Note: This entry is written for players who are in the Outland, Level 65 and above and are hoping to one day find a raiding guild. At a lower level Tailoring is useful, yes, but to a different degree and for different reasons.
I now have three toons that are above level 60: Hunter, Mage and Warrior.
My Hunter isn't destined for great things - she's got 300 riding and a Netherwing to flit around on but her equipment is pretty crappy and because she's an Enchanter and an Herbalist, there's not a lot she can do about it herself.
My Warrior has always been a Miner/Blacksmith and while I've pondered dropping Blacksmithing because of its cost and slow progression, I've kept it on and am needing Adamantite to progress the skill further but that's not something I can easily collect as a level 61 (and I refuse to spend my cash on AH supplies when I can't even use the equipment I'm crafting now on that toon).
My Mage was an Alchemist/Skinner since his 20's but now is an Alchemist/Tailor because he has recently hit 65 and since he's my "progression toon" I figured I should be getting him ready to wear some crafted gear as I hear it's really good stuff.
Why Tailoring?
One thing I have read repeatedly on the World of Warcraft forums when guildies and guildmasters are talking about gearing up for and within Karazhan is that as it stands, there's very little leather +spelldamage gear and thus Moonkins will be competing directly with Mages and Warlocks and Shadow Priests for cloth drops in places like Kara. Plus, since sometimes +healing is the name of the game and not +armor, a Priest may find themselves in competition with a Paladin, either for primary-role duties or off-spec gear.
Tailoring as a profession has three specialization trees that a Clothie can take up to reduce the competition on drops while improving their character and demonstrating knowledge about how progression happens faster if each individual takes responsibility for their own part in it. Unfortunately, these Tailoring recipes when crafted result in equipment that is Bind on Pickup so only the Tailor that created the item can use it.
Therefore, Mages, Warlocks and Priests are regularly recommended to help themselves in this case by taking up Tailoring and choosing a Specialization tree that works best with their personal needs:
Tailoring Specialization: Mooncloth
This is known as the "healing" specialization tree for Tailoring.
All specialization only have three epic patterns in them, so a number of other pieces will need to be picked up to complete a full set of equipment. These ones are obviously aimed towards Holy Priests - high in Intellect, Spirit and Healing, with two being socketable for further improvements:
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Primal Mooncloth Shoulders
Primal Mooncloth Belt
Binds when picked up
WaistCloth
109 Armor
+12 Intellect
+11 Spirit
Yellow Socket
Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +3 Intellect
Requires Level 70
Requires: Mooncloth Tailoring
Equip: Increases healing done by spells and effects by up to 81.
Equip: Restores 8 mana per 5 sec.
Primal Mooncloth
3 pieces: Allow 5% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.
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Primal Mooncloth Robe
Binds when picked up
Unique
Chest(Robe)Cloth
202 Armor
+20 Intellect
+20 Spirit Yellow Socket Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +3 Intellect
Requires Level 70
Requires: Mooncloth Tailoring
Equip: Increases healing done by spells and effects by up to 121.
Equip: Restores 10 mana per 5 sec.
Primal Mooncloth
3 pieces: Allow 5% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.
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When having selected this specialization, this tailor now gets two Mooncloth from one transmute when making Mooncloth at a moonwell.
Tailoring Specialization: Spellfire
The Wrath of Spellfire set is the result of this specialization tree, with a focus on those who deal Fire and Arcane damage (Warlocks and Mages). All three are epic and all three are socketable for further improvements:
Spellfire Robe
Binds when picked up
Chest(Robe)Cloth
178 Armor
+17 Intellect Yellow Socket Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +4 Stamina
Requires Level 70
Requires: Spellfire Tailoring
Equip: Increases damage done by Fire spells and effects by up to 72.
Equip: Increases damage done by Arcane spells and effects by up to 72.
Equip: Improves spell critical strike rating by 28.
Wrath of Spellfire
3 pieces: Increases spell damage by up to 7% of your total Intellect.
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Spellfire Gloves
Binds when picked up
HandsCloth
111 Armor
+10 Intellect Yellow Socket Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +4 Stamina
Requires Level 70
Requires: Spellfire Tailoring
Equip: Increases damage done by Fire spells and effects by up to 50.
Equip: Increases damage done by Arcane spells and effects by up to 50.
Equip: Improves spell critical strike rating by 23.
Wrath of Spellfire
3 pieces: Increases spell damage by up to 7% of your total Intellect.
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Spellfire Belt
Binds when picked up
WaistCloth
100 Armor
+18 Intellect Yellow Socket Blue Socket
Socket Bonus: +4 Stamina
Requires Level 70
Requires: Spellfire Tailoring
Equip: Increases damage done by Fire spells and effects by up to 50.
Equip: Increases damage done by Arcane spells and effects by up to 50.
Equip: Improves spell critical strike rating by 18.
Wrath of Spellfire
3 pieces: Increases spell damage by up to 7% of your total Intellect.
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Spellcloth
Trade Goods
Item display is courtesy world of warcraft.allakhazam.com. ',VAUTO,HAUTO,FULLHTML);" onmouseout="return nd();">Spellcloth is what is used as a base component of all of these patterns, and it can be transmuted by a Tailor who is anywhere in Netherstorm, and just like the previous specialization, a transmute by a Spellfire Tailor will yield two Spellcloth
Trade Goods
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Tailoring Specialization: Shadowweave
The Shadow's Embrace set is the one for those who dedicate themselves to using Shadow and Frost damages as their major types - Mages, Warlocks and Shadow Priests. The three epic pieces improve Intellect, Stamina and +Damage to both Frost and Shadow, plus all are socketable for further improvements:
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In order to make Shadowcloth
Trade Goods
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Trade Goods
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Tailoring Specialization Can Take Place When?
I wandered down to Lower City to where the Allakhazam was busy or this item does not exist. Click to search again. ',VAUTO,HAUTO,FULLHTML);" onmouseout="return nd();">Mana Loom was in order to make my first few Bolt of Imbued Netherweave
Trade Goods
Item display is courtesy world of warcraft.allakhazam.com. ',VAUTO,HAUTO,FULLHTML);" onmouseout="return nd();">Bolt of Imbued Netherweave at level 64 and found that I could pick up any of the Tailoring Specialization quests immediately at that point.
I decided to go with Shadowweave tailoring after poking around at my options and looking at the epic recipes for each specialization, but the only problem was that it wanted me to venture into a part of Shadowmoon Valley that I'd probably do a LOT better in around level 67 or 68 unless I find an escort.
Now that I've hit 65 and picked up Arcane Blast, however (or was that 64?) - I'm wondering if I shouldn't consider re-spec'ing and going for the Wrath of Spellfire set. My preliminary research has shown that getting materials to make the Spellcloth might be difficult without having a Karazhan group to join, however...
So... I'll level up to 67 before I think too much more about it. Any way I go, I'm likely going to be heading into 68+ zones to specialize, and I can't get Primal Nethers until I'm closer to 70 nor can I wear the epic equipment until then anyway...
Stay tuned to find out what direction this (currently Frost/Arcane) Casual Mage is going to head (suggestions welcome!)