How to level Archeology in WoW MoP | 1-600 Archeology Guide

Archaeology Leveling Guide 1–600 for MoP Classic

This guide will help you level Archaeology from 1 to 600 in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Classic efficiently. Archaeology is a secondary profession, learnable at level 20, offering rewards like mounts, pets, and toys but no direct end-game power. In MoP, dig sites allow up to 6 surveys, and Pandaria introduces new races (Pandaren, Mogu, Mantid) with unique mechanics like Restored Artifacts.

General Tips

• Requirements: Learn Archaeology at level 20 from a trainer (e.g., Belloc Brightblade in Orgrimmar, Harrison Jones in Stormwind). Requires a Archaeology Journal and Survey ability.

• Dig Sites: Visible on your world map (not minimap) after training. Four dig sites per continent (Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, Outland, Northrend, Pandaria at 525+). Each site allows 6 surveys in MoP (up from 3 in Cataclysm). Dig sites are player-specific, so no competition.

• Skill Points: Gain 1 skill point per artifact solved (5 for rares) and 6–9 points per dig site completed (varies by continent). Skill points from fragments taper off as you approach the next tier’s cap (e.g., 200, 300).

• Travel: Use a level 90 character with flying (unlocked at 90 in Pandaria) for faster travel. Hearthstone to major cities to access portals.

• Keystones: Use race-specific keystones (e.g., Dwarven Rune Stone, Pandaren Pottery Shard) to solve artifacts faster, saving fragments. Looted from dig sites or earned from pristine solves.

• Restored Artifacts: In Pandaria (525–600), common artifacts can be turned into Restored Artifacts (currency). Trade with Brann Bronzebeard at the Seat of Knowledge (Vale of Eternal Blossoms) for crates of non-Pandaria fragments or items like Lorewalker’s Lodestone.

• Tools: No additional tools needed beyond the Survey ability. Purchase Archaeology Journal from trainers if lost.

• Save Fragments: Avoid solving artifacts near skill caps (e.g., 199, 299) to maximize skill points in the next tier.

Approximate Materials Needed

Archaeology doesn’t require specific materials, but you’ll need to collect fragments and keystones from dig sites. Estimated dig sites and artifacts:

• 1–200: ~30 dig sites, ~50 artifacts (Dwarf, Troll, Night Elf, Fossil).

• 200–300: ~20 dig sites, ~30 artifacts (Orc, Draenei, Nerubian).

• 300–375: ~15 dig sites, ~20 artifacts (Vrykul, Tol’vir).

• 375–525: ~30 dig sites, ~40 artifacts (same races, focus on Northrend/Cataclysm zones).

• 525–600: ~15 dig sites, ~20 artifacts (Pandaren, Mogu, Mantid).

Leveling Path

1–200: Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor

• Trainer: Learn Archaeology in a major city.

• Dig Sites: Focus on Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor (e.g., Loch Modan, Durotar). Races: Dwarf, Troll, Night Elf, Fossil.

• Strategy:

  • Survey each dig site 6 times to collect fragments (6–9 skill points per site).

  • Solve common artifacts (5–10 fragments each) for 1 skill point; rares (up to 50 fragments) for 5 points.

  • Use keystones (e.g., Dwarven Rune Stone) if available to reduce fragment costs.

  • Complete all 4 dig sites per continent before moving to new ones (sites respawn after clearing).

• Notes: At 50, train Journeyman Archaeology. Dig sites appear in low-level zones (1–30). Expect ~30 dig sites total. Fossil sites (e.g., Un’Goro Crater) are common and easy.

200–300: Outland

• Trainer: Learn Expert Archaeology at 200.

• Dig Sites: Move to Outland (e.g., Hellfire Peninsula, Zangarmarsh). Races: Orc, Draenei.

• Strategy:

  • Clear 4 dig sites per continent (6 surveys each).

  • Solve Orc and Draenei artifacts. Use Highborne Scroll or Orc Blood Text keystones if looted.

  • Aim for ~20 dig sites and ~30 artifacts.

• Notes: Outland dig sites unlock at 200. Travel via Shattrath portals. Fragments grant skill points up to 300, but taper off near the cap.

300–375: Northrend

• Trainer: Learn Artisan Archaeology at 300.

• Dig Sites: Focus on Northrend (e.g., Borean Tundra, Howling Fjord). Races: Nerubian, Vrykul.

• Strategy:

  • Survey 6 times per dig site (6–9 skill points).

  • Solve Nerubian and Vrykul artifacts. Use Nerubian Obelisk or Vrykul Rune Stick keystones.

  • Complete ~15 dig sites and ~20 artifacts.

• Notes: Northrend sites unlock at 300. Use Dalaran portals for quick travel. Stop solving artifacts at 374 to save fragments for 375.

375–525: Cataclysm Zones

• Trainer: Learn Master Archaeology at 375 and Illustrious Archaeology at 450.

• Dig Sites: Focus on Cataclysm zones (e.g., Uldum, Twilight Highlands). Races: Tol’vir, Night Elf, Troll, Fossil.

• Strategy:

  • Prioritize Uldum for Tol’vir dig sites (e.g., River Delta Digsite) as they’re compact and yield rare rewards like Crawling Claw.

  • Survey 6 times per site (6–9 skill points).

  • Solve Tol’vir artifacts with Tol’vir Hieroglyphic keystones. Supplement with Night Elf or Troll artifacts.

  • Aim for ~30 dig sites and ~40 artifacts.

• Notes: Tol’vir sites are rare but efficient. Use Orgrimmar/Stormwind portals to reach Cataclysm zones. At 500, fragments from non-Pandaria sites give fewer skill points.

525–600: Pandaria

• Trainer: Learn Zen Master Archaeology from Brann Bronzebeard at the Seat of Knowledge (Mogu’shan Palace, Vale of Eternal Blossoms).

• Dig Sites: Focus on Pandaria (e.g., Jade Forest, Krasarang Wilds). Races: Pandaren, Mogu, Mantid (Mantid sites unlock at higher skill, ~550).

• Strategy:

  • Survey 6 times per dig site (6–9 skill points).

  • Solve Pandaren and Mogu artifacts (5–10 fragments, 1 skill point; rares give 5). Use Pandaren Pottery Shard or Mogu Statue Piece keystones.

  • Watch for Ancient Haunt (Sha mob) spawns after surveys; kill for extra fragments.

  • Turn common artifacts into Restored Artifacts (right-click). Trade with Brann for crates of non-Pandaria fragments if needed (e.g., Crate of Tol’vir Archaeology Fragments).

  • At 575–600, focus on Pristine artifacts (e.g., Pristine Terracotta Arm) for display at the Seat of Knowledge and extra keystones. Craft Darkmoon Card of Mists if Inscription is available.

  • Aim for ~15 dig sites and ~20 artifacts.

• Notes:

  • Pandaria dig sites unlock at 525. Use flying (level 90) for efficiency.

  • Green Tea Leaf nodes in Pandaria may yield Pandaren Archaeology Fragments.

  • At 600, purchase Lorewalker’s Map or Lorewalker’s Lodestone (requires Lorewalkers Exalted) from Brann for faster dig site navigation.

  • Expect 2–3 hours for 525–600 with flying.

Additional Notes

• Rewards: Notable rares include Fossilized Raptor (Fossil, mount), Zin’rokh, Destroyer of Worlds (Troll, weapon), Quilen Statuette (Mogu, pet), and Spear of Xuen (Pandaren, weapon). Check Wowhead Archaeology Rewards for full list.

• Pristine Artifacts: In Pandaria, pristine solves (random chance) create displayable items at the Seat of Knowledge, granting Pandaria Collector achievement.

• Achievements: Earn Professor title at 600. Complete race-specific achievements (e.g., Pandaria Collector) for lore and rewards.

• Gold Savings: Use Restored Artifacts to buy fragment crates for rare solves (e.g., Tol’vir for Crawling Claw) instead of farming old zones.

• Time Estimate: ~20–30 hours total (faster with flying). Pandaria (525–600) takes ~2–3 hours.

• Sources: Adapted from WoW-Professions Archaeology Guide and Wowhead MoP Archaeology Changes.

Congratulations on reaching Archaeology 600! For more profession guides, visit WoW-Professions.

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