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Saddle Up, Adventurers! Your Guide to Learning Riding in World of Warcraft

So, you’re ready to traverse the vast lands of Azeroth on your very own mount? Excellent choice! Learning to ride in World of Warcraft (WoW) is a rite of passage, a crucial step in becoming a true hero. The answer to where to learn riding in WoW depends heavily on which version of the game you’re playing, your character’s level, and your faction. Let’s break it down:

WoW Retail (Modern WoW) Riding Training

The good news for players in the current retail version of WoW (Dragonflight and beyond) is that the system has been streamlined! You automatically learn mount riding skills upon reaching the appropriate level. No need to seek out a trainer or spend extra gold. That’s right, it’s a simple level up system that unlocks your mount speed skills.

Apprentice Riding: Automatically learned around level 10, allows you to ride ground mounts at 60% speed.
Journeyman Riding: Automatically learned around level 20, increases ground mount speed to 100%.
Expert Riding: Automatically learned around level 30, enables flying in appropriate zones at 150% speed.
Artisan Riding: Automatically learned around level 40, increases flying speed to 280%.
Master Riding: Automatically learned around level 40, further increases flying speed to 310%.

Basically, just keep leveling! This is a far cry from when you had to scour the world to learn riding and fly on epic mounts. Enjoy the streamlined modern WoW where you can use the gold you save to buy some cool looking mounts.

WoW Classic Riding Training

WoW Classic is a whole different beast! Here, you’ll need to actively seek out riding trainers and pay for your skills. It adds to the immersion of the world. The location of these trainers will be dependent on your faction.

Alliance Riding Trainers

Humans: Darlene Stokx in Stormwind City, located just outside of Old Town near SI:7. Also Bralla Cloudwing for Expert Riding.
Dwarves: Ultham Ironhorn at the Amberstill Ranch in Dun Morogh. He’s in the corral with the rams.
Night Elves: Lelanai in Darnassus, found in the Artisan’s Terrace.

Horde Riding Trainers

Orcs/Trolls: Kildar in Orgrimmar, found near the main gate. Also Maztha for Expert Riding.
Undead: Zachariah Post in Undercity, located in the War Quarter.
Tauren: Mavra in Bloodhoof Village, found near the stables.

Neutral Riding Trainers

If for some reason you don’t have a faction riding trainer, then Regnus Thunderfist in Valley of Trials is the one you are looking for.

Important Classic Riding Notes:

You can learn riding at level 20.
Expert riding becomes available at level 40 (allowing for faster mounts).
Master riding becomes available at level 60.
Riding skill costs gold, and mounts must also be purchased. The price varies depending on the mount’s rarity and your reputation with the faction selling it.

Shadowlands Riding

Even though you have to play old expansions in WoW Retail, there are still trainers in Shadowlands.

Alliance: Bralla Cloudwing in Stormwind
Horde: Maztha in Orgrimmar

Flying Trainers

Even though you get your riding skill from leveling automatically, there are still trainer NPCs in the game.

Stormwind: Bralla Cloudwing
Orgrimmar: Maztha
Dalaran: Hira Snowdawn

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about riding and flying in WoW:

1. What level can I learn to ride in WoW Classic?

You can learn Apprentice Riding at character level 20 in WoW Classic. This is the first step to getting around Azeroth faster on a ground mount.

2. How much does riding cost in WoW Classic?

The cost varies. Training the riding skill itself is usually around 20 gold, and purchasing a mount can range from 80 to 100 gold for standard mounts. Note that epic mounts cost around 1000 gold. These prices can be reduced if you have a good reputation with the faction selling the mount.

3. Where can I find a riding trainer in Stormwind City?

The primary riding trainer in Stormwind City is Darlene Stokx, located just outside Old Town next to SI:7. Bralla Cloudwing also trains Expert Riding, she is located near the Flight Master in Stormwind City’s Trade District.

4. Can I learn to fly in WoW Classic?

Yes, you can learn to fly in WoW Classic, but not until level 60. You’ll need to train the Artisan Riding skill to use flying mounts in the Outland and Northrend zones.

5. Where is the riding trainer for Dwarves in WoW Classic?

The Dwarf riding trainer is Ultham Ironhorn, located at the Amberstill Ranch in Dun Morogh.

6. Do I need to visit a riding trainer in modern WoW (Retail)?

No, in the current retail version of WoW, you automatically learn riding skills as you level up.

7. How do I get a mount in WoW?

You can purchase mounts from vendors, earn them as quest rewards, find them as rare drops from enemies, or buy them from other players on the Auction House. Some mounts are also available through achievements. Mounts can also be acquired from the Blizzard Shop.

8. What’s the fastest way to increase my riding speed in WoW?

In retail WoW, simply leveling up will automatically increase your riding speed. In WoW Classic, training higher riding skills and equipping mount equipment (e.g., horseshoes, spurs) will boost your speed.

9. Where can I train Expert Riding?

In retail WoW, you automatically gain Expert Riding around level 30. In WoW Classic, you can train it from faction-specific riding trainers once you reach the required level.

10. Is there a riding trainer in Dalaran?

Yes, Hira Snowdawn is the riding trainer in Dalaran, found at Krasus’ Landing.

11. What reputation discounts can I get on riding skills?

Having an Exalted reputation with a faction can significantly reduce the cost of riding training and mounts sold by that faction.

12. What are the easiest classes to learn in WoW?

Classes like Beast Mastery Hunter, Retribution Paladin, and Havoc Demon Hunter are generally considered easier to learn due to their straightforward rotations and strong survivability. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the educational aspects of gaming!

13. How do I mount a horse in WoW?

Open your mount journal (default keybind: Shift+P), select the mount you wish to use, and click the “Summon” button. Alternatively, drag the mount icon onto your action bar for quick access.

14. Can Warlocks and Paladins get free mounts?

Yes, Warlocks and Paladins have access to class-specific mounts that are acquired through quests. These usually require level 40 and the Expert Riding skill.

15. Where are the portal trainers in Stormwind?

The portal trainer in Stormwind is located east of Old Town in the Training Hall, up the stairs, beside the mage trainer.

Learning to ride in World of Warcraft is an essential step towards becoming a true hero of Azeroth. Whether you’re enjoying the streamlined experience of modern WoW or the challenging journey of Classic, mastering riding and flying will open up new horizons and adventures. Now, saddle up and explore! For more on the intersection of learning and games, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website.

Where to learn riding wow?