Metals and other Mining Resources:

(Alphabetical Order)

Assumptions Made: Each expansion introduces new metals and ores that invalidate the old
ones. The assumption made is that this is purely a gameplay mechanic, as something like
Saronite would still - in lore - be almost impenetrable. As such, this guide has been written with
the intention on separating gameplay and lore in this regard.

(Special thanks to Dulgrun, Lightnstuff, and Rhamgosh!)

Part 1: Azeroth Natural Metals

● Cobalt [Cost: 6/10 Durability 6/10 Magic: Grows more durable with Frost Magic]:

Found in Northrend, this metal is a very durable and formidable material in its own right.
However, in its natural state, it is a step above Steel, though it can be imbued with Frost
magic to become more durable. Likewise, it is very useful in cold climates as it greatly
aids in keeping body heat in; Thus creating a natural resistance to the cold when
wearing it. This property alone may have been the turning point in the War in Northrend,
as it greatly bolstered the Azerothian forces in the campaign. It is very common to find in
Northrend, almost as common as Iron, but because of the exclusivity of the material
makes importing it expensive. It is Azure in color.

● Copper [Cost: 2/10 Durability: 1/10 Magic N/A] :

One of the most common metals found in Azeroth, Copper is known for its highly
conductive properties. As such, it is commonly used by engineers to make wiring and
other electronic gadgets. It is a very weak metal, as such, should rarely be used to make
armor and weapons. This metal is also used to make the Copper Coin, the smallest unit
of currency used in Azeroth. Copper is colored golden brown.

● Dark Iron [Cost 7/10 Durability 7/10 Magic: Decent]:

This metal isn’t related to regular iron, instead it is found in volcanic locations with high
heat and pressure. It gets its name from the Dark Iron Dwarves - or due to the common
association the converse might be true - and is incredibly difficult to work with as it
requires similar heats and pressures similar to that of which it was made. Dark Iron is
more durable than regular Iron and Steel, though it is also incredibly heavy. It also
possesses a natural fire resistance due to its nature as a volcanic metal, but also serves
as a decent magical conduit. Because it is commonly found in volcanic regions - which is
essentially Blackrock Mountain - it is rare and hard to get ahold of. This metal is dark
gray to black in color.
● Elementium [Cost: Priceless Durability 10/10 Magic: Incredibly Potent]:

This metal is exceedingly rare and hard to smith. It is highly volatile, and without proper
caution and patience, it can easily detonate. The ore itself isn’t found through traditional
means and is only gathered in very small amounts around highly elemental sensitive
areas. Due to its ties with the Elemental plane, it requires a large amount of elemental
reagents to craft with, as a means of circumventing the elemental energies that would be
unleashed otherwise (thus causing the detonation). When created into a piece of
equipment, such piece will rarely find an equal, but the elements within are constantly in
turmoil. Improper maintenance can lead to a detonation, as such, most smiths would
never even consider touching this metal. It is a dark gray color, though when smithed, it
can change depending on the elements used in its creation.

● Gold [Cost 8/10 Durability 2/10 Magic: Very Faint]:

An even more precious metal than Silver. Gold is used in many of the same ways -
making ornamental items for displaying wealth - however its magical properties are
weaker. Unlike Silver, Gold is an incredible conductor and is almost immune to corrosion
making it an unbeatable material in sensitive electronics. Likewise, it can be used to
make electronic power cores. The metal is the core metal of Azeroth’s economy, with the
highest value of currency - the Gold Coin - is made from it. One hundred Silver Coins is
equal to one Gold Coin. Gold is...well...colored Gold. You should know this by now.

● Ghost Iron [Cost 8/10 Durability 6.5/10 Magic: Highly Potent with Spiritual Energy]:

This is a highly spiritual Iron, a phenomenon believed to occur when regular Iron is
barraged in powerful spiritual energies. It is very similar to Titanium, though it has a
higher affinity with spiritual energies. Lightweight, incredibly durable, and potent with
spiritual power, Ghost Iron is a very useful resource. The one drawback of this material
is its scarcity. While somewhat abundant in Pandaria, Ghost Iron isn’t found in any
meaningful supply anywhere else in Azeroth. As such, the cost of exporting Ghost Iron is
phenomenal. This metal appears like regular Iron, though it emanates with spiritual
energy.

● Incendicite [Cost: 6/10 Durability: 1/10 Magic: N/A]:

This is a highly volatile ore that when improperly handled will result in a massive
explosion of destruction. Even more devastating than the popular and widely used
Seaforium, Incendicite is used in particularly devastating explosives. However, unlike
Seaforium which is a relatively stable compound, Incendicite is rather unstable and thus
makes it hard to transport and work with. This material is found only in the Wetlands, and
 as such, makes it a rather unique product. It is red in color with a slight pink hue and is
always seen smoking (as the surface is constantly reacting on a very minor level).

● Iron [Cost 3/10 Durability 4/10 Magic N/A]:

Possibly the most commonly used metal in all of Azeroth, Iron is noted for its durability
and its relative ease of use. It is a very common metal, thus making it very cheap
compared to most while still being widely used in armor and weapons. However, there
are definitely better alternatives, and pure iron is prone to rust. It is gray in color.

● Indurium [Cost 3/10 Durability 4/10 Magic: N/A]:

A metal that is only found in Uldaman, making it somewhat rare. This material has
incredible heat resistances making it seem like a prime engineering material. However, it
is reported that Indurium is toxic with prolonged exposure, and since then, has been
phased out by modern standards. Remaining Indurium is now fairly cheap due to its lack
of a consumer base. Unscrupulous engineers might be willing to use this metal to cut
costs. It is a dark gray metal, close to black.

● Kyptarite [Cost 9/10 Durability 7.5/10 Magic: N/A]:

Not actually a mineral, but instead Amber from the Kyptari trees. This material is used by
the Mantid to create their weapons and few outsiders have been taught how to shape it.
However, when tended properly, it even surpases Ghost Iron in terms of durability.
Because of how difficult it is to shape and obtain - primarily due to the fact the Mantid are
who control the Amber - this is a rather expensive material. It is Amber, so it’s colored
translucent amber.

● Lightforge Iron [Cost: 6/10 Durability: 5/10 Magic: Very Potent w/ Light]:

This metal is both incredibly rare and incredibly stange. It is similar to Steel in terms of
durability, though it is considerably lighter. There is a common belief that Lightforge Iron
is a blessed form of regular, run of the mill Iron, however this is false; It is a rare metal
that is easily mistaken for Iron when unrefined and in an ore format. As a magical
conduit, it excels when it comes to the Light - serving as an incredible conduit for Holy
magic. However, contrary to popular belief, this metal isn’t inherently filled with the Light,
as such, will not harm Demons or Undead. Contrarily, due to its affinity with Light,
Lightforge Iron can be used as a means of ​absorbing​ Light if used defensively, as such,
those sensitive to it can use Lightforge Iron to protect themselves. Something to note
though, this metal when poorly maintained becomes very brittle and can crack or even
shatter. Lightforge Iron when refined is a beautiful material, refracting and reflecting
natural light giving it a wondrous glow while the base color itself is a very shiny silver.
● Mithril [Cost 8/10 Durability 7/10 Magic: Potent]:

A very durable metal, even moreso that Steel. However, this durability makes it very
difficult to smith and as such only the most skilled should even attempt to shape it. Mithril
is very lightweight compared to contemporary metals and as such it is an ideal candidate
for weapons and armor. Another perk of this metal is its incredible magical
conduciveness giving it a moniker “Magician’s Metal”. However, despite its incredible
uses, Mithril is very rare and as such, is treated as a precious metal in terms of cost.
Ironforge corners the Mithril market, in both terms of supply and smiths capable of
working with it. In its ore form, Mithril is a silvery-orange color, though when refined it can
either retain this color, go straight silver, or become a silvery-blue depending on both the
techniques used and the tastes of the smith.

● Obsidian [Cost 7/10 (For useable amounts) Durability 2/10 Magic: Incredible Magic
Drain] (Not to be confused with Obsidium):

This is actually a volcanic glass, and as such, is both brittle but incredibly sharp as well
as decorative uses. Obsidian, however, has a more sinister nature that isn’t commonly
seen; It is an unparalleled material in terms of draining mana. The stuff practically drinks
it and when infused with a metal (or used to edge a blade) can be devastating against
magical foes. It is a black glass in appearance and isn’t all that uncommon, though
getting enough in large quantities is a difficult task.

● Obsidium [Cost: 8/10 Durability 6.5/10 Magic: Meager]:

Crafting Obsidium is very difficult. Discovered after the Cataclysm, it takes an immense
amount of Obsidium to make a single bar. Likewise, this bar would only be marginally
more durable than other metals without many other properties aside from immense
weight. As such, Obsidium is both incredibly heavy and very scarce for a result that can
be replicated easier elsewhere. The end result is a very durable and powerful piece of
equipment, but the journey getting there could be better spent with more traditional
metals. This metal appears similar to Obsidian but less glass-like and more metallic.

● Pyrium [Cost 6/10 Durability 4/10 Magic N/A]:

This metal is known as Fool’s Gold because it shares most of Gold’s cosmetic value
while retaining none of its practical ones. It can be used to craft somewhat decent
equipment, but otherwise, there are far better metals for this. Pyrium is also fairly rare,
thus making it overall a poor choice of metal. It looks identical to gold.

● Saronite [Cost 10/10 Durability 10/10 Magic: Unparalleled]:

 On the surface, this ‘metal’ is the perfect material for almost everything. Lightweight,
almost impossible to break, resistant to all magic - including the Light - would imply this
as unbeatable. However...this is unfortunate assumption lead to its massive use in the
Northrend campaign. Saronite was discovered to be the blood of an Old God,
Yog’Saron. Prolonged exposure of this metal leads those who wear it to insanity, driven
mad by the Whispers of the Old Gods. After this discovery, using this material effectively
ground to a halt; Though the Ebon Blade still reportedly uses it at times. When exposed
to light, Saronite glows with a soft green, though the metal itself is jet black. This metal is
only found in Northrend.

● Silver [Cost: 6/10 Durability 2/10 Magic: Faint]:

A very precious metal that is rarely used outside of displays of wealth and prestige.
Anything ranging from silverware and dishware to jewelry is made of Silver. The metal
itself has some latent magical properties and as such is used by many novice mages as
a foci for enchantments. Silver is generally rare in Azeroth, though Azuremyst Isle has a
high Silver content thus making it a chief mineral export of the Draenei. The metal is also
used to make the Silver Coin, worth one-hundred Copper Coins. Silver is...well...colored
Silver. Need I explain more?

● Tin [Cost: 1/10 Durability 1/10 Magic N/A]:

Like Copper, Tin is another very common metal across Azeroth that has very little use in
making armor or weapons due to its fragile nature. However, Tin is a very cheap metal
and is used commonly in commercial enterprise. Many beginning silversmiths train using
Tin, as not to waste precious Silver while they are learning their trade. It is a shiny silver
color.

● Truesilver [Cost 6/10 Durability 6/10 Magic: Potent]:

This metal is commonly believed to be an alloy of silver and mithril, while in truth it is its
own entity. Truesilver has incredible magical properties as well as durability. Truesilver
weapons and armor are a step above Steel, though the primary purpose of wielding it is
Truesilver’s magical nature. It is a powerful conduit of magic, possibly one of the best in
Azeroth and beyond. The metal is rare, but not to the extent of say Mithril or Dark Iron,
making it expensive but feasible for the more wealthy adventurers to acquire. It looks
almost identical to Silver, however it is somewhat more shiny, thus to a layman it is seen
as the same metal. A footnote to Truesilver is that while it is a common assumption that
Worgen or other cursed creatures are weak to Silver, these myths are ​actually​ referring
to Truesilver...though because its magical properties as well as its use in weapons and
armor, anyone could be killed by this metal easily. There is no evidence supporting that
 Worgen and cursed creatures have a weakness to this metal aside from the obvious
power it already holds.

● Thorium [Cost 7/10 Durability 8/10 Magic: Difficult to Enchant]:

This metal is incredibly and powerful in almost every way. Its use in weapons and armor
requires tremendous strength and is obscenely difficult to wield in combat...as well as to
smith. However, it is rarely matched when used by someone who knows what they are
doing and is devastating on the battlefield. Thorium also boasts incredible heat
resistances. While it holds some incredible properties, Thorium isn’t really the most
uncommon of metals. While not common by any stretch of the meaning, it is more
accessible than Mithril and Dark Iron - and it out performs both in terms of raw force. It
is reported that Thorium is radioactive, something that isn’t widely understood by most of
Azeroth. While these claims are untested, it may be beneficial to exercise due caution
with this metal. Thorium is a bluish green color and has a slight glow.

● Titanium [Cost: 8/10 Durability 6.5/10 Magic: Slightly Potent]:

A metal native to Northrend, this is possibly one of the most versatile metals known to
Azeroth. While it is inferior to Mithril in every regard, it possesses all of the same
qualities that Mithril holds - incredibly light, durable, and is a fine magical conduit.
Though, these are to a slightly lesser degree. It is also somewhat more common than
Mithril, but due to the only known Titanium deposits being in Northrend makes exporting
it expensive.Titanium is found as a silvery blue, but when refined it becomes more silver
in color.

● Trillium (Cost 9/10 Durability 8/10 Magic: Potent]:

This metal is an odd one; Appearing to be two separate metals that actively repel one
another. One portion being black while the other white. Truly skilled smiths can work the
metal into fusing together, making the two become seemingly inseparable. Trillium is a
potent material akin to Lightning Steel in terms durability but much more expensive.
Another factor of Trillium is that when fused properly and in correct proportions,
equipment forged from it will always feel balanced to the wielder. Trillium appears as two
metals; One pure white and the other pure black. They fuse into a rather brilliantly
balanced bar, both colors staying separate.

Azeroth Alloys

● Arcanite [Cost 8/10 Durability 8/10 Magic: Potent]:

This metal is created through an alchemical reaction of arcane crystals and Thorium. It
holds both the incredible weight and durability of Thorium and the magical capacity of
 Mithril. Because it is created through Alchemy, it is significantly more expensive than
regular Thorium and not nearly as accessible. Alchemists can turn a hefty profit if they
learn how to craft this metal, and it isn’t uncommon to see groups of Alchemists mass
producing it in order to raise funds. This metal is an orangey-green color, a combination
of the crystals used and the natural metal.

● Brass [Cost 3/10 Durability 2/10 Magic N/A]:

An alloy of Copper and Zinc, Brass is another common commercial metal. Due to its
high Copper content, it is somewhat more expensive than Pewter. Likewise, Brass is has
a lot of notable acoustic properties, and as such, it plays a large role in musical devices
and other gadgets, however is very rarely used in weapons or armor. Brass is golden in
color.

● Bronze [Cost 2/10 Durability 3/10 Magic N/A]:

An alloy of Copper and Tin, Bronze is more pliable and not as durable as metals such
as Iron, but it is a common material used in Lesser Races’ armor and weapons (as well
as cheap gear for the novice adventurer). It is incredibly cheap compared to more
traditional metals used in smithing and much easier to repair, carving a very solid niche
for this metal. The metal is a Golden Brown color that when corroded turns a bluish
green.

● Lightning Steel [Cost 10/ Durability 8 Magic: Highly Potent with Spiritual Energy]:

This material is created in the Isles of Thunder utilizing the strange magnetic powers that
are found there. Lightning Steel is a refined state of Ghost Iron, pushing its limits to even
higher levels. However, there is a huge price to pay for this; The volatile nature of the
Isle of Thunder means that the smelting process could result in a detonation if not
careful. Because of the harsh conditions on making this metal, it takes approximately ten
Ghost Iron bars for a single bar of Lightning Steel, making this immensely expensive.
Lighting Steel looks like superheated Ghost Iron, and as such, has an orange glow.

● Living Steel [Cost: Legendary Durability Unparalleled Magic: Immensely Potent]:

Living Steel is another state of Ghost Iron, however, it is made by pulling out the Spiritual
Energy of Ghost Iron. Its properties are highly dependant on how well the Alchemist is
capable of pulling and condensing the Spiritual Energy. Living Steel is the metal of
legends, with lingering Spiritual Energy being rumored to give the weapon or armor a
consciousness. Almost no Alchemist is trained in creating Living Steel and very few
smiths can actually shape it. Like Lightning Steel, Living Steel takes a large amount of
Ghost Iron to actually create bars, and as such, ruins the Ghost Iron. It appears as
swirling greenish energy shaped into bars. When smithed, it appears to become more
 metallic, though this could also be because of the other metals used the smithing
process. This metal is comparable to Titansteel, but even harder to acquire.

● Pewter [Cost: 2/10 Durability 2/10 Magic N/A]:

An alloy of Tin (with trace amounts of Copper or other metals) that shares many of Tin’s
properties. Most commonly used in making dinnerware, it is a very common commercial
metal. Pewter is a very important metal to Dwarves, as it is a major export of the
Wetlands. The metal is silvery in color, though not very shiny without exorbitant amounts
of polish.

● Steel [Cost 4/10 Durability 5/10 Magic N/A]:

Refined Iron using coal to improve its durability via increasing the carbon content. It is
significantly more durable than Iron, only marginally more expensive, and as such, is the
most widespread metal used in weapons and armor. It is somewhat more difficult to work
with and if the smith isn’t careful the carbon to iron ratio can be shown and produce an
inferior metal. Steel is a grayish silver in color.

● Titansteel [Cost: Priceless Durability: Unparalleled Magic: Highly Potent]:

An alchemical creation using Titanium and Elemental ores. Titansteel is possibly the
strongest metal on Azeroth and highly versatile. Light weight, a powerful magical
conduit, and unparalleled durability makes this metal worthy of its titanic name. However,
because it is created by the already rare Titanium by alchemists using other rare
reagents makes Titansteel almost impractically expensive. Because of the Elemental
nature of crafting Titansteel, many Alchemists don’t have the skill to craft it - as there are
many possible ways it can go wrong. However, when completed, Titansteel isn’t volatile,
just another boon with this already incredible metal. The metal is a dark silver with a
powerful blue glow.

● Truegold [Cost: 9/10 Durability 2/10 Magic: Incredibly Potent]:

Unlike Truesilver, Truegold is an alchemical creation, not one found in nature. Truegold
is a fusion of Pyrium and Elemental energy which creates a very powerful and potent
magical metal. It doesn’t hold gold’s engineering properties, though it has incredible
magical potency beyond that of Truesilver. However, due to the rarity of Pyrium as well
as the few Alchemists willing to dabble into the Elements inflates the price of Truegold. It
appears as a highly vibrant and shiny bar of gold.

Outland ‘Natural’ Metals:

● Adamantine [Cost: 10/10 Durability 8/10 Magic: Potent]:

A very versatile metal, both incredibly durable and magically potent. Adamantine is
surprisingly easy for smiths to work with, all things considered and as such is incredibly
valuable. It’s ability is similar to Arcanite in terms of its physical and magical properties
and is almost interchangeable with it. The core issue is Adamantine is significantly more
scarce than Arcanite, and as such, is significantly more costly. It is rare even for
Outlands standards, and as such, ventures to mine this metal is very dangerous. It is a
bluish gray with Fel green flecks within the ore. As a footnote, an Adamantine-Khorium
alloy makes a metal with an even greater durability.
( [Hardened Adamantine - Cost 10 Durability 9 Magic: Potent]).

● Eternium [Cost: 7/10 Durability 1/10 Magic: Incredibly Adaptable to all Magic]:

Eternium is a very strange metal with very odd properties to it. Eternium itself is very
weak and brittle, but it is very adaptable. Eternium itself can house a wide variety of
enchantments, even ones that are seemingly contradictory. Likewise, it is very easy to
change Eternium magical composition, being able to drastically change its abilities.
Inherently unstable, Eternium without Elemental fusions is restricted to jewelry, but with
the proper infusions this can be imbued into other metals to make truly adaptable
weaponry and armor. This metal is faded purple that has an ever-so-slight pulse to it.

● Fel Iron [Cost 5/10 Durability 5/10 Magic: Highly volatile, but Potent with Fel]:

This material is made from the Fel corrupted metals of Outland. Fel Iron is a very
unstable material, always in a state of decay as Fel energies pour out of it. It is more
durable than regular Iron, comparable to that of Steel, but because of the ever-seeping
Fel Corruption emanating from the metal makes it a poor choice for long-term affairs.
Likewise, without a forge fueled by Felfire, Fel Iron becomes almost impossible to work
with as with a regular forge - or Light forbid an Arcane forge - can cause the Fel energies
to detonate. It would appear as a glowing green metal. However, one must note that the
abundance of Fel Iron in Outland has kept the price somewhat low - doubly so now that
Outland has been connected to Azeroth for a long time now.

● Khorium [Cost: 5/10 Durability 3/10 Magic: Moderately Potent]:

On its own, Khorium isn’t exactly durable. In fact, it is equivalent to Bronze. However,
Khorium is an excellent material in the creation of alloys. Its flexibility and warped nature
due to Outlands’ Nether influences allows them to drastically improve Outlands metals.
Likewise, Khorium is capable of making more powerful power cores than Gold ones,
 drastically improving the power supplies for electronics. This metal appears as a
bronze-red ore.

● Nethercite [Cost: 5/10 Durability: Unknown Magic: Slightly Potent]:

Not much is known about Nethercite, however it is used by the Dragonmaw orc clan to
reinforce their equipment. As such, it is most likely used in a similar way to Eternium to a
lesser extent. It would appear that Nethercite makes objects easier to enchant and more
resistant to the volatile nature of Outland. It appears as a translucent Bluish Green.

Outland Alloys:

● Fel Steel [Cost: 6/10 Durability 6.5/10 Magic: Potent with Fel]:

An alloy of Fel Iron and Khorium, its decay has all but been stunted. Fel Steel still has
the corruption potential of Fel Iron, but its volatile nature is somewhat lessened. There
aren’t many smiths who are capable of working Fel Steel, and the majority of Fel Steel
comes from salvage from the Legion...which ironically enough keeps prices low due to
the sheer amount of Fel Steel that can be found due to the current Invasion. Fel Steel
appears similar to Fel Iron, a glowing green metal.

Draenor Natural Metals:

● Blackrock [Cost 5/10 Durability 3/10 Magic Potent with Fire Magic]:

A very strange mineral in Draenor that isn’t widely understood. Blackrock is used
frequently to refine True Iron into True Steel, though it can be forged into its own metal.
A natural effect of Blackrock is incredible fire resistance as well as being able to cause
severe burns to those who are struck by it. Most smiths don’t really know how to use it,
only the Blackrock clan really know how to smith with it. It is a black metal that has a
slight smoldering to it.

● Jovite [Cost 4/10 Durability 1/10 Magic: N/A]:

A very brittle metal that is very aerodynamic. It is very hard to heat up this metal, as it is
naturally cold. There aren’t all that many uses of Jovite, but surely someone can come
up with one.
 ● True Iron [Cost 4/10 Durability 5/10 Magic N/A]:

This metal is native to Draenor, and it is believed that all of the True Iron in Outland was
transmuted to Fel Iron. It is more durable than Azerothian Iron, being closer to that of
Steel, but that is pretty much its only nature. However, True Iron is very plentiful in
Draenor, as such, the price is fairly low. It looks like regular Iron.

Works Cited:
(Special thanks to Dulgrun, Lightnstuff, and Rhamgosh)

https://us.battle.net/forums/en/wow/topic/17605052313

https://eu.battle.net/forums/en/wow/topic/10831673734

http://www.wowhead.com/forums&topic=225428

WoWhead, WoWWiki, and WoWpedia.