Fishing in MMOs is a “yes, please” or “thanks, but no thanks” kind of feature. If you’re in the former category, you’ll appreciate our little list. We start with six titles that build the gameplay around fishing. Then, we continue with traditional MMORPGs that feature the best fishing systems in this genre.
7. World of Warcraft
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
- Release Date: November 23, 2004
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Blizzard
World of Warcraft features fishing as part of the profession system. The mechanic is far from being complicated. All you have to do is cast and react when the fish bites.
This activity provides a way to gather cooking ingredients. It can also help you make some gold. Players may catch exclusive pets and mounts, if the drop rate gods favor them.
In Vanilla Zul’Gurub, we have an optional boss summoned with fishing.
The Legion expansion introduced a legendary fishing artifact that is still obtainable.
Fishing in WoW is mostly a side activity that players do for fun and relaxation.
Competitive anglers should head to Booty Bay for the Sunday fishing contest.
6. ARK: Survival Evolved
- Developer: Studio Wildcard
- Release Date: June 2, 2015
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- For fans of Dinosaurs, Surival MMOs
Fishing provides ARK: Survival Evolved players with a way to acquire food. Just like in real life, eating a diversified diet is important because different foods give different benefits.
In addition to a fishing rod and bait, you will also need a chair or bench to sit on because the game doesn’t allow you to catch fish while standing.
The fishing mini-game is a Quick Time Event that requires fishers to quickly press the right key at the right time.
Other than fish, players can also obtain blueprints for gear and other items.
You can fish from the shore or a raft on the water.
5. New World
- Developer: Amazon Games
- Release Date: September 9, 2021
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Survival MMOs
Fishing is part of the gathering system, an essential New World gameplay component. When catching fish in the waters of Aeternum, you get fishing XP and character XP. Although fishing is not exactly the best way to power level, every bit of XP helps on the way towards the max level.
Poles are the tools used for fishing. You can buy and craft them.
The fishing mechanic requires adventurers to equip a pole, select a bait, wait for the fish to bite, and reel it in. The last part calls for some attention, but it’s not too difficult once you get used to it.
4. Lord of the Rings Online
- Developer: Standing Stone Games
- Release Date: April 24, 2007
- Platform: PC, Mac
- For fans of Classic Fantasy
Fishing is a hobby in Lord of the Rings Online. Actually, it is THE hobby, seeing that there aren’t any others.
Players learn fishing from Hobby Master NPCs. The initial plan likely was to have more hobbies, but for unknown reasons the developers abandoned the idea.
Fishing in LOTRO provides a fun diversion. The game has a few fishing quests, deeds, and titles.
The main reason players love fishing is because of the beautiful areas. There’s a certain serenity in fishing on Middle Earth.
It is also such a hobbit thing to do and we just love everything that has to do with these goofballs.
3. Black Desert Online
- Developer: Pearl Abyss
- Release Date: December 2014
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Korean MMOs
Black Desert Online players can pick up fishing early in the game. They just need a fishing rod and to find a location.
The important thing is to fish in a spot that other players have not yet depleted. The discard system is a handy function that allows you to select what type of fish you want to keep.
BDO implements manual and AFK fishing. Manual fishing is actually a simple Quick Time Event. AFK fishing automatically catches the fish after three minutes.
Players can hop on a boat to access a fishing hotspot where they will get better fish.
2. Final Fantasy XIV
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: September 30, 2010
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Anime MMOs
Final Fantasy XIV has a dedicated fishing job. Although the catching mechanic is fairly basic, FF XIV offers fishing-related abilities, quests, goals, equipment, and achievements. All these make fishing feel more like a class than a side activity.
Adventurers can pick up the fishing job as soon as they reach level 10 on a combat job. From this point onward, you can focus on fishing and postpone saving the world. Various
Discipline of the Hand recipes require fish as a crafting material.
The fishing log provides goals that reward XP.
The feature that lets fishers display their catch in personal and free company aquariums is a nice touch.
1. Archeage
- Developer: XLGames
- Release Date: January 15, 2013
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Korean MMOs
Archeage has the most intricate fishing system that you will find in a MMORPG. It has two types of fishing: basic and sport.
As the name suggests, basic fishing is pretty simple. It is a passive activity much like in other MMORPGs.
Sport, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging. You need more equipment and a suitable location. You also have to battle the fish out of the water if you plan on collecting it. You get XP, proficiency, and badges when the fish bites. To loot the fish, players will need to reduce its HP to 0.
It’s a fun, active system that can help you earn a pretty penny.
What is your favorite MMORPG to go on a fishing trip in? Let us know in the comments below!