Streamlining the Process of Alt Leveling to Maximum Level

Creating alts is a lot of fun. I've probably created about 100 in the time I've been playing World of Warcraft, ranging from some that get just a couple levels while I'm wasting time, to a handful that have made it past level 60 and beyond only to get deleted a short while later because I just simply don't have much time for them and I sort of feel guilty when they are staring me in the face on the loading screen and they don't get any of my attention.

However, if I were to have a full stable of alt characters, I think I would use the following basic checklist for getting them situated at level 85 and then they would be prepared if I ever decided to take them a little more seriously and use them as crafting alts, or a temporary main, etc.

Truth be told I would very much like to have a max-level character of every class someday, but after pushing really hard this year to make that happen I burned myself out and discovered that I'm not really ready for that undertaking just yet.

Basic Alt Checklist for Reaching Level 85

Talent Specialization
It's my advice that you pick just one talent tree and stick to it from level 1 all the way to level 85. Not only is it far easier to keep a handle on learning a good rotation or spell usage habit, but it is also much faster for getting your gear in order and being ready to contribute in a meaningful manner.

Don't worry about purchasing dual-spec at level 30 unless you have some really intense burning desire to do so. I personally feel it's a bit of a waste if the character is just an alt you won't be spending a ton of time playing at max level, but to each their own.

Take a few minutes and think about which spec you are most interested in playing for the new character and just go with that. It speeds the process up, and helps ease the frustration later on, trust me, I know.

Professions
I've tried several ways of dealing with professions on alt characters, and after lots of different approaches, the best I have found is to simply grab mining and herbalism, and gather to your heart's content on the way to max level. With the changes to these two professions to provide experience with each node you gather from, not only are you getting to level 85 much faster, but you will have all the gold you need for things like training, mounts, etc as part of the leveling process.

Save the crafting professions until you hit 85. You'll find it is super fast to use the appropriate gathering profession and power-level the crafting profession once you've made a final decision on what you want it to be.

Mounts
This one takes a little bit of self-control because mounts are really cool. If you've ever purchased a mount from the Blizzard Store you are good to go, you never need to purchase another mount for your alt characters. If not, simply buy the appropriate faction mount at level 20, use it all the way to 60, then buy a basic flying mount as soon as you get to Outland and don't worry about anything else.

You save gold, you save time, and you save hassle. Now that mounts scale with riding skill, there really isn't a need to buy more than the absolute minimum.

Gear
Keep it simple. If you are leveling by questing, just use the stuff you get from quest rewards. With the re-tuning of level 1-60 you will always be overpowered anyways and stuff will drop with hardly a glance. If you drop in on a couple of dungeons along the way, use those drops to supplement your quest rewards as appropriate.

Never, ever, ever buy from the auction house with an alt character. It's a waste of gold and you'll replace the gear in two levels anyways. Once you hit 85 you can start taking a close look at fine-tuning gear piece by piece, but until then, don't bother.

Miscellaneous
I like to make sure each of my characters has the following while leveling since I have a main who can provide a little financing from the start:

1. 4 Netherweave Bags
2. Full bank (filled with 7 Netherweave Bags)
3. 25 gold

I've found that by passing these materials along to a new character it takes out all of the hassle of needing to empty bags all the time, pay for skills training, and finding storage for all the materials I've gathered from my professions along the way.

Heirlooms

If you have access to them, use them. If not, don't worry too much. Levels 1-60 fly by even without them and Outland goes by quick as well. In a few weeks with patch 4.3 Northrend is getting its experience requirements nerfed to the ground and it will go by fast too and you'll be level 85 in no time.

Nowadays with all of the improvements made with Cataclysm you should have no trouble reaching level 85 in about 3-4 total days (72-96 hours) of play time.