Where to Buy Mounts in WoW for Blood Elves: A Comprehensive Guide
For players venturing into the world of World of Warcraft (WoW) as a Blood Elf, acquiring a suitable mount is a crucial step. Not only is it a means of traversing the vast landscapes of Azeroth with speed, but it’s also a way to express your character’s heritage. The primary mounts for Blood Elves are the iconic Hawkstriders, and this guide will lead you through all you need to know about obtaining these steeds, as well as other mount options available.
Hawkstriders: Your Blood Elf Starter Mount
Purchasing Your First Hawkstrider
The most common and readily available mount for Blood Elves is the Hawkstrider. These graceful, bird-like creatures are a symbol of Silvermoon City and the Blood Elf heritage. You can purchase your basic Hawkstrider from Winaestra, the Hawkstrider Breeder, located at Thuron’s Livery in Eversong Woods.
To find her, head just east of the entrance to Silvermoon City. Cross the small bridge and follow the road to the left. You’ll see a blood elf building with several Hawkstriders outside – that’s Thuron’s Livery. You can’t miss Winaestra; she’ll be standing outside the building ready to sell you a hawkstrider.
Requirements for Purchasing a Hawkstrider
Before you can hop onto your new Hawkstrider, there are a few requirements you must meet:
- Riding Skill: You need a riding skill of 75, which is obtainable at level 20.
- Currency: You’ll need the appropriate gold to purchase your mount.
If you’re playing as a race other than a Blood Elf, you will need to be Exalted with the Silvermoon City faction and you also need the appropriate riding skill to purchase a Hawkstrider.
Different Hawkstrider Varieties
While you begin with the standard Hawkstrider, there are several other variations available. These include:
- Swift Hawkstriders: These are faster versions of the basic Hawkstrider, purchasable from Winaestra as your riding skill increases.
- Silvermoon Hawkstrider: This special Hawkstrider is a reward for progressing through the Argent Tournament in Icecrown.
- Emerald Hawkstrider: This unique hawkstrider is awarded upon completing the Heritage of the Sin’dorei questline after reaching Exalted with Silvermoon City.
- Swift White Hawkstrider: This mount is a rare drop from Kael’thas Sunstrider in Magisters’ Terrace on heroic mode, and is unique as it is mountable by Alliance players.
Beyond Hawkstriders: Other Mount Options
While Hawkstriders are the iconic mount for Blood Elves, there are many other mounts available through various means:
Faction Mounts
- Once Exalted with the Silvermoon City faction you can buy the racial mounts from the vendor.
PvP Mounts
- If you engage in player-versus-player (PvP) combat, you can earn honor and conquest points to purchase mounts from PvP vendors.
Profession Mounts
- Some professions like engineering can craft mounts.
Dungeon and Raid Mounts
- Many mounts can be obtained by defeating bosses in dungeons and raids.
World Event Mounts
- Special mounts are available from holiday events throughout the year.
Achievement Mounts
- Completing specific achievements can also unlock rare and sought-after mounts.
Trading Post Mounts
- The Trading Post provides different mounts for purchase on a rotation.
Reputation Mounts
- Mounts can be earned by gaining Exalted status with other factions in the game
Vendor Mounts
- A plethora of mounts are scattered throughout the various vendors in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blood Elf Mounts
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the world of Blood Elf mounts in WoW:
1. Where Exactly is Thuron’s Livery?
Thuron’s Livery is located in Eversong Woods, just east of the entrance to Silvermoon City. It’s a blood elf building, clearly identifiable by the hawkstriders outside. Cross the bridge from Silvermoon and turn left.
2. Who is the Vendor for Hawkstriders?
The vendor for Hawkstriders is Winaestra, the Hawkstrider Breeder. She is located outside of the main building at Thuron’s Livery.
3. What Riding Skill Do I Need to Ride a Hawkstrider?
You need a riding skill of 75 to ride basic Hawkstriders, which is obtainable at level 20. For faster mounts you will require a higher riding skill.
4. How Can Non-Blood Elves Get a Hawkstrider?
Non-Blood Elves can purchase Hawkstriders from Winaestra only if they have achieved Exalted reputation with Silvermoon City and meet the riding skill requirements.
5. Where Do I Get the Silvermoon Hawkstrider?
The Silvermoon Hawkstrider is purchasable from Trellis Morningsun in the Icecrown Argent Tournament, after completing the required dailies to become a champion of your race faction.
6. How Do I Get the Emerald Hawkstrider?
The Emerald Hawkstrider is a reward from the Heritage of the Sin’dorei questline. It requires a Blood Elf character to reach level 50 and be exalted with Silvermoon City. The questline starts with Liadrin in Oribos.
7. Where Can I Get a Swift Hawkstrider?
Swift Hawkstriders are purchased from the same vendor as the basic Hawkstriders: Winaestra at Thuron’s Livery in Eversong Woods, once you have a higher riding skill (150 or more which is obtainable at level 60).
8. What is the Swift White Hawkstrider and Where Can I get it?
The Swift White Hawkstrider is a rare mount that drops from Kael’thas Sunstrider in Magisters’ Terrace on heroic difficulty. The drop chance is only 4%, making it a rare find. It is also the only hawkstrider mountable by members of the Alliance.
9. Are Hawkstriders the Only Mount Blood Elves Can Use?
No, Hawkstriders are the racial mount, but Blood Elves can ride any mount they have the skill and faction reputation for.
10. Can Blood Elves Use Dragonhawk Mounts?
Yes. Blood Elves can use Dragonhawks if you purchase from the respective vendors. The Eclipse Dragonhawk is purchased from Cupri in Shattrath City for 5,000 and the Sunreaver Dragonhawk is purchased from Vasarin Redmorn at the Argent Tournament in Icecrown for 150 after reaching Exalted with the Sunreavers.
11. What are Some Alternatives to Hawkstriders?
Alternatives include faction mounts, PvP mounts, Profession mounts, mounts from Dungeons and Raids, World Event mounts, Achievement mounts, Trading Post Mounts, Reputation Mounts and Vendor Mounts.
12. Where Can I Buy Mounts in Stormwind?
The Human Racial mounts are sold by Katie Stokx at 77, 67.8 in Old Town. The PvP mounts are sold by Lieutenant Karter at 76.2, 65.6 also located nearby.
13. Where can I buy a Nightsaber?
You can purchase these mounts from Lelanai located at the Cenarion Enclave in Darnassus. The riding skill requirement is 75, obtainable at level 40. You also need Exalted with Darnassus if you are not a Night Elf.
14. What are the Heritage Armor for Blood Elves and How do I Obtain it?
The heritage armor is The Heritage of the Sin’dorei. You will need a blood elf to be level 50 then start the questline “The Pride of the Sin’dorei”.
15. Where do other races purchase mounts?
Taurens purchase their initial mounts from Harb Clawhoof located in Bloodhoof Village in Mulgore. Night Elves purchase their mounts from Lelanai in the Cenarion Enclave in Darnassus. Humans purchase their mounts from Katie Stokx located in Old Town of Stormwind.
By utilizing this information, you will be well-equipped to obtain the perfect mount for your Blood Elf character in World of Warcraft, allowing you to explore the world with style and speed. Whether it’s your trusty starting Hawkstrider or a rare drop from a difficult dungeon, your chosen mount will be an essential part of your adventure in Azeroth.