Welcome Guest:

Other MMO Coverage

322 MMOGs and counting...

Engineering Guide

Posted June 30th, 2005 by Messiah

The profession of Engineering can be a difficult but ultimately a very rewarding one! There are many things that an engineer gains access to that no other class can get, for example class specific epic helms and created epic flying machines. These abilities alone attract many players. There are other things along the way that will help you out as well, but be warned, Engineering is a fairly selfish profession. While there are some things you can create and sell, many are for your use only as they require engineering skill to use.

The purpose of this guide is to answer the commonly asked questions about the Engineering profession, provide you with information and data about it, and give you a number of hints to help you in your quest in mastering this profession!

This guide will include the following information:

  • Engineering - Frequently Asked Questions
  • A table with Engineering Trainer and Supplier Locations
  • A "Hints & Tips" section giving some advice on the best parts of Engineering
  • A complete leveling guide on the best patterns to create to level up your skill as fast as possible.

I hope that all of you out there who want to learn more about Engineering will find this guide useful! So please, read on and learn more about the futuristic art of engineering.

Engineering - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Engineering?

Engineering is the ability to create many new and useful technical gadgets in the World of Warcraft. It is a slightly futuristic ability for a fantasy world, that focuses on the creation of bombs, gun scopes, gadgets and more. Best of all anyone can become engineering. The people that choose to take up the engineering profession can make some pretty useful gadgets and equipment that add a technological aspect to World of Warcraft.

Why should I be an Engineer?

To make bombs. Do you really need more reasons than that? OK, how about to make bigger bombs? Still not selling you? Ok, how about the ability rez players (using goblin jumper cables) or to create a helm equivalent to a tier 5 raid helm or your own helicopter as a flying mount at level 70! Got you there, didn't I. The items that an engineer makes are very useful as well as humorous. Being an engineer will definitely add to your experience in World Of Warcraft.

Due to the bonuses that engineering adds it can be useful to all classes, however is viewed as being most beneficial to Hunters, Rogues, Mages, Priests, Paladins, and Warlocks.

Why shouldn't I be an Engineer?

Your hooked, you want to make bombs, don't you. Well there are a few downsides to engineering that you should know about before jumping in head first. There are several bad points about engineering, such as: many items you create can backfire causing bad effects, and many items are expensive to create, most items can only be used by an engineer meaning you don't make much money.

What other skills go well with Engineering?

Mining goes well with engineering as metal bars are a common ingredient in Engineering recipes. It's less expensive in the long run if you choose mining as your second primary trade skill.

Leveling Engineering

Where do I train to be an Engineer?

Here is a list of engineering trainers for each faction and their locations:

Rank Alliance Horde
Apprentice

Bronk Guzzlegear, Dun Morogh
Deek Fizzlebizz, Loch Modan
Jemma Quikswitch, Ironforge
Sprite Jumpsprocket, Stormwind


Graham Van Talen, Undercity Mukdrak, Durotar
Thund, Orgrimmar
Tinkerwiz, The Barrens
Twizwick Sprocketgrind, Mulgore

Journeyman

Finbus Geargrind, Duskwood
Lilliam Sparkspindle, Stormwind
Trixie Quikswitch, Ironforge

Franklin Lloyd, Undercity
Nogg, Orgrimmar

Expert

Springspindle Fizzlegear, Ironforge

Roxxik, Orgrimmar

Artisan

Buzzek Bracketswing, Tanaris

Buzzek Bracketswing, Tanaris

Master

Lebowski, Honor Hold
K. Lee Smallfry, Telredor
Xyrol, Area 52

Zebig, Thrallmar
Mack Diver, Zabra'jin
Xyrol, Area 52

How do I make Engineering items?

In your skills section, there will be an engineering icon, click it to bring up your list of patterns. If you have the required ingredients and tools a number will show up beside the pattern, this is how many you can make of that item. I find it easiest if you put the icon on hot bar. The required tools to be an engineer are: a blacksmiths hammer, a forge, an anvil. There are other tools required for some recipes, like the arclight spanner. These are found on mobs or can be made by engineers. Forges and anvils are found in most major cities and towns, and several areas in the wild.

Where else can I learn new designs other than from the trainers?

Engineering patterns come from your trainers to start with and then later others can be bought from vendors around the world, and even more can be found as loot drops. Many of the high level patterns are loot drops from end-game dungeons and raids (some can be purchased from faction vendors if you have high enough reputation with that faction). Of course, if you have the money, you can always check the Auction House to see what formulas might be put up for sale by other players. Once you reach the Outlands many are available only after you earn enough reputation with specific factions to buy them from.

What ingredients are used in Engineering?

Mainly ore is used at the lower levels of engineering, but at the higher levels, a whole range of items are needed. They include rare gems, linen and cloth, items made from other professions like dusky belts from leatherworkers or Frost Oil from alchemists. The shear variety of ingredients for engineering recipes may make it annoying to level in, but the high end items produced with engineering are well worth it.

Why can’t I make a Target Dummy??

You can only make item for which you have the recipe and the skill to make them. You are given some basics one when you first start, but for the rest they have to be found on mobs, or bought from NPCs or other players. Some of the best patterns are only found as rare drops from high level instance dungeons.

What level requirements are there for Engineering?

Rank Skill level (min - max) Min. Character Level
Apprentice 1 - 75 Level 5
Journeyman
(minimum required skill to learn is 50)
50 - 150 level 20
Expert
(min skill to learn is 125)
125 - 225 Level 20
Artisan
(min skill to learn is 200)
200 - 300 Level 35
Master
(min skill to learn is 275)
300-375 Level 50

How do I increase my Engineering skill?

To increase your engineering skill you need to make items with a progressively higher difficulty rating.

Why didn’t my skill increase 30 points when I made 30 Handfuls Of Copper Bolts?

Your skills increase only if you produce item that have a high difficulty rating. All production patterns are color coded for complexity.

What are the difficulty ratings for patterns?

From easiest to hardest the color are gray, green, yellow, orange and red. Patterns that are red will never be in your list of patterns, but they are visible at the blacksmithing trainers. Orange patterns will always increase your skill, yellow patterns sometimes increase your skill, green patterns will rarely increase your skill, and gray patterns will never increase your skill.

What is the best way to level Engineering?

There are two main things to remember when trying to level your engineering skill. The first is to only make orange difficulty items whenever possible. Only make yellow difficulty items when they are significantly cheaper to produce than orange difficulty items.

The other secret to leveling engineering is to always create the item at each skill level that has the lowest ingredient cost. Always check all the recipes that you are able to make at the time and build the cheapest one. For example one item may require 10 copper bars, while another requires 15. If they are the same difficulty rating, then you should always make the item requiring only 10 bars. Our table of engineering recipes is a great help in planning items to build to level as it shows when the item drops to green difficulty and not worth producing any more. The guide focuses on skill levels 1-300 and can be found here.

What is the fastest way to level Engineering?

For many players, they pick up professions at high levels once they already have gold available to buy materials. Other players level as they work through the game. Either way, knowing which items to create so that you can level without any more expense than necessary is important. To help you we have created a 1-375 leveling guide for engineering.

Engineering - Quests and Specialization

Are there Quests for Engineering?

The two main quests for engineering are the ones involved with your choice of school, Gnome engineering or Goblin Engineering. Note you can not do both quests you have to choose one.

What are Gnome engineering and Goblin engineering?

These are two different types or schools of engineering. At the expert level you must choose which path you want to take but make sure you choose the one that is right for you as you CAN NOT change your mind. Even if you unlearn engineering and relearn it can not change what school you have chosen.

Where do you train to be Gnome engineer or Goblin engineer?

After talking to your class trainer in Ironforge or Undercity, you will be asked to read a book about the different schools of engineering. After deciding which path you want to follow you’ll be directed to either Nixx Sprocketspring in Gadgetzan. for goblin engineering,(both sides) or Oglethorpe Obnoticus in Booty Bay(horde) or Tinkmaster Overspark in Ironforge(alliance) for gnome engineering

Which specialization should I chose?

Both paths have their advantages and disadvantages. Goblin engineering produces more bombs, and generally more explosive items, where as Gnome engineering produces gadget and devices to aid your character in adventuring. It really boils down to personal preference. Note you do not have to choose gnome or goblin, there are skills available at the artisan level that both paths can use, so there is no need to rush your decision

What do I need make in order to be a Goblin or Gnome engineer

For the Goblin Engineering quest you’ll need to make 20 Big Iron Bombs, 20 Solid Dynamite, and 5 Explosive Sheep.

For the Gnome Engineering quest you’ll need to make 6 Mithril Tubes, 2 Advanced Target Dummies, and 1 Accurate Scope

What are Membership cards for? and why do I have to renew them?

You receive your membership card when you complete the quest for your chosen engineering path. After two weeks it will expire. When your membership expires you will not be able to learn any new skills in your chosen school. It costs two gold to renew, so it would be a good idea to learn the skills as quickly as possible. There is a benefit to renewing your membership however. About one day after renewal you’ll receive a gift from your trainer in the mail. The gifts range from bombs to parts to recipes so it might be worth thinking about renewing your membership for the gifts.

Can I make money with engineering?

No not really, as most of the items made by engineers can only be used by engineers, there isn’t much value in them, to other players.

Downloadable PDF of Recipes

Click here for a downloadable PDF of most of the Engineering recipes.

  • Where can I contribute to this guide?

    You can visit our forums and post comments on this or any other guide. To post comments on this guide please go to our Trade skill forum, located here.

  • Join Now!
    • ericjohn19,
    • arkantos78901,
    • ThermiteReaction,
    • BaronIveagh,
    • and ueltschi
    recently became Premium Members and get first access to beta keys, contests, exclusive interviews and video, and can turn off ads. Why not join them?

    More Articles »

    Latest Articles