The highest item level one-hand weapons a level 11–20 character can wear as a Mage start with Blackfang (item level 25, rare). 155 items fit the slot and band; the top 25 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Blackfang | 25 | 20 | 16.3 | 1.50 | Dagger | Found in Battered Chest (Darkshore) at 0.0% (+402 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Evocator's BladeCHANGED | 25 | 20 | 16.3 | 1.60 | Dagger | Drops from Skittering Crustacean (Blackfathom Deeps) at 0.1% (+23 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Deadly Bronze Poniard | 25 | 20 | 12.8 | 1.80 | Dagger | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 4 |  Smotts' Cutlass | 25 | 20 | 11.6 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Negolash at 100.0% (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Assassin's Blade | 24 | 19 | 15.5 | 1.90 | Dagger | Drops from Vile Bat (Shadowfang Keep) at 0.1% (+11 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 | Cruel Barb | 24 | 19 | 15.5 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Edwin VanCleef (The Deadmines) at 20.0% (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Shadowfang | 24 | 19 | 15.6 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Lupine Horror (Shadowfang Keep) at 0.1% (+8 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Bluegill Kukri | 24 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Bluegill Warrior (Wetlands) at 1.5% (vanilla) |
| 9 |  Bronze ShortswordCHANGED | 24 | 19 | 12.2 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 10 | Decapitating Sword | 24 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Humar the Pridelord (The Barrens) at 1.6% (+547 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 |  Spikelash DaggerCHANGED | 24 | 19 | 12.1 | 1.90 | Dagger | Drops from Lady Vespira (Darkshore) at 65.0% (vanilla) |
| 12 |  Kris | 24 | 19 | 10.9 | 1.60 | Dagger | Sold by Ariyell Skyshadow (+12 more) (vanilla) |
| 13 | Warped Blade | 24 | 19 | 7.2 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Large Iron Bound Chest (Gnomeregan) at 1.2% (+315 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 |  Butcher's SlicerCHANGED | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Razorclaw the Butcher (Shadowfang Keep) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 15 | Buzz SawCHANGED | 23 | 18 | 15.2 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Sneed's Shredder (The Deadmines) at 10.0% (vanilla) |
| 16 |  Legionnaire's Sword | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 17 |  Protector's Sword | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 18 | Scout's Blade | 23 | 18 | 15.3 | 1.70 | Dagger | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 19 |  Sentinel's Blade | 23 | 18 | 15.3 | 1.70 | Dagger | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 20 | Pearl-handled Dagger | 23 | 18 | 11.5 | 1.70 | Dagger | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 21 | Hunting Knife | 23 | 18 | 7.1 | 1.70 | Dagger | Found in Large Iron Bound Chest (Gnomeregan) at 1.2% (+315 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 | Thief's BladeCHANGED | 22 | 17 | 14.4 | 1.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Mr. Smite (The Deadmines) at 40.0% (vanilla) |
| 23 |  Militant Shortsword | 22 | 17 | 11.0 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Apothecary Falthis (Ashenvale) at 1.7% (+502 more) (vanilla) |
| 24 | Buzzer BladeCHANGED | 21 | 16 | 14.0 | 1.50 | Dagger | Drops from Sneed's Shredder (The Deadmines) at 90.0% (vanilla) |
| 25 | Tail SpikeCHANGED | 21 | 17 | 13.9 | 1.80 | Dagger | Drops from Skum (Wailing Caverns) at 50.0% (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 20 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it. Reviewed picks: Mage Best in Slot.
Other slots: Main Hand, Two-Hand. Every slot and level.