Professions in World of Warcraft may not feel as meaningful a choice as a class or faction.
Still, they can help you earn gold faster and find fulfilling things to do beyond your usual activities.
The cooking Death Knight, the mining Monk, or the jewel-crafting Demon Hunter – all these combinations are possible thanks to the professions system in World of Warcraft.
While you don’t necessarily have to select them according to any online lists or guides, it’s worth learning which ones suit each class.
But ultimately, it’s your choice! Focus on Herbalism alone and have fun collecting flowers forever – but we encourage you to check out this brief breakdown of the WoW best professions for each class and race to learn how to enjoy this fascinating system.
You can find on G2A.COM: World of Warcraft Deals
What are WoW professions?
If your class is a primary job, a profession is the secondary one learned by your character during the adventure. Players can freely pick two of three primary gathering professions and eight crafting (item designing) professions.
However, two crafting professions may result in the inability to gather the appropriate materials to craft items (except for classes wearing cloth armor, who can gather materials from defeated enemies).
Therefore, the best choice for the beginning is to combine a gathering profession with a dedicated crafting profession. This way, you can collect materials and design increasingly better items. As for secondary professions, everyone can learn as many of them as they want.
Primary crafting professions (you can unlearn them in the future):
- Blacksmithing
- Alchemy
- Leatherworking
- Engineering
- Tailoring
- Jewelcrafting
- Enchanting
- Inscription
Primary gathering professions (you can unlearn them in the future):
- Herbalism
- Skinning
- Mining
Secondary crafting professions (you can’t unlearn them in the future, and anyone can learn them regardless of the primary already-learned professions):
- Cooking
- First Aid
Secondary gathering professions (you can’t unlearn them in the future, and anyone can learn them regardless of the primary already-learned professions):
- Fishing
- Archeology
Best Gathering and Crafting Combos
Since you can only choose two primary professions, combine those within similar themes. That way, you can gather resources and immediately craft them into items.
- Alchemy Herbalism (alternatively Fishing or Mining)
- Blacksmithing Mining
- Enchanting Tailoring (alternatively Leatherworking)
- Engineering Mining
- Jewelcrafting Mining
- Inscription Herbalism
- Tailoring Enchanting (alternatively Skinning)
- Leatherworking Skinning
- Cooking Fishing
Profession Racial Bonuses
Some races offer significant buffs to specific professions, so consider this knowledge if you plan to design a character that will be even more enjoyable to play.
- Gnome – 5 Engineering with Engineering Specialization
- Tauren – 5 Herbalism and 25% increased herb gathering speed with Cultivation
- Draenei – 5 Jewelcrafting with Gemcutting
- Blood Elf – 5 Enchanting with Arcane Affinity
- Worgen – 5 Skinning and 25% increase in skinning speed with Flayer
- Goblin – 5 Alchemy with Better Living Through Chemistry
- Pandaren – 5 Cooking with Gourmand
- Lightforged Draenei – 5 Blacksmithing and summon of a portable Forge with Forge of Light
- Nightborne – 5 Inscription with Ancient History
- Highmountain Tauren – Extra fish with Waste Not, Want Not/ 5 Mining and 25% increased mining speed with Pride of Ironhorn
- Dark Iron Dwarf – 5 Blacksmithing and 10% crafting speed with Mass Production
- Kul Tiran Human – 2 all primary professions with Jack Of All Trades
- Dracthyr – 2% Perception (increased chance of looting rare materials when gathering) with Discerning Eye
- Earthen – 25 Finesse (increased chance of gathering extra materials) with Hyper Productive
WoW Best Professions for Each Class
In World of Warcraft, a character’s class reflects the player’s playstyle. Choosing the right profession for your class can enhance the entire experience, making it feel more natural and effortless.
Professions for Warrior
The Warrior uses plate armor, so the best combo for this class is Mining Blacksmithing.
Professions for Hunter
The ranged combat playstyle and leather armor make Skinning Leatherworking the most reasonable option for the Hunter.
Professions for Mage
Since the Mage uses cloth armor and magic, the best option for this class is Tailoring Enchanting.
Professions for Rogue
Depending on your preferred playstyle, you can pick from two options for the Rogue. Choose Mining Engineering if you like gadgets or Skinning Leatherworking if hunting beasts for leather armor is your thing.
Professions for Priest
Like Mage, the best combo for the Priest is Tailoring Enchanting.
Professions for Paladin
Since Paladins wear plate armor, make them mightier by choosing Mining Blacksmithing.
Professions for Druid
Want to be closer to nature? Choose Herbalism Alchemy. Or, if you prefer a practical approach, Skinning Leatherworking is equally fun.
Professions for Shaman
Make the most of this class by opting for Herbalism Alchemy and selling consumables in the Auction House.
Professions for Monk
Since Monks wear leather armor, go for Skinning Leatherworking.
Professions for Warlock
Make yourself a cloth armor and enchant it with a Tailoring Enchanting combo.
Professions for Demon Hunter
Since Demon Hunters wear leather armor, the best option for this class is Skinning Leatherworking.
Professions for Death Knight
Plate armor makes Mining Blacksmithing the best choice for the Death Knight.
Professions for Evoker
As you already know, Evokers benefit from the increased chance of looting rare materials when gathering, so combining Herbalism and Mining is the most profitable profession for this class.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Q: Do I need a profession in WoW?
No, you don’t. You can play without developing any professions or pick the ones you enjoy.
- Q: How can I unlearn a profession?
Go to the profession window, click the remove button, and confirm the action.
- Q: Which professions earn the most?
Two gathering professions — Mining and Herbalism — provide a solid income (especially in Evoker’s case). Other profitable professions are Alchemy, Blacksmithing, and Jewelcrafting.
Conclusion
The release of the Dragonflight expansion introduced exciting changes to the system of professions. With The War Within out, it seems even more fascinating, so learning how it works is definitely worth it. Ultimately, however, you decide what makes the game fun – if that’s fishing, go fishing!