The Lumber Mill in World of Warcraft (WoW) serves a critical function, it allows players to process timber efficiently. Timber is a raw material and it is essential for constructing and upgrading your Garrison. The Garrison is player’s base of operations. The mill also interacts with the Trading Post, because the Trading Post enable players to exchange Garrison Resources, including those obtained from the Lumber Mill, for other valuable materials.
Alright, picture this: Warlords of Draenor has just dropped, and everyone’s buzzing about this new “Garrison” thing. What is it, and why should you care? Well, think of it as your very own customizable base of operations, a personal little kingdom that you get to build and manage! It’s more than just a pretty place to hang your hat; it’s the heart of your operations on Draenor. It allows you to craft, gather resources, recruit followers, and generally make your adventurer’s life a whole lot easier (and more profitable).
Now, among all the fancy buildings you can construct, there’s one humble structure that stands tall (pun intended): The Lumber Mill. This isn’t just some glorified chopping block; it’s a crucial engine for generating resources and fueling your entire Garrison’s growth. It’s like the industrial revolution but with more axes and less smog (probably).
This guide is your one-stop shop for everything Lumber Mill related. From figuring out how to set it up to mastering the art of maximizing profits and getting rich by just chopping wood, we’ll cover it all. Get ready to transform your Garrison into a lean, mean, wood-chipping machine! Whether you are looking for Garrison Resources or the necessary Timber it all starts with understanding the Lumber Mill.
Understanding the Lumber Mill: Core Functionality
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What exactly IS this wooden wonder? Well, put simply, the Lumber Mill is your Garrison’s personal wood chipper… but in a good way! Its main job is to take all that Timber you’ve been lugging around from the forests of Draenor and turn it into something actually useful: Garrison Resources. Think of it as turning raw potential into the fuel that powers your entire base of operations. It’s like the engine that keeps your Draenor dreams chugging along.
- Work Orders: The Engine of the Mill. Now, how does this magical transformation happen? Through the mystical (okay, not really) power of Work Orders! These are basically requests you place with your Lumber Mill’s crew to convert your hard-earned Timber into Garrison Resources. You dump the wood in, click a few buttons, and BAM! Resource goodness appears. Each work order takes time to complete, so you’ll want to keep those orders flowing to maximize your output!
- The Price of Progress: Before you can even smell the sawdust, you’ll need to invest some Garrison Resources to build the Lumber Mill in the first place. Think of it as the initial investment to get your woodworking empire started. That initial cost is the only thing that stands between you and a mountain of wooden wealth.
Getting Started: Blueprints and Initial Setup
Alright, so you’re ready to get your hands dirty and build yourself a Lumber Mill! That’s fantastic! The first thing you will need is the blueprint to build a Lumber Mill. Let’s walk through how to get this party started.
Acquiring the Lumber Mill Blueprint
Think of the Garrison Architect as your friendly neighborhood construction foreman. You can find them chilling in your Town Hall. These guys are the keys to expanding your base of operations, and they are the ones who will provide you with all the blueprints you need to build up your Garrison.
Head over to your Town Hall (it’s that big building right in the middle of your Garrison—you can’t miss it!). Talk to the Architect, and you’ll be able to purchase the Lumber Mill Blueprint, the level 1 Blueprint will only cost a few Garrison Resources. Once you have that Blueprint, you’re halfway there.
Placing Your Lumber Mill
Now that you’ve got the Lumber Mill Blueprint burning a hole in your inventory, it’s time to choose a prime location. Open up your Garrison’s building map (it’s usually a button on your minimap, or you can find it in your abilities panel). Here, you’ll see designated plots where you can place different buildings.
As the Lumber Mill is a Small Building, make sure to choose an appropriate Small Building Plot. Click on the plot, select your Lumber Mill Blueprint, and bam! Construction begins. Note that it’s usually a good idea to place the Lumber Mill near the entrance of your Garrison as it will make hauling all that timber a little easier.
Initiating Your First Work Orders
Once your Lumber Mill is up and running (give those lazy peons a little bit of time), it’s time to put it to work. Head inside the Lumber Mill, and you’ll find an NPC who handles Work Orders. These Work Orders are the bread and butter of your Lumber Mill, they are what converts Timber into useful Garrison Resources.
To start a Work Order, you’ll need some Timber, which can be found throughout Draenor (more on that later). Once you have a stack of Timber (usually 20), simply interact with the Work Order NPC, deposit your Timber, and kick off the process. These Work Orders will convert your hard earned Timber into Garrison Resources, which are essential for upgrading your Garrison and purchasing various items.
Maximizing Efficiency: Let’s Get This Wood!
Alright, so you’ve got your Lumber Mill up and running – awesome! But let’s be honest, just tossing some Timber in and hoping for the best is like trying to build a house with a rubber hammer. It might work, but you’re gonna have a bad time. We’re here to talk about efficiency, baby! Think of it as squeezing every last splinter of resource out of your precious Draenor trees. A little bit of effort here translates into a mountain of resources down the line.
The Lumberjack Follower: Your New Best Friend
Now, picture this: you’re knee-deep in Timber, sweating like a goblin accountant, and suddenly, a hero arrives! Okay, maybe not a hero in shining armor, but a Follower with the Lumberjack trait. Assigning a Follower with this trait to your Lumber Mill is like giving it a shot of rocket fuel. These guys (and gals!) know their way around wood. They’ll increase the yield from each Work Order, meaning more resources for less effort. It’s basically free stuff! Seriously, if you see a Follower with the Lumberjack trait, snag them ASAP. They’re worth their weight in…well, Timber! You can always get a follower from the Inn by using specific traits.
Work Order Wizardry: Choose Wisely!
Not all Work Orders are created equal. Some offer better returns than others, depending on what you actually need. Got a surplus of Stone but you’re running low on Garrison Resources? Choose Work Orders that yield more Garrison Resources! It’s like playing the resource stock market, but way less stressful and with more wood involved. Keep an eye on your resource levels, and tailor your Work Order choices to maximize what you’re getting out of them. It is important to always do work orders to avoid the resource limit in the lumber mill.
Upgrading Your Lumber Mill: Tiers and Benefits
Okay, so you’ve got your Lumber Mill up and running, churning out Timber like a beaver on espresso, but don’t get complacent! Upgrading this bad boy is essential to truly unlock its potential and line your pockets with gold (or at least, enough resources to keep your Garrison humming). Think of it like evolving your favorite Pokemon – same basic idea, way more axe-swinging. Each tier brings a host of juicy benefits, from increased Timber production to shiny new abilities and access to blueprints that’ll make your crafters drool.
Level 1: The Humble Beginning
At Level 1, your Lumber Mill is pretty basic. It gets the job done, converting gathered Timber into usable resources, but it’s not exactly setting the world on fire. It’s like that starter home – cozy, but you’re already dreaming of that sprawling mansion (Level 3 Lumber Mill) with the panoramic view (of…more trees, probably).
Level 2: More Wood, More Power
Upgrading to Level 2 is where things start to get interesting. You’ll need to get your hands on the Blueprint: Lumber Mill, Level 2. Now, this blueprint is available for purchase from the Garrison Architect once your character reaches level 96 or completes the quest “Looking for Lumber“. This blueprint is going to cost you 750 Garrison Resources or 1500 gold. The most notable advantage here is that you can now assign a Follower with the Lumberjack Trait to the Lumber Mill. This drastically increases the amount of resources you get from each Work Order. Plus, you unlock access to new blueprints. Think of it as unlocking a sweet new talent tree for your wood-chopping empire.
Level 3: The Lumberjack God
Level 3 is the pinnacle of Lumber Mill evolution. You’ll need the Blueprint: Lumber Mill, Level 3. This blueprint is available for purchase from the Garrison Architect once your character reaches level 100 and achieves Lumber Mill Level 2 along with the “More Work Orders” achievement. The Blueprint: Lumber Mill, Level 3 blueprint is going to cost you 1000 Garrison Resources or 2000 gold. This unlocks the ability to queue up to 21 Work Orders at a time! If you are looking at converting raw timber into resources than this is the level to be at. And just to hammer in the point, you get the ability to order unique follower equipment from the Lumber Mill.
Resource Costs and Timber Production: The Nitty-Gritty
Let’s talk numbers. Each upgrade requires a chunk of Garrison Resources, so start saving! We’ve touched on this in the previous subheadings, but at the very least, consider this a reminder! The impact on Timber production is significant – each tier increases the yield from Work Orders. This means fewer trips into the forests of Draenor (although, let’s be honest, you’ll still be spending plenty of time there). Carefully weigh the cost of the upgrade against the potential increase in resource generation to ensure you are making the right decision.
Synergy and Building Choices: Lumber Mill vs. Alternatives
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Howdy, folks! Let’s wrangle some lumber and see how our Lumber Mill plays nice with the rest of our Garrison posse. Think of your Garrison as a well-oiled machine, and each building is a cog. The Lumber Mill? It’s a pretty important cog, but it works even better when paired with the right partners.
Ever thought about how sneaky awesome the Lumber Mill is with the Trading Post? The Trading Post lets you exchange Garrison Resources for other materials, and guess where you get a good chunk of those Resources? That’s right, the Lumber Mill! It’s a sweet cycle – wood in, resources out, more materials in, even MORE resources out. It’s like Garrison inception! The mill is basically a resource pump that lets you keep the Trade Depot humming along. So by converting Timber into Garrison resources, you’re able to buy up any missing pieces to help complete Work Orders or other upgrades in your Garrison.
- Now, for the big showdown: Lumber Mill versus the Trading Post as a resource generator. On the surface, they both seem to do a similar job, right? But hold your horses! The Trading Post relies on you having materials to trade, while the Lumber Mill makes its own materials. It is a crucial distinction! The Lumber Mill gives you consistent, guaranteed income, even if the market prices are tanking or you are fresh out of the materials to trade.
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Alright, let’s get strategic. When does the Lumber Mill really shine compared to other options? Think about these scenarios:
- Early Garrison Days: When you’re first setting up, Garrison Resources are gold. The Lumber Mill helps fuel your initial building spree. No need to wait until you got enough ore or herbs.
- Consistent Resource Needs: Need a steady supply of those Garrison Resources for Work Orders, follower missions, or even just buying stuff from vendors? The Lumber Mill is your reliable workhorse.
- Market Volatility: Those Trade Depot prices can be crazy! If the stuff you need is super expensive, the Lumber Mill lets you bypass the market.
- Lumberjack Followers: When you got followers with the Lumberjack trait assigned to your Mill, there is no comparison between the two. The Trading Post can’t compete with this level of income.
So, if you need reliable resources in high quantities and want to reduce your reliance on the ever-fluctuating trade market, the Lumber Mill is your friend. Choosing the right building for the right time is key to success.
Achievements and Rewards: Goals to Strive For
Alright, lumberjacks and jills, let’s talk about shiny things! Besides the satisfying thunk of axes and the sweet smell of sawdust, there’s a whole heap of achievements and rewards waiting for you if you really commit to the Lumber Mill life. Think of it as your personal Draenor merit badge collection—except instead of knot-tying, you’re mastering the art of turning trees into, well, more trees (in resource form, anyway!).
Lumber Mill-Specific Achievements
There are a few achievements tied directly to our beloved Lumber Mill. These are pretty straightforward, and they range from simply placing work orders to chopping down a whole bunch of trees in Draenor. Keep an eye out for the achievement tracker to stay up to date with your progress.
Sweet, Sweet Rewards
Now for the fun part: the loot! Completing Lumber Mill-related achievements isn’t just for bragging rights (though, let’s be honest, bragging rights are pretty sweet). Some achievements unlock titles, proving to everyone you meet that you’re a master of wood and a dedicated resource gatherer. Others might reward you with unique transmog items, letting you deck out your character in gear that screams “I know my way around a sawmill.” Let’s just say wearing that title or transmog might make you a little bit more popular around the Garrison. You might even get discounts! (Okay, probably not discounts, but hey, a guy can dream).
Long-Term Lumber Goals
Beyond the immediate gratification of achievements and rewards, the Lumber Mill offers a path to some seriously impressive long-term goals. Consistent use of your Lumber Mill translates to a steady stream of Garrison Resources, fueling your entire operation from building upgrades to mission deployments. It also means more opportunities for crafting and selling items, ultimately turning your humble woodshop into a gold-making powerhouse. Consider it a long-term investment in your Draenor dominion! In a nutshell, stick with your mill, and Draenor will be yours. Metaphorically, anyway.
Timber Harvesting: Location and Strategies
Alright, so you’ve got your Lumber Mill humming, but it’s about as useful as a screen door on a submarine without any *Timber. Let’s get you chopping! Draenor’s a big place, but not all trees are created equal. You’re looking for dense forests and areas where those sweet, sweet timber nodes pop up like mushrooms after a rain.*
Prime Timber Zones
- Shadowmoon Valley (Alliance): This zone, specifically before you complete all the quests, is prime real estate for Timber. The forests surrounding your Garrison location offer plentiful trees and reasonably safe harvesting grounds. Keep an eye out for those pesky wolves, though – they have a wood-related vendetta, it seems.
- Frostfire Ridge (Horde): Similar to Shadowmoon, Frostfire Ridge offers dense clusters of trees, especially in the areas around your Garrison and toward the northern parts of the zone. Watch out for the Gronn – they’re not exactly fans of deforestation.
- Gorgrond: Ah, Gorgrond. The land of perpetual growth and destruction. This zone is teeming with Timber nodes. Explore the Everbloom Wilds and the areas south of Highpass, but be prepared for a bit more of a fight compared to the starter zones.
- Talador: While not as dense as Gorgrond or the starting zones, Talador still has pockets of Timber. Focus on the areas around Auchindoun and the southern coast for a decent harvest.
Optimal Harvesting Strategies
- Route Planning is Key: Don’t just wander aimlessly! Plan a circular route within your chosen zone, hitting as many known Timber node spawn locations as possible. Utilize addons like GatherMate2 to track node locations; it’s like having a timber-sniffing dog in addon form.
- Embrace the Circle of Life (of a Tree): Timber nodes respawn. A lot. Once you clear an area, loop back around. You’ll often find that nodes have respawned, allowing for continuous harvesting. Think of it as a lumberjack’s version of Groundhog Day, but with more splinters.
- Mount Up: A fast mount is your best friend. Seriously, invest in some mount speed upgrades if you haven’t already. Time is Timber, my friend.
- Watch Out for Hostiles: Don’t get so focused on the trees that you become a tree yourself (a dead one, that is). Keep an eye out for mobs and either avoid them or take them down quickly.
- Leveling Up Can Help? If you are high enough level (above 90, which you likely are), everything will be much, much easier.
- Bonus Tip: Keep an eye out for any quests or daily quests that send you to these zones. You can double dip and gather Timber while completing other objectives. Efficiency, baby!
Gold Making Potential: Turning Wood into Wealth
Alright, let’s talk about the real reason you’re probably even considering investing in the Lumber Mill: making that sweet, sweet gold! Who doesn’t want to turn a pile of digital lumber into a mountain of digital cash? The Lumber Mill, surprisingly, has some serious potential to line your pockets, if you play your cards right. It’s not going to make you a WoW billionaire overnight, but it can certainly contribute to a healthy economy in your Garrison… and your character’s wallet.
Selling Excess Resources: Timber Tycoon
First up, let’s explore the idea of selling excess resources. Once you’ve upgraded your Garrison and stocked up on everything you need, chances are you’ll have a surplus of Timber. The Auction House becomes your best friend here. Keep a keen eye on the market prices, as they fluctuate, and time your sales strategically. Sell when the demand is high and the supply is low – basic economics, but crucial for maximizing profits. Think of yourself as a budding Timber Tycoon!
Market Value Analysis: What’s Hot and What’s Not?
Knowing the market value of Timber and items crafted using Timber is key to making smart decisions. It is more than just selling raw materials; check out items that Lumber Mill can help you craft and sell. Are there certain transmog items or crafting materials that are consistently in demand? Sometimes, it’s more profitable to craft an item and sell that rather than just raw Timber. Do a little research, compare prices, and see what the best bang for your Timber is.
Strategies for Maximizing Profit: From Trees to Treasure
Here’s the meat of the matter: actionable strategies to squeeze every last drop of profit from your Lumber Mill output. This could involve:
- Strategic Work Orders: Don’t just blindly churn out work orders; figure out what you need, what sells well, and optimize accordingly.
- Auction House Savvy: Learn the rhythms of your server’s Auction House. When are peak selling times? When do prices dip? Use this knowledge to your advantage.
- Crafting for Profit: Identify valuable items you can craft using Lumber Mill resources and sell them for a profit.
- Resource Management: Don’t let Timber rot away in your inventory. Find ways to convert it into gold, even if it means experimenting with different selling strategies.
In conclusion, the Lumber Mill can be more than just a resource-generating building; it can be a source of income. So, get out there, chop some wood, and turn that Timber into treasure. Happy gold-making!
So, next time you’re wandering around and see a Lumber Mill, don’t just pass it by! Take a moment to appreciate the hard work those peons are putting in, and maybe even put those resources to good use. After all, Azeroth isn’t going to build itself, right?
