Dragonflight’s Menagerie: How Many New Mounts Await You?
The skies of the Dragon Isles, the rugged terrain of Ohn’ahran Plains, and the glistening shores of the Azure Span are filled with adventure, and what better way to traverse them than atop a brand new mount? Dragonflight brought with it a veritable hoard of new steeds, creatures, and mechanical marvels to add to your collection. The most direct answer: Dragonflight introduced roughly 120 new mounts, though this number can fluctuate slightly depending on how you categorize some variations and special event rewards. This comprehensive article will delve into the different types of mounts available, how to acquire them, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Dragonflight’s extensive mount roster.
Exploring the Dragonflight Mount Landscape
Dragonflight’s mount collection is arguably one of the most diverse and visually stunning in World of Warcraft history. These aren’t just reskins; many boast unique animations, intricate details, and thematically relevant designs that perfectly complement the expansion’s dragon-centric lore and zones.
The mounts can be broadly categorized into:
- Dragons: Naturally, dragons take center stage. Many are earned through campaign progress, reputation grinds, and specific achievements, tying directly into the Dragonriding system.
- Proto-Drakes & Drakes: Throwbacks to previous expansions get a Dragonflight makeover, often with new textures and colorations that reflect the Dragon Isles’ aesthetic.
- Mammoths & Other Beasts: Rugged and reliable, these mounts are perfect for exploring the vast plains and snowy peaks.
- Mechanical & Magical Constructs: For those who prefer technology or arcane power, Dragonflight offers a range of crafted and magically conjured mounts.
- Event Mounts: As with all WoW expansions, special holiday events and promotional campaigns introduce exclusive mounts obtainable for a limited time.
Dragonriding Mounts: A New Way to Soar
A defining feature of Dragonflight is the Dragonriding system, which allows players to customize and improve their dragon mounts throughout the expansion. While the initial four Dragonriding mounts are essentially variations on the same customizable framework, the system itself is designed to foster a strong bond between players and their dragon companions, making them much more than just a means of transportation. These four mounts are:
- Renewed Proto-Drake
- Windborne Velocidrake
- Highland Drake
- Cliffside Wylderdrake
The real fun lies in the customization options, which allow you to create visually distinct versions of these dragons. Moreover, further updates have even introduced the ability to use older mounts for Dragonriding.
Acquiring Your Dragonflight Steeds: A Variety of Paths
The sheer volume of new mounts means there’s a mount acquisition method to suit every playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ways to add to your collection:
- Reputation Grinds: Many factions in the Dragon Isles offer mounts as rewards for reaching Exalted status. This involves completing quests, world quests, and other activities to earn reputation.
- Achievement Hunting: Some of the most prestigious mounts require completing challenging achievements, often across multiple zones or content types.
- Raids & Dungeons: Raids and dungeons are a traditional source of rare mount drops, adding an element of chance and excitement to your loot runs.
- World Events: Participating in world events, such as Primal Storms, can reward you with unique mounts tied to the event’s theme.
- Crafting: Professions like Engineering and Tailoring can craft certain mounts, requiring specific materials and recipes.
- Quest Chains: Lengthy and involved quest chains often culminate in a mount reward, rewarding perseverance and exploration.
- Trading Post: The Trading Post, a monthly rotating selection of cosmetic items, often features unique mounts obtainable with Trader’s Tender.
Mount Farming Tips
Maximize your mount collection efforts with these tips:
- Reputation Boosts: Look out for world quests that offer reputation bonuses with specific factions. Utilize Darkmoon Faire buffs or holiday events that increase reputation gains.
- Weekly Lockouts: Keep track of raid and dungeon lockouts. Running content on multiple difficulties (where applicable) can increase your chances of a mount drop.
- World Quest Tracker: Use a tracking addon to easily locate world quests that reward reputation or other valuable resources.
- Community Groups: Join a mount farming community or Discord server to coordinate runs and share information.
Dragonflight Mounts: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Are all Dragonriding mounts customizable? Yes, all the core Dragonriding mounts are highly customizable through glyphs found throughout the Dragon Isles. You can change their appearance, armor, and other features.
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Can I use older mounts for Dragonriding? Initially, only the four Dragonriding drakes could be used for Dragonriding. However, patches have added the ability to use more mounts for this feature.
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Where can I find the Dragonriding glyphs? Dragonriding glyphs are scattered throughout the Dragon Isles. You can find them using in-game maps or online resources.
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Is there a fast way to level up my Dragonriding skills? Focus on completing Dragonriding races, as they award significant progress towards unlocking new skills and abilities.
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Which factions offer mounts as reputation rewards? Several factions offer mounts, including the Maruuk Centaur, Iskaara Tuskarr, Valdrakken Accord, and the Wrathion and Sabellian Obsidian Citadel.
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What are some of the rarest mounts in Dragonflight? Some of the rarer mounts include those that drop from raid bosses on Mythic difficulty or require completing very difficult achievements.
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Can I buy Dragonflight mounts from the Auction House? Some crafted mounts are available for purchase on the Auction House, but most other mounts must be earned through specific activities.
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Are there any mounts that require PvP to obtain? While not exclusively PvP-related, some mounts might be tied to achievements or rewards that involve participating in world PvP events or completing PvP quests in War Mode.
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What professions can craft mounts in Dragonflight? Engineering and Tailoring are the primary professions that can craft mounts.
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How do I participate in World Events to get mounts? Keep an eye on in-game announcements and the official World of Warcraft website for information about upcoming world events.
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Do I need to be a certain level to acquire Dragonflight mounts? While you can start collecting mounts as soon as you enter the Dragon Isles, some mounts require specific levels or progression in the campaign.
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Are there any secret mounts hidden in Dragonflight? WoW is known for its secrets! Keep an eye out for hidden quests, obscure achievements, and community discoveries that might lead to undocumented mounts.
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How does the Trading Post work for acquiring mounts? Each month, the Trading Post offers a selection of cosmetic items, including mounts, that can be purchased with Trader’s Tender earned through completing monthly activities.
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What are some tips for farming raid and dungeon mounts? Run the content on multiple difficulties (if possible), utilize bonus roll tokens, and join a dedicated mount farming group to increase your chances.
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Will more mounts be added throughout Dragonflight? Absolutely! As with all WoW expansions, Blizzard Entertainment will continue to add new mounts through patches, updates, and special events.
Conclusion: A Mount Collector’s Paradise
Dragonflight offers a treasure trove of new mounts to collect, each with its own unique story and method of acquisition. Whether you’re a seasoned mount collector or just starting your journey, the Dragon Isles provide ample opportunities to expand your menagerie and find the perfect steed to accompany you on your adventures. So, saddle up, explore the Dragon Isles, and embark on the exciting quest to collect them all!