WotLK Makes Sensible Powerleveling An Even Better Idea

Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 7:50 pm

For most players of Warcraft, making gold is a simple matter of killing mobs, looting them, and hoping for a rare or better item to drop. I mean that\’s the way the game was designed, so why wouldn\’t you. There are websites around that will tell you the percentage chance of a particular \”blue\” or \”green\” drop, so it\’s quite easy to work out how much gold per hour someone should be making during the normal process of playing the game.

But did you know how your own personal gold output can vary? Were you aware of the things that happen in game that either lose you gold, or force you to waste what you have?

Blizzard add \”gold sinks\” to the game to counter inflation. (Yes inflation would occur in Warcraft, and to some extent does) At level 10 re-equipping ammunition, repairing items and buying food, drink and potions costs a minimal amount. Compare that to coming back from an end game instance. Repair alone is sometimes 20g, and potions can be several gold pieces each (and you need a lot)

But you are encouraged by the games mechanics to always push your character hard. Level fast, get to better areas, get more valuable loot. The risk is getting to level 10 and thinking;

\”I\’ll take on those level 11 and 12 mobs\”.

Oops. One at a time was fine. Suddenly you were jumped by three, you lasted seconds. Back to the graveyard.

You thought were trying to do something good. After all, the game is all about moving onwards and upwards.

In fact this is not a good idea at all. The best way to level is against mobs that are one or two levels below you. Mobs that you comfortably manage in groups of three or four.

The maths is quite easy. Unless the mobs are more than 4 levels below you, you will get around 90% of the XP you would get for a mob your level or even higher. The difference being you will run through mobs a couple of levels below you and massively increase your XP per hour and your gold per hour.

Four is the magic number here. So if you are level 40 say, take mobs as low as 36 and you will be rushing XP, so an area where the mobs average between 36 and 38 would be ideal for you. If you think;

Don\’t be concerned about missing higher level loot either. The loot might be slightly better, but this is more than countered by the fact that you will kill (and therefore loot) far fewer mobs at a higher level.

So as long as you don\’t go more than 4 levels below your own, the equation is in your favour whichever way you look at it.

It\’s great to show off, but levelling above yourself will eventually lead to more deaths, less XP and more expenditure. On the other hand if you want bragging rights on your new gear now and again…

Download free gold, levelling and profession guides Warcraft Advanced Gold Guide Or just comment on our blog and resource pages Warcraft Gold Blog

Share and Enjoy: