Glyph

For the faction reward augment items of previously the same name, see Arcanum. For other glyph items, see Glyph (disambiguation).

Glyphs are spell and ability enhancements that add cosmetic effects or minor enhancements, created by scribes. Glyphs are color-coded to the class for which they are meant.

Glyphs can be removed any time outside of combat using  [Vanishing Powder] and can be used from level 25.

Class books

With the removal of the old glyph system in Patch 7.0.3, a number of what were previously minor glyphs are now available as books and toys. They are all sold for 50 each or found as drops.

Death knight

•  [Necrophile Tome: Corpse Exploder] - teaches [Corpse Exploder]

Druid

•  [Nature's Beacon]
•  [Tome of the Wilds: Charm Woodland Creature]
•  [Tome of the Wilds: Flap]
•  [Tome of the Wilds: Mount Form]
•  [Tome of the Wilds: Track Beasts]
•  [Tome of the Wilds: Treant Form]

Hunter

•  [Fireworks Instruction Manual]
•  [Hunter's Call]
•  [Pet Training Manual: Fetch]
•  [Pet Training Manual: Play Dead]
•  [The Art of Concealment]

Mage

•  [Dalaran Initiates' Pin]
•  [Familiar Stone]
•  [Mystical Tome: Arcane Linguist]
•  [Mystical Tome: Illusion]
•  [Tome of Polymorph: Monkey]
•  [Tome of Polymorph: Polar Bear Cub]
•  [Tome of Polymorph: Porcupine]

Monk

•  [Meditation Manual: Zen Flight]

Paladin

•  [Divine Tome: Contemplation]

Priest

•  [Scarlet Confessional Book]
•  [Thaumaturgist's Orb]

Rogue

•  [Dirty Tricks, Vol 1: Detection]

Shaman

•  [Raging Elemental Stone]
•  [Tadpole Cloudseeder]
•  [Tome of Hex: Cockroach]
•  [Tome of Hex: Compy]
•  [Vol'jin's Serpent Totem]
•  [Waterspeaker's Totem]

Old types

Glyphs mostly give convenient or cosmetic improvements, such as changing the visual effect of a spell, or give an additional effect. However, some have more substantial effects, improving or altering important abilities in a number of ways.

Examples:

• Changes the graphics of a spell:  [Glyph of the Heavens],  [Glyph of Evaporation]
• Gives an additional effect to a spell:  [Glyph of Disguise],  [Glyph of Lingering Ancestors]

Minor glyphs

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 7.0.3.

Minor glyphs mostly give convenient or cosmetic improvements, such as changing the visual effect of a spell, or granting a new ability that is purely for entertainment purposes. However, some have more substantial effects, improving or altering important abilities in a number of ways.

Examples:

• Changes the graphics of a spell:  [Glyph of Condensation],  [Glyph of Evaporation]
• Increases the effectiveness of a spell, but only in a minor way or with a trade-off:  [Glyph of Aquatic Form]
• Grants a new ability:  [Glyph of Corpse Explosion],  [Glyph of Fetch]

Major glyphs

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 7.0.3.

Major glyphs feature spell changes that may increase the damage, or another feature of the spell. Some of these glyphs have trade-offs, for example increasing direct damage but removing a DoT effect of the spell.

Major glyphs were removed in patch 7.0.3.

Prime glyphs

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 5.0.4.

Prime glyphs were effective in combat, and generally increased the healing or damage of an ability. They were generally the most potent and important of the glyphs.

Examples:

• Increased the healing done by an ability:  [Glyph of Earth Shield],  [Glyph of Renew].
• Increased the damage done by an ability:  [Glyph of Steady Shot],  [Glyph of Arcane Barrage].
• Added an additional effect to your ability:  [Glyph of Shadowburn],  [Glyph of Howling Blast].

Prime glyphs were removed in patch 5.0.4.

Class Design & Balance Q&A | 2011-11-09 00:00 |  Celestalon

We're not happy with how Prime glyphs have worked out, and are considering removing them. Don't worry, scribes, if we do this sort of change, we'll keep you heavily in mind; we don't intend to 'nerf' Inscription in any way with this potential change.

Applying glyphs

To apply a glyph, a player use the glyph, which automatically opens the spellbook. The ability or spell related to the glyph will light up, allowing the glyph to be applied. Once a glyph has been applied, it will show with a purple arrow in the upper right corner.

Class glyphs lists

Lists of the glyphs available to each class can be found on their own pages:

Death knight glyphs	Paladin glyphs
Demon hunter glyphs	Priest glyphs
Druid glyphs	Rogue glyphs
Hunter glyphs	Shaman glyphs
Mage glyphs	Warlock glyphs
Monk glyphs	Warrior glyphs

History

Initially, there would be additional glyphs known as "ancient glyphs", added with the Path of the Titans system. When Path of the Titans was canceled, the glyph system was changed to three tiers - Major, Medium and Minor. In patch 4.0.1 this was changed to Prime, Major and Minor. Patch 5.0.4 removed Prime glyphs, and added many new Major and Minor glyphs.

Images

• 

  The Glyphs tab in patch 6.0.2

• 

  Glyph interface in patch 5.0.4

• 

  Pre-5.0.4 interface

• 

  Pre-4.0.1 interface

Patch changes

• Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19):
  • Major glyphs removed. Runes giving temporary buffs are taking their place.
  • Minor glyphs are no longer constrained by a maximum number of slots.
  • Glyph interface removed, now is functioned through the Spellbook & Abilities.
    
• Patch 6.0.2 (2014-10-14):
  • Exclusive categories have been added for some glyphs. Other glyphs from the same category cannot be applied at the same time.
  • Some glyphs are now exclusive to a specialization.
  • All classes now learn some of their Major Glyphs as they level. Recipes for these Glyphs have been removed.
    
• Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): Major overhaul of the glyph system; All Prime Glyphs were replaced or converted to Major Glyphs.
  
• Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): Added Prime Glyphs and Glyph slots. The minimum level requirement to use glyphs is 25. You will unlock a Prime Glyph slot, a Major Glyph slot and a Minor Glyph slot at level 25, 50 and 75. Removed glyphs have been replaced by the item  [Charred Glyph] in-game.
  
• Patch 3.1.0 (2009-04-14): Glyph interface moved from the spellbook window to the talent window.
  
• Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Added.
  

External links

Wowhead