneration, with 20% of normal regeneration continuing in combat.Frost Nova plus Ice Lance was the most discussed combo of the beta: testers asked for a nerf, and on November 2 the Lance got an 8-second cooldown shared with Fire Blast. Casting Arcane Intellect on a PvP-flagged player flags you too, even on Normal rulesets. From 18, use Remove Lesser Curse to remove curses.Where to train, the hearthstone, dangerous mobs, what not to forget
| Lvl | Key points | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | Glyphic Tablet[1]; Frostbolt and Conjure Water at 4, Conjure Food at 6, from 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 | Pick up Speak with Deino[26], the class quest chain for your robe |
| 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
