- Author: Furious
- Date: October 12, 2019
- Expansion: WotLK Classic
Alchemy is one of the most essential professions in WoW. From the Old World to Northrend, the potions that alchemists make are useful, if not essential, for leveling. In the endgame, alchemist’s flasks are a vital part of any successful raiding or PvP group. And, the transmutations that alchemists can perform are able to produce some of the rarest and most valuable crafting materials in the game.
By the time an Alchemist works their way Northrend, Runic Healing Potion and Runic Mana Potion will enable them to quest or farm with fewer breaks, maximizing efficiency. Flask of the Frost Wyrm, Flask of Pure Mojo, and other endgame flasks make an alchemist valuable to any guild or PuG and can consistently sell on the Auction House. Alchemists focused purely on profit can also create gems like the Cardinal Ruby and King’s Amber or trade necessities like Titanium Bar by combining and transforming different materials.
Alchemy’s final advantage is the trinkets players can craft while leveling. In Northrend, not only do the Indestructible Alchemist’s Stone or Mercurial Alchemist Stone enable you to transmute gems and metals but they can also raise your item level while you’re reaching the cap and increase the effectiveness of your own creations.
As a primary, crafting profession, Alchemy is usually paired with Herbalism to gather the necessary flora. This also means that alchemy shares its materials with Inscription, so depending on your server’s economy, this could mean more competition if you choose to buy your mats on the AH, or it could mean lower prices due to people selling to both markets.
Training Alchemy
Like all professions, it is entirely possible to train Alchemy as you level. Herbs will be found in level appropriate zones, and the benefits of low-level alchemic creations match up well with low-level stats. This is perfectly fine, and below are the trainers that you will need to visit, with when you need to visit them for this route.
That being said, the materials list in this guide is intended primarily for power-leveling in the cheapest, most efficient way. Higher level trainers are able to teach you to make all the items discussed in this guide, unless otherwise indicated. In Northrend, if you are leveling by buying materials from the AH, your best bet is to train with Linzy Blackbolt in Dalaran that way you minimize time spent running between other trainers on the continent and an available AH.
Old World (1 – 300)
Alliance players training in the Old World should start by learning Apprentice Alchemy from Ainethil in Darnassus. You should return to her until you reach Expert (skill level 140), and then you should find Kylanna Windwhisper at Feathermoon Stronghold in Feralas to learn Artisan.
Old World Horde players should head to Undercity and learn Apprentice from Doctor Herbert Halsey. He will be able to train you until you reach Expert (skill level 140), after which you must find Rogvar in the Swamp of Sorrows.
Outland (1 – 375)
If you choose to start leveling on the other side of the Dark Portal, all trainers will be able to teach you the recipes required to reach skill level 300 and train you in Master Alchemy.
Regardless, players will find trainers in the area that you begin your first quests, but eventually, both factions will need to speak with the Neutral trainers in Shattrath.
Alliance will be able to learn Master Alchemy and most necessary Outland recipes from Alchemist Gribble in Honor Hold.
Horde players will need to speak with Apothecary Antonivich in Thrallmar to do the same.
As you progress, you will then need to find Aelthin, of The Scryers, Alchemist Kanhu, of The Aldor, or Lorokeem, of Lower City to finish this segment of your training.
Once you’ve reached both skill level 325 and and actual level 68, you’ll also be able to begin your specialization quest. To become a Master of Elixirs, you’ll need to complete Master of Elixirs, started by Lorokeem in Shattrath. Potion Mastery is achieved by taking Master of Potions from Lauranna Thar’well in Zangarmarsh, and you can Master Transmutations by finishing Master of Transmutations, started by Zarevhi in Netherstorm.
Whichever path you choose will grant you the chance to proc additional (1 – 4) items when crafting your specialty. These quests are explained in their own section below the power leveling guide, as they’re not necessary to finish before reaching 450.
Northrend (1 – 450)
Like with TBC trainers, Alchemy trainers in Northrend will be able to teach you all prior recipes and will appear in your first major questing area. Also like Outland, there are Neutral trainers in other areas which give you much easier access to an Auction House to buy materials or sell your creations.
For the Alliance, that means the first trainer able to take you to Grand Master will be Falorn Nightwhisper at Valiance Keep.
The Horde will be able to learn Grand Master Alchemy from Arthur Henslowe in Warsong Hold.
Like the trainers in Shattrath, Linzy Blackbolt is a neutral trainer found in Dalaran, with great proximity to the AH. Crystal Brightspark is an additional neutral trainer located at the Argent Tournament Grounds. Like most NPCs in the area, she is affiliated with the Argent Crusade, so Old World reputation grinds still matter.
Required Materials
Old World
- 59x Peacebloom
- 59x Silverleaf
- 80x Briarthorn
- 30x Bruiseweed
- 15x Mageroyal
- 40x Stranglekelp
- 30x Liferoot
- 30x Kingsblood
- 45x Goldthorn
- 5x Wild Steelbloom
- 70x Sungrass
- 15x Khadgar’s Whisker
- 1x Black Vitriol
- 4x Iron Bar
- 4x Purple Lotus
- 4x Firebloom
- 19x Arthas’ Tears
- 40x Blindweed
- 20x Mountain Silversage
Old World + Outland
- 75x Golden Sansam
Outland
- 36x Felweed
- 37x Dreaming Glory
- 20x Ragveil
- 10x Netherbloom
Northrend
- 85x Goldclover
- 35x Tiger Lily
- Alt: -5x Goldclover and Tiger Lily + 5x Pygmy Suckerfish
- 20x Talandra’s Rose
- 25x Adder’s Tongue
- 10x Icethorn
- 40x Lichbloom
- Options:
- 5x Dark Jade
- 5x Huge Citrine
- 10x Eternal Fire
- 56x Saronite Bar
- OR
- 10x Dark Jade
- 10x Huge Citrine
- 20x Eternal Fire
- Options:
- 15x Bloodstone
- 15x Chalcedony
- 15x Eternal Air
- OR (Flasks with differing reagents)
- 15x Frost Lotus
Leveling Alchemy
1 – 60: Minor Healing Potion
- Use Peacebloom and Silverleaf to make Minor Healing Potions.
Hang onto these! They’re necessary for your next potion. At 50, you should also train up to Journeyman.
60 – 105: Lesser Healing Potion
- Combine Briarthorn with your Minor Healing Potion to make Lesser Healing Potions.
105 – 110: Elixir of Wisdom
- Use Briarthorn and Mageroyal to make the Elixirs of Wisdom
110 – 140: Healing Potion
- Combine Briarthorn and Bruiseweed to make Healing Potions.
It may take an additional couple of potions to reach 140, as the recipe becomes green the closer you get to 140. Make sure to also learn Expert Alchemy when you hit 125.
140 – 155: Lesser Mana Potion
- Use Mageroyal and Stranglekelp to make the Lesser Mana Potions.
155 – 185: Greater Healing Potion
- Combine Liferoot and Kingsblood to make the Greater Healing Potion.
185 – 210: Elixir of Agility
- Combine Stranglekelp and Goldthorn to make the Elixir of Agility.
210 – 215: Elixir of Greater Defense
- Use Goldthorn and Wild Steelbloom to make the Elixir of Greater Defense.
Depending on the twink economy on your server, the Elixir of Agility and Elixir of Greater Defense can be sold and may help you start to break even on material costs. Once you’ve finished making the Elixir of Greater Defense, also make sure to train up to Artisan. If you’re leveling alongside training, this means finding either Kylanna Windwhisper or Rogvar.
This is also a great spot to break and head to Tanaris to purchase the Recipe: Philosopher’s Stone from Alchemist Pestlezugg in Gadgetzan.
215 – 230: Superior Healing Potion
- Use Sungrass and Khadgar’s Whisker to make the Superior Healing Potion.
230 – 231: Philosopher’s Stone
- Combine Black Vitriol, Iron Bar, Purple Lotus and Firebloom to make this trinket.
Until you reach Northrend and craft your high-level Alchemy trinkets, this will enable you to do any transmutation.
231 – 250: Elixir of Detect Undead
- Use Arthas’ Tears to make the Elixir of Detect Undead.
250 – 265: Elixir of Greater Agility
265 – 285: Superior Mana Potion
Though initially this recipe was only taught by Kylanna Windwhisper and Rogvar, in later patches, other Old World trainers were enabled to teach it. If you’re leveling in Outland or Northrend, all trainers will be able to teach you this.
At this level, you should also train to become a Master Alchemist, meaning you must either be in Outland or Northrend. This is one of the last Old World recipes you’ll craft.
285 – 300: Major Healing Potion
- Use Golden Sansam and Mountain Silversage to make Major Healing Potion.
300 – 310: Volatile Healing Potion
- Combine Golden Sansam and Felweed to make the Volatile Healing Potion.
310 – 325: Elixir of Healing Power
- Use Golden Sansam and Dreaming Glory to make the Elixir of Healing Power.
325 – 335: Mad Alchemist’s Potion
- Convert Ragveil into the Mad Alchemist’s Potion.
335 – 340: Super Healing Potion
- Combine Felweed and Netherbloom to make the Super Healing Potion.
Before the next step, Horde players must go to Blade’s Edge Mountains to speak with Daga Ramba and Alliance players have to talk with Haalrun in Zangarmarsh to purchase Recipe: Super Mana Potion. This recipe cannot be learned from any trainer, so unlike Superior Mana Potion in the Old World, it is actually necessary to seek out these NPCs.
You can also take the specialization quests — which are each discussed below — at this level.
340 – 350: Super Mana Potion
- Use Felweed and Dreaming Glory to make the Super Mana Potion.
After you’ve finished crafting these potions, you’ll be able to learn Grand Master. To do this, players must go to Northrend and find either Falorn Nightwhisper, Arthur Henslowe, Linzy Blackbolt, or Crystal Brightspark. If you are leveling alongside this, the next set of potions will be invaluable in your Northrend starting zone as you level.
350 – 360: Resurgent Healing Potion
- Convert Goldclover into the Resurgent Healing Potion.
360 – 365: Icy Mana Potion
- Convert Talandra’s Rose into the Icy Mana Potion.
365 – 380: Spellpower Elixir
- Combine Goldclover and Tiger Lily to make the Spellpower Elixir.
- If for some reason you have more ready access to Pygmy Suckerfish than these herbs, it’s also possible to level from 375 – 380 by crafting Pygmy Oil.
380 – 385: Potion of Nightmares
- Use Goldclover and Talandra’s Rose to make the Potion of Nightmares.
385 – 395: Elixir of Mighty Strength
- Convert Tiger Lily into the Elixir of Mighty Strength.
395 – 405: Elixir of Mighty Agility
- Use Goldclover and Adder’s Tongue to make the Elixir of Mighty Agility.
Starting at skill level 400, you’ll be able to use 4x Adder’s Tongue, 10x Goldclover, and 10x Talandra’s Rose to complete Northrend Alchemy Research. The materials for this are not included in the total count for the guide, but the spell allows you to discover new potions by expending these mats. Beware, however, if you’ve cast this enough times, it is possible to receive a repeat result.
At this level, you’ll also be able to make you Northrend Alchemy trinket: either Indestructible Alchemist’s Stone, Mercurial Alchemist Stone, or Mighty Alchemist’s Stone. You should choose in the same way that you would choose any gear, and match up the stats you want. Because each stone requires different materials, they are not included in the final count for the guide either.
405 – 410: Runic Healing Potion
- Combine Goldclover and Icethorn to make the Runic Healing Potion.
410 – 425: Runic Mana Potion
- Use Goldclover and Lichbloom to make Runic Mana Potions.
After you finish crafting these potions, there are a variety of options to choose from on how to complete your leveling. The first set will take you to 435, and the second will take you to the cap. All of these decisions can be made based on the price of materials or your immediate needs (to fill gem slots, to have raiding flasks, or for profit).
To get to 435, your choice is between:
- 425 – 430: Transmute: Titanium
- Convert Saronite Bar into Titanium Bar
- 430 – 435: Transmute: Earthsiege Diamond
- Convert Dark Jade, Huge Citrine, and Eternal Fire into an Earthseige Diamond
OR, you can make Earthsiege Diamonds the whole way.
- 425 – 435: Transmute: Earthsiege Diamond
To get to 450, your choice is between:
- 435 – 450: Transmute: Skyfire Diamond
- Combine Bloodstone, Chalcedony, and Eternal Air into a Skyfire Diamond
OR
- 435 – 450: Any combination of Flask of the Frost Wyrm, Flask of Stoneblood, Flask of Pure Mojo, and Flask of Endless Rage
- Each of these flasks uses different materials, but they all share the need for Frost Lotus.
It is your which flasks are most valuable or necessary, and you can calculate your additional necessary materials from there.
That’s it! You’ve reached 450 in the cheapest, fastest way possible. From the Old World to Northrend, you’ve learned the most necessary Alchemy recipes. Keep reading to learn about specializations and endgame crafting.
Specialization Quests
In The Burning Crusade, Blizzard added specializations to several primary professions in order to bring them in line with the specializations they had made available for others (like Armor, Axe, or Hammersmithing for Blacksmithing) in Vanilla WoW. This included Alchemy, and once players hit level 68 reach 325 skill in Alchemy, they are able to choose.
The three options are Elixir Master, Potion Master, and Transmutation Master. You may only choose one at the outset, but they are unlearnable and switching will cost 125g. Each mastery will give you the chance to create 1 – 4 addition elixirs, potions, or transmuted items (called procs or procing) when creating them. The popular estimate for proc chance is ~15%, but the official number has not been released.
Master of Potions
Most players consider Master of Potions, started by Lauranna Thar’well in Zangarmarsh the easiest one to complete. It requires players to bring:
While the Healing and Mana potions are both created during the course of leveling using this guide, the Major Dreamless Sleep Potion will require players to collect 5 additional Dreaming Glory and Nightmare Vine.
The Botanist’s Field Guide is the most difficult item of the 4 to obtain. It drops from High Botanist Freywinn in Tempest Keep, but the advantage is that unlike other items for different specialization quests, it has a 100% drop chance if a player is on the quest. The only challenge might be securing it over another person also trying to become a Master of Potions.
Master of Elixirs
The Master of Elixirs quest is started by Lorokeem in the Lower City of Shattrath. It requires players to bring him:
While the list may appear short, mastering elixirs requires players to do some additional farming. The total material list to craft all elixirs is:
- Felweed x15
- Ancient Lichen x15
- Terocone x15
The Essence of Infinity are harder to farm. They drop from Rift Keepers and Rift Lords in the Black Morass instance, but their drop chance is relatively low. It’s advisable here, if completing the quests at level, to bring a group willing to farm with you for them. Becoming a master of Elixirs will grant you procs for flasks, however, making the time investment well worth it.
Master of Transmutations
Players must head out to Netherstorm and find Zarevhi to begin the Master of Transmutations quest. While the requirements are the most straightforward, it is notoriously time intensive. Zarevhi only requires you to bring him 4x Primal Might, but in turn they’re each composed of one of all the Primal Elements in Outland (Primal Earth, Primal Water, Primal Air, Primal Fire, and Primal Mana).
A common strategy for players looking to easily become one of these specializations without investing the time in the quest is to complete the Master of Potions quest, unlearn the specialization, and then pay the gold to learn their desired one. This can save you a lot of time, but certainly comes with a relatively hefty price.
Ultimately, the choice of specialization is yours and should match your play style. Raiders and frequent PvPers might find being an Elixir Master most useful for the potential procs on flasks. Someone who often levels twinks or alts could become a Potion Master to create more items to send to other characters, and if you’re most interested in turning a profit from your Alchemy, become a Transmutation Master might suit you most, given the potential to maximize on the long cooldowns transmutation shares.Overall, though, each has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Endgame Alchemy
In the endgame of WotLK, flasks and transmutations are two of the most sought after uses of Alchemy.
For raiding, and to a lesser extent PvP, Flask of the Frost Wyrm, Flask of Stoneblood, Flask of Pure Mojo, and Flask of Endless Rage are all necessary for a successful group, and most parties will not start without them. Here, being a Master of Elixirs could come in handy, as your procs can either go to your group, increasing your own value, or straight to the AH where there will certainly be a market waiting.
Alchemists are also able to create the epic gems necessary to fill the slots present on high level gear. Making Cardinal Ruby with Transmute: Cardinal Ruby, Majestic Zircon with Transmute: Majestic Zircon, King’s Amber with Transmute: King’s Amber, or others are all incredibly useful and valuable ways to use your Grand Master Alchemy. Transmutation is also important to create Titanium Bar with Transmute: Titanium. Though the material cost for each of these is quite steep, the gems and bars can fetch quite a high amount on the AH. The one thing to note about these spells is that while they can all proc the Transmutation Master effect, they also all share a lengthy cooldown, so choose wisely.
FYI you completely omitted Gold Sansam from your Vanilla herbs list.
You can also buy the mana potionacroll neede for lvl 350 from the auction house