Level 70 sage here... I really can't add much to what Miele wrote.I have a somewhat different technique (or at least a different explanation):PREP-WORKI set up the buffs on my hotbar much the same as Miele but in a different order within the two sets (one set of durability buffs and one set of progress buffs).PHASE 1 - DURABILITY (costs power)I buff durability using the pure durability buff that costs power (the "rune" buff) and the other one that increases durability but doesn't cost power (the "hand" buff) until I have about 40% power left or the first bar is full, whichever comes first. This is usually sufficient to build up a "puffer" of durability that will last all the way to the end of the combine.I obviously counter all events, in which case I always hit all three DURABILITY buffs - the event that has to be countered with the pure durability buff (the one that costs power) seems to occur most frequently at the beginning of the combine, so I will usually get it even if I'm not paying attention, and if the Sage's Insight event comes the "head" buff is always ready because I don't usually hit it (in this phase of the combine).PHASE 2 - PROGRESS (regain power)When I am at about 40% power or the first bar is full, I then switch to the TWO progress buffs that don't cost power starting with the "head" buff and ending with the "hand" buff. I only hit the "rune" buff which costs power if I have to counter an event (again with all three PROGRESS buffs). I start with the "head" buff for much the same reasons as Miele mentioned, but not only; I may be imagining things but I've found that the event that must be countered by the "head" buff (which doesn't cost power) seems to occur most often in the later stages of the combine, so habitually hitting this buff at the beginning of the tick has saved me more than it has hurt me.If I get too many failures and my durability falls below around 40% on the last bar, I switch back to buffing DURABILITY (which costs me power) until I feel it is safe to switch back to PROGRESS (which, in my scheme, is where I regain power). You will eventually get a feeling for it, whereby an occasional rush order can still go awry if I am talkin' someone's ear off in guild chat while I'm doing it.
RESULTAppIV (usually with full durability) AND full power (so I can start right away with the next spell in my rush order - I've never had to put recipes on my hotbar)OTHER TIPSRead the descriptions of your buffs and use the buffs every tick.Use your artisan's tunic that you got for completing the tradeskill quest when you were level 6. Unequip all gear that adds power (I wear the Bloodline stuff because I don't like the long-john look).End all of your buffs that add power or add to a stat that raises your toon's power.Use power totems.Do the tradeskill quest on the Isle of Mara for the cool charm that really helps.Ask a tinkerer to make that "thingy" for your other charm slot.Remember that you usually only have to type the first few letters of a recipe in the box to find it.The recipe you probably want is usually going to be at the bottom of the list - so look there first.If you are a wizard (as many sages are), remember that you have three spells that "refill" your power at the expense of your health.BTWRush orders really do give you the maximum return on your investment (especially if you're out of vitality).Have fun!
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