Leveling Leatherworking in Classic WoW can be a rewarding journey, allowing you to craft valuable gear and augment your character’s power. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the fastest and most cost-effective path to master Leatherworking from skill level 1 to 300.
For an optimal experience, it’s highly recommended to pair Leatherworking with Skinning. Gathering your own leather through Skinning will significantly reduce the gold cost associated with leveling this profession. Alternatively, you can purchase leather from the Auction House, but be prepared to invest a considerable amount of gold.
If you’re still in the process of leveling your character and aiming for level 60 swiftly, consider exploring Zygor’s 1-60 Leveling Guide. It’s a fantastic resource to accelerate your journey to max level.
Essential Shopping List for Leatherworking
Before you embark on your Leatherworking journey, gather these essential materials. Remember to purchase threads, dyes, and salt from Leatherworking Supply vendors conveniently located near your trainers.
Playing Cataclysm Classic?
If you are playing Cataclysm Classic, this guide is not for you! Please use my dedicated Cataclysm Leatherworking Leveling Guide for the Cataclysm expansion, as there are significant changes to trainers and recipes.
Finding Your Classic Leatherworking Trainer
To begin your Leatherworking apprenticeship, you must reach level 5 and locate a Leatherworking trainer.
Simply click on the faction-specific links below to pinpoint trainer locations. Alternatively, speak to any city guard and inquire about the Leatherworking trainer; their location will be marked on your map with a red flag.
Horde Trainers:
Alliance Trainers:
- ংংংং Adele Fallowreed in Darnassus
- ংংংং Elrondir in Dolanaar
- ংংংং Simon Tanner in Stormwind City
- ংংংং Varnus Claybough in Ironforge
Apprentice Leatherworking (Skill Level 1-75)
Leveling 1-55
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40-45 crafts (or 1-45 if starting at skill level 1): Craft approximately 40 Light Armor Kit – Requires 40 Light Leather.
This recipe is available from the trainer and provides a solid starting point for leveling your skill. Light Leather is abundant and easily obtainable through skinning low-level beasts or purchasing from the Auction House.
Journeyman Leatherworking (Skill Level 75-150)
To advance beyond skill level 75, you must train Journeyman Leatherworking. Note that not all Leatherworking trainers offer this advanced skill; you need to seek out an Expert Leatherworker. This training is available at character level 10.
You can learn Journeyman Leatherworking from these trainers:
Horde Trainers:
Alliance Trainers:
Leveling 55-137
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100-125 crafts: Create around 40 Fine Leather Belt – Requires 240 Light Leather and 80 Coarse Thread.
This recipe will efficiently take you through this skill range. Light Leather remains the primary material, and Coarse Thread is readily available from vendors.
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Optional Craft: If you have accumulated Medium Hide through skinning or found it at a reasonable price at the Auction House, consider crafting Cured Medium Hide.
Keep both the Fine Leather Belt and Cured Medium Hide as they are components for crafting Dark Leather Belt later on.
Expert Leatherworking (Skill Level 150-225)
To progress to Expert Leatherworking, you must reach character level 20 and have a Leatherworking skill of 125. Seek out an Expert Leatherworking trainer to learn this new skill tier.
Expert Leatherworking trainers are:
Leveling 137-205
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150-155 crafts: Craft approximately 7 Heavy Leather – Requires 35 Medium Leather.
This recipe converts Medium Leather into Heavy Leather, a material needed for higher-level crafting. Alternatively, consider the recipe below if materials are more accessible.
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Alternative Recipe: Barbaric Harness – Pattern sold by various vendors.
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165-180 crafts: Craft around 15 Heavy Armor Kit – Requires 75 Heavy Leather and 15 Fine Thread.
This recipe efficiently utilizes Heavy Leather and continues your skill progression.
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190-200 crafts: Craft approximately 10 Guardian Gloves – Requires 40 Heavy Leather, 10 Cured Heavy Hide, and 10 Silken Thread.
This recipe introduces Cured Heavy Hide and Silken Thread into the crafting process, preparing you for Artisan level materials.
Artisan Leatherworking Trainer (Skill Level 225-300)
To train Leatherworking beyond skill level 225, you need to be at least character level 35 and have reached Leatherworking skill 200. Visit an Artisan Leatherworking trainer to unlock the final tier.
Artisan Leatherworking trainers are:
- Drakk Stonehand (Alliance) – Located in Wildhammer Keep in Aerie Peak, The Hinterlands.
- Hahrana Ironhide (Horde) – Situated in Feralas at Camp Mojache.
Leatherworking Specializations (Level 225+)
Upon reaching Leatherworking skill level 225 and character level 40, you can specialize in one of three distinct Leatherworking paths: Dragonscale, Elemental, or Tribal. Each specialization grants access to unique and powerful patterns.
- Dragonscale Leatherworking: Focuses on crafting Mail-type armor.
- Elemental Leatherworking: Specializes in elemental resistance gear and Leather-type agility armor.
- Tribal Leatherworking: Centers around Leather-type intellect and agility gear, including the coveted Devilsaur Armor set.
For detailed guidance on becoming a Dragonscale, Elemental, or Tribal Leatherworker, refer to these dedicated guides:
Leveling 205-300
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235-250 crafts: Craft approximately 15 Nightscape Pants – Requires 210 Thick Leather and 60 Silken Thread.
Thick Leather becomes the primary material at this stage, and Silken Thread remains a vendor-bought component.
Leveling 260-290
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33 crafts: Create 33 Wicked Leather Gauntlets – Requires 264 Rugged Leather, 33 Black Dye, and 33 Rune Thread.
The Pattern: Wicked Leather Gauntlets is sold by Leonard Porter in Western Plaguelands and Werg Thickblade in Tirisfal Glades. Be aware that this pattern has a limited supply and a long respawn timer. Consider purchasing it from the Auction House or farming the alternative recipe below.
Alternative Recipe:
If the Wicked Leather Gauntlets pattern is unavailable or too expensive, consider this alternative recipe, which requires Leatherworking skill 265 to learn. You may need to craft a few Nightscape Boots (requiring approximately 100-150 Thick Leather) to reach skill level 265.
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28 crafts: Create 28 Wicked Leather Bracers – Requires 224 Rugged Leather, 28 Black Dye, and 28 Rune Thread.
The Pattern: Wicked Leather Bracers is dropped by Legashi Rogues in Azshara (approximately 5% drop rate). You might find it more efficient to purchase this pattern from the Auction House to avoid extensive mob grinding.
Leveling 290-300
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10 crafts: Craft 10 Runic Leather Headband – Requires 140 Rugged Leather, 100 Runecloth, and 10 Rune Thread.
The Pattern: Runic Leather Headband is sold by Jase Farlane in Eastern Plaguelands. Similar to the Wicked Leather Gauntlets pattern, this one is also limited supply with a lengthy respawn timer.
Alternative Recipes:
Consider these alternative recipes if the Runic Leather Headband pattern is not readily available or affordable:
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Pattern: Wicked Leather Headband – Dropped by Jadefire Tricksters in Felwood (around 2% drop rate). Check the Auction House for availability and price. If it’s cheaper than 100 Runecloth, it’s worth considering.
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Pattern: Runic Leather Belt, Pattern: Runic Leather Bracers, and Pattern: Runic Leather Gauntlets – These patterns are world drops, making direct farming impractical. However, they may be available on the Auction House.
Congratulations on achieving Leatherworking skill level 300! Your mastery of Leatherworking in Classic WoW is now complete.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for improving this guide, or if you spot any errors, please send feedback. Your input is greatly appreciated!
