Of all the gathering professions in World of Warcraft: Classic, Herbalism is perhaps the easiest and quickest to level up, apart from Skinning. This is because while one is questing, Herbs nodes are everywhere. Running to and from objectives or towns often can result in significantly long detours to snag that single herb we noticed, and the four that popped up while we gathered the first. Herbs are the crafting material needed for crafting potions, which are not profitable in the early game, but constantly selling in the late game for those needing to maximize their stats in raids.
Herbalism Trainers And Tools
Unlike Skinning and Mining, there are no tools necessary to gather herbs. One is literally bending over and ripping the herb by the stem, we assume. However, there are enchantments that can be added to gloves that increase one’s skill in Herbalism, though this is entirely optional and far more useful at the highest level of Herb gathering. Trainers are in every major city.
Alliance Herbalism Trainers:
- Shylamiir in Stormwind City, at the Park
- Tannysa in Stormwind City, Mage Quarter
- Herbalist Pomeroy in Elwynn Forest, outside the Stormwind Gates
- Firodren Mooncaller in Darnassus, Temple Garden
- Malorne Bladeleaf in Teldrassil, in Dolanaar
- Cylania Rootstalker in Ashenvale, in Silverwind Refuge
- Reyna Stonebranch in Ironforge, at the Great Forge
- Kali Healtouch in Loch Modan, Thelsamar
- Alma Jainrose in the Redridge Mountains, at Lakeshire
- Telurinon Moonshadow in the Wetlands, at Menethil Harbor
- Brant Jasperbloom in Dustwallow Marsh, at Theramore Isle
Horde Herbalism Trainers:
- Jandi in Orgrimmar, at the Drag in the upper floor
- Mishiki in Durotar, at Sen'Jin Village
- Komin Winterhoof in Thunder Bluff, central bluff
- Ruw in Feralas, at Camp Mojache
- Martha Alliestar in the Undercity, at the Apothecarium
- Faruza in Tirisfal Glades, Brill
- Aranae Venomblood in Hillsbrad Foothills, at Tarren Mill
- Angrun in Stranglethorn Vale, at Grom'gol Base Camp
Finding Herbs
Unlike cloth, which drops from humanoids, Herbs litter the map of most locations. So long as one is outside, which is most of the time, there are nodes to be found in all directions. Using the Find Herbs skill, which is provided to your character when you take the Herbalism profession, you will begin to see them everywhere. Similar to other gathering professions, your skill level must be high enough to pick herbs farther into the game. Luckily, farming for herbs in lower level areas is quick, and simply running a loop of an area can yield a large amount of materials.
With that in mind, leveling up Herbalism can be done while you quest, or by simply running loops of maps. In the map above, one can see an optimal route for finding herbs in the Barrens, and the level ranges are listed because in the Southern region, there will be herbs that require that minimum skill level to be gathered. Taking a few laps around a planned route can yield a good amount of materials.
Herbalism and Etiquette
Perhaps the most frustrating part of a profession like Mining is that once a player tags a node, another player cannot also use it for the materials or to level up their profession. Players may recall during vanilla the frustration felt as one fought their way through a cave, past a few mobs to get to a vein of minerals, only for another player to swoop in and mine it for themselves. However, when it comes to Herbalism, there is hardly ever a lack of materials. If you see another person farming for herbs, be considerate, and don’t worry if they steal yours. There are so many places to access herbs that it is useless becoming angry at another player’s discourtesy.
Within a dungeon, party etiquette is often to ask if anyone else is a gatherer of your same material, and if so, to split the nodes rather than hog them all for oneself.
Professions That Go Well With Herbalism
Alchemy is the main crafting profession that uses herbs. In later expansions we know too that Inscription uses the ink from herbs, but that profession is not available in Classic. Leveling both professions is quite quick and easy compared to others. Profit wise, no one will want to purchase your early potions, but in the endgame, certain consumables are always selling on the Auction House to eager players looking to dominate raids.
However, earning gold for the expensive cost of a mount at both level 40 and 60 is also important, and one should consider taking dual gathering professions to sell materials on the Auction House. Skinning or Mining along with Herbalism means that you will constantly be collecting materials to sell at the Auction House, and you will not be spending the little gold you have trying to level a profession early on.