Learn Tinkering
Tinkering is a tradeskill exclusive to Gnomes. Any Gnome class can learn it, but you must be level 16 to begin. Gnomes start with a base skill of 50 in Tinkering — a head start that no other race/tradeskill combination gets.
Containers & Equipment
Tinkering uses toolboxes (portable) and tinkering tables (stationary).
Toolboxes (Portable)
| Container | Notes |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Toolbox | Recommended — best portable option |
| Toolbox | Standard portable container |
| Collapsible Toolbox | Collapsible for inventory space |
Tinkering Tables (Stationary)
| Container | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tinkering Table | Found in crafting halls |
| Tinkering Table (Placeable) | For housing/guild hall |
| Guild Tinkering Table (Placeable) | Guild hall version |
Modifier tool: Geerlok Clockwork Contraption — adds 5% to base skill. Does not stack with trophy; only the highest modifier applies.
What You Can Make
Tinkering produces mechanical gadgets and devices. Categories include:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Clockwork Devices | Mechanical companions and utility items |
| Portable Containers | Collapsible tradeskill containers for other professions |
| Mechanical Augments | Socketable enhancements |
| Utility Gadgets | Shrink devices, gate items, various clickies |
| Cultural Symbols | Gnomish cultural items (blueprint books available) |
Many Tinkered items have unique click effects that no other tradeskill can produce, making Tinkering one of the more sought-after restricted tradeskills.
Getting Started
- Crescent Reach (recommended): Find Matrum Geerlok in the main building behind the bankers. Complete his introductory tasks for free skill-ups.
- Abysmal Sea: Alternate freebie quests available.
At skill 54, visit Event Coordinator Baublie Diggs in West Freeport to begin the Beginner Mechanist Trophy task.
Skill-Up Path Overview
| Range | Method |
|---|---|
| 50 (base) | Gnome racial starting skill |
| 50–54 | Crescent Reach freebie quests (free) |
| 55–300 | Mechanical components, scaling complexity |
| 301–350 | Recipe discovery system |
Skill cap: 350 at mastery. Reaching 350 requires learning 791 of 870 total Tinkering recipes. Relative to other tradeskills, Tinkering has a smaller recipe pool — but the percentage required for mastery is among the highest.
Key Recipes
Tinkering components include springs, gears, cogs, wires, and various mechanical parts. Many are vendor-purchased; higher-level recipes incorporate dropped components.
Cultural symbol blueprints can be scribed from books, unlocking race-specific Gnomish cultural recipes at higher skill levels.
Trophy Progression
- Must be equipped to evolve
- Only successful combines count
- Trophy will not evolve on recipes more than 100 trivial points above your current skill (until skill 250)
- Geerlok Clockwork Contraption and trophy bonuses do not stack
Related Guides
- Beginner's Tradeskill Guide — general crafting fundamentals
- Skilling Up 301 to 350: The Basics — endgame skill progression
- Prophecy of Ro Trophy Guide — detailed trophy quest walkthrough
- Tinkering Mastery AA Guide — AA investment breakdown