Blog Azeroth: The One!

I'm a little late to the party with this one but Cymre asked the following question as Blog Azeroth's shared topic for 22-31 March:

What is your absolute favourite profession in WoW? Why do you love it above all others and what is one feature you would add to the profession if you could?

So, a quick recap on the available professions in-game (in-case like me you often forget what they all are). There's three sub-categories of professions which I refer to as: gathering [primary], crafting [primary] and secondaries. Each character may have up to two primary and up to all four secondaries at any one time (you can unlearn profs if you so desire). In most cases it can be beneficial to have complementary gathering and crafting professions (but, not all crafting profs have an associated gathering prof).

Gathering [primary]
Mining, Herbalism and Skinning.

Crafting [primary]
Jewelcrafting, Engineering, Blacksmithing, Alchemy, Inscription, Leatherworking, Tailoring and Enchanting.

Secondary
Fishing, Cooking, First Aid and Archaeology.

Now I'm somewhat an altoholic - I have a large collection of characters but rarely play most of them. Anyway, as a result I have all of the professions except two (Blacksmithing and First Aid) at varying levels. To date I've only maxed out a handful of the professions but I do know which I like and which I don't!

What's my One!?!
I've been thinking about my answer to this question for a couple of days now. I had narrowed it down to two and then I finally chose my One. The two are both secondary professions, namely cooking and fishing. In general I find the secondary professions to be more relaxed, more laid back and less of a 'I must hit max level' and as a result normally max them out early on.
I really enjoy both cooking and fishing but for me fishing has the edge - but only slightly. I think it's the simplicity of the cast, click, cast, click routine. But I totally understand why people may find this to be extremely boring. Aside from the simplicity, it's tranquil and you get to see some great scenery whilst fishing.


Me and El (recycled image).


From a more professional point of view I love the detail Blizzard has gone to when naming the different fish species, their icons and all the different achievements (in particular The Oceanographer). I guess you may now be thinking what is she on about 'from a professional point of view' and well here it goes [confession time] I studied marine biology and oceanography at undergraduate level. At masters level I also did marine bio but my masters was in research so slightly different to a BSc. Anyway you probably aren't interested in my job etc. (well maybe you are?) but I think that little insight may help to explain why I love one of potentially the most dull and boring things in-game - fishing!
What I would add to fishing is a tricky one. Prior to MoP I would have said more pets but they've added the tiny carp (which I'm yet to see any of) or a way to stand on the water surface and fish that doesn't rely on you remembering to get an Elixir of Water Walking but they added the Anglers Fishing Raft.



Fishing on my raft at Anglers Wharf.

Earlier this week Navimie posted about fishing and suggested a fishing vest and Veluxia commented suggesting waders - both of which I think would be cool addition to the game. In fact more fishing related clothing would be cool in general.


I would like to see more fishing achievements and competitions (like the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza) added to the game as something to do and work towards. Or even some sort of fishing related mini-game.



Coming second in the Strangletorn Extravaganza and getting this was such an achievement
for me and I'd love there to be more achievs like it