WoW Inscription Leveling Guide 1-600

With Inscription you can make glyphs to use or sell and give yourself some sweet shoulder enchants. With Mists of Pandaria Inscription you can now also make some ilvl 476 staffs that are awesome and bind to your account. There’s one catch, Inscription uses Herbalism supplies, which means you’re either going to have to farm with Herbalism 🙁 or buy your stuff off the Auction House. I hope you choose the later of the two and use this Helpful Guide.

This Inscription Leveling Guide is updated for patch 5.0.5 and Mists of Pandaria.

While leveling Inscription with this guide, you will make Glyphs with Inks & Parchment. The ink comes from milling (another Inscription skill) through herbs (more info in below in this guide). This Inscription Leveling Guide will tell you step-by-step the best way of leveling Inscription with the least gold.

What’s in this leveling guide:

Milling

Milling gives you 2-3 Pigments per 5 herbs, so all my estimates for leveling in this guide are based on that figure. For reference, here are the herbs and associated Pigments:

  • [Alabaster Pigment] level 1-10 herbs: Bloodthistle, Peacebloom, Silverleaf and Earthroot
  • [Dusky Pigment] level 10-20 herbs: Briarthorn, Swiftthistle, Bruiseweed, Stranglekelp and Mageroyal
  • [Golden Pigment] level 20-30 herbs: Wild Steelbloom, Grave Moss, Kingsblood, and Liferoot
  • [Emerald Pigment] level 30-40 herbs: Fadeleaf, Goldthorn, Khadgar’s Whiskers, and Wintersbite
  • [Violet Pigment] level 40-50 herbs: Firebloom, Purple Lotus, Arthas’ Tears, Sungrass, Blindweed, Ghost Mushroom, and Gromsblood
  • [Silvery Pigment] level 50-60 herbs: Golden Sansam, Dreamfoil, Mountain Silversage, Plaguebloom, and Icecap
  • [Nether Pigment] level 60-70 herbs: Felweed, Ancient Lichen, Dreaming Glory, Mana Thistle, Netherbloom, Nightmare Vine, Ragveil, and Terocone
  • [Azure Pigment] level 70-80 herbs: All Northrend Herbs. Goldclover, Tiger Lily, Adder’s Tongue, Fire Leaf, Icethorn and Lichbloom.
  • [Ashen Pigment] level 80-85 herbs: All Cataclysm Herbs. Cinderbloom, Stormvine, Azshara’s Veil, Heartblossom, Twilight Jasmine, and Whiptail.
  • [Shadow Pigment] level 85-90 herbs: All Mists of Pandaria Herbs. Green Tea Leaf, Silkweed, Snow Lily, Fool’s Cap, Desecrated Herb, Golden Lotus.

Leveling Inscription

While you use this guide leveling Inscription you should craft the widest variety of Glyphs possible and sell them for gold or share with your friends. So when this guide suggests a specific Glyph, there might be several Glyphs that require the same materials and have the same chance of leveling Inscription, craft whichever you or your friends need the most.

Estimated Herb List

The following numbers are rough estimates for leveling Inscription all the way to 450 with this guide.

  • Inscription levels 1-75: 6-7 stacks of level 1-10 herbs ie) Silverleaf
  • Inscription levels 75-100: 4-5 stacks of level 10-20 herbs ie) Bruiseweed
  • Inscription levels 100-150: 8-9 stacks of level 20-30 herbs ie) Kingsblood
  • Inscription levels 150-200: 9-10 stacks of level 30-40 herbs ie) Fadeleaf
  • Inscription levels 200-250: 12-13 stacks of level 40-50 herbs ie) Sungrass
  • Inscription levels 250-300: 7-8 stacks of level 50-60 herbs ie) Dreamfoil
  • Inscription levels 300-350: 9-10 stacks of level 60-70 herbs ie) Felweed
  • Inscription levels 350-425: 24-26 stacks of level 70-80 herbs ie) Goldclover
  • Inscription levels 425-525: 50-70 stacks of level 80-85 herbs ie) Heartblossom
  • Inscription levels 525-600: 140-160 stacks of level 80-85 herbs ie) Green Tea Leaf

Apprentice Inscription (Leveling guide: 1-75)

For this part of the leveling guide you’ll only need the recipes from the Inscription trainers in the big cities (Stormwind, Undercity, etc) From level 1-75 you are going to need 60 Alabaster Pigment, which can be milled from about 6-7 stacks of Silverleaf (or any other lvl 1-10 herb.) Don’t waste your time gathering these herbs yourself, just spend the gold on the Auction House. If you need gold check out this guide for tricks on how to earn it.

 

Level
Item
Mats
1-17
18 Ivory Ink
18 Alabaster Pigment
17-35
18 Scroll of Intellect
18 Ivory Ink, 18 Light Parchment
You can make Intellect, Spirit or Stamina scrolls.
35-54
21 Moonglow Ink
42 Alabaster Pigment
54-75
21 Enchanting Vellum
21 Moonglow Ink, 42 Light Parchment
Minor Inscription Research becomes available at level 75 (20 hour cooldown).

 

Journeyman Inscription (Leveling guide: 75-150)

For the next step of this leveling guide you’ll need 21 Midnight Ink (42 Dusky Pigment) to get to level 100 and 45 Lion’s Ink (90 Golden Pigment) to finish leveling to 150. You can mill these pigments from 4-5 stacks of Bruiseweed and 8-9 stacks of Kingsblood (see the pigment list above for alternative herbs) This will start costing some serious gold so you should read this guide before you waste time.

Level
Item
Mats
75-80
21 Midnight Ink
42 Dusky Pigment
80-101
7 Glyphs
21 Midnight Ink, 7 Light Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.
101-105
39 Lion’s Ink
78 Golden Pigment
105-126
7 Glyphs
21 Lion’s Ink, 7 Common Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.
126-129
3-5 Dawnstar Ink
12-20 Burnt Pigment
Do not go past level 129. If you don’t have enough Burnt Pigment, you can continue crafting Glyphs but the numbers will be off below.
129-147
6 Glyphs
18 Lion’s Ink, 6 Common Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.
147-150
3 Strange Tarot
6 Dawnstar Ink, 3 Common Parchment

 

Expert Inscription (Leveling guide: 150-200)

For this part of the leveling guide, you will need to make about 42 Jadefire Ink (84 Emerald Pigment), which will require milling through 9-10 stacks of level 30-40 herbs (ie Fadeleaf). If you are running out of gold buying all your mats on the Auction House take a look at this gold guide.

Level
Item
Mats
150-155
42 Jadefire Ink
84 Emerald Pigment
155-197
14 Glyphs
42 Jadefire Ink, 14 Common Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.
197-200
3 Arcane Tarot
6 Royal Ink, 3 Common Parchment

 

Expert & Artisan Inscription (Leveling guide: 200-250)

To keep leveling to 250 with this guide, you’ll need 60 Celestial Ink. This will take 120 Violet Pigment which you should get by milling through 12-13 stacks of level 40-50 herbs (ie Sungrass). Sungrass isn’t cheap, and neither are any of the other herbs while leveling through the 200s. You’re going to need to learn how to farm gold or this step and the steps to come are going to be painful.

Level
Item
Mats
200-205
60 Celestial Ink
120 Violet Pigment
205-247
14 Glyphs
42 Celestial Ink, 14 Heavy Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.
247-250
3-6 Yellow Glyphs
9-18 Celestial Ink, 3-5 Heavy Parchment

 

Artisan Inscription (Leveling guide: 250-300)

You’ll use Shimmering ink until level 300; you will need 35 which will take 70 Silvery Pigment milled from 7-8 stacks of level 50-60 herbs (ie Dreamfoil) to continue leveling to 300. This is another expensive step, even if there are enough herbs on the Auction House you’re going to get gouged gold. The best way to make the gold you need to buy these herbs is to learn how to farm gold and stop wasting time.

Level
Item
Mats
250-255
35 Shimmering Ink
70 Silvery Pigment
255-260
5 Scroll of Spirit
5 Shimmering Ink, 10 Heavy Parchment
260-290
10 Glyphs
30 Shimmering Ink, 10 Heavy Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.

 

Master Inscription (Leveling guide: 290-350)

Leveling to 350 with this guide will take 90 Nether Pigment which will require milling through 9-10 stacks level 60-70 herbs (ie Felweed) to make the 45 Ethereal Ink you need for levels 300 to 350. Felweed has is relatively cheap on most servers so you should be able to get the majority of your milling done with Felweed. The other herbs are going to be more expensive. I’m not kidding, if you haven’t read this guide about how to farm the gold you need fast, you’re only hurting yourself.

Level
Item
Mats
290-305
45 Ethereal Ink
90 Nether Pigment
305-350
15 Glyphs
45 Ethereal Ink, 15 Resilient Parchment
Craft Glyphs that are orange in your spell book. Each of these will grant you 3 level ups. If you run out of orange Glyphs to craft revisit the trainer.

 

Grand Master Inscription (Leveling guide: 350-425)

For this leveling guide you will need 125 Ink of the Sea to reach level 425, which will require 250 Azure Pigment. You’ll need to mill through at least 24-26 stacks of Northrend herbs. This comes down to having a lot of gold. Some of it you will get back, but not all of it. Read this guide to learn the best ways to make that gold back with Inscription.

Level
Item
Mats
350-355
125 Ink of the Sea
250 Azure Pigment
355-360
5 Scroll of Spirit VII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
360-365
5 Scroll of Intellect VII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
365-370
5 Scroll of Strength VII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
370-375
5 Scroll of Agility VII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
375-380
15-20 Snowfall Ink
30-40 Icy Pigment
If you do not have enough Icy Pigment to reach 380 that’s fine, skip this step and move on to the next. Otherwise, keep the Snowfall Ink to do Northrend Research later.
380-385
5-7 Glyph of Ice Lance
5-7 Ink of the Sea, 5-7 Resilient Parchment
Any of the available yellow glyphs will work for this step.
385-386
Northrend Inscription Research
3 Ink of the Sea, 1 Snowfall Ink
You should do this once a day, it doesn’t turn gray until level 450, green at 437 and yellow at 425. Do it once for now, it will teach you the glyph you will make from 386 to 400.
386-400
15-25 Glyphs
45-75 Ink of the Sea
Create which ever orange glyphs are available to you. You should have at least 1 of them from the previous step. It will turn yellow at 392 and green at 397.
400-405
5 Scroll of Stamina VIII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
405-410
5 Scroll of Spirit VIII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
410-415
5 Scroll of Intellect VIII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
415-420
5 Scroll of Strength VIII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment
420-425
5 Scroll of Agility VIII
5 Ink of the Sea, 10 Resilient Parchment

 

Illustrious Inscription (Leveling guide: 425-525)

In order to reach 525 Inscription you will need a lot of Inferno Ink which will require you to mill tons of level 80-85 herbs. Estimates range from 50-70 stacks of these herbs. You’re going to need a lot of gold, if you need gold check out this guide for tricks on how to earn it.

 

Level
Item
Mats
425-445
Blackfallow Ink
2 Ashen Pigment per attempt
If you end up not making enough ink to complete the next steps, continue to make the ink until 450.
445-450
Scroll of Intellect IX
5 Blackfallow Ink, 10 Resilient Parchment
450-455
5 Scroll of Protection IX
5 Blackfallow Ink, 10 Resilient Parchment
455-460
5 Scroll of Spirit IX
5 Blackfallow Ink, 10 Resilient Parchment
460-465
5 Scroll of Stamina IX
5 Blackfallow Ink, 10 Resilient Parchment
You might also want to make Adventurer’s Journal from 460-475 or higher.
465-470
5 Scroll of Strength IX
5 Blackfallow Ink, 10 Resilient Parchment
470-475
5 Scroll of Agility IX
5 Blackfallow Ink, 10 Resilient Parchment
475-485
Inferno Ink
2 Burners Embers per attempt
If you do not have enough Burning Embers, you can make Dust of Disappearance with Blackfallow Ink
485-490
Dust of Disappearance
2 Blackfallow Ink per attempt
490-500
2 Manual of the Planes
20 Resilient Parchment, 4 Inferno Ink, 4 Volatile Water, 4 Volatile Air, 4 Volatile Earth and 4 Volatile Fire
500-505
5 Runescroll of Fortitude II
25 Inferno Ink, 25 Resilient Parchment
You can also create Forged Documents, one per day, to make this a little cheaper.
505-511
2 Runed Dragonscale
16 Inferno Ink, 48 Volatile Life, 12 Volatile Fire and 2 Deathwing Scale Fragment
You will need to find 2 Deathwing Scale Fragments, these are sold by limited supply vendors but may be on the auction house.
511-520
3 Dugeoneering Guide
24 Inferno Ink, 73 Volatile Life, 18 Volatile Water, 30 Resilient Parchment
520-525
1 Tattooed Eyeball
12 Inferno Ink, 36 Volatile Life, 12 Volatile Water and 1 Preserved Ogre Eye
The Preserved Ogre Eye is sold by the limited supply vendor in Twilight Highlands

 

Zen Master Inscription (Leveling guide: 525-600)

To reach 600 Inscription you will need a lot of Ink of Dreams which will require you to mill tons of level 85-90 herbs. Estimates range from 160 stacks of these herbs give or take. You’re going to need a lot of gold, if you need gold check out this guide for tricks on how to earn it.

 

Level
Item
Mats
525-540
Ink of Dreams
2 Shadow Pigment per attempt
If you end up not making enough ink to complete the next steps, continue to make the ink until you have enough to finish.
540-540
Scroll of Wisdom
3 Ink of Dreams
Save this item it is very valuable and can only be made once per day and when making it you discover a new Glyph recipe.
541-595
18 of any glyph that gives you 3 skill points
3 Ink of dreamsper attempt, 1 Light Parchment
Be sure to grab yourself a stack of 50 or so of Light parchment to complete this entire evolution .
595-600
3 BOP Shoulder enchantments
3 Ink of dreamsper attempt, 1 Light Parchment
You can just keep these for yourself as you upgrade your gear.

 

Congrats! I hope you enjoyed this Inscription Leveling Guide! For ways to make gold with Inscription, check out this highly acclaimed gold guide.

If you see something wrong or have feedback for this guide send an email to: webmaster[at]almostgaming.com

1 thought on “WoW Inscription Leveling Guide 1-600

  1. This guide is wrong, no offense. When you get to cataclysm herb, you do NOT need as many stacks as it says. Do NOT be foolish and go blindly buying up stacks of herb in the AH to hit this quota that the guide mentions. I did, and I ended up with almost 20-30 stacks of herb that i had to repost, along with about 200 bolackfollow ink that I’m still holding on to. Same goes for the stacks of Mists herbs! I mean, the requirement of herbs needed to be milled down for pigment is DRASTICALLY lower.

    Just Take it one stack at time.. or a few at a time. For some reason when you get to the Cataclysm herbs you end up getting glyphs for Monks that use the Northrend pigments and you use up your surplus of old pigment for new skill points. weird right?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.