WoW Forever spell ranks and level requirements

Fireball rank 2 lists a level 6 requirement: 27 to 39 Fire damage, another 3 Fire damage over 6 seconds, 45 mana, 35 yard range, 2 second cast. Open Fireball and read that rank. The next rank has its own level requirement and values. A level match does not confirm that your character has already learned the spell.

Which rank fits your level?

Fireball rank 1 requires level 1 and deals 14 to 22 Fire damage plus 2 over 4 seconds. Rank 2 requires level 6. Rank 3 requires level 12 and deals 45 to 61 plus 6 over 6 seconds. At level 6, rank 2 is available by level; at level 5, only rank 1 is. Each row keeps that rank's own values rather than blending the surrounding ranks.

The class spellbook's level field greys abilities whose first rank needs a higher level; it does not select a rank for you. An ability page opens with its first rank's tooltip and lists its published ranks below. The beta's level cap is 30. Arcane Blast has ranks at 20 and 30 within that cap. Polymorph lasts 20 seconds at level 8 and 30 seconds at level 20. Missing effect text stays unavailable rather than borrowing another rank's damage.

Which talent has to come first?

Arcane Blast is a one-rank talent. Its ability starts at level 20 with 56 to 66 Arcane damage. The talent requires 10 points already spent in the preceding Arcane talents. Before any Legacy changes, a level 20 Mage has 11 talent points; the required points must be in those Arcane talents rather than in Fire or Frost.

Fireball has no linked talent requirement in this spellbook, and rank 1 lists level 1. Arcane Meditation does not change the damage printed on Fireball. Read that talent's own ranks in the talent point guide when the question is the talent, and return from the spell to the talent when the spell names one. The allocation you already made stays with you.

What do you compare before you respec?

Read the rank your level allows, then the next rank's level. For Fireball, level 6 is the step from rank 1's 14 to 22 plus 2 over 4 seconds to rank 2's 27 to 39 plus 3 over 6 seconds, with rank 2's 45 mana and 2 second cast. Rank 3 waits for level 12. Do not plan as though rank 2 already includes rank 3.

For a talent point gate, use talent points, levels and prerequisites.