Going mage only for teleports- Worth it?

[meyerm]

I'm a pretty new player trying to figure out what class I should spring for as my first attempt to level to max. I'm drawn by the teleport and portal abilities of mages, but don't much like the play style after having gone as far as level 15.

Basically, I'm asking if mage teleport is vital for going places, and if there are alternatives. I don't want to find out at level 85 that I can't go back to a continent or region after finishing the story without a mage to portal me there. I see people in chat asking/offering portals all the time. Is it just convenience, or a must depending on where you want to go?

[jackofwind]

There are a lot of built-in portals in the game these days, mage ports are convenient but not necessary at all.

[Alvito]

They can be convenient, but aren't a huge deal. I wouldn't play a mage just to have access to them, nor would I make a choice on a character 15 levels in. That is like deciding if you like a movie based on the boom mic operators.

[Paperfox]

There's more to a mage than just portals. Look at all the good looking robes you get.

[Katchii]

If you like the game play of mage sure. Otherwise, not even close to worth it. There's so many built in quick travel and teleport options that I don't miss the teleports on my other classes.

[Hey There Guys its Metro]

I'd recommend blood death knight.

[Ooid]

I'd agree with what everyone else has said. It might take a bit of work, but you can get certain items that give you a free teleport to different places, like the tabard from the Argent Tournament that will teleport you there and thus a quick and easy way to get to Northrend from anywhere.

[Alvito]

Finding the class or spec you enjoy to play is very important. If you don't enjoy your character what is the point of playing? Portals are short cuts at best, they don't take you anywhere you couldn't go without one.

[Nasuuna]

i suggest using the level 100 trial to find your class personally

I love my mage, but every time arcane is best I bench it.

The playstyle at level 15, or even level 90 isn't the actual play style, that doesn't show fully until the artifact and talents are all available

[SkagenRora]

No, you don't need a mage portal to take you anywhere, there are flight paths, Zepplins and Just standard portals in cities that take you around from place to place.

[LaserChild9]

Mage portals are really convenient, especially if you want a change of leveling zone you can switch continents easily but as others have said, all that convenience is worthless if you find the playstyle boring. Have you tried all 3 specs?

[Super Kami Dende]

have't touched a mage portal in like 5 years. Never needed them.

[Lochton]

I'm a pretty new player trying to figure out what class I should spring for as my first attempt to level to max. I'm drawn by the teleport and portal abilities of mages, but don't much like the play style after having gone as far as level 15.

Basically, I'm asking if mage teleport is vital for going places, and if there are alternatives. I don't want to find out at level 85 that I can't go back to a continent or region after finishing the story without a mage to portal me there. I see people in chat asking/offering portals all the time. Is it just convenience, or a must depending on where you want to go?

I wouldn't say it would be the best idea. They are handy but the best is of you liking them as well. There is already many portals in the content around.

[Draeth]

Absolutely not. Ten years ago, maybe, but not now.

What you need to do is beg or bribe some 110 Mage to give you a portal to Dalaran - Broken Shore, then set your Hearthstone there. That gives you permanent, instant access to:

1. All your faction capitals
2. Vale of Eternal Blossoms
3. Shattrath
4. Karazhan
5. Caverns of Time
6. Wyrmrest Temple
7. Dalaran Crater
8. Ratchet and Dalaran - Northrend via Vale of Eternal Blossoms portals
9. Blasted Lands and Hellfire Penninsula via capital city WoD portals
10. Hyjal, Deephome, Twilight Highlands, Uldum, and Vash'jir via capital city Cataclysm portals

[Deliverer]

I'm a pretty new player trying to figure out what class I should spring for as my first attempt to level to max. I'm drawn by the teleport and portal abilities of mages, but don't much like the play style after having gone as far as level 15.

Basically, I'm asking if mage teleport is vital for going places, and if there are alternatives. I don't want to find out at level 85 that I can't go back to a continent or region after finishing the story without a mage to portal me there. I see people in chat asking/offering portals all the time. Is it just convenience, or a must depending on where you want to go?

You can go anywhere in the world without being a mage and quite fast aswell.

[Aggrophobic]

I'm a pretty new player trying to figure out what class I should spring for as my first attempt to level to max. I'm drawn by the teleport and portal abilities of mages, but don't much like the play style after having gone as far as level 15.

Basically, I'm asking if mage teleport is vital for going places, and if there are alternatives. I don't want to find out at level 85 that I can't go back to a continent or region after finishing the story without a mage to portal me there. I see people in chat asking/offering portals all the time. Is it just convenience, or a must depending on where you want to go?

The game doesn't start until you're max level and you might also have to max out all traits of your weapon at max level befor you get a good feel for how your class plays.
Get a few to max level befor you decide.

You don't need portals though.

[Deleted]

I'm a pretty new player trying to figure out what class I should spring for as my first attempt to level to max. I'm drawn by the teleport and portal abilities of mages, but don't much like the play style after having gone as far as level 15.

Basically, I'm asking if mage teleport is vital for going places, and if there are alternatives. I don't want to find out at level 85 that I can't go back to a continent or region after finishing the story without a mage to portal me there. I see people in chat asking/offering portals all the time. Is it just convenience, or a must depending on where you want to go?

No, don't. Getting to places will not be a problem. Cities like Dalaran have several portals and you'll end up with 3 Hearthstones at max level, normal one, Dalaran and Garrison.

[AwkwardSquirtle]

Dalaran has portals everywhere you realistically need them, and on the offchance that you can't easily get there, you could always join those in trade asking for a mage.
It's rare;y that useful when doing max level content anyway, since most of that's in the broken isles.

- - - Updated - - -

It's also worth noting that you can't really tell how a class plays until max level (unless it's a BM Hunter).

[Aquamonkey]

Haha. I picked mage as my first character back in Vanilla because it had teleport, conjured food, and blink.

[Nihilan]

Dont forget the Cataclysm portals in SW/Org, they net you access to some otherwise hard to reach places in Kalimdor. Which is very convenient for Alliance players.