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Its original purpose as a Titan construct is long forgotten. Now it serves as a loyal traveling companion and fearsome battling adversary — it's the Clockwork Gnome!
Collecting the Clockwork Gnome
For the archaeologists out there, collecting the Clockwork Gnome can take some time, depending on your luck. According to Wowhead, the earliest skill level players might discover this pet is 75. This isn't guaranteed or very common though, and it's much more likely that you'll level this profession well beyond 75 before coming across the pet.
If you're just starting out with Archaeology and have your eyes set on the Clockwork Gnome, you'll want to begin your search in the Eastern Kingdoms. This pet can only be crafted by collecting 100 Dwarf Archaeology Fragments, and the Eastern Kingdoms is where you'll find the appropriate digsites. The recipe also allows for three Dwarf Rune Stones, equivalent to 36 fragments or 12 fragments each rune stone, so hang onto any that you find while digging. Using these Rune Stones will cut down on the number of fragments you need to collect.
Another option for those that have 525 Archaeology or higher is to head to Pandaria and collect the Pandaren, Mogu, or Mantid fragments found there. Crafting common (white) items from these three races will yield Restored Artifacts, which can be used as currency to purchase crates of pre-Pandaria fragments, including Crate of Dwarven Archaeology Fragments. Restored Artifacts can also be purchased from the Spirit of Harmony vendor in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
Crates contain 5-10 fragments of their respective race, but you must have an Archaeology skill of 600 before you can open them. It doesn't hurt to stock up on crates while you continue leveling this profession though. Just keep digging!
For additional information on leveling Archaeology, check out this guide on Wowhead.
Battling with the Clockwork Gnome
The clockwork gnome is a dapper killing machine, literally.
In his first slot, there's a choice between standard single-hitting abilities. Either the mechanical Metal Fist or the elemental Rail Gun are solid choices. In general I prefer Metal Fist because of a slightly higher accuracy, and also because when I use my Gnome I'm usually doing so for his Mechanical damage.
The second slot is either the 2-turn self-heal Repair or the humanoid ability Blitz. I tend to prefer Repair in PVE settings, where I have more control over the battle, and Blitz in PVP. However, because Blitz's damage is reliant on being first to act, I don't frequently get to use it over the ability I chose for the 1st slot (family weaknesses being the exception).
The last slot is what shapes your strategy with the Clockwork Gnome. You can choose between the strong DoT always applied to the front line, Build Turret, or the big single nuke Launch Rocket.
Launch Rocket has to be primed each time before it can be exploded in a blaze of glory. Using it can require some careful planning, though once it is primed it can be launched at your leisure. So you can take a turn in between prime & launch to stack a buff or two.
The nature of the gnome's abilities means that he plays best when you can find him a partner. Either an additive debuff like Wild Magic with the Turret set, or a multiplicative one like any of the myriad Shattered Defenses vehicles with the Rocket set make this robot really shine.
Check out our forum thread discussion on the Clockwork Gnome and submit your own thoughts on this pet.
Battling Discussion on the Clockwork Gnome
Pet of the Month is co-written by Liopleurodon, an experienced pet battler and long-time WoW player. She maintains her own Pet Battle blog, comprised of pet analyses, team strategies and general thoughts on pets.
This is guy is one of my absolute favorites against any Beast pet. His Build Turret ability paired with any other pet's Call Lightning weather effect does INSANE damage against Beast pets. If he can live long enough to place another turret and have two out at the same time, you're looking at 6 hits/round (12 if Call Lightning is still going)!
I like Turret with Plagued Blood for back-line healing of Clockwork.
Just like to add if you die before launching your Rocket Launch and have another mechanical up that has that ability, it can launch the rocket.
I love this pet. The rocket launcher is very powerful weapon. I use him against beast pets and he just tears them up! To me, this pet feels like a 'scout' - he may not be the most healthy pet or does the most damage...but he sure has a great bag of tricks.
Definitely worth the effort to get this little guy in your menagerie!