I need someone to explain to me how a mage WORKS.
Like what are best stats to have on items and why.

for solo - weap/armor get as much int a possible. a good secondary mod would be heal mastery
- main charm should be a damage charm, the more ee, the better. 1 int is roughly equal to 1ee if you have both on a charm
- acc charm should be a heal charm, the more ee the better.

for catas - mages are meant to heal in here, so heal mastery is more improtanton your weapon/armor.
- put your heal charm in your main spot
when your team has plenty of health, attack with your weapon, and heal when needed

thanks for all the help guys

this is wrong.
do basic math and see why you are wrong sir.

acc. charm is 75% effective.
say you have 50% heal mastery gear, and a charm that heals 100.

charm in main slot: total hm gear = 100% heals are doubled heal 200
charm in acc. slot: total hm gear = 150% multiply ur heal x 2.5 multiply by .75 due to acc slot you heal 187.5

unless you have a GG hm charm, use the heal in the main slot