Skinning Guide 1–300
Skinning is the gathering profession for leather, hides and scales. You skin the beasts you kill, so it practically levels itself while questing. Here's the skill formula, good zones for each stage and what the leather is used for.
Trainers and ranks
You learn the next rank from a trainer once your character level and skill are high enough. The requirement listed is the skill you need beforehand.
| Rank | Skill | Character level | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | up to 75 | level 1+ | – |
| Journeyman | up to 150 | level 10+ | 50 |
| Expert | up to 225 | level 20+ | 125 |
| Artisan | up to 300 | level 35+ | 200 |
- You'll find Skinning trainers in every capital and many larger towns. The trainer often stands next to the Leatherworking trainer.
- To skin, you need a Skinning Knife in your bags; Trade Supplies vendors sell it. unconfirmed
- Starting zones reportedly have junior trainers and a quest where you choose a handbook for Mining, Herbalism or Skinning (2 skill points each, up to 15). per fan sites
What skill for which mob level?
In Classic, the skill you need depends only on the beast's level: up to level 10, skill 1 is enough; from level 11 to 20 it's (level − 10) × 10; from level 20 on it's level × 5. A level 60 beast therefore needs 300.
| Mob level | Skill |
|---|---|
| 5 | 1 |
| 10 | 1 |
| 12 | 20 |
| 15 | 50 |
| 20 | 100 |
| 25 | 125 |
| 30 | 150 |
| 35 | 175 |
| 40 | 200 |
| 45 | 225 |
| 50 | 250 |
| 55 | 275 |
| 60 | 300 |
As with nodes, skill-ups depend on color: beasts close to your limit reliably give skill-ups, much lower ones hardly any. It's not known whether Forever will change the formula. unconfirmed
Route 1–300
Good zones based on the level ranges in our quest database. Skin everything you kill while questing there.
| Skill | Mob level | Zones |
|---|---|---|
| 1–100 | 1–20 | Teldrassil 5–11, Durotar 5–12, Tirisfal Glades 5–12, Mulgore 5–12, Zephras Isle 6–12, Dun Morogh 6–21 |
| 100–150 | 20–30 | The Barrens 14–24, Redridge Mountains 15–25, Stonetalon Mountains 20–27, Ashenvale 22–30, Duskwood 24–30, Wetlands 24–31 |
| 150–200 | 30–40 | Hillsbrad Foothills 26–36, Thousand Needles 29–41, Desolace 33–40, Alterac Mountains 34–40, Dustwallow Marsh 35–43, Arathi Highlands 36–40 |
| 200–250 | 40–50 | Stranglethorn Vale 37–52, Badlands 39–52, Darkspear Islands 39–54, Shen'dralas 40–43, Feralas 44–50, The Hinterlands 45–50 |
| 250–300 | 50–60 | Tanaris 47–60, Blasted Lands 50–57, Un'Goro Crater 52–55, Azshara 52–60, Burning Steppes 54–60, Felwood 55–55 |
Leather and hides by level
| Material | Mob level (Classic) | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| 1–20 | Leatherworking 84, Blacksmithing 8, Tailoring 6 | |
| 20–30 | Leatherworking 55, Blacksmithing 16, Engineering 16 | |
| 30–40 | Leatherworking 68, Engineering 26, Blacksmithing 21 | |
| 40–50 | Leatherworking 76, Blacksmithing 15, Engineering 12 | |
| 50–60 | Leatherworking 128, Blacksmithing 18, Engineering 13 |
In Classic, Leatherworking cures hides into cured hides, which special recipes need. Leather can also come from scraps: Leatherworking turns Ruined Leather Scraps into Light Leather.
Special leather and scales
New in Forever
These materials are new in the beta data. Many new recipes for Leatherworking, Blacksmithing and Tailoring need them. How to get them isn't known yet. unconfirmed
- Pristine Leather Leatherworking 80, Blacksmithing 30, Tailoring 14
- Pristine Hide Leatherworking 43, Tailoring 2, Engineering 1
- Pristine Scale Leatherworking 12, Engineering 2, Tailoring 2
- Fel Hide Leatherworking 6
- Fel Leather Leatherworking 50
Pristine Hide reportedly has a fixed maximum price on the black market. per fan sites
Camp objects (camping)
Skinning also makes campfire objects in WoW Forever. They're in the beta data with these materials: unconfirmed
| Level | Object | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Chair | |
| 2 | Field Guide | |
| 3 | Trapper's Workbench |
The three tiers reportedly unlock at skill 20, 140 and 300, with better objects from blueprints that drop from dungeon bosses. per fan sites More: Best professions.
Gold with Skinning
- Skinning is the easiest gold while leveling: everything you kill anyway drops leather.
- Light Leather and Medium Leather are scarce after launch because Leatherworking and the profession factions' supply crates need them. per fan sites
- Leatherworking gets the most new recipes in Forever, which suggests lasting high demand for leather. per fan sites
- Skinning pairs well with Herbalism or Mining: you gather two materials as you go.
- More tips: Making gold.
FAQ
What skill do I need to skin?
In Classic: skill 1 up to mob level 10, (level − 10) × 10 up to level 20, and level × 5 above that. A level 40 beast therefore needs 200.
How do I level Skinning to 300 fastest?
Learn the profession early and skin everything while questing. If you fall behind, look for beasts whose level times five is just below your skill.
Which profession goes well with Skinning?
Leatherworking uses the leather itself. For making gold, a second gathering profession such as Herbalism or Mining fits well.
At what level can I learn Skinning?
Apprentice at character level 1, Journeyman at 10, Expert at 20 and Artisan at 35, each with enough skill.
More professions
Last updated: Oct 14, 2026. We only take WoW Forever information from official announcements and label it as such. Unlabeled tips are based on WoW Classic experience; recipes, prices and locations may differ in Forever.
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