For the first time in 18 years, World of Warcraft is updating the icons for the major crafting and gathering professions. The brand-new icons will be implemented alongside World of Warcraft: Dragonflight’s overhaul of the profession system.
When World of Warcraft: Dragonflight was first announced, it confirmed big changes were coming to professions, including work orders, cosmetic equipment, and specializations. Now, it seems World of Warcraft’s professions are also getting some shiny new icons as well.
Each of the 11 primary professions, as well as two secondary ones, has received the new icons. While the old icons were drawn mostly from tooltip icons from Warcraft 3, the new profession icons are gorgeous, simple, and unique to the professions themselves. The new icons will look excellent alongside Dragonflight’s sleek new user interface update.
Unfortunately, Archaeology–a gathering profession introduced in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm–does not seem to have received a new icon. Likewise, the pseudo-professions Lockpicking, Riding, or Runeforging have not received new icons yet, though they could in the future.
Many fans are impressed with the new World of Warcraft profession icons. While it may take a little bit to get used to them, the new icons are clear and obvious as to what they are supposed to be. Some of the old icons–especially for professions like Herbalism and Enchanting–were harder for newer players to recognize, while other professions shared their icons with other items and abilities. The new icons will ultimately provide more clarity for World of Warcraft players.
Of course, many players are disappointed Archaeology seems to have been left out of the new icon update. The lore-hunting profession has been gathering dust since Battle for Azeroth, and it will not be featured in Dragonflight, despite the explorative and archeological focus of the expansion. Considering the theme of the expansion, Archaeology could have provided awesome opportunities to dig up ancient dragon lore and acquire special items relevant to the Dragon Isles. Sadly, World of Warcraft has already confirmed it had no plans for Archaeology in the immediate future.
That said, there is still plenty for World of Warcraft lore lovers to look forward to. In addition to the new expansion and its profession overhaul, World of Warcraft recently announced The Dragonflight Codex, a new lore book that will explore the creatures, locations, and lore of the Dragon Isles in even more depth. Players can expect The Dragonflight Codex to hit shelves on July 11, 2023.
World of Warcraft is available now for PC. Dragonflight launches on November 28.
Source: Wowhead