Welcome to Part I of my “Useful professions for a Protection Paladin” series. Today we open with: Blacksmithing.

So you want to know what Blacksmithing can do for you in terms of Paladin tanking? Excellent! Here are some facts that I hope will help you.

Blacksmithing pro’s:

In general:

• Best tanking set available until you hit Outland: Imperial Plate set. It’s good for Warriors and Paladins alike. Also makes you look like a Stormwind guard. FUN!
• Excellent BoE or BoP recipes available: Plans: Felsteel Helm, Plans: Felsteel Gloves, Plans: Felsteel Leggings, Plans: Oathkeeper’s Helm, Plans: Bracers of the Green Fortress, Plans: Red Havoc Boots, Plans: Boots of the Protector, Plans: Belt of the Guardian and many more.
• You can make a very nice profit by selling either the BoE items that you craft or even the plans themselves that only show for Blacksmiths.

Armorsmith:

• Two good BoP items to start you out with: Earthforged Leggings and Heavy Earthforged Breastplate.
• If you ever want to switch to Retribution, you have Breastplate of Kings, which is a good option, especially if you upgrade it to Bulwark of Kings and later on to Bulwark of Ancient Kings.

Weaponsmith:

• Not really a good option for a Protection Paladin.
• As a Swordsmith, I went and crafted (don’t ask me why, I just did) Fireguard, which I plan to upgrade soon to Blazeguard and later on to Blazefury. NOTE: I only use Fireguard for boosting and sometimes while grinding. No matter under what circumstances, DO NOT TANK WITH IT! (unless you have no other sword at all -.-)
• If you ever want to switch to Retribution, there are several options available for you: Axesmith (Lunar Crescent -> Mooncleaver -> Bloodmoon), Swordsmith (Lionheart BladeLionheart Champion -> Lionheart Executioner), Hammersmith (Thunder -> Deep Thunder -> Stormherald), the latter being the best option.

Blacksmithing con’s:

• Hard and expensive to level.
• Not that profitable.
• Not really that fun compared to Engineering.

A good and comprehensive list can also be found at wowinsider.com: The Light and How to Swing It: Blacksmithing for the rest of us (covers all aspects of a Paladin, not only tanking).