World of Warcraft at Ten Ton Hammer

I’ll admit it; I’m kind of a slacker when it comes to my professions. Sure I maxed them all out, and got most of the “hot” recipes but for the most part they tend to be severely neglected. (I wonder if there is a protective service department for neglected professions?) However despite my less than stellar profession past I can’t help like many others, being excited for the profession changes that are in store for players in Cataclysm.

We here at Ten Ton Hammer have been lucky enough to experience the changes and excitement surrounding the profession changes firsthand and will now pass them combined with other information gained from Blizzard releases on to you. So without further adieu here are the changes to professions that you can currently look forward to in Cataclysm:

Basics

• The level cap for all professions has been increased by 75 skill points, taking the cap from 450 to 525.

• No more will we be Grand Masters, a new title of Illustrious (means notably or brilliantly outstanding because of dignity, achievements, or actions) has been added.

• Multiple skill gains are no longer the stuff dreams are made of. Players will now be rewarded with a possible chance at extra skill points for making better quality items. No more will disgusted players who have broke the bank consider bashing their heads against their keyboards trying to get those last few skill points with purple or blue items.

• Archaeology has been added as a new secondary profession. Players will be able to obtain artifacts all over the world that have been unearthed in the Cataclysm. Artifacts will go in a special journal instead of a players bags and will unlock many rewards such as mounts, pets, armor, and even weapons.  Archaeology will fill in various plot holes in the game and unlock never before seen lore.

• The Reforging ability has been added for Leatherworkers, Tailors, Blacksmiths,  Engineers, and Jewelcrafters to allow these professions to modify the magical effects of an item. Using this skill players can take gear and customize their gear to best fit their current role and skills.

• General profession trainers have been added to many newbie zones to allow new players to get a feel for what professions are available to them. 

Alchemy

• New Alchemist’s Stone (Lifeblood Alchemist Stone) with enough stamina to kill a small horse is available.

• Two new transmutes: Transmute: Pyrium Bar, which will be used in Blacksmithing much like the metals in Wraith, and Transmute: Krovalian Gold which opens up trade with Engineers for Alchemists.

• All potions and elixirs now use the same basic vial type. Flasks still use the more expensive vial.

• Despite these new additions the Alchemy of Cataclysm is much like the Alchemy of Wraith because if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Blacksmithing

• Specializations in the profession (Weaponsmith, Armorsmith) have been removed and all recipes are available to every Blacksmith.

• Many of low level green items in this profession contain random stats. Yay for Intellect mixed with Agility.

• Blacksmiths can create their own starter sets of PvP gear, which Blizzard has stated will be upgraded each season.

• Players will be surprised to find that the starter level Blacksmithing gear is comparable to the gear being currently dropped in Icecrown Citadel. These items will probably be in high demand once the expansion is released.

• Blacksmiths are now able to use the Reforging ability

Enchanting

• Tons of new Cataclysm enchants available.

• Material component costs for most recipes are more manageable for the average player. High end recipes will still require and arm and a leg plus your favorite mount to make.

• Many new enchants will be based solely upon various procs.

Jewelcrafting

• Gem colors have remained the same despite previous claims that several would be changing. Perhaps sometime in the future?

• New Jewelcrafting recipes have random properties allowing for superior and epic versions to be created occasionally.

• Jewelcrafters are now able to use the Reforging ability.

Engineering

• Engineers will now be able to access Jewelcrafter-like bonuses from Hydraulics and Cogwheels.

• Engineers will also have the ability to use many Engineer-only enhancements such as the Tazik Shocker (attaches a Tazik Shocker to gloves allowing a skilled engineer to deal damage to an enemy at long range).

• Despite the many changes to Engineering it still appears to be more of a goofy profession, clearly (in my opinion) outclassed by almost all other professions.

• Engineers are now able to use the Reforging ability.

Leatherworking

• Specializations in the profession have been removed and all recipes are available to every Leatherworker.

• Many low level green items in this profession contain random stats.

• Leatherworkers are now able to use the Reforging ability.

• Leatherworkers will be able to create their own set of PvP gear.

• Many new Leatherworking recipes available.

Mining

• Obsidian is the new common mineral that will be found while mining in Cataclysm. Obsidian can contain gems as well as Volatile Fire and Shadow.

• Elementium is the new uncommon mineral that miners will find in Cataclysm. Elementium can contain gems as well as Volatile Fire, Earth, or Water.

• Elementium Ore and Bars have been renamed to Elementium Ignot and Hardened Elementium Bar.

• Pyrite can also be found while mining, however it is very rare.

Herbalism

• NO new Lotus equivalent can be found in Cataclysm. And the angels themselves rejoiced.

• When herbing players have a chance of getting Volatile Life from all Cataclysm herbs.

Skinning

• Savage Leather is the new leather of Cataclysm and can be gathered from creatures found in the new zones.

• Pristine Hide is much like the Artic Fur and is rather rare. This rare hide can be found of creatures in the new zones, or by converting Heavy Savage Leather.

First Aid

• Three new bandages are available: Embersilk Bandage, Heavy Embersilk Bandage, and Dense Embersilk Bandage.

• Heavy Frostweave Bandages are green in the Tradeskill window, and therefore will not be a good skilling up option.

• Using First Aid on a player places a heal over time effect on them that can be broken with damage.

Cooking and Fishing

• New Cooking recipes available including a recipe to create a Fishing Lure.

• New Fish and other new items are available to be caught in the waters of Azeroth.

• Many more Cooking recipes require fish as an ingredient, perhaps as an attempt to get more players to take up the less than popular Fishing.

• New daily quests available, some of which even reward a skill point along with the standard bag of goodies.

This brings us to the end of our Cataclysm profession preview. Please keep in mind that all information listed above is from the beta and Blizzard news releases. As such this information is subject to change at any time. Join us on our forums to share your thoughts on these changes!