Learning a third profession at level 80
by Mike Schramm 
Oct 29th 2007 at 2:02PM
Nerrisa brings up an interesting idea on the forums that I hadn't considered before-- what if we all got to choose a third profession when we reach level 80? For some, handling two professions is more than enough, but there are also plenty of people who could definitely benefit from a third. And although the professions are paired off pretty well (Alchemy and Herbalism, Leatherworking and Skinning), there are definitely some trios that would work well also-- Enchanting goes great with anything, and Mining, Blacksmithing and Engineering would be a great combo, too, for power players who've reached 80 and are looking for lots more to do.Of course, Bornakk says no to the idea (actually, as Incgamers points out, he really says there are "no unannounced plans" for it to happen, which is quite a few qualifiers for him), so it's unlikely that we'll have an extra profession slot to face Arthas with. But don't forget that we will have a new profession, Inscription, and if Blizzard adds many more professions, maybe we will need a third slot to keep them all straight. I'd love for my characters to learn more, I'm just not sure if I'd have the diligence to get them all to 375-- I'm having enough trouble with two as it is.
Filed under: Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Engineering, Enchanting, Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Krishan Oct 29th 2007 2:06PM
I'd always wanted an extra profession to make use of my mining, such as JC (miner+engi atm), and I could prospect my own stuff, and then for most people more BoP stoof :)
Enchanting I've always wanted, could go with everytign, and maybe if you had say Ench+Tailor or whatever, you could get a gatherer to help ease funds :)
A skinning and mining jewelcrafting warlock? WoW would you be raking in the g!
Krishan Oct 29th 2007 2:07PM
I've always wanted a first post too!
Cool :>
Autumnbear Oct 29th 2007 2:12PM
What happens when the new profession of Inscription comes out?
Do we all have to re-level a new toon, just to level this profession up appropriately and 'try it out'? I'm sure new level 10s are going to have to farm for materials in level appropriate zones. Think of the level 70s in low level areas, farming to raise this profession up from level 1-75. High levels competing with low level characters for materials in low level zones. Lots of crying over this.
Or can level 70s keep their two old professions, and gain a third profession slot?
Even if the third profession slot is limited to a certain level, like 300, you could still 'try it out', and have it.
Todd Oct 29th 2007 2:14PM
I'd be happy with more free professions, like First Aid and Cooking.
Todd Oct 29th 2007 2:14PM
5th post, whoo.
Jelement Oct 29th 2007 2:17PM
@ #3 - This wouldn't be any different than when TBC came out and jewelcrafting was added. Many players picked up mining months in advance and stockpiled items they would need. There was a clear list of what materials would get you 1-300 from the beta, and even people who picked it up later just ran around and got what they needed, then got out of a zone.
I don't recall mass crying from level 10 players that 60's were running around picking up all the copper in Durotar. It really isn't that big a of a deal.
alex Oct 30th 2007 7:08PM
@4 totally agree, although Fishing and cooking are still on the back burner until i get eng. the last 40 levels
kevin Oct 31st 2007 11:15AM
I would like it because its a tough choice for me now at 70 on my mage. I took alchemy way back at level one and its been great. However, with the crafted shadoweave/spellfire sets, I feel like my mage is missing out. Yet I dont want to drop alch or herbalism, because that helps feed all my raiding potion needs.
Dropping herbalism is a possiblity but buying herbs on the AH is painful. (20-40 a stack for outland herbs)
I need a third slot!
Hooper Oct 29th 2007 2:23PM
Heres what I'm saying:
When we old men here go fishing, we take three or more poles a piece, prop them up against a stick lean-to and sit and drink beer and wait till one bites. Why can't i power-level fishing for that matter? Gain 3 skill points at once. Or dual-wield my pans to double up on cooking.
Seriously though, Let me get a third so i can be mining/engineer/blacksmith so that I can mine the coal for my flying copter's fuel and make extra armor to protect my flight!
bulgur Oct 29th 2007 2:33PM
Lets give everyone 15 profession slots.
That way you won't have to make any choices and can just mindlessly max out everything.
/irony
3rd slot is a terrible idea IMHO. More variety, and more hard choices to make is good: Some people have some skills, other other, that's the whole point calling it a "profession" in the first place.
Medros Oct 29th 2007 2:42PM
I remember in Beta when all you needed to learn a new profession was the coin, as each new profession was incrementally more expensive. Those day I didn't know the Paladin class as well as I do, and choose Leatherworking and Skinning because it had far more stamina than Mail or Plate did. Yeah, I know. Thankfully I have learned since then.
Gimmlette Oct 29th 2007 2:58PM
Being able to learn another profession would be a good thing for those guilds who don't have say, a tailor, at 375 but would like to have one. I've maxed out herbalism and alchemy but, if given a chance, I'd go max out mining, too, to farm for motes once I got into the high levels. There are those guild members for whom another professions slot would be a great way to kick start their enjoyment of the game. There are other who would see it as an albatross around their neck since they can't get either of their original choices to 375.
Dave Oct 29th 2007 3:04PM
I'd like to see professions somewhat redesigned. I'd like to see emphasis on synergy with your own class and with your gathering as well, so I think we'd all benefit from a forced gathering slot (herb/skin/mine) and 2 crafting slots.
Every cloth wearer NEEDS tailoring now. Every PVP'er kinda needs Blacksmithing for their epic weapon. (and plenty of non PVP'ers). Yeah, you can get away without having either... but do you really want to? I sure don't. So where does that leave you for your other professions? You've gotta go without a gather or crafting profession on your cloth wearers. For those with a bunch of alts that can go gather mats for the mains, no sweat. For the rest of the people who may only have one max level character... it's kind of a pain in the ass. If they keep adding professions, it's going to eventually get to the point where they HAVE to add a new slot, or segregate the gathering skills and let people try new things without abandoning their gathering skill or abandoning something they've spent (literally) thousands of gold on. Can you ever imagine dropping any L375 skill at all that's not a gather skill? I sure can't.
Heraclea Oct 29th 2007 3:06PM
If they do this, they had better divide the existing restricted professions into crafting professions and gathering professions.
I have levelled up Blacksmithing and Mining as far as they can go. Not at all tempted to drop either of them in favour of another, or add another crafting profession like Enchanting or Jewelcrafting. If I added a third profession, it would be a second gathering profession like Herbalism or Skinning. And everything I got from using it would go straight to the auction house.
hpavc Oct 29th 2007 3:21PM
Removing mining & herbalism from the primary list and moving them to secondary would be great.
Hellbena Oct 29th 2007 3:24PM
I've always felt that gathering professions should be part of the Secondary Professions. Yes, I'm aware that it would affect the finances of all the realms, but there's always gonna be people that don't want to bother to learn all of them, or don't have the time to. And there's also the rare items (i.e. Black Lotus, Cobrascale Leather, Khorium Ore) to keep the marketplace going.
ninjasuperspy Oct 29th 2007 3:33PM
#12, #13 I'm in complete agreement. I actually said as much over on MMO-Champion in the 2.3 upgrade thread. I think a 2-Fabrication 1-Gathering system would be pretty sweet. The only issue I can come up with is that Disenchanting would have to become its own skill. Otherwise you could pick 2-Fab 2-Gather. And if they keep buffing endgame tradeskills that could be killer.
Now if they took some time with, say, 2.4 and did to trades throughout the game what they did to low-level dungeon loot I'd be happy. Add more Leather/Mail goggles (any) to early and middle game, add more good armor (any shields) and weapons to BS, etc. I'll say that Alchemy and enchanting are basically OK though. But hey if they don't plan on adding anything whatsoever to the early game for a while after Wrath they might as well make everything easier to level (I'm looking right at First Aid). I mean if there is going to be no real point in being below 68 for a while, why stick us there?
And while I'm ranting about tradeskills, why do miners need to strike multiple times, but herbalists just pick once? We only get one skillup, do they just want to sink some time and aggro into mining?
Stupid Mage Oct 29th 2007 3:51PM
@9
I agree, having a third profession slot would be a bad idea. I like the way the game mechanics force you to interact with other players or at the very least the AH. Having one character that can mine, smith, and jcraft (or similar) would make the game far less interesting.
Karl Oct 29th 2007 3:39PM
I think it'd be great. You'd probably see a lot more Engineers if it did happen. You could afford a "fun profession" if you could have three. Likely you would see a lot of Herb/Alch/Enchanters out there though.
On the devil's advocate side...it could unbalance the economy if everyone all of a sudden has a gathering profession. There were plenty of Alchemy/Blacksmiths out there that bought stuff because they couldn't farm it. Of course, poeple will always be lazy...and keep me rich.
Sembiance Oct 29th 2007 3:56PM
BAD IDEA
If peopled could have three, imagine how many more engineers there would be!
I like how you are limited to two, so if you use one of those on Engineering, you feel special.