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The latest Season of Discovery in WoW Classic has breathed new life into the iconic game, and alongside it comes a renewed focus on efficient leveling and farming techniques. This guide delves into a unique and powerful method for Mages: AOE grinding the miners in Hillsbrad Foothills.

The New Face of AOE Grinding:

Gone are the days of static AOE farming from a remote distance. Season of Discovery's new Rune system empowers Mages to embrace a bold, "face-tanking" approach to grinding. With the right rune choices and gear, you can pull and clear large groups of mobs in tight spaces like the Azur Lod Mine.

Gear and Runes:

· Decent gear: While max-level gear isn't mandatory, decent equipment with sufficient Health and Stamina is crucial for surviving.

· Arcane Subtlty (2 points): Reduces target's magical resistance, boosting your AOE damage.

· Arcane Focus (3 points): Increases hit chance with Arcane spells, vital for consistent AOE.

· Arcane Concentration (5 points): Increases crit chance, further amplifying your damage.

· Arcane Explosion (3 points): Your primary AOE spell, dealing heavy damage to multiple targets.

· Living Bomb: Applies a DoT effect, adding sustained damage and sustain through heals.

· Living Flame: Creates a DoT zone, healing you for every tick received by affected mobs.

· Regeneration (Chest Rune): Provides constant passive healing, crucial for staying alive with large pulls.

The 7 Pools of Pain (and Gold):

The guide details a precise strategy for clearing the Azur Lod Mine through seven strategic "pools" of mobs. Each pool involves specific tactics for pulling, applying DoTs, and maintaining your health through Living Flame's heals. Mastering this rotation significantly reduces your run time and maximizes efficiency.

Tips and Tricks:

· Water is your friend: Buy stacks of level 25 Water to keep your mana high and sustain the grind.

· World buffs are a bonus: BFD World Buff offers increased speed and slightly boosted heals, further optimizing your run.

· Be a good neighbor: Help Warriors with the Brutal Helmet quest by letting them loot 10 items before clearing the mobs.

· Prepare for corpse runs: This method isn't risk-free, so expect occasional deaths and long corpse runs.

· Share the wealth: This spot attracts other Horde players, so be prepared to share the mobs or find another mine.

The Gold at the End of the Tunnel:

While consistency is key, the author reports earning close to 30 WoW Classic SoD gold per hour using this method. Over ten hours, they raked in an impressive 300 gold, excluding valuable rare drops. Compared to other popular farming methods, Hillsbrad Foothills offers a potentially more consistent and potentially higher gold income.

Beyond the Grind:

The guide encourages viewers to utilize resources like the Rested XP addon to maximize leveling efficiency. Additionally, the author promises future Alliance farming guides, acknowledging the need for balanced content.

Overall:

This in-depth guide provides a detailed roadmap for Mages looking to master AOE grinding in Hillsbrad Foothills. With precise instructions, valuable tips, and honest insights into the method's pros and cons, this guide equips you with the knowledge and strategy needed to turn miners into gold dust and forge your path to wealth in Season of Discovery.