When I hit level 40 in Classic WoW, I remember standing at the trainer and realizing my armor was about to change. Up until then, my shaman had been wearing leather. At level 40, I could finally switch to mail.
It felt like a big upgrade, but also a little confusing. Should I stay with Leatherworking for crafted sets? Or should I look at Blacksmithing and think about the long run?
I spent a lot of gold testing both paths and learned the hard way. My goal here is to save you that trouble.
In this article, I’ll explain what mail armor is, who can wear it, the strengths of each profession, some top pieces to craft, and how to plan your gear.
Mail Gear Basics for Classic WoW Classes
Mail armor sits right between leather and plate. It offers more defense than leather but is lighter and less restrictive than a plate. This makes it a natural step in gearing as you move through Classic WoW.
The style of mail is easy to spot. Item names often use words like hauberk, chain, or coif.
These pieces signal that you’re moving past the leather phase but not quite ready for heavy plate. Shamans and Hunters begin in leather, but at level 40, they switch to mail.
From then on, it becomes their core armor type for the rest of the game. Warriors and Paladins also wear mail early, but only until level 40.
Once they reach that milestone, they shift to the plate and leave mail behind.
Why Leatherworking Is the Easiest Mail Path?
If you want a steady supply of mail armor while leveling, Leatherworking is the clear choice. It’s designed with Hunters and Shamans in mind, and it offers a wide range of patterns.
Most of these are easier to make compared to Blacksmithing since the mats come from mobs you’re already killing. Leatherworking is strong because it:
- Fills leveling gaps with solid green and blue sets.
- Provides crafted gear that stays useful until raid or dungeon upgrades.
- Uses farmable materials, keeping costs manageable.
There are also specialization paths that make it even better. Tribal and Elemental Leatherworking offer Shamans stat-focused pieces, while Dragonscale is the go-to for Hunters thanks to its agility and stamina bonuses.
For Shamans and Hunters, the big decision is which specialization to follow.
My guide on choosing between Tribal and Dragonscale Leatherworking specs breaks down the benefits of each path and shows which sets fit your class best.
Druids take a different route, and I’ve outlined how Leatherworking supports Druids with value and builds in a separate guide.
Blacksmithing Mail: Expensive Gear with Benefits
Blacksmithing isn’t the best choice for mail. But it can still pay off if you stick with it.
At level 40, the Art of the Armorsmith quest unlocks heavier and more specialized gear. The downside is cost. Leveling takes a lot of ore and bars.
Useful mail recipes are also fewer compared to Leatherworking. Still, there are perks.
The Mithril Order quest line gives the Ornate Mithril set. Later, Dark Iron and Fiery Chain pieces are needed for the raid Fire Resistance.
Rare drops like Invulnerable Mail, Lionheart Helm, and Titanic Leggings remain strong even in endgame
Top Mail Armor to Craft
Not every crafted mail piece is worth your time or gold. Some are great for leveling, others fill gearing gaps before raids, and a few remain valuable even at max level.
1. Leatherworking Picks
Leatherworking gives players some of the most reliable mail options for both leveling and preparing for endgame.
From levels 40 to 60, green and blue mail items provide steady upgrades without requiring rare mats.
For Shamans, the Elemental and Tribal sets are particularly strong, while Hunters often favor Dragonscale sets for their agility and stamina bonuses.
These pieces are not only effective for gearing but also cost-friendly, since the materials can be easily farmed from mobs. Crafting extras can even bring in steady gold on the Auction House.
2. Armorsmithing Highlights
Armorsmithing may not offer as wide a selection of mail as Leatherworking, but the items it does provide are powerful.
The Ornate Mithril Set, crafted through The Mithril Order quests, includes helm, boots, and breastplate, making it a solid mid-level option.
Dark Iron pieces become especially valuable for Molten Core runs, thanks to their Fire Resistance. Hunters and Shamans also benefit from Fiery Chain items when resistance gear is needed.
While more specialized, these crafted sets support leveling, raid preparation, and even fill a few endgame slots with useful gear.
Crafting Strategy and Gear Progression
If I were starting over, I’d take a simple approach to mail crafting. Leatherworking is the best choice for Hunters and Shamans because it keeps you covered from level 40 to 60 without leaving gaps.
Blacksmithing, on the other hand, doesn’t offer much during the leveling grind, but it becomes valuable later if you want rare or high-end gear.
Armorsmithing in particular is more about raid prep than leveling gear.
Swapping professions is also possible if you want a specific recipe, but it comes at a cost. Dropping and relearning takes time and gold, so it’s not something to do lightly.
I’d stick with Leatherworking early for steady gear, then look at Blacksmithing down the line for long-term raid goals.
Phase-By-Phase Relevance
The value of crafted mail shifts as Classic WoW moves through its phases. Early it fills gaps, later it supports raids, and rare recipes keep it useful.
- Early game: Crafted mail covers weak spots when dungeon drops are lacking.
- Molten Core: Blacksmithing Fire Resistance gear becomes important.
- Late game: Rare recipes keep both professions relevant for raid prep.
In short, Leatherworking is strongest early, while Blacksmithing shines later with raid-focused gear.
Conclusion
Mail armor in Classic WoW isn’t just about stepping into heavier gear at level 40. It’s also about choosing the profession path that makes the most sense for your class and your goals.
Leatherworking is reliable for Hunters and Shamans, offering sets that carry you from leveling to early dungeons.
Blacksmithing asks for more gold and effort. However, it pays off later with raid-focused items and rare drops that stay relevant.
By now, you know what mail armor is, who uses it, and which crafts are worth your time.
With this breakdown, you can decide whether Leatherworking or Blacksmithing fits your needs and plan your gear progression with confidence.
