This is from a free gold guide online by kunzite I did not write this guide it is copy/past
The Best Areas to Farm
The Best Areas to Farm
Questing for Gold
Killer Builds: The Best Solo Builds for Every Class
Ranking Class Farming Ability
Instant Respawn Areas
Some areas in the game have an instant respawn. How this mechanic works is an area will instantly spawn mobs if there is less than a certain number in the area. For example, one area might normally have 30 mob spawn points and instantly respawns mobs when there are only 20 active mobs in the area. Once 10 mobs in this area are killed, any futher mobs killed will cause an instant respawn at a random spawn point. The area will never go under 20 mobs. For farming areas, this is fantastic as it severely limits the impact of multiple farmers in one area at the same time.
Average Mob Value
Determining the average gold a mob will drop in items is vital to determining whether a mob is worth hunting. In this section, I have drawn conclusions from data found at various WoW database sites as well as my personal findings on a mob's drop rate of various items. Valuing and determining the drop rate of green, blue, and purple items was difficult to do but vital to come as close as possible to the actual mob value. Here's how I did it:
World Drop Green Weapons/Armor:
I assume that all mobs have a 2% chance of dropping a World Drop Green Armor/Weapon. From my own findings and from looking at WoW database sites, this seems to be correct. I gave an average value of 4.5g to any green armor/weapon from level 57-63 (usually dropped by level 58-65 mobs) and 7g to any green armor/weapon from level 64-70 (usually dropped by level 65-70 mobs). These values are derived from the disenchant value of these items.
World Drop Blue Weapons/Armor/Recipes
I gave all mobs a 1 in 1500 chance of dropping a World Drop Blue item (not including darkmoon cards). I gave World Drop Blues an average value of 75 gold.
World Drop Epic Weapons/Armor/Recipes
Only mobs close to level 70 are able to drop epic items in The Burning Crusade. Starting at about level 65, mobs are able to drop epic recipes. Level 68 appears to be when epic weapons and armor pieces may be dropped by mobs (though at a reduced chance than a full level 70 mob). I gave the following chances for an epic item:
Level 65-67 mobs: 1 in 75,000
Level 68 mobs: 1 in 30,000
Level 69 mobs: 1 in 20,000
Level 70 mobs: 1 in 10,000
I valued the average epic item at 750 gold.
World Drop Grey Items
Yep, you have to factor this in too! I gave every mob a 3% chance of dropping a 'world drop' grey item vendoring for an average of 1 gold. These world drop greys include items such as 'The Stoppable Force' and 'Tarnished Claymore'.
Kunzite's Actual Runs
For each area listed below, I did a 30 minute run and tracked all drops I received and noted how many mobs I killed. This data is useful as it shows how fast the mobs in an area can be killed. It should be noted that I could get lucky or unlucky with just 30 minutes of farming so only use my drops as a guide. However, in all cases, I came very close to my estimated mob value, usually with 10%.
All mobs were killed with my slightly above average geared warrior. My gear included some season 2 Arena Gear along with a mix of Karazhan, Tempest Keep, and Serpentshrine items.
How to Read the Farming Data
For each Farming area, you will see the following:
Farming Population: I try to give you an idea of how many people to expect in this area. I also note the spawn rate.
Mobs: The names of the mobs you are killing.
Key Drops: The drops that will bring you the most gold from the area. When possible, I have also noted the estimated drop rate.
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: As stated above, I calculate the value per mob kill based on all the items it may drop.
Summary: My overall summary and thoughts of the area are found here.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
Number of mobs killed: I note how many mobs I killed during my 30 minute run here (and how many of each type if they have different loot tables).
Items Obtained: I list here all notable items I obtained along with how much I received in raw cash drops and vendor trash.
Actual Result: I sum up the value of the items I obtained and list here the actual gold value of my 30 minute run. I also add on how much this is 'per hour'.
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): Here I multiply the number of mobs I killed by my Estimated Gold per Mob Kill. Most of my 30 minute runs are very close to this Expected Result. If you are looking for long term farming of an area, look at the gold per hour found here as this removes my luck or lack of luck from the equation.
Lets get to the Farming!
Netherstorm Areas
Mana Elementals in Kirin'var Village
Kirin'var Village in southeast Netherstorm
Farming Population: High, but area is Instant Respawn making it bearable
Mobs: Mana Seeker and Mage Slayer
Key Drops: Mote of Mana (average .40 motes per kill, 2 gold each)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 1.22 gold
The instant respawn of this area makes it a fantastic farming area. Waiting for your Tempest Keep group/raid? Hop on over here and make some quick gold. You will almost always see 3-5 people farming though making it frustrating for some to tag mobs. If you are able to kill quickly and intelligently though, this is still a great area to farm.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
139 elementals killed (1 kill every 12.95 seconds)
Items Obtained: 66 motes of mana, 3 greens, 22.54g vendor trash
Actual Result: 175.54 gold earned in 30 minutes (or 351.08 gold/hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 169.58 gold (or 339.16 gold/hour)
Voidwalkers around Manaforge Ultris
The area outside Manaforge Ultris in eastern Netherstorm
Farming Population: Very low to none. This is not a well known spot.
Mobs: Voidshrieker and Unstable Voidwraith
Key Drops: Mote of Shadow (average .40 motes per kill, 2 gold each)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 1.22 gold
There are some big warnings for this area. Casters will have a much harder time in this area as Voidshriekers are very anti caster. An epic flying mount is pretty much required here as you must hop around the huge spawn area as you clear it out. If you are able to deal with this and primal shadow sells for a decent price on your realm, give this area a try!
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
105 elementals killed (1 kill every 17.14 seconds)
Items Obtained: 52 motes of shadow, 3 greens, 18.54g in vendor trash
Actual Result: 143.54 gold earned in 30 minutes (or 287.08 gold/hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 128.10 gold (or 256.20 gold/hour)
Zaxxis Area
The Zaxxis are found south of Area 52
Farming Population: High, but has an Instant Respawn
Mobs: Zaxxis Raider and Zaxxis Stalker
Key Drops: Consortium Reputation Items (which are not tradeable and have a 50% drop rate) and Prison Keys for Consortium Quests (which have around a 2% drop rate).
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 49.42 silver (not including the value of Prison Keys)
Well, this area is usually heavily farmed. However, this really isn't a great area for farming gold. If you are here, you are here for Consortium reputation.
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill:
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
107 Zaxxis killed (1 kill every 16.82 seconds)
Items Obtained: 89 Netherweave, 1 green item, 58 Zaxxis Insignias, 2 Prison Keys, 18.77 gold in cash drops and vendor trash
Actual Result: 40.90 gold earned in 30 minutes (or 81.80 gold per hour) along with 1450 Consortium reputation (or 2900 reputation per hour) and 2 Prison Keys
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 52.87 gold (or 105.75 gold/hour)
Blade's Edge Mountains
Fire Elementals in Skald
Farming Population: High. There is no instant respawn so prepare to battle it out for elementals!
Mobs: Searing Elemental (your primary target) and Scorch Imp (worth much less than the elemental)
Key Drops: Mote of Fire (average .40 motes per kill, 2.5 gold each)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: Searing Elementals: 1.38 gold Scorch Imps: 49.42 silver
I'm not a big fan of this area due to the overcamping, slow respawns, and lower value mobs mixed in. However, this is in fact the best area to find motes of fire.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
60 Searing Elementals killed (1 kill every 29.51 seconds) and 30 Scorch Imps Killed (1 kill every 60 seconds)
Items Obtained: 25 Motes of Fire, 3 Green Items, 22 Netherweave, 14.53 gold in cash drops and vendor trash
Actual Result: 101.77 gold (or 203.54 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 97.63 gold (or 195.25 gold per hour)
Aldor Item Farming in Death's Door
Death's Door in southeast Blade's Edge
Farming Population: Low. You may find a few people doing quests but you will rarely see many people here.
Mobs: Various Aldor Item dropping demon mobs including Death's Might, Deathforge Technician, Deathforge Over-Smith, and more
Key Drops: Fel Armament (about a 1.8% drop and valued at 15 gold) and Mark of Sargeras (about a 28% drop and valued at 1 gold)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 1.04 gold per kill
Death's Door is one of the many possible Aldor Item farming areas. There are plenty of mobs to kill and usually few others here.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
125 Aldor Item Dropping Demons Killed (1 kill every 14.4 seconds)
Items Obtained: 2 Fel Armaments, 28 Marks of Sargeras, 109 Netherweave, 3 Green Items, 20.08g in cash drops and vendor trash.
Actual Result: 117.61 gold (or 235.22 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 130 gold (or 260 gold per hour)
Hellfire Peninsula
Voidwalkers to the East
Voidwalker farming to the east of Zeth'gor in Hellfire Peninsula
Farming Population: Very Low, I almost never see anyone else here.
Mobs: Collapsing Voidwalker and Vacillating Voidcaller
Key Drops: Mote of Shadow (average of .29 motes per mob killed)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 83.10 silver per kill
This spot certainly isn't overwhelming. Casters may have trouble on the Vacillating Voidcallers due to some anti caster abilities. An epic flying mount is also very helpful here to move between spawns. There are much better areas to farm, but if you want a change, you can try this area out.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
113 elementals killed (1 kill every 15.93 seconds)
Items Obtained: 38 Motes of Shadow, 1 Green Item, 11.59g in cash drops and vendor trash
Actual Result: 92.09 gold (or 184.18 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 93.90 gold (or 187.80 gold per hour)
Nagrand
Ogres near Halaa
Ogres in the cave north of Halaa
Farming Population: Moderate. You will sometimes see another farmer here but the Instant Respawn of the area helps keep mobs up.
Mobs: Boulderfist Mage and Boulderfist Warrior
Key Drops: Obsidian Beads (not tradeable) for Consortium Reputation (or Kurenai/Mag'Har) as well as 10 Kurenai/Mag'Har Reputation per kill
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 49.91 silver per kill
If you're here, it's likely you are building up Consortium and Kurenai/Mag'Har reputation. This is certainly the best area to do it as you have an Instant Respawn and can work up both factions at once.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
146 Ogres killed (1 kill every 12.33 seconds)
Items Obtained: 102 Netherweave, 2 Greens Items, 19 Oshu'gun powder, 42 Obsidian Beads, 19.47 gold in cash and vendor trash
Actual Result: 53.57 gold (or 107.14 gold per hour) along with 1460 Kurenai Reputation (or 2920 per hour) and 1050 Consortium Reputation (or 2100 per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 72.86 gold (or 145.74 gold per hour)
The Elemental Plateau
The Elemental Plateau is to the east of the throne of elements and only accessible with a flying mount.
Farming Population: Extremely High with a normal spawn rate. Expect to see people here at all times and lots of battles for tagging mobs. There just aren't enough elementals for everyone.
Mobs: Crashing Wave-Spirit (Water Elemental), Storming Wind-Ripper (Air Elemental), Raging Fire-Soul (Fire Elemental)
Key Drops: Mote of Fire (average .50 per mob and valued at 2.5 gold each), Mote of Air (average .50 per mob and valued at 2.5 gold each), and Mote of Water (average .50 per mob and valued at 2 gold each)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: Crashing Wave-Spirit (Water Elemental): 1.42 gold, Storming Wind-Ripper (Air Elemental): 1.67 gold, Raging Fire-Soul (Fire Elemental): 1.67 gold
Talk about overrated! To give the Elemental Plateau its best chance, I did my 30 minute test run during off peak hours. Even then, there were 3-5 others farming! Having my epic mount probably scored me a few more kills as I was able to quickly survey the area and dive bomb on an elemental that was not tagged. The action is just too slow here with far too few mobs. Avoid this area, go somewhere else to farm!
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
56 elementals killed (1 kill every 32.14 seconds) - 24 Water Elementals, 20 Air Elementals, 12 Fire Elementals
Items Obtained: 11 Motes of Air, 10 Motes of Water, 7 Motes of Fire, 1 Green Item, 7.15 gold from vendor trash
Actual Result: 79.15 gold (or 158.30 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 87.52 gold (or 175.04 gold per hour)
Terokkar Forest
Firewing (Mana Bomb) Area
Firewing Point in eastern Terokkar
Farming Population: Medium. You will find a good amount of questers as well as people looking for Firewing Signets. This is the only area in the game where Firewing Signets drop.
Mobs: Firewing Warlock, Firewing Defender, and Firewing Bloodwarder
Key Drops: Firewing Signets (about a 33% drop and valued at around 1.2 gold each) and Arcane Tomes (about a .5% drop and valued at around 15 gold each)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 84.43 silver per kill
If you want to smash a lot of low level mostly caster mobs, this is a great place. As long as there aren't too many other people here, you should be able to kill a ton of mobs very quickly. This is of course the only place in the game that Firewing Signets may be obtained. The price of Firewing Signets on most servers is somewhere between 1 and 1.5 gold.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
170 Blood Elves Killed (1 kill every 10.59 seconds)
Items Obtained: 48 Firewing Signets, 3 Arcane Tomes, 61 Netherweave, 41 Runecloth, 3 Green Items, 22.78 gold in cash drops and vendor trash
Actual Result: 156.22 gold (or 312.44 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 143.53 gold (or 287.06 gold per hour)
Skettis
Skettis in southeastern Terokkar
Farming Population: Medium. There are a lot of people there, but not many of them are interested in killing anything. Most are there for daily quests and the daily escort quest.
Mobs: There are two types of Arakkoa: Regular and 'Time-Lost' Arakkoa. You must complete a quest and turn in items to receive a potion that allows you to see the 'Time-Lost' Arakkoa. There are also water elementals that may be killed as you move around the area.
Key Drops: Shadow Dust (Used to make the potion to see Time-Lost Arakkoa. Sells for around 80 silver each. Drops from regular Arakkoa in the area), Time-Lost Scroll (Used to summon various quest mobs in Skettis. Sells for around 2 gold each. Drops from any 'Time-Lost' Arakkoa), and Motes of Water from water elementals (Sells for about 2 gold each and expect to find about .50 per water elemental killed.)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 78.57 silver for regular Arakkoa, 1.44 gold for Time-Lost Arakkoa, 1.42 gold for Water Elementals
This is a difficult place to farm. There are plenty of high level mobs all over the place. It may take a while to figure out the best way to approach this place. The Water Elementals in this area are profitable but take too long to get to and have too low a spawn rate to consistently farm (I usually just kill them as I see them while farming Arakkoa). Note that it is necessary that you have enough Skyguard Reputation to see the Time-Lost Arakkoa.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
Time-Lost Arakkoa: 56, Normal Arakkoa: 37, Water Elementals: 12 (1 mob kill every 17.14 seconds)
Items Obtained: 77 Netherweave 13.09, 16 Shadow Dust 12.8, 19 Time-Lost Scrolls, 5 Motes of Water, 4 Green Items, 14.79 gold from cash drops and vendor trash.
Actual Result: 116.68 gold (or 233.36 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 126.75 (or 253.50 gold per hour)
Shadowmoon Valley
Air Elementals
Farming Population: Medium. There is usually a decent number of people killing off Air Elementals. However, the spawn area for them is huge.
Mobs: Enraged Air Spirit
Key Drops: Mote of Air (average .40 motes per kill, 2.5 gold each)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 1.42 gold per kill
The problem with SMV elementals is the time to move between them. They are very spread out and pretty much require an epic flying mount to move between them. While this is the best place to farm Motes of Air, it is difficult to kill a decent amount of the elementals. Personally I have found the south Air Elemental area easier to find and kill elementals.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
82 elementals killed (1 kill every 21.95 seconds)
Items Obtained: 36 Motes of Air, 2 Green Items, 9.83g from vendor trash
Actual Result: 113.83 gold (or 227.66 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 116.44g (or 232.88g per hour)
Shadow Council Warlocks at Legion Hold
Legion Hold in western Shadowmoon Valley
Kill off all those green beam shooting guys.
Farming Population: Low. I very rarely see another person farming the Warlocks while I was farming them. They have an instant respawn so you should be able to farm them even with a few other people here.
Mobs: Shadow Council Warlock
Key Drops: Fel Armament (about a 1.8% drop and valued at 15 gold) and Mark of Sargeras (about a 28% drop and valued at 1 gold)
Kunzite's Estimated Gold per Mob Kill: 98.89 silver per kill
This spot is incredible. You have an instant respawn in a very small area making kills come extremely fast. In fact, the biggest slowdown is the time needed to loot the corpses! Kills come so fast, this is by far my favorite farming spot with an average of over 400 gold per hour. The only challenge is dodging the elite. After you watch his pathing for a few minutes, you should have it figured out and see how to avoid him while killing the warlocks.
Kunzite's Actual 30 Minute Run:
203 Shadow Council Warlocks killed (1 kill every 8.87 seconds)
Items Obtained: 133 Netherweave, 3 Green Items, 6 Fel Armaments, 43 Marks of Sargeras, 25.61 gold from cash drops and vendor trash
Actual Result: 202.22 gold (or 404.44 gold per hour)
Expected Result (based on estimated Mob Value): 200.75 gold (or 401.50 gold per hour)
I did not write this it is copy/paste