Best Pre-Hardmode Mage Build

[MattTheMan2708]

So I'm currently doing a mage playthrough and am almost ready to face the Wall of Flesh. However, I don't normally use mage stuff and am not sure about my setup for facing the boss and starting out Hardmode.

My current setup is:
Main Weapons (ones I use mostly): Flower of Fire, Aqua Scepter, Space Gun, Crimson Rod
Side Weapons (ones I have, but don't really use): Book of Skulls, Diamond Staff, Bee Gun, Water Bolt, Demon Scythe
Armor: Full Meteorite Set
Accessories: Frostspark Boots, Blue Horseshoe Balloon, Obsidian Shield, Mana Flower, Panic Necklace

I just want to know some opinions about what weapons I should use and what new accessories I should get before entering Hardmode. Also, as you could probably tell, I have a Crimson World so Vilethorn and Band of Starpower are out of the question.

Finally, is Menacing or Warding better for a mage? I currenylu have three Warding and two Menacing and am not sure which to ultimately go for. Thanks in advance.

[Nova Solarius]

Water Bolt, Aqua Scepter and Hellstone armour gets me started with Hardmode. Menacing is better if you don't get hit too often, Warding if you do.

[crypto]

Get better armor than meteorite, i had it and well it cant stand skeletron (dungeon guardian summoned by old man)

[KillerKanickel]

Menacing is just later good 'cause with pre-Hardmode stuff you just Deal 40-60Dmg and 4% of a Dps with 150 it's just +6 Dmg

[PopShoveItQueen]

Jungle armour is better for all mage weapons, even with low defence. Bee gun and aqua septer workd great in my mage playthrough, thats how i beat the wall

[i eat microplastics]

I personally like the Book of Skulls, Aqua Sceptre, Bee Gun, and the Water Bolt mainly. Im not much of a Space Gun fan myself.