Rotation explanation for a noob range DPS

[SpiritMuse]

While Fire 3 is technically your most powerful spell, it also has a very slow cast and a high mp cost, so you'll only be able to use it very few times before running out of mp, which will limit your dps in the long run. What you want to do (for now - things will change a little again at level 60 when all of the new skills come into effect) is spend as much time in Astral Fire phase as you can, as that's where you'll do most of your damage. So, start with Fire 3 to instantly build up 3 stacks of AF, then switch to the slightly cheaper Fire 1 spell. Then, when this activates Firestarter, giving you a free, instant cast of Fire 3, cast that Fire 3, then go back to Fire 1. Continue until low on mp. Then cast Blizzard 3, which will instantly take you to a full Umbral Ice 3 (as well as having its cast time halved from being under AF3). There's no need to use Transpose as much at this level. You have time for about one or two spells before your mp is full again, you can cast Thunder at this point to keep up the DoT. Then cast Fire3 again (which will also have its cast time halved, from being under UI3), and start over.

I mentioned Thunder - don't forget about this spell. You'll want to open your fights with Thunder or Thunder 2, then when the Thundercloud activates, much like Firestarter for Fire, this will grant you a free, instant cast Thunder 3 that will do all its damage extra up front as well as leaving the usual DoT. Well, technically it will make any of your Thunder spells have that effect, but as Thunder 3 will do the most damage that's the one you'll want to use.

A good thing to keep in mind is that no abilities really become obsolete in this game. They all serve their purpose, though they may become more situational.