I have a miner, a skinner and a herbalist. Everyday, using these 3 professions gets 2-3 points to upgrade the specializations. Even gathering the most basic versions of ore or herbs can, on ocasion, pop out point boosters. My skinner and herbalist are alts, and yep going up faster than my main, despite me playing them less than half the time of the main.
And then there’s engineering. Where, no matter what I do, I don’t seem to be able to go more than 4-5 points per week. No matter what I craft, other than the “first craft” point, no more come up. Shards never drop anywhere. How do I get more progression in engineering?!
Install profession knowledge tracker weakaura and it will show you where can you get more points.
also, you get knowledge books at renown 14 and 24 with both Dragonscale and Valdrakken.
2 points form quest to complete 2 work orders
2 points from the quest by the engineering trainer
2 points from the quest from the NPC near the alchemist trainer
2 points from dirt piles/expedition packs
1 point from treatise
1 point [Infinitely Attachable Pair o’ Docks]( Infinitely Attachable Pair o’ Docks
1 point from Keeper’s Mark
That’s very little, other profs get like 14 points per week because they get one more from quests.
Also the one time knowledge points are really lackluster for engineering, only having 2 of those thingies while other profs have like 7-8
Engineering tree is different. We have a single tree (Function over form) that gives skill for bracers (4 types), goggles (4 types), guns AND Profession equipment. In addition to general trees.
Engineers need 525 points to fill ALL trees and subtrees. Blacksmiths need 770. Leatherworkers need 750. Tailors need 630. Scribes need 680.
Only alchemists need less points (510), but alchemists don’t get a weekly work order quest.
Enchanters are close needing 565 points, but they also don’t get a weekly work order quest.
So I think the reason is that Engineers need less points overall, so they get less points.
Treasures like dirt, chests and scout packs are very unlikely to have dragon shards. I get maybe 3-4 dragon shards on average per day, but that’s mostly from farming regularly spawning “rare” mobs. I probably do about 20-30 rares per day and pick up around 50-100 dirt piles & similar treasures. It’s quite a bit of work and I can understand that casual players can’t compete with that unless they can put the hours into doing this.