Hobbies And Interests
Leveling Your Paladin
Your paladin character needs to be at least level five to learn the first rank of the blacksmithing profession. This rank allows you to increase your skill to a maximum of 75. Additional blacksmithing ranks are also limited to characters at or above a specific level. The second rank, available at level 10, allows you to increase your skill to a maximum of 150. At level 20, unlocking the third rank allows you a maximum skill of 225, while the fourth rank, obtainable at level 35, lets you increase your skill to a maximum of 300. Further ranks are available at level 50 for 375 skill, level 65 for 450 skill and level 75 for 525 skill.
Learning New Patterns
Visit a blacksmithing trainer regularly to unlock profession ranks and learn how to craft new items. Blacksmithing trainers are located in all major cities as well as in some other areas, such as each race's starting zone. Additionally, vendors scattered throughout the world sell various blacksmithing patterns. Other patterns can only be found as a random drop from enemies. Check the auction house regularly for any patterns you don't know to complete your collection.
Obtaining Materials
To craft equipment and weapons with blacksmithing, you need various metals, stones, and gems. More rarely, you may also need other items such as leather or cloth. If your second profession is mining, you can easily obtain metals, stones and gems by gathering them from mining nodes throughout the world. You will have to purchase other items through the auction house. If your second profession is not mining, buying materials from the auction house is your only option.
Crafting Items
Increase your skill in blacksmithing through crafting items that are colored orange or yellow in your crafting window. Orange items guarantee a skill increase, while yellow items will grant one occasionally. If you are still leveling your paladin, consider crafting items that will be of some use to you, even if they require a larger amount of materials. If your paladin is already at the maximum level and low-level gear is of no use to you, craft whatever items require the smallest amount of materials.
Obtaining Game Expansions
To increase your paladin's level and your blacksmithing skill beyond certain levels, you will need to purchase "World of Warcraft" expansions. The "Wrath of the Lich King" expansion allows you to level your paladin to 80 and increase your blacksmithing skill to a maximum of 450, while the "Cataclysm" expansion is required to level your paladin to 85 and unlock 525 skill in blacksmithing.