Tracking

Example of tracking options for druid in Cat Form

Tracking refers to any ability which allows the player to track resource nodes or mobs on the mini-map. Only one tracking ability can be active at a time. A control on the border of the mini-map allows the player to choose which type of tracking to enable (or none).

Mob tracking

The ability to track the mobs in World of Warcraft is usually the sole bailiwick of the hunter, although other classes have limited tracking capabilities as well. At advancing levels, the hunter can learn to track Beasts, Humanoids, the Undead, Hidden foes, Elementals, Demons, Giants, and Dragonkin.

When a mob-tracking ability is activated, every creature that fits the classification selected shows up on the mini-map as a labeled dot, color-coded to its friendliness (green) or hostility (red). Tracking can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the hunter's situational awareness. For instance, in an area populated by both beast and humanoid mobs, the hunter can switch between beast and humanoid tracking, and stay aware of where ~95% of the mobs are in his general vicinity. Tracking is also useful if one has to beat a hasty retreat to a rearward fortification for safety's sake. Just keep monitoring the mini-map while switching frequently between tracking modes to find the most aggro free escape route. You can also see the name of the mob (or player/pet) if you mouseover the dot on the minimap, which for instance makes finding one specific mob in a group of mobs easier.

Class tracking abilities

Other classes (besides Hunters) which have class-specific tracking abilities include:

• Druids, who can [Track Humanoids] while in [Cat Form].

Profession tracking abilities

Profession-related tracking abilities include:

• Any character who has the Mining profession can sense mineral veins.
• Any character who has the Herbalism profession can sense herbs.
• Engineers with {[loot|rare|Ultra-Spectropic Detection Goggles}} or one of the epic engineering helms automatically track mote clouds when they have them equipped.
• Characters with the Fishing profession may acquire [Find Fish] to track fish schools from [Weather-Beaten Journal].

Other tracking

• All characters can track useful types of NPCs, like flight masters or particular vendors, if any are nearby:

NPCs that can be tracked
Auctioneer	Banker	Battlemaster	Class Trainer	Flight Master	Food & Drink
Innkeeper	Profession Trainers	Reagents	Repair		Low Level Quests

• All characters can track useful types of objects or devices, like mailboxes, if any are nearby.

Devices and objects that can be tracked
Mailbox	Points of Interest

Removed tracking

• Dwarves had a racial ability, [Find Treasure], which allowed them to sense treasure chests.
• Warlocks could [Sense Demons] at level 24.
• Paladins could [Sense Undead] at level 20.

In Patch 4.2

In Patch 4.2, the ability to control tracking of target and focus target was added.

Patch changes

• Patch 4.2.0 (2011-06-28): Ability to control tracking of target and focus target was added.
  
• Patch 4.0.6 (8-Feb-2011): Find treasure completely removed.
  
• / Patch 4.0.1 (12-Oct-2010): Too many different things to mention are now trackable. Most tracking methods now stack. Find treasure, sense demons and sense undead removed.
  
• / Patch 3.0.2 (14-Oct-2008): The ability for players to search for low-level quests was added.