P3P’s Idiot’s Guide To Archaeology
It’s time to talk about the newest profession, Archaeology. Let’s do it Idiot’s Guide-style; in case you’ve forgotten, look back at the last time we did this to see what I mean by that. Let’s go!
What is Archaeology?
Archaeology is a secondary profession that allows you to find stuff in various zones in game. The zones show up on your map, and are level-dependent. You find archaeology fragments and then assemble them into stuff. Usually you assemble common (read: grey vendor trash) items, but sometimes you get rares. The rares are usually vanity-type items, but there are a few pieces of weapons and armor, including the much sought after Zin’rohk. Here’s a link to the wowpedia article, complete with a full list of rares.
No, seriously, what is Archaeology?
Archaeology is a huge waste of time. That’s about it. It’s like vanilla fishing. A little dot pops up on your map, you fly across the continent, survey, find the pieces, and come back.
Wait, survey?
Indeed. You get a function to “survey.” This is basically how you use archaeology. You get in a zone that’s marked on your map and you survey. A little survey tool appears, and the color of the light on the tool indicates how near or far you are from the fragment. You keep surveying until you’re close enough to find the fragment, which eventually apprears as a lootable item on the ground.
(If you want more details, look any of the excellent guides online. For professions generally I like WoW Professions, but there are other good ones as well.)
I’m really just supposed to fly around and look for things?
Yep, that’s it.
Why would I do this?
Well, there are a number of reasons.
First of all, it’s definitely aimed at completionists and casuals. So, if you’ve got the completionist urge and just must fill up every bar, Archaeology is much better than killing Furbolgs or running Sethekk Halls, again, to try to get that Druid Bird mount that never drops.
There is some money to be made. Occasionally you get common items that are worth a few hundred gold, and that’s nice. And you do get a shot at some fun vanity rares that will turn you into a bug, speak with dark gods, or let you go home with a dwarf chick. All in all, there are a few pets, a mount, and some other fun stuff.
What’s the downside?
It’s a huge, ripping, screaming waste of time. I mean, even more than WoW is. It’s horrendously boring- you just fly, survey, pick up a dozen or so fragments in a zone, and then fly ACROSS THE CONTINENT to pick up another dozen or so fragments. Then you assemble whatever you’ve been working on, and there’s a magical moment when it’s unclear what will pop up next. Then, when it isn’t Zin’Rohk but is, instead, just another stupid bijou, you almost throw your computer out the window.
So, if it’s so boring, how far along are you, Bigjimm, right now?
I’m umm…. I’m *cough* maxed. I’ve found more than 100 commons. I’m almost a Professor (18/20 rares as of this post). In fact, I’ve done almost everything that I can. (I’m not an alchemist, so I can’t find the recipe for the Vial of the Sands.) Yes, it’s a horrible waste of time. But… it’s oddly addicting. It’s Whac-A-Mole on your map, except that there’s always more moles (ie: zones) to whack (ie: survey). There can’t ever be less than four, so… I just keep looting them.
And, in fact, Archaeology works perfectly for people like me. I don’t raid anymore and don’t have any desire to. I haven’t even done all the heroics. I play at night, when I’m so wound up from working (in a restaurant) that I can’t sleep, but don’t want to think about anything. When I log on at 11pm or midnight, I don’t want to move out of the goo, I don’t want to stare at a boss’s crotch or tank the ads or anything like that. I just want to listen to a few podcasts, have a glass of milk or maybe my preferred adult beverage, and relax. Archaeology is the casual profession, bar none.
Any final thoughts?
I did get Zin’Rohk. So… I feel a little guilty about that. And Archaeology does give you time to talk to your guildies while you’re flying around. When you’re a member of AIE, that’s a good thing. (Especially when they stroke my ego a bit.)
Markco... who?
In conclusion: don’t do archaeology to make money. It’s roughly about as much gold per hour as questing… so not good at all. But it is relaxing and fun, and I like it.
One final note: I’ve received a lot of feedback, here on the blog and in-game, regarding my upcoming move. Thanks to everyone who took the time to wish me well. I genuinely appreciate it. As ever, we here at P3P look forward to all your feedback. If you have a sec, take some time to leave a comment on this post. We read them all.
GL! /bow
Jimm
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Tags: AIE, archaeology, casual, Halaani Whiskey, idiot's guide, starter cash, Zin'Rohk
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March 16th, 2011 at 3:13 am
but PLEASEEEE tell me you use the addon archy? the profession is honestly miserable without it.. and your article makes no mention of it.. you can find it on wowinterface.com
March 16th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Also you need to mention another thing. In the new revamped Zul’Gurub, there is a “optional” boss that can only be summoned, if you have a maxed archeologist in your group. Actually there are 3(5?) bosses, and the summon will only pop up one of them randomly, each with some share loot, but with individual loot table as well. So there you have it. another benefit from having maxed Archeology
March 16th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
For those still on the 70-84 grind, Archaeology also comes with a significant amount of experience point for each dig site. I have a couple characters that have skipped over Northrend and Cataclysm just from digging holes. (No Zin’Rohk, no Vial, but at least I can console myself with the free levels.)
March 17th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
1) If you have a non-gatherer DPS sitting in 50 minute LFG queues, it gives you something to do.
2) You can level with arch. This has some advantages:
gear does not matter; you have a level 80 clothie with il 183 greens – no problem. This is especially nice if you only want to get this crafter to 84 for the TH profession unlock. Whether you arrive at 85 in IL 183 or 313, you visit the AH and are ready to run heroics your first day.
If you have every had a fresh 85 doing the dailies, especially a TB daily where your low gear means it takes a while to kill the mobs underground, and the respawns. As you fight the rerespawn only to see someone click on the shackle/book beside you as you battle – then the fact that nobody can ninja your digsite is so very refreshing.
It is also very interruption/multitasking (TV) friendly. Especially if you work your way down to the end of the continent and take public transportation to the other end of the continent.
As per a recent Tobold post, the phasing and linear questing mean there is really nothing new for the second or fifth alt you level. Is arch that much more boring than trying to kill 10 more sea snakes with an undergeared healer alt?
The fact that they are BoAs means that it is more valuable for altoholics. Even if you plan to get lots of raid loot, the Boy Ring, Staves, Zin, Doll are very nice for a fresh 85 alt.
And having a guildie or pug turn the corner in Throne of the Toilet to encounter a naga (bones of transform) is cute.
March 24th, 2011 at 5:25 am
Archeology also gives a stupidly high amount of experience points. So if you’re still leveling and need a break from questing, you wouldn’t be remiss to spend some time digging and putting items together. (though only after you have a flying mount, and preferably the 280% speed one)
March 24th, 2011 at 6:24 am
Did you metion that on the survey thing that appears when survey, that the telescope on top shows the direction to the object?
March 24th, 2011 at 11:02 am
You have exactly explained my thoughts! It is so mind numbingly boring, but sometimes it’s all I want to do. My bane is still the Ghaz statue, not the bijou, but other than that I think you nailed my feelings. I tell everyone not to do it, but I do it anyway.
March 24th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I only did archeology to get the caster ring as its one of the best at the moment. I rarely used my keystones to help solve artifacts faster and when I finally found the ring had accumulated quite a few. Some of them can sell for a lot on the auction house, made over $10k last week selling keystones.
March 29th, 2011 at 7:38 am
if you are looking for a good reference site for archeology try http://wowdigs.com/ it’s got just about everything you need to know about archeology.