Alright, buckle up, my fellow gear-grinders and explosion enthusiasts! Professor Cogsworth "Boom" Sparkfizzle here, ready to download a metric tonne of high-octane engineering knowledge directly into your craniums! We're about to embark on a journey of sparks, sprockets, and the occasional (alright, frequent) spectacular detonation. This ain't your grandma's knitting circle; this is Classic WoW Engineering, the most chaotically fun profession known to Gnome- and Goblin-kind! If you're ready to trade in your boring old sword-swinging for some real, high-impact, gadget-fueled mayhem, then you've come to the right workshop!
So, You Wanna Be an Engineer, Eh? Prepare for Glory (and Minor Burns!)
What is Engineering? (More Than Just Making Nuts and Bolts, Trust Me!)
So, you've heard the whispers, seen the glorious explosions, maybe even been on the receiving end of a Gnomish Net-o-Matic Projector? Engineering, my friend, is not just another crafting profession; it's a calling. It's for those of us who see a pile of ore and don't just think "armor," but "potential rocket fuel!" We craft items that are fun, provide small but crucial equipment improvements, and, most importantly, can directly boost your combat skills with unique gadgets you won't find anywhere else.
Think about it: while other professions are busy making pointy sticks or slightly tougher leather pants, Engineers are out there deploying teleportation devices, strapping rockets to their boots, and yes, creating a delightful array of things that go KABOOM!. This profession is about utility, creativity, and a healthy dose of controlled (and sometimes uncontrolled) chaos. It's less about consistent stat upgrades and more about having a unique toolkit that can turn the tide of a battle, get you out of a sticky situation, or just provide a good laugh when your latest contraption backfires spectacularly. That's the beauty of it!
Mining – Your Engineering's Best Bud (Or Your Wallet's Worst Nightmare!)
Now, before you even think about picking up your first Arclight Spanner, let's talk about your Engineering's soulmate: Mining. Ores, stones, metals – these are the very lifeblood of an Engineer. If you want to level Engineering without selling your prized epic mount (and possibly a kidney), then pairing it with Mining is non-negotiable. A cost-efficient approach involves leveling Mining to 300 first, as this will provide most of the ores and powders you need, essentially for free.
The alternative? Brace your coin purse, because buying all your materials from the Auction House (AH) can be a financially ruinous endeavor. We're talking potentially hundreds of gold just to reach skill 300. The sheer volume of raw materials required is staggering. Having Mining means you're not at the mercy of fluctuating AH prices and can gather what you need, when you need it. Plus, any surplus can be sold for a tidy profit! This isn't just a casual tip; it's a fundamental strategic decision that will define your Engineering journey.
The Hoard: Your Master Shopping List for Mechanical Marvels!
Alright, future master of mechanical mayhem, before we start bolting things together and liberally applying blasting powder, you need to gather your components! A well-stocked workshop is a happy workshop.
The Full Stash: All Materials Needed (1-300) – Don't Skimp on the Gunpowder!
Here's a fairly comprehensive list of what you'll likely need to get from 1 to 300. Remember, these are approximate quantities; your luck with skill-ups (especially on yellow or green recipes) can make these numbers vary a bit. Consider this your grand treasure map to Engineering glory! Many of these items have detailed farming guides linked later, should you choose the path of the self-sufficient gatherer.
Material | Approximate Quantity |
---|---|
Rough Stone | ~60-90 |
Copper Bar | ~66-80 |
Coarse Stone | ~60-80 |
Linen Cloth | ~50 |
Silver Bar | ~5-30 |
Bronze Bar | ~110-130 |
Weak Flux | ~25 |
Heavy Stone | ~30-60 |
Moss Agate | ~10 (or more Heavy Stone) |
Wool Cloth | ~60-75 |
Medium Leather | ~15 |
Steel Bar | ~4-8 |
Gold Bar | ~0-40 (path dependent) |
Solid Stone | ~120-180 |
Mithril Bar | ~160-170 |
Mageweave Cloth | ~20-35 |
Dense Stone | ~60-80 |
Thorium Bar | ~130-225 |
Runecloth | ~30-35 |
This list should give you a fantastic head start. Planning your material acquisition, whether through diligent mining and farming or savvy auction house plays, will save you a mountain of headaches (and gold!).
Scavenger's Secrets: Pro Tips for Farming Key Materials – Get Your Hands Dirty!
If you're brave enough to gather your own materials (and I salute you for it!), knowing where to go is half the battle. General zone info is fine, but specific hotspots and mob types? That's where the real efficiency lies!

Ores (The Shiny Bits!):
- Copper Ore: Early zones like Durotar, Dun Morogh, Elwynn Forest, and Tirisfal Glades are your go-tos. For higher-level characters, the Venture Co. Mine in Mulgore is a veritable jackpot, often yielding around 8 veins per clear if you explore thoroughly, including the side area accessible only from within the mine.
- Tin Ore: Hillsbrad Foothills, particularly the Alterac Mountains area, is Tin heaven – often considered the best spot. Northern Stranglethorn, Redridge Mountains, The Barrens, and Ashenvale are also solid choices.
- Iron Ore: Arathi Highlands is a prime location, with numerous caves (though lower levels should be wary of the inhabitants!). Desolace offers a straightforward, cave-free route, and Thousand Needles is decent, though it also has Tin and Copper.
- Mithril Ore: The Burning Steppes, especially around Deadmaul Rock (though the caves are dangerous), Badlands, and Felwood are good hunting grounds. Mithril can also be found in zones like Tanaris and The Hinterlands.
- Thorium Ore: This is late-game stuff! Un'goro Crater, Eastern Plaguelands (the figure-eight route is popular but often contested), Burning Steppes, Winterspring (Dark Whisper Gorge is rich but perilous with elites), and Silithus are key zones.
Stones (The Gritty Bits!):
- Rough Stone: Comes from mining Copper Veins.
- Coarse Stone: Found in Tin Veins. A fun alternative if you're tired of smacking rocks is to farm the level 18-20 Stone Golems at Remravel's Excavation in Darkshore; they have a good drop rate for Coarse Stone.
- Heavy Stone: Drops from Iron Deposits.
- Solid Stone: Obtained from Mithril Deposits.
- Dense Stone: Found in Thorium Veins (both Small and Rich).
Cloth (The Fluffy Bits!):
Humanoid mobs are your best friends here.
- Linen Cloth: Riverpaw Gnolls near Sentinel Hill in Westfall (great for Alliance), Hillsbrad Worgens in Silverpine Forest (Horde), and Twilight Fanatics in Darkshore are excellent sources.
- Wool Cloth: The road east of Greenwarden's Grove in Wetlands features a fantastic hyperspawn of Dragonmaw Whelpstealers and Ebon Slavehunters – you'll be swimming in Wool!. Stormpike Engineers in Hillsbrad (Horde) and the instance Shadowfang Keep are also good.
- Mageweave Cloth: For high-level characters, Zul'Farrak is king; you can even mount inside (though watch for dismounting casts!) and open Shallow Graves for extra zombie-dropped cloth. Outside of dungeons, Deadwood Furbolgs in southern Felwood and Dunemaul Ogres in Tanaris are reliable.
- Runecloth: Blackrock Depths is a top-tier dungeon farm. In the open world, Twilight Cultists in Silithus (watch for phasing issues if you've done certain quests) and Drowned Gilnean Merchants in Blasted Lands (also subject to phasing) are good spots.
Leather (The Tough Bits!):
If your Engineering path needs it, skinning is the way.
- Medium Leather: The Rotting Orchard in Duskwood (especially good for Alliance), Cave Yetis in Foothill Caverns (Hillsbrad), and Terrowulf Fleshrippers/Shadow Weavers in Ashenvale are prime hunting grounds.
Material | Best Zone(s) | Specific Spot/Mob | Farming Tip/Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Copper Ore | Mulgore, Dun Morogh | Venture Co. Mine (Mulgore) | High-levels can clear the mine for ~8 veins. |
Tin Ore | Hillsbrad Foothills | Alterac Mountains area | Widely considered the best Tin farming spot. |
Iron Ore | Arathi Highlands, Desolace | Caves in Arathi (beware mobs) | Arathi is excellent; Desolace is easier/safer. |
Mithril Ore | Burning Steppes, Badlands | Deadmaul Rock (Burning Steppes) | Caves can be dangerous. |
Thorium Ore | Winterspring, E. Plaguelands, Un'goro | Dark Whisper Gorge (Winterspring), EPL Figure-8 | Often contested, elites in Dark Whisper Gorge. |
Coarse Stone | Darkshore (alternative) | Stone Golems (Remravel's Excavation) | Good alternative to mining Tin Veins. |
Wool Cloth | Wetlands | Dragonmaw Whelpstealers & Ebon Slavehunters (hyperspawn) | Extremely fast respawns, best spot for Wool. |
Mageweave Cloth | Zul'Farrak (Dungeon), Felwood | Zul'Farrak instance, Deadwood Furbolgs (Felwood) | ZF allows mounts, open graves for more cloth. |
Runecloth | Blackrock Depths (Dungeon), Silithus | BRD instance, Twilight Cultists (Silithus) | BRD is excellent; Silithus good but check phasing. |
Medium Leather | Duskwood, Hillsbrad Foothills | Rotting Orchard (Duskwood), Cave Yetis (Hillsbrad) | Duskwood great for Alliance. |
Auction House Acrobatics: Snagging Deals and Avoiding Rip-offs – Play the Market, Tinker!
Ah, the Auction House – a battlefield of bargains and blatant banditry! If you choose to buy your mats, a little savvy goes a long way.
General wisdom dictates buying low during off-peak hours (like early mornings or late nights) and, if you're selling crafted Engineering goods, listing them when demand is high, such as before popular raid nights. Keep an eagle eye on the prices of key leveling materials like Silver Bars or Moss Agate; sometimes a sudden surge in demand from another profession can send prices skyrocketing.
Conversely, if you see a flood of cheap ore, perhaps another Miner just dumped their haul – time to buy! Always weigh the "convenience tax" against the time it would take you to farm something yourself. Sometimes, paying a little extra is worth it; other times, you're better off getting your own hands dirty.
Igniting the Forge: The Ultimate 1-300 Engineering Leveling Blast-Off!
Alright, workshop's stocked, goggles are on – it's time to make some sparks fly!
Tools of the Trade: Your Trusty Spanner and Hammer – Can't Tinker Without 'Em!
You can't assemble an arsenal of awesome without the right tools! First up, you'll need a Blacksmith Hammer. You can usually snag one from a Blacksmithing supply vendor or an Engineering supplier, often found loitering near your Engineering trainer. Sometimes even general goods vendors carry them.
And occasionally, for those heavier-duty projects, you'll need to be near an Anvil. These are usually found near Blacksmithing trainers or in major city crafting areas.
Meet Your Mentors: Engineering Trainer Locations – Where to Learn the BOOMS!
Finding an Engineering trainer is usually as simple as asking a city guard. They'll happily point you in the right direction, marking the trainer with a big, friendly red flag on your map.
For maximum efficiency, especially in your early to mid-leveling journey, consider starting your Engineering career in Orgrimmar (for the Horde) or Ironforge (for the Alliance). Why? Because you can train Apprentice, Journeyman, and Expert Engineering all in one spot, saving you a ton of travel time until you're ready for Artisan training (skill 200+). Less running around means more time for tinkering!
Skill Tier | Faction | Trainer Name(s) | City(ies) | Specific Location Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apprentice (1-75) | Both | Various (e.g., Thund, Jemma Quikswitch) | All Major Cities | Ask a guard! |
Apprentice (1-75) | Horde | Tinkerwiz | The Barrens (Ratchet) | |
Journeyman (75-150) | Both | Various (e.g., Franklin Lloyd, Trixie Quikswitch) | All Major Cities | Ask a guard! |
Expert (150-225) | Horde | Roxxik | Orgrimmar | Valley of Honor |
Expert (150-225) | Alliance | Springspindle Fizzlegear | Ironforge | Tinker Town |
Artisan (225-300) | Neutral | Buzzek Bracketswing | Tanaris (Gadgetzan) | Near the entrance |
Apprentice Engineer (1-75): First Sparks & Minor Detonations!
This is where the magic begins! Each craft here is a step towards greater, more explosive things. Notice how we craft components that we immediately use? That's smart tinkering – minimizes waste and gets you skilled up faster!

- 1-30: Craft 60 x Rough Blasting Powder (60 Rough Stone). You might even hit 40 with this! Crucially, KEEP ALL OF THIS! You'll need every pinch for your first bombs.
- 30-50: Craft 30 x Handful of Copper Bolts (30 Copper Bar). Again, KEEP THESE BOLTS! They're essential for the next step.
- 50-51: Craft 1 x Arclight Spanner (6 Copper Bar). Behold, your very first, indispensable Engineering tool! Guard it well; you'll use it constantly.
- 51-75: Craft 30 x Rough Copper Bomb (30 Copper Bar, 30 Handful of Copper Bolts you just made, 60 Rough Blasting Powder you also just made, and 30 Linen Cloth). Your first taste of explosive power! Feel the thrill as you craft these little bundles of joy (and minor shrapnel).
Journeyman Engineer (75-150): Bigger Booms, Better Gadgets!
Time to visit your trainer and learn Journeyman Engineering! This rank requires your character to be at least Level 10 and have an Engineering skill of 50.
- 75-90: Craft 60 x Coarse Blasting Powder (60 Coarse Stone). More powder means more potential for glorious noise! KEEP THIS SAFE!.
- 90-100: Craft 20 x Coarse Dynamite (using 60 of the Coarse Blasting Powder you just crafted, and 20 Linen Cloth). Now we're graduating from simple bombs to dynamite! Oh, the possibilities!.
- 100-105: Craft 5 x Silver Contact (5 Silver Bar). These shiny little conductors are important. KEEP THEM!.
- 105-125: Craft 25 x Bronze Tube (50 Bronze Bar, 25 Weak Flux). Weak Flux is cheap and sold by Engineering Supply vendors, usually right near your trainer. These tubes are fundamental for many later crafts, especially scopes!.
- 125-135: Craft 10 x Standard Scope (10 of the Bronze Tube you just made, 10 Moss Agate). Time to help your hunter friends (or yourself, if you're a gun-toting warrior/rogue) see a little clearer! Pew pew!
Expert Engineer (150-225): Seriously Scheming!
You're making real progress! Time to seek out an Expert Engineering trainer. For Horde, that's Roxxik in Orgrimmar. For Alliance, Springspindle Fizzlegear in Ironforge will do the honors. You'll need to be at least Level 20 with Engineering 125.
- 135-150: This bracket is a two-parter, and both are crucial!
- Craft 30 x Heavy Blasting Powder (30 Heavy Stone). KEEP IT ALL!
- Craft 15 x Whirring Bronze Gizmo (30 Bronze Bar, 15 Wool Cloth). ALSO KEEP THESE! These gizmos are vital components for later, more complex contraptions, including the infamous Explosive Sheep!.
- 150-160: Craft 15 x Bronze Framework (30 Bronze Bar, 15 Medium Leather, 15 Wool Cloth). You're sensing a pattern, right? KEEP THESE FRAMEWORKS!.
- 160-175: Craft 15 x Explosive Sheep (30 Heavy Blasting Powder, 15 Whirring Bronze Gizmo, 15 Bronze Framework – look at that, all stuff you just made! – plus 30 Wool Cloth). BAA-BOOM! These little critters are not just for laughs; they're surprisingly effective. If you're leaning towards Goblin Engineering, make sure to keep at least 5 of these sheep! They're part of the Goblin specialization quest.
- 175-176: Craft 1 x Gyromatic Micro-Adjustor (4 Steel Bar). Your second essential Engineering tool! This little beauty is required for many advanced schematics. Treat it like gold!.
- 176-195: Craft 60 x Solid Blasting Powder (120 Solid Stone). This is some potent stuff! SAVE IT ALL! You'll need it for some serious firepower later. (Some guides say 194, others 195; aiming for 195 is safer).
- 195-200: Craft 7 x Mithril Tube (21 Mithril Bar). Stop crafting these once you hit skill 200. If Gnomish Engineering is calling your name, KEEP 6 OF THESE TUBES! They are a key component for the Gnomish specialization quest.
See how beautifully that worked out? The Explosive Sheep and Mithril Tubes you crafted are directly used in the specialization quests you'll encounter soon. This kind of foresight saves you from scrambling to make or buy them later when you're eager to choose your path!
Artisan Engineer (225-300): Master of Mayhem!
You've reached the big leagues! To become an Artisan Engineer, you must seek out the one and only Buzzek Bracketswing in Gadgetzan, Tanaris. He's the gatekeeper to the most advanced (and often most explosive) schematics. This requires your character to be Level 35 and have an Engineering skill of 225.
- 200-215: Craft 20 x Unstable Trigger (20 Mithril Bar, 20 Mageweave Cloth, and 20 of that Solid Blasting Powder you wisely saved!). These triggers are, well, unstable – and incredibly useful! SAVE THEM!.
- 215-238: Craft 40 x Mithril Casing (120 Mithril Bar). More essential components for your increasingly complex devices! SAVE THESE CASINGS!.
- 238-250: Craft 20 x Hi-Explosive Bomb (40 Mithril Casings, 20 Unstable Trigger, and 40 Solid Blasting Powder – all from your carefully hoarded stash!). KABOOOM! These pack a serious punch and are a staple for any Engineer worth their salt.
- 250-260: Craft 30 x Dense Blasting Powder (60 Dense Stone). This recipe will be yellow for a bit, so you might need to make a few more if Lady Luck isn't smiling on your skill-ups. Keep at least 15 of these powders for later!.
- 260-285: Craft 35 x Thorium Widget (105 Thorium Bar, 35 Runecloth). The schematic for this nifty widget is sold by Gearcutter Cogspinner in Ironforge (Alliance) and Sovik in Orgrimmar (Horde). This recipe will also be yellow for the last few points, so be prepared to potentially craft a few extras to reach 285.
- 285-300: You have a couple of excellent options to reach the pinnacle of Engineering!
- Option 1 (The Standard Path): Craft 20 x Thorium Tube (120 Thorium Bar). The Schematic: Thorium Tube is sold by the enterprising Xizzer Fizzbolt in Everlook, Winterspring. He's in the first building on the right as you enter town.
- Option 2 (The Ammo Path): Craft 15-20 x Thorium Shells (30-40 Thorium Bar, 15-20 of that Dense Blasting Powder you saved!). Hunters will love you for these! The Schematic: Thorium Shells is a Bind on Equip world drop, so you might find it on the Auction House or get lucky with a drop yourself. If it's proving elusive or too expensive, Thorium Tubes are a more reliable bet.
And there you have it! Reaching skill 300 means you're no longer just an Engineer; you're an Artisan of Awesome, a Maestro of Mayhem! But the journey isn't over... in fact, one of the biggest decisions is just around the corner!
The Great Divide: Gnomish vs. Goblin – Which Flavor of Awesome Are You?
At Engineering skill 200 and character level 30, a pivotal choice awaits you: will you walk the path of clever Gnomish contraptions or embrace the glorious, unadulterated chaos of Goblin explosions?. This decision shapes the unique, powerful items only you can craft and, in some cases, use.

The Core Conundrum: Brains or Bigger Booms? Utility or Utter Chaos?
Let's break it down simply:
- Focuses on utility, quirky gadgets, crowd control
- Surprisingly potent (if occasionally unreliable) devices
- Think clever, think tricky, think... interesting
- Best for PvP control and utility
- All about EXPLOSIONS!
- Raw power, area-of-effect damage
- If it makes a loud noise and leaves a crater, it's probably Goblin-made
- Best for AoE damage in PvE and PvP
Now, the crucial bit: specialized items fall into a few categories:
- Spec-Exclusive Items: These can only be used by Engineers of that specific specialization. If you switch specs, these become expensive paperweights. The prime examples are the teleporters.
- Bind on Pickup (BoP) Items: These are crafted by one specialization and bind to you. The wonderful thing is, if you craft these and then switch specializations later (a costly endeavor we'll discuss), you can still use these BoP items! This is the secret to the "best of both worlds" strategy.
- Bind on Equip (BoE) Items & Consumables: One spec crafts them, but they can be used by any Engineer with the appropriate skill (or sometimes even non-Engineers for consumables like bombs!). These can be bought and sold on the Auction House.
Gnomish Engineering: Clever Contraptions & Wondrous Utility!
If you fancy yourself a master of ingenious devices and battlefield control, Gnomish Engineering might be your calling!
The Path to Gnomish Genius:
- The quest chain typically starts with "Gnome Engineering" from an Engineering trainer (like Tinkerwiz in Ratchet for Horde, or from your capital city trainer for Alliance who will send you to Tinkmaster Overspark in Ironforge or Oglethorpe Obnoticus in Booty Bay).
- This leads to "The Pledge of Secrecy" and finally "Show Your Work."
- To complete "Show Your Work" and become a Gnomish Engineer, you'll need to present the quest giver with:
- 6 x Mithril Tube (Remember those we saved?)
- 1 x Accurate Scope
- 2 x Advanced Target Dummy
Signature Gnomish-Only Goodies:
The Gnomish Way: High utility, unique and often hilarious effects, but many items come with a delightful chance of backfiring spectacularly. Embrace the chaos; it's the Gnomish way!
Gadget Name | Type | Key Function | PvP Use | PvE Use | Potential Backfire/Quirk |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ultrasafe Transporter: Gadgetzan | Spec-Exclusive | Teleport to Tanaris | Quick access to southern battlegrounds/zones | Access AQ, ZF, CoT, Uldum | Can polymorph, change race, drop you from high altitude |
Gnomish Battle Chicken | BoP | Summons chicken, party melee haste proc | Minor DPS distraction | Excellent party melee haste buff | None significant |
Gnomish Death Ray | BoP | High damage nuke, drains user's health | Finishing blow | Risky DPS burst | Can backfire, dealing high self-damage |
Gnomish Mind Control Cap | BoE | Mind control target | Excellent disruption, turn enemy on allies | Situational NPC control | Can backfire (MC self) or break early |
Gnomish Net-o-Matic Projector | BoE | Roots target for 10 sec | Excellent crowd control, stop runners | Minor CC | Can backfire, netting the user instead |
Gnomish Rocket Boots | BoE | Speed increase | Escape, chase, flag running | Faster travel | Can explode, causing damage and launching user |
Goblin Engineering: If It Explodes, It's Goblin-Approved!
If your philosophy is "Why solve a problem when you can blow it up?", then Goblin Engineering is your destiny!

The Path to Goblin Devastation:
- The quest chain also starts with "Goblin Engineering" from Engineering trainers (again, Tinkerwiz in Ratchet is a common starting point, leading you to Nixx Sprocketspring in Gadgetzan).
- This leads to "The Pledge of Secrecy" and then "Show Your Work."
- To prove your Goblin ingenuity for "Show Your Work," you'll need to craft and deliver:
- 20 x Big Iron Bomb
- 20 x Solid Dynamite
- 5 x Explosive Sheep (Those sheep you saved come in handy!)
Signature Goblin-Only Gear:
The Goblin Way: Massive damage potential is the name of the game, but it often comes with the thrilling risk of self-damage or other unpredictable (but usually explosive) outcomes. The Goblin motto could very well be: "If it ain't explodin', it ain't workin' right!"
Gadget Name | Type | Key Function | PvP Use | PvE Use | Self-Damage/Quirk |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dimensional Ripper - Everlook | Spec-Exclusive | Teleport to Winterspring | Quick access to northern battlegrounds/zones | Access Thorium, Black Lotus, Frostmaul E'ko | Can cause DoTs, polymorph, summon hostiles |
Goblin Sapper Charge | BoE (Consumable) | Massive AoE fire damage (damages user) | Excellent AoE burst, group disruption | Excellent AoE for trash/adds, coordinated burst | Deals significant damage to the user |
The Big One | BoE (Consumable) | Large AoE damage and stun | Strong AoE CC and damage | Situational AoE CC/damage | None significant beyond typical bomb risks |
Goblin Rocket Helmet | BoE | Charge and stun/knockdown target | Excellent disruption, interrupt | Minor CC | None significant |
Goblin Jumper Cables XL | BoE (Consumable) | Chance to resurrect ally in combat | Clutch battle resurrection | Clutch battle resurrection | Can fail and shock the user |
Goblin Mortar | BoE | AoE damage and stun trinket | Good AoE CC/damage | Situational AoE CC/damage | Can backfire, stunning user and allies |
The Ultimate Cheat Code: Getting the Best of Both Worlds (The Re-Specialization Gambit)
For the truly dedicated (and wealthy) Engineer, there's a path to wielding the best of both Gnomish utility and Goblin firepower. It's known as the "Re-Specialization Gambit," and it's not for the faint of heart.
- Level Engineering and choose Gnomish Engineering first.
- Craft all the desirable Gnomish Bind on Pickup (BoP) items you want (like the Gnomish Battle Chicken, Gnomish Death Ray, Lil' Smoky).
- Once you have your Gnomish BoP treasures, you must UNLEARN Engineering entirely. Yes, you read that right. Kiss all your learned non-BoP schematics and your 200+ skill points goodbye (temporarily!).
- Painstakingly re-level Engineering from 1 all the way back up to 200+.
- This time, when the specialization quest comes, choose Goblin Engineering.
Why go through all this madness? Because those Gnomish BoP items you crafted will remain usable even after you switch to Goblin Engineering! This allows you to have, for example, the Gnomish Battle Chicken and be able to craft your own Goblin Sapper Charges.
The cost, however, is significant. You're essentially paying to level Engineering twice in terms of materials and time. This is a serious commitment.
To actually switch specializations after unlearning and re-leveling, you need to find the gnome Narain Soothfancy in Steamwheedle Port, Tanaris. He sells a book called "Soothsaying for Dummies." Reading this book will allow you to choose your new specialization (in this case, Goblin) without redoing the original specialization quest.
This re-spec strategy is a clear indicator of just how powerful and unique certain specialized items are. The fact that players are willing to endure such a grind speaks volumes about the desire to min-max their engineering toolkit.
Your Path, Your Explosions: Picking Your Poison (Or Both!)
So, what's the final verdict, Professor?
- If you primarily value utility, unique control options for PvP, and the powerful Gnomish Battle Chicken for PvE, Gnomish Engineering is a fantastic choice. The Gadgetzan teleporter is also a huge perk.
- If your heart beats for massive explosions, top-tier AoE damage in both PvP and PvE, and the lucrative market for Goblin Sapper Charges, then Goblin Engineering is calling your name. The Everlook teleporter is handy for northern Kalimdor resources.
- If you're unsure, or if you're a hardcore min-maxer with deep pockets and a lot of patience, starting Gnomish to craft the BoP items and then undertaking the Re-Specialization Gambit to end up Goblin is the ultimate power move.
No matter which path you choose, you're in for a wild ride!
The Tinkerer's Arsenal: Engineering's Most Iconic Gadgets! (Beyond Specializations)
While specializations offer unique toys, there's a whole arsenal of incredible gadgets available to all proficient Engineers. These are the bread and butter (and bombs and rockets) of our craft!
Bombs, Bombs, Bombs! – A Symphony of Destruction!
From your very first Rough Copper Bomb to the mighty Thorium Grenade, explosives are an Engineer's signature.
When and Where to Use 'Em: Bombs are fantastic for clumping up trash mobs in dungeons for faster AoE clears. In raids, they can provide extra burst damage during specific phases, assuming your mana and global cooldowns allow. And in PvP? Oh, the glorious chaos! A well-aimed grenade can disrupt casters, peel for your healer, or finish off a fleeing enemy. The stuns from Iron and Thorium Grenades are particularly invaluable in player-versus-player combat.
Beyond the Boom: Essential Utility – Not Everything Explodes (But Most Things Can!)
Engineers are more than just demolition experts! We craft a wide array of incredibly useful tools.

Parachute Cloak: The Schematic: Small Seaforium Charge is a world drop that teaches you to craft a cloak with an on-use slow fall effect. Incredibly useful for surviving long falls, creative exploration, or making daring escapes from high places (like the Arathi Basin flag room!).
Discombobulator Ray: The Schematic: Discombobulator Ray drops from Lord Incendius in Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS). This gadget polymorphs your target into a leper gnome (or similar), providing a useful, albeit sometimes resisted, crowd control effect in PvP.
PvP Power Plays: Gadgets to Wreck Face and Confound Foes!
Engineering is widely considered one of the, if not the, best PvP professions for a reason.
- Gnomish Net-o-Matic Projector for roots
- Gnomish Mind Control Cap for turning enemies against each other
- Gnomish Rocket Boots for unparalleled mobility (chasing or escaping)
- Reflectors to counter casters
- Grenades add crucial stuns
- Goblin Sapper Charge for devastating AoE burst
- Goblin Rocket Helmet for stuns/interrupts
- Their own version of Goblin Rocket Boots for mobility
Universal PvP Tools: Catseye Ultra Goggles (schematic is a world drop) to detect those sneaky rogues and druids. (reward from the "Pearl Diving" quest) to make hunter and warlock pets flee in terror.
Raiding with Rockets: Engineering for PvE Supremacy!
Don't think Engineering is just for PvP! It brings serious advantages to any raiding environment.
- Goblin Sapper Charges: In encounters with multiple stacked mobs, a coordinated Sapper Charge from your melee DPS can result in absolutely monstrous burst AoE damage, significantly speeding up kills.
- Gnomish Battle Chicken: That 5% melee haste buff is no joke. For melee-heavy groups, having a Gnomish Engineer (or someone with a pre-crafted Chicken) is a noticeable DPS increase over the course of a fight.
- Repair Bots: Minimizing downtime due to broken gear is crucial for progression. A Field Repair Bot 74A can save a raid from having to hearth out and run back.
- Arcanite Dragonling: The Schematic: Arcanite Dragonling (a rare world drop) crafts a trinket that summons a powerful dragonling pet. It's often considered stronger than the Battle Chicken for pure DPS in certain situations, though it lacks the party buff.
- Powerful Scopes: Essential for Hunters to maximize their damage output.
- Bombs/Dynamite: Can be used for extra AoE on trash packs or during specific boss phases where adds are a concern.
Hidden Gems: Rare Schematics Worth Hunting For – The True Tinkerer's Trophies!
Beyond what trainers and specialization quests offer, some of the most coveted Engineering schematics are rare drops from dungeons, specific mobs, or even just out in the world. Finding one of these can be a real thrill and open up unique crafting opportunities (and potential profits!).
Rare Engineering Schematics
Acquiring these rare schematics is like a mini-game within the profession. It adds an element of exploration, adventure, and sometimes, sheer luck. They represent the pinnacle of specialized engineering knowledge.
Gadget Category | Example Gadgets | Key Function & Use Cases |
---|---|---|
Bombs & Explosives | Iron Grenade, Thorium Grenade, Hi-Explosive Bomb, Goblin Sapper Charge, The Big One | AoE damage, stuns, massive burst (Sappers). Essential for PvP control, PvE AoE, and general mayhem. |
Utility & Tools | Target Dummies, Repair Bots, Parachute Cloak, Arclight Spanner, Scopes | Distraction, raid repairs, slow fall, crafting, weapon enhancement. QoL and essential support items. |
PvP Control | Gnomish Net-o-Matic, Mind Control Cap, Reflectors, Discombobulator Ray, Flash Bomb | Rooting, turning enemies, countering casters, polymorphing, fearing pets. Engineering is king of PvP disruption. |
PvE Buffs/DPS | Gnomish Battle Chicken, Arcanite Dragonling, Goblin Sapper Charge | Party haste buff, powerful combat pet, massive AoE burst for specific encounters. Significant raid contributions. |
Rare Finds | Catseye Ultra Goggles, Dimensional Rippers, World Enlarger, Rare Reflectors | Stealth detection, unique teleports, fun cosmetic effects, powerful niche items. Trophies for the dedicated Engineer. |
Advanced Tinkering: Pro Tips & Workshop Wisdom!
You've learned the schematics, you've chosen your path (or perhaps both!), now let's talk about some advanced workshop wisdom to truly master your craft.
Playing the Market: Auction House Gold Rush for Engineers – Turning Sparks into Gold!
While Engineering isn't typically lauded as a top-tier gold-making profession like Skinning Devilsaurs or high-end Alchemy, a savvy Engineer can certainly turn a tidy profit. The key is identifying niche markets and selling convenience.
- Consumables are King: Goblin Sapper Charge are a prime example. Raiders, especially melee DPS, will pay a premium for these before raid nights. Other bombs like Thorium Grenade and even Advanced Target Dummy can sell well, as players often don't want to craft them themselves when they're short on time.
- Ammunition: Thorium Shells and the arrows made from their trade-in can be a steady, if not massive, source of income, especially if sold in bulk.
- Rare BoE Schematics: If you're lucky enough to find a rare, Bind on Equip schematic (like some of the reflectors or utility items), crafting and selling those items can be quite profitable.
- Intermediate Components: Sometimes, the raw components like Unstable Trigger or Mithril Casings can sell for more than the finished products if demand from other crafters is high or if someone is just short a few mats.
Timing is Everything: As mentioned before, buy your raw materials (ores, stones, cloth) during off-peak hours when prices are generally lower. Sell your crafted consumables, especially raid-focused ones like Sappers, on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings when guilds are preparing to raid.
The truth is, many players, even other Engineers, will pay for the convenience of not having to farm or craft every little component themselves, especially when they're in a hurry. That's where you, the prepared Engineer, can profit!
Material Hoarding 101: Efficient Farming Routes for Key Components
We've covered many farming spots, but it bears repeating: knowing efficient routes for high-demand materials like Thorium Ore, Dense Stone, Solid Stone, Mithril Ore, and various cloths is crucial if you plan to craft extensively or sell your wares. Consider routes that offer multiple resources; for example, a mining path that also takes you through areas with high humanoid density for cloth drops can be very time-efficient. A dedicated bank alt for storing your mountains of metal, stone, and cloth is practically a requirement for any serious Engineer – our profession is notoriously material-hungry!
The "Look What I Made!" Showcase: Coolest Gadgets to Impress (or Annoy) Your Guildies!
Engineering isn't just about practicality; it's about style and having fun!
- Whip out the World Enlarger in the middle of a raid prep and watch as your raid leader suddenly becomes knee-high to a gnome.
- Use the Gnomish Mind Control Cap on a friend during a duel for maximum psychological warfare (and laughter).
- Time your Gnomish Rocket Boots explosion just right to launch yourself dramatically into a boss fight (or, more likely, off a cliff).
- Have your Gnomish Battle Chicken deliver the killing blow on a mob, then /squawk victoriously.
- And the teleporters! Oh, the stories you'll tell. "Anyone need a lift to Gadgetzan? Excellent! Just... make sure you've got a Parachute Cloak equipped. And maybe a Soulstone. Just in case."
General Tinkering Tips & Tricks from the Workshop Floor!
A few more nuggets of wisdom from my many years of (mostly) successful tinkering:
- Always keep an eye out for cheap vendor-sold Fluxes (Weak Flux, Strong Flux, etc.). They're needed for many recipes, and buying them from a vendor is almost always cheaper than the AH.
- Warlock Engineers, take note! Your Healthstone and Target Dummies share a cooldown. Don't try to panic-heal with a Healthstone and then immediately drop a dummy – it won't work! Plan accordingly.
- If you're playing self-found or just really need some leather for those early goggles or other crafts, Fishing can be a surprising source. Trunks fished up from floating wreckage pools often contain leather.
- Don't underestimate the power of a well-placed Target Dummy to save a wipe or allow a clean escape. It's one of the first "panic buttons" you'll craft, and it remains useful throughout your adventures.
Go Forth and CREATE CHAOS! (Conclusion)
Congrats, You're an Engineering God (Almost)! Now With More Explosions!
Well, my apprentice, you've made it! From humble beginnings with Rough Blasting Powder to mastering Thorium contraptions and choosing your specialized path of Gnomish ingenuity or Goblin demolition, you've embarked on one of Azeroth's most rewarding (and hilariously unpredictable) professions. You're not just an Engineer anymore; you're a purveyor of portable pandemonium, a crafter of curious contraptions, a veritable god of gadgets!
Engineering is more than just skill points and recipes; it's a journey of discovery, spectacular explosions, and the occasional (okay, frequent) unscheduled trip to the spirit healer. Embrace the chaos, learn from your (inevitable) misfires, and revel in the unique power and utility that only Engineering can provide.
Final Words of Explosive Encouragement!
So, go forth, my friend! Keep tinkering, keep experimenting, and never, EVER be afraid to push that big, shiny, unlabeled red button! (Unless it explicitly says "DO NOT PUSH." Then, perhaps, think twice... or push it anyway, for science! That's the spirit!)
May your bombs always crit, your rockets fly true (mostly), and your teleporters (mostly) take you where you actually intend to go!
Happy tinkering, and may your future be filled with glorious KABOOMS!
Professor Cogsworth "Boom" Sparkfizzle, Out!