I am trying to phrase this question in a way that makes it not subjective. I am not looking for "the most fun" or "best" profession for a Warlock to practice in WoW. What I am looking for is to get more information on what profession will benefit a warlock the most in terms of content progression. Be it getting additional stats on armor or being able to create potions - what will help the Warlock the most if they invest their time in? I just recently hit level 85 and after reading about all of the professions, I am still not quite sure as to which will help me the most.
-
1"most in terms of content progression" - Being level 85, could you elaborate on which content you are looking to progress through with these professions? – James Feb 27 '12 at 0:31
-
I agree with @James Do you want it for GOLD, RAID, PVP or FOR FUN ? – Michel Feb 27 '12 at 12:48
-
In WoW "content progression" is almost universally used for raiding. Nothing else is "progression" as such. – dlanod Feb 28 '12 at 20:47
The best profession, bar none, for content progression is Blacksmithing. The two additional sockets can be fitted with epic gems that provide a +100 stat point bonus to your Intellect, more than any other profession, and Intellect is the most important stat for a Warlock. That's because it was originally balanced around non-epic gems that only provided +40 Intellect each.
All of the other professions are balanced around providing ~80 stat points. If you compare the ring enchants (Enchanting), the upgraded Jewelcrafting gems, etc etc etc, you will find that the majority offer a selection of stats but all will total around ~80. For your second profession, to maximise your progression stats, you should pick a profession that will give you +80 Intellect. These are:
- Jewelcrafting (technically the second best, because it gives you three gems with +27 Intellect more than the normal equivalent, coming out to a +81 Intellect bonus)
- Enchanting (2x enchanting ring with +40 Intellect)
- Alchemy (Mixology used with Flask of the Draconic Mind gives +80 Intellect)
- Tailoring (a proc that averages out to +80 Intellect)
- Inscription (a shoulder enchant that has +80 Intellect more than the equivalent for non-Scribes)
- Leatherworking (a bracer enchant that has +80 Intellect more than the equivalent for non-LWers)
- Engineering (an on-use ability that averages out to +80 Intellect)
The worst to pick are the gathering professions because while Skinning (+80 Critical Strike Rating) and Herbalism (+480 Haste Rating for 20 seconds every two minutes, averaging out to +80 Haste Rating) give you DPS stats, they are not as beneficial as pure Intellect from Blacksmithing or Jewelcrafting, for example, and Mining (+120 Stamina) does not provide a DPS stat at all.
-
I can't provide the full list of profession benefits and stats in the second paragraph because I'm at work, but I'll edit them in later. For example, I'm pretty sure Enchanting offers +40 Intellect to rings, which would satisfy the requirement for your second profession but I'm not 100% sure. – dlanod Feb 27 '12 at 4:59
-
Ok, updated with links for most abilities and full details for professions. – dlanod Feb 29 '12 at 4:33
Have a think about what every profession can grant your character and break it into groups like these:
- Armour: Tailoring, alchemy (trinket)
- Enchants: Enchanting(weapons and armour slots), tailoring (leg slot), inscription (spells and shoulder slots), cooking (passive bonuses), jewel crafting.
- passive bonuses: Skinning (+crit rating), Herbalism (healing & +haste rating), Mining (+stam)
You can also look at what would be the easiest to level, perhaps your race has a racial bonus to a particular profession?
Another thing to think about is, with 2 gathering professions you could just make lots of gold to buy the things you require, so funding your needs via gathering (mining, skinning, herbalism).
Having a good read through the wowwiki page will help you get a grasp too.
NB: Enchanting, Jewel crafting are big winners for a class, because they have unique crafted items only the crafter can use. E.g. JC unique gems, Enchanting rings for the crafter only.
