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Can You Fly in WoW Dragonflight? A Comprehensive Guide to Soaring the Dragon Isles

Yes, you absolutely can fly in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight! However, the method is quite different from traditional flying in Azeroth. Dragonflight introduces a dynamic new system called Dragonriding, which offers a more engaging and interactive flying experience. It’s less about passively floating through the air and more about actively piloting your dragon, utilizing momentum, gravity, and unique abilities to navigate the Dragon Isles. Get ready to experience flight like never before!

Understanding Dragonriding: The Core of Aerial Travel

Dragonriding isn’t just about hopping on a mount and taking off. It’s a skill you unlock early in the Dragonflight campaign and then actively improve throughout your adventure.

Unlocking Dragonriding

The Dragonriding feature is unlocked relatively early in the introductory questline within the Waking Shores, the first zone you’ll encounter in the Dragon Isles.
Within the first 30 minutes of the story, you will begin to unlock Dragonriding by completing the first two chapters. You will meet Alexstraza the Life-Binder at the Ruby Lifeshrine around level 61 and they will help you start to learn the Dragonriding skill.
This initial questline rewards you with your first Dragon Isles Drake, which is your primary Dragonriding mount.

The Mechanics of Dragonriding

Momentum and Gravity: Dragonriding relies heavily on momentum and gravity. You’ll need to strategically use your dragon’s abilities, such as Soar, Skyward Ascent, and Thrill of the Skies, to gain altitude, maintain speed, and navigate the terrain.
Vigor: These abilities consume Vigor, a resource that regenerates over time. Managing your Vigor effectively is crucial for long-distance flights and performing aerial maneuvers.
Dragonriding Talents: As you explore the Dragon Isles, you’ll discover Dragonriding Glyphs. Collecting these glyphs allows you to unlock new talents in the Dragonriding skill tree, improving your dragon’s abilities, increasing Vigor regeneration, and granting new flight options.

Dragonriding Progression

You begin with a basic understanding of Dragonriding, but you can significantly enhance your capabilities by collecting glyphs.
These glyphs are scattered throughout the Dragon Isles and are generally easily spotted and accessed.
Earning these Glyphs allows you to unlock additional talents to master Dragonriding.

Dragonriding Mounts

While you start with the Renewed Proto-Drake, you can unlock and customize other Dragonriding mounts as you progress through the Dragonflight campaign.
Each mount can be extensively customized with various appearances, armor pieces, and cosmetic options.

Traditional Flying in Dragonflight and Beyond

While Dragonriding is the primary method of flight in the Dragon Isles, traditional flying (using mounts that aren’t Dragonriding enabled) also has a place in the game.

Flying in Older Zones

Outside of the Dragon Isles, your existing flying mounts function as normal. You can freely fly in most zones from previous expansions where flying is unlocked.
This includes locations like Kalimdor, Eastern Kingdoms, Northrend, Outland, Pandaria, Draenor, Broken Isles, and Battle for Azeroth (BFA) zones.

Unlocking Flying in Older Expansions

For some older expansions, such as Battle for Azeroth, you originally had to complete specific achievements (Pathfinder achievements) to unlock flying. However, Blizzard has removed these requirements for BFA, allowing you to purchase flying rights for gold.
Shadowlands requires a slightly more involved process: Earn 44 Renown with your Covenant, complete all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign, and complete up through the 3rd chapter of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flying in Dragonflight

Here are some common questions about flying in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, aiming to clarify any lingering doubts:

FAQ 1: What level do I need to be to start Dragonriding?

You need to be at least level 58 and own the Dragonflight expansion to travel to the Dragon Isles and begin the Dragonriding questline.

FAQ 2: Can I use my existing mounts to fly in the Dragon Isles?

No, only specific mounts are usable for Dragonriding. Your existing flying mounts will function as ground mounts in the Dragon Isles. Outside of the Dragon Isles, they will still work as flying mounts.

FAQ 3: How do I get more Dragonriding mounts?

You unlock additional Dragonriding mounts through leveling and completing content within the Dragon Isles. These mounts can be customized to your liking.

FAQ 4: Is Dragonriding coming to older zones?

Blizzard has confirmed that Dragonriding will eventually be implemented in older areas of Azeroth. This means we will be able to use Dragonriding in pre-existing zones.

FAQ 5: How does Vigor regeneration work?

Vigor regenerates automatically over time. Certain Dragonriding talents and abilities can accelerate Vigor regeneration.

FAQ 6: Can I fly in Shadowlands without completing the Pathfinder achievement?

The requirements for flying in Shadowlands zones and in Zereth Mortis aren’t unlocked automatically, but the requirements are simple when compared to the Pathfinder achievements. You’ll need to earn 44 Renown with your Covenant, complete all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign, and complete up through the 3rd chapter of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign

FAQ 7: Where do I learn to fly the traditional way?

The NPCs that can train you to fly are located in the major cities, like Bralla Cloudwing in Stormwind and Maztha in Orgrimmar. Purchase the Expert Riding skill for around 250 gold.

FAQ 8: Can I fly in Battle for Azeroth (BFA) zones immediately?

Yes, Blizzard has removed the Pathfinder achievement requirements for flying in BFA zones. You can purchase the flying license directly.

FAQ 9: Is Dragonriding difficult to learn?

Dragonriding is designed to be accessible to all players. The introductory questline provides a thorough tutorial, and the skill tree allows you to customize your Dragonriding experience.

FAQ 10: Can I solo the content required to unlock Dragonriding?

Yes, the Dragonriding introductory questline and the acquisition of Dragonriding glyphs can be completed solo.

FAQ 11: What if I accidentally skipped the Dragonriding tutorial?

The intro quest chain for Dragonriding will need to be completed to start your progression in the Dragon Isles.

FAQ 12: What level can I fly in WoW 2024?

If you’re leveling a character, the Time to Fly quest should automatically pop up once you hit level 30, sending you to Zandalar if you’re Horde, or Kul Tiras if you’re Alliance.

FAQ 13: Can you buy flying in WoW?

Some locations such as Kalimdor, Eastern Kingdoms, Northrend, Outland, Pandaria, Draenor, Broken Isles, and BFA zones allow players to buy the WoW flying license in exchange for gold. To unlock flying in Shadowlands or in the Dragon Isles one has to complete so-called pathfinder WoW meta-achievements.

FAQ 14: How do you unlock Dragonriding mounts?

Each of these dragon mounts is unlocked through levelling within the Dragon Isles. You’ll start off by unlocking the Renewed Proto-Drake early on during your adventure. As you learn how the dragonriding system works through a series of quests, you’ll be rewarded with the proto-drake upon completion.

FAQ 15: Can you fly any mount in Dragonflight?

Only specific mounts are useable for Dragon Riding. All existing mounts will not be able to fly in the Dragon Isles. But you can use them as ground mounts. Outside of the Dragon Isles, it’s business as usual.

Mastering the Skies: Tips for Effective Dragonriding

To truly excel at Dragonriding, consider these tips:

Practice Makes Perfect: Spend time experimenting with your dragon’s abilities and learning how to maintain momentum.
Explore the Terrain: The Dragon Isles are designed with Dragonriding in mind. Look for opportunities to utilize updrafts, slopes, and valleys to your advantage.
Pay Attention to Vigor: Monitor your Vigor levels and plan your flights accordingly. Conserve Vigor during long-distance travel and use it strategically for aerial maneuvers.
Unlock Dragonriding Talents: Prioritize unlocking talents that improve Vigor regeneration and grant new abilities.
Customize Your Mount: Experiment with different customization options to create a Dragonriding mount that suits your personal style.

Conclusion: Embrace the Thrill of Dragonriding

Dragonriding is a transformative addition to World of Warcraft, offering a more dynamic and engaging flying experience. While it may take some getting used to, mastering Dragonriding is incredibly rewarding. So, saddle up, take to the skies, and explore the Dragon Isles like never before.

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Can you fly in WoW Dragonflight?