The Azeroth Cookbook

People are always in such a Rush these days. Blasting about with that desperate need to get somewhere ASAP!

Leveling in the World of Warcraft isn’t any different. Get to level 70 in 5 or 6 days (in game time)? Why? Who needs the stress?

So in the interests of slowing down and taking the time to sniff the Peacebloom, I offer you a few tips to level slowly:

• Every time you get a new quest, even if you’ve done it repeatedly, make sure to study every last detail. You might even want to look up some details online, you know, just to be sure.
• Make extensive use of Thottbot.com, and similar sites, when studying quests, lore, and items. While you’re there, make sure you read every comment.
• Go afk as much as possible, especially if you’re on a PvP server. The runs back to your body will give you time to slow down a bit and wash away the stress.
• Head over to the Auction House everytime you level, to look for the next upgrade for your gear, useful potions, etc.
• Don’t bother getting extra or larger bags. They’re just a waste of money. The bag you start with is good enough. When it fills up just head back to town to sell the junk.
• Always ask about your quests in general chat. The quest log is hard to read and is probably wrong, or broken, anyway. Using the WoW forums is even better. Edit: Aendi (see comment) suggests not using this techniques in the starting areas since the advice you’re likely to get will help you zip along faster.
• Play as many alts (alternate characters) as possible. It’s Ok to have 37 (or more) characters between level 1 and 13 across several servers. Really, it is.
• PvP whenever possible. Even PvE servers allows duels and have battlegrounds.
• When you’re grinding away always work on mobs a few levels higher or many levels lower than you. The corpse runs that the higher level mobs have you do will force you to slow down and relax. The low level mobs won’t give you any XP so you won’t have to see that annoying yellow flash when you level.
• When you enter a new area only grab one quest at a time. Take it to it’s conclusion, even if it’s 15 parts long and takes you all over the world. Don’t forget to use Thottbot.com (and read the comments!) as much as possible here. Only grab a new quest when done.
• Girnding is better than questing. You won’t have to worry about the extra XP or quest rewards.
• Enjoy the scenery. The WoW developers went through a lot of effort to build Azeroth and the Outlands, even detailing areas that aren’t normally accessible. Carefully examine every out of the way area, who knows when you’ll get another chance?
• Always practice your emotes, they’re there for a reason, after all.
• Develop your gathering skills, such as herbalism. Hunt down every last flower in an area and pick it (or every last piece of ore, etc.)
• Never ever pick up a WoW leveling guide. If you do you’ll find that the levels will fly by so fast that you won’t have time to enjoy anything. Blech.
• Make sure your in-game buddies are onboard with the above tips. They’ll be happy to help you out. if they’re not and if they’re getting too itchy to blast their way to 70, then you’ll either have to get them to chill, find new friends, or join them. Ugh.

Follow the above rules and your leveling in WoW should be very relaxing and leisurely. You should be guaranteed a leveling speed of at least a month or two of in-game time and a complete lack of stress.

I’m sure there must be many other suggestions that could be added to this list, so If you have any tips to level slowly then just leave a comment.

Edit: Visin makes a good remark in the comments. However, it does need to be improved to fit with this article. So…

• Never ask for advice about how to play your character. That would force you to play more efficiently, thereby leveling faster, and that’s bad. It’s best to stick with what you learned in the training area. Why bother with all those fancy new techniques and abilities anyway? 😉

Edit #2: Matticus has a similar post that’s great fun. 10 Silly Timewasters