Can You Get a Mount in Guild Wars 2 Without the DLC?
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The short and direct answer is: No, you cannot acquire a permanent mount in Guild Wars 2 without purchasing at least one of the expansions, specifically Path of Fire. While the base game of Guild Wars 2 is now free-to-play and offers a wealth of content, mounts are exclusively tied to the Path of Fire expansion. This expansion introduced the mount system, fundamentally changing how players navigate the world of Tyria. However, there are temporary, limited mount options available to free players during certain events. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Mounts and the Core Game
The core Guild Wars 2 game was designed without mounts in mind. This is why you’ll find waypoints generously scattered throughout the world, allowing for quick travel. However, once you experience the speed and convenience of mounts, going back to traveling solely on foot can feel arduous. The addition of mounts, introduced with Path of Fire, significantly expanded exploration possibilities and made traversing the larger, more open maps of the expansion’s zones much more enjoyable.
Temporary Mount Rentals
While permanent mounts are expansion-locked, free players can experience mount gameplay through temporary rentals. These are primarily available during festivals or special events and come in the form of “Rent-a-Mount” buffs. These rentals are often situated near race events, like the Roller Beetle races during festivals, or during the historical Festival of the Four Winds. Keep in mind these are temporary and purely for event-specific fun, they don’t allow for exploration beyond the designated area.
The Path of Fire Expansion and Mounts
The Path of Fire expansion is the key to unlocking the mount system. Once purchased, you gain access to the Raptor mount fairly early in the expansion storyline. This is a game-changer, offering significantly increased movement speed and a powerful leap ability. The expansion is also a prerequisite for unlocking further mounts down the line.
The Mounts Available with Path of Fire
The Path of Fire expansion initially grants you access to four core mounts:
- Raptor: A versatile mount with a long jump and high speed on flat ground.
- Springer: A powerful, leaping mount that can scale steep cliffs and reach high places.
- Skimmer: A hover mount used to travel across water and other liquid surfaces.
- Jackal: A blink mount capable of teleporting short distances across short gaps and through sand portals.
These mounts are acquired throughout the Path of Fire story and exploration, with each offering unique traversal capabilities. Further mounts, like the Skyscale and Griffon, require more effort to unlock.
Gaining the Skyscale and Griffon Mounts
Beyond the core four, players can unlock two additional highly sought-after mounts – the Griffon and the Skyscale.
The Griffon
The Griffon is a unique mount capable of diving at high speeds and taking flight. However, it does not hover or gain altitude on its own. Players need to launch from a high point to initiate flight. This mount is unlocked after completing the Path of Fire storyline and undertaking a collection quest line called “Open Skies.”
The Skyscale
The Skyscale is a true flying mount with the capability of hovering and ascending. It is a more complex acquisition. Unlocking the Skyscale requires not only the Path of Fire expansion, but also all episodes of Living World Season 4. It also requires players to have completed the chapter 5 mission, Descent from the War Eternal episode within season 4.
Other Mount-Related Information
It is worth noting that once unlocked on your account, any character on the account can use the mounts, even at low levels. The level requirement for accessing the first mount is level 80, but this doesn’t stop lower-level alts from hopping on a mount once unlocked. This makes leveling new characters and exploring the world far easier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mount system in Guild Wars 2:
1. What is the level requirement for accessing mounts?
- Although you can unlock and use mounts at any level once acquired, to begin the unlock process for your first mount you’ll need a level 80 character.
2. Do I need to complete the Path of Fire story to get all mounts?
- Yes, completing the Path of Fire storyline is a prerequisite for unlocking the Griffon and for starting the process of unlocking the Skyscale.
3. Can I get the Griffon mount before the Skyscale?
- Yes, the Griffon mount is generally considered less time-consuming to obtain than the Skyscale and is unlocked in a more straightforward manner after the Path of Fire story.
4. How do I obtain the Skyscale mount?
- You need to own Path of Fire, all episodes of Living World Season 4 and have completed the Descent mission in episode 6, War Eternal. Once all of these are met, you’ll unlock a collection questline to get the Skyscale.
5. What is the fastest mount in Guild Wars 2?
- A diving Griffon is the fastest mount in the game when utilizing dive speed from a high point. However, for general travel, mounts are all roughly similar in speed when fully mastered.
6. Are there any mounts that can fly, and are not expansion locked?
- No, all permanent flying mounts like the Griffon and Skyscale are exclusively available through expansion and living world unlocks. Temporary mounts are also ground only.
7. Do mounts provide any combat advantages?
- Mounts can provide certain combat abilities and defenses when engaged by enemies but they are primarily designed for travel and exploration. Mount abilities are unique to each mount and they help with their specific travel capabilities.
8. How do I get the Jackal mount?
- The Jackal is unlocked during Path of Fire. You need to complete the heart for Drojkor, Spirit Squall, to purchase it with 200 trade contracts and 20 gold.
9. How many mounts are there in Guild Wars 2?
- Currently, there are 9 permanent mounts available in Guild Wars 2. These are: Raptor, Springer, Skimmer, Jackal, Griffon, Skyscale, Siege Turtle, Roller Beetle and the Warclaw
10. Do I get Heart of Thorns for free when I buy Path of Fire?
- Yes, the Heart of Thorns expansion is included free with a purchase of Path of Fire.
11. What is the easiest mount to get?
- The Raptor mount is the easiest mount to get, acquired within the first few story missions of the Path of Fire expansion.
12. Are there any free mount skins available?
- Yes, there are some free mount skins available throughout the game, earned through achievements or given away as login rewards. These are usually only aesthetic changes.
13. Can I use mounts in the core game zones once unlocked?
- Yes, once unlocked, you can use any mount you have unlocked across all areas of Tyria, including core game zones.
14. What are “Trade Contracts” and how do I get them?
- Trade Contracts are a currency used in the Path of Fire expansion. They are earned by completing hearts and events in the Crystal Desert maps. They are used to purchase certain items and the Jackal mount.
15. Do expansions include all previous Living World episodes?
- No, expansions do not include previous Living World episodes. Living World episodes have to be purchased separately, unless you own the complete collection.