How to Be a Better Fire Mage in World of Warcraft

For General Player-versus-Player combat(PvP)

Get to Level 70, or whatever level you want to play at! (for you Warsong Gulches out there)

Get good Gear. Note: I did not say "the best gear" you don't need it to be a good fire mage. You can do this 3 ways: the Auction House (worst way); Raiding (might be good, but if that's not your cup o' tea, then don't bother); and PvP ranks.

Next, find a mix of fire talents that matches your play style. There a few talents that you *MUST* have to be a good fire mage. Be sure to get impact, as it provides a nice stun. Select Ignite to do extra damage on critical hits. Flame-throwing is very handy, as it allows you to strike from a longer range.

Move with a group and support your team.

Know your job, be it defense or offense. Protect your healers, counter-spell and/or sheep enemy healers.

Use AoE spells on groups of enemies and to defend flags. Flamestrike, Arcane explosion and Blast wave will stop a flag capture, Blizzard will NOT!

Focus fire on a single target, but be aware of your surroundings. Watch for healers that are hidden to the sides, a well placed polymorph can turn the tide of battle.

Remain hidden or in the back of your group if possible. Mages are a high value target since you can bring very high damage to battle. Expect Hunters and Rogues to target you.

The 'Bolt' type spells offer good damage at long range, but point back to you as a high-damage but soft target. Consider using scorch when you want to keep a low profile. It is fast casting, has an increased crit rate(with talents) and can generate a stacking damage-increase debuff (with talents).

For Single melee P.V.P targets in the open field

In most cases you will want to have and keep range against melee targets. Warriors will charge and rogues will sneak up and ambush you. Frost nova will lock them in place and allow you to move away.

Sheeping a melee target will allow you to take a moment to cast your larger damage spells.

Move away and begin to cast Fireball or Pyroblast.

When the spell is almost done casting, start hitting the button to cast a fireball. The second spell should be nearly done casting as the first one hits.

Melee targets will move toward you, so it is best to keep moving and use Scorch and Fireblast to finish them off.

Save your Blink to escape from stuns and intercept.

If you have the talent, Presence of Mind and Fireball or Pyroblast can be a good finishing move.

Remember that you have Frostnova, Cone of Cold, and Blastwave (if you take the talent) to root or slow your enemy.

While they are not mana-efficient, a few Arcane Explosions can end a close battle. They are instant spells, so you can use them on the run and can be a good finishing blow if an opponent is almost dead.

Raiding and Player-versus-Environment (PvE)

The raiding mage brings solid damage and utility to battle, but faces some unique challenges.

The biggest challenges you will face as a fire mage are fire immunity/resistance (in Molten Core) and the agro generated from spike damage.

Fire mages must be conscious of the agro they are generating in battle, as rolling ignites can cause very large damage output. Consider selecting Burning Soul to ameliorate some of this agro.

Mana can be a concern in long battles. Fire mages tend to focus more on burst damage and less on mana efficiency. Consider using scorch, with talents, to build up a large damage bonus. Master of Elements provides a good mana bonus for every critical hit.

Frost will be the best talent specialization for PvP. When acquired the correct level in the frost tree, it will allow you to summon a water elemental pet that can hold the attention of the player (and annoy them :D). You can then blast them with all your power! Frost can also slow the player down (which is especially good for melee players).