I prefer this:
Duskshadow<warden<darkshadow<meteor<frozen<spiritshadow
+1
Every level 70+ mage should be trying as hard as they can to get winterquest boots, gloves, and helm. So the chest and legs are the only armor listed above that matters until dragonlord armor..
If you want to get with the non vendor armor, I recommend for lvl 70-129 mages:
Gloves: Winterquest (fire has one choice with incin/cloak, while Ice has Iceshards/sacrifice and frostvite/energy shield)
Boots: Winterquest The energy shield/sacrifice could work for ice or fire, and then there's the lure versions with cloak for fire and freeze for ice. These boots give 100 defense.
Helm: Winterquest (fire or Ice) Ice is still ok for fire mage as it gives 100 defense and increases energy boost and energy shield.
Legs: Dusk and then Dark at lvl 75, then Shadow at 100 and then Obisidian at 128? (I can't remmember). Ice mages should either stick with shadow or consider purchasing adamant.
Chest: Dusk and then Dark at lvl 80, then Shadow at 105 and then Obisidian at 132? (I can't remmember). Ice mages should either stick with shadow or consider purchasing adamant.
From Level 130 until Full Dragonlord:
Gloves: Winterquest
Boots: Winterquest
Helm: Winterquest
Legs: If fire, go with Obsidian until DL legs, if ice, use ancient beastbone until DL Legs.
Chest: If fire, go with obsidian until DL Chest, if ice, use ancient beastbone until DL Legs.
The lvl 70 req winterquest helm + boots gives 200 defense. I highly advice mages use 1 dex per level, giving enough defense to dodge 20-40% of attacks. You will be weaker to skill hits so avoid kelpies and level in the sewers on zombies until lvl 106-107.
The lvl 130 req gives up to 500 defense if you use the ice helm with any of the boots. Fire mages will most likely prefer the fire helm, which means you'll need a decent bat charm to help with your defense. Boggans only use one skill hit and then auto attack, so having a decent amount of defense helps keep energy shield up.
One of the best things about having defense is grouping with a druid. I always encourage group leveling as I find solo to be boring. Almost all druids use howling winds and if you don't have defense, the skill isn't as effective. Having defense will allow the druid to focus on killing instead of healing.
Lvl 191 Mage, to lazy to level past that.
Lvl 150 Druid
Rhiannon