How to Unlock the Griffon Mount in Guild Wars 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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Unlocking the majestic Griffon mount in Guild Wars 2 is a rewarding experience, offering unparalleled mobility and unique traversal options. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of how to acquire this coveted mount, along with answers to frequently asked questions to ensure you’re fully prepared for the journey.
How to Get the Griffon Mount
The Griffon mount isn’t simply handed to you; it requires dedication and some in-game progression. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unlock it:
- Path of Fire Expansion: You must own the Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire expansion to begin the Griffon unlock process. This is non-negotiable, as the questline and locations are exclusive to this expansion.
- Complete the Path of Fire Story: Finish the entire Path of Fire storyline. This is a crucial prerequisite, as it opens up the necessary areas and dialogue options.
- Reach the Sunspear Sanctuary: After completing the final story mission, you need to journey to the Sunspear Sanctuary. This location is located in the Crystal Oasis map. You’ll need to find Kandake (the NPC).
- Interact with the Remains of the Last Spearmarshal: Within the Sanctuary, locate the Remains of the Last Spearmarshal. Interact with it and choose the dialogue option: “I’ll see what I can do.” This dialogue triggers the initial collection for the Griffon.
- The “Open Skies” Collections: Interacting with the Remains unlocks the “Open Skies” collections, which are a series of achievements and objectives that you must complete to unlock the Griffon. These involve exploring various locations, collecting items, and completing tasks.
- Gold Requirement: You will need a total of 250 gold to complete the Griffon collections. This gold will be spent on purchasing items from specific vendors needed to progress the achievement.
- Complete the Collections: Methodically work through each step of the “Open Skies” collection. This involves a decent amount of exploration and interaction with the world. Be prepared to backtrack to various locations in Path of Fire.
- Claim Your Griffon: Once all the collection achievements are completed, you’ll receive the Griffon mount as a reward, which will be added to your stable of available mounts!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Griffon Mount
1. How long does it take to get the Griffon in Guild Wars 2?
The time it takes to unlock the Griffon can vary, but on average, it can be completed in one to two days if you focus specifically on it. This assumes you already have completed the Path of Fire story and have the required gold. The Griffon is much less time-consuming than the Skyscale.
2. Is the Griffon mount hard to get in GW2?
The Griffon is not considered hard to get, but it does require some effort and progression through the Path of Fire story. The collections are straightforward and there aren’t any particularly difficult combat encounters required. The gold cost can be a minor hurdle, but the collections can be completed by players of all skill levels.
3. How much does the Griffon cost in gold?
The total cost for the Griffon mount is 250 gold. This gold is used to purchase specific items from different vendors during the “Open Skies” collections.
4. How do I get to the Griffon Sanctuary?
After talking to Kandake, you can use the Springer mount to jump upwards towards the vista protected by a Djinn. From there, the Griffon Sanctuary is visible to the east, and you can reach it without further lightning strikes.
5. Is the Griffon faster than the Skyscale?
The Griffon can be faster than the Skyscale in certain situations. The Griffon’s dive ability allows it to reach incredible speeds, especially when starting from a high point. However, mastering the Griffon’s flight mechanics takes practice. The Skyscale is generally more versatile for climbing and precise movements.
6. Is the Griffon mount worth it?
Absolutely! The Griffon is a very worthwhile mount to unlock. Its ability to dive and gain incredible speed when doing so makes it incredibly versatile. It’s also an impressive mount visually, often considered a “legendary tier” mount for its impact on travel, especially once mastered. It’s also very good on land, with an additional wing-propelled jump.
7. What are the easiest mounts to unlock in GW2?
The Raptor mount is generally considered the easiest mount to unlock in Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire. You’ll receive it very early in the Path of Fire story. It greatly enhances your traversal speed in the world.
8. Can the Griffon fly upwards in GW2?
Yes, the Griffon can fly upwards, but its climb is based on its momentum. The more momentum it has, the higher it can climb. It is not a direct vertical climb, rather a diagonal flight trajectory. There is also a speed cap. Once it hits this, it can no longer climb higher or move faster.
9. How do I unlock the Skyscale?
Unlocking the Skyscale is a more extensive process than the Griffon. It requires all episodes of Living World Season 4. At least one character must have completed Episode 6, “War Eternal,” chapter 5: “Descent” to begin this process. The Skyscale requires multiple collection and time-gated tasks, so be prepared for a longer endeavor.
10. Can I sell the “Strange Feather” item?
Yes, the Strange Feather is a sellable item, and is not needed for the Griffon collection. It serves as a hint towards starting the collection and is not required to progress the unlock.
11. Which mount can actually fly in GW2?
The Griffon is the mount most people consider a flyer, however it cannot gain altitude on its own. It has to dive to gain momentum and rise. The Skyscale, however, can. The Griffon’s special move allows it to take flight as a glider, provided you can find a suitable place to jump from. The Skyscale can ascend from the ground.
12. How fast is gliding in GW2?
Gliding speed in Guild Wars 2 is 294 u/s horizontally and 390 u/s when leaning forward. The vertical speed is roughly 113 u/s in both cases. These speeds can be improved with Mastery abilities.
13. Can you get a mount in GW2 without an expansion?
No, you cannot get a mount without an expansion. Mounts were introduced with the Path of Fire expansion. The core maps of Guild Wars 2 were designed without mounts, which is why they aren’t available to players who do not own expansions. However, new players will receive a permanent mount after reaching level 10 with an expansion purchased on their account.
14. Why is the Griffon mount so expensive?
The Griffon was initially designed as an “end-game” item in the Path of Fire expansion and as a gold sink. It’s considered a prestige mount. The developers have not decreased the price since then.
15. How do you get the Jackal mount?
To obtain the Jackal mount, you need to have the Skimmer mount, which is used to traverse the sands of The Desolation. You should also have the Springer mount to reach the needed platform. You need to collect 200 Trade Contracts and have 20 gold to purchase it from Drojkor, Spirit Squall, and complete the vendor’s heart.
By following these steps and considering the FAQs, you’ll be well-prepared to unlock your Griffon mount and soar through the skies of Tyria. Enjoy your new, magnificent companion!