Hmmm, some interesting spec suggestions for mage FCs at 49! I've pretty much tried them all, but hands down, my favorite and most successful spec as a dedicated mage flagrunner is
0/27/13
My mage,
Naddia, is old and has 88XP till I hit 50, but you can get an idea of what gear I've been using (
ack, didn't log out in my full FC wear).
I've clocked in
60k HKs as a dedicated flagrunner and have been very successful. A "Naddia has picked up the Horde Flag" message is one that has surely made many a horde a sad-panda indeed. The changes to the leg enchants have taken it's toll (no longer 4khp!), but a mage running flags is still very viable.
You have great mobility, and the ability to apply and remove snares like no one else... you ARE the CC king of the 49s, and crowd control spells certain victory for a game like WSG. Live and embrace your bubble (
I use my mana bubble like an ice mage would use their barrier), and blazing speed will ALWAYs proc if you've got some focus fire on you. Everyman for Himself, the Insignia, and the Icy Veins glyph also provide you with ample snare removals at your disposal.
Essentially, you'll be casting mainly CC spells as the runner. Polymorph and Rank 1 frost is practically all I cast on
Naddia during a bout of WSG. I can't harp on the benefits of Rank 1 frost enough, it's a speedy 1 second cast, and with
permafrost and
frostbite talents it's just cruel. You've, also got
2 instant snares to use on the fly, frost nova and blast wave (3, I suppose, if you lump the Cone of Cold into the mix)... Impact is phenomenal for the SPIN and stun effects while on the run. Blazing speed procs aplenty, especially if you have a hunter on your tail. Grab
Deadman's Hand and you'll leave a trail of frozen targets littered across the battlefield. I like to drop one point in Blizzard too, as I also do a fair share of escorting... it's like having a long range frost nova at your disposal, and situationally, it comes in handy more than you'd think!
The spec is also great against rogues and other melee types, I can't tell you how often frostbite and blazing speed procced together when being jumped upon. Blazing speed, IMO, is a must have if you're serious about being a mage FC; with no internal cooldown, and being the source of ire, it'll keep you zooming along at breakneck speeds!
Overall, if you're stuck with flag on your back, you'll be doing plenty of kiting, snaring your opponents and running around your base, staying close to the pedestal for the imminent return. No one says you
HAVE to fight in WSG, so don't be shy to abuse your sheep! Poly and move on... enough sheeping and you'll find opponents outright avoid you instead of getting into range to mess with your affairs. You're a flagrunner... let the DPS specialists do their thing, so you can do yours!
Hope this is enough food for thought, and enjoy!
Oooh, another thought, save your blinks! All too often I see mage flagrunners making the mistake of blinking across the field to get across faster, only to be jumped by rogues at the bottleneck points and left with no escape routes! Use discretionary prudence!
