The Inscription profession in World of Warcraft’s Cataclysm expansion allows players to craft glyphs, scrolls, relics, and other essential items. Inscription is primarily centered around creating glyphs of three categories: Prime, Major, and Minor, each serving different functions in gameplay. Players also craft off-hand books (also known as tomes), stat scrolls, self-only shoulder enchants, and enchanting vellums.
The primary materials for Inscription are herbs, which are milled into pigments. These pigments are then processed into inks used for crafting glyphs and other inscription items. Parchment, also essential for crafting, can be bought from Inscription suppliers. Herbs are either gathered with the Herbalism profession or purchased on the auction house.
Required Materials
- Level 1-100:
- 110 Alabaster-giving herbs
- Examples: Peacebloom, Silverleaf, Earthroot
- Used to make Ivory Ink
- 110 Alabaster-giving herbs
- Level 100-150:
- 70 Dusky-giving herbs
- Examples: Briarthorn, Bruiseweed, Mageroyal, Stranglekelp, Swiftthistle
- Used to make Midnight Ink
- 70 Dusky-giving herbs
- Level 150-200:
- 170 Golden-giving herbs
- Examples: Fadeleaf, Khadgar’s Whisker, Firebloom
- Used to make Lion’s Ink
- 170 Golden-giving herbs
- Level 200-250:
- 170 Emerald-giving herbs
- Examples: Dragon’s Teeth, Fadeleaf, Goldthorn, Khadgar’s Whisker
- 170 Emerald-giving herbs
- Level 250-300:
- 240 Violet-giving herbs
- Examples: Arthas’ Tears, Blindweed, Firebloom, Ghost Mushroom, Gromsblood, Purple Lotus, Sungrass
- 240 Violet-giving herbs
- Level 300-350:
- 120 Silvery-giving herbs
- Examples: Dreamfoil, Golden Sansam, Icecap, Mountain Silversage, Sorrowmoss
- 120 Silvery-giving herbs
- Level 350-400:
- 180 Nether-giving herbs
- Examples: Ancient Lichen, Dreaming Glory,Felweed, Mana Thistle, Netherbloom, Nightmare Vine, Ragveil, Terocone
- 180 Nether-giving herbs
- Level 400-450:
- 500 Azure-giving herbs
- Examples: Adder’s Tongue, Deadnettle, Fire Leaf, Fire Seed, Goldclover,Icethorn, Lichbloom, Talandra’s Rose, Tiger Lily
- 500 Azure-giving herbs
- Level 450-525:
- 600 Ashen-giving herbs
- Examples: Cinderbloom, Whiptail and other Cataclysm herbs
- Used to make Blackfallow Ink and Inferno Ink
- 600 Ashen-giving herbs
Important Notes
- Do not mill all herbs at once; mill as needed to avoid wasting materials.
- The list above is a rough guideline and the actual number of herbs needed might be lower or higher depending on your luck with milling and the specific recipes you decide to craft.
- Always check the Auction House for the availability of cheap herbs, pigments, or inks.
Apprentice: 1 – 75
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
1-19 | Ivory Ink | – Alabaster Pigment | 18 |
19-35 | Scroll of Stamina | – Ivory Ink x1 – Light Parchment x1 | 16 |
35-53 | Moonglow Ink | – Alabaster Pigment | 44 (22 crafts, assuming 2 pigments per craft) |
53-75 | Enchanting Vellum | – Moonglow Ink x1 – Light Parchment x2 | 22 |
Materials Summary
- Alabaster Pigments: Needed for crafting both Ivory Ink and Moonglow Ink. Total Alabaster Pigments required: 62 (this is approximated and might vary based on your in-game results).
- Light Parchment: Required for crafting Scroll of Stamina and Enchanting Vellum. Total needed: 60 (16 for scrolls, 44 for vellums).
Instructions
- 1-19:
- Mill Alabaster-giving herbs until you have at least 18 Alabaster Pigments.
- Craft 18 Ivory Ink.
- 19-35:
- Craft 16 Scrolls of Stamina using the Ivory Ink and Light Parchment.
- 35-53:
- Continue to mill Alabaster-giving herbs until you have an additional 44 Alabaster Pigments.
- Craft Moonglow Ink until you reach skill level 53.
- 53-75:
- Using the Moonglow Ink and Light Parchment, craft Enchanting Vellum until you reach skill level 75.
Journeyman: 75 – 150
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
75-80 | Midnight Ink | – 42 Dusky Pigment | 21 |
80-101 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Midnight Ink x3 – Light Parchment x1 | 7 |
101-105 | Lion’s Ink | – 80 Golden Pigment | 40 |
105-126 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Lion’s Ink x3 – Common Parchment x1 | 7 |
Materials Summary
- Dusky Pigment: 42 units needed for Midnight Ink.
- Midnight Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 80-101.
- Golden Pigment: 80 units needed to craft Lion’s Ink.
- Lion’s Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 105-126.
- Light Parchment: 7 units needed for Glyphs between skill levels 80-101.
- Common Parchment: 7 units needed for Glyphs between skill levels 105-126.
Instructions
- 75-80:
- Mill Dusky-giving herbs until you have 42 Dusky Pigments.
- Craft 21 Midnight Ink.
- 80-101:
- Craft any Glyph that is orange to you using 3 Midnight Ink and 1 Light Parchment per Glyph. Make 7 Glyphs.
- Glyphs turn yellow after 10 points, at which point you should learn new recipes and select another orange Glyph to continue.
- 101-105:
- Mill Golden-giving herbs until you have 80 Golden Pigments.
- Craft 40 Lion’s Ink. If you haven’t reached 105, craft any orange Glyph.
- 105-126:
- Craft any Glyph that is orange to you using 3 Lion’s Ink and 1 Common Parchment per Glyph. Aim to craft Glyphs while they’re orange.
- Glyphs turn yellow after 5 points. Learn new recipes and choose another orange Glyph to continue leveling.
Expert: 125 – 200
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
125-150 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Lion’s Ink x3 – Common Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
150-155 | Jadefire Ink | – 20 Emerald Pigment | 10 |
155-175 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Jadefire Ink x3 – Common Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
175-190 | Celestial Ink | – 30 Violet Pigment | 15 |
190-200 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Celestial Ink x3 – Common Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
Materials Summary
- Emerald Pigment: Needed to craft Jadefire Ink. You will require approximately 20 units for levels 150-155.
- Jadefire Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 155-175.
- Violet Pigment: Needed to craft Celestial Ink. You will require approximately 30 units for levels 175-190.
- Celestial Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 190-200.
- Common Parchment: Used for crafting Glyphs in this range.
Instructions
- 125-150:
- Continue crafting orange Glyphs using Lion’s Ink and Common Parchment until you reach skill level 150.
- 150-155:
- Mill Emerald-giving herbs until you have 20 Emerald Pigments.
- Craft 10 Jadefire Ink.
- 155-175:
- Craft Glyphs that are orange using 3 Jadefire Ink and 1 Common Parchment per Glyph. Change Glyphs when they turn yellow to continue getting more skill-ups.
- 175-190:
- Mill Violet-giving herbs until you have 30 Violet Pigments.
- Craft 15 Celestial Ink.
- 190-200:
- Craft Glyphs that are orange using 3 Celestial Ink and 1 Common Parchment per Glyph until you reach skill level 200.
Artisan: 200 – 290
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
200-205 | Shimmering Ink | – 10 Silvery Pigment | 5 |
205-225 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Shimmering Ink x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
225-227 | Ink of the Sky | – 4 Nether Pigment | 2 |
227-245 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Ink of the Sky x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
245-250 | Ethereal Ink | – 10 Nether Pigment | 5 |
250-270 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Ethereal Ink x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
270-275 | Darkflame Ink | – 10 Inferno Pigment | 5 |
275-290 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Darkflame Ink x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
*The exact number of Glyphs to craft may vary, so be prepared to adjust your plan as needed.
Materials Summary
- Silvery Pigment: Needed to craft Shimmering Ink (approximately 10 units).
- Shimmering Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 205-225.
- Nether Pigment: Needed to craft both Ink of the Sky and Ethereal Ink (approximately 14 units in total).
- Ink of the Sky: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 227-245.
- Ethereal Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 250-270.
- Inferno Pigment: Needed to craft Darkflame Ink (approximately 10 units).
- Darkflame Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 275-290.
- Heavy Parchment: Used for crafting Glyphs in this range.
Instructions
- 200-205:
- Mill Silvery-giving herbs to obtain 10 Silvery Pigments.
- Craft 5 Shimmering Ink.
- 205-225:
- Craft Glyphs that are orange using Shimmering Ink until skill level 225.
- 225-227:
- Mill Nether-giving herbs to obtain 4 Nether Pigments.
- Craft 2 Ink of the Sky.
- 227-245:
- Continue crafting orange Glyphs using Ink of the Sky until skill level 245.
- 245-250:
- Use the Nether Pigments obtained earlier to craft 5 Ethereal Ink.
- 250-270:
- Craft orange Glyphs using Ethereal Ink until skill level 270.
- 270-275:
- Mill Inferno-giving herbs to obtain 10 Inferno Pigments.
- Craft 5 Darkflame Ink.
- 275-290:
- Craft Glyphs using Darkflame Ink until skill level 290.
Master: 290 – 350
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
290-300 | Ink of the Sea | – 20 Azure Pigment | 10 |
300-310 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Ink of the Sea x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
310-315 | Celestial Ink | – 10 Azure Pigment | 5 |
315-325 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Celestial Ink x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
325-327 | Fiery Ink | – 4 Burning Embers | 2 |
327-340 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Fiery Ink x3 – Heavy Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
340-350 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – Fiery Ink x3 – Resilient Parchment x1 | Varies (See Instructions) |
*The exact number of Glyphs to craft may vary, so be prepared to adjust your plan as needed.
Materials Summary
- Azure Pigment: Needed to craft both Ink of the Sea and Celestial Ink (approximately 30 units).
- Ink of the Sea: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 300-310.
- Celestial Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 315-325.
- Burning Embers: Needed to craft Fiery Ink (approximately 4 units).
- Fiery Ink: Used for crafting orange Glyphs between skill levels 327-350.
- Heavy Parchment: Used for crafting Glyphs from 300 to 340.
- Resilient Parchment: Used for crafting Glyphs from 340 to 350.
Instructions
- 290-300:
- Mill Azure-giving herbs to obtain 20 Azure Pigments.
- Craft 10 Ink of the Sea.
- 300-310:
- Craft Glyphs that are orange using Ink of the Sea until skill level 310.
- 310-315:
- Using additional Azure Pigments, craft 5 Celestial Ink.
- 315-325:
- Continue crafting orange Glyphs using Celestial Ink until skill level 325.
- 325-327:
- Mill herbs that yield Burning Embers to obtain 4 units.
- Craft 2 Fiery Ink.
- 327-340:
- Craft Glyphs using Fiery Ink until you reach skill level 340.
- 340-350:
- Continue crafting Glyphs using Fiery Ink and Resilient Parchment until skill level 350.
Grand Master: 350 – 425
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
350-355 | Ink of the Sea | – 200 Azure Pigment | 100 |
355-360 | Scroll of Spirit VII | – 5 Ink of the Sea | 5 |
360-365 | Scroll of Intellect VII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
365-370 | Scroll of Strength VII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
370-375 | Scroll of Agility VII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
375-379 | Snowfall Ink | – Icy Pigment | Varies |
379-382 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – 3 Ink of the Sea | 1 |
382-385 | Glyph of… (Orange)* | – 15 Ink of the Sea | 5 |
385-386 | Northrend Inscription Research | – 3 Ink of the Sea – 5 Resilient Parchment – Snowfall Ink | 1 |
386-400 | Any Discovered Major Glyph | – 45 Ink of the Sea – 15 Resilient Parchment | 15 |
400-405 | Scroll of Stamina VIII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
405-410 | Scroll of Spirit VIII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
410-415 | Scroll of Intellect VIII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
415-420 | Scroll of Strength VIII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
420-425 | Scroll of Agility VIII | – 5 Ink of the Sea – 10 Resilient Parchment | 5 |
*The exact number of Glyphs to craft may vary, so be prepared to adjust your plan as needed.
Materials Summary
- Azure Pigment: For crafting Ink of the Sea.
- Ink of the Sea: Primary ingredient for crafting scrolls and glyphs.
- Resilient Parchment: Required for crafting scrolls and glyphs.
- Icy Pigment: For crafting Snowfall Ink.
- Snowfall Ink: Used in Northrend Inscription Research.
Instructions
- 350-355: Craft 100 [Ink of the Sea] using 200 Azure Pigment.
- 355-360: Produce 5 [Scroll of Spirit VII] with 5 Ink of the Sea.
- 360-365: Create 5 [Scroll of Intellect VII] using 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 365-370: Craft 5 [Scroll of Strength VII] with 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 370-375: Make 5 [Scroll of Agility VII] using 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 375-379: Use your Icy Pigment to craft [Snowfall Ink]. Keep the extra for Northrend Inscription Research. Important: Stop at 379!
- 379-382: Craft 1 Glyph using 3 Ink of the Sea (any Glyph that is orange to your skill level).
- 382-385: Produce 5 Glyphs that are yellow to your skill level, using 15 Ink of the Sea in total.
- 385-386: Perform [Northrend Inscription Research] using 3 Ink of the Sea, 5 Resilient Parchment, and Snowfall Ink. This process helps discover new Glyph recipes.
- 386-400: Craft 15 of any discovered Major Glyphs using 45 Ink of the Sea and 15 Resilient Parchment.
- 400-405: Produce 5 [Scroll of Stamina VIII] with 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 405-410: Craft 5 [Scroll of Spirit VIII] using 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 410-415: Make 5 [Scroll of Intellect VIII] with 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 415-420: Craft 5 [Scroll of Strength VIII] using 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
- 420-425: Produce 5 [Scroll of Agility VIII] with 5 Ink of the Sea and 10 Resilient Parchment.
Illustrious: 425 – 525
Skill Level | Recipe | Materials Required | Quantity to Craft |
|---|---|---|---|
425 – 450 | Blackfallow Ink | – 230 Ashen Pigment | 115 |
450 – 460 | Mysterious Fortune Card | – 10 Blackfallow Ink – 10 Resilient Parchment | 10 |
460 – 475 | Adventurer’s Journal | – 15 Blackfallow Ink – 60 Resilient Parchment | 15 |
475 – 482 | Inferno Ink | – Burning Embers (as many as you have) | Variable |
482 – 490 | Dust of Disappearance | – 15 Blackfallow Ink (alternative) | 15 (if needed) |
490 – 500 | Etched Horn (Alt.) | – 8 Inferno Ink – Scavenged Dragon Horn | 2 (if needed) |
500 – 510 | Origami Beetle | – Technique: Origami Beetle | Until 510 |
510 – 520 | Forged Documents (Alt.)* | – Very minimal | Until 520 or 525 |
520 – 525 | Choose One: Notched Jawbone, Silver Inlaid Leaf, or Tattooed Eyeball | – Varies (see below) | 1 |
Materials Summary
- 230 Ashen Pigment
- At least 35 Blackfallow Ink (plus extra depending on your path)
- 70 Resilient Parchment (minimum)
- Burning Embers (as many as you have)
- Scavenged Dragon Horn (if you choose Etched Horn)
- Materials for one of the final items (Notched Jawbone, Silver Inlaid Leaf, or Tattooed Eyeball)
For Final Items:
- Notched Jawbone: 12 Inferno Ink, 36 Volatile Life, 12 Volatile Earth, Bleached Jawbone
- Silver Inlaid Leaf: 12 Inferno Ink, 36 Volatile Life, 12 Volatile Air, Silver Charm Bracelet
- Tattooed Eyeball: 12 Inferno Ink, 36 Volatile Life, 12 Volatile Water, Preserved Ogre Eye
Instructions
- Start by crafting 115 Blackfallow Inks using Ashen Pigment until you reach level 450.
- Craft 10 Mysterious Fortune Cards until level 460.
- From 460 to 475, create 15 Adventurer’s Journals.
- Convert all available Burning Embers to Inferno Inks between 475 and 482.
- If you have the Technique: Origami Slime, you can use it to level from 482 to 490; otherwise, craft Dust of Disappearance as an alternative.
- For levels 490 to 500, you can farm and use Technique: Origami Rock, or alternatively craft 2 Etched Horns if you have Scavenged Dragon Horns.
- Farm for Technique: Origami Beetle in Uldum and craft Origami Beetles until you reach level 510.
- Use Forged Documents (or alternative items) to reach level 520 or even 525 if you prefer. Ensure you have the necessary minimal materials for Forged Documents.
- Finally, choose and craft one of the final items (Notched Jawbone, Silver Inlaid Leaf, or Tattooed Eyeball) to reach level 525. Ensure you have the respective materials for the item you choose to craft.
About the Author
Furious
If I'm not working or spending time with the family I'm probably gaming. Some of my favorite recent games I've played are Far Cry 5, World of Warcraft Classic, and 7 Days to Die.
As I read this Northrend Herbs are not listed do they still play a roll