5 Mages 60-80. Fire/Arcane or Arcane/Fire

[Negativ1337]

Hey guys,

What would be faster? Arcane with arcane barrage x 5 or living bomb x 5 with focus magic?

http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#ofcVc...uVur0ot:Liko0m 20/51

Or arcane? 51/20?

Thanks in advanced,

Negativ1337

[Taliesin]

Grinding outdoors? Instances? Questing?

I could see Living Bomb being fun outdoors rounding up a bunch of mobs and letting them blow each other up. Not sure it would be the most mana efficient way (the more grouped into a pack, the more efficient), but would be pretty quick. Just need to find large groups of mobs that hang out together (seals in SE Fjord along the coast, scarlet basecamp just north of Naxx in Dragonblight, etc).

For instances, it would be tricky. Perhaps Frost as your main to slow groups down, then cycle through and Living Bomb them up. Sounds like a pain though, probably have quite a few deaths even on a good run. Edit: You'd probably have better luck with Arcane for Slow, just have each mage slow a different target and kite them around.

Questing could go either way. Arcane is best at single-target kills, but fire would do just as well. Just scorch once on main (ideally with Glyph of Improved Scorch) and fireball away.

[gitcho]

I've got 5 mages @ 60 that I want to lvl to 80 (after my first group gets there) and was trying to decide between the same thing ... i've spec'd 2 diff builds :

Arcane/Fire: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#ocxbf0McdIGuMzZfV00o
Fire/Arcane: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#ocxbf0MczZbEcfoM0ucz

I didn't even think instancing was possible b/c they're too squishy, and didn't think I could find a world-mob group big enough to make AOE grinding worthwhile ...

Some advice would be great from anyone who's done it ...

[Tasty]

Based purely of experience? I'd say arcane with barrage with focus magic. Its a really strong build and I find its always quite good for aoeing too. Pop trinket/arcane power and go to town with AE

Ps: mirror image ftw (glyphed of course)

edit: my experiences may differ as I went with a priest/4 mages so I had healing capabilities.

Might I suggest you spec into improved evocation and glyph it as soon as possible helps immensely

another edit: Just chucked together a quick build if you're interested. http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#ocxVf...cdfV00o:pmwo0m

It has like none of the talents I usually go for but this what I'd imagine as a leveling build. Same with glyphs. I'd change everything at 80.

Some choices may seem obscure but I have logical reasons for most of em so ask if you want to know about anything in particular.

[Negativ1337]

What about this for leveling?

http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#oceVb...edfV0oo:zNpo0m

I can respec to a different spec on 80 with mirror image glyphed ofc.

[Tasty]

What about this for leveling?

http://www.wowhead.com/?talent#oceVb...edfV0oo:zNpo0m

I can respec to a different spec on 80 with mirror image glyphed ofc.

Looks good to me if you don't mind the missile barrage procs. Just means your other mages will have to start casting before one or two of the others if it procs.