Best in Slot Gear for Fire Mage in Phase 1 Cataclysm Classic

Stat Priority and Cap Ratings

Your Stat Priority for Fire Mage BiS in Cataclysm Classic should be like this (left to right):

In Cataclysm, Intellect is the primary stat for casters, as it increases spell power, making it the most important stat. Hit Rating is equally crucial, but only up to 17%; beyond that, its value drops to zero.

After reaching the necessary Hit Rating, Haste becomes your next best stat. However, its effectiveness decreases after reaching certain soft caps.

Once those Haste caps are met, Critical Rating surpasses Haste in value.

Lastly, Mastery Rating and Spirit are present but not important for Mage. Spirit has no benefit for Mages, and Mastery Rating offers minimal value.

Once you’ve reached the Hit cap of 17%, you can start focusing on Critical Strike, Mastery, and Haste. Critical Strike Rating remains constant, simply increasing the chances to deal 150% damage (without modifiers). Haste, on the other hand, not only decreases the cast time of regular spells but also increases the tick rate of damage over time (DoT) spells. Mastery increases the damage of DoT spells such as Combustion, Ignite, and others.

Among these three stats, prioritize Haste to reach specific soft caps that grant extra ticks on certain DoT spells:

• 5% for one extra tick of Combustion.
• 12.5% for one extra tick of Pyroblast and Living Bomb.
• 15% for two extra ticks of Combustion.
• 25% for three extra ticks of Combustion.
• 37.5% for two extra ticks of Pyroblast and Living Bomb.

These percentages include gear combined with raid buffs, talents, racials, and other sources. With the full Phase 1 best-in-slot gear, reaching the 25% Haste breakpoint, which is particularly significant.

Gear

Valor Points For Fire Mage Phase 1

Due to the 1600 Valor Points cap, prioritize saving your points for the Firelord’s Vestments pieces. Specifically, aim to get the chest piece first, as the other two pieces can be obtained through the new vault-type raid, Baradin Hold.

Body Armor For Fire Mage Phase 1

Headgear for Fire Mage DPS Phase 1

The Crown of the Twilight Queen from Sinestra is the best in slot and is the preferred off-piece to use alongside the Firelord’s Vestments set. If you don’t have the Crown of the Twilight Queen, continue using the pre-raid best in slot, Lightweight Bio-Optic Killshades. These goggles are the same item level as normal raid gear and offer more customization options.

Arcanum of Hyjal (revered reputation with Guardians of Hyjal required).

Shoulder for Fire Mage Phase 1

Your goal is to equip the Firelord’s Mantle as soon as possible. Later, upgrade it to the heroic version using the required heroic token. This will help you gain the set bonuses from the Firelord’s Vestments.

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

Back for Fire Mage Phase 1

The best in slot back piece is the Shroud of Endless Grief. There are a few other options at item level 372, but they’re not worth considering unless they’re given to you for free.

Once you’ve obtained your four-piece Firelord’s Vestments, start using your Valor Points for items such as Haunt of Flies. This item is great to use as a baseline until you get your best in slot from Sinestra.

Best Enchant: Enchant Cloak – Greater Intellect.

Chest for Fire Mage Phase 1

You should aim to obtain the Firelord’s Robes from the Valor Points vendor as soon as possible. Later, you can upgrade these to the best in slot version using a heroic vanquisher token. Until you get the tier chest, use the pre-raid best in slot chest piece available through reputation.

Best Enchant: Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats.

Wrist for Fire Mage Phase 1

The Bracers of the Bronze Flight are the best in slot. Until you obtain these, continue using the bracers from your pre-raid best in slot set. Alternatively, you can use the Bracers of the Dark Pool as a temporary upgrade, but keep in mind they can be expensive to acquire.

Best Enchant: Enchant Bracer – Mighty Intellect.

Hands for Fire Mage Phase 1

Similarly to the chest, aim to buy Firelord’s Gloves from the Valor Points vendor as soon as possible. This will help you obtain the Firelord’s Vestments set bonuses. You can later upgrade this item with a heroic vanquisher token. Until then, the Flamebloom Gloves from the Earthen Ring reputation will be a good substitute.

Best Enchant (Enchanter + Tinker only): Enchant Gloves – Haste + Synapse Springs.

Waist for Fire Mage Phase 1

Ideally, aim to get the Belt of Arcane Storms for your best in slot set. Alternatively, you can use the Soul Breath Belt of the Fireflash, which performs similarly but is much harder to obtain due to its specific suffix requirement.
Until then, the Dreamless Belt, a crafted tailoring belt, will suffice. Since Tailoring is the best profession for mages, this should be fairly easy to acquire without costing too much.

Best Enchant (can be simultaneous): Ebonsteel Belt Buckle and Nitro Boosts (Engineer only).

Legs for Fire Mage Phase 1

Once again, buy Firelord’s Leggings as soon as possible to obtain the Firelord’s Vestments set bonuses. You can upgrade these leggings using a vanquisher token from heroic raid content. Until then, continue using your pre-raid tailoring crafted legs.

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

Feet for Fire Mage Phase 1

Quickstep Galoshes are the only worthwhile best in slot feet. Until you obtain these, use the item level 359 reputation Desert Walker Sandals.

Best Enchant: Enchant Boots – Lavawalker.

Jewelry

Neck for Fire Mage Phase 1

Unfortunately, this slot requires more luck to get the best in slot item than others. You’ll want the Planetary Amulet with the ”of the Wildfire” suffix, which provides hit and critical strike. If you get the “of the Fireflash” version, it performs similarly.

Otherwise, use the exalted reputation pre-raid item level 359 pendant.

Rings for Fire Mage Phase 1

The second of three random suffix items you’ll want is the Planetary Band, with the “of the Wildfire” variant being the best in slot. The “of the Fireflash” version performs similarly well. Alongside either of these rings, aim to use the Signet of the Fifth Circle as your second ring.

Best Enchant (Enchanter only – Isn’t recommended): Enchant Ring – Intellect.

Trinkets for Fire Mage Phase 1

Theralion’s Mirror is your best in slot main trinket. For the second slot, the recommended option is Darkmoon Card: Volcano, since it’s easy to get. The Bell of Enraging Resonance performs similarly but is much harder to obtain.

Until you get these, you can use the Stump of Time from pre-raid content. Alternatively, the Soul Casket from the Valor Points vendor is acceptable if you’re already easily hit capped and can’t adjust it otherwise.

Sorrowsong is noteworthy because, although it’s technically the weakest trinket in this list under normal circumstances, it can surpass Darkmoon Card: Volcano in fights with a lot of trash mobs where you’ll have high uptime against targets that are below 35% health throughout the fight.

Weapons

Main-Hand & Two-Handed Weapons for Fire Mage Phase 1

The third and final suffix item mages will want is the Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach. The best in slot version is the “of the Wildfire” variant, which provides hit and critical strike rating. Alternatively, the “of the Fireflash” variant of Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach performs very similarly and can be considered an alternative best in slot.
Best Enchant: Enchant Weapon – Power Torrent.

Off Hand Weapons for Fire Mage Phase 1

Since there’s only one non-spirit off-hand from raid content, you’ll want to use the Book of Binding Will in your end-game set. Otherwise, use one of the pre-raid best in slot options.

Best Enchant: Enchant Off-Hand – Superior Intellect.

Wands for Fire Mage Phase 1

Lastly, the wand has no significant raid upgrade. Theresa’s Booklight is the best in slot and drops from raid trash, making it an expensive BoE. However, its value is honestly lower than something like the trinket slot in terms of budget usage. Realistically, you’ll be using Corla’s Baton for most of the phase.

F.A.Q.

What are the best Races for Fire Mage?

Alliance – all races, Horde – PVE – Goblins and Trolls; PVP – Orcs, Undead and Blood Elves.

Are Fire Mages good?

They were the kings of DPS back in WotLK Classic days, and still they are.

What tier is Fire Mage in?

He’s in S tier in Cataclysm Classic, along with Affliction Warlock, Demonology Warlock, Survival Hunter, Shadow Priest, Arms Warrior and Unholy Death Knight.

What are the best professions for Fire Mage?

It’s Engineering and Tailoring.