Professions: What To Do About Them When Leveling?
Posted on 2009-10-19
Whether you are just getting started with your very first World of Warcraft toon or you are someone who is looking for a whole new way to play, leveling is going to be on your mind, and chances are good that your professions are not far behind it! Professions are something that some people love, some people don't bother with and other people are just plain confused by. What do you need to know about your primary and secondary professions, especially if leveling is a priority?
The first thing that you should remember is that technically, you do not need to do anything. Having professions or not having them at all is not going to keep you from leveling and there are definitely some level 80 characters who don't have them at all. Leveling professions takes time and if you are doing a speed run to 80, you can always go back and pick them up later if you feel the lack.
That being said, it cannot be denied that some professions are useful. Take a look at the three secondary professions of Fishing, Cooking and First Aid. When you are on the run towards 80, you will find that it is not all that difficult to level First Aid at the same time. You get the material for First Aid from cloth drops as you go, and though it's a bit tedious to make the bandages, they can be fairly helpful as you travel. Similarly, you can always buy a great deal of cloth from the Auction House and level that way.
You should also be aware that there are bonuses to some of the professions that are going to make you more effective as you play the game. For instance, if you level your Skinning up, you are going to be able to get the bonus Master of Anatomy; this makes your ability to score critical hits against others much more likely. Similarly, if you level your Herbalism up to a certain amount, you will find that you are in a great place to get Lifeblood, a heal over time. If you are playing a class without an ability to heal itself, like warrior or warlock, this can make a huge difference during pitched battles.
When it comes right down to it, the primary professions are all ways for you to make gold. If you are saving up for a flying mount or if you happen to be a very gear dependent class, it can make a difference, but if you are only interested in leveling, you might not want to bother. Take some time and look into how you are playing and what you want to do. First Aid can help you devote less time to eating and drinking and it can also help during fights, but beyond that, the other professions can be safely passed up! Check out a WoW leveling guide to find out what else might help you level and what you can let go.
