Soaring the Skies: A Comprehensive Guide to Dragonriding in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight

Want to know how to ride a dragon in Dragonflight? The answer is both simple and incredibly rewarding. You don’t just “ride” a dragon in the traditional sense; you become a Dragonrider, bonding with your Dragon Isles Drake and mastering the art of Dragonriding. This isn’t your grandpa’s static flying; it’s a dynamic, skill-based system that allows you to swoop, dive, and soar through the skies with unparalleled freedom. You start by unlocking Dragonriding early in the Dragonflight campaign at level 60+. As you progress through the initial quests in the Waking Shores, you’ll be introduced to the basics, earning your first drake – the Renewed Proto-Drake – and learning the core mechanics.

Unlocking the Dragonriding Experience

The journey to becoming a proficient Dragonrider begins immediately after setting foot in the Dragon Isles. The key is to progress through the introductory questline in the Waking Shores. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Reach Level 60: This is the minimum level requirement to start the Dragonflight campaign. You can level up in previous expansion content.
2. Initiate the Dragonflight Questline: After purchasing and downloading the Dragonflight expansion, the quest “The Dragon Isles Await” will automatically become available when you log in. If you can’t find it, check your Map & Quest Log and select the “World” tab.
3. Embark on the Waking Shores: This questline will lead you to the Ruby Lifeshrine, where you will encounter Alexstraza the Life-Binder, who will guide you.
4. Complete the Introductory Quests: Follow the quests provided by Alexstraza and other key characters. These quests serve as a tutorial, teaching you the fundamental Dragonriding skills.
5. Claim Your Renewed Proto-Drake: Completing these introductory quests rewards you with your first Dragon Isles Drake, the Renewed Proto-Drake. This is your personal Dragonriding mount that you will customize and improve.

Mastering the Dragonriding Mechanics

Dragonriding isn’t just about pressing a button and floating through the air. It involves active management of momentum, altitude, and unique abilities. Key components include:

• Vigor: This is your Dragonriding energy. Performing actions like flapping your wings, surging forward, or using special abilities consumes Vigor. Vigor regenerates automatically while you are on the ground or soaring through the air.
• Skyward Ascent: This ability allows you to gain altitude quickly. Managing your Vigor while ascending is crucial, as running out of Vigor can leave you grounded.
• Whirlwind Surge: Use the environment to your advantage. Flying through updrafts and whirlwinds grants you significant speed boosts and Vigor regeneration.
• Dive Bomb: Plunging downwards builds speed and recharges Vigor faster than normal flight. This is a great way to conserve your Vigor and traverse long distances.
• Dragonriding Talents: These talents, earned through exploration and completing quests, enhance your Dragonriding abilities, increasing Vigor regeneration, improving maneuverability, and unlocking new skills. These talents are opened by visiting the Dragon Isles Summary icon located on your minimap.

Customizing Your Dragon Isles Drake

One of the most engaging aspects of Dragonriding is the ability to customize your Dragon Isles Drake. Throughout your adventures in the Dragon Isles, you will find Dragonriding Glyphs hidden in various locations. Collecting these glyphs unlocks new customizations for your drake, allowing you to alter its appearance, including:

• Horns: Change the style and shape of your drake’s horns.
• Scales: Modify the color and texture of your drake’s scales.
• Armor: Add cosmetic armor pieces to your drake’s body.
• Other Features: Adjust tail styles, snout shapes, and more to create a truly unique mount.

You can customize your dragon at any Rostrum of Transformation. These are found throughout the Dragon Isles, including at Skytop Observatory during the Dragonriding Tutorial or in Valdrakken.

Advanced Dragonriding Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced techniques to become a true Dragonriding expert.

• Momentum Management: Learn to harness momentum to your advantage. Diving and then pulling up at the last moment allows you to maintain speed and gain altitude efficiently.
• Utilizing Terrain: Use the landscape to your advantage. Fly along mountain ridges to maintain speed, and dive into valleys to recharge Vigor.
• Chain Abilities: Combine your abilities strategically. For example, use Skyward Ascent to gain altitude, then use Surge Forward to quickly cover distance while conserving Vigor.
• Mastering Dragonriding Talents: Experiment with different talent builds to find a playstyle that suits you. Some talents focus on speed, while others prioritize Vigor management or maneuverability.

Dragonriding isn’t just a means of transportation; it’s an integral part of the Dragonflight experience. By mastering the mechanics, customizing your drake, and exploring the Dragon Isles, you’ll unlock a new level of freedom and immersion in the world of World of Warcraft.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dragonriding

1. Do I need to buy WoW to play Dragonflight?

No, World of Warcraft is not sold separately. Only the latest expansion (currently Dragonflight) is sold separately. If you start a subscription or buy game time, you immediately gain access to all previous World of Warcraft expansions up to level 60.

2. What level do I need to be to start Dragonflight?

Your character must be at least Level 60 to begin the Dragonflight intro questline.

3. How do I activate Dragonflight?

Once your character reaches level 60, you’ll be able to start the Dragonflight questline. The short intro quest begins in your faction’s capital city, either Orgrimmar or Stormwind.

4. When can I fly on normal flying mounts in Dragonflight zones?

IIRC, retail or dragonflight you can fly on flying mounts (not in the new Dragon Isles), at level 30. To obtain dragon riding in dragonflight there is a quest to unlock your drake early on in the Dragonflight campaign at level 60+.

5. How do I unlock Dragonriding mounts?

You start off by unlocking the Renewed Proto-Drake early on during your adventure by progressing through the questlines. As you learn how the Dragonriding system works, you’ll be rewarded with the proto-drake upon completion.

6. What do I need to play Dragonflight?

Requires World of Warcraft®, an Internet connection, a Battle.net® Account, and the Battle.net® desktop app to play.

7. Is Dragonflight good for beginners?

Yes, absolutely! Fans of World of Warcraft interested in trying out the game might find the Dragonflight expansion as a great introductory story, especially since the iconic Dragonflights now make a return as Azeroth’s protectors. It also teaches you the ins and outs of the game slowly and efficiently.

8. Why can’t I play Dragonflight?

A common reason is that you’re trying to claim Dragonflight on a Starter Edition account. Add game time or a subscription to your account, then claim Dragonflight. Also, ensure you’re using a code that matches your World of Warcraft account’s region.

9. How do I start the Dragonflight WoW quest?

When you log into World of Warcraft after purchasing and downloading the Dragonflight expansion, you should automatically receive the first quest, “The Dragon Isles Await.” Check your Map & Quest Log and click on the “World” tab if you’re having trouble finding it.

10. What are Dragonriding Glyphs and how do I get them?

Dragonriding Glyphs are collectibles scattered throughout the Dragon Isles. Finding and collecting them unlocks new customization options for your Dragon Isles Drake. Explore the world, and you’ll discover them hidden in various locations.

11. What if I buy Dragonflight without Shadowlands?

Once DF launches, SL will no longer be available, and will just be rolled into the subscription. Until DF launches, you will need to buy SL to play SL. Buying DF won’t give you access to SL.

12. Ride Along Option

Any other players interacting with you will become whelps that move alongside your Dragon Isles Drake. Speak to Lithragosa near any Rostrum of Transformation, including the one at Skytop Observatory during the Dragonriding Tutorial or in Valdrakken, select the Enable Passengers option.

13. How do I fly and mine in Dragonflight?

Miners will need 35 Knowledge Points and be at least level 25 in their profession to unlock this ability. Leveling your profession to 25 should be easy, just get out there and mine. You can earn the points in a variety of ways.

14. What is the Dragonflight questline?

Players embark on a thrilling adventure across multiple iconic zones in Azeroth to recruit members of the Blue Dragonflight. The questline offers a heartfelt adventure that addresses the unrest of Malygos and Sindragosa, while using the rest of Azeroth instead of confining the story to the Dragon Isles.

15. Do you have to be level 60 to start Dragonflight?

Requierements. To start the Dragonflight intro questline, your character must have reached at least Level 60. Once you’ve reached this level, the quest will become available to you. The intro quest takes place in two major cities, Stormwind and Orgrimmar, and is relatively short compared to other quests in the game.

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