WoW Alchemy
Alchemy is a World of Warcraft profession that provides players with the ability to create powerful potions which do everything from allow underwater breathing to provide health regen. Characters drink these potions in order to reap their benefits. Players of all classes choose to train alchemy because of the large bonuses these potions provide. Players can also give or sell these potions to other players to help out in groups or to make money. Alchemists are also able to transmute certain items, such as primals, which is highly sought after by players in end game content. Alchemists who do transmutes for other players often make a lot of gold in the process.
The complimentary profession to alchemy is herbalism. Herbalism is a gathering profession that provides alchemists with the herbs they need in order to create potions. Once herbalism is trained the alchemist can search for herbs to harvest and can then create potions using those herbs and vials purchased from vendors. The downside to alchemy is that you must find herbs in order to make your potions. If you don't feel like searching for them in zones using herbalism it is possible that you can find what you are looking for in the auction house. Technically you could buy all of your alchemy supplies from the auction house and never have to train herbalism...that is if you could find and afford all the herbs you need.
If you are creating a new character and decide that you want to try out alchemy and plan on training herbalism to collect your alchemy supplies you may want to consider creating a Tauren if you are going to play Horde. The reason for this is that the Tauren race has a passive racial ability that slightly increases its herbalism skill. But as with all professions, there are none that are limited to one race or another, so anyone can choose to train alchemy as a profession.
Alchemy is a very useful and beneficial profession for any class. The potions that alchemists are able to create have a wide range of attributes, therefore alchemy is truly not better for one class or another. The transmutes alchemists can do are highly sought after in later levels can can make alchemy a very profitable profession to have. If you like the idea of being able to do transmutes or if you really like using potions you might want to consider becoming an alchemist because buying potions on the auction house can get expensive. Using potions can give your character an extra edge over other players. Whether your focus is PvE, PvP, or you are just trying to level, it can be incredibly helpful to have potions on hand, especially ones that heal and regen mana. Having alchemy trained is a sure way to obtain that edge, basically if you have the supplies you have a potion!
