So often, players are concerned about picking the best professions in Cataclysm for their particular character. In the end, it will all depend on what your playstyle is. However, I will go into an in depth analysis of the individual stat bonuses for each profession that shows that there are no true Best Cataclysm Professions.
For simplicity’s sake, I will compare each profession based around one stat: Stamina. Every class uses it. It’s pretty standard, and you will notice that the differences are not very substantial.
Alchemy – Your bonus is mixology. Flask of Steelskin receives a boost of 120 stamina.
Blacksmithing – Your bonus is the ability to socket Gloves and Bracers. With two extra Solid Ocean Sapphires at 60 stamina each, your total bonus is 120 stamina.
Enchanting – Your unique bonus is ring enchants. You can enchant both rings with 60, for a total of 120 stamina.
Engineering – The closest thing you get to a passive boost is cogwheels, which can be put in unique engineering helms. These only boost secondary stats, however they are on par with stats from other professions. Engineering’s usefulness is in gadgets with special abilities, convenience, and novelty items.
Herbalism – Provides no bonus to Stamina. However, the healing and haste bonus can be beneficial.
Inscription – Unique shoulder inscriptions trump all of Therazane’s shoulder enchants. The difference is a staggering 120 stamina.
Jewelcrafting – Jewelcrafters have access to up to 3 chimera’s eyes. A solid Chimera’s eye is 101 stamina. A solid Ocean Sapphire provides 60. The difference of 3 gems, results in a difference of 123 stamina.
Leatherworking – Leatherworkers are able to create Draconic Embossments for their bracers, which provide a difference of 120 stamina compared with the bonus you would get from enchanting.
Mining – Miners receive the toughness boost, which provides a flat 120 stamina. Getting redundant, aren’t we?
Skinning – Doesn’t provide a stamina buff, but its crit rating is on par with other professions passive bonuses.
Tailoring – Doesn’t provide a stamina buff, but its embroidery gives random boosts of offensive stats.
As you can see, there’s not really a specific Best Profession in Cataclysm in terms of the passive bonuses, or unique gear. In the end, what matters most is what is best for you. Do you want the ease of crafting your own gear? Do you want to make WoW gold by the truckload? Are you ready to start power leveling your professions? Keep in mind, it can be costly to level up a new profession. I used a WoW gold guide and profession leveling guide to make it much easier, cheaper, and faster. If you choose two crafting professions, then you definitely need a lot of cash flow to keep them up.