Yes, Leatherworking makes mail armor in World of Warcraft: Forever. Blizzard’s New Player’s Starter Guide says it plainly: “Leatherworking crafts leather and mail armor.”
The catch is that mail arrives late in the profession. Below are the mail patterns we could confirm and the skill they need, which classes want them, what you need before you can craft them, and how Blacksmithing compares. Checked against Blizzard’s posts and the launch recipe data as of November 8. It is not a full recipe list, and Blizzard can move these with a patch, so your Professions window (K) has the final word.
The Mail Patterns in Leatherworking
These skill levels are approximate and come from the game’s recipe data at launch.
| Pattern | Skill needed, about |
|---|---|
| Turtle Scale Gloves | 180 |
| Tough Scorpid Breastplate and Bracers | 195 |
| Tough Scorpid Gloves | 200 |
| Mender’s, Skirmisher’s, Skycaller’s, and Stalker’s Mail Boots | 200 |
| Turtle Scale Breastplate and Bracers | 205 |
| Mender’s, Skirmisher’s, Skycaller’s, and Stalker’s Mail Shoulders | 210 |
| Tough Scorpid Boots | 210 |
| Tough Scorpid Shoulders | 215 |
| Tough Scorpid Leggings | 220 |
| Tough Scorpid Helm and Turtle Scale Helm | 225 |
So for this stretch of the list, you are crafting mail from the top of Expert into Artisan. Our Leatherworking guide puts Expert training at 125 skill and Artisan at 200, and it gives a route through both. If you were hoping for mail in your first hundred skill points, plan on leather for now.
Beyond that, the launch recipe data lists Dragonscale armor as mail, with patterns around 270 skill. Blizzard has not written up how Forever’s Leatherworking specializations work, so talk to your trainer before you commit to one.
Who Wants Crafted Mail
- Shaman. Blizzard’s Mage and Shaman deep dive calls them “among the sturdiest of classes, with the use of Mail armor and a Shield.” Skinning and Leatherworking is our top profession pick for them. Our Shaman leveling guide has the rest of the route.
- Hunters. Our best professions for each class guide lists leather and mail armor plus armor kits as the reason to take it. See also our Hunter leveling guide.
- Rogues and Druids. They wear leather, so mail patterns are not for them, but they can still craft pieces to sell if the tooltip allows it.
Blizzard has not restated the level at which classes can wear mail in Forever, so check the item’s tooltip before you pay for materials. The starter guide’s advice applies: “check armor type, weapon compatibility, and the attributes useful to your class.”
The new sets are worth a closer look. The Mender’s, Skirmisher’s, Skycaller’s, and Stalker’s names suggest gear for different roles, but Blizzard has not described them, so read the stats on each and match them to your spec rather than assuming from the name.
What You Need Before You Craft It
- Leather. Skinning is the natural partner, since it supplies every piece of leather on the route. Our Skinning guide shows how to start, and our skinning knife guide covers the tool.
- A Tanning Rack. Blizzard’s November 6 hotfixes set its requirement at 125 skill, and many patterns from there up need one at your camp. Our camping guide covers placing camp objects.
- The pattern. Not everything comes from a trainer. Merchant’s Favor buys many new patterns, as our Merchant’s Favor guide explains.
Leatherworking or Blacksmithing for Mail?
Blizzard says Blacksmithing “forges weapons and armor,” and our Blacksmithing guide covers its route. Our professions picks treat it as the mail and plate choice for Warriors and Paladins, who also want its weapons and sharpening stones.
| Your character | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shaman or Hunter | Leatherworking | Leather and mail, armor kits, and the Camp Tent |
| Warrior or Paladin | Blacksmithing | Mail, plate, weapons, and the Sharpening Wheel |
| Rogue or Druid | Leatherworking | Leather armor and armor kits |
Armor kits are the other reason to stay with Leatherworking. They sell to anyone with leather or mail armor, so they earn back some of the cost of leveling. You can hold both professions on one character, since each character gets two primary slots, but then you would be buying all your leather and ore. Our how many professions guide covers the limit, and every other guide is on our World of Warcraft hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Leatherworking make mail in WoW Forever? Yes. Blizzard’s starter guide says “Leatherworking crafts leather and mail armor.”
What skill do you need for mail patterns? The patterns we could confirm start around 180 skill and run past 225. Check your Professions window for the current values.
Does Blacksmithing also make mail? Yes, along with plate and weapons. It suits Warriors and Paladins better than Shaman or Hunters.
Which classes should make mail with Leatherworking? Shaman and Hunters are the main ones, and our professions guide lists both.
Do you need a Tanning Rack for mail patterns? Many patterns from 125 skill and up need one, so expect to set one up at a camp.