Gathering is the acquisition of materials from the environment by means of Mining, Wood Cutting, or Herbalism.

Just as our characters gain levels through experience by adventuring, following quests, and running instances, so to do we gain experience by gathering materials. Because materials of each type have a level, we must match or exceed this level with the appropriate skill level in order to harvest them.

The Gathering skills may be the most important of all the Crafting skills as without them you would not be able to create items.