Arcane Mage BiS Gear Cataclysm Classic | Guide

Stat Priority For Arcane Mage DPS

Your Stat Priority for Arcane Mage DPS BiS in Cataclysm Classic should be like this (left to right).

Intellect → Hit Rating (up to 17% Cap) → Haste Rating (Until Soft Cap) → Mastery Rating → Haste Rating (Post Cap) → Critical Strike Rating.

Intellect is the most important stat for Arcane Mages in Cataclysm. It boosts spell power, making it the top priority.

Hit Rating is crucial until you reach the 17% cap. Beyond this point, it has no additional value.

Haste is your next best stat after Hit. However, its effectiveness decreases once you reach certain soft caps.

Mastery Rating is very beneficial for Arcane Mages, but its value decreases as your mana drops during fights.

Critical Strike Rating is the least important stat compared to the others. It still offers some value, but should not be prioritized.

Gear

Weapons

Main Hand/2-Handed for Arcane Mage DPS

For Arcane Mage DPS in Phase 1, your weapon choice is crucial for maximizing damage output. The best option in this category is Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach (Flameblaze), which offers the highest potential due to its optimal stats.

If you’re unable to obtain this, the next best choices include Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach (Feverflare) and Incineratus. These weapons are quite good but fall short of the best in slot due to a tighter hit budget.

Another option is the Blade of the Witching Hour, which is technically an upgrade over the Staff of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan. However, it might be better to wait for one of the top three weapons mentioned above. If you can’t get any of these, just use the highest listed item you have access to from the bottom three.

Best Weapon Enchant: Enchant Weapon – Power Torrent.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach of the Flameblaze (Hit & Mastery)	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Good Alt	Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach of the Feverflare (Haste & Mastery)	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Good Alt	Incineratus	Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Blade of the Witching Hour	Theralion Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight
Pre-Raid Alt	Staff of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan	Archaeology 450 (Dwarf only)	–
Pre-Raid Alt	Staff of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan	Commander Ulthok	Throne of the Tides
Pre-Raid Alt	Insidious Staff	Hellscream’s Reach/Baradin’s Wardens (Revered)	Pogg/Quartermaster Brazie

Offhand for Arcane Mage DPS

For off-hand weapons, the best option from raid content without a spirit component is the Book of Binding Will. This should be your target for the best performance.

Until you can get this, use the pre-raid best in slot Hermit’s Lamp. This item is easy to obtain from the Justice Points vendor and will serve you well until you can upgrade.

Best Off-Hand Enchant: Enchant Off-Hand – Superior Intellect.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Book of Binding Will	Halfus Wyrmbreaker	The Bastion of Twilight
Pre-Raid Alt	Hermit’s Lamp	950 Justice Points	Gunra (H)/Magatha Silverton (A)

Wand for Arcane Mage DPS

The wand slot is rather limited in Phase 1. The top item here is Theresa’s Booklight, a level 359 trash drop. Although it offers some gains, it might be costly for the benefits it provides.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Theresa’s Booklight	BoE Trash Drop	Blackwing Descent
Pre-Raid Alt	Corla’s Baton	Corla, Herald of Twilight	Blackrock Caverns

Body Armor

Shoulders for Arcane Mage DPS

For shoulders, aim to obtain the Firelord’s Mantle as quickly as possible. Upgrade this to its heroic version using a heroic vanquisher token. The other three pieces of the Firelord’s Vestments set are available from the Valor Points vendor, so prioritize obtaining this piece from raid content to complete the set.

Best Shoulder Enchant: Greater Inscription of Charged Lodestone (Exalted with Therazane required).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Firelord’s Mantle	Mantle of the Forlorn Vanquisher (Al’Akir, Cho’gall)	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic), The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Best Alt	Firelord’s Mantle	Mantle of the Forlorn Vanquisher (Al’Akir, Cho’gall) + Essence of the Forlorn	Throne of the Four Winds, The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Alt	Mantle of the Eastern Lords	Lord Godfrey	Shadowfang Keep
Alt	Mantle of Master Cho	Siamat	Lost City of Tol’vir
Alt	Meadow Mantle	2200 Valor Points	Gunra (H) Magatha Silverton (A)

Chest for Arcane Mage DPS

The chest piece to aim for is the Firelord’s Robes, which you should buy first from the Firelord’s Vestments set.

Upgrade this item to its heroic version with a heroic vanquisher token to achieve the best in slot status.

Best Chest Enchant: Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Firelord’s Robes	Chest of the Forlorn Vanquisher (Halfus Wyrmbreaker) Firelord’s Robes	The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Firelord’s Robes	2200 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid	Inquisition Robes	Rom’ogg Bonecrusher	Blackrock Caverns (Heroic)
Pre-Raid	Robes of Embalmed Darkness	2200 Justice Points	Gunra (H) Magatha Silverton (A)

Back for Arcane Mage DPS

The best cloak for Phase 1 is the Shroud of Endless Grief, which drops from Sinestra. It is the best due to its higher item level and excellent stats for Arcane Mages.

If you can’t get this, the Planetary Drape can have good suffixes but generally underperforms compared to the best cloak. A realistic and solid option for a portion of the phase is the Haunt of Flies, which should be bought after securing the three Firelord’s Vestments set pieces from the Valor Points vendor.

Best Cloak Enchant: Lightweave Embroidery (Tailor only) or Enchant Cloak – Greater Intellect.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Shroud of Endless Grief	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight
Best Alt	Planetary Drape of the Flameblaze (Hit & Mastery)	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Best Alt	Planetary Drape of the Flameblaze (Haste & Mastery)	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Good Alt	Shadow of Dread	Nefarian Onyxia	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Haunt of Flies	1250 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid Alt	Periwinkle Cloak	Lady Naz’jar	Throne of the Tides (Heroic)

Head for Arcane Mage DPS

For the head slot, the Crown of the Twilight Queen is the best due to its higher item level. Until you obtain this, use the Lightweight Bio-Optic Killshades, which are comparable or better than the 359 version of the Firelord’s Hood.

Best Helm Enchant: Arcanum of Hyjal (Revered with Guardians of Hyjal required).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Crown of the Twilight Queen	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight Heroic
Best Alt	Firelord’s Hood	Crown of the Forlorn Vanquisher Al’Akir Nefarian Onyxia	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic) The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Pre-Raid Alt	Lightweight Bio-Optic Killshades	Lightweight Bio-Optic Killshades	Engineering
Alt	Firelord’s Hood	Helm of the Forlorn Vanquisher Essence of the Forlorn Al’Akir Nefarian Onyxia	Throne of the Four Winds The Bastion of Twilight

Waist for Arcane Mage DPS

The best belt for Phase 1 is the Soul Breath Belt (Feverflare). This item requires some luck to get but significantly outperforms other options.

Best Waist Enchants: Ebonsteel Belt Buckle or Nitro Boosts (Engineer only).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Soul Breath Belt of the Feverflare (Haste & Mastery)	Anshal Nezir Rohash	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Alt	Belt of Arcane Storms	Maloriak	Blackwing Descent (Heroic)
Alt	Soul Breath Belt of the Fireflash (Haste & Critical Strike)	Anshal Nezir Rohash	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Pre-Raid Alt	Dreamless Belt	Crafted	Tailoring

Legs for Arcane Mage DPS

The best leg armor is the Firelord’s Leggings, which you should buy and upgrade to the heroic version using a heroic vanquisher token.

Best Leg Armor: Powerful Enchanted Spellthread or Master’s Spellthread (Tailor only).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Firelord’s Leggings	Leggings of the Forlorn Vanquisher Maloriak Firelord’s Leggings	Blackwing Descent (Heroic) Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Firelord’s Leggings	2200 Valor Points Argaloth	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale Baradin Hold
Pre-Raid	Breeches of Mended Nightmares	Crafted	Tailoring

Feet for Arcane Mage DPS

For feet, the best item is Quickstep Galoshes, which have perfect stats for Arcane Mages. Use the pre-raid reputation best in slot option until you obtain these.

Best Feet Enchant: Enchant Boots – Lavawalker.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Quickstep Galoshes	Chimaeron	Blackwing Descent (Heroic)
Pre-Raid	Desert Walker Sandals	Ramkahen (Exalted)	Blacksmith Abasi

Wrist for Arcane Mage DPS

The best wrist item is the Bracers of the Bronze Flight. These are the best due to the lack of non-spirit alternatives and have excellent stats for Arcane Mages. Use pre-raid bracers until you get these.

Best Bracer Enchant: Enchant Bracer – Mighty Intellect.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Bracers of the Bronze Flight	Halfus Wyrmbreaker	The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Best Alt	Bracers of the Dark Pool	Trash Drop	The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Alt	Sand Silk Wristband	Augh Lockmaw	Lost City of Tol’vir (Heroic)
Alt	Armbands of Exiled Architects	Vanessa Vancleef	The Deadmines (Heroic)

Hands for Arcane Mage DPS

For gloves, aim to get the Firelord’s Gloves through Valor Points and upgrade them with a heroic vanquisher token. Until then, use the pre-raid reputation gloves.

Best Glove Enchant: Synapse Springs combined with Enchant Gloves – Haste.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Firelord’s Gloves	Gauntlets of the Forlorn Vanquisher Atramedes Firelord’s Gloves	Blackwing Descent (Heroic) Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Firelord’s Gloves	1650 Valor Points Argaloth	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale Baradin Hold
Pre-Raid Alt	Flamebloom Gloves	The Earthen Ring (Exalted)	Provisioner Arok

Jewelry

Trinkets for Arcane Mage DPS

The best trinkets are Bell of Enraging Resonance and Theralion’s Mirror. Until you get these, use Soul Casket and Stump of Time.

Alternative: Darkmoon Card: Volcano is not recommended unless you have a large budget.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Bell of Enraging Resonance	Theralion Atramedes	Blackwing Descent (Heroic)
Best	Theralion’s Mirror	Theralion Atramedes	The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Best Alt	Soul Casket	1650 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid	Stump of Time	Hellscream’s Reach/ Baradin’s Wardens (Exalted)	Pogg Quartermaster Brazie
Alt	Darkmoon Card: Volcano	Darkmoon Volcanic Deck Quest	Darkmoon Faire

Rings for Arcane Mage DPS

The best rings are Signet of the Fifth Circle and Planetary Band (Flameblaze). Planetary Band (Feverflare) underperforms due to hit cap issues.

Best Ring Enchant: Enchant Ring – Intellect (Enchanter only, though not recommended).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Planetary Band of the Flameblaze (Hit & Mastery)	Anshal Nezir Rohash	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Best	Signet of the Fifth Circle	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Best Alt	Planetary Band of the Feverflare (Haste & Mastery)	Anshal Nezir Rohash	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Alt	Band of Secret Names	1250 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid	Ring of the Boy Emperor	Archaeology 525	Tol’vir

Neck for Arcane Mage DPS

The best necklace is the Planetary Amulet (Flameblaze). Planetary Amulet (Feverflare) and Valiona’s Medallion are good but may cause hit issues.

Use the exalted reputation pre-raid item level 359 pendant until then.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Planetary Amulet of the Flameblaze (Hit & Mastery)	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Alt	Planetary Amulet of the Feverflare (Haste & Mastery)	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic)
Alt	Valiona’s Medallion	Theralion Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic)
Pre-Raid	Yellow Smoke Pendant Lightning Flash Pendant	Dragonmaw Clan/Wildhammer Clan (Exalted)	Grot Deathblow Craw MacGraw

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F.A.Q.

What are the best Races for Arcane Mage?

Alliance – Worgen and Human, Horde – Orcs and Goblins.

Are Arcane Mages good?

Arcane Mages excel in both single-target and AoE burst damage, have great mobility and group utility, and offer extreme survivability with damage that scales with the number of enemies. However, they are heavily reliant on cooldowns, have tricky gameplay and rotations, and require wise mana management. Understanding these strengths and weaknesses helps optimize their performance in various combat scenarios.

What tier is Arcane Mage in?

He’s in A tier in Cataclysm Classic, along with Balance Druid, Retribution Paladin, Ele Shaman, Assasination Rogue and Unholy Death Knight.

What are the best professions for Arcane Mage?

It’s Engineering and Tailoring.