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Can You Make Mail Armor in WoW? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can absolutely make mail armor in World of Warcraft (WoW)! But the process, the crafting profession involved, and the availability of crafting mail armor have changed drastically over the various expansions. Let’s delve into the specifics, examining which professions make mail armor in different versions of WoW, which classes can wear it, and more.

Mail Armor Crafting: The Core Professions

The ability to craft mail armor is primarily linked to two professions: Leatherworking and Blacksmithing. However, their roles shift across different expansions and levels.

Leatherworking

Primary Mail Armor Crafter: Leatherworking is historically the more consistent provider of mail armor. Across multiple expansions, Leatherworkers have been able to craft a wide range of mail pieces, often utilizing materials gathered through the Skinning profession.
Specializations: Within Leatherworking, certain specializations (like Dragonscale Leatherworking) can focus specifically on mail armor creation.
Level Dependence: The type and quality of mail armor a Leatherworker can craft typically increases with their skill level and access to new recipes through trainers and quest rewards.

Blacksmithing

Early Mail Creation: Blacksmithing, in the earlier levels of WoW, can be used to craft some basic mail armor.
Plate Armor Focus: As Blacksmithing progresses and skill levels increase, the profession shifts focus almost entirely toward the creation of plate armor, the heavier, more durable armor type. High-level blacksmithing recipes primarily consist of plate armor and weapons.
Mail as a Stepping Stone: Mail armor craftable by Blacksmiths is often seen as a stepping stone for players who intend to wear plate armor later in the game.

Who Can Wear Mail Armor?

The ability to wear mail armor is restricted to specific classes, with a few notable shifts over time.

Current Mail Wearers: Today, the primary classes that wear mail armor are Hunters, Shamans, and Evokers. These classes are trained to effectively use the benefits of mail armor, balancing defense and agility.
Historical Mail Wearers: Before certain expansions, Warriors and Paladins also wore mail armor until level 40, after which they could equip plate armor.
No Mail Armor For: Classes like Priests, Mages, and Warlocks are restricted to cloth armor, while classes like Rogues, Monks, and Demon Hunters are restricted to leather armor.
Class Trainers: Typically, Hunters and Shamans learn to wear mail armor at level 40 from their class trainers.

Mail Armor in Different WoW Expansions

Classic WoW

Leatherworking Dominance: In Classic WoW, Leatherworking is paramount for crafting mail gear. Many sought-after pieces, crucial for best-in-slot lists, were crafted by Leatherworkers, like the infamous Devilsaur Set.
Blacksmithing’s Limited Role: Blacksmithing has a limited role in mail armor creation, primarily providing simpler or lower-level alternatives.

Dragonflight

Leatherworking’s Continued Influence: Leatherworking remains a vital profession for crafting mail armor in Dragonflight.
Crafting Orders: The Crafting Orders system in Dragonflight allows players to commission crafters to make specific items, including mail armor. This system is especially helpful for obtaining crafted gear that is otherwise difficult to acquire.

Why Leatherworking for Mail?

A common question is why Leatherworking, which deals with leather, is the primary profession for crafting mail, which seems more akin to metalwork. The explanation can vary, depending on the type of “mail” being crafted. In some instances, Scale mail which combines leather backings or attachments to armor is something a leatherworker does.

FAQs: Mail Armor in WoW

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about mail armor in World of Warcraft, providing further insights and clarifications:

1. What materials are required to make mail armor?

Leatherworking: Requires various types of leather (Rugged Leather, Thick Leather, etc.), threads, and sometimes metal bars or other specialized components depending on the recipe.
Blacksmithing: Requires primarily different types of metal bars (Copper, Bronze, Iron, etc.) and other supplemental materials.

2. Can Blacksmithing make endgame mail armor?

In most expansions, Blacksmithing does not focus on endgame mail armor. Its primary focus is plate armor and weapon crafting at higher levels.

3. How does mail armor compare to leather and plate armor?

Mail armor offers a middle ground between the lighter leather armor and the heavier plate armor. It provides more protection than leather but less than plate, while also offering a balance of agility and defense.

4. Is mail armor expensive to craft?

The cost depends on the materials needed and their availability. Rare or high-demand materials can significantly increase the cost of crafting mail armor.

5. Does mail armor have set bonuses?

Yes, many crafted mail armor pieces are part of armor sets that offer additional bonuses when multiple pieces are equipped.

6. How do I learn new mail armor recipes?

Recipes can be learned from trainers, found as loot, obtained through quests, or purchased from vendors.

7. What is the role of Skinning in crafting mail armor?

Skinning is a complementary profession to Leatherworking. It allows players to gather the leather required to craft mail armor.

8. Can I sell crafted mail armor on the Auction House?

Yes, most crafted mail armor can be sold on the Auction House, allowing players to profit from their crafting skills.

9. What are the benefits of wearing mail armor?

Mail armor provides a good balance of armor value and mobility, making it suitable for classes that need both protection and agility.

10. How has mail armor changed over the expansions?

The crafting process, the classes that can wear it, and the specific recipes available have all changed significantly over the different WoW expansions.

11. Are there any unique or rare mail armor appearances?

Yes, some mail armor pieces have unique appearances that can be used for transmogrification, allowing players to customize their character’s look.

12. What is the difference between chain mail and scale mail?

Chain mail is made of interlocking rings, while scale mail is made of overlapping scales.

13. Is mail armor good for PvP (Player vs. Player) combat?

Mail armor can be effective in PvP, providing decent protection without sacrificing too much mobility.

14. Can I get mail armor from dungeons and raids?

Yes, mail armor can be obtained as drops from enemies and bosses in dungeons and raids.

15. How does the Crafting Order system affect mail armor creation?

The Crafting Order system allows players to request specific mail armor pieces from other players, streamlining the process of obtaining crafted gear.

Conclusion

Mail armor is a crucial part of the World of Warcraft experience for certain classes, and understanding how to obtain and craft it is vital for maximizing your character’s potential. While the specifics have evolved over time, the combination of Leatherworking and Blacksmithing, along with resourcefulness and skill, allows players to create and acquire the mail armor they need to thrive in Azeroth.

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Hopefully this article gave you some insight on making mail armor in WoW. Remember to check in-game resources and consult with other players to stay up-to-date with the latest crafting techniques and recipes!

Can you make mail armor WoW?