Why Garrisons Still Matter in 2025
While the Warlords of Draenor expansion was divisive, one feature that left a lasting impression was the Garrison. Often dismissed as an outdated system, Garrisons still provide surprisingly useful benefits even today. From passive gold generation to unique transmog appearances and follower missions, there’s value to be had if you build and manage your Garrison wisely. In fact, players returning to Draenor for completionist goals or side projects often find themselves amazed at how functional these strongholds can remain.
What Buildings Still Provide Value?
Not every structure in the Garrison is worth maintaining. The focus should be on maximizing long-term gains with minimal effort. Resource generation, mission tables, and profession buildings still stand out. Especially for players looking to fill gaps in transmog, farm legacy mats, or even make modest gold, optimizing your building choices is crucial.
| Building | Usefulness in 2025 | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Post | Grants extra resources & rep bonus | Yes |
| Barn | Still useful for Savage Blood transmog sets | Optional |
| Salvage Yard | Provides crates with transmog gear | Yes |
| Inn | Grants followers, treasure missions | Highly recommended |
| Profession Buildings | Good for passive crafting materials | Depends on your professions |
Follower Missions: Still Worth the Time
Missions were once a core part of WoW’s daily loop, and while they’ve largely faded, Draenor’s mission table remains viable. By leveling up followers with the Treasure Hunter trait, you can farm passive gold over time, especially with the right Inn assignments. Additionally, certain missions offer toys, achievements, and even heirloom gear that can be useful for alt collectors.
Best Practices for Garrison Setup
If you’re starting from scratch or returning to an old character, consider setting up your Garrison with intent. Prioritize buildings that serve your main goals, such as the Inn for missions, the Salvage Yard for gear, and the Trading Post for resources and rep. Don’t ignore the Work Orders—they still provide materials that sell on the Auction House.
- Always recruit followers with Treasure Hunter weekly at the Inn.
- Use Work Orders efficiently to automate profession material farming.
- Keep an eye out for rare mission spawns—some offer unique rewards.
- Don’t forget to send your bodyguard on missions to level them for achievements.
- Check the Salvage Yard daily for crates with mogs and old gear.
Should New Players Bother?
While modern expansions offer more relevant endgame systems, Garrisons can still be worthwhile for players looking to complete collections or earn passive income. New players might not prioritize them, but anyone curious about WoW’s history or seeking a side project can absolutely benefit. The Garrison is also a surprisingly relaxing space to retreat to when you’re burned out from current content.
Conclusion
Building a Garrison in 2025 may not be the flashiest choice, but it’s far from useless. Whether you’re looking for transmog, gold, or just a fun side activity, Draenor’s once-maligned strongholds can still deliver. Set up your buildings smartly, level up your followers, and you’ll find that the Garrison remains one of WoW’s most unexpectedly enduring systems.