Convince me NOT to pick alchemy...

[Maklor]

... but hear my story first.

I was a JC/Enchanter but recently dumped JC for Engineering, so I'm currently Eng./Enchanter.

My character is a DK blood/frost specs, and I've recently started doing achievements, I also like to solo stuff so in general I prefer flexibility/mobility in my professions so I'm looking for something that gives me some unique options not otherwise available - getting engineering was the first (obvious) step.

I don't care about how much it costs to level or how much money it will be able to make, I'm looking at it from a purely personal utility perspective, also I already have all professions on other chars.

As the thread title suggests I'm considering picking up alchemy, it's flexible in that you can change your stat boost on the fly (mixology) and I might get lucky and get the plans for Vial of the Sands.

I might have missed something completely obvious which is why I'm making this thread, so tell me would I be wrong in dumping enchanting and picking up alchemy?

[Baalb]

Alchemy is a very good profession, it is fun, it is relatively easy to level, if you have a herbalist, you can level it within 3-4 hours. I don't quite understand what do you mean by utility ? Sure, it has some unique potions, but they can be used by anyone. Change stat boost on the fly ?

[Duridi]

Enchanting mats are fairly easy to come by, atleast if you have friends. Send them your greens so they can DE for you. Enchanting scrolls are also rather cheap except from the occational time they are not. If your friends have the recipes, you can ask them to craft the enchant rather than buying the scoll instead.

That would be my reason to drop enchanting.

I am one of those who always fall back on Alchemy. It is clearly my favourite profession, and I have got them all over various characters. Because of this, I can not convince you to not pick Alchemy. I also do not care for money gain from professions.

[Maklor]

Alchemy is a very good profession, it is fun, it is relatively easy to level, if you have a herbalist, you can level it within 3-4 hours. I don't quite understand what do you mean by utility ? Sure, it has some unique potions, but they can be used by anyone. Change stat boost on the fly ?

I mean the stat boost all professions get, like Strength/Stamina and such, alchemists get that from mixology that's what I mean by flexible.

Enchanting mats are fairly easy to come by, atleast if you have friends. Send them your greens so they can DE for you. Enchanting scrolls are also rather cheap except from the occational time they are not. If your friends have the recipes, you can ask them to craft the enchant rather than buying the scoll instead.

That would be my reason to drop enchanting.

Yeah I only picked up enchanting because back when I started this char I could make a few gold by selling mongoose enchants, and I could still get a little money by selling WotLK materials it still sells for good money but I don't feel like running ICC dungeons just for that reason and gold isn't really a concern to me (I don't really use any).

[Duridi]

Sure, it has some unique potions, but they can be used by anyone.

The unique potions are usually not to be found much on the AH, and if they are... they are shit expensive and not worth it. Like when I saw someone trying to sell Potion of Treasure finding. They were up for more than you gain from those extra treasure chests.

[Tadkins]

Alchemy is awesome.

When you're raiding and it's time for everyone else to refresh their flasks after an hour, you can go "lol suckers" while your flask remains strong.

If you also take Herbalism and keep a regular supply of Volatile Life, transmuting Life to Air is an easy 300-400g per day. Even more if you take Transmute spec.

Otherwise, consumables are a regular part of the game, and you'll always need to keep yourself stocked. Being able to do so yourself is always nice, and generally cheaper.

Alchemy is my favorite profession, and those are my reasons.

The unique potions are usually not to be found much on the AH, and if they are... they are shit expensive and not worth it. Like when I saw someone trying to sell Potion of Treasure finding. They were up for more than you gain from those extra treasure chests.

Actually, if you know where to take those, Potions of Treasure Finding can make you a ton of money within an hour.

Get a potion, take it to the Fractured Battlefront in Deepholm, and farm for an hour. You'll be pleased with the results. Just make sure to bring empty bags. xD

[Baalb]

Yes, I got what you mean. I can't convince you to not pick Alchemy either, it is a good profession, you get double time on flasks, some very fun potions, but I don't think it has more utility than enchanting, both professions are kind of passive, you can have them on alts and still benefit from them.

[Maklor]

I don't think you get it, as a soloer with alchemy I can change my stat from STA->resistance->STR depending on what is most needed instantly, you can't really do that on an enchanter.

[Asher13]

Blacksmith gives the highest stat boost. You get 100+ to your primary rather than 80.

[Entbark]

I mean the stat boost all professions get, like Strength/Stamina and such, alchemists get that from mixology that's what I mean by flexible.

If you're referring to the Flask of Enhancement, it only gives strength, agility, or intellect, not stamina. If you're referring to regular flasks, then yes, that is correct. However, since you will most likely gear blood and frost differently, that is a moot point anyway. You can just change your gear on the fly, which is just as easy as changing your flask, just the click of a button. And it's less expensive. For example, inscription: your shoulder enchant for blood will be stamina, and your shoulder enchant for frost will be strength. Just put the appropriate enchant on the appropriate shoulder armor for the spec. No need to worry about the profession bonus now, because you will always just have it.

[Maklor]

If you're referring to the Flask of Enhancement, it only gives strength, agility, or intellect, not stamina. If you're referring to regular flasks, then yes, that is correct. However, since you will most likely gear blood and frost differently, that is a moot point anyway. You can just change your gear on the fly, which is just as easy as changing your flask, just the click of a button. And it's less expensive. For example, inscription: your shoulder enchant for blood will be stamina, and your shoulder enchant for frost will be strength. Just put the appropriate enchant on the appropriate shoulder armor for the spec. No need to worry about the profession bonus now, because you will always just have it.

I think you miss the point about SOLOING, you would be right if it was about raiding.

Blacksmith gives the highest stat boost. You get 100+ to your primary rather than 80.

Thanks I know but I really don't care about that, missed adding that in my initial post.

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Anyways.. thanks everyone for the input I'm picking up alchemy, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious.

[asharia]

you'll be forced to be your guild's 'cauldron bitch'

[zdude]

I currently have a useless Alchemist. On my server flasks are 30-50g, so there is no point farming to make them either for your self or sale. Transmutes are worth less then the mats. All potions are availalble on the Ah, at a dirt cheap price. Volatile air go for 6-8g and less for the rest. Having extra flask time means nothing, as our cauldrens are dropped when players need them. I get a small haste buff and an insignificant heal, thats about it.

I think my server saw a wave of new alcemists just prior to the last patch who were all expecting to make a killing out of epic gem transmutes which didn't eventuate, so they are trying to recoup some of the money they spent levelling and storing mats.

[Emberess]

does alchemys flask stack with the couldren / raid flasks? if yes then i would say go for it , if not keep enchanting, cos your rings dont replace any other kind of enchant like gems or shoulders and enchanting is nice

[Duridi]

Actually, if you know where to take those, Potions of Treasure Finding can make you a ton of money within an hour.

Get a potion, take it to the Fractured Battlefront in Deepholm, and farm for an hour. You'll be pleased with the results. Just make sure to bring empty bags. xD

You should still create those yourself, because the price when I checked it on the AH was awfull. I can create mine for free, but I had run out of mats one day I were heading off to go skinning in Deepholm(this was when those packs of bats were still skinnable), so thought I'd check the AH for them. I decided quickly that was a bad idea. I don't remember the exact price, but it was a great turnoff for sure.

You are also not guaranteed to find potions of that kind much on the AH, because peple(stleast on my server), seem to get caught up on flasks. Can barely get hands on DPS, tanking or mana potions either.

---------- Post added 2012-02-12 at 06:20 PM ----------

does alchemys flask stack with the couldren / raid flasks? if yes then i would say go for it , if not keep enchanting, cos your rings dont replace any other kind of enchant like gems or shoulders and enchanting is nice

No they don't stack.

The bonus from enchanting is no bigger than the bonus from any other profession. They all provide the same bonus, just not in the same spot(as an example, scribes get a boost to their shoulder enchant equal to what enchanters get on their rings).

The bonus from Alchemy is that you gain more from flasks and elixirs than non-alchemists do. Again equal to what enchanters get.

[Pooutine]

I will do no such thing. I think i have 5 alc alts atm

[Vampiroth]

Blacksmithing is the best profession stats wise.

[PBitt]

I really don't see the benefits at all in switching. All you really need to do to 'change stats on the fly' for enchanting is having 2 sets of rings, which you would have anyways if you have a full set of each tanking and dps sets anyways. As it is right now, there is no real benefit to one or the other profession save for the fact that alchemy makes your flasks last longer. Otherwise, they give the very same exact stat bonus, except alchemy requires you to have a flask in use in order to gain said bonus, of course. It doesn't matter what you're doing, soloing, raiding, pvping or picking your nose, nothing changes.

[Maklor]

Blacksmithing is the best profession stats wise.

Thanks for stating what is common knowledge.

[medievalman1]

I will do no such thing. I think i have 5 alc alts atm

Ditto, except plus 2, on 1 server. plus 7 if we're including my last server...