- Were you looking for the type of armor augments known as Inscriptions or the class lore from the RPG Inscriber?
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Inscription (Profession) |
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Ingredients •  [Milling] • Quests • Techniques • Trainers • Glyphs • Equipment
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Inscription is a profession that allows players to create glyphs, scrolls, and enchantments, as well as various items such as Darkmoon Cards and off-hand tomes. Inscription includes a pseudo-"gathering" skill, [Milling], allowing scribes to create base materials from herbs in a similar way to Enchanting's 
[Disenchant] and Jewelcrafting's 
[Prospecting].
All Nightborne players benefit from a +5 racial bonus to their Inscription skill via the 
[Ancient History] racial ability.
Official overview[]
Scribes weave words of power into glyphs that can improve heroes' skills and abilities, and add special effects not possible by normal means. By transferring their powers into ink, scribes can also create consumable scrolls, mystic tomes, and pieces of vellum that allow enchantments to be passed between adventurers. Like Enchanting, Inscription can help veteran adventurers further improve themselves - but inscriptions focus on augmenting class powers, not equipment.
Scribes need pigments, milled from herbs, to create their glyphs - hence, Inscription is often paired with the gathering profession Herbalism. Scribes also require inking sets in order to write their words of power.[1]
Training as a scribe[]
Inscription is taught by various inscription trainers located throughout the world. Prospective scribes must be level 5. Initial training costs 10
for most techniques, granting the first skill point of 300 in Classic inscription techniques or 75 to 175 in all other inscription techniques. The exception is Draenor inscription techniques which requires purchasing Secret of Draenor Inscription for 80
and being Level 10.
Inscription trainers are available in the first town outside of every starting area, where Classic and Cataclysm recipes can be learned. Trainers for other techniques and their corresponding recipes may be found in areas that were added in their expansions.
The following are the types of techniques available, the skill levels they can reach and the expansions they cover.
| Proficiency | Skill | Expansion(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Classic inscription techniques | 1 - 300 | 
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| Outland inscription techniques | 1- 75 | 
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| Northrend inscription techniques | 1- 75 | 
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| Cataclysm inscription techniques | 1 - 75 | 
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| Pandaria inscription techniques | 1 - 75 | 
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| Draenor inscription techniques | 1 - 100 | 
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| Legion inscription techniques | 1 - 100 | 
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| BFA inscription techniques | 1 - 175 | 
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| Shadowlands inscription techniques | 1 - 100 | 
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| Dragonflight inscription techniques | 1 - 100 | 
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Items produced[]
Inscription requires a 
[Virtuoso Inking Set], sold by Inscription vendors near most of the trainers. Many recipes also require 
[Light Parchment], which is only available from trade goods, Engineering, and Inscription supplies vendors.
Tools and accessories[]
The Virtuoso Inking Set may be replaced with either a 
[Scribe's Fastened Quill] or a [Scribe's Resplendent Quill]. Additional accessories can be crafted by a Jewelcrafter.
Basic materials[]
- Main article: Inscription ingredients
Base crafting materials are obtained from milling herbs. This creates various pigments, which are in turn used to create inks. Glyphs and scrolls are created from common inks, while tomes and Darkmoon cards require both common and uncommon inks.
Glyphs[]
- Main article: Glyph
The "meat and potatoes" of Inscription, glyphs comprise the majority of its recipes. Each glyph provides a modification to a specific class ability.
Each glyph requires common ink and a parchment to create. Most glyphs require one ink, while some glyphs require two inks. Glyphs stack to 20 and are not bound, so they can be traded or sold. Each glyph icon is color-coded to match the class it can be used by. Glyphs are learned from trainers and recipe drops called techniques, or discovered through research.
The following research can be performed or scrolls/books can be used at the indicated Inscription skill level:
[Research: Moonglow Ink] - Classic 25- [Research: Midnight Ink] - Classic 75
- [Research: Lion's Ink] - Classic 100
- [Research: Jadefire Ink] - Classic 150
- [Research: Celestial Ink] - Classic 200
- [Research: Shimmering Ink] - Classic 250
- [Research: Ethereal Ink] - Outland 1
- [Research: Ink of the Sea] - Northrend 1
- [Book of Glyph Mastery] - Northrend 1
- [Research: Blackfallow Ink] - Cataclysm 1
- [Research: Ink of Dreams] - Pandaria 1
- [Scroll of Wisdom] - Pandaria 1
- [Research: Warbinder's Ink] - Draenor 1
- [Secret of Draenor Inscription] - Draenor 1
- [Scribe's Research Notes] - Draenor 1
Darkmoon cards[]
Scribes are able to create various Darkmoon cards, which players can combine into decks and turn in to Darkmoon Faire NPCs for various equipment rewards. These cards include higher-level cards which were previously only obtained from mob drops, and new lower level cards. High level decks can only be turned in when the faire is in town, but lower level ones can be used to summon an NPC at any time, in any location. All the cards, decks and rewards are tradable.
Enchantment vellums[]
Scribes could once create various vellums that could hold varying levels of armor or weapon enchantments, but instead now simply make one type of vellum, 
[Enchanting Vellum]. They do not bind and can be sold or traded to enchanters, who can then sell enchanted scrolls on the Auction House or can mail them. As of patch 4.0.3a, Enchanting Vellum is now sold by Enchanting vendors.
Off-hand tomes[]
Scribes are able to produce several BoE off hand tomes. Each requires a fairly hefty amount of raw materials. Players should be aware that wielding an off hand item precludes the use of shields, dual wielding, or two-handed weapons.
| Tome | Level | Inscription |
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 [Mystic Tome] |
15 | 85 |
 [Tome of the Dawn] |
20 | 125 |
 [Book of Survival] |
20 | 125 |
| [Tome of Kings] |
30 | 175 |
 [Royal Guide of Escape Routes] |
30 | 175 |
 [Book of Stars] |
40 | 225 |
 [Fire Eater's Guide] |
40 | 225 |
 [Manual of Clouds] |
50 | 275 |
| [Stormbound Tome] |
50 | 275 |
| [Hellfire Tome] |
60 | 325 |
| [Book of Clever Tricks] |
60 | 325 |
| [Twilight Tome] |
70 | 350 |
| [Rituals of the New Moon] |
70 | 350 |
| [Faces of Doom] |
77 | 400 |
| [Iron-Bound Tome] |
77 | 400 |
| [Book of Blood] |
81 | 475 |
| [Lord Rottington's Pressed Wisp Book] |
81 | 475 |
 [Battle Tome] |
85 | 510 |
 [Divine Companion] |
85 | 510 |
 [Dungeoneering Guide] |
85 | 510 |
 [Inscribed Fan] |
86 | 560 |
 [Inscribed Red Fan] |
90 | 560 |
| [Inscribed Jade Fan] |
90 | 560 |
 [Shadowtome] |
91 | 1 |
Weapons[]
| Weapon | Level | Inscription |
|---|---|---|
 [Key to the Planes] |
81 | 480 |
 [Runed Staff] |
81 | 505 |
| [Silver Inlaid Staff] |
85 | 515 |
 [Rosethorn Staff] |
85 | 515 |
 [Rain Poppy Staff] |
85 | 560 |
 [Ghost Iron Staff] |
85 | 560 |
 [Inscribed Crane Staff] |
90 | 560 |
 [Inscribed Serpent Staff] |
90 | 560 |
 [Inscribed Tiger Staff] |
90 | 560 |
 [Crystalfire Spellstaff] |
91 | 1 |
 [Etched-Blade Warstaff] |
91 | 1 |
 [Warmaster's Firestick] |
91 | 1 |
Trinkets[]
| Weapon | Level | Inscription |
|---|---|---|
 [Crafted Malevolent Gladiator's Medallion of Tenacity] |
90 | 600 |
 [Ocean Tarot] |
91 | 1 |
 [Laughing Tarot] |
95 | 1 |
 [Savage Tarot] |
98 | 1 |
 [Prophecy Tarot] |
101 | 1 |
Shoulder inscriptions[]
Master scribes are able to apply permanent augments to their shoulder items, which causes them to become soulbound.
| Inscription | Stats | Inscription | |
|---|---|---|---|
 [Master's Inscription of the Axe] |
10 Attack Power | 8 Critical Strike | 400 |
 [Master's Inscription of the Crag] |
11 Intellect | 8 Spirit | 400 |
| [Master's Inscription of the Pinnacle] |
8 Dodge | 8 Stamina | 400 |
| [Master's Inscription of the Storm] |
15 Spell Power | 5 Critical Strike | 400 |
| [Felfire Inscription] |
10 Intellect | 5 Haste | 500 |
| [Inscription of the Earth Prince] |
15 Stamina | 5 Dodge | 500 |
| [Lionsmane Inscription] |
10 Strength | 5 Critical Strike | 500 |
| [Swiftsteel Inscription] |
10 Agility | 5 Mastery | 500 |
 [Crane Wing Inscription] |
10 Intellect | 5 Critical Strike | 540 |
| [Tiger Claw Inscription] |
10 Agility | 5 Critical Strike | 540 |
| [Tiger Fang Inscription] |
10 Strength | 5 Critical Strike | 540 |
| [Ox Horn Inscription] |
10 Stamina | 5 Dodge | 540 |
 [Greater Crane Wing Inscription] |
13 Intellect | 5 Critical Strike | 570 |
| [Greater Tiger Claw Inscription] |
13 Agility | 5 Critical Strike | 570 |
| [Greater Tiger Fang Inscription] |
13 Strength | 5 Critical Strike | 570 |
| [Greater Ox Horn Inscription] |
13 Stamina | 5 Dodge | 570 |
| [Secret Crane Wing Inscription] |
17 Intellect | 5 Critical Strike | 575 |
| [Secret Tiger Claw Inscription] |
17 Agility | 5 Critical Strike | 575 |
| [Secret Tiger Fang Inscription] |
17 Strength | 5 Critical Strike | 575 |
| [Secret Ox Horn Inscription] |
17 Stamina | 5 Dodge | 575 |
Crystals and tarots[]
Crystals are used to increase the item level or reroll the stats of Inscription-crafted weapons. Tarots are used to increase the item level of Inscription-crafted trinkets or off-hands.
| Item | Category | Item Level | Level | Inscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 [Volatile Crystal] |
Weapon | +15 up to 675 | 91 | 1 |
 [Weapon Crystal] |
Weapon | Reroll secondary stats of 630+ | 91 | 1 |
 [Mighty Weapon Crystal] |
Weapon | 675->690 | 91 | 1 |
| [Savage Weapon Crystal] |
Weapon | 690->705 | 91 | 1 |
 [Mighty Ensorcelled Tarot] |
Trinket Off-hand |
685->700 675->690 |
91 | 1 |
| [Savage Ensorcelled Tarot] |
Trinket Off-hand |
700->715 690->705 |
91 | 1 |
Vantus runes[]
Vantus runes increase a player's versatility while in a specific dungeon or fighting a specific boss. Legion runes increase versatility by 1,500.
Fortune cards[]
Scribes can also create fortune cards like 
[Mysterious Fortune Card] and 
[Card of Omens]. When used, they turn into a random card that can be sold to a vendor for anywhere between 1 and 6000.
Trivia[]
- Removed in beta, the subskill [Decipher] suggests that once Inscription could have been used on items marked as Encrypted to unlock them, similarly to how lockpicking works on locked items.
Patch changes[]
- Patch 8.0.1 (2018-07-17): Each expansion now has a separate profession skill bar, with smaller caps for each expansion, instead of one gigantic profession skill bar for all expansions put together
- Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Major glyphs, along with many minor glyphs, have been converted or removed from the game.
- This change primarily removed glyphs that altered the way abilities worked or otherwise had an effect on gameplay. For the most part, only cosmetic glyphs remain.
- This change primarily removed glyphs that altered the way abilities worked or otherwise had an effect on gameplay. For the most part, only cosmetic glyphs remain.
- Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): Staves can now be crafted along with new types of off-hands. Prime glyphs and relics have been removed.
- Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): Glyphs are separated into Prime, Major, and Minor categories. They became permanently learned, and do not need to be re-learned once a glyph has been removed with [Vanishing Powder] or [Dust of Disappearance]. Several Glyphs were added and some existing ones were changed.
- Patch 3.3.0 (2009-12-08): Added three new Techniques which are sold by Larana Drome. These teach [Glyph of Rapid Rejuvenation], [Glyph of Quick Decay] and [Glyph of Eternal Water].
- Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04):
- Added a new [Glyph of Claw] for young feral druids who haven't yet obtained Mangle. Scribes can learn this glyph from trainers.
- Master's Inscriptions increased.
- Added a new
- Patch 3.1.0 (2009-04-14):
- Added a recipe to trainers for creating a level 70 superior-quality off-hand item ( [Twilight Tome]).
- Added a recipe for creating a different level 70 superior-quality off-hand item ( [Rituals of the New Moon]). Scribes will find the recipe is dropped from residents of Silverbrook.
- Added around 50 new glyph recipes. These new recipes can be obtained from Books of Glyph Mastery found as world drops on Northrend monsters. Reading (and thereby consuming) a Book of Glyph Mastery randomly discovers one of the newly-added recipes.
- Glyph icons have been updated so it is easy to distinguish between classes.
- Players will now learn 3 recipes the very first time they perform Northrend Inscription Research. This does not apply to players who have already discovered recipes from Northrend Inscription Research.
- Added a recipe to trainers for creating a level 70 superior-quality off-hand item (
- Patch 3.0.8 (2009-01-20):
- Jessica Sellers, a new vendor in the Dalaran Inscription shop, will sell most Inscription inks for the cost of one [Ink of the Sea]. She also sells [Snowfall Ink] for multiple Inks of the Sea.
- A new recipe for [Glyph of Arcane Blast] has been added to Master and Grand Master Inscription trainers.
- Jessica Sellers, a new vendor in the Dalaran Inscription shop, will sell most Inscription inks for the cost of one
- Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): New Profession: Inscription is available to train up to 375. It is available for those who have The Burning Crusade.
References[]
External links[]
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