Skinning is a primary gathering profession in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, allowing players to harvest leather, hides, and scales from defeated beasts. It pairs seamlessly with Leatherworking, enabling the crafting of armor and gear. The skill cap in Cataclysm is 525, with 450 required to skin in new zones. A Skinning Knife is essential for this profession, though it doesn’t need to be equipped—just present in your inventory. This guide will help you master Skinning efficiently, covering optimal zones, leveling strategies, and material uses.
Benefits of Skinning
Skinning in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable profession for players. It allows you to gather leather, hides, and scales from defeated beasts, which are essential materials for the Leatherworking profession. By skinning mobs, you can craft armor, gear, and other items, reducing reliance on the auction house and saving gold. Additionally, skinning complements Leatherworking perfectly, enabling self-sufficiency in crafting high-end gear.
The profession also provides opportunities for gold-making, as leather and scales are consistently in demand. By farming specific zones and mobs, you can collect rare materials to sell or use for crafting. Skinning is particularly profitable in Cataclysm due to the introduction of new materials like Savage Leather and Deepsea Scales, which are sought after for crafting advanced items.
Moreover, skinning is accessible to players of all levels, with no character level requirements to start. It offers a reliable way to gather resources while leveling or farming, making it a versatile profession for both casual and dedicated players. Mastery of skinning ensures a steady supply of materials, enhancing your crafting and gold-making potential in Cataclysm.
Finding Skinning Trainers
To begin your journey in Skinning, you must first find a Skinning trainer. These trainers are located in major cities across Azeroth, such as Stormwind, Orgrimmar, Ironforge, and Darnassus. In addition, trainers can be found in other key locations like Dalaran and Shattrath, ensuring accessibility for players in different expansions.
Skinning trainers are typically found near Leatherworking suppliers or in crafting profession hubs. They offer the ability to learn and upgrade your Skinning skill as you progress. Training is essential to unlock higher skill levels, allowing you to skin more advanced creatures in Cataclysm zones. For example, you’ll need to train to reach skill level 450 to skin mobs in the new Cataclysm areas.
Additionally, Skinning trainers sell the Skinning Knife, a required tool for skinning mobs. This knife can also be purchased from general goods vendors. While it doesn’t need to be equipped, having it in your inventory is mandatory to skin beasts. Trainers are readily available from the early stages of the game, making it easy for players to start their Skinning profession.
Essential Equipment for Skinning
The primary tool required for Skinning is a Skinning Knife, which can be purchased from Skinning trainers or general goods vendors in major cities like Stormwind or Orgrimmar. This knife does not need to be equipped but must be present in your inventory to skin mobs. Without it, you cannot harvest leather or scales from defeated beasts.
While not mandatory, having appropriate weapons and armor can aid in efficiently killing skinnable mobs. For example, a high-damage weapon or gear with stamina and agility can help you defeat creatures quickly, allowing you to skin more mobs in less time. Additionally, carrying large bags or a bank alt can help manage the abundance of materials gathered during your Skinning journey.
Lastly, ensure you have enough bag space to store the leather and scales you collect; Consider using Netherweave Bags or Frostweave Bags for their large storage capacity. These items are invaluable for serious skinners, as they allow you to farm for extended periods without needing to return to a vendor to sell or store items.
Leveling Your Skinning Profession
Leveling your Skinning profession begins by training with a Skinning trainer in major cities. Focus on skinning beasts consistently to gain experience. Aim to reach skill level 525, the cap in Cataclysm, to unlock all the benefits of this profession.
Levels 1-60: Classic Zones
Starting your Skinning journey in the Classic zones is the foundation for mastering the profession. Begin in areas like Elwynn Forest or Durotar, where you can skin level 1-5 mobs. Move to zones such as Westfall or Loch Modan for higher-level beasts like wolves and boars. By level 60, you’ll have access to a wide range of skinnable mobs across Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms.
- Optimal Zones: Focus on areas with high beast populations, such as Redridge Mountains and Stranglethorn Vale.
- Key Mobs: Target wolves, boars, and kobolds for consistent leather drops.
- Progression Tip: Regularly visit a Skinning trainer to unlock higher skill levels as you progress.
By the time you reach level 60, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the next phase of your Skinning journey in more challenging zones.
Levels 60-150: Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor
Once you reach level 60, expand your Skinning journey across the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor. Zones like Western Plaguelands, Eversong Woods, and Nagrand are ideal for this range. Focus on skinning higher-level beasts such as wolves, bears, and clefthooves to gain consistent skill-ups.
- Optimal Zones: Western Plaguelands offers a high concentration of undead beasts, while Nagrand provides diverse wildlife, including clefthooves and talbuks.
- Key Mobs: Target level 60-70 beasts like wolves, bears, and rhinos for optimal leather drops.
- Progression Tip: Train Journeyman Skinning at level 70 and Expert Skinning at level 125 to unlock higher-level skinning.
By exploring these zones thoroughly, you’ll efficiently reach level 150, preparing yourself for the next phase of your Skinning journey in more challenging regions like Stranglethorn Vale.
Levels 150-220: Stranglethorn Vale
Stranglethorn Vale is a prime location for leveling your Skinning skill from 150 to 220. This vast zone is teeming with high-level beasts, making it an ideal spot for consistent skill gains. Focus on skinning Panthers, Tigers, and Crocolisks, as they provide abundant leather and hides.
- Optimal Farming Spots: The river areas and the jungle near the Ruins of Zul’Mamwe are hotspots for skinnable mobs. The dense population ensures minimal downtime between skins.
- Key Mobs: Panthers and Tigers drop Heavy Leather, while Crocolisks yield Thick Hide, both valuable for crafting and selling.
- Efficiency Tip: Follow a systematic path through the zone to maximize mob farming efficiency and avoid missing potential skins.
By dedicating a few hours to farming in Stranglethorn Vale, you can quickly progress from 150 to 220, setting yourself up for the next phase of your Skinning journey in zones like Tanaris and Feralas.
Levels 220-300: Tanaris and Feralas
Once you reach level 220 in Skinning, Tanaris and Feralas become your next destinations for efficient leveling. These zones are rich in higher-level beasts, ensuring steady skill progression up to 300.
- Tanaris: Focus on farming Scorpids and Hyenas in areas like the Gaping Chasm and along the coastal regions. These mobs drop Medium Leather and Thick Hide, which are highly valuable for crafting.
- Feralas: This zone is home to a variety of wildlife, including Wolves and Raptors. The Sardonic Mountains and the coastline are ideal spots for skinning, yielding consistent materials for your profession.
- Efficiency Tip: Loop through these zones, focusing on areas with high mob density to minimize downtime. Use any downtime to organize your inventory and prepare for the next farming loop.
Both Tanaris and Feralas offer ample opportunities to level your Skinning skill, making them essential stops on your journey to 300. The materials gathered here will also support your Leatherworking endeavors or fetch a good price on the Auction House.
Levels 300-375: Outland Zones
Once you reach level 300 in Skinning, it’s time to venture into Outland zones, which offer abundant resources for further progression. These zones are designed to help you reach level 375 efficiently, with a variety of mobs to skin.
- Hellfire Peninsula: Start by farming Hellboars and Spinebusters near the Dark Portal and along the Razorwire fence. These mobs drop Heavy Knapped Hide, essential for higher-level crafting.
- Zangarmarsh: Focus on skinning Nether Rays and Clefthoofs in areas like the Spawning Glen and the Nagrand Lake. These yield Thick Hide and Kodo Hide, highly sought after by Leatherworkers.
- Terokkar Forest: Farming birds like Wyrmkins and Firewing Warlocks in the Skettis area provides consistent drops of Heavy Knapped Hide and Scale of the Sands.
- Nagrand: Skin Clefthoofs and Talbuk in the Southwind Plateau and Talahorn Plateaus. These mobs are plentiful and yield high-quality materials.
Tips: Use a flying mount to quickly navigate these expansive zones. Focus on farming in circles to maximize efficiency. The materials gathered here will not only aid in leveling your Skinning but also provide valuable resources for crafting or selling on the Auction House.
This phase is crucial for building a robust foundation in Skinning, preparing you for the challenges of Cataclysm content ahead.
Levels 375-450: Preparing for Cataclysm
Reaching level 375 in Skinning unlocks the next phase of your journey, preparing you for the challenges of Cataclysm. This range requires you to focus on higher-level zones, where mobs yield more valuable materials, essential for crafting and selling.
- Icecrown Citadel: Farming undead mobs like Corpse Runners and Cultists provides Heavy Borean Leather and Icy Scale, highly sought after for high-end gear.
- Storm Peaks: Skin Stormforged Giants and Tempest Revenants in areas like the GrimUpward Path and Tempest’s Edge. These mobs drop Stormhide and Scale of the Sands.
- Sholazar Basin: Target Gorlocs and Moonkin in the Aqua’jic and The Lifeblood areas. These yield
Pro Tip: Use your flying mount to cover these vast zones efficiently. Focus on farming in circuits to maximize your yield. Reaching level 450 is crucial, as it unlocks the ability to skin in Cataclysm zones, where you’ll encounter new materials like Savage Leather and Deepsea Scale.
This phase bridges the gap between Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm, ensuring you’re well-prepared to tackle the new challenges and opportunities that await in the expanded world.
Levels 450-525: Mastering Cataclysm Skinning
Reaching level 450 marks the final stretch of your Cataclysm Skinning journey, as you prepare to master the skill and reach the cap of 525. This phase focuses on farming in the newly introduced Cataclysm zones, where higher-level mobs drop rare and valuable materials. Mount Hyjal, Deepholm, Uldum, and Twilight Highlands are the primary zones for this range.
- Mount Hyjal: Skin the abundant wolves and foxes in the Sethrias Roost area for Savage Leather, a key material for high-end Leatherworking recipes.
- Deepholm: Farm basilisks in The Stonecore to obtain Deepsea Scale, highly sought after for crafting and selling.
- Uldum: Target scorpids and hyenas in the desert zones for Thick Savage Leather and Heavy Savage Leather.
- Twilight Highlands: Skin drakes and wolves for FlameScarred Leather, a rare material for advanced crafting.
Use your flying mount to cover these vast zones efficiently, focusing on circuits that yield the highest material drops. This phase is crucial for maximizing your gold-making potential, as the materials gathered here are in high demand. Reaching 525 completes your journey, making you a master skinner in Cataclysm.
Optimal Skinning Zones in Cataclysm
In Cataclysm, the best zones for skinning are Mount Hyjal, Deepholm, Uldum, and Twilight Highlands. Focus on areas like Sethrias Roost for wolves, The Stonecore for basilisks, Uldum’s scorpids, and Twilight Highlands’ drakes for maximum leather and scales.
Mount Hyjal
Mount Hyjal is one of the most optimal zones for skinning in Cataclysm, offering an abundance of skinnable beasts. Located in the heart of the new content, this zone is ideal for players looking to level their Skinning profession quickly. The area is densely populated with wolves, deer, and other creatures, making it a hotspot for gathering leather and hides.
Sethrias Roost, a sub-zone within Mount Hyjal, is particularly noted for its high concentration of skinnable mobs. Players can farm wolves and other animals here, ensuring a steady supply of materials. The zone’s design allows for efficient farming routes, minimizing downtime between kills.
Mount Hyjal is especially beneficial for players with a Skinning skill level of 450 and above, as it provides access to higher-tier leathers. The resources gathered here are essential for crafting high-end items in Leatherworking, making it a valuable location for both skill leveling and material farming.
By consistently farming in Mount Hyjal, players can rapidly progress their Skinning skill while stockpiling valuable materials for crafting or selling on the auction house. This zone is a cornerstone of any efficient Skinning leveling strategy in Cataclysm.
Deepholm
Deepholm is another exceptional zone for skinning in Cataclysm, offering a rich environment filled with skinnable creatures. This subterranean zone is home to a variety of beasts, including basilisks, worms, and other subterranean creatures, making it a prime location for gathering valuable hides and scales.
The Stonecore area, in particular, stands out as a hotspot for skinning. The dense population of Basilisks and other mobs ensures a steady supply of materials, making it an ideal spot for leveling your Skinning skill. The zone’s layout allows for efficient farming routes, enabling players to maximize their material yield while minimizing downtime.
Deepholm is particularly advantageous for players with a Skinning skill level of 450 or higher, as it provides access to higher-tier leathers and scales. These resources are crucial for crafting advanced items in Leatherworking, making Deepholm a valuable destination for both skill progression and material farming.
By focusing on the abundant skinnable mobs in Deepholm, players can quickly advance their Skinning profession while accumulating materials for crafting or selling on the auction house. This zone is a key part of any efficient Skinning strategy in Cataclysm.
Uldum
Uldum is a desert zone in Cataclysm that offers excellent opportunities for skinning. The zone is inhabited by a variety of beasts, including camels, scorpids, and hyenas, which provide valuable resources like thick hides and scales. These materials are essential for crafting high-end leather goods and gear.
The desert landscape of Uldum makes it easier to navigate and locate skinnable mobs, as they are often concentrated in specific areas. Players can focus on farming routes that target high-density mob populations, maximizing their material yield. Uldum is particularly beneficial for players with a Skinning skill level of 450 or higher, as the mobs here drop premium leathers and scales.
This zone is also notable for its abundance of creatures that yield rare or uncommon materials, making it a hotspot for both skill progression and gold-making. The consistent respawn rates and diverse mob types ensure that Uldum remains a top choice for skinners seeking to level their profession efficiently. By focusing on key farming spots in Uldum, players can quickly advance their Skinning skill while stockpiling valuable resources for crafting or selling.
Twilight Highlands
The Twilight Highlands is a dynamic zone in Cataclysm that offers a mix of terrain and beast types, making it an excellent location for skinning. Players can find a variety of creatures, including drakes, wolves, and clefthoof, which yield valuable materials like heavy leather and thick hides. These resources are highly sought after for crafting high-end leather goods and gear.
The zone’s diverse landscape, ranging from lush forests to volcanic areas, provides ample opportunities for farming. Mobs are densely populated in specific regions, allowing skinners to follow efficient routes and maximize their material yield. The Twilight Highlands is particularly advantageous for players with a Skinning skill level of 450 or higher, as it offers premium leathers and scales.
This zone is also known for its consistent mob respawn rates, ensuring that players can continuously farm without long wait times. Additionally, the variety of creatures ensures a steady supply of materials, making it a profitable location for both skill progression and gold-making. The Twilight Highlands stands out as a key destination for skinners in Cataclysm, offering a balanced mix of resources and efficiency.