The Elusive Stripes: Unraveling the Mystery of WoW’s Rare Tiger Mounts
The world of Azeroth is teeming with magnificent mounts, but few hold the same level of mystique and desirability as the rare tiger mounts within World of Warcraft. These majestic beasts, often adorned with striking colors and patterns, have become symbols of prestige, skill, and sheer luck. While numerous tiger mounts exist, there’s one that stands out as particularly elusive: The Swift Zulian Tiger. This article will dive into the details of this coveted mount and other notable tiger-related topics, answering all your burning questions about these magnificent creatures.
The Swift Zulian Tiger: Apex of Rarity
The Swift Zulian Tiger is arguably the most sought-after tiger mount in WoW, primarily due to its incredibly limited availability. This isn’t just a reskin of another tiger; it boasts a unique orange hue with distinctive black stripes, setting it apart from other felines. Unlike many mounts that can be obtained through quests or achievements, the Swift Zulian Tiger has a very specific and challenging history. It was originally a rare drop from High Priest Thekal in the old version of the raid instance Zul’Gurub. However, when Zul’Gurub was reworked in Cataclysm Patch 4.1, the mount was removed from the boss’s loot table, leaving players without a direct way to acquire it.
The Black Market Connection
Today, the Swift Zulian Tiger is exclusively available on the Black Market Auction House (BMAH), where it frequently sells for the gold cap or extremely high prices. This makes it one of the most expensive mounts in the game. The fact that it is only obtainable through a random appearance on the BMAH, with no control over when it appears, only adds to its rarity and desirability. Even with its presence on the BMAH, it’s estimated that only around 3% of all WoW players possess this mount, underscoring its extraordinary rarity.
Frequently Asked Questions About WoW’s Tiger Mounts
1. Is the Swift Zulian Tiger still obtainable in retail WoW?
Yes, but not through conventional methods. The Swift Zulian Tiger is no longer obtainable through defeating a boss or any quest. Its only source is the Black Market Auction House, where it appears randomly and sells for exorbitant prices.
2. What is the difference between the Spectral Tiger and the Swift Spectral Tiger?
The visual difference is subtle. The Swift Spectral Tiger has armor on its feet and tail, making it slightly “cooler” in some players’ eyes. Both are extremely rare and obtained from the Trading Card Game (TCG), however the Swift variant is generally more sought after and thus even more valuable. If you can only afford one, the standard Spectral Tiger is just as prestigious, albeit slightly less decorated.
3. How rare is the Swift Zulian Panther?
The Swift Zulian Panther mount has an estimated 1% drop chance from the respective boss. While considered a rare mount it’s easier to obtain than the Swift Zulian Tiger as it has not been removed from the game.
4. When was the Swift Zulian Tiger removed from Zul’Gurub?
The Swift Zulian Tiger was removed when Zul’Gurub was reworked in Patch 4.1 of the Cataclysm expansion, released on April 26, 2011.
5. What are some of the other rarest mounts in World of Warcraft?
While the Swift Zulian Tiger is often cited as the apex of mount rarity, other coveted mounts include the Silent Glider, Son of Galleon, Solar Spirehawk, The Polar Bear, Deathcharger’s Reins, Ashes of Al’ar, Obsidian Worldbreaker, and Deepstar Polyp.
6. How do you unlock the old Zul’Gurub?
To unlock the old Zul’Gurub raid, you need a character leveled to level 70. The class does not matter. Once you meet this requirement, head to Stranglethorn Vale, where the entrance to the raid is located. However, keep in mind that the old version of the raid no longer drops the Swift Zulian Tiger or the Swift Razzashi Raptor.
7. Why is the Spectral Tiger so expensive?
The Spectral Tiger’s high price is primarily due to its rarity. It is only obtainable from the extremely rare Trading Card Game loot cards, making its appearance on the market scarce and driving up its value.
8. What set did the Spectral Tiger come in?
The Spectral Tiger loot card can be found in select World of Warcraft TCG expansions. Primarily Fires of Outland (approximately 1 in 484 packs), and it’s also included in Archives and Reign of Fire expansions.
9. How do you get the Spectral Tiger on Warmane or in Outland?
On some private servers like Warmane, the Spectral Tiger may be obtained through custom means such as farming mobs in a specific area for the required item to start the quest. On Warmane the spectral tiger is obtainable by farming The Book of Great Beast Taming™ from eastern Netherstorm mobs. You must then go to Northrend to complete the quest and get the mount.
10. How rare is the Swift Spectral Tiger TCG card?
The odds of pulling a Swift Spectral Tiger Loot card from a Fires of Outland TCG pack are estimated to be around 1 in 7,260, making it exceptionally rare.
11. How many mounts are currently obtainable in World of Warcraft?
Excluding retired mounts, there are currently 906 total mounts that players can obtain and that count toward mount-related achievements.
12. What is the Cloak of the Tiger in WoW?
The Zulian Tigerhide Cloak is an agility/stamina/hit cloak available starting in Phase 4. When equipped, it increases your chance to hit by 1%. It is obtained by defeating High Priest Venoxis within Zul’Gurub and has nothing to do with the rare mount.
13. How do you get the Reins of the Swift Spectral Tiger?
The Reins of the Swift Spectral Tiger are obtained by redeeming a code found on a Spectral Tiger TCG card. You must first go to the WoW’s Promotion Page and enter the 25-digit code from your card. This generates an in-game code that can then be redeemed with Landro Longshot in Booty Bay.
14. How rare is the Swift Razzashi Raptor?
The Swift Razzashi Raptor had an approximate 1% drop rate from Zul’Gurub before it was reworked, making it very rare. It was also noteworthy as one of the first raptor mounts available to Alliance players and the only way for Tauren to ride one at the time.
15. How often does Zul’Gurub reset?
The old version of Zul’Gurub had a 72-hour reset timer, not a weekly reset. This means the raid would reset every three days rather than coinciding with the standard weekly reset schedule.
Conclusion
The pursuit of rare tiger mounts in World of Warcraft, especially the Swift Zulian Tiger, remains a significant aspect of the game for many collectors. These mounts represent more than just a way to travel; they symbolize dedication, patience, and often a fair bit of luck. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a new player just learning about these elusive creatures, the allure of the rare tiger mount remains a captivating part of the World of Warcraft experience. The information above should help equip you with the knowledge to better understand the intricacies of how to obtain, or at least admire these incredibly rare mounts.