Hi all. I’m a mage noob. I’m at level 40 right now and loving playing Fire Mage. I find it lots of fun. I was just wondering if any of you had some general tips as how to play a good fire mage in a group. I’m doing random dungeon finder groups at present to help level up and get loot and money.
I tried checking out online Wow guides but I found some of the stuff they describe as confusing. I was hoping some of you could give me some basic tips as to how to play a fire mage in a group. But very simply. The very, very basics. In a nut-shell like tips.
Like I would tell a noob player something like: Don’t stand in pools of poison. That sounds silly-simple. But it would help a noob player.
In my case I dunno. I need simple explanations. So far I’ve been playing it by ear. So far, so good. But if you can give me a little advice on playing correctly I will appreciate it very much.
Thank you.
The blunt answer - probably best to change specs.
Unfortunately if guides are confusing the reality won’t help. Fire is very particular and DF doesn’t sound like it will change it. To do expected or even near optimal damage you have to follow a very strict rotation and tripping up due to not expecting a mechanic or fat thumbing the wrong skill during your damage windows will cripple you for the rest of the fight.
But as simple as possible - single target you should be forcing as many instant pyroblasts as possible while Heating Up which involves keeping track of the probability of fireball critting (every non-crit fireball raises the chance) and timely use of Combustion. Getting use to this flow and the expectations and speed will start allowing you to weave fireblast into mid-air fireballs. This is as basic as you can get with no consideration of all your other skills but they will all just feed into that basic principle.
AOE is largely the same only pyroblast is replaced with flamestrike.
Frost and Arcane are much more forgiving IMO.
If it’s going fine then you’re ok. Things constantly shift as you’re leveling and guides are tailored for max level, end game scenarios where you’re at or close to optimal gearing/talent choices.
The most basic advice I can give is to always be casting something, press your long cooldowns every time they’re up, and use procs (hot streak) as soon as they happen. Specifically regarding group play, press counterspell when you’re able and don’t forget to press arcane intellect at the start of every dungeon and again if an int user dies (your healer, a warlock, boomkin, etc.)
Good luck and most importantly have fun!