Inscription
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Inscription
Overview
Inscription is a primary crafting profession, new in Wrath of the Lich King. It lets you mill herbs into pigments, turn them into inks, then craft glyphs, scrolls and other items.
It pairs naturally with Herbalism, which provides the herbs.
What this profession is for
- Mill herbs: Milling turns 5 herbs into pigments, which are used to make inks.
- Craft glyphs, which modify the spells and abilities of the classes.
- Craft scrolls, off-hand items and Darkmoon Cards.
Learning the profession
Inscription is learned from an inscription trainer. Each rank raises the profession's maximum skill and requires a minimum skill and, from Journeyman onward, a character level:
- Apprentice: up to 75 skill.
- Journeyman: up to 150, from 50 skill and level 10.
- Expert: up to 225, from 125 skill and level 20.
- Artisan: up to 300, from 200 skill and level 35.
- Master: up to 375.
- Grand Master: up to 450, from 350 skill.
Remember to visit your trainer as you approach your rank's limit: beyond it, your skill no longer increases.
The inscription trainers in the capital cities teach the Apprentice to Artisan ranks, from 1 to 300. The Master rank, from 300 to 375, is learned in Outland, and the Grand Master rank, from 375 to 450, in Northrend, from the trainers shown in brackets.
Alliance
- Stormwind: Catarina Stanford.
- Ironforge: Elise Brightletter.
- Darnassus: Feyden Darkin.
- The Exodar: Thoth.
- Hellfire Peninsula: Michael Schwan (300 – 375).
- Borean Tundra: Tink Brightbolt (375 – 450).
- Howling Fjord: Mindri Dinkles (375 – 450).
Horde
- Orgrimmar: Jo'mah.
- Thunder Bluff: Poshken Hardbinder.
- Undercity: Margaux Parchley.
- Silvermoon City: Zantasia.
- Hellfire Peninsula: Neferatti (300 – 375).
- Borean Tundra: Adelene Sunlance (375 – 450).
- Howling Fjord: Booker Kells (375 – 450).
Neutral
- Shattrath City: Recorder Lidio and Scribe Lanloer (300 – 375).
- Dalaran: Professor Pallin (375 – 450).
Guide 1 – 450
This guide takes you from 1 to 450 with the recipes taught by trainers, then with the glyphs discovered through research. Quantities are estimates: once a recipe is no longer orange, you sometimes need to craft a few more.
You need a Virtuoso Inking SetVendor componentSold by vendors. in your bags: it is sold by inscription suppliers.
Pigments and inks
Milling grinds 5 herbs at a time into pigments, which are used to make inks. Each tier of herbs gives its own pigment:
- Alabaster PigmentIngredient (Ivory Ink and Moonglow Ink): PeacebloomHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., SilverleafHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., EarthrootHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Dusky PigmentIngredient (Midnight Ink): MageroyalHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., BriarthornHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., BruiseweedHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., StranglekelpHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Golden PigmentIngredient (Lion's Ink): Wild SteelbloomHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., KingsbloodHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., LiferootHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Emerald PigmentIngredient (Jadefire Ink): GoldthornHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., FadeleafHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Khadgar's WhiskerHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Violet PigmentIngredient (Celestial Ink): SungrassHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Arthas' TearsHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., FirebloomHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., BlindweedHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., GromsbloodHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Silvery PigmentIngredient (Shimmering Ink): Golden SansamHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., DreamfoilHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Mountain SilversageHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., PlaguebloomHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Nether PigmentIngredient (Ethereal Ink): FelweedHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Dreaming GloryHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., TeroconeHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., RagveilHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Nightmare VineHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Ancient LichenHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Mana ThistleHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., NetherbloomHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
- Azure PigmentIngredient (Ink of the Sea): GoldcloverHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Tiger LilyHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Talandra's RoseHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., Adder's TongueHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., LichbloomHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house., IcethornHerbGathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house..
Herbs also give, more rarely, a second pigment: Burnt PigmentIngredient (Dawnstar Ink) from the Golden Pigment herbs, and Icy PigmentIngredient (Snowfall Ink) from the Azure Pigment herbs.
Required components
- Ivory InkCrafted itemKnown as soon as you learn the profession.: 30
- Moonglow InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 35 skill.: 30
- Midnight InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 75 skill.: 30
- Lion's InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 100 skill.: 40
- Dawnstar InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 125 skill.: 10
- Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill.: 50
- Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill.: 50
- Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill.: 40
- Ethereal InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 290 skill.: 50
- Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill.: 120
- Snowfall InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 375 skill.: about 5
- Light ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors.: 95
- Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors.: 115
- Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors.: 175
- Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors.: 200
Inks are made from the pigments above; herbs are gathered with Herbalism or bought at the auction house. Parchments are sold by inscription suppliers.
1 – 20
Start with 30 Ivory Inks: they give skill points up to about 20, then are used for scrolls.
- Ivory InkCrafted itemKnown as soon as you learn the profession. (30): Alabaster PigmentIngredient (30).
20 – 35
Craft Scrolls of Strength or Agility, your choice.
- Scroll of StrengthCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 15 skill. (15): Ivory InkCrafted itemKnown as soon as you learn the profession. (30), Light ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (15).
- Scroll of AgilityCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 15 skill. (15): Ivory InkCrafted itemKnown as soon as you learn the profession. (30), Light ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (15).
35 – 45
Craft 30 Moonglow Inks: the recipe turns yellow at 45, but the inks are used up to 75.
- Moonglow InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 35 skill. (30): Alabaster PigmentIngredient (60).
45 – 75
Remember to learn the Journeyman rank at 50. Craft Armor Vellums: the recipe stays orange up to 75.
- Armor VellumCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 35 skill. (30): Moonglow InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 35 skill. (30), Light ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (60).
75 – 80
Craft 30 Midnight Inks: the recipe is already yellow, but the inks are used up to 100.
- Midnight InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 75 skill. (30): Dusky PigmentIngredient (60).
80 – 100
Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Midnight InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 75 skill. and 1 Light ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 20 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 10 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one.
100 – 105
Craft 40 Lion's Inks: the recipe turns green from 100, so skill points are uncertain, but the inks are used up to 150.
- Lion's InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 100 skill. (40): Golden PigmentIngredient (80).
105 – 125
Remember to learn the Expert rank at 125. Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Lion's InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 100 skill. and 1 Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 20 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 5 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one.
125 – 130
Craft 10 Dawnstar Inks: they are used at 145.
- Dawnstar InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 125 skill. (10): Burnt PigmentIngredient (10).
130 – 145
Go back to glyphs that require 1 Lion's InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 100 skill. and 1 Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors.: about 15.
145 – 150
Craft Strange Tarots: the recipe stays orange up to 150.
- Strange TarotCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 125 skill. (5): Dawnstar InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 125 skill. (10), Lion's InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 100 skill. (5), Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (5).
150 – 155
Craft 50 Jadefire Inks: the recipe turns green from 150, but the inks are used up to 200.
- Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. (50): Emerald PigmentIngredient (100).
155 – 180
Craft 5 scrolls of each kind, in this order: each one stays orange for 5 points.
- Scroll of Stamina IIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 155 skill. (5): Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. (5), Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Spirit IIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 160 skill. (5): Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. (5), Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Intellect IIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 165 skill. (5): Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. (5), Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Strength IIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 170 skill. (5): Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. (5), Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Agility IIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 175 skill. (5): Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. (5), Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
180 – 200
Remember to learn the Artisan rank at 200. Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Jadefire InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 150 skill. and 1 Common ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 25 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 5 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one.
200 – 205
Craft 50 Celestial Inks: the recipe turns green from 200, but the inks are used up to 250.
- Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. (50): Violet PigmentIngredient (100).
205 – 230
Craft 5 scrolls of each kind, in this order.
- Scroll of Stamina IVCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 205 skill. (5): Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Spirit IVCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 210 skill. (5): Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Intellect IVCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 215 skill. (5): Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Strength IVCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 220 skill. (5): Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Agility IVCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 225 skill. (5): Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
230 – 250
Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Celestial InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 200 skill. and 1 Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 25 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 5 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one.
250 – 275
Craft 40 Shimmering Inks, which are used up to 290, then 5 scrolls of each kind, in this order.
- Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (40): Silvery PigmentIngredient (80).
- Scroll of Stamina VCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (5): Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Spirit VCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 255 skill. (5): Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Intellect VCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 260 skill. (5): Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Strength VCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 265 skill. (5): Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Agility VCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 270 skill. (5): Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
275 – 290
Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Shimmering InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 250 skill. and 1 Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 15 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 5 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one.
290 – 300
Craft 50 Ethereal Inks: the recipe stays orange up to 295, and the inks are used up to 350.
- Ethereal InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 290 skill. (50): Nether PigmentIngredient (100).
300 – 305
Learn the Master rank from a trainer in Outland. Then craft about 5 glyphs that require 1 Ethereal InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 290 skill. and 1 Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors..
305 – 320
Craft Scrolls of Strength VI, then of Agility VI.
- Scroll of Strength VICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 305 skill. (10): Ethereal InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 290 skill. (10), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (20).
- Scroll of Agility VICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 310 skill. (5): Ethereal InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 290 skill. (5), Heavy ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
320 – 350
Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Ethereal InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 290 skill. and 1 Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 30 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 5 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one.
350 – 375
Learn the Grand Master rank from a trainer in Northrend, or from Professor Pallin in Dalaran. Craft Inks of the Sea: the recipe turns green from 350, but you need a lot of them up to 450. Then craft 5 scrolls of each kind, in this order.
- Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (120): Azure PigmentIngredient (240).
- Scroll of Stamina VIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Spirit VIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 355 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Intellect VIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 360 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Strength VIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 365 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Agility VIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 370 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
375 – 385
Learn from your trainer the glyphs that require 1 Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. and 1 Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors., then craft about 12 of them. Each glyph stays orange for 5 points: as soon as it turns yellow, move on to the next one. Also craft a few Snowfall Inks for the next step.
- Snowfall InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 375 skill. (5): Icy PigmentIngredient (10).
385 – 400
At 385, do your Northrend Inscription Research: it lets you discover new glyphs, but can only be done again after 20 hours. Then craft the glyphs you discovered, each requiring 1 Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. and 1 Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors.: they stay orange up to 390, then yellow up to 397. Count on about forty glyphs up to 400.
- Northrend Inscription ResearchCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 385 skill.: Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (3), Snowfall InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 375 skill. (1), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (5).
400 – 425
Craft 5 scrolls of each kind, in this order.
- Scroll of Stamina VIIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 400 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Spirit VIIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 405 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Intellect VIIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 410 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Strength VIIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 415 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
- Scroll of Agility VIIICrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 420 skill. (5): Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (5), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (10).
425 – 450
Finish with the daily research and the glyphs it lets you discover: each research stays yellow up to 437. This is the slowest but cheapest method. If you would rather go faster, the Darkmoon Card of the North stays orange up to 450, but it requires a lot of Snowfall Ink.
- Darkmoon Card of the NorthCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 400 skill.: Snowfall InkCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 375 skill. (6), Eternal LifeIngredient (3), Ink of the SeaCrafted itemRecipe learned from the trainer at 350 skill. (3), Resilient ParchmentVendor componentSold by vendors. (1).
