WoW Forever · Caster DPS

Arcane Mage BiS

Best in slot gear for Arcane Mage in World of Warcraft: Forever, from level 10 to 60. Every pick is ranked from 10,876 items in the Forever client data, weighted for a caster dps (Spell Damage, Spell Hit %, Intellect, Mana per 5 sec and Spell Crit %), and cross-checked against the community lists from ForeverChanges and wowtbc. Gear you can't wear yet, and Classic raid loot that isn't in Forever, is left out.

Open the interactive Arcane Mage planner Slide to any level, mark gear you own, see where to farm next.

Stat priority

Spell Damage
Spell Hit %
Intellect
Mana per 5 sec
Spell Crit %

Weights used for ranking: Intellect 0.6 · Spirit 0.3 · Stamina 0.3 · Spell Damage 1 · Spell Damage 1 · Arcane Damage 0.95 · Spell Crit % 11 · Spell Hit % 12 · Mana per 5 sec 1.2 · Armor 0.002. Crit and hit are per 1%.

Arcane Mage BiS at level 10

Around level 10 the most upgrades for Arcane Mage drop in Wetlands (1) and Tirisfal Glades (1).

Slot	Best in slot	Where	Alternatives
Head	Discarded Circlet		Red Winter Hat Green Winter Hat
Neck	Denric's Dog Tags		Amulet of Forgiveness Weathered Necklace
Shoulder	Naga Priestess's Mantle	Quest: The Only Good Brinescale...	Durability Shoulderpads Restored Cloth Shoulders
Back	Vine Pruner's Cloak	Quest: A Green Sample	Corpsefeeder's Shedding Uncle's Heroism
Chest	Aka'rai's Tattered Vestments	Quest: Hate the Hatefury	Apprentice Wizard's Gown Blue Linen Robe
Wrist	Fellicent's Bindings	req 9	Ghostly Bracers Cloudy Stormsewn Cuffs
Hands	Blight Gloves	Quest: The New Plague	Heavy Linen Gloves Barbaric Cloth Gloves
Waist	Novice Arcanist's Sash	Crafted (tailoring) · req 10	Novice Ardent's Sash Rat Cloth Belt
Legs	Handstitched Linen Britches	Crafted (tailoring) · req 9	Simple Kilt Brown Linen Pants
Feet	Enchanted Sandals	Quest: Heart of Disruption	Surfer Shoes Barbaric Cloth Boots
Finger	Malignant Root	Nightveiled Rotheap (elite patrol), then Rotheap Innards, then trade to Rethiel the Greenwarden (Alliance only) (guide source), Wetlands	Apology Ring Solid Gold Band
Finger	Apology Ring	Where it comes from is not known yet	Solid Gold Band Scavenger's Ring
Main Hand	Quilboar Toothpick	Quest: Chol'aruk the Ravener	Small Green Dagger Greatflank Flayer
Off Hand	Arcane Infused Rod	Quest: Starving Arcane	A Lesson in Destruction Shimmerwine Spirits
Ranged	Unstable Power Core	Quest: Source of Power	Lesser Magic Wand Wisesight Wand

Arcane Mage BiS at level 20

Around level 20 the most upgrades for Arcane Mage drop in Shadowfang Keep (2), The Deadmines (2) and Rare spawn (1).

Slot	Best in slot	Where	Alternatives
Head	Discarded Circlet		Pearly Circlet Pristine Circlet
Neck	Denric's Dog Tags		Amulet of Forgiveness Weathered Necklace
Shoulder	Magician's Mantle	req 20	Reinforced Woolen Shoulders Naga Priestess's Mantle
Back	Vine Pruner's Cloak	Quest: A Green Sample	Heavy Woolen Cloak Battle Healer's Cloak
Chest	Dro'zem's Tunic	Dro'zem the Blasphemous (Redridge Mountains) (guide source), Rare spawn · req 20	Filigreed Pearly Gown Filigreed Pristine Gown
Wrist	Mindthrust Bracers	trash mobs, Shadowfang Keep · req 17	Aetherwisp Bracers Harpy Bangles
Hands	Pearly Gloves	Crafted (tailoring) · req 15	Serpent Gloves Pristine Gloves
Waist	Pearly Sash	Crafted (tailoring) · req 17	Pristine Sash Tuskwrap Belt
Legs	Filigreed Pearly Leggings	Crafted (tailoring) · req 20	Abomination Skin Leggings Filigreed Pristine Leggings
Feet	Enchanted Sandals	Quest: Heart of Disruption	Spidersilk Boots Pearly Boots
Finger	Advisor's Ring	Vendor · req 18	Lorekeeper's Ring Malignant Root
Finger	Lorekeeper's Ring	Vendor · req 18	Malignant Root Apology Ring
Trinket	Rune of Perfection	Vendor · req 20	Rune of Duty Lookie's Spyglass
Trinket	Rune of Duty	Vendor · req 20	Lookie's Spyglass
Main Hand	Evocator's Blade	trash mobs (guide source), Blackfathom Deeps · req 20	Buzzer Blade Fang of Magmatus
Off Hand	Arcane Infused Rod	Quest: Starving Arcane	A Lesson in Destruction Shimmerwine Spirits
Ranged	Skycaller	World drop · req 16	Greater Magic Wand Torchlight Wand

Arcane Mage BiS at level 30

Around level 30 the most upgrades for Arcane Mage drop in City of Dalaran (7), Razorfen Kraul (5) and Shadowfang Keep (2).

Slot	Best in slot	Where	Alternatives
Head	Filigreed Pearly Circlet	Crafted (tailoring) · req 25	Pearly Circlet Holy Shroud
Neck	Guardian's Emblem	Trash mobs, City of Dalaran · req 28	Scorn's Icy Choker Stygian Bone Amulet
Shoulder	Bloodmage Mantle	Bloodmage Thalnos, Scarlet Monastery Graveyard · req 30	Batwing Mantle Death Speaker Mantle
Back	Thornweaver Drape	Roogug, Razorfen Kraul · req 25	Expeditionary's Cape Darkspear Raider's Cloak
Chest	Pearly Gown	Crafted (tailoring) · req 22	Violet Sorcerer's Robes Arcane Charged Robes
Wrist	Spidertank Oilrag	Electrocutioner 6000 (Classic source), Gnomeregan · req 29	Graveweave Bindings Glowing Magical Bracelets
Hands	Ephemeral Grips	Arcane Anomaly, City of Dalaran · req 27	Pearly Gloves Jutebraid Gloves
Waist	Blightleaf Rope	Fel Ancient, City of Dalaran · req 29	Belt of Arugal Warsong Sash
Legs	Violet Sorcerer's Leggings	boss not known yet (guide source), City of Dalaran · req 29	Pearly Leggings Filigreed Pearly Leggings
Feet	Golden Slippers	Crafted (tailoring) · req 30	Gilded Slippers Acidic Walkers
Finger	Ring of Power Regulation	Relic Guardian, Excavation Site: Wetlands · req 28	Snake Hoop Ring of Forlorn Spirits
Finger	Snake Hoop	Quest: Willix the Importer · req 30	Ring of Forlorn Spirits Ladimore Heirloom Ring
Trinket	Worgenbane Talisman	Commander Springvale, Shadowfang Keep · req 21	Roogug's Severed Head Minor Recombobulator
Trinket	Roogug's Severed Head	Roogug, Razorfen Kraul · req 25	Minor Recombobulator Satchel of Potions
Main Hand	Swinetusk Shank	Agathelos the Raging, Razorfen Kraul · req 30	Tendonscraper Dagger Clever Expeditionary's Spellblade
Off Hand	Raptor's Gaze	Wetlands: Shadetooth, Excavation Site · req 26	Orb of Mystic Insight Arcane Infused Rod
Ranged	Starfaller	World drop · req 29	Thunderwood Greater Mystic Wand

Arcane Mage BiS at level 40

Around level 40 the most upgrades for Arcane Mage drop in Shadowfang Keep (2), Uldaman (1) and Scarlet Monastery Cathedral (1).

Slot	Best in slot	Where	Alternatives
Head	Spellpower Goggles Xtreme	Crafted (Engineering (225)) · req 38	Papal Fez Filigreed Pearly Circlet
Neck	Triune Amulet	High Inquisitor Whitemane, Scarlet Monastery Cathedral · req 39	Scorn's Icy Choker Glowing Eye of Mordresh
Shoulder	Bloodmage Mantle	Bloodmage Thalnos, Scarlet Monastery Graveyard · req 30	Berylline Pads Inquisitor's Shawl
Back	Mantle of Lady Falther'ess	Lady Falther'ess, Razorfen Downs · req 36	Brilliant Cloak Thornweaver Drape
Chest	Dreamweave Vest	Crafted (tailoring) · req 40	Robe of the Magi Pearly Gown
Wrist	Dryad's Wrist Bindings	Vendor · req 40	Spidertank Oilrag Arcane Runed Bracers
Hands	Dreamweave Gloves	Crafted (tailoring) · req 40	Golden Handwraps Ephemeral Grips
Waist	Golden Cord	Crafted (tailoring) · req 40	Gilded Cord Blightleaf Rope
Legs	Violet Sorcerer's Leggings	boss not known yet (guide source), City of Dalaran · req 29	Pearly Leggings Red Mageweave Pants
Feet	Earthen Silk Slippers	Crafted (tailoring) · req 31	Golden Slippers Gilded Slippers
Finger	Philanthropist's Ring	Quest: Greater Friend of the Library · req 35	Bloodmaster's Ring Advisor's Ring
Finger	Bloodmaster's Ring	req 40	Advisor's Ring Lorekeeper's Ring
Trinket	Ankh of Life	World drop · req 40	Worgenbane Talisman Rune of Perfection
Trinket	Worgenbane Talisman	Commander Springvale, Shadowfang Keep · req 21	Rune of Perfection Rune of Duty
Main Hand	Notched Ritual Rib	req 40	Swinetusk Shank Clever Expeditionary's Spellblade
Off Hand	Celestial Orb	Quest: Celestial Power · req 40	Omega Orb Orb of the Forgotten Seer
Ranged	Nether Force Wand	Quest: Mage's Wand · req 40	Starfaller Master Hunter's Wand

Arcane Mage BiS at level 50

Around level 50 the most upgrades for Arcane Mage drop in Blackrock Depths (3), Scarlet Monastery Cathedral (1) and Razorfen Downs (1).

Slot	Best in slot	Where	Alternatives
Head	Red Mageweave Headband	Crafted (tailoring) · req 43	Dreamweave Circlet Spellpower Goggles Xtreme Plus
Neck	Triune Amulet	High Inquisitor Whitemane, Scarlet Monastery Cathedral · req 39	Scorn's Icy Choker Glowing Eye of Mordresh
Shoulder	Nethershine Shoulders	Crafted (tailoring) · req 42	Kentic Amice Nethergeld Shoulders
Back	Spritecaster Cape	Houndmaster Grebmar, Blackrock Depths · req 47	Mantle of Lady Falther'ess Runecloth Cloak
Chest	Dreamweave Vest	Crafted (tailoring) · req 40	Robe of the Magi Ghostweave Vest
Wrist	Dryad's Wrist Bindings	Vendor · req 50	Dryad's Wrist Bindings Nethershine Cuffs
Hands	Golden Gloves	Crafted (tailoring) · req 50	Theramore Handwraps Raider Handwraps
Waist	Golden Waistcord	Crafted (tailoring) · req 47	Golden Cord Ban'thok Sash
Legs	Spellshock Leggings	Trash mobs, Zul'Farrak · req 45	Violet Sorcerer's Leggings Pearly Leggings
Feet	Golden Sandals	Crafted (tailoring) · req 50	Earthen Silk Slippers Golden Slippers
Finger	Advisor's Ring	Vendor · req 48	Lorekeeper's Ring Cyclopean Band
Finger	Lorekeeper's Ring	Vendor · req 48	Cyclopean Band Bloodmaster's Ring
Trinket	Jewel of the Guard Captain	req 46	Cleansed Vilebranch Icon Uther's Strength
Trinket	Cleansed Vilebranch Icon	req 46	Uther's Strength Ankh of Life
Main Hand	Clever Expeditionary's Spellblade	Reputation · req 48	Darkspear Insurgent's Spellblade Notched Ritual Rib
Off Hand	Truesilver Conduit	Crafted (enchanting) · req 45	Gryphon Rider's Crop Celestial Orb
Ranged	Nether Force Wand	Quest: Mage's Wand · req 40	Starfaller Lesser Eternal Wand

Arcane Mage BiS at level 60

Around level 60 the most upgrades for Arcane Mage drop in Blackrock Spire (4), Stratholme (2) and Dire Maul (1).

Slot	Best in slot	Where	Alternatives
Head	Spellweaver's Turban	General Drakkisath, Blackrock Spire · req 60	Crimson Felt Hat Cap of the Scarlet Savant
Neck	Nacreous Shell Necklace	Cannon Master Willey, Stratholme · req 56	Orb of the Darkmoon Amulet of the Dawn
Shoulder	Theramore Shoulderpads	Reputation · req 60	Darkspear Shoulderpads Burial Shawl
Back	Crystalline Threaded Cape	req 58	Hide of the Wild Shroud of Arcane Mastery
Chest	Robe of the Archmage	Crafted (tailoring) · req 57	Virtuous Robe Alanna's Embrace
Wrist	Dryad's Wrist Bindings	Vendor · req 60	Rockfury Bracers Dryad's Wrist Bindings
Hands	Sandworm Skin Gloves	Quest: Armaments of War · req 60	Hands of Power Golden Gloves
Waist	Magician's Cord	req 60	Belt of the Archmage Mana-infused Cord
Legs	Outrider's Silk Leggings	Vendor · req 60	Sentinel's Silk Leggings Flarecore Leggings
Feet	Sorcerer's Boots	Quest: Anthion's Parting Words · req 60	Virtuous Sandals Omnicast Boots
Finger	Rune Band of Wizardry	Lord Valthalak, Blackrock Spire · req 58	Maiden's Circle Jereman's Bauble
Finger	Maiden's Circle	World drop · req 55	Jereman's Bauble Don Mauricio's Band of Domination
Trinket	Briarwood Reed	Jed Runewatcher, Blackrock Spire · req 55	Weakness Analyzer Eye of the Beast
Trinket	Weakness Analyzer	req 60	Eye of the Beast Serenity Field
Main Hand	Sageblade	Crafted (blacksmithing) · req 59	Clever Expeditionary's Spellblade Darkspear Insurgent's Spellblade
Off Hand	Master Dragonslayer's Orb	Quest: The Lord of Blackrock · req 60	Tome of Arcane Domination Scepter of Interminable Focus
Ranged	Wand of Arcane Potency	Trash drop, Dire Maul · req 54	Bonecreeper Stylus Brilliant Wand

Mage changes in Forever

buff
Elemental Precision
3 ranks of 2% hit each, up to 6% (was 5 ranks of 1%).
October 20, 2026
buff
Ice Barrier
Absorbs 10% more (493 instead of 448 at rank 1) and raises your Frost damage by 3% for 1 min, 3% more while the shield holds.
October 20, 2026
buff
Frost Ward
Absorbs 10% more (178 instead of 162 at rank 1), plus 10% of your Frost spell power.
October 20, 2026
buff
Frost Warding
Also raises what your Ice Barrier and Frost Ward absorb by 10 or 20%. Frost Ward’s chance now negates the spell instead of reflecting it.
October 20, 2026
nerf
Piercing Ice
Gone from the Frost tree: it gave 2/4/6% more Frost damage.
October 20, 2026
change
Frost Channeling
Moves from the second to the first column of row 3.
October 20, 2026
change
Improved Blizzard
Moves from the fourth to the second column of row 3.
October 20, 2026
buff
Missile Barrage
Frost Blast can now trigger it too.
October 16, 2026

Change list compiled from the Forever patch notes and client data.

Mage talent builds

All Mage talents in Forever

Other Mage specs

Fire Mage BiS · Frost Mage BiS

FAQ

What is the best in slot gear for Arcane Mage in WoW Forever?

At level 60 the top picks include Spellweaver's Turban, Theramore Shoulderpads and Robe of the Archmage. The full slot-by-slot list for levels 10 to 60 is on this page.

What stats should Arcane Mage prioritize?

Spell Damage, Spell Hit %, Intellect, Mana per 5 sec and Spell Crit %, roughly in that order.

Where should Arcane Mage farm gear while leveling?

Level 20: Shadowfang Keep. Level 30: City of Dalaran. Level 40: Shadowfang Keep.

Last updated 2026-10-28. Game data from the WoW Forever client (Beta build 1.60.1.70532); community picks credited where used.