Note: This entry is written for players who are in the Outland, Level 65 and above and are hoping to one day find a raiding guild. At a lower level Tailoring is useful, yes, but to a different degree and for different reasons.

I now have three toons that are above level 60: Hunter, Mage and Warrior.

My Hunter isn’t destined for great things - she’s got 300 riding and a Netherwing to flit around on but her equipment is pretty crappy and because she’s an Enchanter and an Herbalist, there’s not a lot she can do about it herself.

My Warrior has always been a Miner/Blacksmith and while I’ve pondered dropping Blacksmithing because of its cost and slow progression, I’ve kept it on and am needing Adamantite to progress the skill further but that’s not something I can easily collect as a level 61 (and I refuse to spend my cash on AH supplies when I can’t even use the equipment I’m crafting now on that toon).

My Mage was an Alchemist/Skinner since his 20’s but now is an Alchemist/Tailor because he has recently hit 65 and since he’s my “progression toon” I figured I should be getting him ready to wear some crafted gear as I hear it’s really good stuff.

Why Tailoring?

One thing I have read repeatedly on the World of Warcraft forums when guildies and guildmasters are talking about gearing up for and within Karazhan is that as it stands, there’s very little leather +spelldamage gear and thus Moonkins will be competing directly with Mages and Warlocks and Shadow Priests for cloth drops in places like Kara. Plus, since sometimes +healing is the name of the game and not +armor, a Priest may find themselves in competition with a Paladin, either for primary-role duties or off-spec gear.

Tailoring as a profession has three specialization trees that a Clothie can take up to reduce the competition on drops while improving their character and demonstrating knowledge about how progression happens faster if each individual takes responsibility for their own part in it. Unfortunately, these Tailoring recipes when crafted result in equipment that is Bind on Pickup so only the Tailor that created the item can use it.

Therefore, Mages, Warlocks and Priests are regularly recommended to help themselves in this case by taking up Tailoring and choosing a Specialization tree that works best with their personal needs:

Tailoring Specialization: Mooncloth

This is known as the “healing” specialization tree for Tailoring.

All specialization only have three epic patterns in them, so a number of other pieces will need to be picked up to complete a full set of equipment. These ones are obviously aimed towards Holy Priests - high in Intellect, Spirit and Healing, with two being socketable for further improvements:

Primal Mooncloth Shoulders
Primal Mooncloth Belt
Primal Mooncloth Robe

When having selected this specialization, this tailor now gets two Mooncloth from one transmute when making Mooncloth at a moonwell.

Tailoring Specialization: Spellfire

The Wrath of Spellfire set is the result of this specialization tree, with a focus on those who deal Fire and Arcane damage (Warlocks and Mages). All three are epic and all three are socketable for further improvements:

Spellfire Robe
Spellfire Gloves
Spellfire Belt

Spellcloth is what is used as a base component of all of these patterns, and it can be transmuted by a Tailor who is anywhere in Netherstorm, and just like the previous specialization, a transmute by a Spellfire Tailor will yield two Spellcloth instead of the regular one.

Tailoring Specialization: Shadowweave

The Shadow’s Embrace set is the one for those who dedicate themselves to using Shadow and Frost damages as their major types - Mages, Warlocks and Shadow Priests. The three epic pieces improve Intellect, Stamina and +Damage to both Frost and Shadow, plus all are socketable for further improvements:

Frozen Shadowweave Robe
Frozen Shadowweave Boots
Frozen Shadowweave Shoulders

In order to make Shadowcloth, a Tailor must travel to Shadowmoon Valley and stand on the Altar of Shadows (58,71) to transmute. Shadowweave Tailors will get 2 Shadowcloth instead of 1, and after crafting Shadowcloth, all tailors will receive a “Shadowy Fortitude” buff, which provides +25 stamina for one hour.

Tailoring Specialization Can Take Place When?

I wandered down to Lower City to where the Mana Loom was in order to make my first few Bolt of Imbued Netherweave at level 64 and found that I could pick up any of the Tailoring Specialization quests immediately at that point.

I decided to go with Shadowweave tailoring after poking around at my options and looking at the epic recipes for each specialization, but the only problem was that it wanted me to venture into a part of Shadowmoon Valley that I’d probably do a LOT better in around level 67 or 68 unless I find an escort.

Now that I’ve hit 65 and picked up Arcane Blast, however (or was that 64?) - I’m wondering if I shouldn’t consider re-spec’ing and going for the Wrath of Spellfire set. My preliminary research has shown that getting materials to make the Spellcloth might be difficult without having a Karazhan group to join, however…

So… I’ll level up to 67 before I think too much more about it. Any way I go, I’m likely going to be heading into 68+ zones to specialize, and I can’t get Primal Nethers until I’m closer to 70 nor can I wear the epic equipment until then anyway…

Stay tuned to find out what direction this (currently Frost/Arcane) Casual Mage is going to head (suggestions welcome!)

Tags: adamantite, altar of shadows, blacksmith, Epic equipment, gearing up for heroics, gearing up for karazhan, heroic key guide, hunter, mage, mage epics, mage professions, miner, netherstorm, priest epics, priest professions, primal mooncloth, primal mooncloth set, shadow priest professions, shadow's embrace, shadowcloth, shadowmoon valley, shadowweave, spellcloth, tailoring, tailoring guide, tailoring leveling guide, tailoring levelling guide, tailoring specialization guide, warlock epics, warlock professions, warrior, why tailoring, wrath of spellfire, zangarmarsh