I'm installing the game at the moment (and damn, it takes a long time to download the updates), but I have no idea what race and class I should choose. I'm looking for something that's fun and powerful at the higher levels. I don't want to spend hours leveling up and in the end having no chance to prevail against all of the other players.
What class and race to choose
- Thread starter Dumbledork
- Start date
pve raiding? Undead (I know jack shit about alli races, and unless you like playing with 12 year olds, you should roll horde too ; ) ) or Orc Warlock. That, or Orc Warrior (spec'd fury) are the top end dpsers end game.
All the other classes, geared/spec'd properly, can top the damage charts in t4-t6 content, but by that point in swp, the lock or the warrior will take it, as far as i know.
For pve? Any race but troll warrior, or an undead rogue if you want melee. Undead locks are good too, and if you want to be able to do whatever you need to do in pvp, go resto druid.
All the other classes, geared/spec'd properly, can top the damage charts in t4-t6 content, but by that point in swp, the lock or the warrior will take it, as far as i know.
For pve? Any race but troll warrior, or an undead rogue if you want melee. Undead locks are good too, and if you want to be able to do whatever you need to do in pvp, go resto druid.
Ah, more newbies. 
I've been nagged at for months to give WoW a shot, but I've constantly declined citing that I didn't want to be distracted away from the all-too brief Swedish summer by starting something up that has the potential to take up quite a bit of my time if I get into it ( which is somewhat likely, I guess... ).
Finally caved two weeks ago however and promised to give it a shot. Since my vaccation is now over and the summer is slowly fading away, I'm gonna sod on over to EB Games and buy me a battlechest sometime this week, then it's going to be a WoW weekend for lil' old me.
...
Unless of course, something else comes along to distract me away from that particular notion during the course of the week.
I've been nagged at for months to give WoW a shot, but I've constantly declined citing that I didn't want to be distracted away from the all-too brief Swedish summer by starting something up that has the potential to take up quite a bit of my time if I get into it ( which is somewhat likely, I guess... ).Finally caved two weeks ago however and promised to give it a shot. Since my vaccation is now over and the summer is slowly fading away, I'm gonna sod on over to EB Games and buy me a battlechest sometime this week, then it's going to be a WoW weekend for lil' old me.
...
Unless of course, something else comes along to distract me away from that particular notion during the course of the week.
...I think he's saying that warlocks are the best class in his opinion, and gave some examples of ways to...specialize? For optimal results when it comes to raiding or happily murdering your fellow players.
Then again, I don't have World of Warcraft, and probably won't any time soon, given that I tend to be of the opinion that once I buy a game, that should be the end of my monetary investment, barring having to upgrade my computer, or if worst comes to worst, buy a new one, in order to play the damn thing...
Nevertheless, enjoy.
Then again, I don't have World of Warcraft, and probably won't any time soon, given that I tend to be of the opinion that once I buy a game, that should be the end of my monetary investment, barring having to upgrade my computer, or if worst comes to worst, buy a new one, in order to play the damn thing...
Nevertheless, enjoy.
PvP = Person vs. Person.
Specs? After level 10 you get to build up your talents. For Warlocks you have Affliction, Demonology, and Destruction. SL/SL? I'm not sure. My WoWinese fails here. :lol:
As for Warlocks pw3nding all? I'm not sure about that. My Main character is a Blood Elf Warlock, and I always seem to get my ass handed to me. Especially against Assassination spec Rogues. Then again, it could be because I'm an Affliction Warlock. I can always change it if I wanted (by spending Gs) but in general, I am happy with my Warlock. And yes, in general, Warlocks do kick ass.
My other favorite are Paladins. Protection Paladins to be exact. Yes, they don't give out much damage. But what they lack in dealing damage, they make up for in defense. A well spec and geared Protection Paladin can take a lot of damage from anyone. It was especially fun when a buffon tried to gank me. Yes, he was stronger so in the end, he 'would' have killed me. But given that I was Prot, all I had to do was run away and get healed. Heck, one time, I ran to the nearest town, and let the guards killed him. Even got a point in honor.
Of course, this strategy does not work against Twinks (characters that have blue colored rare gear. I.e. powerful weapons for their level). Not to mention, assholes that think it's fair to beat up on someone busy fighting another monster, and is 'relatively' low on health. As fun as Battleground (BGs) are for PvP, PvP in the actual world isn't all that fun.
Specs? After level 10 you get to build up your talents. For Warlocks you have Affliction, Demonology, and Destruction. SL/SL? I'm not sure. My WoWinese fails here. :lol:
As for Warlocks pw3nding all? I'm not sure about that. My Main character is a Blood Elf Warlock, and I always seem to get my ass handed to me.
Especially against Assassination spec Rogues. Then again, it could be because I'm an Affliction Warlock. I can always change it if I wanted (by spending Gs) but in general, I am happy with my Warlock. And yes, in general, Warlocks do kick ass.My other favorite are Paladins. Protection Paladins to be exact. Yes, they don't give out much damage. But what they lack in dealing damage, they make up for in defense. A well spec and geared Protection Paladin can take a lot of damage from anyone. It was especially fun when a buffon tried to gank me. Yes, he was stronger so in the end, he 'would' have killed me. But given that I was Prot, all I had to do was run away and get healed. Heck, one time, I ran to the nearest town, and let the guards killed him. Even got a point in honor.
Of course, this strategy does not work against Twinks (characters that have blue colored rare gear. I.e. powerful weapons for their level). Not to mention, assholes that think it's fair to beat up on someone busy fighting another monster, and is 'relatively' low on health. As fun as Battleground (BGs) are for PvP, PvP in the actual world isn't all that fun.
SL/SL means Soul Link/Siphon Life, a rather nice combo in my opinion. Soul Link transfers 15% of the damage you take to your pet demon, and Siphon Life transfers x HP from whatever you cast it on to you every second. Multiply that by however many enemies you're facing, and you basically never lose any HP since it's restored to you as fast, if not faster, than you take damage.
Why yes, I DO play a SL/SL Warlock. And I frikkin' hate Gnome Rogues!
Edit: In that case, Dumbledork, you'd probably be happier on a PvE realm. Though if you want to join most of us TFFers, we're all on BloodScalp, a PvP realm. It took me a bit of getting used to, playing on a PvP realm, that is, but now I'm glad, since I can attack Gnomes on sight. You can't do that on a PvE realm.
Why yes, I DO play a SL/SL Warlock. And I frikkin' hate Gnome Rogues!
Edit: In that case, Dumbledork, you'd probably be happier on a PvE realm. Though if you want to join most of us TFFers, we're all on BloodScalp, a PvP realm. It took me a bit of getting used to, playing on a PvP realm, that is, but now I'm glad, since I can attack Gnomes on sight. You can't do that on a PvE realm.
Fair 'nuff. The class you pick all depends on what you prefer. Do you like getting up close and bashing stuff in the face, or do you prefer standing back and let others take damage while you sling magic around? Do you want to heal people, or would you rather be a meat shield? A lot of people call Warlocks 'easy mode', due to the fact that they're casters with a pet to soak up damage for them, and I'm inclined to agree to a point. Hunters are similarly easy, but are rather difficult to play well. I'd advise against starting a Hunter, since they're getting a major revamp when the next expansion comes out.
As for professions? Well, since you're starting from the beginning, I'd recommend Skinning and either Mining or Herbalism. The profits vary depending on the server economy, but they're a good way to start building your fortune.
As for professions? Well, since you're starting from the beginning, I'd recommend Skinning and either Mining or Herbalism. The profits vary depending on the server economy, but they're a good way to start building your fortune.
Oh I have that. Oh wait no I don't. I have Syphon Life. Soul Link? I'm Affliction so no.
And yeah, profession wise, the gathering professions (mining, herbalism, skinning) can all earn you a pretty penny at first. One of the things I kick myself when I was playing my Warlock was that I didn't build up her herbalism that much. I still got 400 gs as of lvl 59. But that was thanks to a few lucky drops (Purple Epic items). Which obviously, is not a reliable source of gold. And yeah, how much an item will sell for depends on the server. In general, the bigger the server, the stronger the economy. Stronger the economy, the better chance that you can set a higher price, and sell it at that price.
As for servers in general, 'Normal' servers would be good for you. Don't have to worry about other players ganking you, or vice versa. As for PvP, you can just stick to Battlegrounds then. Sure you'll get killed a lot depending on skill. But then you'll kill a lot back.
And depending on the game, you can have everyone cheering, or saying how everyone (but them) suck.
Reason why I generally suggest doing BGs, so you can buy Epic Gear when you hit 70. Even on Normal servers where the lvling part could be stress free, going into BGs will help you earn Honor points (which you can spend on stuff). Plus badges (1 for a loss. 3 for a win) that you'll also need to get said gear.
You can also buy mounts with honor points and badges, but that's something you don't have to worry about until say 60 (you can get mounts at 30. But I don't think you can get BG mounts earlier than 60 where you can train for the Epic. But just focus on leveling for now).
And yeah, profession wise, the gathering professions (mining, herbalism, skinning) can all earn you a pretty penny at first. One of the things I kick myself when I was playing my Warlock was that I didn't build up her herbalism that much. I still got 400 gs as of lvl 59. But that was thanks to a few lucky drops (Purple Epic items). Which obviously, is not a reliable source of gold. And yeah, how much an item will sell for depends on the server. In general, the bigger the server, the stronger the economy. Stronger the economy, the better chance that you can set a higher price, and sell it at that price.
As for servers in general, 'Normal' servers would be good for you. Don't have to worry about other players ganking you, or vice versa. As for PvP, you can just stick to Battlegrounds then. Sure you'll get killed a lot depending on skill. But then you'll kill a lot back.
And depending on the game, you can have everyone cheering, or saying how everyone (but them) suck.
Reason why I generally suggest doing BGs, so you can buy Epic Gear when you hit 70. Even on Normal servers where the lvling part could be stress free, going into BGs will help you earn Honor points (which you can spend on stuff). Plus badges (1 for a loss. 3 for a win) that you'll also need to get said gear.
You can also buy mounts with honor points and badges, but that's something you don't have to worry about until say 60 (you can get mounts at 30. But I don't think you can get BG mounts earlier than 60 where you can train for the Epic. But just focus on leveling for now).
Warlocks, rogues and hunters are good for first-time players. Hunters and warlocks because they're inordinately strong in solo PvE thanks to their pets, rogues because they have so many fun things to play around with, and so many ways to avoid death.
Bearcats (druids) are actually a fairly easy class to pick up, though hard to master. But you'll never have a problem with getting a party, since you can switch between tank and healer with the press of a button. Also fairly good at soloing when feral or balance, though personally I think rogues are better.
Enhancement shaman (shaman in general) are a hell of a blast, but I wouldn't recommend one as your first character.
Whatever you do, don't pick pally. Horrible class for beginners.
If you want to look cool as fuck (no matter what you wear) roll blood elf. Blizz specifically designed the entire race to look as awesome as possible even in level 5 grey equipment. A level 10 male BE rogue in greys and whites looks better than a 70 female UD rogue decked out in sunwell epics.
Start on a PvE server if you don't enjoy being ganked (killed) by higher level players for no reason. If you plan on returning the favor once you hit level 70, roll PvP.
As a rule, for race choose blood elf if you want to look cool, Orc (or Troll if Orc isn't available) if you want to kill monsters, Undead if you want to kill people, and Tauren if you want to be a warrior. Don't worry too much about it, though; even at the extreme endgame, racials very rarely make or break a raid.
PvP, on the other hand, is another beast entirely. Roll undead.
For professions, pick up mining and either skinning or herbalism. It's your first character so you'll need to earn all your money for yourself, with no main backing up your purchases. You're free to switch later on, so for the moment pick the professions that're easiest to level up and provide money instead of using it.
Bearcats (druids) are actually a fairly easy class to pick up, though hard to master. But you'll never have a problem with getting a party, since you can switch between tank and healer with the press of a button. Also fairly good at soloing when feral or balance, though personally I think rogues are better.
Enhancement shaman (shaman in general) are a hell of a blast, but I wouldn't recommend one as your first character.
Whatever you do, don't pick pally. Horrible class for beginners.
If you want to look cool as fuck (no matter what you wear) roll blood elf. Blizz specifically designed the entire race to look as awesome as possible even in level 5 grey equipment. A level 10 male BE rogue in greys and whites looks better than a 70 female UD rogue decked out in sunwell epics.
Start on a PvE server if you don't enjoy being ganked (killed) by higher level players for no reason. If you plan on returning the favor once you hit level 70, roll PvP.
As a rule, for race choose blood elf if you want to look cool, Orc (or Troll if Orc isn't available) if you want to kill monsters, Undead if you want to kill people, and Tauren if you want to be a warrior. Don't worry too much about it, though; even at the extreme endgame, racials very rarely make or break a raid.
PvP, on the other hand, is another beast entirely. Roll undead.
For professions, pick up mining and either skinning or herbalism. It's your first character so you'll need to earn all your money for yourself, with no main backing up your purchases. You're free to switch later on, so for the moment pick the professions that're easiest to level up and provide money instead of using it.
Good advice, Bjorn. Very good advice. Let me just toss out some class-picking factoids to go with it:
Beast Mastery-specced Orc Hunters have the highest solo survival ability in the game. Followed by BM Hunters of other races, then Demonology-specced Orc Warlocks, followed by Demo-specced 'locks of other races. Orcs lead this because of their racial that makes their pets stronger.
Druids are the single most versatile class in the game. They can tank (starting at lv 10), melee dps (starting at lv 20), caster dps (from lv 1), and heal (from lv 1). And as has been said before, Restoration-specced Druids are one of the hardest enemies to kill in PvP situations. Their overall survivability is slightly higher than Rogues for the simple reason that rogues can't cast healing spells, and First Aid is annoying to level.
Warriors are insane dps if specced and played right, and are the most common tanking class on most servers. Solo survivability is lower than average tho, since they can't heal themselves without bandages.
Shamans rock, Elemental-specced Shammies are fairly simple to play once you understand the totems, Restoration-specced Shammies are great healers (Chain Heal!) and Enhancement Shammies are absolutely evil in PvP (caster PoV here, I've only really played much as a Mage <_<)
Paladins are NOT easy for beginners to play, but if you want to you can do it. They tank, heal, and have an ok (in general, anyway, some retadins are pretty good) melee dps spec. Holy damage is your friend here.
Which leaves us with Mages and Priests. Priests are hard to get up for the first few levels (low damage) but once you can start speccing Shadow talents leveling gets easier. They can heal or do spell dps. Shadow Priests are absolutely loved by Paladins, since SPriests can regenerate the party's health and mana a little when they do damage and they do even more mana regen for pallies. Priests can get up to 3 buffs that they can give the whole party, and one that they can give one guy at a time. Power Word: Fortitude, which gives extra stamina, which gives extra health. Divine Spirit, which gives extra Spirit which gives extra mana/health regen and gives Holy priests extra healing power, and a Shadow Resistance buff, which pumps up your resistance to Shadow magic. They can also give Fear Ward to one person every once in a while, making them immune to Fear effects.
Mages are flat-out caster dps, no pets to help you, no healing spells. But. For the first 40 levels or so mages have the highest dps available. Even at lv 70 you're high on the damage meters. Frost mages have very very few problems with pvp or solo pve, and starting at lv 30-ish are the best aoe-grinding class available. Pull a ton of mobs, Ice Barrier, Ice Block so they're all close, Frost Nova, Blink, then spam Blizzard. Lotsa dead mobs, one not-so-damaged mage. And you conjure food and water.
Beast Mastery-specced Orc Hunters have the highest solo survival ability in the game. Followed by BM Hunters of other races, then Demonology-specced Orc Warlocks, followed by Demo-specced 'locks of other races. Orcs lead this because of their racial that makes their pets stronger.
Druids are the single most versatile class in the game. They can tank (starting at lv 10), melee dps (starting at lv 20), caster dps (from lv 1), and heal (from lv 1). And as has been said before, Restoration-specced Druids are one of the hardest enemies to kill in PvP situations. Their overall survivability is slightly higher than Rogues for the simple reason that rogues can't cast healing spells, and First Aid is annoying to level.
Warriors are insane dps if specced and played right, and are the most common tanking class on most servers. Solo survivability is lower than average tho, since they can't heal themselves without bandages.
Shamans rock, Elemental-specced Shammies are fairly simple to play once you understand the totems, Restoration-specced Shammies are great healers (Chain Heal!) and Enhancement Shammies are absolutely evil in PvP (caster PoV here, I've only really played much as a Mage <_<)
Paladins are NOT easy for beginners to play, but if you want to you can do it. They tank, heal, and have an ok (in general, anyway, some retadins are pretty good) melee dps spec. Holy damage is your friend here.
Which leaves us with Mages and Priests. Priests are hard to get up for the first few levels (low damage) but once you can start speccing Shadow talents leveling gets easier. They can heal or do spell dps. Shadow Priests are absolutely loved by Paladins, since SPriests can regenerate the party's health and mana a little when they do damage and they do even more mana regen for pallies. Priests can get up to 3 buffs that they can give the whole party, and one that they can give one guy at a time. Power Word: Fortitude, which gives extra stamina, which gives extra health. Divine Spirit, which gives extra Spirit which gives extra mana/health regen and gives Holy priests extra healing power, and a Shadow Resistance buff, which pumps up your resistance to Shadow magic. They can also give Fear Ward to one person every once in a while, making them immune to Fear effects.
Mages are flat-out caster dps, no pets to help you, no healing spells. But. For the first 40 levels or so mages have the highest dps available. Even at lv 70 you're high on the damage meters. Frost mages have very very few problems with pvp or solo pve, and starting at lv 30-ish are the best aoe-grinding class available. Pull a ton of mobs, Ice Barrier, Ice Block so they're all close, Frost Nova, Blink, then spam Blizzard. Lotsa dead mobs, one not-so-damaged mage. And you conjure food and water.
If you just want to keep on moving, and be self sufficient? Go Undead/Orc Rogue, pick up skinning and herbalism, and plan to drop herbalism for leatherworking later on.
From my own viewpoints, seeing as my main toon is an Enhance Shaman, and my alt is a Prot Pally... Both are absurdly fun. Like, ridiculously fun. In my stage of progression (Just downed Leo in SSC), I'm top dps. Certain fights our destro lock (seeing as at this stage most locks can't quite gear for destro, and stick with aff, we only have 1) can outdps me, but that's it. Enhance shamans are sick, but the further you go in, the more likely you'll be outdps'd by locks/warriors.
Another thing to keep in mind is that WotLK is in beta atm, and will be out in that not-too-distant future.
And its totally going to destroy the current class balances.
For one, Ret Pallies won't just be viable dps after you manage to gear them right, and learn the rotations... They're going to be so goddamned awesome that just by talent trees alone you're going to have to roll with 1-2 in a raid. The entire casting rotation for enhance shamans will change, to be one more like rogue's, and gearing will be changing for quite a few of the classes.
And Death Knights look fucking confusing.
And Solar? Enhance shamans are frickin terrible in pvp, ESPECIALLY against casters. No way to break CC/kiting=owned. Sure, if I can get in close, I can eat clothies... But getting in close is near impossible if they have half a brain ; (.
As for Prot Pallying... If you want to be a tank, but aren't sure you are up to tab-target-sundering, roll a prot pally. Its absurdly easy to tank as a pally, and sheer awesomesauce when you can, say, chainpull an entire room of mobs and not once lose aggro.
From my own viewpoints, seeing as my main toon is an Enhance Shaman, and my alt is a Prot Pally... Both are absurdly fun. Like, ridiculously fun. In my stage of progression (Just downed Leo in SSC), I'm top dps. Certain fights our destro lock (seeing as at this stage most locks can't quite gear for destro, and stick with aff, we only have 1) can outdps me, but that's it. Enhance shamans are sick, but the further you go in, the more likely you'll be outdps'd by locks/warriors.
Another thing to keep in mind is that WotLK is in beta atm, and will be out in that not-too-distant future.
And its totally going to destroy the current class balances.
For one, Ret Pallies won't just be viable dps after you manage to gear them right, and learn the rotations... They're going to be so goddamned awesome that just by talent trees alone you're going to have to roll with 1-2 in a raid. The entire casting rotation for enhance shamans will change, to be one more like rogue's, and gearing will be changing for quite a few of the classes.
And Death Knights look fucking confusing.
And Solar? Enhance shamans are frickin terrible in pvp, ESPECIALLY against casters. No way to break CC/kiting=owned. Sure, if I can get in close, I can eat clothies... But getting in close is near impossible if they have half a brain ; (.
As for Prot Pallying... If you want to be a tank, but aren't sure you are up to tab-target-sundering, roll a prot pally. Its absurdly easy to tank as a pally, and sheer awesomesauce when you can, say, chainpull an entire room of mobs and not once lose aggro.
My main, who is a pally, was my third character I started, and its not really a class to learn the basics with, because there's so much to do with them, but they're so much fun. But if you do start with them, because of their versatility, it helps if/when you decide to make another character. Paladins can do anything (tank, melee DPS, caster DPS (although they do this pretty badly, to be honest), or heal) and, if you play as one, you get used to doing all of them. The same thing is true of Druids.
If you start with a more versatile class, then adapting into a more specialized class later is easier, but it makes learning the ropes of your class a lot harder because you've got so much more you can do. If you start with a specialized class, like a rogue, or a mage, you have a harder time adapting to other character types later, because you tend to get stuck in the viewpoint of that specialization.
Personally, I started with a versatile class for my first few characters. The druid, for my first two characters, and then switched to a pally, and then a priest who I leveled to 70, and then went back to my pally and leveled her to 70. Out of all of my characters, my paladin is by far my favorite. And with Wrath of the Lich King expansion coming out soon, it looks like I'll only like paladins more, because of all of the new stuff they're getting.
Honestly, I don't think I could handle being a non-versatile class, just because of how often I switch my spec around. If all of my specs ended up doing the same thing in a slightly different way, like a rogue or a mage, I don't think I'd be able to keep playing that class for very long. I switch specs at least once a week, if not twice or three times.
If you start with a more versatile class, then adapting into a more specialized class later is easier, but it makes learning the ropes of your class a lot harder because you've got so much more you can do. If you start with a specialized class, like a rogue, or a mage, you have a harder time adapting to other character types later, because you tend to get stuck in the viewpoint of that specialization.
Personally, I started with a versatile class for my first few characters. The druid, for my first two characters, and then switched to a pally, and then a priest who I leveled to 70, and then went back to my pally and leveled her to 70. Out of all of my characters, my paladin is by far my favorite. And with Wrath of the Lich King expansion coming out soon, it looks like I'll only like paladins more, because of all of the new stuff they're getting.
Honestly, I don't think I could handle being a non-versatile class, just because of how often I switch my spec around. If all of my specs ended up doing the same thing in a slightly different way, like a rogue or a mage, I don't think I'd be able to keep playing that class for very long. I switch specs at least once a week, if not twice or three times.
In my case, I just, choose whatever for my first. That being a Hunter Night Elf. BM NE is very good and easy to level. Especially with the pet acting like a tank. Very easy. But, even though I admit I'm more stress free because she's on a normal server, I've played her a lot less then my other toons. Probably because PvP, there is a certain 'urgency' to lvl up before some asshole ganks you.
I will admit, I wish I spec my toons more. Yeah, I know I can spend a gold(s) to change it. But that's still 'cash' I could have spent on other items. True, at higher levels, you'll be getting a ton of gs. But even then, it's the principle of the matter. Why spend gold on something I should have thought about before? Or...
For example, I made my Undead Priest Holy instead of Shadow. My original thought was, I wanted to be a healer in endgames. But first, A: I'm not in Endgames. I'm not even 30. And B: I've died a lot to realize the setbacks of going Holy. And even if I wanted to be a Holy Priest in the end, changing spec the first time cost 1 gold. Wouldn't it have been better for me to go Shadow, then Holy? So much for foresight.
My Protection Paladin on the other hand is doing much better. Leveling will take longer because Protection Paladins won't deal as much damage as Retribution. But my fighting style is that of a tank. And given how well a Prot Paladin can do, I'm happy with this spec. It won't save me from ganking all the time (because while a Prot can take in more damage, they are still getting damaged. It'll eventually give), but at least it'll give me a better chance to escape.
The one I use the most, my Affliction Warlock, I'll be honest, I'm not sure I'm playing her right. However, I've done well enough to get to 59. So it isn't all bad. Her Gear is okay considering I never ran through an Instance. Reason why I've been spamming BGs is so that in the end, I can just buy Epic Gear. That and like I said before, I wish I worked on her professions more.
If you want quick money, do NOT go into Enchanting. While it is good one to do later one, it is also a bitch to level up. Not only do need material to do it, to get that material, you'll have to find green/blue items to disenchant. At least with leather working you could get the material from skinning any animal you come across (that had already been completely looted). Enchanting? You'll have to disenchant all the green items you get (that you decide not to use or sell at AH for a quick buck in the first place) by drops, or AH. Or, easier way, just buy the material at AH. But that will cost a lot more than a pretty penny if you expect to level it up to a decent number.
I will admit, I wish I spec my toons more. Yeah, I know I can spend a gold(s) to change it. But that's still 'cash' I could have spent on other items. True, at higher levels, you'll be getting a ton of gs. But even then, it's the principle of the matter. Why spend gold on something I should have thought about before? Or...
For example, I made my Undead Priest Holy instead of Shadow. My original thought was, I wanted to be a healer in endgames. But first, A: I'm not in Endgames. I'm not even 30. And B: I've died a lot to realize the setbacks of going Holy. And even if I wanted to be a Holy Priest in the end, changing spec the first time cost 1 gold. Wouldn't it have been better for me to go Shadow, then Holy? So much for foresight.
My Protection Paladin on the other hand is doing much better. Leveling will take longer because Protection Paladins won't deal as much damage as Retribution. But my fighting style is that of a tank. And given how well a Prot Paladin can do, I'm happy with this spec. It won't save me from ganking all the time (because while a Prot can take in more damage, they are still getting damaged. It'll eventually give), but at least it'll give me a better chance to escape.
The one I use the most, my Affliction Warlock, I'll be honest, I'm not sure I'm playing her right. However, I've done well enough to get to 59. So it isn't all bad. Her Gear is okay considering I never ran through an Instance. Reason why I've been spamming BGs is so that in the end, I can just buy Epic Gear. That and like I said before, I wish I worked on her professions more.
If you want quick money, do NOT go into Enchanting. While it is good one to do later one, it is also a bitch to level up. Not only do need material to do it, to get that material, you'll have to find green/blue items to disenchant. At least with leather working you could get the material from skinning any animal you come across (that had already been completely looted). Enchanting? You'll have to disenchant all the green items you get (that you decide not to use or sell at AH for a quick buck in the first place) by drops, or AH. Or, easier way, just buy the material at AH. But that will cost a lot more than a pretty penny if you expect to level it up to a decent number.
As a side thing, make sure to pick up all of your professions as early as you can, at least from what I've seen so far. Especially Fishing, Cooking, and First Aid. (Horde characters can easily get the +5 Fishing Pole from the Vendor at the Troll Village near the starting point for Orcs and Trolls.
Also pick your main Professions based on what you can use with your first character. For example, don't pick Blacksmithing if you can't use Mail armor. Same with Leatherworking with Leather Armor. And it normally works to pick both a Gathering and a Production profession, mainly ones that mix well such as Mining with Engineering/Blacksmithing or Skinning with Leatherworking
Also pick your main Professions based on what you can use with your first character. For example, don't pick Blacksmithing if you can't use Mail armor. Same with Leatherworking with Leather Armor. And it normally works to pick both a Gathering and a Production profession, mainly ones that mix well such as Mining with Engineering/Blacksmithing or Skinning with Leatherworking