If I want to solo I use a focused fire pet. I do not do anything until the mob is fleeing (low HP), then I kill my pet and nuke it once for full XP.
Pro-tips:
- Get a Burnt Wood Staff at level 46. It's a mana-free 333 dmg nuke.
- If my pet is losing and about to die before the mob starts fleeing, then I just chain summon a new one.
- Learn how to chain summon. You start casting your new pet while your current one is still alive, and right before casting is completed you mouse-click "Go away" on Pet Window.
- I never heal my pet. It doesn't heal for much, and a full HP pet only costs 200 mana at lvl 49, and the mats are basically free.
- It's not really worth reclaiming your pet unless it has a decent amount of HP left. You only get mana back in proportion to how much HPs your pet has remaining.
- Mages are incredibly powerful soloers, but also very boring IMO. I found it's funner to duo or group.