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Soaring Through Azeroth: A Guide to Flying in WoW Classic and Beyond

Yes, you absolutely can fly in Azeroth in WoW Classic, but with a significant caveat: flying isn’t available from the start. It’s introduced with the release of The Burning Crusade Classic, effectively becoming part of the Classic experience at that point. Before then, Azeroth is a purely ground-based adventure! So, buckle up, grab your reins, and let’s dive into everything you need to know about taking to the skies in WoW Classic.

Gearing Up for Takeoff: The Prerequisites for Flight

Flying in WoW Classic (TBC) isn’t a simple matter of hopping on a mount and flapping your wings. There are requirements you must meet before you can experience the world from a bird’s-eye view. These include level requirements, skill training, and, of course, gold expenditure.

Leveling Up and Skill Training

First and foremost, you need to reach level 60. This is the base level for accessing content in The Burning Crusade Classic. Once you’ve hit that milestone, you need to seek out a Druid class trainer to learn Flight Form.

Flight Form: This is a specific ability for Druids that allows them to transform into a swift flying creature. The training cost is 8 gold and 60 silver, a sum that might seem hefty in the early stages of TBC. The prerequisite is having already trained Journeyman Riding.

Mounts and Riding Skills

Beyond Flight Form for Druids, all other classes need to acquire specific flying mounts and the corresponding riding skills.

Normal Flying Mounts: You can obtain a normal flying mount at level 70, along with the Normal Flying skill.
Epic Flying Mounts: To ride Epic flying mounts, you also need to be level 70 and be trained in Epic Flying. Purchasing these airborne steeds will be another significant gold investment, but well worth it for the increased speed.
Cold Weather Flying: In Wrath of the Lich King Classic, you’ll need to learn Cold Weather Flying to fly in Northrend. This ability doesn’t increase speed, but it allows you to use your Expert or Artisan riding skills in that zone.

Why Can’t I Fly in Original Vanilla WoW Classic?

This is a common question, and the answer is simply that flying wasn’t part of the original WoW Classic design. The world was built with ground travel in mind, and many areas were never optimized or intended for aerial exploration. The introduction of flying fundamentally changed the gameplay experience, and it wasn’t something Blizzard implemented until The Burning Crusade expansion.

Unlocking Flying in Later Expansions

It’s important to note that the method of unlocking flying changes significantly in later expansions like Battle for Azeroth and Shadowlands.

Battle for Azeroth: Flying requires completing the Azeroth Pathfinder achievements, a multi-part process that involves extensive exploration and reputation grinding. Once completed, you’ll unlock flying in Kul Tiras and Zandalar.
Shadowlands: Flying in the Shadowlands zones requires achieving 44 Renown with your Covenant, completing all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign, and completing up through the 3rd chapter of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign.

The Impact of Flying on Gameplay

The introduction of flying had a profound impact on World of Warcraft. It dramatically changed how players traversed the world, allowing them to bypass ground-based challenges and travel much more quickly. This, in turn, affected everything from questing and exploration to PvP and the overall sense of immersion.

Additional Tips for Aspiring Aviators

Here are a few extra tips to help you prepare for your aerial adventures in Azeroth:

Save Your Gold: Flying and riding skill training can be expensive, so start saving gold early.
Plan Your Route: Once you can fly, take the time to explore and discover new areas.
Consider Your Class: Certain classes, like Druids, have unique advantages when it comes to flying.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest information on flying requirements and restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 common questions players ask about flying in WoW Classic and later expansions:

Can you fly in Orgrimmar/Stormwind? Yes, after acquiring the appropriate riding skills, you can fly in major cities like Orgrimmar and Stormwind. Training NPCs are located in these cities.
Where can I learn to fly? Flying skill trainers are located in major cities. For example, in Orgrimmar, you can find Maztha, and in Stormwind, you can find Bralla Cloudwing. In Hellfire Peninsula, Alliance players train with Hargen Bronzewing in Honor Hold.
What level can you ride in WoW Classic? In WoW Classic, you can learn your racial riding skill at level 40 for 20 gold.
Why can’t I fly on WoW? You may not have met the level requirements, completed the necessary achievements, or purchased the required riding skills. Check the specific requirements for the zone or expansion you are in.
How do you unlock flying in all zones? This depends on the expansion. In Battle for Azeroth, complete the Azeroth Pathfinder achievements. In Shadowlands, earn Renown, complete the Covenant Campaign, and progress through the Chains of Domination Campaign.
When can I fly in Azeroth? In WoW Classic, you can fly when The Burning Crusade Classic is released and you meet the level and skill requirements.
Does Azeroth Auto Pilot work for classic? Azeroth Auto Pilot is a leveling addon that can help guide you, but it doesn’t directly impact your ability to fly.
Should I do Battle for Azeroth? Battle for Azeroth offers a wealth of content and is worth exploring for its story, zones, and progression system.
Is Battle for Azeroth worth it? Many players find Battle for Azeroth to be a worthwhile expansion due to its vibrant zones and engaging storylines.
What is the max level in Azeroth? In the current retail version of WoW (Dragonflight), the max level is 70. In the original Battle for Azeroth, it was 120 (later squished to 50 in Shadowlands).
Can you still get a heart of Azeroth? Yes, you can still obtain the Heart of Azeroth. Seek out an Earthen Guardian in Boralus who will give you the quest “A Dying World,” leading you to Magni Bronzebeard.
How to unlock flying WoW? This depends on the expansion, as outlined above (Battle for Azeroth, Shadowlands).
How do you fly in wrath Classic? You need to learn the skill Cold Weather Flying to fly in Northrend, using your existing Expert or Artisan Riding skills.
Can I fly in Azeroth TBC Classic? Yes, after reaching level 60 and training Flight Form (for Druids) or purchasing flying mounts and skills (for other classes).
What level should I be to fight for Azeroth? At level 10, you can start the Battle for Azeroth quests, which will lead you to Kul Tiras and Zandalar.

Conclusion: Take to the Skies!

Flying in Azeroth, especially in WoW Classic (TBC), is a transformative experience that adds a new dimension to the game. By understanding the requirements, preparing your character, and saving up your gold, you can soar above the familiar landscapes and discover Azeroth in a whole new light.

Learning about games and their impact can be a rewarding experience! Check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to delve deeper into the world of game-based learning.

Can you fly in Azeroth wow classic?