| World of Warcraft characters have a number of | | | | can take the plants gathered and turn them |
| ways they can earn money inside the game. | | | | into potions. Most often, playing a World of |
| Weapons and armor can get rather expensive, | | | | Warcraft account requires a wide variety of |
| and almost everyone with a World of Warcraft | | | | potions, especially those that heal. |
| account finds they need some way to make | | | | Regaining health lost in the middle of a |
| money. One of the most popular ways to do so | | | | dangerous situation can be very important. |
| is with a skill called herbalism. World of | | | | That's not all the potions can do, however. |
| Warcraft characters have several jobs, or | | | | There are potions to increase the World of |
| professions, that they can choose to train in | | | | Warcraft characters speed, give them the |
| order to make money. Cooking is one that | | | | ability to breathe underwater, resist fire, |
| anyone can train in, as is fishing. However, | | | | and more. |
| with primary professions, World of Warcraft | | | | |
| characters can select only two to work with, | | | | Herbalists and alchemists are two professions |
| limiting the number of people who can do a | | | | that rely on each other to a great extent. |
| specific skill. As players spend time in | | | | Often, they're embodied in the same |
| their World of Warcraft account practicing | | | | character. Many players on a World of |
| their professions they'll become more skilled | | | | Warcraft account would see the sense in being |
| and able to make better and more valuable | | | | able to gather herbs and quickly turn them |
| items to sell. | | | | into valuable potions. However, the |
| | | | interplay between the two professions is one |
| Herbalism is one of the most popular choices, | | | | of the aspects of the game that makes having |
| and nearly everyone with a World of Warcraft | | | | a World of Warcraft account such fun. The |
| account has tried it at some point or | | | | design of the game virtually requires that |
| another. It is a primary profession, so | | | | players interact and be willing to trade with |
| characters can only select one other | | | | each other. It is entirely possible, though |
| profession to train, if they choose to learn | | | | perhaps difficult, to have alchemist World of |
| herbalism. Doing so, however, gives them the | | | | Warcraft characters who purchased all of |
| ability to make many useful items. Herbalist | | | | their herbs on the market, then turned them |
| World of Warcraft characters learn how to | | | | to the potions they could sell. |
| find and gather a wide variety of plants | | | | |
| scattered throughout the game world. These | | | | The existence of a functioning and capable |
| plants aren't especially valuable in and of | | | | market is one of the aspects that make the |
| themselves, but it is possible to turn many | | | | game so intriguing, not only to players but |
| of them into potions that can greatly help | | | | to scientists studying social interactions. |
| other characters. | | | | The millions of people with a World of |
| | | | Warcraft account offer a unique laboratory |
| That skill, however, requires the alchemy | | | | with which to study market behavior and other |
| profession, a closely related one. World of | | | | human social interactions. |
| Warcraft characters with the alchemy skill | | | | |