Soaring Through Azeroth: A Comprehensive Guide to Flying Mounts in WoW Retail
The ability to fly is one of the most liberating and game-changing aspects of World of Warcraft (WoW) Retail. It allows you to traverse vast landscapes quickly, discover hidden areas, and simply enjoy the beauty of Azeroth from a bird’s-eye view. Acquiring a flying mount is a key milestone for any player, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to obtain a flying mount in WoW Retail.
Reaching the Level Requirement
The first and most crucial step to unlocking the ability to fly is reaching level 30. Prior to this level, while you might be able to obtain a flying mount, you won’t be able to actually take to the skies. You can still use flying mounts on the ground as regular mounts until you reach the required level. Leveling in WoW Retail is now streamlined and faster than ever, so hitting level 30 shouldn’t take too long.
Learning to Fly: Purchasing Riding Skill
Once you’ve hit level 30, your next step is to visit a riding trainer and purchase the appropriate riding skill that allows you to fly. Riding trainers can be found in major cities of your faction. For Alliance players, the riding trainer in Stormwind is located near the flight master. For Horde players, Orgrimmar’s riding trainer is in the Valley of Wisdom.
The riding skill required for flight is called “Journeyman Riding.” Purchasing this skill will cost you gold. The price can vary slightly depending on your faction and any reputation discounts you might have with the trainer’s city. Once you’ve learned Journeyman Riding, you’ll be able to use flying mounts in appropriate zones.
Acquiring a Flying Mount
After learning the necessary riding skill, you’ll need a flying mount. There are several ways to acquire these magnificent creatures:
- Faction Vendors: Each faction has vendors that sell basic flying mounts. These mounts are often the easiest and cheapest to obtain. Look for the mount vendor near the riding trainer in your faction’s capital city.
- Reputation Rewards: Many factions offer unique flying mounts as rewards for reaching Exalted reputation status. Earning reputation can involve completing quests, running dungeons, or participating in specific events.
- Quest Rewards: Some quests, particularly those tied to specific expansions or zones, reward players with flying mounts upon completion.
- Dungeon and Raid Drops: Numerous dungeons and raids have a chance to drop rare and unique flying mounts. These mounts are often highly sought after due to their rarity and distinctive appearance.
- Achievement Rewards: Completing specific achievements can unlock special flying mounts. These achievements often involve mastering certain aspects of the game, such as pet battles, exploration, or PvP.
- Trading Post: The Trading Post is a monthly rotating system where players can earn Trader’s Tender by completing activities and then purchase unique items, including mounts.
- In-Game Events: Some in-game events, such as the Love is in the Air or the Brewfest, offer limited-time flying mounts as rewards for participating.
- World Events: Rare spawns or specific activities in the open world can reward unique mounts.
Flying in Different Expansions and Zones
It’s important to note that flying restrictions vary depending on the expansion and specific zones. In older zones (pre-Battle for Azeroth), flying is generally available once you have the required riding skill and a flying mount. However, certain zones require specific achievements to unlock flying.
Battle for Azeroth
In the Battle for Azeroth (BfA) expansion zones (Kul Tiras and Zandalar), you need to earn the “Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder, Part Two” achievement to unlock flying. This achievement requires completing several steps, including achieving Revered reputation with specific factions and exploring the zones.
Shadowlands
In the Shadowlands expansion, flying was initially restricted. However, with the release of patch 9.1, flying was unlocked for all players who met certain criteria:
- Reach Renown Level 44 with their Covenant.
- Complete all 9 Chapters of the Covenant Campaign.
- Complete through Chapter 3 of the Chains of Domination Campaign (ending with “The Primus Returns”).
Dragonflight
Dragonflight introduces Dragonriding, a new form of dynamic flying that utilizes a Dragonriding mount and a special skill tree. This is the primary method of flying in the Dragon Isles. While regular flying mounts are also usable in Dragonflight, Dragonriding is the intended and more efficient way to navigate the zones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the earliest level I can get a flying mount in WoW Retail?
You can obtain a flying mount as early as level 1. However, you cannot fly until you reach level 30 and purchase the Journeyman Riding skill.
2. Where do I buy the riding skill for flying?
You can purchase the riding skill from a riding trainer in any major city of your faction. Look for the Riding Trainer on your map, it is usually near the Flight Master.
3. How much does it cost to learn flying?
The cost of learning the riding skill for flying varies, but it generally costs a few gold. The price may be discounted based on your reputation with the faction of the city where you are learning the skill.
4. Do I get a free flying mount in WoW?
Early on, the game offered a “Time to Fly” quest that granted players a free flying mount. The “Time to Fly” quest is no longer in the game. Currently, there is no automatically-granted free flying mount, but many quests and achievements reward flying mounts.
5. How do I unlock flying in Battle for Azeroth zones?
To unlock flying in Kul Tiras and Zandalar (Battle for Azeroth zones), you need to earn the “Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder, Part Two” achievement.
6. How do I unlock flying in Shadowlands zones?
To unlock flying in the Shadowlands zones, you need to reach Renown Level 44 with your Covenant, complete all 9 Chapters of the Covenant Campaign, and complete up through Chapter 3 of the Chains of Domination Campaign (ending with “The Primus Returns”).
7. Can I fly in all zones in WoW Retail?
No, not all zones allow flying. Some zones, especially newer ones, may have specific requirements or restrictions. For example, Dragonflight zones utilize Dragonriding as the primary method of flying.
8. What is Dragonriding?
Dragonriding is a new form of dynamic flying introduced in the Dragonflight expansion. It uses a special Dragonriding mount and a skill tree to enhance your flying abilities.
9. How do I get a Dragonriding mount?
You obtain your first Dragonriding mount through the Dragonflight campaign. Additional Dragonriding mounts can be unlocked through various activities and quests in the Dragon Isles.
10. Can I use my old flying mounts in Dragonflight?
Yes, you can use your old flying mounts in the Dragon Isles, but Dragonriding is the intended and more efficient way to fly in those zones.
11. Where can I buy a flying mount?
You can buy flying mounts from faction vendors in major cities, from reputation vendors, or from the Trading Post. You can also obtain them as rewards from quests, achievements, dungeons, and raids.
12. What is the fastest flying mount speed?
The fastest flying mount speed is 310%, which requires purchasing the “Master Riding” skill. This is unlocked at level 70.
13. How much does Master Riding cost?
Master Riding costs 5,000 gold, but the cost can be reduced based on your reputation with the faction of the riding trainer.
14. Is there a difference between ground mounts and flying mounts?
Yes, ground mounts can only be used on the ground, while flying mounts can be used both on the ground and in the air (in zones where flying is permitted).
15. Can I fly in old zones even if I haven’t completed the Pathfinder achievements?
In most old zones (pre-Battle for Azeroth), flying is generally available once you have the required riding skill and a flying mount, regardless of whether you’ve completed specific Pathfinder achievements.
The joy of soaring through the skies of Azeroth is a rewarding experience in WoW Retail. By following these steps and understanding the different requirements and methods, you’ll be able to obtain your flying mount and explore the world from a whole new perspective. For more insights into the gaming world and its impact on learning and development, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They are doing some amazing work studying game-based learning!