Who Can Wear Mail Armor in World of Warcraft? A Comprehensive Guide
Mail armor in World of Warcraft (WoW) is a mid-tier armor type that provides a balance between the lighter, more flexible leather armor and the heavier, more protective plate armor. This makes it an important component of the game’s class and itemization systems. Specifically, hunters, shamans, and evokers are the classes that utilize mail armor.
Mail Armor: A Detailed Look
Mail armor offers a significant upgrade in protection over leather and cloth, making it ideal for classes that need to be in the thick of combat but might lack the raw survivability of plate wearers. It provides a good mix of armor value and agility, catering to the styles of the classes that wear it. It is also an essential armor type due to its availability through various means including drops, crafting, and vendors.
The Classes That Utilize Mail Armor
Currently in World of Warcraft, three classes are proficient with Mail Armor:
- Hunters: Hunters utilize mail to complement their role as ranged damage dealers and pet handlers. The armor allows them to balance mobility and protection, essential for their hit-and-run playstyle. They rely on agility and their pets to stay competitive in both PvE and PvP situations.
- Shamans: Shamans, who are often found in a mix of healing, ranged damage, or melee roles, benefit greatly from the armor. Mail provides crucial protection for their diverse roles and allows them to survive prolonged fights.
- Evokers: This newer class, with its unique blend of magic and dragon-like abilities, also relies on mail. Evokers typically play a ranged DPS or healer role, so the balance of defense and agility offered by mail armor is suitable for their needs.
Historical Context of Mail Armor
It’s important to note that the classes that can wear mail armor has evolved over the years of World of Warcraft. Before the Warlords of Draenor expansion, warriors and paladins were able to wear mail armor until level 40. Upon reaching level 40, these classes were then able to learn and equip plate armor. This change has solidified the current class armor roles and makes the identity of each class more unique.
Mail Armor Crafting
The crafting of mail armor falls under specific professions. At early levels, Blacksmithing may craft mail armor, but at later levels, Leatherworking becomes the primary profession for mail production. Leatherworkers utilize the leather they get from skinning to create cloaks, leather, mail armor and armor kits. This makes them essential for any mail-wearing class looking to improve their gear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mail Armor
To better understand the intricacies of mail armor in WoW, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Can warriors wear mail armor now?
No, warriors cannot wear mail armor in the current version of WoW. Warriors can only wear plate armor. Historically, warriors wore mail before learning plate armor at level 40, but that is no longer the case.
2. Can paladins wear mail armor?
Similar to warriors, paladins no longer use mail armor. They progress directly to plate armor. Like warriors, paladins once wore mail until they reached level 40.
3. When can hunters start wearing mail armor?
Hunters start with cloth and leather proficiency. Once they reach level 40, they can then learn to wear mail from their class trainer.
4. Can shamans wear mail armor from the beginning?
Yes, shamans can wear mail armor from level 1. They begin with cloth, leather, and mail proficiency from the start of the game.
5. Can evokers wear mail armor?
Yes, evokers are proficient in mail armor. They can utilize it from level 1. This makes them fit into the mid-range armor category alongside hunters and shamans.
6. Where do hunters and shamans learn to wear mail?
Hunters and Shamans learn to wear mail at level 40 by visiting their respective class trainers. The trainers provide the ability to equip this armor.
7. Can druids wear mail armor?
Druids cannot wear mail armor. They are restricted to cloth and leather armor. They also get additional benefits from wearing leather. However, they receive bonus armor in bear form which makes their leather similar to mail.
8. Can demon hunters wear mail armor?
No, demon hunters can only wear cloth and leather armor. They have a heavy focus on leather, which grants them additional benefits.
9. Which profession crafts mail armor?
Leatherworking is the primary profession for crafting mail armor, especially at higher levels. While Blacksmithing can craft mail at lower levels, Leatherworking is more essential for endgame mail gear.
10. Can mail armor be used as heirlooms?
Yes, mail armor can be used as heirlooms for hunters and shamans. The armor type restrictions only apply to active gameplay, not to heirloom equipment that a class might be able to wear later.
11. Is mail armor effective in WoW?
Yes, mail armor provides effective protection against physical damage and strikes a nice balance between defense and agility. This makes it suitable for the specific needs of hunters, shamans, and evokers.
12. What armor types can hunters wear?
Hunters can wear cloth, leather, and mail armor. Mail is the primary armor type for hunters at higher levels and they benefit most from it.
13. Why is mail armor worn by specific classes?
Mail armor is designed to suit the specific play styles of hunters, shamans, and evokers. These classes typically need a mix of defense and mobility. Mail armor provides that balanced approach.
14. Can a druid wear Dragon Scale Mail?
Generally, a druid will stick to leather, studded leather, or hide armor. A druid might wear Dragon Scale Mail if it is made of a material other than metal. However, in general it is not common.
15. What are the benefits of mail armor?
Mail armor provides a good mix of defense and flexibility, giving characters in mail armor an edge in a variety of situations, as mail offers increased defense compared to leather or cloth and allows for freedom of movement more so than plate armor.
Conclusion
Mail armor plays a crucial role in the armor system of World of Warcraft. It is a very important part of gameplay for hunters, shamans, and evokers. Understanding the nuances of mail armor, its historical context, and the professions involved with it will allow you to fully appreciate its importance and effectively gear your mail wearing class.