Arcane Mage PvE Guide - Cataclysm Classic

Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Rotation

Arcane Mages are all about managing their Mana properly, and making the most out of their Burn Phase with
Arcane Power
and staying at high Mana during their Preserve Phase because of
Mastery: Mana Adept
.

Opener

1. Pre-cast
   Mirror Image
   .
2. Pre-pot
   Volcanic Potion
   .
3. Pre-cast
   Arcane Blast
   .
4. Cast
   Flame Orb
   .
5. Pre-cast
   Arcane Blast
   .
6. Pre-cast
   Arcane Blast
   .
7. Pre-cast
   Arcane Blast
   .
8. Cast
   Arcane Power
   and
   Mana Gem
   .
9. Proceed with single target rotation (Burn Phase).

Single Target

1. Use
   Mage Armor
   .
2. Proceed with Burn Phase or Preserve Phase.

Preserve Phase

1. Your goal is to stay as close to 100% Mana as possible and not go below 90% Mana because of your
   Mastery: Mana Adept
   .
2. Cast
   Flame Orb
   .
3. Cast
   Presence of Mind
   with
   Arcane Blast
   .
4. Cast
   Arcane Blast
   . The number of
   Arcane Blast
   you can cast will differ depending on your gear, but you will most likely be resetting your stacks after 2-4 casts with either
   Arcane Missiles
   procs or
   Arcane Barrage
   .
5. Cast
   Fire Blast
   if the target will die before your next
   Arcane Blast
   cast finishes or while moving.
6. When
   Arcane Power
   is off cooldown proceed with Burn Phase.

AoE

1. If you have 4 stacks of
   Arcane Blast
   , refresh in between
   Arcane Explosion
   casts.
2. Cast
   Arcane Explosion
   .

Burn Phase

1. Cast
   Arcane Blast
   to 4 stacks.
2. Cast
   Arcane Power
   ,
   Mirror Image
   (Off GCD), and
   Mana Gem
   because of the
   Improved Mana Gem
   talent.
3. Cast
   Flame Orb
   .
4. Cast
   Arcane Blast
   .
5. Cast
   Evocation
   when
   Arcane Power
   runs out.
6. Proceed with Preserve Phase.

Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Talents

Standard Build

Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Glyphs

Prime:
Arcane Blast
,
Arcane Missiles
,
Mage Armor
Major:
Arcane Power
,
Evocation
,
Blink
Optional:
Mana Shield
Minor:
Conjuring
,
Arcane Brilliance
,
Mirror Image

Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

Best:
• Flask of the Draconic Mind

Food

Best:
• Seafood Magnifique Feast
  ,
• Severed Sagefish Head
  ,
• Fortune Cookie

Alternatives:
• Broiled Dragon Feast
  ,
• Pickled Guppy

Potions

Best:
• Volcanic Potion

Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Best Races

Alliance

1. Gnome:
   Expansive Mind
2. Worgen:
   Viciousness
   and
   Darkflight
3. Draenei:
   Heroic Presence
4. Human:
   The Human Spirit

Horde

1. Troll:
   Berserking
2. Goblin:
   Time is Money
   ,
   Rocket Barrage
   , and
   Rocket Jump
3. Orc:
   Blood Fury
4. Blood Elf:
   Arcane Torrent

Cataclysm Classic Arcane Mage Best Professions

1. Engineering:
   Synapse Springs
   .
2. The rest of the professions are very close in power, with Blacksmithing becoming better with epic gems in T13.