Soar Through the Skies: A Comprehensive Guide to Flying in Azeroth and Dragonflight
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Yes, you absolutely can fly in Azeroth and the Dragon Isles in Dragonflight, but with a few very important caveats and changes compared to previous expansions. The way you take to the skies depends heavily on the zone you’re in, and what content you’re tackling. Get ready to understand the nuances of flying in the latest iteration of World of Warcraft.
Understanding Traditional Flying vs. Dragonriding
The core difference lies in the introduction of Dragonriding. In the Dragon Isles, you will predominantly be using the Dragonriding system, which offers a far more dynamic and engaging flying experience than the traditional “point-and-go” flying we’ve been accustomed to for years. However, traditional flying still exists, and it’s been expanded!
Dragonriding: Mastering the Skies of the Dragon Isles
Dragonriding is a unique system exclusive to the Dragon Isles. It’s not just about hopping on a mount and floating around. It’s an active, skill-based flying mechanic that requires you to manage momentum, use abilities like skyward ascent, bronze gust, and utilize the landscape to your advantage. You will unlock your first Dragonriding drake, the Renewed Proto-Drake, early on during your adventures in the Isles.
You progress your Dragonriding skills by collecting Dragonriding glyphs scattered throughout the Dragon Isles, which unlock new talents and abilities, making you a more efficient and powerful flier. Furthermore, the glyphs also give you more vigor to keep flying. You will begin learning this system in the Waking Shores, as one of the very first quests given to you.
Traditional Flying: Rediscovering Azeroth
As of patch 10.2, traditional flying has been significantly expanded within Dragonflight. The once complex and time-consuming Pathfinder achievements are now simplified, or removed altogether for the Dragon Isles. Players can now unlock regular flying on the Dragon Isles. With this change, World of Warcraft players will be able to fly in almost every area without any extra steps.
Traditional flying refers to the standard mount-based flying that has been a staple of World of Warcraft for many expansions. You simply hop on your flying mount, take off, and fly around. This style of flying is now available for most areas, but still requires unlocks for the Shadowlands.
Zone-Specific Flying Rules: A Breakdown
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Dragon Isles: Predominantly Dragonriding. Traditional flying is available after progressing in the main storyline, though you’ll likely find Dragonriding a far more effective and enjoyable way to traverse the landscape.
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Original Azeroth (Classic Zones): Traditional flying is generally available in most zones, with the notable exceptions of Azuremyst Isle and Eversong Woods.
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Outland (Burning Crusade): Traditional flying is available.
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Northrend (Wrath of the Lich King): Traditional flying is available.
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Cataclysm Zones: Traditional flying is available.
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Pandaria (Mists of Pandaria): Traditional flying is available.
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Draenor (Warlords of Draenor): Traditional flying is available once you’ve unlocked Draenor Pathfinder.
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Broken Isles (Legion): Traditional flying is available once you’ve unlocked Broken Isles Pathfinder, Part Two.
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Kul Tiras & Zandalar (Battle for Azeroth): Traditional flying is available once you’ve unlocked Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder. The requirements to getting the achievement requires a lot of reputation grinding on a single character. Once complete, all characters can fly in the BFA zones.
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Shadowlands: Traditional flying is unlocked by reaching Renown 44 with your Covenant, completing all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign, and progressing through Chapter 3 of the Chains of Domination campaign. You will also need to do the Zereth Mortis zone, as the flying in the zone is not automatically unlocked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flying in Azeroth and Dragonflight
1. How do I unlock Dragonriding?
You unlock Dragonriding by completing an introductory questline in the Waking Shores, one of the first areas you’ll encounter in Dragonflight. This questline guides you through the basics of Dragonriding and rewards you with your first Dragonriding drake.
2. Can I use my old flying mounts in the Dragon Isles?
No, not for Dragonriding. Dragonriding is exclusive to specific Dragonriding mounts that you unlock throughout the expansion. However, as of patch 10.2, you will be able to use old flying mounts in the Isles using traditional flying. Your existing mounts will still work as ground mounts.
3. What level do I need to be to start Dragonriding?
You can start Dragonriding as soon as you begin the Dragonflight expansion at level 60. Once you complete the initial quests in the Waking Shores, you’ll be ready to take to the skies.
4. How do I improve my Dragonriding skills?
You improve your Dragonriding skills by collecting Dragonriding glyphs scattered across the Dragon Isles. These glyphs unlock new talents and abilities within the Dragonriding talent tree, enhancing your flying capabilities.
5. Is Dragonriding account-wide?
Yes and no. The base Dragonriding skill is account-wide, meaning you can use Dragonriding on any character who has completed the initial questline. However, the talents you unlock by collecting glyphs are character-specific.
6. Can I fly in the older zones with Dragonriding?
No, Dragonriding is exclusive to the Dragon Isles. In other zones, you’ll use traditional flying mounts if flying is enabled in that zone.
7. How do I unlock traditional flying in Battle for Azeroth?
You need to earn the Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder, Part One and Battle for Azeroth Pathfinder, Part Two achievements. This involves reaching Exalted with certain factions and exploring all the zones in Kul Tiras and Zandalar. Be ready to grind reputation for weeks to unlock this ability. Once unlocked, all characters tied to the account (and any created afterward) will instantly gain the ability to fly on the Battle for Azeroth.
8. How do I unlock traditional flying in Shadowlands?
Unlocking flying in the Shadowlands requires earning 44 Renown with your Covenant, completing all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign, and progressing through Chapter 3 of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign (ending with The Primus Returns). You will also need to do the Zereth Mortis zone, as the flying in the zone is not automatically unlocked.
9. I can’t fly in Draenor! What gives?
You must have earned the Draenor Pathfinder achievement on at least one character. Once you have, all level 90+ characters on your account will be able to fly in Draenor.
10. Why can’t I fly in Azuremyst Isle or Eversong Woods?
These zones are part of the original game world and have not been updated to allow flying. They remain ground-mount-only areas.
11. What is the Heart of Azeroth, and can I get it in Dragonflight?
The Heart of Azeroth is an artifact neck piece from the Battle for Azeroth expansion. You can obtain it in Dragonflight by completing the quest “A Dying World.” You must be level 50 or higher and not be on the introduction to Dragonflight quests. The quest should be offered automatically when you visit Boralus or Dazar’alor.
12. Where is the best place to learn more about the lore of Azeroth?
There are many great resources available for learning about Azeroth’s history, but one excellent source is found at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society focuses on educational and research aspects of gaming, which can provide deeper insights into the narratives and world-building within games like World of Warcraft.
13. Can everyone fly in Dragonflight?
Yes, with the changes in patch 10.2, flying is now much more accessible in Dragonflight. The traditional flying requirement is minimal, and Dragonriding is available from the beginning of the expansion. Flying in Shadowlands zones and in Zereth Mortis isn’t unlocked automatically, but the requirements are simple, especially when compared to the Pathfinder achievements.
14. Is the Dragon Isles part of Azeroth?
Yes, the Dragon Isles are a part of the world of Azeroth. They are the ancestral home of the dragonflights.
15. Are Dragonriding mounts customizable?
Yes! One of the exciting aspects of Dragonriding is the ability to customize your Dragonriding mounts. You can unlock various appearances, armor pieces, and customizations through quests, achievements, and exploration throughout the Dragon Isles. You can change your mount’s appearance at a Transmog NPC.
Conclusion: Embrace the Freedom of Flight
Flying in Azeroth and Dragonflight offers unparalleled freedom and exploration. Whether you’re soaring through the Dragon Isles with the dynamic Dragonriding system or revisiting old zones with traditional flying mounts, the skies of Azeroth are waiting to be conquered. Enjoy the journey and happy flying!