Blacksmithing Guide 1-525

Author: Furious
Date: October 2, 2023
Updated: April 30, 2024
Expansion: Cataclysm

Our Blacksmithing Leveling Guide for Cataclysm is designed to assist you in swiftly and cost-effectively leveling your Blacksmithing from 1 to 525. With mastery in Blacksmithing, you can create potent armors, weapons, and other items, providing you and your allies with the necessary gear to face any challenge. However, it’s essential to note that Blacksmithing is closely tied to Mining, as many materials you’ll need must be mined. To streamline this process, consider leveling up your Mining or investing in a good gold farming strategy to purchase materials from the Auction House.

Feature	WotLK	Cataclysm
Base Materials	Primarily reliant on classic materials like Copper, Tin, Mithril, Thorium, and others.	Introduced new materials: Volatile elements, Obsidium Bars, Folded Obsidiums, and Elementium Bar.
Sets & Items	Offered a variety of crafted sets and items suitable for different classes and playstyles.	Introduced new pseudo sets: Bloodied Pyrium, Ornate Pyrium, Hardened Obsidium, Redsteel, and Stormforged.
Crafted Utilities	Provided keys and rods essential for other professions and in-game utility.	Obsidium Skeleton Key became the new Blacksmithing key, and Elementium Rod was introduced as the component for Cataclysm’s Enchanting rod.
Additional Sockets	Blacksmiths enjoyed additional gem sockets as a unique benefit.	This benefit continued into Cataclysm, allowing Blacksmiths to maximize their gear’s potential.

Required Materials

1-75: Apprentice

Rough Stone: 40-45
Coarse Stone: 10-15

75-150: Journeyman

Coarse Stone: 100 (Additional)
Copper Bar: 50
Silver Bar: 7-8
Bronze Bar: 75
Heavy Stone: 7-10

150-220: Expert

Gold Bar: 10-13
Iron Bar: 190
Heavy Stone: 105+ (You need to save at least 55 for later)
Steel Bar: 125-150
Solid Stone: 80-120 (Save at least 20 for later)

220-300: Artisan

Mithril Bar: 240-300
Mageweave Cloth: 150-170
Dense Stone: 10-20+
Thorium Bar: 420

300-350: Master

350-425: Grand Master

Cobalt Bar: 265-275
Saronite Bar: 95
Titanium Bar: 5
Crystallized Air (or 2 Eternal Air): 20

425-525: Illustrious

Notes:

The numbers might slightly differ based on your specific path in leveling Blacksmithing, and sometimes it might be beneficial to craft different items if they sell better on the Auction House.
Check current market prices for these materials as sometimes buying the crafted item directly might be more cost-effective.

Blacksmithing Trainer Locations

Arathel Sunforge (59.6, 62.6), Eversong Woods
Dwukk (52.0, 40.6), Durotar
Guillaume Sorouy (43.2, 41.0), Silverpine Forest
Bemarrin (79.6, 39.6), Silvermoon City
Traugh (51.2, 28.8), Northern Barrens
James Van Brunt (61.6, 30.2), Undercity
Karn Stonehoof (40.0, 54.2), Thunder Bluff
Saru Steelfury (82.2, 23.0), Orgrimmar
Borgosh Corebender (79.6, 23.6), Orgrimmar
Okothos Ironrager (79.8, 23.8), Orgrimmar
Kelgruk Bloodaxe (82.0, 18.4), Orgrimmar
Rogg (49.6, 79.6), Orgrimmar
Rohok (53.2, 38.2), Hellfire Peninsula
Shayis Steelfury (80.4, 23.6), Orgrimmar
Grutah (29.6, 31.6), Shadowmoon Valley
Crog Steelspine (40.8, 55.2), Borean Tundra
Kristen Smythe (79.2, 29.0), Howling Fjord
Josric Fame (75.8, 63.2), Dragonblight
Borus Ironbender (36.6, 47.0), Dragonblight

Blacksmith Calypso (46.4, 71.0), Azuremyst Isle
Smith Argus (41.6, 65.6), Elwynn Forest
Delfrum Flintbeard (38.2, 41.0), Darkshore
Miall (60.6, 89.6), The Exodar
Tognus Flintfire (45.2, 52.0), Dun Morogh
Clarise Gnarltree (74.0, 48.4), Duskwood
Therum Deepforge (63.8, 37.6), Stormwind City
Marie Holdston (64.6, 50.0), Dustwallow Marsh
Bengus Deepforge (53.2, 40.0), Ironforge
Borgus Steelhand (59.8, 34.8), Stormwind City
Dumphry (51.2, 60.2), Hellfire Peninsula
Grumnus Steelshaper (50.6, 43.0), Ironforge
Humphry (56.8, 63.8), Hellfire Peninsula
Argo Strongstout (57.2, 66.6), Borean Tundra
Rosina Rivet (59.6, 63.8), Howling Fjord
Brandig (28.8, 74.8), The Storm Peaks

Brikk Keencraft (29.0, 75.4), Northern Stranglethorn
Barien (43.4, 64.8), Shattrath City
Onodo (37.8, 30.4), Shattrath City
Kradu Grimblade (69.8, 42.4), Shattrath City
Zula Slagfury (69.8, 42.6), Shattrath City
Alard Schmied (44.8, 29.2), Dalaran
Imindril Spearsong (45.6, 28.6), Dalaran
Orland Schaeffer (45.6, 28.2), Dalaran
Rekka the Hammer (71.8, 20.8), Icecrown

Apprentice: 1-75

Level Range	Item to Craft	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed	Notes
1-35	Rough Sharpening Stone	1 Rough Stone	40-45 Rough Stones	Craft 40-45 of these items.
35-65	Rough Grinding Stone	2 Rough Stones	70-80 Rough Stones	Craft 35-40. Save 20 of these for later use.
65-75	Coarse Sharpening Stone	1 Coarse Stone	10-15 Coarse Stones	Craft 10-15 of these items.

Total Materials for Apprentice Leveling (1-75)

Rough Stones: Between 110 and 125
Coarse Stones: Between 10 and 15

Instructions

1-35: Start by crafting Rough Sharpening Stones. Each craft gives a skill point. You will need around 40-45 Rough Stones.
35-65: Proceed to craft Rough Grinding Stones. Save at least 20 of these for later use. You will need between 70 and 80 Rough Stones.
65-75: Finish this section by crafting Coarse Sharpening Stones. You’ll need 10-15 Coarse Stones.

Journeyman: 75-150

Level Range	Item to Craft	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed	Notes
75-95	Coarse Grinding Stone	2 Coarse Stones	100 Coarse Stones	Craft 50. Save some for later use.
95-100	Runed Copper Belt	10 Copper Bars	50 Copper Bars	Craft 5 of these.
100-107	Silver Rod	1 Silver Bar + 2 Rough Grinding Stones	7-8 Silver Bars + 14-16 Rough Grinding Stones	Craft 7-8. May need more or fewer based on skill-ups.
107-110	Silver Skeleton Key	1 Silver Bar + 1 Rough Grinding Stone	3-5 Silver Bars + 3-5 Rough Grinding Stones	Craft 3-5.
110-125	Rough Bronze Shoulders	5 Bronze Bars + 1 Coarse Grinding Stone	75 Bronze Bars + 15 Coarse Grinding Stones	Craft 15 of these.
125-132	Heavy Sharpening Stone	1 Heavy Stone	7-10 Heavy Stones	Craft 7-10 of these.
132-150	Heavy Grinding Stone	3 Heavy Stones	105+ Heavy Stones	Craft 35+. Save at least 55 for later in the guide.

Total Materials for Journeyman Leveling (75-150)

Coarse Stones: At least 100
Copper Bars: 50
Silver Bars: Between 10 and 13
Rough Grinding Stones: Between 17 and 21 (including those you have saved)
Bronze Bars: 75
Heavy Stones: Between 112 and 115 (save 55 for later use)

Instructions

75-95: Craft Coarse Grinding Stones until skill level 95. Make and save at least 50.
95-100: Craft Runed Copper Belts for this segment.
100-107: Craft Silver Rods. You will also use Rough Grinding Stones.
107-110: Craft Silver Skeleton Keys.
110-125: Craft Rough Bronze Shoulders.
125-132: Make Heavy Sharpening Stones.
132-150: Craft Heavy Grinding Stones. Save 55 of these for later use.

Expert 150-220

Level Range	Item to Craft	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed	Notes
150-160	Golden Rod	1 Gold Bar + 2 Coarse Grinding Stones	10-13 Gold Bars + 20-26 Coarse Grinding Stones	Craft 10-13.
160-165	Green Iron Leggings	8 Iron Bars + 1 Heavy Grinding Stone + 1 Green Dye	40 Iron Bars + 5 Heavy Grinding Stones + 5 Green Dyes	Craft 5.
165-190	Green Iron Bracers	6 Iron Bars + 1 Green Dye	150 Iron Bars + 25 Green Dyes	Craft 25.
190-200	Golden Scale Bracers	5 Steel Bars + 2 Heavy Grinding Stones	50 Steel Bars + 20 Heavy Grinding Stones	Craft 10.
200-210	Solid Grinding Stone	4 Solid Stones	80-120 Solid Stones	Craft 20-30. Save at least 20 for later.
210-220	Golden Scale Bracers	5 Steel Bars + 2 Heavy Grinding Stones	50-75 Steel Bars + 20-30 Heavy Grinding Stones	Craft 10-15 or alternatively craft Heavy Mithril Gauntlets if Steel is too expensive.

Total Materials for Expert Leveling (150-220)

Gold Bars: Between 10 and 13
Coarse Grinding Stones: Between 20 and 26
Iron Bars: 190
Heavy Grinding Stones: 25 (plus those saved from previous levels)
Green Dyes: 30
Steel Bars: 100 to 125
Solid Stones: 80 to 120

Instructions

150-160: Craft Golden Rods until skill level 160.
160-165: Craft Green Iron Leggings.
165-190: Craft Green Iron Bracers.
190-200: Craft Golden Scale Bracers.
200-210: Craft Solid Grinding Stones and save at least 20 for later use.
210-220: Continue crafting Golden Scale Bracers or opt for Heavy Mithril Gauntlets if Steel is too expensive.

Artisan 220-300

Level Range	Item Crafted	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed	Notes
220-235	Heavy Mithril Gauntlet	6 Mithril Bars + 4 Mageweave Cloth	90-120 Mithril Bars + 60-80 Mageweave Cloth	Craft 15-20. Check for alternative plans as noted below.
235-250	Mithril Coif	10 Mithril Bars + 6 Mageweave Cloth	150 Mithril Bars + 90 Mageweave Cloth	Craft 15. Consider alternative plans if available and more economical.
250-260	Dense Sharpening Stone	1 Dense Stone	10-20 Dense Stones	Craft 10-20. This may turn green at 257, craft extra if necessary.
260-275	Thorium Bracers	8 Thorium Bars	120 Thorium Bars	Craft 15.
275-290	Imperial Plate Bracers	12 Thorium Bars	180 Thorium Bars	Craft 15.
290-300	Thorium Helm	12 Thorium Bars + 1 Star Ruby	120 Thorium Bars + 10 Star Rubies	Craft 10.

* If available and more economical, consider crafting Mithril Spurs or using other plans that might be cheaper between levels 220-250.

Total Materials for Artisan Leveling (220-300)

Mithril Bars: Between 240 and 270
Mageweave Cloth: Between 150 and 170
Dense Stones: Between 10 and 20
Thorium Bars: 420
Star Rubies: 10

Instructions

220-235: Craft Heavy Mithril Gauntlets. Consider alternative plans if they are more economical.
235-250: Craft Mithril Coifs. Consider alternative plans if they are more economical.
250-260: Craft Dense Sharpening Stones until skill level 260.
260-275: Craft Thorium Bracers.
275-290: Craft Imperial Plate Bracers.
290-300: Craft Thorium Helms.

Master: 300-350

Level Range	Item Crafted	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed	Notes
300-305	Fel Weightstone	1 Fel Iron Bar + 1 Netherweave Cloth	5-10 Fel Iron Bars + 5-10 Netherweave Cloth	Craft 5-10.
305-315	Fel Iron Plate Belt	4 Fel Iron Bars	40 Fel Iron Bars	Craft 10.
315-320	Fel Iron Chain Gloves	5 Fel Iron Bars	25 Fel Iron Bars	Craft 5.
320-325	Fel Iron Plate Boots	6 Fel Iron Bars	30 Fel Iron Bars	Craft 5.
325-330	Lesser Rune of Warding	1 Adamantite Bar	5-10 Adamantite Bars	Craft 5-10.
330-335	Fel Iron Breastplate	10 Fel Iron Bars	50 Fel Iron Bars	Craft 5. If Adamantite is cheaper, consider the alternative below.
335-340	Adamantite Cleaver	8 Adamantite Bars	40 Adamantite Bars	Craft 5. Purchase the recipe from listed vendors.
340-350	Lesser Ward of Shielding	1 Adamantite Bar	20-25 Adamantite Bars	Craft 20-25. Even if it turns green at 345, it’s cost-effective. Purchase recipe from listed vendors.

* For Adamantite Cleaver, purchase recipe from Aaron Hollman in Shattrath City, Eriden (Horde) in Silvermoon City, Arras in The Exodar, or Captain Samir in Kelp’thar Forest.
* For Lesser Ward of Shielding, purchase recipe from Mari Stonehand (Alliance) in Wildhammer Stronghold, Rohok (Horde) in Thrallmar, or Captain Samir in Kelp’thar Forest.

Total Materials for Master Leveling (300-350)

Fel Iron Bars: 150 – 155
Netherweave Cloth: 5 – 10
Adamantite Bars: 65 – 75

Instructions

300-305: Craft Fel Weightstones.
305-315: Craft Fel Iron Plate Belts.
315-320: Craft Fel Iron Chain Gloves.
320-325: Craft Fel Iron Plate Boots.
325-330: Craft Lesser Rune of Warding.
330-335: Craft Fel Iron Breastplates. If Adamantite is cheaper than Fel Iron, consider skipping to the next step early.
335-340: Craft Adamantite Cleavers. Purchase the recipe from the listed vendors.
340-350: Craft Lesser Ward of Shielding. Purchase the recipe from listed vendors.

Grand Master 350-425

Level Range	Item Crafted	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed	Notes
350-360	Cobalt Skeleton Key	4 Cobalt Bars	40 Cobalt Bars	Craft 10
360-370	Cobalt Bracers or Shoulders	4 Cobalt Bars	40 Cobalt Bars	Craft 10
370-380	Cobalt Gauntlets	5 Cobalt Bars	50 Cobalt Bars	Craft 10
380-385	Spiked Cobalt Boots	7 Cobalt Bars	35 Cobalt Bars	Craft 5
385-390	Spiked Cobalt Shoulders	7 Cobalt Bars	35 Cobalt Bars	Craft 5
390-395	Notched Cobalt War Axe	10 Cobalt Bars	50 Cobalt Bars	Craft 5
395-400	Brilliant Saronite Belt (or Tempered)	6 Cobalt Bars + 5 Saronite Bars	30 Cobalt Bars + 25 Saronite Bars	Craft 5
400-405	Horned Cobalt Helm	8 Cobalt Bars	40 Cobalt Bars	Craft 5
405-415	Deadly Saronite Dirk	7 Saronite Bars + 2 Crystallized Air (or 0.2 Eternal Air)	70 Saronite Bars + 20 Crystallized Air	Craft 10. Equivalent to 2 Eternal Air for every 10 crafts
415-420	Tempered Saronite Gauntlets	14 Saronite Bars	70 Saronite Bars	Craft 5
420-425	Titanium Rods	2 Saronite Bars + 1 Titanium Bar	10 Saronite Bars + 5 Titanium Bars	Craft 5. Titanium Rods may be sold on the Auction House

Total Materials for Grand Master Leveling (350-425)

Instructions

350-360: Craft Cobalt Skeleton Keys.
360-370: Craft Cobalt Bracers or Shoulders.
370-380: Craft Cobalt Gauntlets.
380-385: Craft Spiked Cobalt Boots.
385-390: Craft Spiked Cobalt Shoulders.
390-395: Craft Notched Cobalt War Axes.
395-400: Craft Brilliant Saronite Belts or Tempered equivalents.
400-405: Craft Horned Cobalt Helms.
405-415: Craft Deadly Saronite Dirks.
415-420: Craft Tempered Saronite Gauntlets.
420-425: Craft Titanium Rods.

Illustrious: 425-525

Level Range	Item Crafted	Materials Per Craft	Total Materials Needed
425-455	Folded Obsidium	2 Obsidium Bars	188 Obsidium Bars (for 94 crafts)
455-458	Stormforged Gauntlets	6 Folded Obsidium, 8 Volatile Earth	Amount varies
458-459	Redsteel Gauntlets (or other alternatives)	3 Folded Obsidium	Amount varies
459-462	Stormforged Gauntlets	6 Folded Obsidium, 8 Volatile Earth	Amount varies
462-465	Redsteel Belt (or other alternatives)	4 Folded Obsidium, 1 Volatile Earth	Amount varies
465-470	Decapitator’s Razor	20 Folded Obsidium, 8 Volatile Earth	Amount varies
470-475	Obsidium Bladespear	12 Folded Obsidium, 10 Volatile Earth, 4 Volatile Fire	Amount varies
475-480	Cold-Forged Shank	15 Folded Obsidium, 6 Volatile Earth, 4 Volatile Water	Amount varies
480-490	Obsidium Executioner	20 Folded Obsidium, 20 Elementium Bar, 12 Volatile Earth	Amount varies
490-502	Stormforged Helm	20 Elementium Bar, 8 Volatile Earth (per 4 crafts)	Amount varies
502-511	Redsteel Breastplate	15 Elementium Bars, 15 Volatile Earth (per 3 crafts)	Amount varies
511-520	Vicious Ornate Pyrium Belt	10 Elementium Bars, 10 Volatile Water (per 9 crafts)	Amount varies
520-525	Vicious Ornate Pyrium Shoulders	12 Elementium Bars, 10 Volatile Water (per 5 crafts)	Amount varies

Total Materials for Illustrious (425-525)

Obsidium Bars: 188+
Folded Obsidium: Varies
Volatile Earth: Varies
Volatile Fire: Varies (at least 4)
Volatile Water: Varies
Elementium Bars: Varies

Instructions

425-455: Craft Folded Obsidium. You will need around 94 for the entire leveling process from 425-525.
455-458: Craft Stormforged Gauntlets.
458-459: Craft Redsteel Gauntlets or other alternatives.
459-462: Craft Stormforged Gauntlets again.
462-465: Craft Redsteel Belt or other alternatives.
465-470: Craft Decapitator’s Razor.
470-475: Craft Obsidium Bladespear.
475-480: Craft Cold-Forged Shank.
480-490: Craft Obsidium Executioner.
490-502: Craft Stormforged Helm.
502-511: Craft Redsteel Breastplate.
511-520: Craft Vicious Ornate Pyrium Belt.
520-525: Craft Vicious Ornate Pyrium Shoulders.

About the Author

Furious

If I'm not working or spending time with the family I'm probably gaming. Some of my favorite recent games I've played are Far Cry 5, World of Warcraft Classic, and 7 Days to Die.