Mining in WoW Forever still levels from ore nodes, and the game files (client 1.60.1) keep every Classic node threshold, from Copper at 1 to Rich Thorium at 275. Forever also adds new ores, such as Pyrite, Bauxite and Pitchblende, and new bars like Azerothium. Below is what the files show, and where they stop.
Ore nodes and the skill they need
The files' lock table, which sets the skill a node needs, contains each of Classic's mining thresholds. So these Classic values still hold:
| Node | Ore | Skill to mine |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Vein | Copper Ore | 1 |
| Tin Vein | Tin Ore | 65 |
| Silver Vein | Silver Ore | 75 |
| Iron Deposit | Iron Ore | 125 |
| Gold Vein | Gold Ore | 155 |
| Mithril Deposit | Mithril Ore | 175 |
| Truesilver Deposit | Truesilver Ore | 230 |
| Dark Iron Deposit | Dark Iron Ore | 230 |
| Small Thorium Vein | Thorium Ore | 245 |
| Rich Thorium Vein | Thorium Ore | 275 |
The same table has thresholds at 25, 50, 100, 150, 300, 305 and 310 that match no Classic node. Forever's new ores probably use some of them, but the files don't link a node to a threshold, so we don't assign them.
New ores in Forever
These ores and stones are in the Forever files but not in Classic:
- Pyrite, an early ore. Alchemists use it for Sulfuric Acid.
- Bauxite, a mid-level ore.
- Pitchblende, a high-level ore. Two of them and a Coal smelt into an Azerothium Bar.
- Heavy Thorium Ore, which smelts into a Heavy Thorium Bar at 300.
Where each one spawns and at what skill isn't in the files. We'll add that once players confirm it.
How gathering points work
In Classic a node gives a guaranteed point while it's orange, from its required skill to about 25 above. It usually gives one while yellow, up to about 50 above, sometimes while green, up to about 100 above, and nothing once grey. Blizzard hasn't published Forever's numbers, so treat these as Classic's.
Smelting
Smelting turns ore into bars and also gives Mining skill. The files list these smelts. Several have the same number for yellow and grey. If Forever works like Classic, those give no points past that skill, so you'll level Mining mostly from nodes.
| Smelt | Yellow | Green | Grey | Materials | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smelt Copper | 25 | 47 | 70 | 1 Copper Ore | learned automatically |
| Smelt Tin | 50 | 62 | 75 | 1 Tin Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Bronze | 65 | 90 | 115 | 1 Copper Bar, 1 Tin Bar | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Silver | 100 | 112 | 125 | 1 Silver Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Iron | 130 | 135 | 140 | 1 Iron Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Steel | 165 | 165 | 165 | 1 Iron Bar, 1 Coal | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Gold | 170 | 177 | 185 | 1 Gold Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Mithril | 175 | 175 | 175 | 1 Mithril Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Dark Iron | 230 | 230 | 230 | 8 Dark Iron Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Truesilver | 230 | 230 | 230 | 1 Truesilver Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Thorium | 250 | 250 | 250 | 1 Thorium Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Azerothium | 275 | 275 | 275 | 2 Pitchblende, 1 Coal | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Heavy Thorium | 300 | 307 | 315 | 1 Heavy Thorium Ore | trainer or quest |
| Smelt Elementium | 310 | 315 | 320 | 1 Elementium Ore, 10 Arcanite Bar, 1 Fiery Core, 3 Elemental Flux | trainer or quest |
Camp objects
Like every profession in Forever, Mining can build objects for a campsite. See the camping system.
| Camp object | Yellow | Green | Grey | Materials | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodestone | 20 | 22 | 25 | 1 Rough Stone, 1 Copper Bar | trainer or quest |
| Rock Garden | 140 | 142 | 145 | 2 Heavy Stone, 1 Iron Ore, 1 Silver Bar | Blueprint: Rock Garden |
| Molten Foundry | 300 | 300 | 300 | 5 Thorium Bar, 2 Dense Stone, 1 Truesilver Bar | Blueprint: Molten Foundry |
Tips
- Turn on Find Minerals and mine everything on your questing route. You rarely need to farm.
- Smelt as you go when a smelt is still giving points.
- Keep Coal for Steel and Azerothium.
Mining feeds Blacksmithing and Engineering. All guides: profession leveling guides.