Trainer

A trainer is a special type of NPC that gives out class abilities and spells, or profession skills and recipes. Most of these improvements cost money (increasing with level) and only become available at certain levels. Guards in capitals can point players to the nearest trainer.

Players looking to increase their skill in a profession need to find a skilled trainer to help out.

Types of trainers

Class trainers

Interact with trainer

Trainer out of range

Primary profession trainers

Secondary profession trainers

Cooking trainer
~~First aid trainer~~ (removed in )
- Most changed to <Bandage Trainer> and now teach former First Aid recipes that have moved to either Alchemy or Tailoring.
Fishing trainer
Archaeology trainers

Other trainers

Riding trainer

Trainer titles

Grand Master

This section concerns content exclusive to Wrath of the Lich King.

Grand Master is a title given to a trainer who can train a character to the Grand Master stage of a profession (requires ).

Grand Master Trainers can be found in various far-flung locations for each faction in Northrend, but most are found in the faction starting towns of ( Valgarde and Valiance Keep for the Alliance, Vengeance Landing and Warsong Hold) for the Horde, and Dalaran for both factions.

Master

Before Patch 2.3, Master was a title given to a trainer who could train a character to the Artisan stage of a profession. After Patch 2.3, most Master titles were removed from trainers, and all capital city trainers could train up to Artisan.

In the past, Master Trainers would be found in various far-flung locations for each faction. Some were even found inside dungeon instances!

Other titles

Previous to Patch 2.3, profession trainers used to also have various levels of trainer titles from Journeyman to Expert to Artisan, such that they could only train to below the level of their title. Now in Azeroth (except Northrend), there is a main trainer and an occasional apprentice trainer (mostly in Silvermoon City and Undercity for some reason).

Patch changes

Patch 4.1.0 (26-Apr-2011): All major cities will now have every type of profession trainer and their associated trade supply vendors.
Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): [Archaeology] trainers added.
/ Patch 4.0.1 (12-Oct-2010): Profession trainers not in starting areas now train up to Illustrious level.
Patch 3.1.0 (14-Apr-2009): Profession trainers added to Shattrath City.
/ Patch 3.0.2 (14-Oct-2008): Demons now learn skills as the character Levels. Existing Trainers/Grimoire sellers were either removed or turned into redundant NPCs.
Patch 2.3.0 (13-Nov-2007): All primary profession trainers outside of capitals (Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Enchanting, Engineering, Leatherworking, and Tailoring) have been changed to train up to Artisan level (skill level 300) in their respective professions.
Patch 2.3.0 (13-Nov-2007): The capital cities now possess Artisan level trainers for the primary professions they support, and are surrounded by their newly-dubbed Apprentices where applicable.