Patch 3.0.2 guide to the new Gathering Profession Abilities

The new gathering profession abilities were undocumented in the patch notes, but they are definitely live in Patch 3.0.2. I was very pleased to discover that my Herbalist Druid has a new self heal and that my Skinner Rogue and Miner Paladin also had some unexpected goodies. Over the summer, Blizzard experimented with some abilities for all of the professions, but all that are live in the patch are the ones for the gathering professions. At least Mixology is trainable, and other ones may be available, though undocumented in the patch notes. This will be covered in a later post.

Each ability can be found in your Spellbook under the General Skills tab. They have 6 ranks, with 5 being the maximum you are able to achieve before Wrath of the Lich King. The first rank is acquired with Journeyman or the skill of 75 and scales with your profession's rank. So, for example, a Master Herbalist will have Rank 5 of Lifeblood. Details for each ability are after the break.

Herbalism: "Lifeblood uses your skill in Herbalism to absorb energy and nutrients from the earth."

Lifeblood is an instant heal over time spell that is self-only and mana free. The cooldown is 3 minutes. Lifeblood is useable in all forms including Shadow, Cat and Bear, but is unaffected by healing bonuses. The amount of healing over five seconds for each rank is as follows:

• Rank 1: 300

• Rank 2: 480

• Rank 3: 720

• Rank 4: 900

• Rank 5: 1200

• Rank 6: 2000 (not available until the expansion)

Mining: "All your hard work spent mining has made you exceptionally tough, increasing your maximum health."

Toughness is a passive ability that increases your maximum health. This ability is unaffected by any other bonuses. The increase in health for each rank is:

• Rank 1: 30

• Rank 2: 50
  

• Rank 3: 70
  

• Rank 4: 100
  

• Rank 5: 300
  

• Rank 6: 500 (not available until the expansion)

Skinning: "Skinning all those dead animals has broadened your anatomical knowledge, increasing your critical strike rating."

Master of Anatomy is a passive ability that increases your Critical Strike Rating. This ability is also unaffected by any other bonuses. The increase in critical strike rating for each rank is:

• Rank 1: 3

• Rank 2: 6
  

• Rank 3: 9
  

• Rank 4: 12
  

• Rank 5: 15
  

• Rank 6: 25 (not available until the expansion)

The Rank 6 abilities not only aren't available yet, but are also subject to change without notice -- what with them being in Beta and all. These are welcome bonuses to having gathering professions and I hope that abilities for the other professions are forthcoming.

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