20/24 Mage Guidance/Help

[Dye]

Hello everyone,
I have been away from low level twinking for 4-5 years now. Some of you old school twinks may remember my rogue, Private Rasin on Velen. (alliance side) I am currently looking to make a 20 or 24 twink mage, as this is the class I know the best and enjoy the most. I am aware they are under powered in this bracket, and that is exactly why I wish to play one. If someone with some mage or caster experience could answer some questions below, that would be fantastic.

1) For Mages due to item scaling, is 20 or 24 better assuming BiS gear? Also, how does item scaling effect mages at 20? at 24?
2) Based upon #1 , who are some BiS mages? Assuming different gear sets, what are some examples of BiS or sets that work in this bracket? I.e. crit, haste, survivability, glass cannon, etc.
3) which spec or specs are the best for mages in this bracket?

If you think of anything else please feel free to provide some input. Also, thank you ahead of time to anyone that can help direct me on my quest.

***Do not flame or derail this thread.

***Do not try to sway me to another class or try to provide your "beastly" perspective of how much better warlocks, hunters, rogues, paladins, druids, monks, or any other class/spec is than a Mage in the 20-24 bracket. To put it bluntly, IDGAF about your "better" perspective on other classes. I care about your perspectives dealing with a Mage in the 20-24 bracket.

 

[Phrontistery]

They aren't exactly underpowered, if you can get a cast off you'll 1 hit most of the bracket, but yes they are indeed very squishy.
If you are thinking about Frost, I'd go 24 due to the spells you learn, as 20's do not have ice lance(if I remember correctly)
Anyway, that about exceeds my knowledge of 24 mages, so here are some armories!

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/bleeding-hollow/Wangmüncher/simple <-- Best 24 Arcane these days.

Hypergun @ Alexstrasza - Community - World of Warcraft <-- Some missing gear, not sure.

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/alexstrasza/Glacìate/simple <-- Bad logged out without BoAs, so just imagine he had BoAs on.

Splixum @ Cho'gall - Community - World of Warcraft <-- Frost.

Hope I helped a bit gear wise.

 

[SallyG]

24 is superior. Simply due to the abilities you gain. Forget item scaling.

Armories are linked above.

As for specs. You can play all 3. Though some would argue you only should play 2.

 

[Dye]

Which two specs are preferred? I am assuming Arcane and Frost?

Also, which faction offers better quest rewards? If I was to faction change to horde and stay, which items alliance side quest wise should I get? Vice versa?

Thanks for all the help so far.