What this profession is for
Herbalism is leveled by gathering herbs in zones suited to your skill. In TBC, Outland herbs feed Alchemy, raid consumption and the market.
Remember: The exact skill route always depends on your realm's prices. Use these phases as a framework and switch crafts when a material group is clearly overpriced.
Skill phases
1-75 · Apprentice
Gather low-level herbs in starting zones.
- Keep Find Herbs on at all times.
- In starting zones, the route matters more than any single herb.
75-150 · Journeyman
Move to slightly higher-level zones where Briarthorn and Mageroyal style herbs appear.
- Avoid zones that are too high if nodes still fail often.
- Gather side materials too, because Alchemy uses them later.
150-225 · Expert
Goldthorn, Khadgar's Whisker and similar mid-tier herbs carry the middle stage.
- At this point, choose the zone route according to population.
- If a zone is farmed empty, switch continents instead of waiting in place.
225-300 · Artisan
From Sungrass to Dreamfoil and Mountain Silversage.
- The late Classic stretch is a good time to collect future alchemy materials.
- Higher-level zones are more efficient if your character can survive without downtime.
300-375 · Master / Outland
Felweed starts Outland; the rest follows Zangarmarsh, Terokkar, Nagrand, Blade's Edge, Netherstorm and Shadowmoon routes.
- Flying speeds up the late stage considerably.
- Mana Thistle and other valuable herbs are contested; do not plan the whole climb around them.