How To Unlock the Skyscale in Guild Wars 2: A Comprehensive Guide
The Skyscale is arguably one of the most sought-after mounts in Guild Wars 2, known for its unique ability to both hover and ascend, making exploration significantly more efficient and enjoyable. Unlocking this magnificent winged creature requires dedication, persistence, and a fair bit of in-game investment. The process is lengthy, but the reward is well worth the effort. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to unlock the Skyscale in Guild Wars 2:
To unlock the Skyscale, you must own the Path of Fire expansion and Living World Season 4. Crucially, at least one character on your account needs to have completed Episode 6: War Eternal Chapter 5: Descent of Living World Season 4. Completing this chapter will trigger a mail from Gorrik, which begins the collection necessary for acquiring the Skyscale. This process involves several distinct collections and a mix of in-game currencies, making it a true test of a player’s dedication to the game.
Starting Your Skyscale Journey
Meeting Gorrik
After completing War Eternal Chapter 5, you’ll receive an in-game mail from Gorrik instructing you to meet him in the Skyscale Eyrie in Dragonfall. Speaking to him initiates the “Return to the Skyscale Eyrie” collection, which serves as the entry point to the skyscale unlock process.
The Initial Collection
The first few stages of the Skyscale collection involve relatively simple tasks, getting you acquainted with the process. These might include:
- Gathering specific items in Dragonfall.
- Interacting with skyscale nests.
- Completing short map-based challenges.
The Core Collections
The Skyscale unlock process truly gets underway with five main collections:
- Skyscale Scales: This collection requires you to gather Skyscale scales by interacting with special points of interest scattered across various maps.
- Skyscale Medicine: You’ll need to craft various potions and medicine for your young Skyscale using different crafting disciplines.
- Skyscale Treats: Gathering and crafting specific treats will be necessary to maintain your skyscale’s health and happiness.
- Skyscale Toys: You’ll have to acquire and interact with specific toys to bond with your Skyscale.
- Skyscale Growth: This collection involves nurturing your skyscale using special items and waiting for certain time-gated objectives.
Each of these core collections involves a variety of tasks. You’ll need to explore different maps, gather specific resources, interact with locations, and sometimes even participate in map events.
Time Gating and Resources
It’s essential to be aware of time-gated elements within the Skyscale collections. Some steps, especially within Skyscale Growth, require a wait time of 2 hours after the previous step. This is designed to pace the process and prevent it from being rushed.
You will also need a significant amount of in-game currencies and resources. Be prepared to collect approximately:
- 41 Gold
- 5,390 Karma
- 1,700 Volatile Magic
- 520 Trade Contracts
- 250 Kralkatite Ore
- 250 Difluorite Crystals
- 250 Inscribed Shards
- 250 Lumps of Mistonium
- 250 Branded Masses
- 260 Mistborn Motes
These resources can be obtained through various gameplay activities like participating in world events, completing daily quests, trading with merchants, and map exploration.
Unlocking the Skyscale
After completing all five main collections and the preceding tasks, you’ll finally be able to complete the “Skyscale Saddle” collection. Once done, you will earn the Skyscale mount permanently. You can then train its masteries to further improve its abilities.
Unlocking Skyscale in Secrets of the Obscure
With the release of the Secrets of the Obscure expansion, the process of obtaining the Skyscale has seen a minor alteration. To initiate the skyscale collection, you now need to:
- Own the Secrets of the Obscure expansion.
- Train the first tier of the Flight Training Mastery line called, “Who Rescues Whom?”.
- This will automatically start the Skyscale collection, giving you the first task of finding an abandoned Skyscale egg.
This change allows players to access the Skyscale collections as soon as they enter the first explorable zone of the expansion, Skywatch Archipelago, making the mount available for new content much earlier.
FAQs: Everything You Need To Know About Unlocking the Skyscale
1. What are the minimum requirements to unlock the Skyscale?
You need to own the Path of Fire expansion and Living World Season 4, and at least one character must have completed War Eternal Chapter 5: Descent.
2. How long does it take to unlock the Skyscale?
The minimum time required is 3 days and 8 hours due to time-gated objectives, plus the time needed to complete each collection. However, expect it to take much longer, depending on your playstyle and available playtime.
3. Is it possible to rush the Skyscale unlock process?
Due to time-gated objectives and material requirements, it is impossible to rush the process. It is designed to be a lengthy and rewarding experience.
4. Do I need to spend real money to unlock the Skyscale?
No, the Skyscale can be obtained entirely through in-game resources. However, purchasing Living World Season 4 episodes is necessary.
5. Is the Skyscale better than the Griffon?
Both mounts have their unique strengths. The Griffon is faster for long dives and horizontal speed, but the Skyscale excels in vertical ascents and precise hovering. The Skyscale is more versatile.
6. Which is harder to get, the Griffon or the Skyscale?
The Skyscale is considerably harder to obtain, requiring multiple collections, time-gated objectives, and resource farming. The Griffon, while requiring gold and Path of Fire completion, is much faster to acquire.
7. How do I start the Skyscale collection after completing War Eternal?
After completing War Eternal Chapter 5, you’ll receive an in-game mail from Gorrik. Visit him in the Skyscale Eyrie in Dragonfall to start the collection.
8. What are the main collections needed for the Skyscale?
The five main collections are: Skyscale Scales, Skyscale Medicine, Skyscale Treats, Skyscale Toys, and Skyscale Growth.
9. How do I make my Skyscale happy?
You can raise your Skyscale’s mood by playing with it, feeding it, and washing its nest.
10. What is “Skyscale Toy Training”?
It is a Black Lion Collections achievement requiring you to purchase the Pet Skyscale Whistle and interact with the Skyscale.
11. Where can I find the abandoned Skyscale egg in Secrets of the Obscure?
Abandoned skyscale nests can be found scattered throughout Skywatch Archipelago and Amnytas, with one containing an egg.
12. How many pieces of Skyscale Food do I need?
You will need 12 Pieces of Skyscale Food to complete the “A New Friend” collection in Secrets of the Obscure.
13. How many grow lamps do I need?
The Skyscale collection requires one grow lamp, which is crafted with 10 charges of quartz crystals.
14. Do I need the Skyscale for End of Dragons content?
While not required, the Skyscale significantly improves map and world completion, making it a powerful asset for the End of Dragons expansion and any content.
15. Can I still use the old method to get the Skyscale?
Yes. The “Old” method for unlocking the skyscale through the living world season 4 content still works for those that do not own Secrets of the Obscure.
Unlocking the Skyscale in Guild Wars 2 is a rewarding journey that requires commitment and patience. However, the versatile abilities of the Skyscale make the effort well worth it for any dedicated player. This comprehensive guide should set you on the right path, ensuring you’re well-equipped to tame your own magnificent sky-dwelling companion.