Hardcore raiding Mage picking up wow again. Need tips

[Deleted]

I'm considering starting raiding again but after a long break from wow I don't know how anything work anymore. I'm aiming to max my character with every trick possible, so I need to read up on everything that can boost my dps. Before I start browsing the forums I'd like to get some tips so I won't have to read for days.

First of all. Is nothing but fire viable today? If I want to do the most dps possible, is fire the way to go, regardless of raid comp or boss fight?

Secoundly id love to get some links to good guides with rotations, haste soft caps etc.

Thanks.

[mrgreenthump]

Guides:

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...ire-Mage-Guide

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...de-MoP-Edition

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...Mage-PvE-Guide

As for which spec, some prefer frost, some prefer fire, I personally go with fire, cause it can cleave better and does better dps. Frost has better control on some fights which might need it(only 1-2 whole tier).

[Psychokwak]

Funny, all this time and I was wrong.
I thought "hardcore players" of any class would figure out obvious information and find cutting edge information in a snap instead of begging for links like any other randoms.
I am so shameful that I thought of something like this :/

Don't forget to check this pristine guide ! http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/mage

[Urmydinner]

Fire sims out to be the best in BIS gear with Nether Tempest and Invocation active on a Patchwerk style fight. However, Frost is a close second simming about 1% less damage than Fire. Arcane is.. uh not in a good place currently, but there have been some recent buffs that will be released with the next patch so we'll have to see how that affects the damage overall.

Fire and Frost are pretty close to all the fights out at the moment. There are not many differences.

[Deleted]

Thanks. I mainly wanted to know if frost or arcane was worth looking into. I'm on vacation right now with little to no Internet. I figured asking for some links to guides etc would make it easier to read up on later. Guess I'm just lazy. Thanks for the help.