How Many Dragonriding Drakes Are There?

The world of World of Warcraft: Dragonflight introduced a revolutionary new form of travel known as Dragonriding, and with it, a collection of magnificent drakes. But just how many of these majestic mounts are available for aspiring dragonriders? Currently, there are six distinct Dragonriding drake types that players can unlock and customize. Each offers a unique visual appeal and a specific starting point within the Dragon Isles, setting the stage for thrilling aerial adventures. Let’s explore the diverse drakes and delve into the most frequently asked questions about this exhilarating feature.

The Six Dragonriding Drakes

Here are the six drakes currently available in Dragonflight:

• Highland Drake: Found primarily in the Azure Span, this drake boasts a rugged and powerful build. It’s a popular choice for its imposing appearance and customizable options, including the sought-after Elementium Drake skin.
• Renewed Proto-Drake: This drake is the first one most players will acquire, obtained early in the Waking Shores as part of the Dragonriding introduction questline. It serves as the foundation for learning the core mechanics of the system.
• Windborne Velocidrake: Hailing from the Ohn’ahran Plains, this drake is known for its sleek and agile form. Its design reflects the open, windswept landscapes it originates from.
• Cliffside Wylderdrake: This drake is associated with Thaldraszus, the zone known for its mountainous peaks and ancient ruins. It embodies a sense of wildness and power, often adorned with natural elements like rock and foliage.
• Winding Slitherdrake: This serpent-like dragon was introduced later and is found within the Zaralek Cavern. Its unique serpentine body provides a distinctly different look compared to the other dragonriding mounts.
• Grotto Netherwing Drake: This is the most recently introduced drake, accessible via the Traveler’s Log in July 2023. It boasts an ethereal, glowing appearance, adding a mystical touch to the Dragonriding roster.

These six drakes not only offer different aesthetic experiences but also act as your primary tools for navigating the expansive skies of the Dragon Isles. While the initial Dragonriding experience begins with the Renewed Proto-Drake, the adventure doesn’t end there. Each drake becomes a canvas for personal expression, with vast customization options available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dragonriding Drakes

To further clarify the nuances of Dragonriding and the diverse drakes available, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

Getting Started

1. How do you unlock different Drakes in Dragonflight?

   • Each of the Dragonriding mounts is primarily unlocked through progression within the Dragon Isles. The Renewed Proto-Drake is your starting point, given early in the story. The others are unlocked by questing in different areas of the Dragon Isles, through the Dragonriding skill trees, and through the Traveler’s Log.

2. Which mounts have Dragonriding capabilities?

   • Currently, only the six drakes mentioned – Highland Drake, Renewed Proto-Drake, Windborne Velocidrake, Cliffside Wylderdrake, Winding Slitherdrake, and Grotto Netherwing Drake – are designated Dragonriding mounts. Players do not use other mounts for this unique style of flight.

3. Can Dracthyr use Dragonriding?

   • Yes and no. Dracthyr have their own ability, Soar, which is a simplified version of Dragonriding, allowing them to fly around without a mount. On the Dragon Isles, Soar interacts with the Dragonriding skill tree, enhancing its performance. They do also use the Dragonriding mounts in their humanoid form, since “dragon riding dragon gets a little weird”.

Unique Aspects and Mechanics

4. What is unique about Dracthyr Soar?

   • The Dracthyr’s Soar ability provides access to an enhanced form of gliding and is not initially as powerful as dragon riding drakes, but can be improved with skill tree unlocks. It can be used anywhere in the world, unlike normal dragon riding mounts, which are limited to the Dragon Isles. It’s designed as a unique racial ability for Dracthyr Evokers, allowing flight without the need for a drake.

5. Can Dracthyr fly outside of Dragon Isles?

   • Yes, Dracthyr can use their Soar ability to fly outside the Dragon Isles. However, it functions more as a powerful glide than true flight and will not gain the same benefits from the Dragonriding Skill Tree in other areas.

6. Do Evokers get Dragonriding mounts?

   • Yes, Evokers use the Dragonriding mounts, however, they don’t need them to fly on the Dragon Isles, thanks to their Soar ability. They use the drakes in their humanoid form.

7. What is the most popular Dragonriding mount?

   • The Highland Drake is often cited as the most popular due to its customizable appearances, especially the coveted Elementium Drake skin.

Acquisition and Customization

8. How do you get the Black Proto-Drake in Dragonflight?

   • The Black Proto-Drake is not obtained from Dragonriding but purchased from the Wrathion or Sabellian faction vendors. You must be True Friend (maximum reputation) with either faction and purchase it for 400 Dragon Isles Supplies and 1 Awakened Earth. It is not a dragonriding mount.

9. How do I unlock flying in the Dragon Isles with my normal mounts?

   • Normal flying is unlocked via the Dragon Isles Pathfinder achievement, a series of eight achievements that involve exploring and completing parts of the Dragon Isles story. This unlocks flying for all characters on your account.

10. Can Dracthyr stay in human form?

    • Yes, Dracthyr can maintain their humanoid form outside of combat. They automatically switch to their dragon form while engaged in combat. The ability to swap is unlocked early in the quest chain, before you even go to the Dragon Isles.

11. Do you need the Dragonflight expansion to play Dracthyr?

    • Yes, while there is a free trial period, to continue playing a Dracthyr Evoker after the trial, you need to upgrade your account with the Dragonflight expansion.

Mount Rarity and Special Drakes

12. What is the rarest mount in the game?

    • The rarity of mounts shifts over time, but some of the rarest include the Black Qiraji Resonating Crystal, Ashes of Al’ar, and Vicious War Croaker.

13. What mount do you get for collecting 200 mounts?

    • Obtaining 200 unique mounts rewards you with an armored dragonhawk flying mount. This mount, though it is not a Dragonriding mount, is a point of pride for mount collectors.

14. How do you get the Twilight Drake?

• The Twilight Drake drops from Sartharion in the Obsidian Sanctum, but only if the fight is completed with the three twilight drakes still alive.

12. Is the Twilight Drake 100% drop?
    • Yes, the Twilight Drake is a 100% drop rate when you defeat Sartharion in the 25-man Obsidian Sanctum with all three Twilight Drakes alive. The 6-7% drop rate often cited is a data collection quirk due to the fact that not many do it with all three drakes alive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are six core Dragonriding drake types in World of Warcraft’s Dragonflight expansion: the Highland Drake, Renewed Proto-Drake, Windborne Velocidrake, Cliffside Wylderdrake, Winding Slitherdrake, and the Grotto Netherwing Drake. These drakes are central to the Dragonriding experience, and their varied appearances offer players unique customization options. Coupled with the unique ability of Dracthyr to utilize Soar, the Dragon Isles offer a diverse and engaging aerial experience. As you explore the Dragon Isles and engage in Dragonriding, you’ll find these drakes not only as a tool for traversal, but also as a symbol of the grand adventures within World of Warcraft.