Once you’ve reached a certain level as an alchemist, you’re given the option to level up and become a Specialized Alchemist in one of three specialty areas – Potions, Elixirs and Transmutes. First off, you must be level 68. Second, your alchemy skill must be level 325. When you’ve accomplished both, you must complete the specific quest for that specialization. Recently, Blizzard made it possible to switch between specializations for only 100 gold.

The real benefits to specializing in a certain area is the ability to occasionally create more items than you have the items to make. The numbers work out so that you can make from 1 to 4 extra items for every item you try to make from a recipe. This means that you could make up to 25 items from enough ingredients for 5. The odds are very small that this would happen, but it is a possibility. Generally, with a specialization, you will receive one or two extra items for every recipe you use.

Specializing is a great way to make extra potions, elixirs or other items and sell them for extra profit. If you end up with an extra three or four, you’re getting free items without any initial investment, a great reason to specialize alone.

Master of Potions

As the most commonly used and useful of all items, a potions specialization is a great choice. If nothing else, you know you’ll need the extra potions. Almost anything under the potion banner fits into this category with the exception of Troll’s Blood and Mageblood (elixirs).

The quest to receive this specialization can be started in Cenarian Refuge with Lauranna Thar’well. The actual quest involves obtaining the Botanist’s Field Guide in Tempest Keep and making a collection of 15 different potions from the guide.

Master of Elixirs

Elixirs are not quite as sure a thing as potions. Not everyone needs them or can afford them and for that reason they are not purchased nearly as often. However, many people will buy them and Flasks are considered in this arena as well, a commonly used item to boost abilities. If you are able to make extra flasks, you are almost guaranteed to come up with enough for a great deal of extra gold.

The quest to receive this specialization can be started in Shattrath City with Lorokeem, the master alchemy trainer for the city. You’ll need to acquire 10 Essence of Infinity off of Rift-Keepers in Black Morass. There are 15 elixirs you’ll need to create and bring back with you as well.

Master of Transmutation

There’s a big cooldown problem with transmuting, right? Well, this is a great specialization because it allows you to bypass that restriction and pick up a few extra moments and extra items along the way. That restriction is still in place, but good gold can still be made form transmutations.

The quest to receive this specialization can be started in Stormspire with Zarevhi, by brining him 4 Primal Mights. It takes some time to acquire these Primals and do all the necessary transmutations though, so beware of the time investment here.