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Insider Trader: The patch 3.1 glyph market
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.If you are a Scribe who has not yet stepped into the glyph market since patch 3.1 went live on Tuesday, April 14th, then you'd better hustle! As we discussed pre-patch, the glyph market is undergoing a radical shift. For a limited time, perhaps very limited, it is soaring to epic heights. Unfortunately, this will not last, and I expect the market to take a sobering downturn in the next couple of weeks. This upswing is also affecting related markets, such as those for inks and herbs, and although we will likely see a bit of a price crash once the glyph market deteriorates, these should stabilize relatively quickly. Today, I will be reviewing why and how the glyph market is changing, and make some predictions for the future. I will also discuss how you can earn some of this post-patch wealth, as well as ways to continue making some profit even after the demand for glyphs drops. I will also be pointing you to some interesting stories around the web of how other Scribes are cashing in this week!
Insider Trader: All about patch 3.1
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.This week Insider Trader will be discussing everything craftspeople need to know about patch 3.1. By the end of this article, you will know what you should be doing to prepare for patch day, what will be changing, and how the community is reacting to these changes.I have been covering these topics to the best of my abilities as information has been released and altered over the weeks, but as we draw closer to patch day, the post-patch scene is becoming increasingly easy to visualize.
Another wish-list for Engineers
Earlier this week, we discussed the state of the Engineering profession. Most notably it seems that while Blizzard is currently happy with Engineering and has no near-future plans to make any hefty changes, many Engies in the community are as frustrated as ever.The profession is probably the most imaginative of them all, and really lends itself to fantasy brainstorming. This type of wish-list formation is a common topic on Engineering forums and blogs, and even here at WoW Insider. If you've been following any of these posts, or would like to start, check out Kagura's Engineering Idea Bank for WoW Engineers. It specifically addresses some of the demands/issues made in the forum post that sparked our examination earlier in the week. While I did conclude that Engineering does seem to be on par with most other professions, there is no reason that we can't dream.
Insider Trader: Patch 3.0.8
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.The upcoming patch, 3.0.8, is poised to make some real changes to professions. In the majority of cases, these are positive changes that will help you level, craft, and save on money or materials. In some cases, you may even want to consider halting the production of certain items, and focus on hoarding the materials instead. Many things are getting cheaper, and there is little point in wasting materials unnecessarily now, unless you absolutely have to. As a special note to Blacksmiths, I recommend making your epic frost resistance gear for you or your guild before the patch! Read on to see why.
Insider Trader: Gather in Northrend
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.As more of the player base steps into Northrend, the demand for goods and services rises. Craftspeople are especially concerned with developing their skills, and for this to be possible, there needs to be a decent supply of gathered raw materials available. This is where you gatherers will shine. Of course, you will have to level your skills as well, and this week's edition of Insider Trader will have you maximized and making cash in no time.
Wrath profession goodies
The days of choosing a profession and maximizing it solely based on a few purples at the very end are no more. Not only will many more crafted epics be bind on equip, they will be available earlier than the maximum rank. Instead, the incentive to choose between the available professions will be based more on fun and personal preference. Each profession is getting its own 'goody bag' of items that are fun and promote individual customization. Intrigued? Here's an overview of what you can expect to see:
Professional Wrath round-up
Over the past few weeks, the WoW Insider team has been working diligently to provide Wrath content, including galleries, guides, preparations, new items, and more. Professions is an issue that affects every player, so in case you missed any of the tradeskill goodies, here's a round-up to give you something to read before the expansion goes live. Dan O' posted several galleries showing many of the new crafting recipes. Allison summarized the amount of money you are going to need in order to acquire all of your profession training. Did you know that crafted bind on pick-up items will become largely a thing of the past? Eliah dishes on the details, the reasoning behind the change, and what we're going to get instead. Stones and oils are disappearing in Wrath. While you will still be able to make them, they will not work on items above level 70! Alex Z. answered reader questions about professions in the expansion in one day's Ask a Beta Tester. In addition, alchemists got their own article! Insider Trader has been helping you cheaply and efficiently level your inscription, first from 0 to 100 and then from 100 to 200. Stay tuned for guides taking you all the way to 450! Your gathering professions come with nifty abilities, which will continue to scale in the expansion. Check out our tailoring preview!
Finding your Wrath profession trainers
One of the first things on your mind after stepping into Northrend will undoubtedly be the most convenient location of your profession trainers. You gatherers are going to need the know-how to start hoarding items for fun and profit, and craftspeople will want to see what new items can soon be constructed. Besides, you won't want to be left behind in the server-wide race to the new level cap, 450.This information might affect which starting zone you choose to explore first, so pass through the break to see what stops you should be making before you venture out to quest and conquer.
Insider Trader: Inscription from 100 to 200
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.Last week, we began the journey towards becoming a Grand Master Scribe. Starting with the basics, we discussed how to reach skill level 100, along with some general tips and strategy, and there were many helpful reader comments.Today, we will continue from skill level 100 to hit 200, which will place you partway through what a level 20 is capable of training. When herbs are mentioned, clicking on any of the links will take you to a Wowhead page showing you where you can find them. If you feel you need more background information on inscription tools, milling, or research, check out last week's column to brush up on the fundamentals. Otherwise, pass on through the break!
WotLK Beta Build 9138 Profession changes
More news from the MMO-Champion datamining of the latest Wrath of the Lich King beta patch – a few interesting, if not slightly meaningful, profession changes.First in the Fishing department, casting times of items which attach to your fishing pole have been lowered from 5 seconds to 2 seconds. While this might not seem like a big deal, people who fish for a few hours a week for farming materials will now have a few minutes shaved off their daily grinding.In the Alchemy department the Elixir of Shadow power, Elixir of Fire Power, and the Arcane Elixir all now last 1 hour, instead of 30 minutes.Finally, the enchantments of Massacre (increase AP by 110), Greater Savagery (increase AP by 85), and Scouragebane (increase AP by 140 against Undead) have all been changed to apply to 2H weapons only. There have been some previous times in the beta where I've seen some folks running around with Massacre on both 1H weapons. Looks like that won't be an option anymore.For those interested, the images are of potions from a Manaprincess giveaway we ran earlier this year.
Insider Trader: Faction recipes for jewelcrafters, part one
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.With all of the Wrath news flying around lately, it is a welcome break to be covering live content. For the past few weeks, Insider Trader has been delving into the recipes that each trade can acquire from factions by earning reputation. So far, we've covered: Plans for blacksmiths. Recipes for alchemists. Patterns for leatherworkers. Patterns for tailors. This week, we'll be looking into faction-supplied designs for jewelcrafters, and because of the sheer number of them, this will continue into next week as well. Here's a breakdown of the factions to which you'll be paying a fair amount of attention: (Note that the bold entries will be covered in this week's edition). Violet Eye, honored. (Karazhan) Thrallmar or Honor Hold, revered. Lower City, revered. Aldor or Scryers, revered. Sha'tar, revered. Keepers of Time, revered. Scale of the Sands, revered. (Mount Hyjal) Cenarion Expedition, exalted. Consortium, exalted. Shattered Sun Offensive, exalted.
Insider Trader: Rounding up 2.4 professions changes, part 2
Last week, we rounded up all of the professions-related changes coming with patch 2.4 for various reagents, mining, blacksmithing, engineering and fishing. If you were feeling left out, have no fear; the rest of the professions are here! From new enchants and gems, to new recipes and craftable gear, every profession is getting a bit of a boost this patch. Once again, keep in mind that because this is information from the Public Test Realms, the specifics may be changed. If you see a Wowhead tooltip, and I have provided alternate materials next to it, that is because websites like MMO-Champion have since discovered updated information.Jump through the break to see what's in store for jewelcrafters, enchanters, alchemists, herbalists, cooks, leatherworkers and tailors!As always, for the details on anything and everything patch 2.4-related, check out our Complete Guide.
Insider Trader: Rounding up 2.4 profession changes, part 1
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.Following last week's round-up of some of the most important professions-related add-ons, this week we will begin rounding-up the upcoming changes to professions with patch 2.4. From changes to old recipes and talents to the addition of novel recipes and reagents, you'll be able to easily find out what's new with your chosen professions. Where applicable, I will include updated information, including materials lists for the new crafted sets. Of course, given that nothing has yet gone live, all of the details are subject to change. MMO-Champion has posted an updated materials list for many of the epic patterns that will be dropping in patch 2.4, and the mats lists I will be providing will be based on that, and not on what might be shown using the Wowhead tooltips. As information becomes set in stone, and Wowhead is updated, the mouse-overs will appear correctly.For the detailed scoop on your characters' livelihoods, follow me through the break. For other news about patch 2.4, visit our Complete Guide.
Overview of Cartographer Routes
We have highlighted the addon Cartographer in past AddOn Spotlights. In fact, it was even named one of the essential must-have addons that will work even for a beginner. Now, The Khorium Toolbox has written up an in-depth, step-by-step guide to Cartographer Routes, an addon that let's you track your gathering nodes and map out a farming route that's comprehensive and efficient. While this addon was featured in a recent Insider Trader column, I believe the guide deserves its own spotlight. As the author of AddOn Spotlight: For the Timid, I was skeptical once I saw the screenshots provided. It looked complicated, and impossible to set up. Fortunately, this guide will walk you through what to download, where to get it, and how to install it. The guide also helps you configure the addon so that in the end, you will have a map complete with farming route to optimize your farming time. It also walks you through the mechanics of gas cloud tracking and harvesting. This is a great guide, not only for engineers, but for any gathering profession. Even if you are weary of complicated addons that take time and know-how to set up, this guide will walk you straight through it. What addons have you been using for your gathering and farming exploits?
Mimicry in Engineering
The Khorium Toolbox never fails to provide top-notch engineering facts, lists and tricks. The latest project posted examines how the tools and gadgets that engineers can craft mimic the abilities of various classes. Put another way, it allows you to see how becoming an engineer could fill in gaps in your class by providing you with skills that your character could not have otherwise. No matter what class you envy, you could get your hands (or paws) on some of their tricks. Of course, as with most things in engineering, the opportunities for use may not be as plentiful as would be desired. In addition, many engineering gadgets have an embarrassingly high failure rate. Engineering is also the favored profession of many battleground twinks. Some of the tools available have some interesting and effective uses in PvP in particular. Have you been considering engineering as a profession, perhaps for a twink alt, or through funding from your level 70 character? Do you plan on using the abilities strategically, in battlegrounds, or to fill in gaps in your class, or are you mostly in it for the fun and shock value?
WoW tipping etiquette and social networking
While catching up on my reading, and perusing Kestrel's blog this morning, I came across a post examining some of the fundamentals of tipping when dealing with a craftsman or asking to have a lockbox opened. By nature, tipping is a controversial topic, even in a virtual world. There are only loosely defined guidelines, the gesture is optional (or is it?), and it is all about communicating and exchanging with politeness and respect. Before we can determine how to go about tipping, we need to have a clear picture of if and under what circumstances tipping is appropriate. We have previously discussed some of the situations in which this is debatable, including: When you are dealing with a player who is leveling their crafting or lockpicking skills, and you are providing the materials, in essence, you are already helping them out; the exchange is costing them nothing, and they are gaining a skill point. If you are purchasing an item for a fee of Xg plus materials, then the fee may also be said to contain the tip, or stand in place of it. Kestrel points out that if the person volunteers to travel to you, this is tip-worthy behavior. This might then complicate the above two situations.
Don't pay extra for the white
If you think back to your first character, you will probably cringe at the memories of some of the mistakes you made. At the time, I remember things being very confusing; later, it just seems silly. One of the most common mistakes made by new players is spending money where they shouldn't, or spending more than they could have. This may not be of consequence to a level 70, or to those who have level 70s funding their lower characters; but for anyone leveling for the first time, getting swindled can severely eat into your wallet. When leveling professions in particular, which is a very expensive endeavor, one must take extra care. The various recipes you can purchase in the auction house are sometimes overpriced, and other times, are scamming you out of figures such as 80x more than you would have otherwise paid. How can this be? The main way in which you'll see players getting away with this is through selling patterns that are white, as opposed to green, blue or purple. White patterns are vendor-quality items, which means that there are vendors out there, somewhere, that are selling them. Often for 25s-1g pre-Outland, and 4-6g in Outland. These same patterns often sell on the Auction House for up to 20g. In fact, many players go out of their way to hunt down white patterns and sell them at marked up prices. Here are some ways to determine whether the player selling your item is a reseller: Is that player selling multiples of the same pattern? Does the player have other white patterns for sale?
