Can You Trade Mounts in WoW? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is generally no, you cannot directly trade most mounts in World of Warcraft. While there are exceptions, the majority of mounts acquired in-game are Bind on Account or Bind on Pickup, making them untradeable to other players. This system is in place to prevent exploitation, maintain the value of rare mounts, and encourage players to earn them through gameplay. However, there are nuances to this rule, which we’ll explore in detail.
Understanding Mount Acquisition and Restrictions
Mounts in WoW come from various sources: drops from bosses, quest rewards, reputation vendors, achievements, and the in-game store. The method of acquisition often determines whether a mount can be traded, and if so, under what conditions.
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Bind on Account (BoA) Mounts: These are learned by the character that obtains them and become available across all characters on the same Battle.net account. These mounts are never tradeable.
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Bind on Pickup (BoP) Mounts: These are bound to the character that loots or obtains them. Typically, these are also not tradeable, with a few very specific exceptions discussed below.
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Store Mounts: Mounts purchased from the Blizzard store with real money are generally not tradeable once claimed. You may be able to refund them within 14 days if unused.
The Rare Exceptions to the Rule
While direct trading is usually impossible, some indirect methods or specific circumstances allow you to “give” a mount to another player:
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Trading Card Game (TCG) Mounts: Extremely rare mounts obtained from physical WoW TCG cards (no longer in print), such as the Swift Spectral Tiger, can be traded if the unscratched loot card is sold or given to another player. However, the price of these cards can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.
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Recruit-a-Friend Rewards: Certain Recruit-a-Friend promotions have included mounts as rewards. While you don’t directly trade the mount, the recruited friend earns the mount by subscribing, indirectly “giving” the mount to them. The article mentioned that the Obsidian Nightwing mount is offered via the Recruit a Friend program.
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Gifting Store Mounts: You can gift mounts directly through the Blizzard store. This allows you to purchase a mount and have it delivered to another player’s account.
Why the Trade Restriction?
The restriction on trading mounts serves several critical purposes:
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Preserving Mount Rarity: Allowing the trading of rare mounts would flood the market, diminishing their prestige and the sense of accomplishment in obtaining them.
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Combating Exploitation: Without trade restrictions, botting and illegal gold selling operations could exploit mount drops to generate massive profits.
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Encouraging Gameplay: By making most mounts untradeable, Blizzard encourages players to engage with various aspects of the game, such as raiding, questing, and reputation grinding, to collect the mounts they desire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mount Trading in WoW
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to mount trading in World of Warcraft:
1. Can I trade a mount I bought from the in-game auction house?
No, most mounts obtained from the Auction House are Bind on Pickup, meaning they become untradeable once you learn them.
2. If I get a duplicate mount, can I trade it to a friend?
Unfortunately, duplicate mounts cannot be traded. Once you learn a mount, it’s bound to your account or character, preventing you from trading subsequent copies.
3. Can I sell my account with rare mounts on it?
Selling your World of Warcraft account is a violation of Blizzard’s Terms of Service and can result in a permanent ban. While technically you are “trading” the account with the mounts, this is strictly prohibited.
4. Are there any plans to allow trading of mounts in the future?
Blizzard has shown little indication of changing its stance on mount trading. They generally prefer players to earn mounts through in-game activities.
5. Can I gift a mount to someone on a different server?
Yes, if you purchase a mount from the Blizzard store, you can gift it to someone even if they are on a different server, as long as they are on the same region (e.g., North America or Europe).
6. What happens if I accidentally learn a mount I didn’t want?
Unfortunately, there is no way to “unlearn” a mount. Once learned, it’s permanently added to your collection.
7. Can I trade a mount that dropped from a Mythic raid?
No, mounts that drop from Mythic raids are Bind on Pickup and cannot be traded.
8. If I get a mount as a reward from a World Event, can I trade it?
Most World Event rewards are Bind on Pickup and thus not tradeable.
9. Can I trade a mount I obtained from a promotional code?
If the promotional code reward is a mount, it is usually added directly to your account and is not tradeable.
10. How can I tell if a mount is tradeable before I obtain it?
Generally, if the mount’s description says “Bind on Pickup” or “Bind on Account”, it is not tradeable. The only exception is the WoW TCG loot cards before they are scratched and redeemed.
11. Can I refund a mount I bought from the Blizzard store?
You may be able to refund a mount purchased from the Blizzard store within 14 days of purchase, provided you haven’t claimed, opened, or otherwise used the item.
12. Are there any mounts that can be “sold” for in-game gold?
No, there are no mounts that can be directly sold to other players for in-game gold due to their Bind on Pickup or Bind on Account status. The exception is an unscratched TCG card for the Swift Spectral Tiger mount.
13. What is the rarest mount in World of Warcraft?
Rarity is subjective and can depend on the method of acquisition, but the Big Love Rocket is often cited as one of the rarest due to its extremely low drop rate during the Love is in the Air event. Swift Spectral Tiger from an unscratched TCG card is also an extremely rare item.
14. What are some ways to increase my chances of getting rare mounts?
Join active communities, familiarize yourself with mount farming guides, run dungeons and raids on multiple characters, and participate in world events.
15. Are there any mounts related to learning and education?
While there aren’t specific mounts directly themed around formal education, the journey of collecting mounts in WoW can be seen as a form of game-based learning. Players develop problem-solving skills, learn about game mechanics, and engage in collaborative activities. Organizations like the Games Learning Society are exploring the potential of games for educational purposes. GamesLearningSociety.org researches how playing video games can teach problem-solving.