Rocket Boots: Goblin and Gnomish versions in Vanilla 1.12.1

◆What rocket boots do

Both models are cloth feet items with 41 armor that bind when equipped. Their whole point is the Use effect: a significant run speed boost for 20 seconds. They differ in cooldown, skill requirement and the way they break.

Goblin Rocket BootsBinds when equippedFeetCloth41 ArmorDurability 35 / 35Use: These dangerous looking boots significantly increase your run speed for 20 sec. They are prone to explode however, so use with caution. (5 Min Cooldown)

Gnomish Rocket BootsBinds when equippedFeetCloth41 ArmorDurability 35 / 35Requires Engineering (225)Use: These boots significantly increase your run speed for 20 sec. WARNING: Their power supply and gyros do not always function as intended. (30 Min Cooldown)

• Goblin — 5 minute cooldown and no skill requirement in the tooltip, so any character, including non-engineers, can wear and use them.
• Gnomish — 30 minute cooldown and Engineering (225) required to use.
• According to our game server database the goblin version gives a stronger boost than the gnomish one; Wowpedia also calls the gnomish boots «slightly slower».

How to craft rocket boots

1. Raise Engineering to 200 and pick a specialization — see the Gnomish Engineering guide and the Goblin Engineering guide. Leveling 1–300 is covered in the engineering guide.
2. Reach skill 225.
3. Learn the recipe from your specialization master for 22 silver: goblins — Nixx Sprocketspring in Gadgetzan or Vazario Linkgrease in Ratchet; gnomes — Tinkmaster Overspark in Ironforge or Oglethorpe Obnoticus in Booty Bay.
4. Keep a Blacksmith Hammer and an Arclight Spanner in your bags.
5. Buy or commission the base item — Black Mageweave Boots; tailors make them, see the tailoring guide.

The base boots are turned into a gadget: the original stats of the Black Mageweave Boots disappear, leaving 41 armor and the speed effect.

◆Malfunctions: explosions and loss of control

Both tooltips openly warn you about the risks:

• Goblin boots are «prone to explode». A failure triggers Rocket Boots Malfunction — a 2 second stun. According to Wowpedia, after the explosion the boots turn into Scorched Rocket Boots, which can be looted for part of the original materials. Expect to rebuild goblin boots from time to time.
• Gnomish boots never explode, but «their power supply and gyros do not always function as intended». Their failure is a different Rocket Boots Malfunction: «Out of control!» for 5 seconds, moving you in random directions. According to Wowpedia, the boost can also end early or the user may be rooted in place.

Use in PvP, raids and travel

• PvP. Escape a warrior or rogue, catch a fleeing healer, carry the flag in Warsong Gulch. The boost can be combined with a Swiftness Potion and class sprint abilities — they do not share a cooldown with the boots.
• Dungeons and raids. Run back to the group after a death, escape a dangerous mechanic, be the first to reach the next room.
• Travel. Before level 40, without a mount, goblin boots with a 5 minute cooldown noticeably save time on the road.

Tips for choosing

• A goblin engineer has nothing to think about — craft goblin boots, but stock reagents for rebuilding after explosions.
• A gnomish engineer gets a reliable sprint every half hour; for frequent sprints you can buy goblin boots from a goblin friend, since anyone can wear them.
• Non-engineers can only use the goblin boots.
• For escapes, the boots pair perfectly with the Gnomish Cloaking Device, and to save the group after a wipe — with Goblin Jumper Cables.

◆Related articles

• Engineering utility gadgets 1.12: repair, resurrection, teleports
• Engineering combat gadgets and explosives
• Gnomish Mind Control Cap
• Ultrasafe Transporter: Gadgetzan
• Engineering schematics

Want to try rocket boots in action? Register on WoW x5, set up your client with the connection guide and level engineering at the accelerated x5 pace.