Pages

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Best Mage race

I've been blogging on and off about the desire to start a Mage but you've probably missed it. At any rate, I had more or less reached the conclusion that I would start one in Cataclysm and I was looking forward to a Worgen Mage. I'm not sure it's the best race-class combination but Worgen are damn cool and Worgen spellcasters are not unheard of.

I can't wait to play in Gilneas and the Worgen starting areas. Apart from that, Mages are just about the only class left that I haven't played seriously yet, that I still have an interest in. There are also Warriors and Druids but for some reason they have never attracted me. So basically there are 2 things that I want: to play a Mage and to play a Worgen. Luckily Worgen can be Mages in Cataclysm.

Even though I have picked the race for my future Mage, I still have this nagging feeling that perhaps I'm not choosing the most efficient race for my Mage. Truth is, I do tend to favor Humans, since I play on the Alliance side. Humans have a big racial advantage: the 10% bonus to reputation gained.

So what are the races that can play a Mage on the Alliance side?

Human - very desirable trait in the 10% reputation bonus.
Gnome - I don't care what racials they have, I refuse to play one.
Draenei - some healing and some extra chance to hit. Both of these are marginally useful.
Worgen - apart from the looks (which are a killer IMO), the most useful racial they get (and one which is perfect for Mages) is the 1% extra damage. That's what we know so far, things may change.

Now of course, the scope of this article is pretty moot since I've pretty much made up my mind already. Chances are I'll be playing a Worgen Mage come Cataclysm. I'm curious, though, what would you do in my place?

What race would you pick for your Mage if you were to roll a new one? What class will you pick for your first Worgen character? Do you go for looks over utility or vice-versa?

18 comments:

Skaut said...

I have an 80 Human Mage and a 76 Undead Mage and I love them both. If I were to roll a new one, well it might be a female Draenei(can't stand the males) for Alliance, or female Troll for Horde. I haven't really considered starting a new one yet though.

As for Worgen, my first will either be a Druid or Rogue. I already have names saved. :)

Some racials tempt me, depending on the class. But it's usually more about what feels comfortable to play. I started a Gnome Warlock 4 years ago and couldn't get past level 10. Wasn't sure if it was the Gnome or Warlock part. Since then though I've gotten a Gnome Rogue to 71 and an Undead Warlock to 70. So maybe there is something to be said about how comfortable you feel when playing a character with certain race/class combos. If it doesn't feel right, then that character just won't get leveled up.

Anonymous said...

if you are waiting till the expansion, one choice stands clear: dwarf

Darth Solo said...

Oh jeez I missed the fact that in Cataclysm Dwarves and Night Elves can be Mages.

Bowcephus said...

I agree with Anyonymous; I think you owe it to yourself to roll a Dwarf mage. The flowing white beard is built in from level 1!

Roll a Worgen Druid. You don't know what you're missing my friend, Druids are AWESOME for solo play. You blast mobs from range with spells till they close, switch to cat form and shred them to pieces, then heal yourself and repeat. Pulled more than you planned? Tank them in bear form. In over your head? Travel form and run away. Gathering quests are a joke with flight form, if you're trying to pick anything up and you pull aggro, just fly away. You can even pick herbs when in your forms.

I love my hunter, but once my druid hits 80 I don't know if I'll play anything else.

HokieJayBee said...

my main is a draenei mage. the +hit is an easy decision to like, and you never have to worry about switching it gear in/out to raid 10/25 or just do 5 mans.

the self heal has saved my tail many-a-time on heavy aoe damage boss fights. at 80 i think it ticks for 1.3k-1.6k each tick.

however, a flat out +1% to damage from a worgen, should blizz choose to keep that as the racial - well you can't argue with that.

Darth Solo said...

@Darraxus I know but... they're too ugly. Worgen are uber-cool in comparison. BTW, how many Gnomes does a Worgen eat for breakfast?

@Bowcephus I'll probably end up creating a Worgen Druid because the other option would be Night Elves and I hate them. As for the mage, not Dwarves, my Hunter is one. I will consider a Dwarven Shaman though.

@HokieJayBee our thoughts are one.

Deftig said...

So you don't care for gnomes or night elves. Sounds like you should consider a goblin mage!

Edgar said...

Started a gnome mage myself, mainly for the intelligence bonus, but also, since mages are pure DPS my offspec could be for PvP and the free PvP racial escape artists which removes slow movement, combined with a root removing trinket and you'll be mostly unstoppable.

Darth Solo said...

Yeah, if you want to min-max, you will probably forsake looks over utility. Meh, I'm not that elite :)

SirFWALGMan said...

I am for sure doing a Mage Worgen. I wanted a Shaman Worgen but figured out that is not allowed.. So I started leveling my Dran Shaman before the expansion and will wait on my Mage till the Worgens come. Far as buff.. none of them are "Game Changing".. So I just pick what I like.

Geforce said...

Definitly a worgen rogue, did you see the stealth animation its extreme :D

Darth Solo said...

@SirFWALGMan I'll also start a Worgen Druid.

@Geforce no, I didn't see it. I wonder if it applies to druids as well.

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking about rolling a mage in Cataclysm as well, however I'm thinking Nelf. Why? Well, really, just to be different.

Darth Solo said...

@Anon *shudder*
Sorry man but I just don't like Nelfs :)

Anonymous said...

at patch 4.0.1 gnomes doesnt have that %5 int buff... they have %5 extra mana pool buff

Darth Solo said...

@Anon 2x *shudder* @ gnomes.
I won't play a gnome, no matter what racials they have. Hate the little buggers.

Anonymous said...

Tch! Gnomes are cute. ... Although the lack of hairstyle drives me up the wall, around the corner, and through two hardwood doors-.. I can't stand having more than two. My only choice seems to be nelf, since I have a human warlock. Having a human mage would just seem repetitive. I can't bring myself to go dwarf, I have 2 (more than enough) draenei, and worgen are-... ... they have boobs that defy gravity and the customization of your average upright cow. D< ERGHDILLEMA. Nelf gets old too. ;_; B-.. but...

Darth Solo said...

I agree that gnome chicks are cute :)